Dr. Terry Simpson - Banded by Dr. Simpson

[prillywilly 9]

Yeah, I've been ok but my incision is still healing. It sucks because I want to swim, its to friggin hot to walk outside!

I am having a huge problem getting full. I feel like I have no restriction and I worry about stretching my upper stomach. I get real worried sometimes. What do you do when you are starving at 3pm? I keep trying to drink Water but I dont know if it is ever going to be enough. My next visit w/the dr is in 2 weeks, I dont know if I will be getting a fill or not. Oh, and the weight loss has slowed dramatically.

[bevanfranks 0]

I know what you mean about it being hot!

I've just recently been going back to Curves. However, I'm not quite adjusted to working out right now. I have to get used to it-- but I think usually after about a week or two it gets much easier.

Not long from now and you'll be able to swim again!

About the 3pm hunger thing-- Well, especially before my first fill (and even now sometimes) if I'm really hungry and Water doesn't do it then I'll have some cottage cheese. I measure the 4 oz.

I also worry about stretching my stoma pouch so I try to measure foods as required. If not then it's easy to get carried away! Old habits die hard.

Have you tried eating different foods for meals and seeing if they last longer for you? For example, i sometimes have refried beans/salsa/chopped lettuce and it fills me longer than some other foods. It's worth a try.

As far as your next appointment goes: When you go in, they will have you fill out a form. It asks if you can tolerate chicken/steak/bread/pasta, etc. (most of which I never eat? I only have chicken from that list) but anyway- then it asks you how long after eating until you are hungry-- the options are 1, 2, 3, 4 hours. Last time I went, I circled 1 to 2 hours. They told me "well, you definitely need a fill then, because the goal is to last about 4 hours or so between meals without hunger."

If it's the same with you, you'll probably get a fill.

I try to ask myself often-- "is this just head hunger?" then I try to occupy myself. I also believe that drinking unsweetened tea, like green tea etc. keeps me satisfied a bit longer.

I think exercise is a natural appetite suppressant too.

I also bought some sugar free gum which has aided me through difficult times. I think it'll take me a few fills to be really set.

One bright note though-- since my first fill, it has been easier than it was before the fill- but just slightly. I can't wait for another fill or two, then I'll probably be well on my way!

Also, I broke my plateau since going to Curves. Only by about 2 lbs though. I know I need another fill. My appt. is on the 24th. When's yours? I plan to try and attend the support group on the 23rd. It'll be my first.

Lisa

[prillywilly 9]

I sure hope I get a fill! I need to be able to exercise more, but this heat is killing me. We try to walk at night, but this week has been too stormy (we tried going out once during a dust storm. Wont be trying that again!). My appointment is on Monday the 27th. Are you definitely going to the group on the 23rd? I'm thinking about it. I get nervous about things like that, so who knows if I will actually do it.

[dmarcy 0]

I had my second fill last week and it has helped tremendously...I don't know why I thought it wouldn't...and there will come a time, I am sure, as I lose, that I will need another fill...and I've heard there are times when we need unfills. But it is so important to measure and stick with the three meals a day so that becomes a habit...so when we do need unfills and have to rely on our willpower we have that habit. I've been to the support groups and to the nutrition classes and I like both. They don't make you talk if you don't want to and people are friendly...we are all there for the same reason. Take care!!

[bevanfranks 0]

Pelesfury- Yes, I'm definitely planning to attend the support group tomorrow. Hope to see you there! I'm not one to speak out or go to these things either, but I figure that most people there are in the same boat as us. I attribute my uneasiness in large groups to my weight, because I wasn't always this way. I'm sure others feel the same.

This will be my first support group meeting. They told me it's at 6:30pm in the surgical specialists building upstairs. I'm trying to get off work early tomorrow so I can make it on time. It's a few hours drive for me. You should come.

Dmarcy- thanks for the info- I'm hoping to get my 2nd fill at my appointment this Friday. I really need it, because I'm hungry WAY too quickly and I haven't lost much this month at all. I realize that they said it takes a few fills to really be effective for most people. I'm trying to be patient, but it's hard some days!

Lisa

[charms 1]

Hey there ladies! Long time.

Well - I got my first fill. Yes my first fill since my surgery on may 12th.

A lot has happened since the surgery.

We found out that we are pregnant! And the surgery occured during the pregnancy - when they did the test though it was negative....so it was at the beginning stages.

I am now 14 wks and just got my first fill. The hope is that the fill can help to steady off the increase of insulin I need. As the pregnancy progresses, I will need more insulin and hope that by controling my intake of food, I won't necessarily need to increase my insulin.

I have to admit, that first fill hurt, he dug around a little with the needle and then I felt this pop when he did find the port. The site is still a little sore.

But I have been feeling full so much longer. I was getting hungry after about 2 hours and lunch lasted me almost 5 hours!

