Dave_NW

I think when he said if banding worked didn't you think he'd have already had it done, I'd have said, "Well, I can see you definitely need to lose weight. Maybe it's time for you to educate yourself about how the band works. It may be a solution for you." And if you do see him in a year, remind him that he was the naysayer who wasn't going to let you get your referral. Remind him of how many pounds you've lost, and ask if he's bothered to look into banding for his own fat self. The only directly negative person (speaking to my face, not behind my back) I've met since I started this was a nurse in the hospital the night after my surgery. The IV in my arm was closing up and they were having trouble getting fluids in me. They called in this "expert nurse" from the laboratory to move my IV to a different location. She asked me why I was in the hospital. I told her I'd just had lap band surgery. She went off on me about how it never works and how I should have had hypnosis, like she did, and whatever. I finally asked her to stop talking because I wasn't in the mood to hear it. Funny part is, she was quite obese herself, and she had absolutely no place to be handing me crap like that. I'd love to go back there and see her now, and ask how many hypnosis pounds she's lost, compared to what I've lost. She was pretty inconsiderate. I'm glad you got your referral. Good luck! Dave

Hey Steve! Welcome aboard. There is a ton of information here, and lots of people with a world of experience with the band. Have a seat and join in the fun. It may all seem a bit daunting right now, but there is definitely a light at the end of the tunnel. Hang in there, and go for it. Good luck on your journey! Dave

Get up and move. It helps dissipate the gas. Gas-X strips may help. Sipping Water may help. And know that postop gas pain is totally normal. Some feel it more than others. You'll feel better tomorrow, and even better the day after that. Hang in there! Good Luck! Dave

I agree that not all liquids are created equal. And that was my larger point: That ANY liquid he consumes must be considered. If not on a 1 to 1 ratio, at least in total. Which would give him options for adjusting his total Fluid intake for the day, and maybe feel better about how much liquid he IS getting in. Dave

Triwest is a Regional part of Tricare insurance. Depending what sort of Tricare coverage you have, you may need a referral. Some types don't need a referral. Call them and ask what they require: http://triwest.com/ 888-TRIWEST (874-9378) I have Tricare Prime, and did need a referral. My surgeon says Tricare is one of the easiest insurance carriers to work with, if you meet the requirements for surgery. (Their requirements are very specific.) From the day my surgeon submitted the request for me to have surgery, till I had my approval (over the phone) was three work days. VERY fast! Good luck! Dave

Your ticker says you have 75 pounds to go. If that's all you have to lose between now and Christmas, (and if I counted right), that's only a shade over two pounds a week. You can definitely do that. You'll have to zero in on how your band works with your metabolism, get your butt to the gym and stay there, and keep focused, but there is no reason not to expect to lose that amount by then. If it does take a bit longer to be fully down to your goal, well, consider that you didn't gain the weight overnight, so you won't lose it overnight, either. We all know it's harder to lose than to gain, so stay on target, and go for it! Good luck! Dave

I don't know how inspiring I might be, but here goes: I'm a guy, and I know my methods won't necessarily work for women. But I'm well over halfway to my goal weight, just about four months after surgery, and I'm extremely pleased. I've worked my band to figure out how it interacts with my system to give me the best results. I've learned that (FOR ME) a modified sort of South Beach Diet eating plan (high Protein, low glycemic carbs, with good fat, minimal bad fat and sugars) works well. I avoid creamy sauces or gravy, deep fried foods, and sugary things like Desserts. I drink Water all day, and exercise vigorously at a gym for about an hour four or five days a week. Whenever possible, I take the stairs instead of the elevator at work. I park in the far end of the parking lot and walk. Things add up, and the weight consistently goes away. It works great, for me. Having said all that, here's the disclaimer: I'm also learning how to live with my band AND function in MY "real world." I don't measure anything I eat, but I keep portions reasonable (band-sized), and I stop eating when I feel full - I don't force it, even if there's only one bite left. I DO drink liquids (mainly water, iced tea, or Crystal Light) with all my meals. I drink a few cups of coffee every day. If I feel like ordering a burger, I do it. I discard the bun, use a fork, and enjoy some (or all) of the rest of it, within reason. If I want to eat a few French Fries with that burger, I do that, too. I don't do it a LOT, but once in awhile is not a big deal for me. If I'm at a party and someone offers me a piece of birthday cake, I'll eat a few bites. I won't scarf down that huge corner piece slathered with all that thick, sticky, gooey buttercream icing, but I'll have a few bites - enough to share in the event with the other partygoers, and to satisfy my tastebuds of having a bite of birthday cake. (To be honest, I find after a bite or two my sugar meter goes into overdrive, and I get nauseated - so I stop eating it. The pleasure is gone by then.) it's all about moderation, and working within limits of what the band allows. I know if I carb-load on a given day, I'm not going to lose weight. And if I expect it, I'm not disappointed when I'm right. A few days of reduced carbs, more protein, and a bit of extra working out, and the scale starts moving down again. It's all about balance. It's also all about what works for ME (and that's true for everyone.) I'm the one living inside my body, and it's up to me to make the most of it. I don't feel deprived, I don't feel like I'm disappointing my family or friends, and I don't feel like a spectator in my own life. And for the first time in many years, I do feel energized, interested, and that I'm actively LIVING my life. And THAT is the kind of inspiration I can live with. Good luck wth your journey! Dave

