DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

You will have to talk to your surgeon and the hospital to know for sure. They all handle billing differently. Some require the copay up front but others bill you for it afterwards.

Welcome!

I am so sorry you're still dealing with asshatery at work. I'm even more sorry to hear you're struggling so much. But really, considering all you've been dealing with? It think it's awesome you've managed to maintain your weight despite recent obstacles. I think that's a huge accomplishment. Please hang in there. We're with you in spirit and pulling for you! ((hugs))

This is from WebMD about Ketosis. It would explain the UTI like symptoms: "Unhealthy metabolic state (ketosis). Low-carb diets can cause your body to go into a dangerous metabolic state called ketosis since your body burns fat instead of glucose for energy. During ketosis, the body forms substances known as ketones, which can cause organs to fail and result in gout, kidney stones, or kidney failure. Ketones can also dull a person's appetite, cause nausea and bad breath." Here's the entire article: http://www.webmd.com/diet/high-protein-low-carbohydrate-diets

Was your kidney function checked as well? Ketosis and high Protein diets can cause a build up of protein in the kidneys, which can result in a kidney infection. It happened to me many years ago while on Atkins. If that's not the case, then you should follow up with your doctor to find the cause because it's not normal.

I'm white, but I can tell you about stretch marks in general. You can use cream to dim them a little but nothing will make them go away. I hate to say this, but sometimes losing weight makes them smaller (skin shrinks) but also deeper looking. They're very much like scars on the skin. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news

Welcome! Nana hit a topic that I think is spot on and it explains how I can wear the sizes I do at my weight. I really think she's right that when you lose weight you look smaller but weigh more because of the excess skin. I'm only 5'4" (maybe even a little less) and I currently am around 192-194 pounds. I am wearing size 14 jeans and I wear either a M or L shirt depending on the maker. Logically, I keep thinking it's not possible to be in these sizes at my weight, but what Nana said about the loose skin totally makes sense and explains it. (I have a lot of excess skin) Btw, I started off weighing 421 pounds and wore a 46W or 7X. Yikes!

You can totally do this! You've been such a huge success already and I have no doubt you can continue to be. Btw, thank you for posting this. It's a good reminder to the rest of us that no matter how successful we may be, if we get complacent we could very easily gain.

Then you likely do need more fills if you're still hungry. You were just banded not quite 4 months ago and most people need multiple fills. Be patient and keep seeing your doctor, it will come.

That's an awesome NSV! Congratulations! I bet you won't need a seat belt extender. When I flew, I I was only about 20 pounds less than you are right now and I'm 7 inches shorter than you are. By the time October comes, you'll have room to spare in the seat belt.

Did your doctor send you home with anything for nausea? If not, I'd call and ask him to send a script into your local pharmacy. Best wishes.

Don't expect the band to physically stop you from eating too much. That isn't it's job. The band is meant to control your hunger and allow you to be satisfied on much less food. If you listen to your band, it'll tell you when you're no longer hungry and it's time to stop eating but it won't make you stop eating. It'll always be your job to not over eat. Here's a link I think will help you a lot: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html Start focusing on your hunger not how much you can eat. Best wishes.

I think you need to do some research because you've apparently gotten some bad info. -Vomiting isn't common with the band at all. In fact, it's supposed to be avoided at all costs. -There is no reason you should quit the gym. You can do anything after Lap Band that you did before it. (probably even more as you lose weight and get healthier) -There is no rule you can't eat certain foods. Personally, I believe in moderation not deprivation. I can and do still eat anything, I just eat smaller portions take the calories into account I think the difference between the band and another diet is satisfaction. The band works by suppressing your appetite and allowing you to be satisfied on much less food. The band itself doesn't make you lose weight, it just makes it a lot easier to lose weight by controlling your hunger. As far as the speed of weight loss, the average with the band is 1-2 pounds per week. Complications are a real risk. The good news is, only 5% of Lap Band patients have complications due to no fault of their own. The rest happen because of their own mistakes. Here's a study that explains it: http://www.futurity.org/weight-stays-off-long-after-lap-band-surgery/ Blood clots are a risk with any surgery. I had absolutely no problem after having Lap Band surgery. 18 months later when I had a tummy tuck/hernia repair I ended up in the ICU with life threatening blood clots. It can happen. Thankfully, there are precautions that most surgeons take so it doesn't happen My best advice is to do your homework, learn all the facts, and make an informed decision based on what you learn. It is a big, life changing decision. Best wishes on whatever you decide

If it specifically says it's not for people with a healthy BMI then you have your answer- don't do it. Talk to your doctor. Being as you have a band to consider, your options will not be the same as a person without the band. Ask your doctor what your best course of action is.

I'd get into your doc ASAP

Ohhh...I have MS too. So are you on Solumedrol? A 3 day or a 5 day infusion?

No, it's never normal to have problems taking deep breaths or have lung pain. You need to get into your doctor ASAP. Are you having, or have you had, any leg cramping or pain since surgery?

I think it's irrelevant when not smoking anymore is the rational solution.

It doesn't effect the band directly though prolonged use of oral steroids can be an erosion risk, much like NSAIDs. With that said, steroids are notorious for giving people a huge appetite. So if you're on them, be prepared to have to really count calories and not give into the urge to eat way too much.

Wow that's a drastic change! You look great!! Congratulations!

I tell them the truth. 227 pounds but would still like to lose about 40 more.

Honestly, quitting can only help your health and well being as a whole. The fact it's making you nauseous now is just another sign it's time to stop. I know quitting sucks. I'm an ex-smoker. I quit 2 1/2 years ago after smoking more than a pack a day for almost 20 years. As hard as it was to quit, I seriously love being a non smoker now. I can't begin to tell you how much better I feel. I look tons better, too. My skin, hair, and nails are so much healthier. Plus, I don't smell like nasty smoke anymore. I used e-cigs to quit. I had tried Chantix, Patches, gum, and cold turkey and it never worked. For me, the e-cigs did the trick. It allowed me to wean off nicotine while still getting that hand to mouth smoking experience but without the smoke. Good luck.

Umm... so quit smoking?

Me too! I don't remember what my AC1 was but it was really high. They told me if I didn't do something it was a matter time before I'm full blown diabetic. Now, it's 95. My blood pressure hovered around 140/100 and they were about to put me on medication for that, too. Now, my blood pressure is about 100/70.

My concern is that your doctor actually supported the idea of being 60 pounds lighter by December. The average weight loss with the band is 1-2 pounds a week. December is only 14 weeks away. That means you could lose maybe 14-28 pounds by then. Thinking you're going to lose 60 pounds by then, or over 4 pounds a week, is totally unrealistic. The other issue is the idea fills make you lose weight- they don't. Eating less calories than you burn is what makes you lose weight. Fills help by increasing the tightness of your band and dimming your hunger, making it easier to eat less. But the band itself doesn't make you lose weight any more than a bracelet around your wrist does. So, rapidly getting fills may get you into the Green Zone faster so your hunger is well controlled but it doesn't mean you'll lose weight any faster. I'm not trying to be a buzzkill, I just think it's important to have realistic expectations so you don't set yourself up for failure. Best wishes.