faithmd

Would you guys get rid of the doggone rep once and for all, PLEASE!!!!!!

If you were to get restriction with your first fill you would be the anomaly! Read the Fill FAQ, VERY rarely does the first fill ever really do anything. It is a starting point to build on. Most folks say it takes a minimum of two, more often three fills to get restriction. Don't kick yourself or your doc...it takes time, hang in there!

Once you've healed from this (no binder, really?), I'd absolutely talk with Hurley about a port revision. He shouldn't have put it where he did in the first place. I just don't get why he says it is what it is. If it is painful and cosmetically not appealing, I'd think he would want to get it moved ASAP. You probably need your fill level checked by now, don't you? (wink wink) Maybe you should go for a fill (wink wink) and see what they say in Flint. I do remember when Princess had her breasts done the PS said to give them a few months and see what they end up looking like before deciding on a revision. So I could understand his desire to wait until September, but I agree, who pays? If he's unhappy with HIS work, I'd think he should eat the cost of most of it (save for maybe the anesthesia fees). Love ya and sooooo sorry you aren't feeling any better yet and got crappy news on top of it! I think ice cream might be in order.

Boo, I hope you feel better soon!! I'm thinking of you!

WELCOME! Follow this link: Frequently Asked Questions (NEW!) you will find LOADS of info on banding, FAQ's and more, and if you scroll down on that page, you'll find the instructions for how to use this forum. Also, MANY of us had hiatal hernia repaired. It seems they are frequently seen in larger patients. And yes, it needs to be repaired for the band to be placed and work properly. It is usually a stitch or a few on the inside. Nothing as dramatic as the surgeons sometimes make it sound.

This is exactly why I've told only seven people in my life, two of them live MILES away. Three are my parents and DH, one is considering banding and the last one is a very dear friend. So basically of those around me day to day that aren't related, only two people know. That's the way I like it and that's how it will stay. I don't want the food police asking me if I should or shouldn't be eating something. I don't want someone saying something about how shouldn't I be losing weight faster because they are comparing me to RNY patients or some other stupid thing. I normally am a TOTALLY open book, I'll tell or discuss just about anything going on in my life, but this I'm keeping a lid on. No one can compare you if they don't know you had surgery in the first place.

I'm going to jump in and agree with Susan and Wasa, you CAN do this! Why on EARTH would you want to go against your own doc's advice? Just because someone else does not have as strict of a diet doesn't mean you can disregard your own orders. All surgeons are not the same, some surgical technique differs. Maybe you had a hernia repaired that someone else did not and your doc wants you to take it easier for a bit longer because of that. Who knows? We don't. Maybe he had to do a little more work in there to get the band positioned just right. Maybe he has had great success and low slippage stats with his stricter diet. I remember that period post surgery. IT SUCKED, it was HARD and I HATED IT. But I kept telling myself I didn't get fat in a few weeks, I can stick to a diet to PROTECT my tool that will help me eventually get to a normal weight. Why risk your stomach and band because you are hungry. You know what, maybe we should all have spent a little more time hungry and we wouldn't have gotten to where we needed the band. Tough love, sorry. Don't mean to be rude, just want to give you a little loving shake and tell you you CAN do this!!!!

No problem, the first thread really gives a good overview of the whole system.

Please check out these two threads, they will help explain it: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f228/lap-band-system-overview-58193/ http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f13/how-lap-band-actually-works-fills-refills-41738/

May I ask who your doc is? 1500 bands done by a doc in the US is pretty awesome! My doc had told me that the often when he gets in there, the anatomy of a male requires a large-sized band (used to be the VG, APL, etc...) but one cannot tell for certain until they are looking at your insides. So he has one of each size available and based on the thickness of your stomach muscle, and what length band you'd need he chooses which to use. In terms of Realize v. LapBand, I think I'm in the middle on that one. They are virtually the same, from what I've read the anchoring system for the port is the biggest difference. The LapBand port is stitched down, the Realize is anchored with hook-like thingies. Hard to describe, but they use a special instrument to secure it, I'd rather be stitched, but does it really matter? Probably not. And online tracking and support groups are not a dealmaker nor a deal breaker for me. I used to use fitday.com and now am addicted to thedailyplate.com. I come here for my support. I have yet to go to the LapBand site for anything other than to look up a couple specifics. Good luck!

