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I too didnt have much encouragement from family. My mom and friends don't think I'm fat enough, lol I guess I should wait till I cant get out of bed. No thanks!! Now that its done, They are all watching and waiting, they said if it works for me (because nothing in the past has)they might consider doing it. My husband thought it would have been a faster melt away but again I've tried for years to take the weight off without go success. I have only been really heavy since 1996 after my second child was born, I lost all of the weight and gained it all back in about a 6 week time period. I went to the dr for depression because of the weight gain and got put on Phen Fen. It did NOT work the only thing I lost was a Healthy Heart. I now have a heart condition from it and found out through bloodwork that I have hypothyroidism which causes weight gain. Maybe if the dr was more helpful he would have read the blood results before putting me on weight loss drugs and my heart wouldn't have damage. Oh well, do this for you and only you if they love you they will come around. Good luck with Aetna thing. I have Horizon and had to to everything in my power to get it approved even with weight history, diabetes, etc. I was approved 1 day before my surgery talk about going crazy. Well anyway best of luck and welcome to the family.

If you want to be generic about it (and nothing about the Lap Band seems generic in the slightest) - I would say between 1000 to 1200 calories a day, and at least 60g of protein a day. Those are the numbers I've read the most. Of course, you can't eat all 60g of protein at once - your body can only use 20-25g at a time, so you have to break it up into 3 different meals. And as far as calories go, by changing your calorie intake every other day (by no more than 200cals/day) you are keeping your body from getting used to anything, thus keeping up your metabolism and assisting your weight gain. Now, I've got no concrete evidence about this one - but I've read several on this site who say that works for them. Along with exercise, of course. They say 900cal one day, 1000cal the next, then maybe 1200cal, then back to 1000cal, then up to 1100cal, etc etc.

I never knew what a thyroid did, until mine quit working. When I started exhibiting symptoms, I thought I had arthritis. The first doctor who saw me, diagnosed me wrong, but the second doctor knew just by the symptoms I had. I blood test confirmed it. My symptoms were: hair loss, clumps of hair falling out Severely tired (I could not get out of bed) Joint pain and overall body aches Weight gain (60 pounds in about 40 days)

No, it doesn't work remotely like that. All insurance companies care about is that you dot the "i"s and cross the "t"s even when their "i"s and "t"s make no sense and are just arbitrary rules they put in place to make it harder to get approval. If you jump through the hoops correctly and meet the criteria, you get approved. If someone who weighs 200 lb. jumps through the hoops correctly and meets the criteria, they get approved. It's a bureaucracy. If anything, works it the opposite of how you imagine it because of how the rules are set up. Take me. I've struggled with my weight since I was 8 or 9. I went on my first diet at age 13. Because I fought the weight gain, it took me until 25 to be obese. Because I am short and 200 lb. is a LOT of weight on me, I spent much of my adulthood hovering between obese and morbidly obese. But in the US the NIH and insurance companies have picked the arbitrary BMI of 40 as their cut off. That's okay, though, as my BMI was 41 when I decided to get surgery. But insurance companies have added all these other wrinkles and they favor the long-term MO and the SMO. For example: 1) Some ask for a 5 year history of MO. This is NOT the NIH criteria. The NIH says only a "history of obesity". So someone like me may not have been MO for 5 years in a row because I was constantly dieting and dropping below a BMI of 40 and then gaining the weight back and going over 40. Someone who is SMO has no problem providing a 5 year weight history. 2) Many ask for a 3 or 6 month doctor supervised diet. Again, this is not in the NIH criteria. They just say a history of failed diet attempts. Which I have. But if I had gone on a 3 month or 6 month diet and had really tried hard and done well, I would have dropped my BMI below 40 again. Some insurances would then use that against me to deny me. 3) Many surgeons then ask the patient to lose 10% of their body weight even though clinic evidence to support this practice is weak. Again, if I comply with this requirement, my BMI drops below 40 and I risk insurance not approving my surgery. Neither 2 nor 3 are a big issue for the SMO. It's impossible to lose enough in even 6 months to get a BMI of 50 to drop below 40 and 10% of 300 or 400 or more isn't enough to do it either. 4) Co-morbidities. I had some. But many insurance companies puts extra restrictions on them and mine refused to count any of the ones I had. They weren't "bad enough". This is not an issue for heavier people as they qualify just on weight alone. Plus, even if their insurance company requires co-morbidities, they are more likely to have them. The bottom line for me is that WLS works when you have 50 or more pounds to lose and dieting & exercise without surgery does not. Obesity is a disease that costs society. We have a treatment that works to combat this disease, yet we put restrictions on it and force people to get heavier and sicker than they need to before we give them the treatment. That is not how medicine is supposed to work. The funny thing is that there are other diseases that are much more of a lifestyle choice than obesity. My MIL died of lung cancer which she got from smoking. Smoking was totally her own choice. Yet when she was diagnosed, the medical profession treated her like any other sick person and not like someone who had chosen to have a disease and therefore had to constantly prove her worthiness before she got treatment.

