?'s about Lap Band Cost, etc.

[momof1princess]

For those of you that have had the surgery, do you have hypothyroidism? My sister does, is obese and even when she exercises a ton, does not lose weight. Her diet is alot better than mine, but still no success with weight loss. She has also been on the generic Synthroid for a long time. Dr. refuses to write brand only, but she thinks she had better weight loss success on the brand. If you have thyroid problems, how does that effect your weight loss after the surgery? My sister is only 24 and has about 200lbs to lose, overweight her whole life, multiple diets, exercise plans etc. I wonder if she might be a candidate for this procedure.

i am not hypothyroid, thankfully. i had gastric bypass surgery in may, 2004, and in november, 2004, my bloodwork showed that my thyroid levels were much too high, although i'd never had any symptoms. i was put on medication by an endocrinologist a month later. the medication stalled my weight loss for the entire 3 months i took it, so i stopped taking it (with my surgeon's ok, b/c i'd never had any symptoms of hyperthyroidism) and 4 weeks later, my thyroid levels were normal again, and have remained normal ever since.

your sister would certainly be a candidate for weight loss surgery, especially if she has doctor-documented weight loss attempts. most insurance plans require at least 6 months of doctor supervised weight loss before approving surgery now. she would, of course, need to have her thyroid levels monitored after surgery.

 

[kristinanderic]

I had lapband surgery March 2, 2009. My pre-op weight was 257 and I got on the scale this morning and I was 211. Lapband does work, but not for everyone.

Its still a diet and if you don't follow it, your not going to succeed. Yes, you do have restriction and it will limit what you can eat...but you can cheat! You can eat all the ice cream in the world and not get full. Or you can take 5 bites of chicken breast and feel like your going to explode.

This is still NEW to me and if you have any questions feel free to PM me about it. I'm succeeding at it, and my doctor is VERY pleased with me BUT its not easy!!

Keep in mind that a week before surgery you will be limited to clear liquids, a week after surgery you will be limited to clear liquids, then a week of full liquids, then a week of mashed foods (like baby food), it will be nearly a month before you can tolerate solid food. THIS IS THE HARDEST PART EMOTIONALLY.

My insurance covered mine, I paid a $35 co-pay and that was it.

Oh, and about the port. Mine is located on my right side near my waist line. Once a month I go to the doctor for a "fill". He uses a big needle to inject saline into the band. Sometimes he gets it on the first poke and sometimes he has stuck me 5-6 times.

I'm not trying to talk you out of it I just wanted to fill you in on some things that people don't mention when you have the surgery.

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

For those of you that have had the surgery, do you have hypothyroidism? My sister does, is obese and even when she exercises a ton, does not lose weight. Her diet is alot better than mine, but still no success with weight loss. She has also been on the generic Synthroid for a long time. Dr. refuses to write brand only, but she thinks she had better weight loss success on the brand. If you have thyroid problems, how does that effect your weight loss after the surgery? My sister is only 24 and has about 200lbs to lose, overweight her whole life, multiple diets, exercise plans etc. I wonder if she might be a candidate for this procedure.

Have your sister get it from the pharmacy. She might have to pay for it, but it is the difference between night and day for me.

She also needs to change doctors, in my opinion.

 

[hugabearjo]

Just wanted to add, PP great point on pre and post diet, I forgot to mention that. It was the hardest part.

But, also keep in mind every doctor is different. I was on Clear liquid, 10 days before surgery and 4 weeks after, then 4 weeks of mushy and then finally real food, so it was just over 2 months in all that I didn't eat solid food. Mostly lived on Protein shakes, please also if you do this shop around because all protein is not the same. Some I could never have tolerated the taste.

I guess I am getting far enough out that I had forgot to mention that. Great point PP. Congrats on your success so far, you are doing great. I have found that the doctors are all different in what they require for pre and post surgery.

 

[thelionqueen]

I agree with PP re: pre/post op diet. My surgeon only required 48 hours of full liquids before surgery, some require weeks. As far as post op, I was on liquids for only 5 days, went to "mushies" on day 7 and was eating solid food by week 2. EVERY doctor is DIFFERENT, so choosing one is very important.

The first weeks/months after banding are literally the hardest thing you will ever do in your life (seriously, child birth was easier ) but it gets so much easier the longer you go.

Also, PLEASE don't judge your success by others success. Each person and their results are TOTALLY individual and can vary GREATLY!! The PP on this thread has lost MUCH more than is generally lost with lap-band (which is great, keep up the good work). Some lose MUCH MUCH less, and some even more. It's all how you use the "tool" and how it affects you personally.

