Hey 50 & over gang We have a new spot

[deedee16117 0]

I have been reading what everyone has experienced with this surgery and I just want to say I'm so glad I found this website. I am in the process of getting ready for Lap Band surgery. I was prepared for gastric but when my doc suggested this I was stunned. I didn't know much about it which led me here hoping to learn. I am 57 and have about 100 pounds to lose. How quick is the weight loss with this type of surgery? I am reading a lot about the fills not sure I fully understand that whole process - are you required to pay at each visit where there is a fill? I'm afraid that once this surgery is complete I am still going to be hungary has anyone experienced that? I know this is something I need to do but I just can't seem to get enough information to feel comfortable and I am hoping I can find the answers here - can anyone help?

[thin2bme 2]

Hi DeeDee, You've come to the right place for answers to your questions, this website is great for that, however, I would suggest you go to a Lapband Seminar in your area and a lot of your questions will be answered there. Everyone here is always happy to give their opinions and answers but we're all in different stages of weightloss. I am newly banded, only a little over 2 weeks ago on March 19 and loving it. I am beginning to get a little hungry, but so far the band is keeping me from overeating, which is what we all hope for. I have not had a fill yet and I'm not scheduled for one til April 25 after my stomach is done healing. Currently, my dietician guidelines allow me to eat 2-4 oz at each meal and surprisingly enough I'm usually satisfied. Even though I am beginning to get hungry between meals since I'm only taking in between 400-600 calories a day, I don't mind having a Protein snack in between meals. This has been a wonderful thing that I've done for myself and I look forward to keeping my weight off once it's all gone again!! If you want to know any more, I'll be glad to help if I can.

[shortgal 5]

Compare lap-band procedure to gastric bypass surgery

that site might help you, it compares the two surgeries.

The band has a ring (like a hollow donut) that gets slowly filled with saline solution until it fits your stomach. It is adjustable, can be unfilled if needed for example you get cancer or other disease and need extra nutrition.

[IndioGirl55 32]

I have been reading what everyone has experienced with this surgery and I just want to say I'm so glad I found this website. I am in the process of getting ready for Lap Band surgery. I was prepared for gastric but when my doc suggested this I was stunned. I didn't know much about it which led me here hoping to learn. I am 57 and have about 100 pounds to lose. How quick is the weight loss with this type of surgery? I am reading a lot about the fills not sure I fully understand that whole process - are you required to pay at each visit where there is a fill? I'm afraid that once this surgery is complete I am still going to be hungary has anyone experienced that? I know this is something I need to do but I just can't seem to get enough information to feel comfortable and I am hoping I can find the answers here - can anyone help?

Hi DeeDee

Welcome - I will try and answer your questions

I technally have 100 lbs to lose - but my 1st goal is 90 - for which i am 6.5 lbs shy of obtaining and I had surgery 8 1/2 months ago -

The band is a piece of plastic around your stomach which they tighted to make a smaller opening from your new tummy (pouch) to your old tummy - to tighten it they inject salline into your port which goes into tubing that tightend the band around your stomach - Paying for is what ever your doc does - some include 1 yr free fills with the surgery some 6 etc

you gotta ask your doc.

The band surgery is less invasive as they aren't cutting up your intestine and you don't have the malnutrition issues...

Are you still hungry - yep sometimes - sometime I will eat my dinner and will be full - but will stil have the whole head hunger issue telling me I still want to eat...

How fast that you lose the weight depends on a few things - you 1st of all you have to make healthy food choices and exercise - the band is only a tool - it's not the magic cure to your issues with food - this and any WLS is a lifetime lifestyle change in your eating - it's not the quick fix

I have had 3 fills and a little taken out of the 3rd fill and am at my sweet spot - but there are people here who have had 10 fills and still don't have restriction - Even with the band you must have will power

I suggest that you read all you can on this site -good bad and indifferent - and talk to your doc some more - i am surprise he didn't tell you how the band works etc. Only you can make this decision - but I can tell you for me it has been the best thing in my entire life that I did for me - I feel ten yrs younger - My self estem has improved... I am 100% at a whole better place than I was 9 months ago.

You can even go to the lapband makers site and learn there too

Good Luck on your journey and what ever you decide to due

[deedee16117 0]

Thanks everyone I have done research on the whole process but didn't actually know anyone who has been thru the Lap Band. Have people who went thru gastric bypass and talked with them. This website has been great and just by reading I am learning more and more. I see why the insurance companies have this "wait" period as it is a lot to get used to and understand. I was however unaware of the fill charge my doctor did not mention that at the time we spoke but that could be because I was not expecting this subject to be brought up. When I went to see the surgeon I never gave the Lap Band a thought. When I went to the seminar they didn't focus much on that just the complete bypass. I do have one question though what is "PB" mean - from what I have read it's not fun!

