Cocoabean

Absolutely you can! An empty band is like a car without gas. It's nice to have, but doesn't do much for you. As you fill it up, it gets you to where you want to go. I am sorry for the hard times you've been through. I am happy to hear how you've pulled through. As you get fills and find restriction, follow band rules and you should be able to start losing weight! That is the joy of the band. You can jump back on the wagon at any time. And the folks here are here for support! Welcome back to band land!

Shap, I can eat dark meat chicken with no trouble. Chris, roast beef is hard for me as well. Even if cut to tiny tiny pieces! We had it for Christmas Eve dinner and leftovers. Surprisingly, I can eat the thin cut type of pork chops. They take a lot of chewing work, but I haven't been stuck on them yet. I sometimes get bored with all the chewing, though. I haven't gotten stuck on popcorn yet, but I don't eat it often.

If you have your new health insurance card, you should be able to look up the requirements online. Most companies have their policies posted for members. Take a look around. A quick google took me to this: https://www.unitedhe...ric_Surgery.pdf Bariatric surgery, as a primary treatment for weight loss is proven for the following: 1. Class III obesity (BMI > 40 kg/m2) 2. Class II obesity (BMI 35-39.9 kg/m2) in the presence of one or more of the following co- morbidities:  Type 2 diabetes  Cardiovascular disease (e.g., stroke, myocardial infarction, stable or unstable angina pectoris, hypertension or coronary artery bypass)  Life-threatening cardiopulmonary problems (e.g., severe sleep apnea, Pickwickian syndrome, obesity-related cardiomyopathy) The following bariatric surgical procedures are proven for the treatment of clinically severe obesity as defined by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) in adults:  Gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y; gastrojejunal anastomosis)  Adjustable gastric banding (laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding) – See FDA section/information  Gastric sleeve procedure (also known as laparoscopic vertical gastrectomy or laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy)  Vertical banded gastroplasty (gastric banding; gastric stapling)  Biliopancreatic bypass (Scopinaro procedure)  Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch Best wishes!!!

Happy Bandiversary!! Congratulations, great work!

My hair is OK, but the other is your blood pressure dropping when you stand up. I do it from time to time. Also, if I stand for prolonged periods my pressure will suddenly drop and I'll gray out, most likely would pass out if I don't sit down. I get all sweaty and white. My PCP says he sees it in his weight loss patients (not just WLS patients) often. It seems something goes haywire in our bodies and the signals to maintain blood pressure get crossed up and it goes down when it should go up. Ah the joys!

For me, I was on the lower end of the BMI range of qualifying for WLS. I consider bypass to be very drastic, and my health was not bad enough to need something that drastic. Along with other points made earlier about not wanting the rerouting and malabsorption, I didn't have diabetes, else I probably would have done bypass, as it works wonderfully for sending it into remission. The recovery period was not an issue for me, a few extra weeks when it comes to the rest of my life is not really a factor. It was a bigger picture issue for me. I also didn't like the idea of the honeymoon period that bypass has. When that is over, if you haven't changed your habits, it is easy to regain. I know myself, my habits don't change that easily. While my food choices are not bad, I knew I'd still want the treats now and then. The band provides me the guidance I need to easily maintain my weight. The downsides of the band? More follow-ups, getting fills. You have a foreign object in your body that can lead to complications down the road, from erosion to leaks, to who knows what in 20 years or more. You have a port to deal with, placement can cause issues. For me it is near my waist, and waistbands on some pants can be quite painful.

Everyone reacts differently, but I am glad to see you are going in. Keep your pain meds going. Take them as often as prescribed. If they say every 4-6 hours as needed, then take them every 4 hours. Don't let it get ahead of you. I hope you feel better soon!

Hi again, if they find you need your gallbladder out or a hiatal hernia repair, they can often be done at the same time as lap band surgery. So, it is actually a good thing to have the tests done. You can save yourself another operation. Of course, they can fix it if they get inside and find the gallbladder is bad or a hernia needs repair as well. But if you know in advance you will be more prepared. The recovery from being banded and having a hernia repair is often more prolonged than just having band surgery. So, I'd want to know if I needed that done, so that I could plan the time away from work and things like that. Knowledge is power, as they say.

Congrats on your losses so far!! What you now describe with the reactions to food are what I call the learning curve of a fill. Learn it well. As a previous poster said, purging can be hard on us. Slow down and chew well. As the habits become ingrained, it becomes easier. BUT, also as the previous poster said, as soon as you feel that pain, STOP. Give it a chance to go down, then you can start eating again. If you add food on top of stuck, it just gets uglier. I am nearly 4 years out. I just had a slight fill in September, and I had to learn what this fill level could tolerate. Each time is different. Take it slow and easy. You are doing well.