Even if you owned the exact same scale your doctor has, you'd weigh at different numbers on the same day, due to all the environmental factors others have previously mentioned. My doctor's scale shows me to be about ten pounds heavier than when I weigh myself at home. Deduct clothing, time of day, Water consumed, and what I've eaten that day, and I'd pobably weigh more the same. But short of taking my scale into the doctor's office to weigh myself the same way at the same relative time, it's not a big deal. I accept their scale numbers as my "official" weight, but I use my own numbers from home here and elsewhere because those numbers are just as valid, for the consistency of when and how I weigh myself. Plus, they're lower. HAH! Dave

I put my consult weight, because that's when my weight loss journey officially started. I only had one day of preop diet, so on surgery day I was only a few pounds lighter. And then the journey REALLY started. Dave

Nick, be sure to count any other sources of liquids you're consuming: coffee, any soft drinks, Soups, broths - water-based liquids come in a variety of forms. You may be taking in more than you realize. Dave

I think that's one of those "time will tell" things. There isn't a reason for it to be removed, unless you develop a problem of some sort. If you did have it removed, are you comfortable that you won't start eating poorly again, and start regaining weight? At this point in my life, I expect to have it for the duration. Dave

Just a guess, but I'd say you have a hiatal hernia. That's about where the pouch area is above the band. I used to have heartburn and such, but during my band surgery they repaired a hiatal hernia, and I haven't had it since - zip, nada, none at ALL, no matter what I eat. If you're having such a reaction after something as simple as toothpaste, you need to talk to your surgeon about that sort of thing. I think the problem is physical, not behavioral. As for the vomiting, the food isn't likely coming from your stomach. It's probably coming from your pouch, before it makes it into your primary stomach. If you get stuck enough to irritate the pouch area, it'll cause the indigestion, and then the vomiting. After the food is gone, the source of irritation is gone, and you can resume eating. It could also be something like an esophageal ulcer, where food passing over the irritated area is enough to cause the problem. The capacity your surgeon mentions is likely pouch capacity, not stomach capacity. Your stomach can hold a whole lot more food than your pouch. Hope this make sense. Good luck! Dave

You've heard it over and over: "Everyone's weight loss journey is different." Your age, general health, caloric intake, activity level, sleeping habits - they all have an effect on your weight loss. You didn't gain all this weight overnight, so you can't expect to lose it overnight. It takes time to do it right. Now, looking at the math: You've lost 49 pounds since 12/28. As of today (April 10), that's about 15 weeks. So you've lost an average of about 3.3 pounds a week for 15 weeks. Given the lap band average expected weight loss is 1 to 2 pounds a week, I'd say you're on a hot streak and tearing it up. You're doing excellent! Keep doing what you're doing, and watch as the numbers add up. You deserve to be extremely proud of yourself. Good luck! Dave

Hey Andy. Congratulations on your decision to explore a military job. It's a very rewarding way of life. I was in the Navy for 20 years, and really enjoyed it. If you are considering going in the service, DO NOT have any kind of bariatric surgery! According to the Tricare website (the medical insurance for people in the military, dependents, or veterans) if you have had weight loss surgery you are not eligible to enlist. This information is copied directly from the Tricare website: ************************************ Note for Active Duty Service Members: Bariatric surgery represents a major and permanent change in your digestive system that requires strict adherence to a specific dietary regimen that may interfere with operational deployment. A history of bariatric surgery is already a bar to military service and receiving bariatric surgery while on active duty may be grounds for separation. For more information, view the Health Affairs Policy 07-006. ************************************ The Health Affairs link above displays a letter that very clearly states that if you have bariatric surgery, you are not eligible for military service. There have been others here who have had surgery first, then been disappointed to find out they can't get into the service because they had the surgery. So you'll need to lose weight through more conventional means. Wishing you the best, no matter what path you choose. Good luck! Dave

