New Hope

Aren't they fun?

Regardless of what health insurance you have, the bottom line is going to be what your employer has contracted with the insurance co. You need to check with your benefits coordinator to find out what you do or don't have. Ex. Is weight reduction surgery included, and if so what type of surgery (gastric bypass, lapband, etc.). Or they may have a specific exclusion on any or all WLS. You really need to check direct to find out what you have available. Good luck!

Brenda, you need to keep a filled prescription for Phenergan suppositories on hand (for vomiting). Also, simple hand washing halts a lot of germs (which are on everything we touch). Waterless hand cleaner is also effective. Eat healthy, try to avoid anyone who has the flu, and hope you are lucky.

It's a lot like baby spit-up (undigested food that gets "stuck" in the esophagus). It's usually caused from eating too fast or swallowing too big a bite. We need to take our time and chew, chew, chew before swallowing. It can be quite painful. A "pb" can also be caused when a bandster gets a too tight a fill. (A fill is saline that is put in the band to help restrict amount of food intake). Removing some of the fill will relieve this. Excess pbing is bad, can lead to band slippage and other problems.

facts, not rumors please!

www.stjohnsmercy.org/healthinfo/test/gastro (click on esophagogastroduodenoscopy) It's a good informative site. You'll do fine.

What a cute story! Glad to see your wife is keeping you in line. LOL

Wow, Angela, just the trip would wear me out! Keep you some tuna salad prepared. That's always good to fall back on and easy to eat. Maybe some of the Lignt'n Fit Smoothie Yogurt drinks. Veggie sticks. All of those could be taken on a road trip too. Just try to relax and enjoy your visit. (Maybe give the kids some benedryl before the trip home....just kidding!)

Paula, unfortunately, the pillows are only bending your tummy and making the problem worse. You can gradually increase the height of the headboard until you get used to it. And I've never slid out of the bed. LOL But my large 65 pound dog likes it because she can get under the bed.

Other than just getting over the soreness of surgery, I can't feel my band. I can feel my little, flat port if I rub my tummy. It's my "security button".

Jonathan, I'm not a medical professional, but throwing up is throwing up...regardless of whether you have any food involved or not. Your body still goes through the same convulsive moves. This has been going on for several days and you don't seem to be any better. And this has to be keeping you swollen inside. Please consider visiting your lapband surgeon ASAP.

Hi, Aquafina, would you mind posting a little bit about yourself in the introductions? Like how long have you been banded, by what dr., how much weight have you lost, male or female, and any other info. you'd like to share. Hope to get to know you better on LBT.

Mary E., I bumped a Reflux thread for you. The instructions are taken from a gastrologist's recommendations list. One thing is to elevate your headboard (with blocks). Don't sleep on a stack of pillows. This only bends your tummy and makes the problem worse. Did your dr. do an unfill? I hope you get some good answers very soon!

bumping for Mary E.

Kevin, best of luck to you on your banding! Just remember, what goes in must come out. You really will be able to eat after banding, really!

Wow, my surgeon had me do a barium swallow before I was released from the hospital when I got my band. Apparently this wasn't done or he/she would have spotted that problem right off the bat. I'm so sorry that you've had such problems. Take care!

Betty, that's priceless! Thanks for sharing.

The J & J Swedish Band is currently trying to get FDA approval. Hopefully, that will force some healthy competition for Inamed and cause some price reduction.

Now that's something to be proud of!!!

Not sure where you're getting your info., but the soul is what will go to heaven. Not the physical body. So our physical size, appearance, hair color, eye color, sex, nationality has nothing to do with it.

Chicagoboy, Hagertheresa lost about 60 pounds before she got her first fill. So it is doable!

Hi, Paula, I love Dr. Spivak and his staff. He is a very competent laproscopic surgeon. I was very glad I chose such a qualified and caring surgeon that didn't just slap a band in. He has a very kind, gentle manner and answers all your ?? Best of luck to you on your search for better health! His website is www.lap-surgery.net

Sounds like you have lots of research to do. Ultimately, you'll be the one to make the final decision. Please check out the old threads. There iare tons of info. about either way. Just get your after-care lined up BEFORE you're banded, no matter where you have it done. Best of luck to you!

Amen! Amen! Amen! Thank you, Donali! Now if we could just get the rest of the world to "wise up"!

Oh, our first Bandster Baby!!! Congratulations on the wonderful addition to your family AND the great weight maintenance/loss! You have been truly blessed! He is very handsome!