June May

Quonia doesnt' get stuck? I'll have to try that. I see that there is a ton of protein in it, and I miss rice.

I'm not a vegetarian. I do snack on cheese. I get my meat at dinner, but some meat gets stuck, so mostly I love to make and eat Soup. I assume I'm getting the nutritional value even if it's mostly the broth, while the rest of the family gets the meat. As for the almonds getting stuck: I've found that cashews get stuck on me, but not the almonds. I haven't tried walnuts. Yes, if I remember to go for Protein and vegetables first, it helps me not to crave the popcorn and chocolate. I love this group! Thank you, June

Yes! So glad to find another popcorn addict! I have found it to clear out anything that gets stuck, and I can't go a day without it. I too, eat about 2 cups a day, have a little chocolate everyday and a little icecream every day. I snack mostly on almonds. I found having an egg in the morning helps me to feel fuller longer. I'm maintaining, but not losing any more. I can't stand the protein drink anymore and need to find something that has the protein but tastes good. Any suggestions?

Let's not be too hard on Petunia. She needs support too, just slipped and said something that set us all off. The bottom line is this lap band is not the cure I thought it was either. We still have to diet. I lost 50 lbs in the first year, but now I'm struggling to keep it off and can't even think of losing the last 30lbs.

Wow, Petunia, that was a little harsh. The reason we get the surgery is because we did put our big girl panties on and worked hard at losing weight for years and years. It's after losing the weight and regaining it over and over again that we resort to surgery. After I was banded, I lost 50 lbs without trying. Now to keep it off and lose the last 50 I have to work at it. Hopefully it will go better this time. I understand feeling like a failure. I understand trying to work up the strength to start another weight loss campaign, and "which way am I going to try this time". I'm reading a book by Dr. Terry Simpson that may help. It's written specifically for lap band patients. For me I think if I could just cut back or cut out the sugar it would make a big difference. I know I don't eat enough to keep me from losing weight, it's just that good ol' chocolate and ice cream go down easily.

The reason I got the band is because I am a weight loss failure. I would always lose and regain the same 20 lbs. every year. That's why the band is so good. I feel like I haven't dieted in 3 years because it takes no will power for me. Is your band tight enough? If I eat too much or the wrong thing (like bread) I throw up and don't want to eat anymore. Unfortunately chocolate doesn't get stuck, so I'm not losing as much as I'd like to and might have to start cutting back on sugar. For me, doing what you're "supposed to do" is only short lived. June

The cost here in Montana was $6500 for the brest reduction/lift, $6,300 for the tummy tuck or $10,000 for both at the same time.

Someone else on here recommended that you take pictures of them yourself and mail them to yourself. Don't open the letter just send it to the insurance, and the post date is proof of when you had the rash. Normally I put deoderant under my boobs and stomach to prevent the rash. Now, I won't bother, but get them documented instead.

I'm going through the same thing. My first Plastic surgeon refused to even request that insurance pay it. My 2nd PS appointment isn't til April 14th. I get belly button rashes too. I have a hernia and have had 4 c-sections, so between the hernia and the "scar revision" I thought a TT would be covered. Now I'm having to do all the leg work.

I am 52 and was banded 3 years ago at 49. It's fantastic, and my life is so much better. I realized the other day that I haven't dieted in 3 years! My whole life has been self deprevasion and guilt for eating the wrong things. Losing the same 20 lbs year after year. I stopped losing weight after about a year and a half. I have more to go, so I'm thinking of dieting now. But if I don't lose any more I'm fine. Blood pressure is normal, no more sleep apnea, no chance of diabetes, I have energy. Go for it!

I went to the plastic surgeon today. I have a hernia, a rash under my excess skin, and have had 3 c-sections. I thought my insurance might cover a tummy tuck, because of these 3 things, but she said it would be a waste of her time to try to get insurance to cover it!

I'm in Kalispell, are you in my area?

How would I know if my lap band slipped? What should I look for? The dr. said if I throw up it could slip. Well, I got the band 3 years ago, and I throw up all the time.

Thinking of having the same surgery, in Montana. What's a ballpark price? does insurance cover any of it? Thanks, June

I'm 52 years old and have lost the same 20 lbs every year for 34 years. You're doing the right thing. They will always find something to worry about. If not this surgery, then they'll possibly critique everything you eat and tell you to diet for your son's sake. I have 6 kids! Some biological, some adopted, and I have energy for them. I've lost 50 lbs. My blood pressure is good and I'm healthy. Tell your family it's important that they accept your desision and support you.

My name is June, I had my lapband surgery 3 years ago. My surgeon is Brad Pickhardt at St. Patrick's Hosp. in Missoula, Montana. It has been the greatest thing in my dieting history of 34 years. I always lost 20 to 30 lbs. a year - the same 20 to 30 lbs. every year. I lost 50 lbs. in the first 2 years, and have kept it off this last year. I feel like I haven't been dieting in 3 years. It has nothing to do with my weak will power, but all to do with the fact that certain foods or amount of foods just won't go down. I'm never hungary and I do throw up if something gets stuck. I don't eat bread, pasta, or rice anymore. Unfortunately chocolate doesn't get stuck, so that's my problem, but chocolate comes sugar free, so that helps. I'm glad I found this site and can others to discuss things with.

I got my lapband 3 years ago, and it's working great. I lost 50 lbs and am keeping it off. I'm getting my overies removed next week and my lapband dr. says I have to have all the Fluid removed before any surgery. He's afraid that if I throw up it might make the banc slip. I throw up all the time, and it's never slipped. It's a 2 hour drive to get the fluid removed, so I'm wondering if I really have to do it, or if my general dr. can remove the fluid.

My situation is the same thing. I have a cyst that has doubled in size and I am definitely getting both overies removed because I'm pre-menapausal anyway, and my sister has ovarian cancer. My CA-125 came back at 8, so I'm o.k. with that. My lapband dr. insists that I remove all the Fluid before any surgery, but he is 2 hours away, so I'd rather not. Did your lap band affect your surgery in any way? Hi Everyone! So I've been banded almost 6 months and am doing good, I love my band! I have 6 cc in a 14cc band and I need another fill, but, I am scheduled for surgery on Friday to remove a rapidly growing ovarian cyst and maybe my ovary as well. It hurts and I really cant wait to have it removed, plus my CA-125 cancer screening test has come back a little high, which is freaking me out! Friday can't come soon enough! I'm wondering how my Lap-Band will be affected during recovery? I've called my surgeon and he has assured me I do NOT need an unfill as long as I inform the anesthesiologist and they are prepared with anti-nauseant medication immediately after surgery. I am planning on doing liquids for 48 hours pre-surg, although i'm not sure how I will get all 60g of Protein in on broth and Jello! ( Doctors orders for bowel prep). Should I do liquids or mushy's after surgery? I am taking Gravol and Gas-X with me, my housecoat and slippers and I'm not sure what else. My brain is in a million places right now and any advice regarding another surgery would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much! Car