DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

Good luck!

Some will cover an abdominalplasty to remove the excess skin but not an actual tummy tuck. There are a few that will cover a tummy tuck but that's usually harder to get covered. Either way, it has to be proven medically necessary. Many require a weight loss of at least 100 pounds and documented skin problems by 6 months of doctor's records. But again...they're all different. You'd have to see what yours says specifically.

So true! Thank you for pointing out that important point! I try to stay away from any carbs that are white or say "bleached" or "enriched" on the labels. It's all fancy ways to say processed. I buy whole grain Pasta, whole wheat bread, and use brown rice. I do this for exact reason you state- the processed "white" stuff will really mess up your blood sugar and falsely increase your appetite.

I was told the same as TMF. I was never told it was off limits, just to be really careful when eating it because it tends to be tougher to chew thoroughly.

Yes, at least for me that's the case. Sickness, stress, even PMS make my band really tighten up on me. I find drinking hot liquids, like coffee or tea, help to loosen it.

Actually, it takes most people multiple fills before they have adequate Fluid in their band. Until then, we refer to it as "bandster hell" because your expected to eat like a banded person but still dealing with a lot of hunger. Plus, keep in mind the band doesn't make hunger disappear. Hunger is the body's natural way of telling you it needs fuel. You'll always experience hunger, just once the band has adequate fluid it's tamed considerably. As far as fills, how soon you can get another depends on your doctor. Just remember that fills aren't what makes you lose weight, consuming less calories than you burn is what makes you lose weight. The fills simply add fluid to the band to allow you to go much longer without hunger on small amounts of food. That may not sound like much but it really is. When you're not hungry all the time, you're far less likely to graze and over-eat because you're pre-occupied with hunger and food. Here's a great link: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html Best wishes!

Nothing is wrong with it. How else would one sleep but horizontally in a bed? Maybe I'm missing something?

Actually, if she's staying within her calorie limits and band sized portions, it's not too much food. It's just a variety of little helpings. Plus, the way she's spreading her calories throughout the day is an excellent way to beat bandster hell while still losing. As for Protein, 60g isn't too little for everyone. In fact my nutritionist specifically told me 60g per day, so for some it's fine. Everyone loses differently and at different rates, just like everyone's metabolism needs different things to function optimally. What works for one most certainly does not work for all.

You're very newly banded so I am guessing you've only had one fill. For most people (though not all), it takes multiple fills before you have adequate Fluid in your band to control hunger. It's frustrating, I know, but unfortunately it's something a lot of go through in the early stages. It's awesome you're sticking to your 1200 daily calories despite the hunger! Congratulations on that! The one thing I noticed is you mentioned that you had yogurt when you weren't hungry. I personally wouldn't do that. If you're not hungry, then save your snack for a time you are. It'll make your life a lot easier while you're still in bandster hell. Also, while there is absolutely nothing wrong with carbs (I personally don't do the whole low carb thing), remember that Protein will fill you up a lot longer. I don't restrict my carb intake but I am careful to get in at least 60g of protein, too. Hang in there, it sounds like you're off to a good start.

Calories vary from person to person, so you'll have to ask your nutritionist what is right for you. You'll get different answers from everyone here, I'm afraid. As for myself, I eat 1000-1200 calories a day. My doctor says no more than one cup of food per meal. Again, your doc's rules may vary

Yes, I had sleep apnea. I didn't have a CPAP machine because I refused to use it (I never claimed that was a smart decision, btw). There was no way I could sleep with that thing on my face. Now, I don't have a sleep apnea anymore. In fact, I don't even snore anymore at all. I'm actually a silent sleeper! Oh I had elevated blood pressure as well, but that's now normal too.

You'll have to contact your insurance and find out. Every plan has their own requirements and rules. Plus, not all insurance companies provide the same things to all employers, for instance employers could specifically request weight loss surgery isn't covered. Just give them a call and ask, I'm sure you'll get lots of info.

Actually, what you're describing sounds like gastroenteritis, which people call "stomach flu" but really isn't the flu at all. The flu is influenza and is mostly upper respiratory in nature not gastrointestinal. If I were in your shoes, I'd go to the local pharmacy and by some OTC anti-nausea medicine just in case you do catch it from him. (btw, here's a cool link that explains what the flu is: http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/flu-guide/what-is-flu) I hope your family feels better soon!

That is awesome, congratulations

Dear lawd, you just almost made me nurf water out my nose laughing!!! Spot on... you're SO right!!

Talk to your doctor. My doctor has no problem with me taking any kind of NSAIDS and I do almost daily. Tylenol is as useless as taking Skittles for pain for me. He told me since I've never had problems with ulcers before the band, there is no reason for me to be concerned about NSAIDS causing them after being banded. I only couldn't take them for 2 weeks prior and after surgery because they're blood thinners.

I take 5000 units once a day.

I don't know think you can delete a thread, however, you can go back and edit the post itself and just delete the info. That's what I would do.

Yes, it's totally normally. For one thing the swelling from surgery is now gone so the band is fitting looser. Plus, it takes most people multiple fills before they have adequate Fluid in their bands. Please understand that adequate fluid in your band or not, the band isn't supposed to physically stop you from eating anything. This is why it's so important as a bandster we stick to a cup or less of food per meal. The band is supposed to keep satiated on less for longer periods of time, not stop you from eating. Here's a link that explains it very well: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html Best wishes!

Oh my goodness, I am so incredibly sorry you went through such hell. Granted I'm no doctor, but it sounds like the band was too tight from the very beginning and pressing on your vagus nerve. It will cause the exact pain and left shoulder symptoms you're describing. Because the band was too tight, it erroded into your stomach, which also makes perfect sense. Being as the doctor mentioned a problem with the size immediately after your original surgery in 2007, have you considered taking him to court? It's obvious he knew something wasn't right from the start and he allowed you to live in that dangerous condition for years despite it. I'm not a lawsuit happy person, in fact I think people sue way too often and for stupid reasons in this country, however I honestly believe you'd be totally justified in suing him for negligence. (just my opinion) I'm glad you're doing better now. Best wishes to you, Jimmy. Thanks for sharing your story. It's a good warning to others.

You need to go see a nutritionist, in fact for a lot of banded people it's a requirement by their surgeon to see a nutritionist. They can help you to establish not only a good calorie range but help good food guidelines for your lifestyle. Best wishes.

It definitely does make an abdominalplasty a medical necessity. They may not cover a full tummy tuck but they likely will cover to have the excess skin removed. Go to your family doctor to have it documented ASAP. Most want 6 months of documented medical treatment before they'll approve it. Plus, your doctor can give you creams to ease the symptoms and help prevent it.

You look positively gorgeous! Congratulations on your success!