Why did I have the Lap-Band?

Can someone please remind why I had this surgery?  I had surgery (lap-band) 6 weeks ago and I’ve had 1 fill.  Since I started my pre-op diet, I’ve lost 20# but since surgery I’ve only lost 9#.  I’m scheduled for another fill on Wednesday but I’m frustrated!  I walk 1 to 1.5 miles everyday; I’m eating less but not losing.  Is this really going to work? 

 

I read this forum everyday my surgery is scheduled on 5-27 and these comments really scare me I have doubts all the time I have been on a strict diet for 2 weeks now ( I am a diabetic) and have lost 9 #'s It sounds like you are doing good with walking and eating I wonder why you are not losing more?? I hope someone puts a really positive comment on here for you ( and me too!)Good Luck I'm sure things will get better!

It usually takes 3 or 4 fills before you get the restriction you really need to start losing a good amount of weight. You may be building muscle by walking and muscle weighs more than fat. Have you noticed your clothes fitting better? Try to gage your success by something other than the scale.

I had my 3rd fill this past Monday and this time I definitely can tell a difference in how much I can eat and the fact that I'm really NOT hungry anymore. Just since Monday, I've lost 6 pounds.

Hang in there! It's frustrating at first but it does get better I promise.

Jackie

Thanks Jackie, I'm sorry to be such a whiner, but I don't feel any restriction whatsoever & they only way I know that I've even had the surgery is that my port sticks out some...yes my clothes feel comfortable and some of my 22's are way-way too big; so I do feel a difference in my clothing but not in my body!  So, how much of a fill do you have now?  Right now I'm at 3cc's and I go back next Wednesday & hopefully I'll get something that will help me feel a difference soon; I guess I must not have gotten the "whole" story about fills from Dr Luttrell and his staff but I didn't know I had to pay $100 everytime I came in for a fill at that speciality clinic there.  I understand their reasonings and I'm glad he uses the x-ray for fills but it's still disheartening.  I thought it was all covered under his 90 day timeframe coverage.   I'm really glad you are losing weight and have found a good restriction level.  I hope I find my 'spot' soon... THIS MUST BE BAND HELL or whatever they call it!!! I'm there!

Call your insurance company.  I am pretty sure that any fills within your 90 post op period are covered. And remember, Lap-Band is MUCH SLOWER weight loss than gastric bypass.  If you are losing 1-2 lbs. a week, you are on schedule.  Also, if you are working out, you could be losing inches and building muscle which weighs more than fat.  So, if your clothes are fitting different then I would certainly count that as a success and not let the scales be the only measure of success.  I had my first fill 4 days ago and I am still ravenous!  Hopefully, the next fill will do something for me.  But I am worried that I am going to gain weight between now and then because if my stomach feels like it is eating itself, I put something in it.  I didn't do this to be hungry all the time and lose the weight strictly on will power!  I could have done that without the expense, surgery, and recovery that I have thus far endured.  So I certainly feel your pain!

Just give it time! The weight will come off. You need more restriction but you can't right now because you are only six weeks out. On your next fill, they will probably put more in and you will have more restriction. Are you hungry? What do you eat in a typical day? I might could offer you more advice if I knew what you are eating at this point. Try to post on the Whatcha Eating thread that I do every day or either send me a message and I will see if I can help you a little bit with that. As far as exercising, you are doing GREAT! You know that when you first start exercising in a regular routine, you begin to build muscle. This can actually cause you to gain a little weight before it starts coming off. Right now, you are only six weeks out so you have to give it a little time. I would keep exercising and if you can try to let me know what you eat in a typical day so maybe I can help you out with that. Its sure frustrating when you want to lose so fast but it just doesn't seem to happen. I am almost a year post op and I still have those times when I get extrememly frustrated when the losing slows down but then it always starts again! Try to be positive and take care of yourself. I think you are doing a GREAT job! PM me any time if you would like! Have a good day! I gotta run.....my students are back from recess and boy are they ROWDY!! Come on JUNE!!!    Karen

Thanks Karen, I'll do that about posting my food diary daily, so please keep an eye out for my posts...Jamie

I'm not sure, as I'm not banded just yet..but don't they say they want you to lose between 1-2 pounds per week?  If that's the case..that's about where you are.  I have lost 9 pounds several times this past year..and gained them back over and over.  My hope is that the band will stop the gain as well as help me to lose.  I say look at your clothes.  That's a much better 'scale'.  

Well, I didnt have the LB...but I think the nutrition is about all the same.. To me, it sounds like u might not be getting in enough calories.. You are walking everday, expending alot of calories....how many are you taking in?  If your not getting in enough, your body will hold onto every ounce of fat that it has...it goes into starvation mode.bc it doesnt understand whats happening.. I may be off track here, since I dont know what ur eating, etc...and really dont know much eating with the LB.. but I wish u the best..

I worried at first and seemed like I was starving until I had had 5 fills.  My surgery was December 19th.  This last time we mutually decided that I did not need a fill.  He did say that if I stopped losing or my appetite increased that I could come on in for a fill.  I have lost over 50 pounds in 4 1/2 months...only 4 was preop.  I go for protein first and then add carbs...usually my carbs are crackers to go with tuna salad, etc.  I also do my Gazelle for 30 min a day and walk for about 30-45 most days.  Don't worry!  You can do it!  Check out the regular lap band forum...there are tons of people who can inspire you.  MANY have lost 100+ in a year or less!  Good luck!!