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Most fills are billed and you will have copay. Once a week seems a bit fast to me. The goal is to lose slowly over time, not in a short time. Fast weight loss places too much stress on the system. I have a good friend who has lost 80 pounds with NO FILLS in 6 months, just by following the Lap Band eating rules and portions.

You are not alone! I have been hungry since about a week out from surgery, and it's the smells from making food for my kids and husband that get me the worst! But we knew this would happen, and it's not much different from a regular diet. It's about making the choice to say no and lose weight. Lucky for us, even if you decided to eat you would fit very, very little in your new little tummy. Not that you should, but that is the point of this surgery. Once you move to mushie stages it should help with the hunger issues. Try to stick with protein mushies. The shakes don't help with my hunger much either, but a piece of cheese, a little bit of egg, or some canned chicken with light mayo has helped me a lot with hunger. It will get better!!

My insurance only covers the actual surgery as well, but none of the tests or weight loss Dr. appts. I've had to be very careful to have a "complaint" other than obesity at my weight loss appts, my sleep study was covered due to snoring and fatigue, but even my portion of that was over $600. I've had to let my PCP know not to code obesity as the primary diagnosis for visits. I did have to pay for psych evaluation out of pocket ($300). I will need a barium swallow pre-op and I'm not sure how to get that covered. If not, I recommend negotiating a cash price. That's what I did for my psych eval. If they absolutely won't pay for labs, check out Theranos. They are lab clinics located in select Walgreens with very low cash prices. As long as you get the labs ordered sent to your surgeon it shouldn't matter where you got them.

In my case, I consulted with 3 surgeons and my final decision was based on how comfortable I felt. Of course, critical criteria which I asked directly were as follows: - How many years have you been practicing? - How many procedures for each type of surgery? - How many patients have had complications and why? - Patient reviews etc.... In my case, the surgeon that sold me the most was the one that not only talked about the different types of procedures in depth but also took the time to explain the fundamental relationship between our brain and food. That was key to me as he spent quite a considerable amount reinforcing how this was a tool and that the majority of work would be on me to change my lifestyle. I found his focus on the nutrition part golden cause that is what ultimately makes us gain the weight. Hope this helps and good luck with your final decision!

When did anyone start lifting weights after surgery And was it light or back to normal

As some of you know I have been trying for awhile to reach my goal (250 lbs). My hope was for it to have happened last month, but no such luck. I was more determined then ever to reach my goal this month. I even had a secret super goal to reach 238 lbs (a loss of 16 lbs in one month). The super goal was created because it is my 70 lb marker and I have an old childhood friend coming to town and I wanted to surprise her with my weight loss since she doesn’t know I have had surgery. My friends at work told me that I was crazy to even have the super goal, but I guess we are all a little crazy in our own way. I was doing really well with my meals and walking (6 miles every other day), until I hurt my knee. I did as the doctor ordered and stayed off it a little, but then started walking again, but only 5 miles this time. I am having pains in both knees and try to give myself more time off between my walks. As for my gain during my off week, it happens and I have to accept it. I should learn not to get frustrated with situations I cannot change, which causes me to eat. I need to learn how to stay on schedule and just subtract the walking. This is something I need to work on in the future. Anyways, I went to the doctor yesterday and I wasn’t sure what to expect given my previous week. I was really nervous, but willing to except whatever came my way. I honestly thought I would be okay, but ya never know. I stepped on the scale and I had mixed emotions. I was happy and frustrated at the same time. Why, well, because I was just 2 lbs shy of meeting my “super goal”!! That’s right, if I had controlled myself the week before I would have reached the super goal and loss 16 lbs, but to be honest I was so damn happy to have finally reach my 250 lb goal. I have lost 68 lbs so far and it just seems so surreal to me. I am still at a loss. As for my doctor, he was very pleased with me. However, he prefers for me to only loss 6 to 8 lbs a month and that is the goal for next month. I guess we will see what happens given my knee issues. I’ll keep ya posted on my progress. ~Think Positive and Stay Healthy~ To view previous post visit my site: Edd's Lap-Band Adventure

