sassaay

Hi, I was just wondering if there are any other folks from the Sacramento area using this site? I am hoping for Lap Band and trying to work through the proper channels so that my insurance might pay for it... if not, then I will consider going to Mexico. Right now, I am with MedClinic and they contract with the Sacramento Bariatric Clinic. Has anyone had surgery there? Thanks, Sassaay

Hi All, I recently posted a message about other pre-banders and banders in the Sacramento area... unfortunately I didn't see this posting before I created mine! -- Sorry:D I tried to check out the Yahoo group: Sacramento Bandsters @ Yahoogroups.com... But I couldn't locate it. Is it still active? I recently attended an informational seminar for Sacramento Bariatric Medical Association and Dr. Bruce Wolf is now working there and still doing Obesity research at UC Davis. He was not very positive about the Lap-Band. When I asked him how many Lap-Band procedures he has done, he said about 50 and then went on to say how he doesn't really feel that it is very effective and it works for some, but not for others, blah, blah, blah. I kind of tuned him out because he wasn't present for the beginning of the session and the other doctor (Machado) who is the director at this facility was very positive when she presented Lap-Band as one of the options. I met with my primary care doctor today and he is putting in the referral to have me seen by Sac Bariatric... said it might take 3-4 weeks. I have Cigna HMO and am a bit scared that they will not cover the surgery. I have a current BMI of 41.3, but no real co-morbidities except some joint pain and back pain. We will see... I am determined to get the Lap-Band and will go to Mexico if I have to. Thanks, Anne

Hello Friends, I have been mostly been lurking for months now. I check in almost daily to: -- See how everyone is doing. -- Check out all the new people joining this wonderful forum. -- And on occasion participate in the discussions I guess I have been feeling very frustrated at my progress. It is a similar story to some I am sure, trying to get to a decent level of restriction so that I can start losing again and pick up where I left off after my initial 14lb weight loss… all of which I might add came right after surgery and has wavered back and forth between the same 2-3 lbs since Feb. ’04. I know, I know… many have gone through the same thing. :cry :cry :cry BUT, now I am crawling back and asking all of you for the wonderful support you gave me in the beginning when things weren’t quite going my way with my insurance company. I know you all don’t hold grudges (I hope;) ) … I need to snap out of this and get back to this ‘journey’ and once again participate in this FAB forum and enjoy my great online friends. :D So, here is the deal. I have had 5 fills and each was 6 weeks apart except for the last 2. With each of my first 3 fills, I would lose restriction by week 3 and when the doc would try to pull out the fill she put in 6 weeks ago, she could only get .2 - .4 back out. She suspected a leak. Well, all of that appears to have been confirmed today. I had a fill with the contrast solution under Floro and we had hoped the leak would be at the port site (less of an issue to repair, less pain, less evasive, etc.)… BUT, NOOOOO! My leak is right at the band site!!! You could see swirling lines of the contrast solution floating around the band on the film. My doc is now contacting Inamed because she thinks it is a defective band and I will have to have it replaced. Waiting now for more word on what’s next. On the way home from the hospital, I started to wonder if maybe my body is trying to ‘attack’ the band and this is why I have a leak. Has anyone heard of such a thing? Can this lead to erosion if the band ‘wins’? I promise to participate more. All of you have been so helpful to me and I want to feel more a part of the group. Thanks (as always) for listening.

A lot of us experience increased restriction during our cycles. If you were to be filled during your cycle, it might not be a true judge of your current state of restriction and you could end up too tight and require an unfill or you may feel nice restriction while you are on your cycle, but find that you have little to none once your cycle ends. I hope this helps.

Hey Vera, I changed jobs, but I will definitely let you know when I make it to your area of the Bay. I cannot believe that we have yet to meet, my fault I know, but don't lose hope... I have to get it together one of these days... right? Take care, Anne

Hi Newlife4me (and others who have gone through this!) Boy do I feel your pain! When they were checking under flouro for a leak, did they follow the band all the way down to the port? My first band had a leak in the balloon portion of the actual band. You could see the omniplaque 'whisping' out in long streams around the band under flouro. I kept going for fills and would come back 3 weeks later with nothing there... I basically went through this for 7 months and hadn't lost any weight except for what came off immediately after surgery (all liquid stage)... I got my second band in August and even though I am probably the slowest "loser" in recorded history after a year with my new band I am making progress. I have kept every fill given to my new band... now if I could find my right level I would be alright... but that is another long drawn out story. My doctor does not recommend using omniplaque or anything other than saline in the band, so I was lucky that my insurance covered my second band as well. I hope everything works out for you and that no band or port replacement is necessary... but if you do have to get a new band, if it is any concellation I recovered so much quicker and with less pain after my second surgery. Take Care,

I get this feeling when something hasn't passed through my pouch into my stomach. It feels like something is stuck in my throat and I can feel it going up and down (especially if I drink some water) to try and flush it through. I think mine is caused when I take too big of a bite or don't chew well enough. It doesn't cause me to slime or PB, so I feel that it must not be a lot of food stuck, just a small amount that hasn't passed through yet. Not sure if this is the same for you, but I thought I would share. Take Care,

aaamom -- sorry for not seeing your question sooner. I travel a lot and have never had my port set off the alarms at the security checkpoint... But, I have never been asked to move over for the special search. In that case, I am thinking the port might cause the wand to sensor... but they would probably just think it is the underwire in my bra since my port is not far from that location.