Fingers crossed for you! Often this is the issue: you and I may both have Tricare Prime, but our policies would likely NOT be the same. Different employers have the option when purchasing policies to add or remove various riders. One of those riders is for weight loss surgery. It is more expensive for an employer to pay for that rider. Also, with large insurance companies, there may be different people reviewing requests for WLS, some (we are all human) may be more strict about requirements than others or may think your documentation is adequate while the next reviewer may not. Unless your policy specifically has an exclusion to WLS, you can always appeal. Many folks have to. I did and it's nervewracking (I do not have Tricare), but I was approved on my second try. Good luck!!!

I LOVE Red Green, he is a fictitious character from Canadian television. He's this guy who is the typical male with all the handy man tinkering (all with duct tape involved) and male bonding rituals. He runs a lodge (like the Moose) called the Possum Lodge and their motto is Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati which means "When all else fails, play dead" (like a possum). They say the "Man's Prayer" before each lodge meeting and it goes something like this: I'm a man, but I can change, if I have to...I guess. www.redgreen.com It's a great show, they run it on PBS a lot.

excellent point, Stef. If one gram per pound of LEAN mass, I could almost see that. Keep us updated on what you find, will ya?

The notes for your gallbladder surgery should have your weight on them, and hoepfully your ER note will, too. They sometimes ask your weight even if they don't weigh you. Then you can get the notes since you got pregnant that should have weights on them. That would hopefully suffice for a longer than five year history of MO. Contact each of these institutions where you had treatment and ask how you get a copy of the notes. That way you have them. Also ask about costs associated with obtaining the records. Some places charge you to get copies, but if you have them sent straight to another doc, it's free.

That absolutely will help your case, but I'd call back and ask for then to mail a copy of their requirements to you. Trust me, you want it in hard copy. With insurance companies you can never trust 'em until the payment is approved. I'd also ask about specific diet requirements, it is rare indeed that an insurance company would cover a surgery without you having "proven" to them you have tried diets and exercise and they didn't work. Usually that means three months to a year of a "program" that is supervised. I'd double check just to be sure, it can't hurt.

Mine did. Five years of morbid obesity or 100+ lbs overweight. And in my insurance's case they did not accept any letters from the doc, only copes of office notes, so for five years I had to have my yearly exam note with my weight on it sent in. But often if you could show that five years ago say you were 110lbs overweight and then three years ago you were still 130lbs overweight and now this year you are 105 lbs overweight, that's likely to be good enough.

Absolutely do NOT wait until your consult!!!!!! You can take charge of this yourself, and then you will know fro sure what you need. Grab your insurance card and pick up the phone and call your insurance company yourself. Ask if based on YOUR policy number if you are covered for adjustable gastric banding. Ask what the requirements are and then have a copy of those requirements snail mailed and emailed to you. That way you know what you need to start doing NOW. You also need to ask WHO they will pay for you to go see. Ask for a list. Many insurances will only pay for you to go to a certain group of surgeons and I'd hate for you to find a surgeon's office you like and then find out they are NOT covered by your insurance. Please call today and find out for sure. If you are required to have six months of visits and diet history, then you can start making those appointments now, rather than lose a month or more waiting for your consult. And also ask what kind of documentation will suffice for the diet history, a few insurance companies will take letters from your doc or records from GOING to weight watchers or Jenny Craig, LA Weight loss, etc. But often they require MONTHLY MD visit NOTES discussing your attempts at weight loss and MONTHLY weights. Find out these specifics, too. Trust me, it will serve you well to call your insurance today.