The average weight loss with the band is 1-2lbs per week or 50lbs a year. Again, some much more (depending on how much you have to lose has a big part in that) and some much less. But the above average is really what you should base your results on.

Best of luck, keep us posted as you progress in this journey!

 

[dec181981]

For those of you that have had the surgery, do you have hypothyroidism? My sister does, is obese and even when she exercises a ton, does not lose weight. Her diet is alot better than mine, but still no success with weight loss. She has also been on the generic Synthroid for a long time. Dr. refuses to write brand only, but she thinks she had better weight loss success on the brand. If you have thyroid problems, how does that effect your weight loss after the surgery? My sister is only 24 and has about 200lbs to lose, overweight her whole life, multiple diets, exercise plans etc. I wonder if she might be a candidate for this procedure.

I had GBS surgery about 2 years ago and have lost 160 pounds and kept off about 145 (when i got down to 118# my dr orderd me to put some back on). It hasn't been without it's complications, but was the right decision for me. I was on thyroid medication prior to surgery and only took brand name, but it didnt help. Now that I am at my goal weight and have been for a year, I no longer need the thyroid medication. My dr figures that it jsut couldnt keep up with the extra weight.

There are lots of studies out there that have found, once you are more then a hundred ournds over weight, no ammount of dieting and excersizing will help. Your hormones have been wired to keep you at that wieght, which is why 95% of people who are morbidly obses eventually fail every diet they start. GBS helps to reset those hormone levels.

 

[Mickey527]

I scheduled my lap band for September 22. I start the protein shakes on Sept 8 and take only 5 of those per day for 2 weeks. the day before surgery is clear liquids only.
The post surgery is clear liquids for the first week, then protein shakes the 2nd week, then baby food, then soft solids and finally eating small pieces but regular food on the 5th week if all goes well.
I can see how I will lose weight, I am starving just thinking about it.
I weigh 205 and am 5'5" but I am having it done for medical reasons, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, fatty liver, neuropathy, post cancer... I could go on. My insurance sent the letter stating they would pay for it on Monday and I called to schedule the next day. My insurance is paying 100%.
I am hoping to lose at least 60 lbs but my main problem is I have difficulty exercising due to neuropathy that sometimes causes my legs to go numb and I fall. Hoping the weight lose will help that too.
I will miss bread the most. I did Atkins once and all I thought about for 2 weeks was bread. I told myself to try for 2 weeks and hoped the bread craving would go away. On day 14 I went to ther bakery and bought a loaf of italian bread and ate the whole thing on the way home from work.
I had the rolls at Logan's steak house last week and thought I was in heaven.
I am glad to read that I will be able to eat most foods again though, the thought of going to WDW and not being able to eat some of my favorites there scared me. But I also want to be able to play with my grandson and walk around the house without being short of breath.

 

[nmrgrl55]

I just wanted to say good luck on your journey. I am about 2months post op and it is the best thing I could have done for myself. I lost 35lbs in about 6 months preop and have lost about 25 post op with about 90 to go. I am at the point now where I can eat regular food but my portions are smaller and if I eat too fast my band lets me know . I am doing so well right now that I don't even know if I am going to get my first fill next week. Why mess with something that is working

Good Luck!

 

[mjantz]

Another example of pre-diet differences: I had no pre-op diet (except no eating after midnight) First day was spoonfuls of gatorade & water as tolerated. Days 2-5 was clear liquids & protein shakes. Day 6-10 was creamy, mushy foods (tomato basil soup, mashed potatoes, etc). After that I could eat what I wanted as long as I watched my portions & made good choices. I still cheat but in general I eat much healthier & much less than I did before. My kids get a kick out of me ordering off the kids menu when we go out to eat. No drinking 30 minutes before & after eating can be difficult & hard to get use to. If you try & push it though, your body will rebel in ways I'd rather not get into (can you tell I speak from experience?!).
AFA what I eat, I don't make separate meals. I pretty much eat what the rest of the family eats. The other night we had bratwurst, mac&cheese & a green salad. My routine is to rotate bites of food. It seems to work better than one food at a time & helps with not getting stuck. It also reminds me to slow down as I think 'OK, I just ate a bite of mac&cheese so now its time for a bite of salad'.
When we go out to eat, I usually do one of two things. Either I get a 'regular' dinner & just plan on taking most of it home or I order an appetizer or off the kids menu & eat most all of it. I do have a card in my wallet that states I have a lap-band. I've always said I'd pull it out at a restaurant if I ever had a problem but so far no problems at all.

Honestly, one of the main issues I am struggling with is that I feel so good, having lost 60lbs that I just can't seem to motivate myself to lose those last 20 or so. I have more energy, my feet & knees no longer hurt from the time I wake up until the time I go to bed and my blood pressure has gone down meaning I can take a less strong medicine. I do want to lose those last 20 or so lbs but honestly, if it takes me 2 more years to do it, I'll be fine with that. I've already made a big change in my life & have seen the results.

