DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

Tummy tuck for sure. I'm not even half way done losing weight and I have an gross amount of excess abdominal skin already. Ugh!

That's awesome!! Congratulations!!!

Most insurance companies won't even accept the things you listed as comorbidities. They are looking for things like sleep apenea, high blood pressure, and diabetes. All require proof they exist, too. The guidelines have gotten a lot tougher for most and the reason being Medicare changed their requirements and most companies follow their cue in their own guidelines. I would find out from your insurance company directly if there are any circumstances in which they'll cover it and go from there,

Not a dumb question at all They're different and admittedly, confusing. The sugar free ones actually say "Sugar Free" in fairly bold letters on the box. I have found them at Meijer, Walmart, and Kmart. Good luck!

Don't go there. By trying to figure that out, you're sliding a slippery slope to bulimia. Plus, vomiting isn't good with the band and can lead to slips, so all the more reason to avoid it at all costs, Just count your calories as normal whether it comes back up or not, It's simply safer and smarter.

Congratulations and keep your wonderful attitude, you'll do great!

Congrats and feel better soon!

If you are taking tiny bites and chewing thoroughly yet can't keep anything down, you're too tight and you need a slight unfill. Having a band too tight can lead to a slip and not something to mess with. I'd definitely meet with your surgeon sooner than later. The band should not be miserable and throwing up isn't normal. Good luck

It's normal as the swelling in your stomach goes down. Right now you're healing so it's very important to follow the post op diet your surgeon gave you. As highland stated, drink lots of Water, Until you're off the post op diet and get a couple fills and restriction, you have to rely on willpower, Good luck

1. Everyone's anatomy is different, so there is no magic number when you feel restriction. Most people do require multiple fills to get there though 2. Yes I have lost weight consistently since surgery, even before I had restriction, I have measured my food (no more than 1 cup total per meal) and counted my calories, Protein, carbs, and fat religiously since the day I was released from the hospital, Because of it, I've always lost weight. It wasn't easy in the beginning- I was hungry all the time. But, it was necessary and worth it to lose weight. Now that I have good restriction, it's actually shockingly easy and I'm almost never hungry,

While I'm not prepared to wear one either, there actually is very good reason for wearing one. If you are ever unconscious and they have to put a tube into your stomach (like for pumping your stomach), they could accidentally puncture the stomach by not realizing the band is there and in their way. Also, if you are unconscious and need abdominal surgery, the surgeon needs to know because again, you risk your tubing, port, or even band itself being damaged and by default damaging you too.

Actually the absorption rate isn't quicker because the food still travels the exact same path through the stomach and intestines as it did before surgery. It's Gastric Bypass patients that have the absorption issues because the intestines have been re-routed. Not Lap-Band patients.

I just read the original supeona stating their reasoning. After reading it, I'm not worried about this. They do not at all mention, or take into consideration, people who have caused Lap-Band issues by their own fault. Considering the number of under-educated people with the band who walk around with their bands way too tight for months, don't follow up on fills or continue to eat like crap so they don't lose weight, or eat around the band, they are not looking at the big picture. If they're not taking error on the part of the patient into consideration their results are going to being horribly skewed and inaccurate.

Wow...that's definitely a topic to keep following and watch the results of. Thanks for sharing it here. Regardless of the results of the inquest are, I have zero regrets getting my band. It's saved my life. Literally.

I have lost over 110 pounds in less than 6 months, so yes, I would do it again in a heartbeat. It's the best decision I've ever made for myself. You hit on a major point- it's not a magic bullet. Too many people go into this seriously uneducated to the facts and expect the band to "fix" them. It doesn't work that way. It's a tool, not a sprinkle of magic fairy dust. You have to change your eating habits for a lifetime no matter what type of WLS surgery you decide to have.

Congrats on your weight loss so far! Do you measure your food portions? My surgeon told me no more than 1 cup of food total per meal. When the food is gone, you're done eating, whether you feel like you could keep eating or not. Has your plateau broke yet? If not, maybe tracking your calories will help. I track mine religiously on an app called Lose It, so when I hit a plateau 2 months ago it made it very easy for me to adjust my food intake at a glance. (and for the record, I actually increased my calories by 100-200 daily to get over that one!) Good luck!

Your BMI is under 40 and you have no co-morbidities. Medicaid won't cover it.

Did you go to an informational seminar with your surgeon before setting a surgery date? Have you already met with a nutrionist? These things are both necessary and are done before you have surgery. It's imperative you go into this fully educated not only on the surgery itself but your nutritional needs after.

It's complete crap and untrue. The Lap-Band was made to be filled. Only 8.6% of Lap-band patients have complications and the only risk of complication after a fill is if you walk around with your band too tight for weeks and end up with a slip. Not death. Your friend I'm sure has good intentions but has no idea what they're talking about.

Mine were older when I had this surgery, but I did have abdominal surgery when my youngest was only 2yrs old so I do remember vividly what it was like. It's really important and follow your doctor's orders post op. If you lift or strain too much too soon, you run a very real risk of tearing the sutures internally. What I did was, I sat on the sofa and had my son come up on my lap. This way I was still cuddling and holding him but without lifting or risking my sutures. Good luck!

First, you NEED to ask your surgeon, because they need know all your personal habits. Hiding that sort thing from him isn't in your best interest even remotely. Vodka won't hurt the band so long as you don't mix it with anything carbonated. There are many people who enjoy a drink once in awhile after being banded. But, keep in mind it's empty calories and not all good for loosing weight.

I used a heating pad and it helped considerably.

I've lost 109 pounds so far and still losing

I'm always tight in the mornings. I have a protein shake for breakfast then by lunch I'm fine eating normal food without problems.

Welcome! The first thing I'd do is a find a seminar about Lap-Band in your area. There you will find out a lot more details about it that will help you make a decision.