iluvpalmtrz

I have been freaking out the last few days as I have had this feeling in my throat like a golfball is sitting there. i was driving homelast night and almost had a panic attack when it felt like my throat closed up for a second. I am able to keep liquids down and ate some fatfree/sugar free pudding with no problem. I have been eating constantly due to some major stresses i am dealing with. I also took too much fiber sure yesterday ( the one you can mix with food and supposed to be non thickening! . I started freaking out thinking I have slipped my band od done something stupid. It is definetly the reality check for me that I had thsi surgery for a reason and not to take it for granted. it has been 2 years and I have lost 130lbs. hopefully I have not done anything to screw it up. I am going to do the liquid thing for a few days and see if that helps. is hard as my Dr is in Maine and I live in orlando. Any tips suggestions you have would be great. thanks! Michelle:cry

When I got my band I had 4 fills covered under my insurance with no co-pay. I moved out of state and changed insurance and now have to pay 500.00 out of pocket. ( was 300.00 but they went up ). I have a Carecredit card that I use just for medical stuff ( thank god! ).

I am just so worried that the port or tubiing with accidently get nicked. I wish I had the $$ to go back to Main and have my band surgeon do for me. Funny, I have become very "possesive" about my band...like it is another appendage. I cannot tell you how worried I was that something had happened to my band. I had myself worked up that it was going to have to be removed and I was going to get fat again...just freaking out. The pain got so bad I had to go to the ER. I am thrilled that my badn is fine. They were very thorough, took lots of xrays and even had me do a barium swallow ( have to say that was cool to watch the liquid go thru my band ) . At least I know my band is exactly where it should be with no issues whatsoever. I'll get thru this as well. From what I here the recovery period is better then when banded. ( And that was not so bad for me )...I'll keep you posted as well...

I see the surgeon tomorrow to schedule my GB surgery. Horrible attack Saturday night and spent 13 hours in ER. Pain finally went away and no fever so I asked to go home as I need to organize work, kids, hubby ect. I had my surgeru in another state before I moved to Florida. I am more scared of the surgeon hitting my band/port.Tubing then I am of anything else. But I also do not to ever have another attack like I did the other night. OMG it was awful. I had requested they take my GB at the time of banding ( 16 months ago ) but they refused as ins would not cover! go figure! I am sooooo thankful it was my GB andnot a problem with my band as I had thought. very scary!

It has been 1 year 3 months and I am also experiencing intermittent port pain. I find the things that irritate it the worst are snug waistbands, long periods sitting at a pc, lying on that side and sometimes during intercourse. ( more the pressure from above ). Sorry to be graphic but want to be honest. It is usually more of annoyance then horrible pain. I find if I change positions, get up and move around and try on ALL pants/skirts before buying helps. I have lost 108lbs and this is a small inconvenience compared to the big picture. But sometimes I freak myself out thinking something serious is going on and stress about ever having my band removed...silly I know, but human. Good luck!

I am feeling down as well. I have lost 106lbs in 14 months. I feel/look like a new person. I was invited to a party at a luxurios hotel with a gay friend of mine who works for a record company. (it's a party for records industry people- not a frat party! ) My husband became very upset stating that I should not be going to parties without him. He is beyond worried that "all the men will be looking at you". He is very uncomfortable with the extra attention I get. I have told him That won't stop and he is going to have to learn to deal with it. We had some issues befoore but the insecurity/jealousness is beginning to frustrate me. Counseling is a maybe but not sure if it will help. I have also had 2 friends who have had weight loss surgery and have gotten divorced. I just know I feel overwhelmed right now.... Thanks for listening and thanks for the wonderful advice everyone has to offer! hugs!

I had my surgery in Maine and at that time my insurance would cover any fills I needed. I since relocated to Florida and my insurance does not cover anything to do with obesity ( nice huh! ). I have kept my DR and when I fly home to see my family I get my fill ( a previous boyfriend is a pilot so I luckily fly home for free). My fills are now $300.00. I went 6 months between the last one. I rationoalize this by the huge decline in my grocery bill so it truly evens out cost wise. I also have a "Care Credit" card that I am able to charge my fills on- low interest rate and I keep for medical bills...Best of luck to you!

