This week, a Lap Band patient told me they were discouraged. I thought they were doing great as they had lost about 10 pounds since their last visit 6 weeks ago. Overall they had good weight loss. They had good awareness of using the Lap Band as a tool to control their portions by stopping their meals when they weren’t hungry. They weren’t using the Lap Band for restriction. This person was doing everything right!
But they were discouraged and unsure of themselves because they said that a friend told them they need to lose about 40 pounds a month!
What a bunch of crap! It is physically impossible to lose 10 pounds a week unless we stared cutting off your limbs or something like that.
This brings up an important point. Along your weight loss journey you will run into a lot of people who are destructive to your success. They will try to demoralize you. They will try to mock you. I don’t know why they do it.
Perhaps they are jealous that you have found a solution that they don’t have for your weight and your health. Perhaps they are embarrassed at their own situation. Perhaps they don’t want to see you empowered. Perhaps they are envious that you have shown the courage to take control of your health and they have not.
Whatever the case may be, you will unfortunately run into people that are destructive to you and your journey for weight loss. Ignore them. They are the losers. You are the winner.
5. May 2009 at 9:20 am
i realize that i didn’t get fat overnight. It will take time, to lose all the weight that i have gained.
5. May 2009 at 11:45 pm
Absolutely. That is one of many important realizations that will help you achieve your goals.
6. May 2009 at 4:42 pm
Thanks Dr. H, I find myself, “trying” to eat more, or different when I am around family, because they give me such a hard time about what I am or am not suppose to eat. I know exactly what I can eat, I do not NEED them to instruct me (they don’t have a clue, anyway). This is all done in a loving (demeaning) way, because you know I went the easy way out! Then I fell into not eating enough. I have to do this for me, just as I had the surgery for ME! Even with the surgery, we have to get over the mental blocks our friends and family throw at us.
7. May 2009 at 10:47 am
i just want to thanks 4 everything u have done 4 me im now at my goal weight some people say i lost to much to fat but thats just the wat it goes i guess i noticed u no u patience by name even if u c them out some were else by sides u office even u recepionist nows them to that mean alot to me well thanks again 4 everything i have done richard copeland
7. May 2009 at 11:13 am
Richard we are very proud of you and of course I remember you by name! You have done extrememly well and are an inspiration to all of us. Keep up the good work! I will pass along the kind words to our receptionists, Deb, Melissa, and Gwenn.
7. May 2009 at 11:39 am
Annette
Thanks for your comment. It is certainly true that our eating habits change around other people. It takes a lot to learn that and be aware of that, so I am glad you made that realization.
See you soon!
8. May 2009 at 7:36 pm
Dr. Hekier,
I had to come in two weeks ago to get a fill taken out due to so much sinus drainage. I couldn’t eat or drink without throwing up. I am doing much better. Able to eat, only I am concerned about how much was taken out. It was 1cc. I went through this same process a year ago. It took me almost a year to get my fill back to where I needed to be to lose weight again. Hoping not to go through that again.
11. May 2009 at 8:39 am
I hope not as well, but keep in mind that you can’t just take out a little “smidge” if it’s sinus drainage that’s blocking up the band – the band needs to be open enough not to get clogged by the rubber cement that sinus drainage is. It may take a few fills to get back to the right place for you, but keep in mind that throwing up frequently can lead to erosion and band slip, so I’d rather struggle with a good fill level than risk your health or risk losing the band itself.
17. May 2009 at 11:39 pm
I have never posted on this site…but I am very happy that you can actually talk to doctors. I have had the band since the last week of August 2008. I have lost 43 pounds….However, from November 2008 until March 2009 I had no fills and could virtually eat anything I wanted, but gained or lost no weight. I then had a fill in March…My surgeon put what he called “the most I have ever put” in my band. I was very restricted, and weight loss began again. Then last weekend I had my appendix out…and I feel like I can eat more again. Previous to the apendectomy if I over ate I would have to throw up…Now I am feeling full but I am able to eat even when I am full. So with all this…I have several questions…