As some of you know I have been trying for awhile to reach my goal (250 lbs). My hope was for it to have happened last month, but no such luck. I was more determined then ever to reach my goal this month. I even had a secret super goal to reach 238 lbs (a loss of 16 lbs in one month). The super goal was created because it is my 70 lb marker and I have an old childhood friend coming to town and I wanted to surprise her with my weight loss since she doesn’t know I have had surgery. My friends at work told me that I was crazy to even have the super goal, but I guess we are all a little crazy in our own way. I was doing really well with my meals and walking (6 miles every other day), until I hurt my knee. I did as the doctor ordered and stayed off it a little, but then started walking again, but only 5 miles this time. I am having pains in both knees and try to give myself more time off between my walks. As for my gain during my off week, it happens and I have to accept it. I should learn not to get frustrated with situations I cannot change, which causes me to eat. I need to learn how to stay on schedule and just subtract the walking. This is something I need to work on in the future. Anyways, I went to the doctor yesterday and I wasn’t sure what to expect given my previous week. I was really nervous, but willing to except whatever came my way. I honestly thought I would be okay, but ya never know. I stepped on the scale and I had mixed emotions. I was happy and frustrated at the same time. Why, well, because I was just 2 lbs shy of meeting my “super goal”!! That’s right, if I had controlled myself the week before I would have reached the super goal and loss 16 lbs, but to be honest I was so damn happy to have finally reach my 250 lb goal. I have lost 68 lbs so far and it just seems so surreal to me. I am still at a loss. As for my doctor, he was very pleased with me. However, he prefers for me to only loss 6 to 8 lbs a month and that is the goal for next month. I guess we will see what happens given my knee issues. I’ll keep ya posted on my progress. ~Think Positive and Stay Healthy~ To view previous post visit my site: Edd's Lap-Band Adventure

@ Nebula- Something rich in protein and low in carbs. Usually just a protein shake for most people. And the reason you want to take in the protein is so that your body can repair the damage that is done to your muscles and burn fat calories instead of taking those calories from muscle. Basically each time you work out with weights (and all of us should) and become sore the next day, you've made tiny tears in the muscle fibers. This is the only way that the muscle builds and gets stronger. Hence the reason for the protein. Protein is food for your muscles.

Had my sleeve monday 2-13, and I am not gonna lie, for me The first day home was hell. Breathing right helps but dries your mouth out so Chapstick has become my best friend! The walking and having someone rub my back in circles helped with burping and I burped like nothing I've ever heard. But u must get out the gas the put in you!!! I went home tuesday and was to be on Water only until wed. The pain of any liquids, even my two teaspoons of liquid pain meds hurt so incredibly bad. I didnt get much water down. Walk walk walk as much as u can and don't forget to use your breathing apparatus they gave you! And cough after using it to expel that crap from your lungs. I found I could burp better too after doing my breathing. The burping causes a type of hiccup that is so painful. So having a pillow or rolled towel on the abdomen before burping helped so much. I've kept an ice pack on my stomach almost always since surgery and that's so helpful too. One of my larger incisions hurts worse (I was told prior it would), so ice on that is a blessing. I got scar cream from my dr so have applied that as often as needed and the incisions look pretty good outside of the brusing. Day two I was able to get in some of my Isopure liquid Protein, which was great. Small sips ohhhhh I mean small as if you barely have a half a teaspoon. For me it helped if I kept the liquid in my mouth a few seconds to warm it up. That afternoon I had chicken broth... It wa delicious and again I had to take super small sips out of a coffee mug, but it still hurt so bad going down and once there. The fizzing and gurgling sounds are loud and very uncomfortable. I'm told it's the "pop rocks" phase. I just take a deep breath and breath slow everytime I feel the contraction pain when liquids hit my stomach. sleeping is tricky, u hate being on your back too much and sitting in my recliner seemed to put too much pressure on my neck and stomach so I propped up a bunch of pillows and I'm slightly on my left side. Can't even bare to sleep on my right side yet. Yeaterday also started acid reflux, and I didn't know peppermint tea would get rid of the acid so didn't have any on hand, so for a quick relief my nurse said melt a cough drop in half a cup of warm water for the same effects and boy that helped a lot. felt so good in my throat. Also she suggested sugar free honey cough drops to suck on and that's been a huge blessing for the soreness in my espohogus. So here we are day three, I tried beef broth today. I Strained a beef Soup can It's so yummy! Still hurts so bad but I just have to remember smaller sips and breathing right while it's processing. I feel like I'm hungry but I'm sure it's the pain and the gas that's tricking my mind. I have no weight loss but again my nurse says that's from has and iv fluids and such. I'm not worried about it yet though anyway. It's a rough tearful process but I see very small improvements daily so I focus on that. I am in a lot of pain in my stomach still but I know eventually it'll get better. I'm blessed with an amazing husband that took the week off for me. So having him motivate me to walk, sit up, take meds, drinks. (ya everything) is what I need! Good luck to all on this journey and if you're doing better than me congrats and if worse than me, hang in there and reach out for support. Use the myfitnesspal app. It's really wonderful. If u do I'm on there as "browndes". Let's share in our journey;-) Blessings to all<3

What do you do when your energy is low? Do yo drink something? Eat something? Exercise? Supplements? What works for you as a bandster?

