Lost Too Much Weight

[umystifyme 3]

I'm wondering why so many of you are 7-8 weeks post surgery and haven't had a fill yet? I had surgery Feb. 8th...I did (almost) 2 weeks of puree, I'm on my first couple days of soft and my first fill is March 5th (about 4 weeks post surgery).

If there is no fill - that means there is NO restriction right now. And, it's kind of dangerous to be eating more than you should, because it can stretch out your pouch.

I would definitely be expressing concern to my surgeon and center!!!!

Lots of prayers to everyone who is having a tough time right now and I hope things work out. Having gone through a surgery and things still aren't looking up = HORRIBLE.

My surgeon believes in doing the first fill 4 weeks post-op. However, I am an exception. If you go back and read this thread since December, I have had many complications. I went back to a physcially demanding job 8 days post-op, I fell on ice/snow twice, and have had many other things go wrong in my recovery which have absolutely nothing to do with my surgeon.

I am on prescription pain meds for the pain I am experiencing at the port site. I can barely get through a day of work with pain meds. I want to heal from this surgery and I want the daily pain to go away. I cannot wear jeans b/c of the pain in the port area. The last thing I am thinking about is someone going towards my port with a needle for a fill. That's where I am right now. I'm trying to heal from this surgery. I'm eating right and I'm still losing weight with NO restriction. Yes, it takes a lot of will power but I do it. And now I can start working out again. Hopefully in the next few weeks, the pain will subside to the point where the surgeon can even touch my stomach and when he can do that, then I will let him give me a fill. He's leaving it all up to me at this point given the extraordinary circumstances surrounding my case.

Thank you for your concern and your prayers. I do appreciate it and definitely need them.

[prdmommyof3 0]

I would love to know what diet you used??

[greytz 4]

I've known too many people who did just that and ended up either dead or with lifelong complications as a result of misguided information.

Our surgeons and doctors are *nothing* more than another human being, capable of error and they are not omniscient. That MD behind their name does not necessarily mean they know more than a lay person.

If I had a doctor who wouldn't give me a fill until 2 or 3 months postop and came to this board and found that people were getting fills at 4 weeks postop and restriction by 3 months postop, I'd certainly go back to my doctor and find out what the deal is.

Sad to say, but it's apparent by the posts on this forum that there are way too many surgeons who obviously don't really understand the role the band plays when they tell their patients they won't give a fill *until* they lose some weight...or make their patients wait 3 months for their first fill. It's also obvious by the number of people who 'change' their doctor's minds and get their fills that the doctor didn't have a concrete reason in mind for why not to give fills. Kudos for the person for being proactive. Kudos to the doctor for keeping an open mind.

.

Good Luck to you then. By all means, do what you intend to do and don't listen to your surgeon. I personally don't have MD behind my name and I do what my surgeon instructs and I also do my research and I AM proactive with my band. Everyone has to take responsibility for themselves and no surgeon has a crystal ball and knows exactly how the patient is feeling 24/7. They do rely on the patient to tell them what is going on with them and how they are feeling. We all have that responsibility.

[umystifyme 3]

I would love to know what diet you used??

It wasn't a diet per se. I saw a nutritionist and started to eat healthy and work out. I like to say that I changed my lifestyle, because diets never worked for me. I am down over 100 lbs from exactly one year ago today.

[greytz 4]

It wasn't a diet per se. I saw a nutritionist and started to eat healthy and work out. I like to say that I changed my lifestyle, because diets never worked for me. I am down over 100 lbs from exactly one year ago today.

Congrats on your weight loss in spite of your trauma. That is something to be so proud of and I truly hope you find a way to work it all out.

[sue in ne 1]

umystifyme, Congrats on the weight loss. i had a fill 2 1/2 months post op- insurance screw up. Don't worry about that. The port site pain - well any time i did anything involving stomach muscles , i had pain, until i got in better shape. Anything new , hurt also. Coughing with sinus infections, the port site aches. Everyone is different and my pain was manageable with over the counter meds, when needed. So don't give up, but maybe ease into some exercises now?

BTW, they used to allow 6 weeks recuperation for stomach surgery, -but not any more. With your falls, It may take a little longer. :wink2:

[umystifyme 3]

Congrats on your weight loss in spite of your trauma. That is something to be so proud of and I truly hope you find a way to work it all out.

Thank you!!

[umystifyme 3]

I'm almost 11 weeks out and the pain is getting better. It is not as intense. I'm able to work and go to the gym. I still have not had a fill yet and that is by my own choice. I have lost another 1.6 lbs though. Hopefully, I will continue to feel better and will be able to get a fill soon.

Thank you for all your continued support!!

Edited March 9, 2010 by umystifyme
spelling

[agiudice 0]

sorry, coming to this late. I'm waiting for my ins approval, so not banded yet...

If you would like a workout buddy or whatever...I live in Steger, pm me

[lilysmommy09 0]

no, they do not go by starting weight.. my doctor said that even though my surgery has been okeyed, if i go before a 40 bmi they will not do my surgery.. and your bmi has to be a 35 if you have diabetes, sleep apnea, high b.p. and so on.. ive worked in doctors offices that specialize in this, and most doctors and insurances will go by the guidelines..

[umystifyme 3]

no, they do not go by starting weight.. my doctor said that even though my surgery has been okeyed, if i go before a 40 bmi they will not do my surgery.. and your bmi has to be a 35 if you have diabetes, sleep apnea, high b.p. and so on.. ive worked in doctors offices that specialize in this, and most doctors and insurances will go by the guidelines..