1. Is this 43 pounds a good amount of weight…9 months out from banding?
2. Why am I able to eat more? After each fill does it losen? I think my band is almost totally full…
3. Should I have a concern with erosion?
18. May 2009 at 8:43 am
Okay in order: (1) yes, I think 43 pounds is fairly good. On average I expect to see about 60lbs in the first year, so you’re right on track with that as a goal. However, keep in mind that the more you have to lose, the faster it’s likely to come off in the first year. Also, the more you exercise and the more you stick to a relatively high protein, mod. carb, low fat diet the faster it is likely to come off. (2) The band does not loosen after fills unless there is a leak (most likely to happen at or near the port, not the band itself), but your stomach can spasm after a fill making it seem tighter right after a fill for a few days/weeks then feel looser once the stomach adjusts to the fill. Ask your surgeon what size band you have as this determines how much fluid you can have. A 9.75 or 10cm holds 4-5cc max, the VG or 11cm band holds 11cc or so, the APS and APL hold quite a bit more, in some cases up to 14 cc! So it really depends on band size. (3) erosion is always a possibility and if no fill has any real effect on restriction, then you should ask your sugeon for an EGD (a procedure where a camera is inserted via the mouth into the stomach to look at whether or not the band has eroded). However, if you can feel some restriction after a fill than an erosion is less likely. Hope that helps and thanks for visiting and commenting!
28. May 2009 at 8:46 pm
I saw DR.Heiker today for a visit. I had gained 2 pounds since last viist 5 weeks ago. I remember what Betty May says get back into the box.
I know I am going out of town for a week to visit family. I am going to plan ahead and pack my snacks,going shopping for healthy food choices,because I will be babysitting four children for a week ages 12,6 and 5 year old twins. This will be very challeging my husband will be with also.My husband is very supportive of my weight lose. I had my lap band surgery December of 2008. I have lost 72 pounds.
29. May 2009 at 2:16 am
I like the idea of packing those snacks and getting rid of them. If you don’t buy unhealthy snacks in the first place you won’t have to fight the tempation to avoid them. So I agree with you. Get rid of them!
29. May 2009 at 1:25 pm
I am a little over a month post op, and I have not had a fill yet. When I went for my post op appointment about 3 weeks ago I had lost 20 pounds. I haven’t lost any more in the past 3 weeks. I have, however lost 11 inches total. I walk a mile or more each day, and I am trying my hardest to stay in the box with the rules.
I wonder if 20 pounds is good enough? Seems like it should be more. (I started out at 215 before surgery and now I’m 195)
21. June 2009 at 11:23 pm
I’am considering having this procedure done. I’m terribly over weight and have struggled my entire life with this weight issue. I will be turning 40 next month and don’t want to be 50 and in a wheelchair. can anyone tell me when the next seminar is. Nothing is listed on this website. thanks.
22. June 2009 at 9:33 am
I was banded Feb. 20, 2009 and I have only lost 20lbs. to me that seems like very little amount of weight even though my Dr. says that’s a good amount. However, my hair is falling out and I started taking Biotin, Optisource chewables, Centrum Silver chewables and B-complex drops. Is this accurate? or should I change what I’m taking? Also, is this a good amount of weight or should it be more? I have gone from a size 16 to a 12/13. I am however, very lazy I followed a diet and was walking at the beginning but I have stopped doing it now.
25. June 2009 at 6:16 pm
Hair loss can be caused by vitamin deficiencies, but it sounds like you’ve got that well covered. The other major cause of hair loss is a too low protein intake. Most people need 40-60 grams of protein per day and if you’re exercising vigorously and often, you may well need more than that. I would first try to up your protein intake and see if that helps the hair loss
25. June 2009 at 6:21 pm
argh! There is one tonight in Texarkana, and two in the first week in July (one in Idabel, OK and one in Texarkana). Call Betty May at 903-794-BAND to arrange attendance at a seminar or even an online education video instead. Hope that helps!
1. July 2009 at 4:38 am
i just wanted to make a couple of comments. i believe what Dr K said about more protein will help hair loss because ever since i started my adventure back in July (before surgery) i used herbalife and extra protein (i like the one from the Dr’s office best) anyways, everyone that see’s me after a month or so comments how much my hair had grown. and i noticed it myself. its growing like crazy since i have added extra protein to my diet.
i had a fill this past monday, i think i need it taken out. i hate that but …. i am not throwing up but can only eat a few bites and am having trouble keeping it down.. i am not burping up food, but it hurts after i get the food in there. no problems drinking nor eating crackers or soups etc. should i give it a few days or not? i knew i had gotten close to my :happy zone , but i am not able yet to eat like the Dr’s want you to eat. (not just shakes and eating down easy slide foods) do i need to call in? i just have got my weight loss to kick in gear and i don’t want to cause myself problems. things seem to get stuck in my chest on two bits and i mean juicy beans even.
