NWgirl

For employer covered insurance, they have to cover you regardless. They may stipulate that they won't pay for any WLS related care though. If you're going to buy private insurance, some can deny based on WLS.

I know there is someone floating around who seems to have around 3cc with restriction. I got a 2cc fill on Monday and don't really feel a difference myself.

My tummy sometimes gurgles, but not anything too crazy or loud. my burping only occurs after I've eaten, and not really all that often (maybe once a day). Immediately after surgery for about two weeks I did burp A LOT, but that was due to the gas they fill you with. I did get my first case of the hiccups yesterday, which for some is a warning sign that your pouch is full. I am 23 and got banded last month. Recovery was pretty quick and painless. Right now I am "dieting" (weighing foods, counting calories, etc) because I am pretty unrestricted and could probably eat anything. I have lost about 35 since a couple weeks pre-op and feel great.

my recovery was quick, but is not for everyone. I took a total of two full days off and worked two partials before I came back full time. If I had a sit down job, I would have been fine going back within two days. I had minimal gas pains. It was worst on days 5 and 6. Moving is your best friend for the gas. I did have abdominal discomfort from day 1-3. I had a Mini Pillowpet I bought to hold against my tummy for Support when getting up/down or if I was walking and my stomach was achy.I took my pain meds for three days.

I went today for my first fill and was given a prescription for a medicine that stops the formation of gallstones that I will be on for six months. It should prevent any problems with having to get my gallbladder removed if it goes awry because of the weight loss. I am wondering how I am going to swallow those pills twice a day! They are HUGE!

my surgeon didn't mention it either. I was talking to her fellow and he asked if I had my gallbladder. I told him yes. Out of curiosity, I asked how common it is for the gallbladder to be removed after WLS because I had read about it on the boards He said they automatically prescribe the pills for gastric and he would ask about banding. When the surgeon came in, she gave me the prescription and explained the use. I honestly don't know if it's something my surgeon prescribes regularly for banding or not.

My surgeon sat down with me prior to surgery and we went through the list of bad things that could happen. I was free to ask questions if I did not understand, and then I had to sign to show I understood that there can be complications. I am guessing most surgeon's do this to cover their butt, and maybe people don't really think about them. I know for myself when I read a warning on anything else (OTC meds, machinery, etc), I don't take it to heart because what is the likelihood that will happen to me? I guess it's easier to have hope than not As for the sleeve as the gold standard, it is well known that in other countries (UK, Australia), the band is prevalent. While other countries fine tuned the band, America was focusing on bypass. I guess it's easiest to say that American Dr's have been playing with bypass a lot longer and so they know it can work, regardless of the patient. The Lapband may not work if the patient doesn't put in the work.

I think the point that a few others made was that you aren't giving people enough credit in that they probably do ask their Dr's if they have a question about things they should/shouldn't do. I don't run out to the store and buy everything people suggest on here, so I expect that everyone else has the same common sense. I stand behind the idea that people should discuss Rx things with their Dr's, but most other things people can decide on their own. If someone has a life-altering condition, they probably know what they can and cannot take. Most Vitamins are not in a dosage that can cause any damage. Other than those prevalent suggestions on the board, I am still confused about what kind of prescribing you're talking about...

No, I am with Anthem BCBS. I was nervous about the procedure, but knew from the hard core dieting I've done in the past that I cannot lose the weight on my own. I feel 100% about my decision and would do it again. I was glad I didn't have to jump the supervised diet or class hoops some insurance require. I had researched this for about a year on and off prior to going in January, so I knew the answers to my questions and felt I knew the protocol. As for the procedure itself, It was my first surgery and it went great. I think it was about an hour long and there were no complications/hernias/etc. I was outpatient, so I left a few hours after being in recovery. Within a few days of surgery I was feeling back to my old self. I was a little freaked out about the actual surgery and the what-ifs that plague us all. Honestly, I tried to keep my mind occupied the days before surgery and the day of surgery it was too late to turn back. It was almost like I ignored my scared thoughts because I knew the path was the right one and I didn't want to be the only thing standing in my way.

I am 23 and got banded last month. I started the process January 17, received approval mid-February, and was banded march 20. I was not required to have a supervised diet.

My shoulder pain lasted 3-4 days. It wasn't unbearable, although at times it was uncomftorable.

I was given the general timeline of when my Dr would submit, and literally spent the next two weeks forcing myself to not think about or focus on it.

What exactly are you referring to? If someone posts that they have constipation, I am going to suggest milk of magnesia. If someone is having acid reflux, I would recommend they go to the Dr due to the underlying issue of what's causing the reflux... I would have the tendency to agree with you for more serious medications or how to take prescribed medicines, but believe it's a great resource for bandsters to have a forum to ask about what OTC's may work or not work.

The protein is really not too hard to get in, as long as you plan your meals right.

weigh/portion out all food using a food scale. Ask your Dr or dietician for how many calories you should consume a day and stick to it. Start exercising.

I don't disagree that people use starvation mode to rationalize eating more (who hasn't read "Help! my body is in starvation mode" the second day a person is on the liquid diet), but it is true the metabolism slows with the less food you eat. I, personally, have never been able to lose weight based on calories in/calories out. I am on my feet walking around all day due to my job and burn 3000-3500 per day. If the simple equation were true, I should be losing about 4lb a week, which I'm not.

What kind of symptoms are you having? How far out are you? Did you eat something wrong or vomit?

I have an allowance from 1200-1400. I have heard that for women and dieting, most don't recommend going below 1200m (this is without any kind of surgery) because the metabolism can slow. Even if your body stops losing for awhile, it will start again.

I registered there before, but did get the Lapband. If you don't mind the lapband site, you can create your own profile there too and it probably has all of the tools available. I know there is journaling, letter to self, support people, weight tracking, etc.

try looking at Swedish Medical Center. I have insurance, but when I was using the compare costs tool on my insurance website, they were significantly less than for-profit hospital's.

I asked the pharmacist if I could open the capsules and she said no. I am fine swallowing them now, but in six months I should be at restriction and this is too large...

fiber helps with digestive health- you should get 20 to 25 grams per day. I take vitaband fiber gummies.

Post-op, back on full liquids because of first fill. I guess that means I am having some protein shake and SF pudding... Boo.

I had my incisions sutured on the inside and glued on the outside, then covered with steri-strips. Have you contacted the Dr's office yet?

My band is right below my bra line (saw it today on my upper GI and they showed me where my breasts are on the screen too) and I can sometimes feel it when drinking liquids, but other than that, no. I would say once your body is used to it and less aggravated, you won't notice