During the first six weeks or so after surgery your body is still adjusting to its new situation. You aren't eating like you were in the old days, your behaviors are different now, and your body needs to sort things out to decide what is now "normal" for you and your new life. The postop weight you lost so fast was a combination of Water weight and fluids taken in during surgery. Once that excess weight is gone, your system needs time to settle down and focus on actually burning fat. Be patient - after a few weeks of things settling down, your metabolism will regroup, and you'll start losing properly. That's when you should look closely at what you're eating, and how often. One major trick that helps me is to eat a few ounces of Protein every three to four hours, rather than a larger meal every six or eight hours. By keeping my blood sugars balanced and protein intake elevated, my body has no choice but to work on losing fat. It tales a bit of manipulation to determine what's normal for your body, but it works really well once you sort things out. Good luck! Dave

Just a thought: When you say you vomit, is it coming from below the band or from the pouch? If it's from the pouch you may have a hiatal hernia, or maybe some kind of ulcer in your pouch area that gets irritated when you eat. Your surgeon will be better able to diagnose such a thing, but it sure sounds like a physical problem, not what or how you're eating. Good luck! Dave

Hi Rebecca, Welcome to the Forums. There are a few other Washington folks currently posting here. I'm up north of Seattle, on the way to the Canadian border. I have Tricare Prime, and was banded at Swedish Hospital in Seattle about four months ago. I chose Swedish because of their location, and Dr. Ross McMahon's experience and bariatric certification. I'm very pleased with the whole clinic's performance, and with my weight loss results so far. Depending on how you want to move forward, either by using the weight loss services at Madigan Hospital, or going off base and using a civilian location, you'll find Tricare Prime to be very specific about what they will and won't pay for. If you meet the requirements, approval is very direct. My approval took three working days to receive. Your out-of-pocket expense will also be minimal. So far, I've paid only about $100, and most of that was co-pays. Tricare paid the rest. I'd start with a visit to your PCM, and get the referral you need to a Tricare-approved weight loss surgeon. They can then determine whether you meet all the requirements for surgery. If you have any specific questions, just let me know. I'll be glad to help if I can. Good luck! Dave

I'd say take the high road, follow your own plan, and let her play catch up. If she's not losing enough maybe she needs you to be HER example. The comments she's making sound like she's externalizing her internal guilt. Good luck! Dave

All these emotions you're feeling are completely normal. We have a relationship with food, whether good or bad, and bandng really turns that upside down. Adding the physical device to your stomach doesn't instantly change how you feel in your head about food. That mental adjustment needs to come from you, and you'll find your attitude about food, and your attachment to it, will change over time. Hang tough - it does get easier. (And when you come to the realization that it was your relationship with food that made you obese to begin with, it'll be easier to make the mental adjustment about how to relate to food post-banding.) In the three weeks I stayed home from work after my surgery I was on a liquid-only diet, healing not only from banding, but also from a hiatal hernia and ventral hernia repair they did during the band surgery. I was a mess. I laid in bed sipping nasty Protein shakes and Water, and watched cooking shows on TV, imagining how it would be to be stuffing myself with all that greasy, excessive mountains of food Guy What'shisname eats everywhere on Diners DriveIns and Dives. At first I was jealous that he could eat those things and I couldn't. As the weeks went on I found myself not wanting those things so much. And now I see them and think how interesting it is to see how the foods are prepared, but I'm astounded that people can eat that volume of food in one sitting. I'd like a taste of them, but I have no desire to eat the whole thing, whatever it is. I'm four months postop, and I'm well on my way to my goal. I'm very happy wth my results so far. But I am by no means a slave to my band. I eat "real" food, and I eat in restaurants frequently. I'm not much of a cook, so I rely on others to do the cooking. It's very manageable with a band, if you keep your wits about you. Example: I went to Olive Garden the other night with friends. I ordered their "Steak Toscano" entree, with steamed vegetables instead of potatoes. It's a 12 ounce steak, prepared wonderfully, and it came with a bunch of steamed broccoli. I ate about a third of the steak at the restaurant, and I had the other two-thirds over two more meals. I was able to socialize with my friends, had a nice restaurant experience, and I enjoyed my meal - three times. Give yourself a chance to heal up, and once you're starting back on solid foods you'll see how your relationship to food changes. I even discovered my taste buds had to be retrained. Things taste differently now that I'm not packing it in. I actually have time to enjoy the flavors of what I'm eating, instead of mindlessly devouring my way through a mountain of food on my plate, thinking the whole time about what to have for dessert. Good luck! Dave