Now they are saying they've done 130? About a month ago I called to ask how many bands they've done and I was told a number MUCH lower than that. A little background: My insurance only paid for me to go to either UM, Hurley in Flint or Beaumont when I was approved last year. Now they've dropped Beaumont and only pay for UM or Hurley. I had called and made appointments and went to the info sessions for a couple of the Beaumont docs, to Hurley and had called UM to ask about the band as the only online info I could find was RNY related. The lady last year told me they had done 2 bands. TWO. I called again about a month ago to ask if their info session covers bands and to find out how many they've done since then and for the life of me I cannot remember the number, but I want to say it was about two dozen. Amazing they've gone from a couple dozen to 130 in a month or so. The program is pretty new, not that that is bad at all, and Birkmeyer is a really experienced laparascopic doc, Finks is quite new to the game, only been really doing it about four years. I've heard stories of folks who thought Finks was an a$$, but I take that with a grain of salt. I still don't think UM would be my choice for a band, they haven't done enough. And their entire website is still devoted to bypass. What will they offer you with a band that is geared toward your goals? Or do they lump the care for a band with the care for a bypass? It should be different, but many surgeons don't distinguish between the two and we bandsters get the short end of the stick. Does UM still charge you to get signed up to their site? The last question I would have for them is since UM is a great academic institution, would ANY residents or fellows be operating on me? I would ONLY want either preferably Birkmeyer or Finks operating on me. Especially if they've placed so few bands. You don't want someone who isn't really experienced themselves teaching someone else who has no experience (on you). While the band is significantly lower in risk than the bypass, it also requires a lot of skill to place it in exactly the right spot. You don't learn that from a couple of bands, that is something learned over time. I was pretty happy with Hurley's program. If they are an option, you might wish to check them out.

I carry mine that way, too. And I concur, with MyKdsDad, I can totally tell the difference, way to go!!!

CoolCrystal, thank you for saying that to TKingston. I meant to add that myself later, but I am glad you did. If four days out you still cannot have anything but clears, you really do need to contact your fill person and talk about a SLIGHT unfill. Not being able to eat anything is not your sweet spot. Leaving a too tight band is a set up for ulcers, slippage and many other issues, please call your doc.

Ooooohhhh, SHAWARMA. I was confused by swarma. I have problems with it dry as well. But slathered with a little garlic paste or tahini or hummus or baba it goes down well. Shawarma ({{lang-ar|شاورما}, also spelled Chawarma, Shwarma, Shuarma, Shawerma, Shoarma or Shaorma) is a Middle Eastern-style sandwich usually composed of shaved lamb, goat, or chicken. Less commonly, it contains turkey, beef, or a mixture of meats. Shawarma is a popular dish and fast-food staple across the Middle East, and is consumed across the rest of the world as well. Shawarma is known as guss in Iraq; it is related to the gyros of Greece. Gyros, however, is typically made of pork meat, or less commonly chicken, although beef or lamb is usually used outside Greece and Cyprus. The classic shawarma combination is pita bread, hummus, tomato & cucumber, and of course the shawarma. The additional toppings include tahini and amba. The name shawarma (pronounced SHWAR-muh) comes from the Turkish word çevirme (IPA: [tʃevir'me]), meaning turning, and has its origins in Anatolia. It is quite similar to döner kebab in Turkey (for which it is another name - turning roast), though differing from it in the type of meat and spices used. The composition of the salad can be quite different as well.

Boo, I'd absolutely head up and see Farhan about that port. Even if the swelling around it goes down, it is still not in the right position. And if they can do a revision, then you could have a low-profile placed. If mine is still moving around in there (I'm aiming for a second fill the end of the month, but with my current restriction, that might not be a good idea...), maybe we could have port revisions together! LOL!!

Boo, glad you are doing some better! Didn't I say you had to do that breathing thingy????????????? Congrats on the inches lost already! Jill, I want to go on a cruise someday. It sounds wonderful! I'm sure I'd gain 10-15 lbs. I'd be one that would try to go get an unfill before going to the trip just so I could partake of the buffets.... Bad, I know.

I too am glad all is well with the band, Steph. (I read the board here, I just don't post a lot anymore. Dunno why...?) I agree, Wombat. I do well and average about 90 grams of protein a day and it is fairly common for me to have some days with well over 110 grams, but how to eat 300 grams a day? Especially with PBing on dry chicken breast and deli turkey! I found the Carb Cycling page and concept fascinating and it really does make a whole lot of sense. I'd love to try it sometime, but maybe once I get in the 200# range, I could maybe make that many grams of protein a day. And yeah,. I'm REAL bad about water! I'm lucky to get 6 glasses a day. I stink, I know.