It was great!!!

[prillywilly 9]

Hey Christine, congrats!!

That is awesome that your fill allows lunch to last 5 hours! It sure makes me feel hopeful. I am going to get one Monday so I will let everyone know how it goes for me as well!

[charms 1]

pelesfury - make sure you eat mushies again after the fill. It did take about 2 hours before I had to eat lunch - I think I would have been fine another hour or two after the fill, but my blood sugar was getting too low for my comfort.

[bevanfranks 0]

I went to the support group meeting on Thursday evening. Dr. Simpson gave some good advice/info. I think I needed the boost of "band talk" because it helped me to feel more motivated and optimistic.

On Friday I had my appt. w/the doc and I was given my 2nd fill. Dr. S told me I'll likely need another one in a month, but that it's important they do it slowly- it's best for your body.

Right now I"m on mushy food for a day (was on liquids 24 hrs first), so I'm not sure how well the fill is working yet, but I have a feeling that it will be noticable! Each one will help a bit more!

Charms- Congrats on pregnancy!

Pelesfury- let us know how your fill goes!

The one I just had went very quickly/smoothly.

Lisa

[prillywilly 9]

Hey Lisa, I went to the meeting that night too! I surprised myself by going, but I'm glad I did, it was very informative.

So I got my first fill Monday without any problems. Its funny, now I feel tight, if that makes much sense. I always feel this way in the mornings, and now I feel it all day long. I'm not complaining, though it is hard to get enough fluids now (I enjoyed not having to take tiny sips before, now I must buckle down) I enjoy not feeling remotely hungry!

[bevanfranks 0]

I was wondering if you came to the meeting or not. As it turns out, my next appt. is the day after a meeting also (I think Aug 27 or 28) so I will try to attend the next one. If you plan to attend, let me know.

I'm not a very outgoing person, so I just kind of observed the meeting and didn't talk much.

Maybe next time we can chat and compare notes. I'm glad to have lapbandtalk to discuss the band with others- and I enjoy hearing how your experience with the band is going too.

Since my fill (last Fri, 2nd fill) I also notice a difference. The amounts I eat are definitely limited by the band now (most of the time, depending on the type of food). I have to be much more careful with chewing and portion size, but I'm happy for the change, and am excited to see the scale move!

Once in a while I still have an urge to snack, but I try to remind myself that it's most likely just head hunger.

That's great you can tell the difference w/your fill. Maybe you won't need but 1-3 fills to get you to goal! I've heard some people only need a couple. With my first one I felt somewhat different, but not very much. With this 2nd one I can tell much more. However, Dr. S. told me I'll probably end up needing another one, if not two more.

Did he mention to you the cc's he put in at all? I asked one of the ladies on my first fill, and she said that she didn't know, and that I shouldn't worry about the #'s. Then I was kind of embarrassed and didn't ask Dr. S. Sometimes I still wonder though anyway-- obviously :thumbup: ha ha

congrats on your progress!

Lisa

[mboski 4]

Hi everyone.

I have my first consultation appt tomorrow. What happens on the first appt and can anyone tell me from the first appt until surgery how long did you have to wait?

[bevanfranks 0]

mboski,

It kind of depends on your situation. I've heard of some people waiting up to 6 months with insurance (because they have to do a program w/a nutritionist or meet other requirements) and some people are approved quickly through insurance.

On the other hand, I'm self-pay. My insurance has an exclusion for weight loss surgeries. They NEVER pay for it. So, I took a loan and paid myself. From my first appt, I had surgery in just under one month. That included 2 1/2 weeks pre-op diet. (depending on your bmi, I had to get mine to be under 50)

At my first appt. they weighed me, told me the possibilities of the lap band, what it will do, and what it won't. They also gave me tons of information, and had me fill out some forms. My next appt. was a week later, w/a nutritionist and pshychologist. Then I started the pre-op diet. And about a month later I had surgery.

Are you going through insurance, or are you self-pay?

Good luck!

Lisa

[mboski 4]

Insurance--United Healthcare---I fall into the perimeters so there shouldn't be a problem. I was just worried that the dr would be booked way in advance and it took months to get in for the surgery part.

[charms 1]

bev, i am glad things are going well for you.

I asked when they did my fill how much Fluid they added and dr s....told me just enough to put a small restriction and not enough to restrict too much and i shouldn't worry.

I don't go back until sept and he said depending on how big i have gotten with the baby, it will likely be a visit to remove some Fluid.< /p>

we'll see.

mboski - my insurance covered the procedure.

my referal to visit came in on 4/15

my first appt was on 4/29

and my surgery was on 5/12

note - i have type two diabetes and insulin pump dependant

to our surprise - my surgery occured just days before we could tell we were pregnant.

so my weight loss plans are somewhat on hold until our new bundle of joy joins us!