Keep your head up. It WILL come off. There is no way it can't! Your body is still recovering and adjusting from a MAJOR surgery. Be patient. I have found the weight loss comes in peaks and valleys. I want the weight to come off yesterday too. It will come off. Hey...YOU JUST LOST 2 MORE POUNDS!!!!!!!!!! It all adds up in the end.

So, I reached one-derland weeks ago and I've been hitting every milestone that I thought was impossible. Now, I'm panicking: I have not been thin in a couple of decades and the thought of it is terrifying. I'm now a size 12 (from a size 22/24 in June), but I cannot fathom being smaller than this. I feel as though I'm not ready and/or I cannot cope with this. It's shocking to say this, but I'm not sure I want to be thin (which is what I was desperately trying to achieve). The attention is starting to make me afraid and uncomfortable, especially around men, and the new, form-fitting clothes are making me scared and self conscious (I actually find myself wanting to put on my old, plus-size clothes that obviously do not fit). Has anyone else gone through this? What should I do?

I had written you a long length post and I hit a wrong button and it disappeared. I am just going to say I speak from experience when I say please seek help. I had no idea where to go in the early 1970's to seek the help I need for the same things you expressed here. I was 21 and had lost 107 pounds through a diet program and had never had any relationships with men of any kind until after I lost my weight. The emotional turmoil and uncomfortableness got to be too much for me after a huge emotional hurt from a man. I ate myself from 170 up to 497. It destroyed my life and I know that if I had some counseling on how to deal with my new body and men I never would be suffering as I am today/ Please don't do as I have done, you have worked too hard to stop. Seek the help you need. I will be following this post and if you wish to email me privately feel free to do so. I have been in your shoes and am here for you.

Congrats on your weight loss! I assume 2014 was a typo? Was your surgery in 2013?

Great job on the weight loss! Keep up the good work

Hello everyone!! I'll be going to see my surgeon in June to get a surgery date booked. I'm having a bit of a problem though, in order to get a surgery date I have to lose 5 to 10% of my current weight by my June appointment or my surgery date gets pushed back. Problem being, I keep eating horribly because I keep thinking "oh I won't be able to eat this after surgery so I better eat it now". Does anyone have any advice on how to stop having "food funerals"?! Thank you!!

I had a few food funerals but looking back its was pointless because if I truly wanted to I could probably still eat a few bits of whatever it is so you can stop that anytime now lose your little bit of weight so you can join our party!!!

My DH also wasn't too happy about it, so I took him to the seminar and that convinced him it was the right thing for me. So now he is semi-supportive.To be fair, he is supportive but cautious. Like he keeps saying " you will have to do your part, it's not a magic bullet" etc... I guess I have failed at dieting SO many times he doesn't believe I can actually lose weight and keep it off. I kind of have the same doubts sometimes but try to brush them away quickly. But no way I am telling his family, they are way too negative and I can't even imagine the kinds of comments they would make.

Hi Connie, I just passed my 5 week mark this week. It looks like you're doing terrific. I love reading about your NSV's! You've done better than me with the weight loss as I've let go of 19 pounds since surgery morning.

Hi there - I'm getting band to sleeve revision surgery on June 16th. No one can (or should) tell you not to worry about complications - there are risks for all sleevers, but unfortunately the risk is higher for us revisioners. We have scar tissue that has to be removed, along with the band, and generally the longer the surgery the higher risk of complications. I'm worried about this, but I think that the benefits clearly outweigh the risks (for me anyway). I know that I can't maintain a healthy weight on my own, and my risk for a range of serious health issues will just increase over the years. Statistically, my longterm outcome looks much better with surgery than without - but of course any of us could land on the wrong side of those statistics and be the one in hundreds/thousands that has a really bad outcome. Just like - I could have a heart attack next year if I don't do it. All we can do is look at the evidence and make the best choice we can. I wish you the best!

I am one also surgery is set for 6/18. I'm ready for the switch and to get this weight loss jump started again.