So, the first thing I'm going to say is very "tough love." If you aren't losing weight, that means you are probably eating too much and/or not exercising enough. Remember that as you lose weight, you require even less "fuel" to keep your smaller body going. That said, there are also other things that might be going on. 1. Weight gain can be the only/first sign of band slippage. You should talk to your doctor about that possibility. He/she can order a simple chest x-ray to check the angle of the band, 2. Have you had your thyroid hormone levels checked? 3. Your doctor might have other recommendations. You should definitely check with him/her. Do you need another fill? Do you need to spend more time with a dietitian or counselor? Best of luck!

I had a complete thryoidectomy about 12 years ago... I think that probably helped me because, in all my paperwork, one of the things mentioned is they have to go through all the thyroid junk first to make sure you don't have a problem w/ that causing weight gain... so I got to skip that part, I guess.

Joyful, I'm really excited for you. And I watch Big Medicine, I think it's ok to get the band at that weight. (stop it in it's tracks). I wish I could have gotten it before I got so big, then I wouldn't have had so much to lose and I would have been a lot healthier a lot sooner. some people will disagree with me but I also beleave the band is a great way to control weight gain in those who have a issues with it. I don't think people at a good weight should get it just to maintain. You should have some sort of weight issues. and to your question about getting use to the life style change:I think everyone is different, It's upto 2 years for your weightloss but I'm really ok with the lifestyle change already. I was really ready for this surgery and the changes I've made in my life haven't bothered me. The band just made it possible. Some people never get use to it. They are the ones that want their bands removed at no fault of the band and you here them always say my band is not working and truth be told they are not working their band. Hope this helps. And once again congrats!

Honestly I wish I could give you all hugs, I can't believe the nerve of some people that are supposed to be supportive of you - more so mothers and grandmothers I noticed where the huge contenders for the biggest bitch title. As for me, I can still remember every year in primary school we would have sports day, and we'd have to do like tests or whatever to see who would be competing on the day - anyway they got us to run like 200m or so and I start running (I'm not a runner by the way) and next thing you know I hear all this laughter behind me, no child should have to deal with that ever - so needless to say I walked the rest of the way. Then in year 7 (after having chemo and a disease that caused scarring on my lungs so obviously I couldnt breathe as well) it was sports again, the teacher I had at the time just kept saying I was lethargic and some other word I can't remember and she just kept saying it and saying it, now every year they have fetes so if they still have them on after I've lost the weight I'm gonna go their and see what she's like - I mean who knows, I could actually sue her for discrimination - it's happened here in aus and it's definitely contributed to my weight gain

Dr Schulman, First, thanks for taking time to answer all our questions! This thread is very informative. I had my lapband in August, 2006. I've lost a little over 100 pounds and seem to have stabalized at 210. Over the last year I've stayed pretty consistent at that weight, gaining and losing the same 5 pounds. I have a rather large apron and a bulge in my upper abdomen that will not go away, no matter what exercises I do! So my first question is, how common is it to do a full tt on someone over 200lbs? Will it cause any further complications? I'm very healthy, low blood pressure, exercise, no diabetes, and a non-smoker. I had a consult with a ps this week and he recommended a full tummy tuck using an anchor incision to take care of the bulge in the center and remove the apron. He also recommended doing a breast lift at the same time. Is it safe to do the lift and tt at the same time, as he recomended? And what kind of recovery can I expect? I sit at a desk reading books all day for work, and he said it should only be a week or two before I can go back. Will the drains be out before then? Also, do you know where I can find pictures of tt with the anchor incision? I've found a couple on the web, but not many! It's hard to find info on tt for heavier people, which is frustrating. I really want to have this done, as the results he thinks I can expect sound promising! Thanks for your help.