Hi Christina, On the Bodymedia Activity Manager Summary page. On the bottom right under Settings, click Preferences. It shows your preferences for what the band shows. The METS can be adjusted there, along with a few other things. Dave

I use the Bodymedia Fit armband, which is made by the same people who make the Bodybugg. I find the armband is not a perfect science, and sometimes it needs a bit of an adjustment for what it considers exercise or calories burned. (How can I spend 45 minutes sweating up a storm on a treadmill or recumbent bike, and then have my armband only show me active for 6 minutes?) Adjusting the METS downward slightly gives a more accurate reading. Same for calories burned, but it's not a function of the armband. If you try doing everything else the same, try to burn more than your 2100 calories daily. The armband only knows what it's being told. So if you burn extra calories, the deficit may be even greater, and the scale may ultimately move. Another thing to look at is where your calories are coming from. If you're eating more fat or sugar than you realize, or if there are things you're eating but not reporting (such as that iced mocha latte you had this morning, or whatever) it can translate into hidden calories. It could be your exercise is enough to burn of the excess, but not more than that. If the armband is only getting part of the information, it can mislead you into thinking things are better (or worse) than they appear. You may need to adjust your profile a bit to reflect your true activity level. I find if I do everything the same but the scale stops, regardless of what my armband says, I adjust my calories eaten up or down, or boost the Protein and reduce the carbs, or work out more at the gym. Tipping one edge of the balance causes something to move, and it usually results in weight lost. Good luck! Dave

The short answer is yes, you'll be chewing differently for the rest of your life. The way you eat, and what you eat, can change somewhat, but as you get more restriction with your band, you'll want to make sure you don't swallow anything large enough to get stuck right above the band. Being stuck is painful, kind of like having something caught in your throat, but it's lower down than that. After a few minutes the item usually moves through the band, but until then you can get what is called "sliming," where your salivary glands go into overdrive, trying to lubricate your esophagus enough to help the stuck item pass down into your stomach. It is not a pleasant thing, since your mouth fills with foamy, sticky phlegm. It's pretty disgusting. You'll learn as you go along how to eat for your particular band installation, and how tight it is. You get used to it, and it's not that big a deal. Since your meal sizes will also get smaller, you'll be eating less than before, so taking smaller bites makes a meal last longer. Good luck with your surgery! Dave

Kayleigh, make sure your Tricare Prime coverage will follow you when you move. Not sure how it is these days, but it used to be that medical coverage ended when a dependent moved out of the service member's house. You may want to delay moving to Texas till you've had things done in Alaska. Dave

Sorry to hear you've had such a problem with things. Others have addressed the fill/unfill topic, so I won't go there. But I do have two suggestions for you to consider: 1. If you insist on eating Cookies and milk when you "can" eat, why not change to the weight loss cookies and Protein shakes instead? There are very tasty options available to you, and you won't have to beat yourself up over eating things you feel are "bad" foods. Plus, that way you could adjust your caloric intake to a more appropriate balance to help you lose weight. costco sells Premiere brand chocolate ready-to-drink protein shakes, and (to me) they taste a LOT like chocolate milk. Worth a shot? Certainly couldn't hurt. 2. If you want to continue to eat the way you are, how about working around the diet, and exercise more? It wouldn't have to be much, maybe just walking, but anything would be a way to change the way your metabolism sees itself every day. If you're plateaued with your current diet and exercise levels, changing one side or the other of the equation will produce some results. Correcting your diet choices can come later, after you seek some counseling on why you're sabotaging yourself by how you eat. Good luck with whatever path you choose. Dave

Others will have more specific information, but the short answer for why your surgeon put you on the preop diet is to shrink your liver prior to surgery. When the band is being placed, they need to retract your liver out of the way so they can reach the upper part of your stomach. The more liver there is, the harder that is to do. The preop diet will shrink the liver by as much as 10 to 15%, which makes the surgery easier to perform, and there is less risk of damaging it. So by staying on the diet you're actually helping yourself. (The very low calories seem extreme because they are - this isn't about healthy nutrition for long term living, it's about getting you ready for surgery.) If you're concerned about your daily regimen, or being unable to do as your surgeon suggests, you should call and ask about it. They may have alternate options for you. I only did one day of preop diet, but I did three weeks of liquids only diet after surgery. Every surgeon has his/her own requirements. Good luck! And hang in there - it's worth it. Dave