In the case of BCBS of Michigan and Illinois, they DO go by the STARTING weight. Here's my story.

In March 2009, I weighed 285 lbs. My BMI was 48.5 and I had several co-morbidities. I met with my pcp, a nutritionist, and a psychologist that month and began the lap-band process. I began to eat healthy and to work out. I started to lose weight rather quickly. Each month I saw my pcp and I attended my weight loss program sponsored by my bariatric program which was approved by my insurance company. I lost over 80 lbs during my 6 month supervised weight loss program. A lot of my co-morbidities disappeared once I dropped that large amount of weight and started to eat healthy and work out daily.

I want you to know that BCBS of Michigan (PPO) DOES go by your STARTING weight. I have my contract in front of me and that is what is stated in it.

I was terrified that I would not be approved for surgery because I had lost too much weight during the six month waiting period. That is why I started this thread. That was in August 2009. I had surgery on Dec 23, 2009.

At the time my paperwork was submitted to BCBS for insurance approval (Sept 2009), my BMI was close to 35. Here I was, barely 200 lbs with a BMI of 35 and no life threatening illnesses. No high blood pressure. No diabetes. No sleep apnea. Honestly, I really thought that I would be rejected. My surgeon's program coordinator kept reassuring me that my contract stated that they go by the starting weight and not your current weight. But in all honesty, I was scared that I had lost too much weight and resolved too many health problems in such a short amount of time that the insurance company could say, "Hell, she can do this on her own. She doesn't need the surgery." Well, in all honesty, I WAS the perfect candidate for this procedure. I was living proof that I could change my lifestyle for over 6 months and lose weight. I wanted this. I was not looking for a quick fix. I knew that this was a life altering decision that would change me forever and I was already embracing the next chapter in my life.

Six weeks later and a few pounds lighter, I was approved!! (Oct 2009) I continued to work out and eat healthy and lost several more pounds over the next 2 months). My BMI was a 33 when I had surgery on Dec 23, 2009.

I know all insurance companies are different but BCBS of Michigan and BCBS of Illinois STATE that they go with your STARTING BMI!! Talk with your surgeon and your program coordinators. They know what your insurance company wants and if they don't than think about changing doctors.

And my surgeon stated my medical history as outlined by my pcp and all my tests. And my insurance company went by the guidelines as set out in my contract.

Thanks,

Amy

[sue in ne 1]

umystifyme, Your surgeon may not know what you do at your job, but they do know about healing from surgery, esp when there were problems ( like your falls). For those of you ready to complain about waiting 6-8 weeks- chill. the band is only a tool. any weight loss while not filled is a reflectionof your eforts, not the band. 9 i lost 12 # ,and the surgeon said it had nothing to do withthe band, just the surgery and my efforts) Some friends never lost during this time- so don't get discouraged. i 've plateaued for almost 6 months , due to healthissues . Anyone who fusses about not eating regular food post op is s fool.. You are having major surgery to place the band. There is a lot of swelling involved; and you will not be able to have much get through your stomach. Your surgeon, may go slow but they must consider all your health problems , and any surgery combined with the LAP-BAND®, ie, hernia. This is not who can lose the most in 1 year. The maximum wt loss can take . on average, 3 years. I didn't get it to lose weight over night; it sure didn't come on overnight. i got it to change my health.

[umystifyme 3]

umystifyme, Your surgeon may not know what you do at your job, but they do know about healing from surgery, esp when there were problems ( like your falls). For those of you ready to complain about waiting 6-8 weeks- chill. the band is only a tool. any weight loss while not filled is a reflectionof your eforts, not the band. 9 i lost 12 # ,and the surgeon said it had nothing to do withthe band, just the surgery and my efforts) Some friends never lost during this time- so don't get discouraged. i 've plateaued for almost 6 months , due to healthissues . Anyone who fusses about not eating regular food post op is s fool.. You are having major surgery to place the band. There is a lot of swelling involved; and you will not be able to have much get through your stomach. Your surgeon, may go slow but they must consider all your health problems , and any surgery combined with the LAP-BAND®®, ie, hernia. This is not who can lose the most in 1 year. The maximum wt loss can take . on average, 3 years. I didn't get it to lose weight over night; it sure didn't come on overnight. i got it to change my health. :sad:

WOW!! You nailed it... all the weight I have lost post-op has been by sheer will power and exercise. My surgeon does not feel comfortable sticking a needle in me when he cannot touch the port area with his hand b/c it hurts too much. I totally agree and don't want him to come near me with a needle at this point in time. I'm in no rush right now. I'm healing. Yes, it's taking a lot longer than I expected. But it will be worth it in the end.

Sue, you couldn't have said it better. The band is a tool and I did not go into this thinking I would lose the weight overnight. I knew I had a lot of hard work ahead of me and knew that it would take time for it to come off. I'm just taking it one day at a time.

Thank you for being soo understanding of my situation and supportive. I truly appreciate it.

Amy

[sue in ne 1]

Amy, You have more sense than some other posters. you will succeed b/c you want to. Good luck

[umystifyme 3]

Hi Everyone!!! :Dancing_biggrin:

UPDATE!! UPDATE!! UPDATE!!

I finally got my first fill on Tuesday, May 25th!! Yes, a little over 5 months after my surgery.... but I got it!! I'm doing awesome!!

I had a lot of complications after surgery that prevented me from getting a fill sooner. I am doing great physically and emotionally.

Thanks for all your support!!