First off, call your insurance company to confirm coverage, and what you need to qualify. Most require a BMI of 40 or over or a BMI of 30-39 with 1 or 2 comorbidities. Many also have a long laundry list of hoops that need to be jumped through before they will cover the surgery. Various tests and nutrition classes. Then see your primary care doctor for a referral if one is needed. If you can self-refer make an appointment with a surgeon. Many surgeons offer free information seminars to help you wade through the process.

Non-generic thyroid meds are better. So say several of my endos, because the generics might have slightly different dosages. Once your levels are under control you should feel back to normal. The question becomes why did you go hypo? If there is an underlying cause, that should be treated, also.

Congratulations!!! Woohoo! Isn't that such a great feeling??

Post snipped by me.... Not exactly sure what you mean by this, but...we can all eat pretty much anything in any amount if we sit there long enough. But that is not the point. The point is to eat until you are satisfied and stop. If I sit in front of my plate for an hour and a half, I could eat as much as I used to, but if I stop when I am satisfied the amount I ate is about 1/2 to 1 cup and will hold me for about 3-4 hours. You've lost 10 lbs in 2 1/2 weeks. Of course that rate will slow down, that is pretty extreme. Please relax and heal. Remember, lap band weight loss rate expectation is 1-2 lbs per week average.

I can eat steak, as long as the pieces are tiny..as in about the size of a pencil eraser. I do that to avoid swallowing a piece with some gristle that I didn't see. But, if eating steak and I cannot chew it to the consistency of applesauce before swallowing, I've been known to spit it into a napkin to avoid getting stuck.

You can have swelling inside, around the band from the fill. That can take a few days to resolve. But sometimes we have to get a little bit of fill removed. Then when you lose more weight, you can get another fill. Just remember to stay hydrated, that's very important. And if you cannot get liquids down, call right away!

That is what this forum is all about. Help and support. We are not here for medical advice, but to share our experiences. No question should go unasked. Even if you don't want to ask it because you think it is too embarrassing...do a search, it has probably been asked and answered.

I despise Jello...blech! Trust me, at 4 years out, the pre-op/post-op diet misery are now fond memories. Really! Funny stories to share on the board and let others know they will get through it. I've been at a normal BMI for over 2 years now, and I've loved every minute of being healthy. I haven't loved every minute of being banded. Stuck episodes are not the greatest, but can also be funny. Keep your sense of humor, and focus on the healthier you to come!

Your best bet would be to consult a lawyer. It might be very costly to try to recoup the money. You might also find that hitting the tubing during fills is a possible complication for which there is no recourse. (that is a guess on my part...but am betting it is in the fine print somewhere) In California, that amount is under the small claims limit. You could go that route, perhaps. But you can bet the physician in question has malpractice insurance, and that company has lawyers on retainer. If you go to small claims, you have to represent yourself.

I use Nutrition Now's Multi Vites gummy vitamins. They are fruit flavored and I actually like them. They also sell calcium in gummy form. The Multi Vites don't contain calcium.

You are welcome! Merry Christmas to you! And I hope Santa brings Oliver good stuff! Are you having green and red Jello for dinner? Post-op diet at Christmas time must suck. I did pre-op on Superbowl Sunday at a party and was having a pity party about that! On the outside though, I just sucked it up, put on my big girl panties, and did what needed to be done.

When you can move from clear liquids you'll find your stomach much happier! When I was on clears, I was ready to eat my dog, he was just lucky he could move quicker than I. The first week post-op is rough. You've been through a pretty big trauma (I know people say it is the least invasive WLS, but it IS still invasive surgery!). You are eating nothing with any nutritional value to help your body recover. I don't know about you, but I was a mess!

liquid in=liquid out. It is very common. Once you get back to solids foods, things should solidify. I had what I called "explosive decompressions"!! Yikes! Hope it gets better soon!

Was he your surgeon? What is your personal experience with this surgeon?

It could be some swelling after the fill. Or you could be just a bit too tight. As long as you can get liquids down and stay hydrated things are OK. But if something feels very wrong, it probably is, give them a call. Did they tell you to be on liquids for a day or two after the fill?

Welcome! I didn't do an Upper GI. I did some other tests, blood work, EKG, some other stuff my insurance required. Everyone is different on here as to what pre-op testing was required.