leatha_g

What side is your port on? Do you have any incisions at all on the right? Is it possible this could still be your diaphragm? Do you still have the post-op shoulder pain? Do you still have a gallbladder? Hmm.. Let us know what you find out. Good luck!

If you drink, you just wash it on through and make room for more. Not good..

Good luck Northerner!!

It's pretty hard to see another Dr. but Paula, don't panic. You're doing okay, right? These deaths could have been on the table, or afterward due to patient non-compliance. Somewhere these have had to be reported so eventually, we'll learn what actually happened. As long as you're feeling well and have no pain or symptoms, I'm sure you're okay for now. If you can get Spivak to see you. It might worth peace of mind to have him do a flouro/upper GI to make sure everything is where it belongs. (((PAULA))).

My doc charges $150 to insurance when I get one. I believe that's office call and fill procedure. He does not use flouro. I was told at my old hospital - without insurance, they charged $167 cash, but they charged my insurance like $750!!! I paid a local 'fill doctor' $250, which included flouro.

Don't feel alone, Sheryl. We're all still dealing with this too. Even after 18 months, I still have to remind myself that I can't take too big of a bite or that I can't drink with my food. I also still have to beat it in my head that I REALLY can't eat that much at a time and overload my plate on occasion. Dessert size plates help. Using cups instead of bowls. Consciously NOT allowing a drink nearby when you're eating. Cutting your food into pencil eraser size bites. I never use a regular size plate anymore. I don't even like them. It'll come, you just have to consciously make these changes and keep doing them until they're ingrained in your whole routine. You can do it!! Just keep coming here and learning new techniques and allow the support that is available to you. We're all in this together!

do you mean touche'?

The average weightloss with the Lapband is 5-10lbs per month. This does not mean you'll lose 5-10lbs per month each month, this means this is the 'average'. Almost certainly, you'll lose at least 50lbs per year, possibly 100 if you make all the right choices and exercise and drink water. Also, a larger BMI will almost always lose more up front. Men will almost always lose faster. Also, remember, the first 6 weeks is for healing. It's not even meant to be weight loss time and any weight loss at this point is a great jumpstart but not a given. It's a bonus! So you really don't even start counting weight loss time until you've reached some level of restriction or at least started solids and are consciously making wiser choices. at this point, you are both well above average!! Congratulations!! Keep up the good work!

That's great news, Kelly!! I sure hope he finds everything in the right place. Keep us posted!

(((((((((((Lisa))))))))))) We love you girlfriend. It takes alot of guts to put yourself out there like that. Good for you! you too, Ryan (((((Ryan)))))

It irritates my throat too, but I think it helps to go ahead and mix it with more water to sort of cut the acidity.

Sounds like a great idea to me. It's very possible with tenacity, you can get the insurance to reimburse you. You surely could NOT if you went to Mexico. Good luck!! I hope you have great success!!

Someone had asked for the approx price of a gastric band awhile back and I have just located the price for the 10cm Inamed band which is $2995/ea for the particular facility I have found. I am not sure how much variance there would be for the 9.75cm or the 11.0 cm. However, I do see 3 different catalog numbers and these subsequent sizes which confirms there are 3 bands distributed by Inamed instead of two. This particular facility appears to use only the 10cm. Interesting. This is, of course, their cost and does not reflect the markup to the patient. After further investigating. It appears the 9.75 is the same price.

Yep. Repeated vomiting, no matter why or where it started can possibly have the band slip. All bandsters should really keep some type of anti-nausea prescription on hand in the event they get a bug, to help limit the vomiting as much as possible. If you've had no problems, I wouldn't worry. Some have gone to the hospital with severe vomiting/flu etc only to find that their band did indeed slip which causes more vomiting. In that situation, it would be hard to tell which came first, but if there is a persistent vomiting this could definitely be a danger. It is a good precaution, if you feel you have contracted a virus or food poisoning to have your band un-filled to help prevent slippage also.