Finally, there will be people who will say to you 'Well, I've lost 30lbs but I didn't do it the "easy" way like you'. Ignore them. They're idiots who don't understand. If they persist, I suggest you ask them what's easy about surgery & the possibility of 'sliming' for the rest of your life?

 

[raniroo]

I am getting banded on Saturday and can't wait. I have about 176lb (80kgs) to lose and so far with the pre op diet I have already lost 15 lbs (in 10 days)!

I have no support system or groups to attend in the country where I am living, so am totally relying on support from online and blogging. I have struggled with my weight my whole life and this is the last resort for me.

I would be interested in any tips or advice given? Particularly how they have been dining in WDW!

 

[mjantz]

raniroo: I found the first week or so more difficult than you may be led to believe. I saw videos where people said 'I went back to work the next day' & other things like that. It took me awhile to feel 100%. My body had a hard time adjusting to the difference in the amount of food I was eating.
Ranch dressing is your friend. It 'lubricates' the way a little bit. It doesn't allow you to eat as much of anything you want but it can make it a bit easier to eat. Applesauce is great as well. I eat a lot of applesauce.

You probably want to buy a few items of clothing (like pants) in smaller sizes, especially if you can get some dirt cheap at an end of season sale. OTOH, you may be able to wear your current clothes longer than you think. I hung onto mine until a co-worker said (in a loving way) 'You need new pants!' I've removed most of the stuff that doesn't fit anymore & taken it to resale. I did keep 1 pair of pants as a reminder but I've never put them back on to see the difference.

Good luck & keep us posted.

 

[thelionqueen]

PLEASE remember that everyone heals differently!!
I personally worked a full day the very next day after surgery, and continued that pace for 2 weeks. One day in the third week I had pain, but that was IT! Some heal quicker, some don't, but please don't take any one person's experience to heart. Your experience will likely be different from anyone elses.

Also I have to respectfully but strongly disagree with the "ranch dressing is your friend" statement. Ranch dressing is nothing but fat and empty calories, and I haven't touched the stuff since surgery. Also, applesauce is LOADED with sugar, which I also limit to the extreme.

My suggestion is to follow your doctor's advice, he/she is the ONLY one who can give you sound advice on diet, recovery and exercise.

While online resources are great for opinions, please remember they are coming from strangers who do not know your personal history. And although you can get an idea of how this journey begins, it is different for everyone.

Good luck!!! I LOVE my band, it has truly changed my life!!!!!

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

Applesauce isn't always loaded with sugar. It is what you make it. Or you buy natural.

 

[thelionqueen]

I have looked at every brand of applesauce in my local store as well as our natural foods store, and even those that say "no ADDED sugar" are loaded with sugar.

I should have said that every applesauce I've looked at is loaded with sugar. I read all labels like a detective and have not found any juice or applesauce that wasn't loaded with sugar.

If you can tell me which applesauce you buy that has no (or very low) sugar, I would love to find it!!!

 

[Tinker*Shell*Bell]

If anyone is looking for more information on any kind of weight loss surgery I strongly suggest visiting www.obesityhelp.com There are forums for each kind of surgery with hundreds of pre and post-op patients.

OH was my primary resource and remains one of the best support "groups" I have ever seen.

Sheli
post-op from Lap band 8-1-2007
-106 lbs

ps- ranch dresssing is not your friend- 200+ empty calories - that is what got "us" where we are today.

 

[mjantz]

FWIW I buy the no sugar added applesauce. I personally like the taste better.

There's also fat-free ranch dressing.

I agree that everyone heals differently. However, I was unprepared for how long it took me to heal. The standard line seems to be that you'll feel great the day after surgery & be ready to jump back into your normal routine. I found that not to be the case & I wondered what was wrong with me. I hope raniroo has a very easy recovery & can jump back into her life ASAP. But I wanted her to know that, despite what others tell her, she may not feel like going back to work the next day & that's OK.

ETA: 2TBSP of FF Hidden Valley Ranch salad dressing has 30 calories & 0grams of fat.

The Motts Healthy Harvest applesauce has 50 calories, 0grams fat & 11 grams of sugar. I realize that some are limiting sugar but I'm not & this applesauce is a great choice for me.


I completely agree that everyone should listen to their dr. Mine has consistently said 'I'd rather you have a small bowl of real ice cream than a large bowl of fat free.' His theory is that you are already eating a lot less than before so enjoy the little bit that you can eat.

