New Hope

You need to have your "fills" situation lined up BEFORE your banding. Some Bandsters are finding out that the "Fill Dr." they plan to use (after being banded by someone else) won't touch them. Be sure that you check Directly with the Fill Dr. that you plan to use so you'll know for sure. Don't just take someone's word for it. There is a lot to be learned before you get your Band. Please do your research. Best of luck to you!

Butta, I take Celebrex for arthritis. Some days I just hurt too bad and have to take it. My Band Surgeon advised me to take a Prevacid (prescription to protect my stomach) BEFORE I take a Celebrex. Best of luck to you and please be careful!

Kari, first, do you know that your health insurance covers weight loss surgery (if so, what particular type), or do they have a definite clause in their policy saying that "All WLS are excluded". Your Benefits Coordinator (at your job) can probably answer this for you and/or you may have to call your health insurance co. direct. Kari, talk w/ your primary care physician (family dr.) about weight loss surgery. He/she may not be familiar w/ the Lapband, so print out and take them some info. He/she should have your health history. Do you have co-morbidities (high blood pressure, diabetes, heart trouble, asthma, etc.)? Do you have a family history of any health problems? What types of weight loss have you tried (Weight Watchers, Adkins, diet pills, fasting, various diet plans, dr. supervised diets) -- anything you can remember doing to lose weight? Are you on any current prescription meds. for any health problems (what type, how often taking)? Problems you are aware of that are currently causing you problems in doing every day things (ex. joint pain, difficulty breathing, fatigue, depression, etc.) Have all of this stuff written down (and keep a copy) and give to your dr. I'm sure that you'll think of other things. You're going to need to "defend yourself" as to why you need weight loss surgery. The more prepared you are, the better your chances are. My insurance company first denied me, I appealed, 8 months later I got my Band. A lot of Bandsters have gotten theirs a lot sooner. Best of luck to you!

Ryan, I'm so thankful that you have a dr. that is checking you out thoroughly. Ulcers are not anything to fool around with. Thank goodness you found out about this before your banding! This may postpone your surgery, but it's not stopping it. Please be careful in the types of food that you're eating. Spicey foods and alcohol will aggravate ulcers. This will be "repaired" and you'll be "back in the saddle". Take care and please don't get too discouraged. "This too shall pass." The peace and solitude at the lake are exactly what you need right now. Take care!

C, I know you've given this your best efforts. We've pm'd back and forth about it. Please do what is best for you and your children. You deserve to be happy and secure (financially and emotionally). Best of luck to you and sending you (((hugs))).

Nancy, good luck on your banding! You better start adding to that list, because you'll be marking all of those things off sooner than you expect. Then you'll need something else to do!

Lisa, I don't think that you love your daughter more than your sons. I love both my sons equally, but I love them in different ways. There are things that I adore and things that I would like to change or eliminate about each one. But that's all part of the package. (I'm sure they say the same thing about me.) Girls' rooms are supposed to be "foo-foo". I think both rooms are precious and equally show the love you put into both of them.

Tellie, they say everything happens for a reason. Maybe you can switch your aftercare to this new surgeon. Hopefully, you'll like her much better than the other twerp. These doctors are not GOD, no matter how much they might think so. They have to pay their light bill, just like we do Their patients are the reason they are able to live the lifestyle that they've become accustomed to. Please take care of yourself and don't put this off. We'll be rooting for you!

Dazzy, you're doing amazing!

I've given up 40 pounds! Yeah!! I've given up wanting to catnap most of the day, being a couch potato, watching monotonous t.v., and letting life pass me by while I was stuffing my face. I try to make healthier food choices (most of the time), drink lots of Water (but not w/meals), and exercise regularly. I try to avoid empty calories. I certainly never lack for delicious foods to eat! I've been able to complete 2 bicycling benefits (20 mile and 25 mile) with my family. I've given up half my health problems and prescription meds. How do you put a value on your health and peace of mind? I've gained much more than I've given up. All in all, I'd have to pull a Martha Stewart and say the Band, "It's a good thing!"

Welcome, Tall Guy, glad to see your posts. Just how tall is tall? (From a shorty.) Nancy, best of luck on your banding Friday! Where will you be banded at? Here's to a quick, uneventful recovery!

If your pants are baggy, then you're getting "a disappearing butt". You'll be needing new, smaller underwear soon. That's a sure sign!

How about a "Motorcycle" theme? I bet you could get your husband involved then. Hey, do you realize you have a NSV!!!! Painting your kids' rooms...now that's a NSV you're going to enjoy for years to come!

Wait until you get back from Vegas! Why take a chance messing up a great trip? Just try to eat "Bandster" portions and have a wonderful birthday!

I appealed and won mine too. It is doable. Best of luck to you!

Maureen, I'm sure he's very proud of you! 49.5 lbs! That's wonderful! They don't like to admit when they might be wrong, do they? Keep up the great job!

The only ones I like are children's Gummy Vites. They look and taste just like Gummy Bears. Easy to take and tastes good, too. You can get them anywhere.

Tellie, I'm so sorry, but I'm glad you pursued this. Your body knew that something was wrong! Do you feel good about this second surgeon repairing your band? Can you get any background info. on her (through the internet, other patients, her office staff) for your peace of mind? As far as telling others, if you don't want to, don't. Tell them it's a hiatal hernia repair and/or reflux. It sounds like you have a pretty bad case of it! I also have a "secret band" and understand your reasons for privacy. If you've been having to sit up for 4 weeks, that is definitely not good! Sending you (((hug))) and prayers for a speedy, uneventful surgery.

Nancy, you had been unfilled because of possible slippage, right? How much have you been refilled since? Could it be possible that you just need a little extra boost (fill)? You have lost an incredible amount of weight! I find evenings when I want to snack more. I guess old habits die hard. Your feelings of comfort from food are all too familiar! I got a .3 fill yesterday because I needed it. Just that little bit made a difference in my cravings. Congratulations on the exercise! You're so right, you do feel better after exercising. I've slacked off the last 2-3 weeks. I find myself wanting to eat high-carbs more and just feeling more sluggish. I'll be rooting for you! P. S. We have a great doctor and staff in our corner!

Hi Gunn, it's my beginning weight/current weight/goal (?).

I used Dr. Spivak also. I love him and his staff! Best of luck to you on your Banding Journey!

Whatever you go through will be worth it! UHC denied me, I appealed, 8 months later, called the surgeon. He asked when did I want to set up the surgery. Woo, hurry up and wait! Best of luck to both of you!

Best of luck to you! One bandster was approved by her insurance in 2 days. Mine denied, I appealed, 8 months later they approved and I had my surgery. But most people don't have to wait that long. There's no way to tell how long your insurance co. will take to decide. Probably longer than you want, but then all of a sudden the wheels start turning very quickly.

Aren't you glad it's not the other way around?

The abdominal scan report showed I had a fatty liver and a bad gall bladder. The day I registered at the surgeon's office, I saw a report on a man, showing he had a fatty liver. I think most overweight people probably do have a fatty liver. We just can't see it. I followed my surgeon's low glycemic foods list - not a diet, just certain foods to avoid. I wanted this surgery bad enough to do my part to help it be successful. You'll do great, Ryan! We don't want your surgeon to have any problems!