AnnLouise

I have the realize 11cc band. My surgery was Oct 15. Starting weight was 218. I am now 193. My first fill was 6 weeks post op and 5 cc was placed. I have had a fill of 1 cc every 2 weeks since then. I am currently at 9 cc. I have trouble with the 1 cup guideline. My hunger is mostly "head hunger" I think. My restriction often varies but this last fill has really got me in a decent spot. The band is a great tool for me when I incorporate it into a healthy lifestyle. I am working towards accepting that slow and steady weight loss is good! Good luck to all. May you practice patience and perseverance.

I had the Realize band placed 10/10. My starting BMI was 37. My band holds 10 cc. I have 6 cc. I find it difficult to stick to the 1 cup guideline. I am using Myfitnesspal which is great. Trying to stay at 1000 calories or less. Does anyone have any pointers on caloric intake that has worked for them? Going for a 3rd fill this week. Starting weight 220 lbs. 198 now 2 months later. Wishing I made more progress in the past couple of weeks! I am reading about much more weight loss. Green with envy.

After 2 peer reviews my surgeon finally got the Aetna director to budge. My comorbidities were borderline and BMI was 37. I was approved and banded on Oct 10. I recovered easily with time. About 4 weeks to full activity level. Anesthesia sucks! I have my 2nd fill tomorrow. I have very little restriction right now. Hoping to get out of "bandster hell" soon. Good luck. Press on!

Rough holiday for me too. Had 3 days of events. Enjoyed some wine too. Up 1.2 lbs. Not great. I was banded Oct 10 and have had 1 fill so far. I had some restriction for about 10 days but since Thanksgiving morning I have had very little. Going forward, off to the gym and made appt for fill this week. Gonna try not to beat myself up too much! Forge on bandsters!

Cant get off the coffee. I tried desperately. My reward? Migraines! Lol. Skim milk & splenda.

First time on post op forum! Banded 2 pm yesterday discharged at 730 pm. Nauseas an dry heaved twice in recovery but zofran & benadryl iv fixed that. Abdominal pain of 3/10 at incision but bearable. Not much gas. My fear of anesthesia and intubation were my obstacle. Happy to be home. Sip. Walk. Repeat.

The Realize Lap Band has a lower profile port which is supposed to be less prone to flipping. It is a wider band which is supposed to be less prone to slipping and or erosion of stomach wall. Of course preferred medical products change from time to time just like fashion and pharmaceuticals! . I trust my surgeon as his sucess speaks for itself.

Thanks for the honest and encouraging posts. Emily how are you testing yourself? Maybe you are being a little hard on yourself. There has to be some kind of learning curve. BlackCad, thanks for sharing the 1/2 sandwich story. It makes me see how this is part discipline part trial & error with a dose of science on the side. & that we are only human too.I have noticed a lot of variation in post op diet and band management plans. I am 4 days post op and trying to follow liquids but am a little lost too. First added protein powder doesn't look "clear" to me. Lol Second, jello broth, diet juice, shakes are tasting and feeling soooooo artificial and processed. Leaning on tea water & popsicles. Todays plan Is making homeade chicken soup & straining it. Adding skim & soy milk in "test quantity". Any suggestions???? Much obliged!

I too have contemplated this very subject. I was banded 2 days ago. Growing and cooking food has always been a huge part of my life since I was a little girl. It brings me the best memories of time spent with love ones. I am also a beer and wine lover who loves to travel. I have worked very hard and custom designed and stocked my dream kitchen too! Ritchie, your decision is a difficult one! My final decision involved accepting the fact that I have over-consumed quantity of food for the first half of my life. I'm good. I believe that when my health and longevity improve ALL my loves in life will and can be "consumed" also. My band is the number one tool. Whole clean foods will go hand in hand with my band. Period!

Much thanks for all the encouraging words and camaraderie! Yes I am excited but worried, apprehensive, happy, wierd, ect ect. Lol Cant wait to get moving. Keep in touch new friends.

Best of luck! I too am headed in to surgery today. Ready but I am freaked out about having anesthesia and being intubated. Just gonna keep breathing....chat with you on the other side.???€

Congratulations and best of luck and good health!b

Hi everyone. I too was denied by Aetna. The specific policy on weight loss surgery is available on their website. I had to read it very carefully to see where my documentation was weak. It turns out that my comorbidities were not comorbid enough. Because my BMI was less than 40 and my hypertension was well controlled I got denied. I provided strong letters from my medical doctor & my cardiologist to my surgeon. He then did a peer review with the Aetna medical director and changed his mind. Yipeeee! Going wednesday. Sounds like with the Sleep Apnea you might have a win. Good luck! FYI my dr's office staff said they get up to 40% denials. WOW

Update! My surgeon and primary physician went to "peer review" with Aetna's medical director and won! The secretary in the office told me that Aetna denies some 40% of patients. Keep your head up! I am sheduled wed Oct 10.

-

.

I have Aetna and live in NJ. Please refer to Aetna or your insurance carriers specific policy regarding bariatric surgery. Aetna is policy 157. It is very strict. You can find it on their website. BMI has to be 35 with comorbidities. I have been denied for hypertension because it has to be uncontrolled and require 3 different meds! Wow. Sooo discouraged.

Why thank you for your "professional" opinion SandraO. Much obliged.