cantdecide

Any thoughts about lapband as a treatment for bulimia?

I was banded 1/25/11 and including the 19 lbs I lost pre-op I have lost a total of 50 lbs (and I have 60 more to go). With my first three fills I felt no restriction at all, but about 3 weeks ago I got another fill and definately know what restriction means now. For the first few days I couldn't eat anything but was told to wait it out. Now I can easily drink my protein shake for breakfast. I have been eating soup or cheese and deli meat or really soft casserole type leftovers for lunch and dinner but can only eat maybe 1/4-1/2 a cup. Last night I had the toppings (cheese and pepperoni) from 1/2 a slice of pizza and it was fine. Today I tried a 1/2 size BLT salad from Wendy's and only took a small bite or two of chicken before I got stuck. Liquids go down just fine. Unfortunately so do chocolate and pirate's booty, but I'm doing alright with that. I'm just worried I'm hurting my pouch by it being too tight. What do you think? I'm scared of going back to no restriction.

I was banded in Mexico 5 weeks ago (my insurance wouldn't cover it) and so I never had to go through a psychological evaluation. But I'm wondering if those who are self-pay for bands in the US need a psyc-eval. I'm a licensed psychologist and would love to do some of these evaluations but I'm not on any insurance panels (don't want to bother with all the paperwork and billing) and so all my work is self-pay and insurance companies might not refer to me. Any ideas? I'm going to ask my follow-up surgeon on Thursday.

When I woke up from surgery there was a juice box with a straw waiting. I've been drinking from straws since.

Sorry--me again. My favorite books about eating disorders are: Eating in the Light of the Moon, Women, Food, and God, and Intuitive Eating.

I'm a psychologist who has also been to therapy (most have) for many years along the way. Before, during, and after I got my PhD. One of the reasons I went into psychology was to understand the complexities of my life and the life of others, and one of those complexities for me was eating and food. I decided to get the lapband after years of therapy working on figuring out my issues with food, weight, etc. and I'm not done yet. I think it is so important for us to realize that we are not just "addicted to food" but really addicted to what food does for us--calm us, keep people away, keep family happy with the status quo, reward us, punish us, etc. If there is anything I've realized for me it is that my relationship with food is SO COMPLICATED! Every pound I lose represents a coping mechanism I've used for 32 years to protect myself and so losing weight is scary. Anyway, I HIGHLY recommend seeing a qualified and licensed psychologist. I'd recommend someone who identifies as client-centered or psychodynamic and who you feel a good connection with. Make sure they are licensed in your state! Your insurance will likely cover most of the cost if they are qualified.

Thanks so much for the help everyone.

Do they still have diet coke slurpees? 10 or so years ago they did for a while.

I did it before lapband and lost a lot of weight (40 lbs in 2 40 day rounds of hcg with a break in between). But. . .it came right back when I started eating more than 500 calories a day again. I think it is just like any other no/low carb diet--you lose a ton of water weight and then it all comes right back, plus some. There were 6 other people I work with who did HcG, all lost a lot of weight (40-90 lbs) and all have gained it all back plus an extra 20-50.

I'm a psychologist in Utah (and also a bandster), and just want to add in my 2 cents. A therapist is very different from a life coach. A therapist must be (or at least should be) licensed through the state which means passing rigorous education, testing, and legal requirements. It can be a psychologist (PhD in Clinical or Counseling Psychology), a Marriage and Family therapist (Master's in MFT), or Social Worker (Master's in Social Work), but you should really make sure they are licensed because that will protect you against malpractice. A life coach generally doesn't need any specialized training or licensure--it is just someone that wants to help others but doesn't necessarily have any training in mental health issues. I would suggest looking on the Psychology Today website or your insurance website, and finding someone who lists eating disorders as one of their specialties. When you find a psychologist you want to try, make sure they are licensed by your state (there are a lot of quacks out there) and that they have experience in eating disorders/issues. The most important thing about finding a good therapist is that you feel comfortable and safe with them. Good luck!