 

[Tinker*Shell*Bell]

I have looked at every brand of applesauce in my local store as well as our natural foods store, and even those that say "no ADDED sugar" are loaded with sugar.

I should have said that every applesauce I've looked at is loaded with sugar. I read all labels like a detective and have not found any juice or applesauce that wasn't loaded with sugar.

If you can tell me which applesauce you buy that has no (or very low) sugar, I would love to find it!!!

You are 100% right- There is no low sugar applesauce. Apples are full of sugar (natural sugars are still sugar.) No sugar added is better- but still loaded.

I also do a very low carb diet. Applesauce would be a cheat treat, except that If I am going to cheat for 23g of sugar I will grab a candy instead. (really not often!)



OP- you should be able to eat most of the foods you eat today, but instead of a whole plate of food you might only be able to have a few bites.
It will take a while after you have the band placed before it starts to work. You WILL be hungry for the first few months until you have enough fills to get the band just right. Will Power is important during the first 3-6 months, then the band kicks in and starts helping.

Wishing you all the best!

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

All fruits, and many veggies have some natural sugar in them. That is obvious. If you are on no carb, then that doesn't work for you. Many people I know choose low calorie and fat rather than no carb and the no sugar added works fine.

 

[patsal]

I am getting banded on Saturday and can't wait. I have about 176lb (80kgs) to lose and so far with the pre op diet I have already lost 15 lbs (in 10 days)!

I have no support system or groups to attend in the country where I am living, so am totally relying on support from online and blogging. I have struggled with my weight my whole life and this is the last resort for me.

I would be interested in any tips or advice given? Particularly how they have been dining in WDW!

Best of luck. I know the journey that leads up to this decision all too well.

I have everything turned in except the psych evaluation and that is scheduled for next week. I can then meet with the doctor and discuss the procedure and which is right for me. I'm thinking I should be able to get into the lap band dr. by October and then we will figure it our from there. No one was kidding when they said this was a long process!

 

[thelionqueen]

All fruits, and many veggies have some natural sugar in them. That is obvious. If you are on no carb, then that doesn't work for you. Many people I know choose low calorie and fat rather than no carb and the no sugar added works fine.

You are correct, fruits do have natural sugars and some (would disagree with many) veggies do too. However, eating an apple vs. eating processed applesauce are 2 COMPLETELY different animals. I eat an apple everyday, and the NATURAL sugar is COMPLETELY different than PROCESSED sugar. They say no sugar ADDED, that doesn't mean NO SUGAR. When fruit is processed, the sugar content is greatly increased as the volume is "compacted".

I know every Dr. has different guidelines for their patients, and I still adamately say to stick to whatever guidelines your doctor makes for you. That said, I am startled at the information posted on this thread. PLEASE understand that I am not bashing anyone or their means of losing weight, if it works for you, then do it.

However, in regards to LBS the "basic" rules are absolute.
#1-High protein
#2-low (not no) carb
#3-low (not no) sugar
#4-adequate fiber intake

I don't see how anyone who has had any type of LBS can justify anything that falls out of these rules. That being said, I DO have sugar (even-GASP-ice cream here and there), I DO have carbs (even-GASP-white bread on occasion). The diet is absolute, the the guidelines you follow are individual.

If PP eats applesauce and it works for them..GREAT! If they eat ranch dressing (sorry you didn't indicate Fat Free in your post) FF or not and it works for them, GREAT!! I just wonder by the post you said it "lubricates" the way a bit. If you need lubrication to help digest food, you need to have an unfill, you're too tight. HOWEVER, some people LIKE to be very restricted, I do not. If that is what works for her, GREAT, just don't take that as an indicator as to how eating with the lap band will be, it is not.

But PLEASE don't advise someone who is just learning about the WLS lifestyle to eat things they are not suppose to.

Everyone works their "tool" to the way that suits them best, but honestly, if you're not following the basics to some degree, this is not going to work, period.

You need to follow the diet guidelines (in general, not every second for the rest of your life), completely CHANGE the way you think about food and exercise. Those things are absolute in my opinion.

I'm sorry but 11grams of sugar in a tiny little cup of applesauce (not to mention all the other added ingredients) is WAY too much sugar for me on a regular basis. If I'm going to splurge on sugar, I agree with a PP, I will have chocolate and make the sugar count

I don't chart or journal my food (although I HIGHLY recommend it for the first 3-5 months out of surgery) I just KNOW what my body needs. PROTEIN FIRST (golden rule of all WLS), low carb, low sugar, low fat. There are all sorts of ways you can "cheat" the band, but those basic rules are the recipe for success.

Again, this process is SO individual, you will find many things that work for you, that don't for others. I just have to respond when I see people post information that could be interpreted incorrectly.