Cocoabean

Oh, ask for wheel chair assistance. Call the airline to set it up in advance. DON'T be standing in those lines. They will take you right to the front, and take you from gate to gate when you change planes.

That is going to be one LONG day. Wow. Get big and drawstring if you can, the adjustablity might be well served. Right now, it is HOT in San Diego, sweats might be miserable getting TO the airport. August is one of our hotter months. If you are not too big on top, I'd just do a couple layers of tank tops with a loose t-shirt over that and forget the bra.

One day at a time is all we can do. I had an unfill a couple months ago. First month was fine. Now I am gaining. Need to rethink my strategy. I am not at risk of losing my band, the unfill was not due to a slip, but the one day at a time applies to us all.

Thanks, Karen! I love my band!

I am the same. Sip my one cup of coffee while I make the drive to work. I don't eat anything until I feel physical hunger. Just because I am up doesn't mean I should eat. But I do have the luxury of being able to eat at my desk. Not everyone can do that. Some people might not have the chance to eat again until their lunch break. But, I think the point is, you don't have to eat at the traditional meal times. I certainly don't. I eat when I feel physical hunger.

I absolutely love this!! I think this will be my new motto, if that is OK with you!!

Christie, I remember your troubles from our "banded together" thread, although I don't think you went into great detail. I am sad that is why you left the boards, I missed your presence here, and your experience can help others. I think we are learning more as bands are longer in place and slips are happening more. Sometimes our actions can contribute to a slip, but certainly not always. Then you have me, who was too tight for 6 months, and I could not get into my surgeon (non-related band illness and insurance snafu). I was vomiting often. When I did get in, I was told I was quite fortunate I didn't slip or have a dilated esophagus. Yes, I know that, ask my insurance company why the kept denying my request to see you!!!!! It's funny though..I am glad you've gotten a good reception on the other boards. I went to a sleeve board to learn about the procedure. I wanted to be able to answer questions here when newbies ask "which should I get?" When I stated I was a happy bandster, my welcome was less than warm...far less. If I had been having troubles I'd have been welcomed with open arms, I am sure. It would sure be nice if we could all keep in mind that complications are not the fault of the patient, and ALL WLS procedures are good. Please stick around here to help others in your situation...which could be any of us at any time!

Please keep in mind, Lap Band's literature says 1-2 lbs PER WEEK is what we can expect to lose, even if I cannot find it on their web-site at the moment. Remember, that weight loss is not really expected with a band until after you get your fills and have the help of the band. This is not a quick weight loss type of surgery. I didn't start losing until my second fill. What you lose before you get your band to the green zone is all about you and the habits you are changing. Being banded is a journey, not a sprint. It's also a very individual journey. We want the weight gone NOW, but it just isn't going to happen that way. Bandsters don't have the malabsorption that bypass creates. It is all about calories in and calories expended. You are doing fantastically well. Including my pre-op diet weight loss to 3.5 months out I had lost 8 lbs. I lost 8 lbs during my pre-op. I postponed my first fill due to a trip out of the country, so my second fill wasn't until about 3.5-4 months out. Now 4.5 years later I am down about 75 lbs and easily maintaining it. I never worked hard to lose it.

I am a bit confused...why would he be reluctant to give a fill if you had ONLY lost 20 lbs in 8 weeks? There are several inconsistencies there. First, band patients should expect 1-2 lbs per week loss. You were above that. So I could see being reluctant because you were losing so well. If he thought you were losing too slowly, then I'd expect him to be eager to give you a fill to help you lose faster....? The fact that you are too tight after a fill you requested is not your fault, we (the patient, nor the doctor) have any way of knowing how we will react to a fill. Following the no food in the classroom I get. But there is no other time you can have a small nutritious snack? Eating something healthful in front of the children could make you a roll model, especially as to get fit and lose weight. If you are getting so hungry that you are causing yourself to eat too fast, then perhaps a note from your doctor that you'll need to eat a small something between classes will help you. Going from 5:30 am until noon is a very long stretch, especially when many of us cannot eat much if anything first thing in the morning.

NO! Do NOT continue to vomit and get stuck. That can lead to your esophagus being dilated and loss of your band. It can even lead to portions of your stomach tissue losing blood supply and dying. Call your surgeon and be seen. You have a lifetime to lose the weight. But if you lose the band, you won't be able to lose the weight. If you've been taking small bites and chewing well, then you need to see your surgeon. That's all there is to it. Don't mess with it. A slight unfill will allow you to eat solid foods, stay satisfied, and still lose. Don't risk your band or your health.