I'm a psychologist in Utah (and also a bandster), and I would say you probably want a psychologist rather than a psychiatrist just because psychiatrist now days generally specialize more in prescribing medication and less in doing therapy. When you find a psychologist you want to try, make sure they are licensed by your state (there are a lot of quacks out there) and that they have experience in eating disorders/issues. A good place to start is the psychology today website. The most important thing about finding a good therapist is that you feel comfortable and safe with them. Good luck!

Congrats! I think I know your mom (banded together in Mexico) and have been following your progress. I'm so happy you are seeing such great results!

I have three kids and am undecided about if I want more. My surgeon didn't know of anyone or any studies of people who have been pregnant after a sleeve.

Since my last fill I've noticed that after a meal I can let out a HUGE belch. I've never been a belcher before so it is crazy! And I can keep doing it for a while after a meal. Does this happen to anyone else? Does it mean you are full? Ate too much? Too fast?

I've had three c-sections and the last was 18 months ago. I was really worried about the air and gas pains because they were terrible after c-sections, but it was fine. Good luck!

Hi--Just saw your post. I got my band in Mexico in January but go to Dr. Cottam's office for fills. I love the office, the staff, the nutritionist. Dr. Cottom was definately very professional and competent. I saw him for my first fill and he was a little cold. I saw his colleague Dr. Richards for my second and she was a lot more personable. Let me know if you have any questions about them.

There are some through the Utah Surgical Weightloss Center in SLC. They have ones in Salt Lake and in Utah County.

I have a hard time finding time to make breakfast in the morning and would love to find a good protein bar that will do the trick and I can eat on the way to work. The problem is, I'm allergic to peanuts and all nuts and it is so hard finding a protein bar without nuts. I went to rite-aid the other day and looked at the ingredients of all 20 or so of their bars and all of them had nuts. I'm okay usually if they say manufactured somewhere that also produces nuts--just can't have nuts as an ingredient. Does anyone know of a protein bar WITHOUT nuts or peanuts? Preferably low carb. Thanks!

I tend to be pretty skeptical of anything, so I'm hoping some people here can help me. I've gone over these message boards over and over and am really excited about the possibility of getting lapband. My insurance doesn't cover it and my BMI is about 38. I'm thinking about Dr. Ortiz in Mexico but am still a little worried about getting surgery in Mexico. I've read great things about Dr. Ortiz on here, but I've also been warned that those things may have been written by patient coordinators. How do I find out who is the real deal? I want real answers from real people about the safety and effectiveness of this surgery. Any suggestions?

I was banded on 1/25 and have lost 24 lbs total, but 10 of that was week 1 pre-op and the other 10 was the first week post-op. The extra 4 have been gained and lost for the 4 weeks since. I'm pretty discouraged too. I got my first fill last thursday (5 cc in a 14 cc band) and feel no restriction at all. I'm going to get another fill on thursday and a fill every 2 weeks until I feel good restriction. I really want this to work! I'm eating between 1000-1200 calories and running 30 minutes 3x a week. I know I should bump up the exercise but between working 20 hrs at one job, having a busy private practice on my own, raising 3 kids under 6, and being a wife I find myself with little time. I know. . .excuses, excuses. When the weather gets better I'll start biking to work.

A friend of mine is going to get this done in Utah. I guess it is a way of having insurance pay for lapband but getting plication. So she is getting both. Don't know if that helps.

I was banded 1/25 and have lost 11 lbs post surgery (10 lbs before). I lost the entire 11 lbs within a week after surgery and nothing since. So frustrating. I got my first fill last thursday and don't really feel any different. I'm hoping to go and get another fill next week. Hang in there!

You are not the only one! I was banded 1/25, lost 10 lbs on the pre-op diet and 10 lbs the week after surgery and since then I've GAINED 3-5 lbs. SO FRUSTRATING. I'm eating between 1000-1200 calories and it is so frustrating. I have my first fill next thursday.

I have a Realize-C band and I got it from Dr. Ortiz at the Obesity Control Center.

My first fill will be $500 with floro.