I was banded Nov. 24th so today will be 10 days post-op. As of this morning I've lost 12 lbs. Two days ago (according to the scale) I was two lbs lighter...but I blame the weight gain on Aunt Flow. Once she's outta town those two lbs in water weight will be gone, too.

Hi- I thought I would post an update to my June post on this thread. In July I had my band removed. It's not the outcome I wanted, but my doctor felt there was too much scarring to give me another one. Since then, I've regained quite a bit of weight and I'm almost back at my starting weight pre-band. It's so hard... I'm now investigating the gastric sleeve. All this and I'm still pro-band. However, I do suggest that before having the band or any other WLS that you research this in depth. I subscribed to the Obesity-related medical journals so that I could read the studies coming out about the various WLS methods. Don't rely upon these boards for your statistics. Speak with your surgeon and read the medical reports for yourself. My surgeon cooborated what I've read in several journal articles that complication rates for bands are as high as 25%. And a good number of patients will require intervention at the four or five year mark and beyond. If you are a long-time bandster and experiencing complications or weight gain, please don't hide out from your doctor. Please get evaluated. Wishing you all the best~

Hi I am going to be banded on Dec 22 and have been reading through these posts to be fully informed of all the bad as well as the good. I am trying to understand why there are so many people who are complaining about constant vomiting, PBing, being stuck yet still GAIN weight. That somehow doesn't seem to make sense to me. Obviously, they must have some restriction with the band to be having eating problems, but how can you be gaining weight when you are unable to keep anything down. Can anyone explain this phenomenon to me? Thanks

Ok, my last thread was about the pains I was going through with my fill making my band too tight. Cause I was PBing, and Sliming, and throwing everything I ate back up. Anyway, I went in on Saturday, and got an emergency unfill, and now, since then I have no restriction, and I have gained 5lbs. I feel like a failure, and Im doing exercise, and watching what I eat during the day. I dont get it. Anyway, I see him again, Monday, and I have got to tell him that I need at least 1cc put back in, he took 1 and a half out, I think all I needed was a half taken out. Man Now, I put myself back on liquids because of this weight gain. I dont want to gain anymore. I will be on liquids until I see him again. Im not happy, and I felt horrible when I saw the scale. The problem lies with restriction, when I eat, I dont feel it. I chew and chew, and chew more, and take my time, but nothing. Its like the band isnt there. UGGGGGGH. This is really getting me down guys. Anyway, thought I would share this with everyone. Hopefully I can get back on track Monday. :cursing:

Karen Congratulations on 100 and I am happy you had a great TG day. Linnylou - meet the turtle. I lose 1/2 lbs per week and have been on a plateau for 3 months. As we get older, we require less food and the weight is harder to come off, but believe me it does come off with careful control of your solid proteins, etc. There are many of us that lose slowly but all it means, it takes us longer to meet our goals. But isn't it wonderful to step on the scales and not show a weight gain or even a slight loss. This I do know, the band prevents me from overeating. Good luck on your journey.

i would call ur doctor u need to get unfilled alittle bit! PB is productive burp..slime is what comes up when u get stuck (saliva)..sweet spot is when ur fill is perfect and ur consistantly losing weight (usually takes 3 or more fills) depending on the person...usually when u get a fill ur supposed to give it a week or two to feel restriction u are 2 tight it can result in weight gain or not losing weight..call ur doctor he needs to take a little bit..good luck

I am 57 years old and 5'5" and weighed about 245 over 3 years ago. I lost weight on my own and then last year with the 6 month diet, then the pre & post-op liquid only diet. Lost about 60 pounds. I was banded on 9/22 with one fill. Haven't lost any weight after the 2 weeks post op. So my weight has been the same since early October. My main reason for having this surgery was to see if weight loss would improve my severe and chronic back pain. It hasn't. I do have (or had) mild/moderate sleep apnea and GERD but those things do not affect my daily living like back pain does. I also have breast cancer that was diagnosed 7 years ago. I have no doubt my 100+ pound weight gain as an adult played a major role in my cancer. Hopefully losing weight will reduce the likelihood of a recurrence or a new cancer.

I have no weight gain to report, but no loss either. It seems I'm holding steady and can't break the 190. I've been fluctuating between 190 and 192 for the past month. I get a 5th fill tomorrow so I'm hoping that will really kick it off.