[Mom of Chuy 0]

Hi Dee Dee,

My goal is 100 lbs also. I was banded in November and have lost around 40 pounds so far. I think Gastric Bypass is too radical for only 100 pounds, that's why I went with the Band. I have had four fills so far, which by the way is a piece of cake, no pain whatsoever for me. I had one fill a month starting in December . . . my last fill being on March 7th. I do not feel like I need another fill for awhile. My doctor told me that with my size band (the small one, 10 cc) the fourth fill usually does it for awhile, he was right I think. You still get hungry but it doesn't require a lot of food to satisfy the hunger. As far as paying for fills, everywhere is different. I do not have to pay for any fills because the surgery center where I got it done, Journeylite, does not require it since I got it done there. But I do know people that did not get there surgery done there that pay around $150.00, but I think that varies too. I hope I helped along with everyone elses input. Good Luck!!!

[Mom of Chuy 0]

PB means "Productive Burp" it is when you either eat too fast, too much, the wrong food, you have to basically burp the food up (throw up) but it is not really like the throw up you would have if you have the stomach flu. Once you do that you feel much better. White bread does it to me, so I don't do that anymore. If I wait too long to eat and I am really hungry I tend to eat too big a bite or eat too fast and then it happens to me. I really have gotten better now and think before I eat.

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

Really once you get use to the band and your fill, pbing really isn't that big of an issue anymore. It's when you have too much of a fill that your band is too tight and causes that throwing up. I eat small amounts of food and nothing ever gets stuck anymore and I can't even remember the last time I had a pb. I am very happy with my band. Yesterday I ate too many sweet things so today I am doing Protein Shakes. By tomorrow I will have lost what I gained yesterday. I am not

hungry at all and today it's 6:00 pm and all I have had today is 2 Protein Drinks.< /p>

[southerngal_07 0]

Hi everybody,

Just checking in and saying hello. Hey Janet, you are still an inspiration to me. I have finally lost 40 pounds. The time has really went by fast and I am very pleased with my band. It seems like it was just a short time ago when I was first banded and was so afraid I was eating too much.

Welcome to all our newer newbies. This is a great site and you be glad you found it. Take care and I will post again soon. Brenda:tt2:

[IndioGirl55 32]

Hi everybody,

Just checking in and saying hello. Hey Janet, you are still an inspiration to me. I have finally lost 40 pounds. The time has really went by fast and I am very pleased with my band. It seems like it was just a short time ago when I was first banded and was so afraid I was eating too much.

Welcome to all our newer newbies. This is a great site and you be glad you found it. Take care and I will post again soon. Brenda:tt2:

Brenda

CONTRATS ON 40 LBS - THAT'S GREAT - I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU FOR DOING THE WORK TO LOSE THOSE POUNDS - PROPS TO YOU..

Here is My July 07 picture - and picture I took yesterday before going to a Josh Stone Concert... Proof that if you eat healthy and exercise you will lose the weight...

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

Nice picture Janet! You're lookin so good!

[saleel22 0]

Hi Janet I don't post here often but do read every thing. I just saw your photos and I had to go back and forwards a couple of times because I thought it was 2 different people. Wow You look great. It gives me inspiration to keep up the exercise.

Saleel22

[IndioGirl55 32]

Thanks Denise - To me in the mirror I looked thinner - thru the tummy than in the pic - but i am super critical of my pic's - Those are my size 8 jeans - (total fluke but they say size 8 and they more than fit - meaning they are not tight :regular_smile:)

Salee

No tricks that was me before & today (same person except I was hot and rushing on the way to join the gym in the before and most likely telling GS hurry up)

Here is just my face

2/07 and 2/08 - Exercise & good food choices - That's been my the reason for my success... I am super focused and I feel so much better...

I don't ever want to go back to the before pic - I really really don't so that piece of cheesecake in the fridge for my grandson is not callling my name - That's how focused I am - I am loving the new me - really the old me that was covered up in 83.5 lbs of frickin fat..

[thin2bme 2]

You look great Janet, great job. I hope I can do as well as you have!!

[IndioGirl55 32]

No using the word HOPE - be detirmine - Say I WILL BE AS SUCCESSFULL as you ... I am a true beleiver in positive affirmations !!!! If we say we can't we won't if we say we can we will...

No more negative talking to ourselves - POSTITIVE - I will eat healthy I will exercise - You can do this !!!