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I agree that bmi can often be just a guideline and not the Mecca some believe it to be . As long as you are healthy and happy with your weight loss, consider yourself lucky. Those scales cannot be right !! I ( I only weighed at the doctors office and was pleased as time went on.) Still pleased 9 years later.... Feel successful with weight loss instead of that yo-yo Problem I had for years! Good luck and please keep posting. Lots of us care and want success for others!

I went to the Dr. yesterday for my one month check up. I had lost 30lbs since my surgery. He told me I should wait to get my first fill and then see in a month if I need one. He said I'm losing weight at the right pace. Is this normal?

Right now I'm not hungry after meals. I keep my calorie intake average around 1300 per day with zero hunger. Maybe I'm eating too much and losing weight anyway, not sure. I might start getting hungry by the time the next app. comes around

Completely normal. The port is the sorest likely because of the fascia suturing. Try supporting your abdomen with your arm as you move - if you have a pannus, put your arm under it and carry the weight with your arm. If you carry your weight higher, support under the incision. I found that by doing thism, I could alleviate 70 - 80% of the pain while walking. Standing & sitting still hurt, but I'm going to guess it was tolerable within a week. It took me 3 days to get into my own bed and stop living in a recliner.

HELP!!!!! I'm having some major issues and concerns! I had my surgery in Jan of 2010 and was steadily losing until July, 2011. I moved from VA to GA and obviously had to switch surgeons. I was only 7 pounds from goal and was having a few issues with my band...I felt it was too tight, so I saw my new Dr here. From the minute I was told I could exercise following surgery, I was up and at 'em, starting with walking, running, spinning, kickboxing, you name it, I did it. It has never been an issue from the start, but suddenly my new Dr says I'm not eating enough. My previous surgeon told me to eat 3 oz total at meals, and snack only if needed(while I was working nights as a nurse). Well, the new dietician and PA told me to eat more calories and eat 4 oz of protein and 4 oz of veggies or fruit, and snack between meals. When I work, I work 12 hour days so I get up super early. I get up at 4am to go to the gym before work, then I eat breakfast at 6:00-6:15. They wanted me to eat something every three hours(some form of 4 ozprotein and 4oz fruit/veggie). Well, since I've been doing that for the last two months, I've GAINED 13 POUNDS(3 pounds in the last 6 days)!!!! I have called and e-mailed the Dr and dietician and they don't really seem that concerned. They keep telling me to be patient and that my body will adjust and my metabolism has to speed up after having supposedly been in starvation mode. Really??? How much weight do I have to gain and how long should it take for me to get out of starvation mode? Not to mention that I am working out 5-6 days per week including weights and cardio(30-60 minutes). Has anyone else had this problem? How much does your Dr tell you to eat? I am feeling SOOOOO discouraged and feeling like this is the same thing as all the other weight loss methods I've used. I don't know what to do, any suggestions would be very helpful, as I cannot get any response from my previous physician either:-( Thank you!

I am no expert, but I would go back to what you were doing while you were losing. If I ate more than three small meal per day( and maybe one snack) I would gain weight! That is what my body seems to do. I stick to my calories and smaller meals and I am steadily losing. I don't know if these Dr's always take into account how differently all of our bodies work. Again, I am no expert but that is my opinion! good luck!

My hubby still thinks that I am insane for doing this. He doesn't say anything negative, but doesn't think that I will follow through with this like everything else I've tried. He asked me if I was going to miss eating whatever I want. I will miss it I'm sure, but I will not miss being 250 lbs. He also has insecurities about me losing the weight and not wanting to be with him anymore. I think it is natural for them to go through all of this. My hubby has been much better over the last few days. It has finally sunk in that I am doing this with or without him. He has decided to go along this wild ride with me. Give your hubby some time. This is starting to become real for him and he has emotions to deal with too. You are his wife for better or worse. They love us now as we are and don't completely understand why we feel the need to change. Of course we all say for our health, but it is so much more than that. I would be lying if I said that was the reason I am doing this completely. Be honest with him about all the reasons. Some how it seems to help with the insecurites. This is 100% about you and not him and not your relationship. Good luck and be patient. I was ready to give up but give him time to work through this.

I have to chose between the Realize Band and the LapBand. The port looks flatter in the Realize product, but is wider in diameter. Is everyone able to visibily see their port underneath the skin? When you lose the weight does the port stick out like a weird petrussion (SP?)? I've asked a few people about which bands they've chosen and most didn't really have a real reason. I'm back to that question again. What to chose, what to chose??