NAME ... Start Weight ... Goal ... Current Weight ... To Go 4jin............225.......199...........219.5.........20.5 Abby1...........172.......140...........172...........32 Allaboutme .....211 ......165 ......... 205 ..........40 Allison925 .....175 ......145 ......... 175 ..........30 Ann.............287 ......180 ..........197...........17 Anyalee.........231.......199...........231...........32 Angie4b1g ......237.8 ....205...........222.4.........17.4 Ariel ..........199 ......169 ..........199 ..........30 babs0101 .......216 ......190 ..........200 ..........10 Bbgray .........260 ......220 ..........260 ..........40 Bigbaby ........207.......167...........193.5.........26.5 bobby_hamrick...233.......199...........233...........34 Chocolate_Snaps.292.......242 ..........274 ..........32 chickatee.......184.......145...........176...........31 Cookielover ....198 ......175 ..........198 ..........23 cQQlgirl .......220.......195...........209...........14 Debihaines .....254.......200...........227.9.........27.9 eugeniam........200...... 185...........200...........15 Faithmd.........308 ......300. .........302.1........2.1 FairyFacade.....333.......180...........246...........66 Foofy ..........244 ......210 ..........235 ..........25 Gayle...........246.......190...........214...........24 Georgia Girl ...275 ......237 ..........255 ..........18 grammylew.......216 ......190 ..........216...........26 Hazeleyegrl1 ...233 ..... 200 ..........208...........8 HeatherA .......255.6 ....225 ..........250.9 ........25.9 HoppingToIt.....309.......240...........309 ..........69 Hungryforchange 225 ..... 190 ..........225...........35 Ivyrose325 .....261 ..... 215 ..........250...........35 Jeni 85 ........214.4.....184.........200.5...........16.5 Jennie1976......235.......205...........226...........21 Jfran ..........181 ......145 ..........181...........36 Jsprague .......240.......220...........233 ..........13 KarenG..........195.......165...........174...........9 Katrose.........268.......215...........234...........19 kristin1031.....256.......226...........199...........27 Legster ........216 ......187 ..........189 ..........2 Linda Lu:.......228.......195...........15.2.........20.2 liz_hager.......196.......170...........172...........2 Loftonall.......210 ......150...........210...........60 Lori_NC.........281.......250...........281...........31 Luluc ..........166 ......135 ..........142 ..........7 MamaJava .......283 ......233 ..........283 ..........50 Mamato3.........242.......199...........223.5.........24.5 Mandyjo.........188.......150...........175...........25 Mary-2b150 .....225 ......150 ..........193...........43 MissTrini.......218.......170...........218...........48 msdaneen........305.......145...........236...........91 Nadean .........204.6 ....160 ..........190.4.........30.4 Nhanson ........226 ......196 ..........220 ..........30 NOlanebryant....238.4.....198 ..........238.4.........40 Nykee...........325.......299...........325...........26 PigsRFlying.....230 ..... 150...........192...........42 Rainer .........256 ..... 216 ..........233...........17 Redtulips3 .....245 ......199 ..........217 ..........18 Sfeiner.........285.......271...........245...........40 Shadst83 .......233 ......199...........233...........34 Smithem1 .......240.6 ....190 ..........240.6 ........50.6 Soaf9...........265.......145...........220...........75 Squale..........314.......285...........314...........29 Sta6160.........205.......140...........170...........30 Stacy73 ........226.4 ....194 ..........222 ..........28 Starryeyed .....237 ..... 199 ..........229...........30 Sunny112........215.......130...........143...........13 Suzzzie ........297 ......243 ..........273 ..........30 Syndy...........252.2.....212.2.........252.2.........40 TheCapn.........520.......399 ..........469...........70 Trish5713.......255.......230...........255...........25 TxArcher .......360 ......285 ..........346 ..........61 Wombat712 ......152.8 ....120 ..........132.2.........12.2 Wrestlersmom....266.......150...........260...........116 Tmusicmaker123..384.......299...........311...........12