Yup. It's true. Your doctor didn't distribute literature or tell you? Here is a list of band rules. maybe that will help. In order to have the best possible result, the patient should obey the following rules: Eat three small meals per day. Eat only good solid food. Eat slowly, sense fullness and then stop. There must be no eating between meals. Take no liquids with the meals. All liquids must be zero calories. Stop eating when your stomach is full. If you reach a satiety sense with a quantity of food lower than prescribed, do not attempt to introduce more food. If the quantity of food prescribed does not cause satiety or if you feel hungry a short time after a meal (one hour), contact the medical team to evaluate a possible LAP-BAND System adjustment. Eat slowly with very protracted chewing. Do not eat sweets or soft foods with a high caloric content. Banding cannot control the introduction of such foods. Avoid foods and drugs with gastric side effects. Reduce coffee consumption. No alcohol. No carbonated drinks or cola. Do not drink and eat at the same time. Do not drink for at least two hours after eating

Umm.... :cheeky well, yes.. they have, but not lately and not in this particular context. So, thank you ma'am.

also improper placement at the time of surgery has been an issue. violent, repeated vomiting. those are the two main causes.

Yep. When I was 18 and weight 118lbs, I used to ride my bike all over town or to the park and THEN go swimming, then ride it back. We're talking several miles on a bike and at least 1-2hrs swimming. I had no idea this was EXERCISE at the time or that my body would ever consider rebelling against such a thing. It was just fun - a means to get closer to where the action was. Now, just throwing my leg OVER a bicycle seat is a major accomplishment. lol. This too shall pass... I hope.

I definitely had to begin with baby steps. It used to be that I would get shin-splints so bad I was afraid I may not make it back home while trying walk. I had to buy better shoes. That helped tremendously. After suffering a Pulmonary Embolism, I had no air or stamina to do strenous exercise for long periods of time, either, so I started with the treadmill. Not as hard on the legs as the pavement and I could measure my distance/time. I started out only being able to eek in about 10 minutes. Over time, I worked up to 30 minutes, even an hour and I felt successful working up to that. I have since moved on to Curves, which is a total body workout and requires much more movement than just the treadmill. I would recommend it for anyone who is out of shape physically and needs to work up to something harder. I lost 14 inches my first month there. I have since bought myself a bicycle and am riding it about a mile outside and I have purchased a stationary recumbent bike for inside, which I currently ride for 30minutes/5 miles. To me, this is a great acheivement. It takes time too. This is not something that you can just change overnight. I have been working up to this point since 2003. Just the fact that I can now GET ON a regular bicycle is major progress and gives me a whole new attitude about what other things I might be able to try eventually. Progress, not perfection..

Good luck Samy!! Please let us know how you are doing once you feel up to it!!

I've heard many people say they used these. Try it and see!

Each employer will definitely be different. It is the employer that chooses what exclusions and inclusions are allowed, not the insurance company. BCBS may or may not offer these options also, as you said, each state seems to be different with them. Good luck!

Yikes? One doctor/six deaths? Wowzer. That is definitely not a good ratio, considering how safe the lapband procedure is and should be. I would definitely seek someone with a better record. Good luck to you! I wasn't aware there was more than 6 deaths in all the lapband surgeries combined. :eek

I totally agree with Michelle, and remember, fills is not always the only thing you may need with banding. Sometimes there are emergencies, such as overfills or slippage which you'd want to have seen about ASAP. If one can't afford to fly to MX on a moment's notice, a local follow up Dr is imperative. Also, some SAY they will see someone, but don't follow through afterwards, especially if there are any complications. You need to see this person and become established as a patient of theirs BEFORE you've been banded. Good luck!

This sounds pretty normal, Katie. It is a learning curve, for sure. If you are eating hard proteins and you can feel it staying above the pouch. This is the idea. You want it to hold off eating anymore for a while. Softer foods will just slip through and allow you to eat MORE which you do not want. Try tracking your foods in www.fitday.com to see how much you are really getting in. If you are able to drink freely and you're not PBing your solids, then you may be at that place of restriction that everyone finds so elusive. If you're having problems with it, you may need a tad of an unfill. ??