I ate all my favorites up until the start of the pre-op diet. The pre-op diet was very hard because the carb cravings were so severe. After about a week, the carbs were finally out of my system and it got easier, I was hungry mind you, but at least the carb cravings were at bay. I've learned from low-carb diets I did prior to surgery that the best way to get rid of your cravings is to get the carbs cleared out of your system then keep them out. It is hard at first but after a few days the cravings go away then all you have to do is to keep the stuff out of your diet, eating just a little will cause the cravings to come right back. I was allowed carbs during my post-op diet but I chose not to reintroduce the bad ones into my diet. I get my carbs from natural sources like fresh fruits and veggis, oatmeal and milk. I avoid bread, Pasta, rice, potato, corn, flour and of course, sugar. Not only has it kept the head hunger and food cravings away but it has put my PCOS (Insulin Resistance) into remission. I know for sure that it was not the weight loss alone that did this because I was off my meds right away and all of my PCOS symptoms are under control naturally. When I get a sweet craving, I eat some sweet fruit or sugar free treats. I keep SF popsicles and fudgesicles on hand and also I buy the South Beach Diet Breakfast bars and eat just 1/2 of a bar when I get a sweet craving, they really help and add to my daily Protein intake too. They come in chocolate, cinnamon raisin and Peanut Butter and you can get multi-packs with all three flavors. I don't make a habit of eating these treats but I do allow myself one treat a day when needed.

well the insurance companies likes to make you jump thru hoops. this is ususally an attempt to prevent people froom following thru with the surgery. Most insurance companies do want a 6 month diet program of some sorts. once a month or every 30 to 35 days. Some companies will want you to loose weight but mine didn't. i just couldn't gain. I say just do the 6 month thing. i know it sucks but hey you gotta do what you gotta do.

I was banded August 25, 2010. I have had few issues with the band. My health issues are now taken care of (gall bladder surgery in October 2012). After 18 months of fighting with three drs. that kept telling me it was my band. I stood firm and did not listen to them but my stomach pain continued. After lots of tests, of which I am glad came out great, we found out in August 2012 from an urgent care dr. that it was my gall bladder. While all this was happening I gained back 10 lbs of the original 50 that I lost. I am now cleared to start exercising and I found this forum and joined today. Looks like there are alot of great help here. As I am going to reach out to them, you should do the same we can get help together. This forum is what I am going to learn from to use my band tool to the best of my ability. I am glad I was banded and have cut way back on my food intake because of it. I had my first fill 6 weeks after surgery and have had three before my problem started and just had another last month after I was cleared by my dr. Exercising has been a bad word for me but after reading stories it will become my friend.

Thanks ... Ya know I find it so crazyyyy that so many Drs have different ways of doing things..... I have a whole list of questions to ask him tomorrow at my Apt. ... I will let you all know what he tells me about the Protein stuff.... its so weird right now , cause its like I dont even feel like I have even had the band.....I know when I get that first fill, things are gonna change lol... btw: Can someone plz tell me how to add the weight loss ticker?? I dont think I did it right lol

Hello everybody!! My name is Stella and I am a new bandster. I had my surgery on March 29. I am 37 years old, married to the same wonderful guy for 18 years. We have 2 beautiful children-Amanda, who is 15 and Richard, who is 12. I have struggled with weight most of my life and it just kept getting worse. My kids are heavy too. I decided to get the LAP-BAND®® for several reasons. #1, I want to see my kids get married and being extremely obese was killing me. #2, I want to learn how to be healthy so I can teach my kids...maybe I can spare them some of the pain and struggle that I have faced as far as my health and weight is concerned. #3, I want to know what it feels like to be fit and lean and to wear clothes that don't come from the plus size selection. #4, I love horses, as a matter of fact they are my first love, and I want to get back to that. # 5, I'd like to have a small farm or hobby ranch when I retire...and I need to be fit to keep up with the demands of such a venture. So, that's me in a nutshell. Wish me luck and know that I am cheering for you guys too. :frown:

Hey, I had the band done on March 15th also. I went back to work on March 22 and am doing well physically. I lost 9 lbs before surgery, 7lbs, the first week after surgery and 1.5 lbs the second week. The third week I have gained and lost 2lbs. every other day or so. I am very disappointed in my progress. I thought I would have lost more by now.