:sad:I am 32 yr old woman with 3 little boys. I have struggled with weight gain forever. I want this so bad because I have tried everything else with little results. I am worried because I don't quite reach the 40 bmi I am 63inches tall @214. about 37 bmi I don't know what to expect at the doc's office. I feel like it is gonna be so humiliating! Any advise?:cursing:

I would definetly listen to the people who responded, exercise is the key. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea a year ago. It definetly was a contributing factor to my weight gain, with depression and other health issues. Treating the condition has definetly been beneficial for my health and the ability to start functioning normally. But it was getting back to swimming, which I love, that limbered me up enough, after 5 months, to include walking a mile and the newest addition, a half hour in the evening on the total gym. Thats my daily routine. When I physically can't do one , for any reason, I have two other forms of exercise to fall back on. I feel great ! No weight loss yet. But like many of the bloggers said, I have lots of fat, that has turned to muscle and I've gone down 2 sizes because of inch loss. l I'm ready for my surgery in about 6 weeks. While my incisions are healing, I can still walk and keep up some of my strength training on the total gym . For myself , success has not come with shortcuts, I've had to do the work to enjoy the benefits. It's a great advantage to have so many mentors on this forum. Thank you

When diagnosed with sleep apnea, which of course can happen to heavy people as well as thin people I learned some of the connections with sleep loss and weight gain. When you have sleep apnea you appear to be sleeping but you are not getting a good quality sleep because you stop breathing. Each time you are awakened because of the apneas you are not fully awake but it does affect that quality. Many people overeat during states of sleep deprivation and some do it mindlessly. It has something to do with your body's energy. So that's one reason why sleep is so important besides the fact she is wounded and should be in bed as her doctor had instructed her. Nancy:smile:

I have a vague understanding about sleep deprivation and weight gain, but OP didn't say if his sister was only getting a couple hours' sleep a day or what it was. And I also don't like how it was his idea, and not his sister's doctor's, that she stay in bed and eat/drink. Muscle loss WOULD show a great loss on the scale, but it's the wrong type of weight to lose. I think most of us here realize that.

Beth...there are studies relating sleep deprivation with weight gain, especially in menopausal women. Some studies state that with sleep deprivation comes stress. With stress comes eating because of stress. (Sorry, don't have those studies at my fingertips to quote). I gained an enormous amount of weight during menopause and I was sleep deprived due to extreme hot flashes. I do not agree with OP though on staying in bed and letting the weight fall off. Gotta move in any way that a person can. If I sat on my butt during weight loss stage, I would be afraid to look in the mirror to look at my saggy a$$. It was difficult at first to exercise but with pushing myself came the ability to exercise more with each phase.

lapbandtalker, you are correct in your assertian that sleep deprived people are less likely to lose weight. What they are talking about is people that only get about 4 hrs of sleep each and every night. Studies show everyone needs at least 7 hrs of sleep each night. Without that, you cannot stay healthy for long. I will not say for sure as you should not say for sure she lost the weight by staying in bed. We cannot say for sure either way. But, IMO, your advice to stay in bed with all the conveniences and food and drinks w/i arms reach was not good advice. Just because she could not walk on her leg does not mean she has to be bedridden. There are crutches. As a nurse, I would hope she knows about those. I will say that your sister most likely did gain 15 lbs of muscle. If she was with a personal trainer, she must have been with them for awhile to lose that much weight properly. I am willing to bet she lost the 15 lbs by losing that muscle weight gain. I know from personal experience that if you lift weights, you are going to gain muscle. If you gain muscle and do cardio, you are going to lose overall weight much slower.

I had a really enjoyable Thanksgiving, but thank goodness its over....at least the food part! I didn't do nearly as bad this year as years past but I still ate more than I should have and had a 2 lb weight gain....OVERNIGHT!! I'm sure that it will fall off in a couple of days though, I'm not terribly concerned about it. I didn't even attempt the turkey cuz turkey is usually a bit dry even for the un-banded so unfortuantely everything I did eat was of the soft, slider-type foods. What was weird about the the whole day was I checked out everyones plates to see how mine measured up (they are all "normal" size people, I'm the only overweight one in the entire family) and their servings were HUGE,,,,much like mine used to be. That made me feel good that my servings were so much smaller than the "normals". Hope everyone had a great day!!

I am glad this holiday and all it's food are over with. I hope nobody feels the need to bring me any Christmas goodies. I don't want to start the new year with a weight gain but it's going to take a lot of willpower to say no to all the stuff people keep trying to get me to eat.