Many of us say we like the band because it is reversible. Truth is, it really isn't. Bypass is reversible, too. They CAN put it back together again. They are finding as bands are in longer, that scarring and permanent changes are occurring. That part of the "sales pitch" needs to change. The band is not meant to be temporary, no one should enter into with the mindset that it can be removed if it fails. Christie, I am not saying you did this. I remember when you got banded. I say this for people researching now and reading your post. There are long-term consequences to being banded that we did not know about when we were banded. They are coming to light as we get to 5 years out, and hopefully keep going. You made an educated decision based on the information you had AT THE TIME. You did your best with your band. Now, you've made your best decision based on what information you have now. I know you will give bypass your all. I pray you come through it with flying colors and all your troubles are behind you. Best wishes for a speedy recovery! BTW..I had an unfill a month and a half ago. I ate the whole 6" sub yesterday!

I heard many of the same things. My weight is well proportioned. When I'd tell people how much I weighed, many would be shocked. I'd say, so I should continue to gain until I am in full blown diabetes and heart disease? I don't deserve treatment because I just barely qualify? You don't walk on my knees, hips, and feet every day. If I only had one blocked artery in my heart, rather than four, do I not deserve to have it treated? Or do I have the heart attack? My appendix was only a little infected, so I should have waited until it burst? Our society is still biased. I thank them for their concern and say that surgery might not have been the right decision for them, but after all my research, with my medical history, and on the advice of my primary care doctor and my surgeon, whom I trust and respect, I have decided to proceed. (Using the medical team's name usually shuts them up, as they are not doctors!) Now, 4.5 years and 75 lbs later most people agree that I made the right decision for me. It might not be right for everyone. I don't tell anyone that they should run out and get surgery. If asked about my experience I gladly talk about it, but I don't encourage anyone to have surgery. I tell them to research and make the most informed decision they can. I had to learn to shut those conversations down in a polite way. It's sort of a debate-team type of thing. But it really isn't open for discussion. When you say it in a matter of fact way that I have done my research, my doctors agree, and it is the right decision for me, maybe not for you, but thank you--then change the subject...there really is no reply for it.

Call Anthem and ask them to send you their medical policy, and what the rep is looking at. As the previous poster said, they are supposed to be looking at YOUR policy. But I've had times where they were not looking at the right one. That is why I say talk to the company, go online, talk to your doctor's office, have your doctor's office talk to your insurance company. As soon as all are on the same page, you have your answer. Not before. It may be a dead issue if there is an exclusion, unless you can change carriers during an open season. You are looking for their medical policy on obesity. Something like this: http://www.anthem.com/medicalpolicies/policies/mp_pw_a053317.htm That is generic to anthem, and not YOUR policy, which apparently has an exclusion. But search for "treatment of obesity" or under surgical coverage. Also check to see if it is excluded for other than medically necessary purposes..which I found on this link: http://www.anthem.com/wps/portal/ca/visitor?content_path=visitor/f2/s5/t7/pw_a117000.htm&label=Exclusions%20%5E%20Limitations&rootLevel=1 You should have access to your policy's brochure. My policy explains coverage under surgical benefits. http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/planinfo/2012/brochures/73-574.pdf See page 31.

meat tenderizer has the same enzymes as papaya extract, it breaks down the food, but can be quite salty. If I drink 3-4 oz of Water, I will bring the water and offending food up. it isn't a retching vomit, just an urp and out. Quite effective, actually. Sipping the pineapple juice didn't do this to me, as it was just tiny amounts, but the point of drinking when stuck is well taken. Stuck is painful for me. Like I have a rock just below my sternum that I should not have swallowed. Walking, walking, walking does help with the pain. As does making odd faces, for some reason. My hubby can spot when I am stuck before I can sometimes, just by my expression as I evaluate.

The report feature is a wonderful thing.

What Mis Cat said. I called my insurance company and looked at my policy online. Don't trust someone in the Dr's office for this. For that matter, don't just trust the insurance company, that's why I say look online. With your membership card, you would be able to access the medical policy of YOUR coverage. Anthem has multiple policies. You want to be sure of which one you are talking about. Best wishes!!

Your statements are true. The enzymes in the juice or pills can help break down the food. Many people swear by them. I've tried juice, no help for me. Papaya enzymes I've tried a couple of times, they are about 50/50 for me. But the reaction was not immediate, so it might have been coincidental. Don't be afraid to eat, but do take small bites and chew very well. Stop eating at the first sign of any pain and give it a few minutes to subside. If you keep eating, you are dooming yourself to more pain.

I would, too, I think..just for peace of mind.