What a shame i dont have an i phone I would love this I recently found that my wii fit has been tracking my weight loss and could have also tracked my inches/cm lost too if i had been inputting them.....I must ask my surgeon if he took all those details when i was first banded as I know that he has a graph with my weight loss that he shows me when i go in. They need one online that everyone can use....cool idea though with the app for the iphone

Andreanoelle, Hey there, I know exactly what you are talking about. My biggest problem is control. I am able to lose the weight with the right exercises and diet, problem is, it is way too easy for me to put it back on with a lil extra. I think that is the reason I am ok with the surgery. I have had and still have the same thoughts as you. I am making an effort to lose weight before surgery though. They tell me to go on a certain diet before I do the surgery too. I will keep everyone posted. Peace and good luck! Rob

Does anyone fear not losing weight with VSG? Or that you won't lose enough to make the surgery worth it? Or fear that you'll mess up with postop eating? Overall I'm feeling pretty set on having surgery, I just have these fears swirling around. Has anyone had surgery and felt like they didn't lose enough to make it worth it? Or that people didn't notice? I'm not sure how much I want to lose, but considering my starting point, I would benefit from losing 150-200lbs, which seems so daunting and honestly, nearly impossible. Any insight is much appreciated.

I had mine right at 10 weeks ago today, and I constantly have that fear. I've seen friends who were successful at it and some who weren't. I just try to keep a clear mind about it. I lost 120lbs on my own years ago (in 2011) but gained it all but 5lbs back. It taught me a lesson!!

I don't know your weight but I was big, BMI over 50, and I only lost 8 pounds on the 2 week prep diet. I went on to lose a total of 150 in 14 months.... Speed isn't the thing, you will do great. The thing is maintaining that loss for years.

I am sorry you are going through not losing weight. Maybe it is the broth. Cut the broth. It could be you are having TOO MUCH LIQUID. I hope and pray things change in your favor. I would sure hate for you to go through this whole process and in the end to not have the surgery. My prayers are for you!