My doctor gave me two cards that were provided by Inamed. It is a patient id card and had my doctors name and number on the back. The front says that this person has an AGB implanted around the stomach to assist in weight loss. Cautions should be taken when perscribing potentially ulcerogenic meds or performing any gastric or abdominal procedure. Maximum fill volume is 4cc. This person can eat only small portions of food at a time (half a cup or 3-4 ounces). If you have an Inamed band, then I would think your doctor should also have these cards to provide to you. Take care,

I guess you are right... they probably wouldn't need access to your stomach... don't know what I was thinking... BUT Alexandria makes a good point about possible vomitting. I guess I just wouldn't want to take any chances. I hope you feel better soon.

Hi Kelly, I know that we hate to give up our fills, but I would rather be safe than sorry. Just in case there were any complications that might require them to insert a tube into my stomach... I would not want my filled band to inhibit access. I would get the unfill for some peace of mind. I hope that you are OK and that your surgery and recovery go very smoothly. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Take care of yourself.

It is interesting how just about everyone's port is in a different location. Mine is located on my right side under my rib cage... I would say it is attached on top of my right oblique (abs muscle). Flower -- it took my port area a couple to 3 months before it was un-noticable. I felt as if it was moving around and although this wasn't painful, it was very uncomfortable. This happened anytime I was in movement... In the car, riding the bike at the gym, doing ab workouts, etc. Now, I very rarely notice my port... unless one of my pups stands on it or if I do a strenous session of yoga (stretching/bending) that puts pressure on that area. You might just need to give it a little time, but if it really bothers you... please talk to your surgeon. Take Care,

I will try it Nita. Thanks for sharing.

I think you have done such a wonderful job! I am soooo envious. I know that you will make your goal Labor Day! Congratulations!

I suffer from this same problem... I switched to the dessert plate, but then found myself putting too much food on that plate. Now, I am back to measuring and weighing everything and putting it on a saucer or better yet, eating it right out of the measuring cup. 6 weeks ago, I had to have an unfill due to heartburn and reflux. I had good restriction, but was packing my pouch -- didn't have any problems with hard stops (pain or PB's)... but I was ignoring my initial soft stops (runny nose, slight discomfort like something being momentarily stuck)... I was waiting until I had what I call my almost hard stop - hiccups and full stomach feeling. I am now trying to train myself to walk away at the soft stops. It is very hard, especially when you love food as much as I do... I just want to keep on eating. I like DeLarla's idea... anyone else have any advice? Thanks,

Great job everyone. I am down 2lbs. this week... I have my fill back - Yipee! Only at 1cc, but I am nice and snug. I still have .3 to lose to get back to my all time (band) low, but I am hoping for at least another pound this week. Did I mention that I joined Weight Watchers... AGAIN! I have a very low metabolism thanks to years of yo-yo dieting and even at 1200 calories a day, I have to exercise like 2 hours a day to lose weight. As it is, I have to eat at 1,000 or lower and exercise at least an hour 4-5 days a week to lose 2 pounds... it really sucks, but Weight Watchers is helping me stay accountable and their scales can weigh to the 10th of a pound. Have a great week! Going to Jonathan's site to log my loss!!!

Keep visiting here! That is how I stay motivated. The band seems to respond differently with each individual, but I can always come here and get advice, support and most importantly... a good laugh! This is a journey... it will have it's ups and downs... but I try to remember that this is a fantastic site with wonderful people and when I need motivation and support, they are here to help. Good luck on your journey and congratulations on your progress thus far! Take Care,

I added a tablespoon of Peanut Butter to my Protein shake in the blender... this was the only thing that seemed to take the hunger pains away... at least for a couple of hours. Others have given you some great advice. Just hang in there and take it one day at a time... or one hour at a time if necessary. Take Care,

I somehow missed this thead... Vera, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I hope you have a quick recovery and feel better soon. Take Care, Anne

Hi Patty, Let us know how the dress fitting comes along. We will also want to see your wedding photos after the big event. By the way, what date is the big event?

That is really neat! Thanks for sharing. I will be traveling that day, but maybe they will have a replay after the live event. I am happy to see Adjustable Gastric Banding getting more press and approvals by insurance companies. My doctor told me yesterday that the insurance companies are getting tired of all the appeals and are really coming around -- Here is CA she said that Cinga and BCBS are now approving the Band. YEAH!!! Thanks again for sharing!

Wow! I am really impressed with everyone's progress and dedication. Vera -- you are looking good! Adam -- GREAT JOB!!! You are doing fantastic! Patty -- Congratulations on your upcoming wedding... I hope you lose those 20lbs by Labor Day... but make sure you don't shrink out of your wedding dress I got my fill yesterday... only 1cc and I am on fluids for 48 hours, but I can feel a difference already... so I hope I can get off the 3 extra pounds I put on before we started this challenge. FAB job everyone!!!

I had to add my thanks as well... Thank you everyone for making me think. Kathy -- I am with you! I am unfilled right now, but have an appointment this morning. Not PBing and no longer have reflux, can't eat pre-band portions, but I have unbelievable cravings!!! Cravings that seemed to go away when I had some decent restriction. I will get my fill today, but I am also going to try and stay honest with myself and watch my portions and cravings. Thanks again for this wake up call.

How is everyone doing? I had a great week for exercise, but I didn't do well with my Water and food. :rolleyes I really have no excuse! I just didn't do what I set out to do. Since my heartburn and reflux are better and I haven't had a problem in over a month, I made an appointment to get a fill. I am currently unfilled and will probably get 1cc on 7/6. Maybe I can get back on track... for now, this week, I stayed exactly the same. :cry It looks like some of us are doing really well... Congratulations!!! Have a great week everyone!

Thanks for the info Mandy. I am in CA, but have Highmark in PA due to my employer's corporate offices being in that state. I am glad that you were able to turn them around. I believe it will give others amunition and perhaps help me with some continued funding of my aftercare. Good going!!! I am happy for you!