Dulci

I had my surgery at Cleveland Clinic Florida and I highly recommend their program.

I have come to believe that no matter which WLS one chooses, most of the change has be done in the mind. If the patient is ready, willing and able to make changes, they will succeed. If the patient thinks that the band, sleeve or bypass is going to do the work and they will passively watch the weight melt away; they will fail. If I ever have to lose my band, I will revise to a sleeve, if I can.

I wish I had done it sooner.

It sounds like you are eating too fast, too big bites, or not chewing enough. The horrible feeling in your chest is what happens to me when food is not moving through the pouch. My nutritionist recommended bites approximately the size of the nail on your pinky finger, chew until the food is mush, then swallow. I hope you are happy and successful with your band!

I will be moving to Jacksonville in November. I will be looking for a good doc/practice for continued care. I was banded in 2011 at Cleveland Clinic Florida and I would like someone for maintenance fills and to be established as a patient if an emergency occurs. Any recommendations? (or warnings?)

My insurance only covered follow up for the first year. My doc only does fills under fluro and the cash price is $1,200.00. I found another doc that will do fills for $200 for the first and $140 for any subsequent fills.

Congrats!

I agree with Missy. I would hold off on the surgery until you have a new job with health coverage. Being unemployed is stressful. Making a lifestyle change and re-learning how to eat is difficult. Going through both at the same time sounds daunting. I wish you the best and I hope you will find a new position very soon.

I had my gallbladder out one year exactly from when I had my band placed. My surgery was similar to the band - 4 tiny incisions.

Come here to vent as much as you need to. When I was doing my post op diet, I actually sucked the salt from some pretzels, then spit them in a napkin and tossed them out. It was not one of my proudest moments.

I switched from one employer sponsored plan to a different plan choice. I didn't realize that the new company would only cover follow-ups and fills for 1 year after the surgery. Since my new insurer didn't pay for the lap band, I had to fight them to get to pay for my fills for the first year. I am fortunate to work for an employer that offers several options for health plans. During open season for 2014, I will be reviewing my plan choice. DH takes several name brand Rx's and even if I pay out of pocket for fills, we are still ahead because of my current plan's Rx benefits. If they change to a percentage based co-pay for name brands, I will switch back to my original plan.

Congrats on your loss! You are right on track and since your band is unfilled, it hasn't been as much help as it will be in the future. Get your fills as needed and keep up the great progress.

Living with a band is a lifestyle change. The band helps you feel satisfied on less food for a lot longer. When your physical hunger is sated, it is easier to make the right choices, easier to learn to distinguish "real" hunger from head hunger (eating from habit, eating because you are mad, sad, tired or bored, eating just cuz you want it). I read somewhere that losing weight with a band is like a having a car with power steering. You still choose the direction, but it is much easier to go the right way.

My doc said none for at least 9 months post op. I tried something carbonated once and it made me uncomfortable and gassy. I haven't wanted anything carbonated since. It didn't hurt, but it didn't feel "right". I drink a lot of tea: hot, iced, herbal, black . . . such a variety.