I don't know if it will help at all, I'm also in the beginning stages. I've decided to do light weights until surgery. I feel it will help out with the rapid weight loss and put me ahead of the game. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi babyka16, I started a Thread to show my story and my process into getting the Lapband to help people that are just starting out at (http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f18/introducing-myself-my-story-so-far-98091/#post1276858). I've searched Lapbandtalk.com and other websites to try to find out as much info as I possibly can and I'm still confused sometimes, lol. I posted steps on how the process on my thread and I've also included it below. I hope this helps you and wishing you luck on your process. I also have tricare prime with triwest... So for people who are just starting out I'll give you the rundown of what to do so far so your process will run more smoothly. **Remember: some doctors and different regions might run differently from mine but I'm sure the whole process is very similar (I have tricare prime with triwest)** 1.First: See if you fit tricare’s criteria for bariatric surgery... TRICARE defines "morbid obesity" as meeting one of the following conditions: a. The body weight is 100 pounds over the listed weight for height and bone structure (according to the most current Metropolitan Life Table) with one or more of the accompanying severe medical conditions which are diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cholecystitis, narcolepsy, pickwickian syndrome, hypothalamic disorders or severe arthritis of the weight-bearing joints—conditions shown to have higher mortality rates when associated with morbid obesity b. The body weight is 200 percent or more of listed weight range for height and bone structure (according to the most current Metropolitan Life Table) Example: if your ideal weight is 112 and your weight is 224 or more than you are 200% over your ideal weight. In addition, TRICARE will cover the gastric banding surgery if a patient has had an intestinal bypass or other surgery for obesity and, because of complications, requires a second surgery. **Note: Tricare does not require a 6 month diet plan but you primary care physician might require it before they will give you a referral** 2.Second: 1st If you haven’t already, sign up for your region’s online service so you can know if your referrals have been approved (I’m triwest so my website is triwest.com if you don’t know your region got to tricare.mil and find out). 2nd If you think you fit one or more of the above conditions for tricare, go to your primary care physician and ask for a referral to a lap band surgeon. Your best bet for getting the referral is to show and tell that you’ve tried everything to lose weight and have dealt with weight for many years (usually 5 years or more). 3. Third: When you get your referral and get approved for your first consult, which you can check online to see if your approved at triwest.com, make an appt with your surgeon of choice and print or bring the approval letter to your surgeon’s office when you go for your appt. **Some people have to see a base doctor for their surgery so you don’t have to wait for approval from tricare if you have a base doctor doing your surgery, you would have to wait for approval from the base doctor them self’s** 4. Forth: After/during making your appt make sure to ask what tests (blood tests) and classes (seminars, pshyc eval, ect.) do you have to have or can have done prior to your visit to your doctor so that after you see the doctor it won’t take longer to get approved for your surgery. The blood tests usually include (some doctors might want more blood work done): CBC & differential count, CMP, TSH, and H-pylori blood test. · A CBC is a complete blood count that is a series of lab tests that measure the amount, shapes, and sizes of red and white blood cells in a sample. The differential is a blood test that measures the different types of white blood cells and compares their amounts to the total count. · The CMP is a comprehensive metabolic panel blood test that provides information about: how the kidney and liver are functioning, sugar (glucose) and Protein levels in the blood, and the body's electrolyte and Fluid balance. · The THS is a thyroid stimulating hormone test that is a common blood test used to evaluate how well the thyroid gland is working. · The H-pylori blood test tests are used to detect a Helicobacter pylori infection in the stomach and upper part of the small intestine. H. pylori can cause peptic ulcers; however, most people with H. pylori in their digestive systems do not develop ulcers. The Blood antibody test for H-pylori blood test checks to see whether your body has made antibodies to H. pylori bacteria. If you have antibodies to H. pylori in your blood, it means you either are currently infected or have been infected in the past. 5. Fifth: After your doctor’s office has all of your blood work, their required classes and evaluations in and you’ve been cleared by your surgeon as a good candidate for the surgery (which usually you will be cleared by your surgeon if you have a BMI of 35+ with a co-morbid OR have a BMI of 40+ and have been cleared by an nutritionist and physiatrist). The nurse or staff at your surgeon’s office will fax all the documentation to your insurance company (which would include your blood work, doctors notes, your comorbids (if any), weight, height, and bone structure, ect.) 6. Sixth: After your doctor’s office faxes your documentation to your insurance company the wait begins. For tricare I’ve heard all different things but most say they were approved within 24-48 hours. If you just can’t wait for a letter to come in the mail for your approval I would suggest to check online to see if you are approved (triwest.com or tricare.mil). If you see that you are denied don’t be alarmed just file a appeal. From what I’ve read most of the time the reason for denial’s are because your doctor’s office wrote down the wrong information (e.g. your weight is 250 but they put 225 or your height is 5’4 but they put down 5’7, ect.) or the doctor’s office left out information that is crucial to getting approved (e.g. They left out your weight or height, ect.). Just call tricare and ask why you were denied and have your surgeon’s office change what was wrong and re-fax it in to tricare and usually you will be approved if what was wrong was changed and it fit tricare’s conditions. 7. Seventh: After you get your approval your doctor’s office should get notification and so should you, either through the mail, a phone call, or you tricare region’s website. If you find out off the tricare’s website you most likely found out before your doctor’s office, I would suggest you call your doctor’s office and tell them so you can schedule your surgery. If you are anything like me when I get my letter of approval or see that I’m approved online I will first jump for joy and second call my doctors office to schedule my surgery, lol. I’m probably leaving something’s out but this is an overview of what you will have to do in trying to get approved for the Lapband. I hope this helps some of you just starting this process. I’ve looked high and low and it is really hard to find a “one stop” list of “how to” on the lapband process with tricare. I will say again that some procedures are a little different according to what region you’re in with tricare, if you have a base hospital that does Lapband there, and if you have tricare standard instead of tricare prime. But overall the process is kind of the same and will at least give you an overall look at what you have in store. I’m by far not an expert on this but I’ve read and lerked around these and other forums to get informed on the subject. I’m still on step number 4(blood work)/6 but I’m just a little step closer to my goal. I’ve been dreaming of having this tool to help me change my life I’m hoping this is it for me! I’ll keep yall updated on my progress, and I hope this helps anyone considering this surgery. Much love for you guys, wish me luck!!! :smile:

I went to The Weight Loss Clinic in Harrisburg. Is there something you want to know? I had a really good experience with them.

Yep! I'm with God's Grace... I started with light hand weights whilst watching TV... focus on the front and back -tri and biceps... pull out from the side etc. Start with fairly low reps and then increase as you feel stronger. Don't push it as you're only 4wks out and your tummy is still healing. You will feel the benefit before you 'see' it, but you will see it in the end. Once you are cleared for full exercise, start doing some press ups and arm dips. Localised exercises are great, you can do them at any time and they only take 10-15 mins. Have a look on youtube for some advise on how to do the moves correctly - if you don't know or have forgotten - and start when you are ready. Remember to take measurements too! God luck =]

I had my surgery Nov 2013. I weighed 353 pounds. I had no idea how big I really was. I was in denial. I finally made the choice to be a better me. I have lost over a 100lbs. It's has taken me blood sweat and tears. I would do it over again. I still have 47 more pounds till my goal weight.