Hi everyone! I wanted to post about my recent experience with a too tight band. Please don't be afraid of an unfill. Being too tight is NOT the answer to losing weight rapidly!! I had been banded nearly 4 years in November 2011 when I felt I needed a slight fill. It had been a year since my previous fill. My weight had gone up just a few pounds, and I felt that I was eating more. I had an upper GI with food to be sure of my band’s state before proceeding. This is something my surgeon insists upon after the first year. We agreed on a slight fill of 0.25cc. Things were fine for the first couple of months. In February 2012 my band tightened up. I was having a hard time getting any solid foods down. In March after fighting with my band for a while, I called to see my surgeon, which requires a preauthorization from my insurance company. They started the request. After a couple of weeks I still hadn’t heard from them, but my band calmed down. I let the request ride. In early April I had a non-band related medical procedure. I had a complication from the surgery called Sepsis. A horrifying blood infection with a fairly high mortality rate. After two trips to the ER and two weeks in bed barely eating, I managed a slow recovery. I lost an additional 10 pounds during that illness. As I recovered and began eating, my band was still very tight. I was vomiting several times a week due to food getting stuck. My diet was very limited, and I was hungry all the time. I contacted my surgeon again, and I asked my primary care doctor for assistance in seeing my surgeon. My insurance denied the request, and then changed their minds…whew! I got the Upper GI fluoroscope with food. A grand experience, bologna sandwich dipped in barium, yummy! During the test, I drank some barium, things were fine, and then I did a few small bites, all well. The radiologist said to take a big bite. This was 9:00 o’clock in the morning. A great time for a sandwich for a bandster. A big bite, I asked? Yes, a big bite. Ok, but have the trashcan nearby. As I swallowed and the sandwich hit my pouch, I knew it would not go down. Then he asks if I could take another bite. “Another bite?” “Yes.” “Only if you want to see it in reverse!” “Ok, maybe not. I think we have enough information here.” It was determined my band was too tight, as not much went down. I saw my surgeon a week later. I was down 12 pounds from my last visit with him, 10 of that due to the Sepsis, only two pounds lost due to my band being so tight. I got a lecture about waiting so long to be seen (7 months from fill to that point). The lecture continued on to say he understood that we get busy, but bandsters should not ignore aftercare. He said I was very lucky to have not dilated my pouch by waiting so long. I have never been one to ignore aftercare. I explained all of the above, and then he understood what had taken so long. I explained I was not afraid of an unfill, that is why I was there. I understand the ramifications of having a band that is too tight. So, now negotiations began as to how much to remove. I wanted half my previous fill removed, about 0.1cc. He chuckled and said that amount is not what he had in mind. He was thinking 0.5cc!! WHAT? That is DOUBLE what was put in! He said that he felt I needed that much removed because I had been tight for quite some time. If I’d had any dilation, we’d have been talking 2-3cc. Seeing the dazed and scared look on my face, he assured me that after a month if all was well, he would be happy to refill. I could live with that. We did the unfill, I made an appointment for a month later. With the 0.5cc removed, I was able to EAT again. Solids went down easily. Bread is on my menu. Meals last several hours. I don’t snack, because I am able to eat a sufficient amount at meal time to keep me satisfied. I have to use just a tiny bit of self-control when it comes to stopping my meal. Which is a basic bandster rule. I monitor if I am no longer hungry, then stop eating. Not am I full, but am I satisfied? I have not been stuck once since the unfill. It has been about 6 weeks now. Before my follow-up I decided that I would not get a fill. I rarely get on a scale these days. I’ve been maintaining my weight for over two years, so there is no point in obsessing over the scale. I knew I hadn’t gained much during the month. When I got to my appointment I was up about .6 pound. Different clothes, time of day, food in stomach, Fluid level. That was NOT a gain at all. My surgeon was delighted to not give me a fill, and to hear that I can eat anything, but I am NOT eating everything. The moral of this story is that getting an unfill is not a bad thing. You SHOULD be able to eat. I am now, once again, eating amounts of food similar to what my normal weight friends eat. That is the way it should be, for me. 1500-1700 calories per day is a good level for maintenance for me. Your doctor may have a food plan for your to follow, and of course, you should do so. But two to three bites does not make a meal. That is where I was. During the time I was too tight, I lost a whopping two pounds. Not really worth the risk of a dilated pouch, or a slipped band from all the vomiting. I will see my surgeon again in two months. If my hunger levels or my weight change, I’ll consider a slight fill. For now, I am good here.

It IS possible to drink too much water, but 52 oz a day should not over do it.

DOH! Didn't even look at what forum this was in... tee hee!

If you've had trouble eating since your last fill, it is time to consider an unfill. Pain should not be a daily event. See your surgeon, see an GI doc, see your primary care doc. See ANYONE until you get the answer. A band that is too tight can cause pain. Is the ulcer still present? Is that what is causing the pain? If not, be seen. Find a surgeon in your are who will see you. Contact your surgeon and see if you can have your records transferred. He or she may even know someone in your new area to refer you to.

Your gallbladder is in that area. it could be gas. I am a little late chiming in, what did the doctor say?

I've done it twice now...bologna sandwiches will never be the same...ugh

Most meals now last me about 4 hours. I did have to have an unfill about a year into my journey. After things calmed down, I was able to go in about a month after the unfill and have all of the unfill put back plus more. This may just be a blip in the road. But then again, not everyone gets the satiety I am experiencing at the moment. Even me. I've had times where my fill level was such that I was hungry every 2-3 hours myself. But like you, I was eating less calories than before and losing, I was happy with that!