You guys are terrific!
Susan
(btw i am the one that had to appoligize to Dr H for thinking he was a meany for not giving me a fill one time and it turned out he did me a big favor heheheehhehe)
1. July 2009 at 4:50 am
i wanted to comment also on the patient that was ask why haven’t you lost 40 pds this month. you don’t want to lose it to quickly or your skin is going to hang. i realize alot of us use to starve ourselves to get the weight off before the band and i now know i was doing it all wrong. i am inpatient also but this has been a different adventure than my old ways. and it has been slow. some months i lost nothing even though i was staying in the box. but i can’t excercise due to back instruments in my back and perm. nerve damage. but i just do what i can when i can and stay in the box. sometimes,since i started losing the weight i even treat myself once a month and if i feel i am deprived of a dessert i may treat myself and still i lost some weight. i found a sugar free dessert (yes even some cookies and cream, guilt free ice cream. i have it when others are having some regular ice cream. and i like to feel i am not so out of place when there is a family bar b q or something. i hope this helps someone and if i am wrong for eating that, please someone chime in
Susan
3. July 2009 at 4:16 pm
I personally want to thank Dr. H and Dr. K. I can remember before my surgery how I didn’t feel happy at all. I’m only 21 years old and I have my whole life ahead of me, but not to want to go out with my friends and have a good time isn’t really for a 21 year old who just now experiencing life. I can remember every walking up to a store and seeing my reflection in the glass and now wanting to look at myself because I hated how I truly looked. I was always known as the big girl of the bunch and that took a major blow to my self confidence. After the surgery I began to feel more confident about myself and trying to get my weight in check. My surgery was March 18th and since then I’ve lost 39 pounds so far. I began to get discouraged because I thought I should have lost more by now, but 39 is right on track isn’t it??? All in all I want to take you both for giving me the opportunity to get myself in shape!! Thank you again!! Now just newly 21, I feel that my lift is not only continuing, but my life is just beginning!!
3. July 2009 at 5:07 pm
Keep up the good work. Remember this is a journey for the rest of your life!
3. July 2009 at 5:54 pm
I can remember looking in the mirror and crying every single day because of how I look, but not anymore. I’m feeling good, my asthma is better and everything is good with me for the first time with my health. If anyone asks about the surgery, I refer them to tbe best doctors for the job, Dr. K and Dr. H!!!!
22. July 2009 at 2:12 pm
I have had lap band surgery on November 2007 i’ve only lost 25 pounds. I am having problems with my hair falling out I eat okay I don’t eat any greasy foods. My problem is we go out to eat alot and our favorite place is mexicane food I try just eat the meat and that is it. Could you or someone help me out here becasue I am having trouble loose weight. Do you think I should go and get another fill? my band is a 10cc and right now I have about 8.1 cc? What upsets me is my friend has lost all of her weight whithin the year that she had it done some one please help.
22. July 2009 at 5:09 pm
Thanks for writing! We always appreciate when other doctors’ patients comment on our posts here and we’ll try to help you the best we can.
My first thought on your questions is that it’s very hard without really examining a journal of everything you eat where your sabotage points are. Having said that tho’, I recently wrote a post about my experience at a Mexican restaurant and I can tell you that there is almost NOTHING low-cal or diet friendly on a Mexican restaurant menu. Just eating the meat is often not helpful unless it’s grilled fajita meat or grilled chicken. Other meats (like ground beef) are high in fat/calories and usually have some guac or cheese to go with them, beefing up the calories even more (pun intended). We’ve had two patients who actually gained weight while eating nothing for dinner except the toppings off pizza.
As to your fill level, again it’s hard to say without knowing a lot more information, but remember that everyone’s fill size is uniquely their own and while one person can lose 100lbs with 2cc, another may take 10cc before they feel any real hunger restriction. On your side, you should start seeing how you feel – are you hungry just an hour or two after eating? Are you drinking with your meals? Are you having high-carb snacks between meals? Are you exercising? All of these effect your rate of weight loss with the band.