This may seem silly but when I get "stuck" on a plateau I put myself on liquids for 2 days then mushies for 2 then slowly back to regular food. (kinda like after a fill ) this has always worked for me. just a thought! Good luck!!!

Hi! I relocated to Central Florida and it has been hell to find a fill dr who does not think of me as a "liability" due to not having done my surgery! AARRG! I have finally located a place that will do my fills. Jacksonville Health Center 904-399-4004. They do require an initial vistit which is 200.00 out of pocket unless your ins will cover ( most do ). I have to self pay for my fills as my insurance will only cover the exam and that's it. The fill price quoted to me was 150.00 which I thought was great as I was paying 300.00 back in Maine!! they were wonderful to talk to and got me in within a few weeks-( scheduled fill is 5/10 ). Hope that helps! Michelle

Just FYI that GNC usually has a counter in the back for products that expire in the next 3/6 months. I have had great luck with powders as well as bars.It's a ncie way to try things and not pay full price. As for baby food, I love it ( Yeah I'm weird! ). Even now 8 months out ( and 82lbs lighter! ) I still will do this once in awhile for lunch. The Beechnut chicken w/chicken broth has 8 grams of Protein in a 2 oz jar! It tastes just like chicken but the consistency is different. The baby rice & oatmeal banana Cereal mixes well with protein powder as well.. Best of luck and I can truly say that this is THE BEST thing I have ever done! 82lbs in 8 months and from a size 30/32 to 16/18! Oh Yeah!! Michelle

AARRGGHH!!!! I had my surgery in Maine 5/17/05 and moved to Orlando, Florida 7/20/05. I have called numerous places and all but one has refused to treat me as I am a liability! the one place that woudl treat me wanted a "program fee" od $ 1,000.00! then the fills would be 150.00 is the dr did it and 75.00 if the nurse did it. I asked what the program fee entailed and was basically a "refresher". Well, I know why I did this and how, I don't feel I need to pay someone that much money to go over it again. I feel like I am being taken advantage of. What happens if you relocate witha pacemaker or other implanted device?? I know that it is basically because the band is so new but still really angers me. I am fortunate enough to have a friend who is a pilot and helps me get back to Maine and then I pay 300.00 cash for my fills. If anyone knows of a reasonable place in Florida who does fills please let me know...Don't care where at this point. Thanks for listening to me vent!:phanvan

I had my surgery on 5/17/05 in Maine. I relocated out of state 7/05. As nobody would take me on ( as they state I am a liability ) I have kept my Dr. ( who I love! ). My fills are 300.00...kinda pricey compared to what I have seen. My insurance-Cigna- was not covering anything to due with weight loss surgeries but I requested we try to see if anything would be approved as they are always changing. Well, I got great news stating not only would they cover my fill scheduled for December but would also pay for my fill in August! I was beyond happy! I had my fill in December and a week later I received a call from the office that Cigna was having to do an authorization. Come to find out the office misunderstood and told me I was approved when I was not. I had checked with them numerous times before I flew home to confirm this was covered and was told yes definetly. I just received word that Cigna has now denied both fills. I knew that may happen but I thought it was very unprofessional for the office to tell me I was all set when I was not. ( I have also had a different problem with my forst fill ). I am frustrated that I am considered a liability! What about people with pacemakers, colostomy bags, ect who relocate?? Ok, I will calm down! Sorry to have to vent...has anyone else dealt with this??

Thanks for the info guys! I am feeling better today and have had some pureed baby food ( 4oz at lunch ) and I also had 2 oz of baby banana oatmeal for breakfast. I am gurgling which I know is normal and my stomach feels kinda queasy but not bad. I am so excited by all of this and was thrilled to see 260 on the scale this am!!! Off to my support group for one last time before I move to Florida Monday!

I hear you on the bloated pregnancy look!! As there were no regular surgical rooms available at the hospital where I had my surgery, I was put on the maternity floor. As I was walking around the halls with my swollen tummy and pushing my IV pole, a man smiled at me and said "congratulations". I just smiled and said thanks! I am sure he wondered why I started laughing!! LOL