Hi everyone, today I am going to have my first fill. I have been very hugry up untill today and I hope that this will help. Any suggestions on how I should get through the next week....I know that there is a chance of sliming. I have never slimed and I hope to keep it that way. Should I expect to lose more weight soon after the fill? I really hope so because I have been stuck at the same weight for about 3 weeks!

Gosh, your post touched me. Tracy, I dealt with all of it. I was where you were. BIG TIME. The story is too long to recount but trust me, I have been there. I was "The Worlds Most Remedial Bandster" - I mean really. I knew folks who had the RnY Bypass around the same time, and of course, they seem to lose so quickly. Then I actually had people around me (5 were my CLOSE friends) who gave me so much flack.They meant well but they were like "Errrr.... it's not working, is it?" And those were the nice comments. My body wasn't doing all that it should have do with the band, and no matter what I did I couldn't lose my flabby lower abdomen area. I was so desolate - I also thought of the RnY Bypass. Luckily, I stuck with the band and I'm glad I did. It all worked out and three+ years later I can say I had the last laugh. I got to goal (slowly but in time, I started losing & losing) and a bit past it. I found out I didn't have a flabby lower abdomen - it was fibroids. My Plastic Surgeon found them. Oy vey! That meant a fibroid removal surgery that was the equivalent of a C-section. OUCH Recovery was so slow & long but I now have a smoother mid-section. Of those 5 toughest critics, 4 (yes, 4 of them) are now LapBanded too. I lost as much as some friends who had RnY. It took me longer, but the slower weight loss helped now look (to strangers) as if I've never been heavy. As they say, living well is the best revenge. (There are pics on the Before and After thread that document my progress.) Don't give up yet. You've got a great tool, don't beat yourself up. It can happen.

Didn't mean to go so long without a reply. That's not like me, just have been under the weather as of late (summer colds are a pain). Anywho, thank you so very much for the reply. I appreciated the keep the chin up and not a comparing weight loss to others ... thanks again. You're doing great.

Hi Steph-O... I suspect that pcos has had a great deal to do with my weight struggles. I've always been athletic and have spent 80% of my post puberty life dieting and obsessively exercising in some form. I've rarely ever been in a normal bmi... Once on phen phen while eating maybe an apple and string cheese a day... I pretty much starved myself. I was a low bmi for the sleeve (32) but I' know exercise and sports are the only reason I wasn't way heavier . My sister also has pcos and many of the same complaints I do... She had gastric bypass 6 years ago. I feel for your daughter, I hope so badly my own daughter escapes this hormonal mess! That being said, I would recommend a good endocrinologist and /or at the least an on that is very knowledgeable in pcos for your daughter. There is so much more knowledge now about this, and better treatment options. Meteor min made a big difference for me...it seemed to help level the playing field with weight loss efforts. Everyone experiences pcos different. I hate the facial hair more than anything! It's so masculine and I've always been so self conscious of it. Most people have no idea because I obsessively pluck and shave. My sister doesn't have that problem, but she has balding (very thinning scalp) from excess testosterone. We both had acne, horrible pms, very irregular absent periods , and extremely bad cramps. We both though childbirth was like bad cramps ( with exception of delivery but the contraction pain). Both of us were pretty immobilized from the pain of our periods when we did get them. It all improved with age and we both felt things were significantly improved after having children. I do think pcos had a lot to do with my struggle with weight. I'm 5'8" and was 203 the day of surgery. I can't work out like a used to, I worry about injuries as I'm aging, I needed help and I am optimistic I can stop the metformin with the metabolic changes brought on with the sleeve. Time will tell... I wish your daughter the best and the best advice I have is to make sure she has a knowledgeable dr. She listens to her body, and I highly recommend she cut out sugar and simple carbohydrates as much as possible. A major problem associates with pcos is insulin resistance. Even when test values are normal many pcos women still aren't able to utilize insulin correctly. It is why pcos runs such a high risk for diabetes and other problems later in life. I personally never tolerated birth control pills... That was what most dr.s tried to treat me with, but for some reason theyade me extremely emotional, even suicidal...and I know it was the pills every single time when I stopped within weeks it went away. The Nuba ring has been the only thing that gave me regular periods without crazy emotional side effects. Incidentally, I also have hyperprolactinemia, and lichen sclerosis ( I'm convinced both are somehow related to pcos and my lifetime of irregular and imbalanced hormones, but that's just my opinion) I was not overweight as a teenager, but I was always counting calories , dieting, and still struggled with weight though I looked normal/athletic.