Mellie

Hi all! I was banded on June 11, 2007. I started out at 278 and lost down to 227. I am now back up to 258. There have been alot of struggles in between. It started early on when my job went to self insured in July of 07 (one month after my surgery) leaving me with no coverage for my band. I didn't go to follow ups regularly because I couldn't afford it. In November of 2009 I had a complete unfill because of dilation. In July of 2010, my husband added me to his insurance so that I could get coverage for the band. I called to set up an appointment with my doctor, the soonest they could see me was in October. I took it and went in October only to be told that he wouldn't give me a fill but my esophagus had healed and he wanted me to start the band rules over without the fill for awhile. Since then, my doctor has closed his practice here and opened another 3 hours away. I found a great doctor a hour away and he is willing to work with me but last month, my husband got laid off his job and I have lost insurance again. Anyway, I am taking some of our tax money and going this Friday to get a fill, hopefully. I am so ready to get back on track and I have been trying really hard to follow the band rules. This past few years have been a roller coaster ride with this band. If I could do it again, I would go a different route. I'm just looking for some support now and someone to tell me that all is not lost and I can still achieve weight loss with this band.

Hi all! I was banded on June 11, 2007. I started out at 278 and lost down to 227. I am now back up to 258. There have been alot of struggles in between. It started early on when my job went to self insured in July of 07 (one month after my surgery) leaving me with no coverage for my band. I didn't go to follow ups regularly because I couldn't afford it. In November of 2009 I had a complete unfill because of dilation. In July of 2010, my husband added me to his insurance so that I could get coverage for the band. I called to set up an appointment with my doctor, the soonest they could see me was in October. I took it and went in October only to be told that he wouldn't give me a fill but my esophagus had healed and he wanted me to start the band rules over without the fill for awhile. Since then, my doctor has closed his practice here and opened another 3 hours away. I found a great doctor a hour away and he is willing to work with me but last month, my husband got laid off his job and I have lost insurance again. Anyway, I am taking some of our tax money and going this Friday to get a fill, hopefully. I am so ready to get back on track and I have been trying really hard to follow the band rules. This past few years have been a roller coaster ride with this band. If I could do it again, I would go a different route. I'm just looking for some support now and someone to tell me that all is not lost and I can still achieve weight loss with this band.

Hi, I'm glad to have found this group. I was banded back in June of 07. I initially lost 51 pounds. In November the doctor took my saline out due to my esophagus being dilated. I gained 17 pounds since my unfill. I tried WW for awhile but it just didn't work for me this time. I decided to start low carbing last Tuesday and have stuck with it strictly. I had lost 6.5 pounds as of yesterday morning but when I weighed last night had gained 3.5 back. This morning I was down 1.5 from last night but that is still a gain and only 3.5 loss instead of the original 6.5. I can't pinpoint why because I have not strayed from the plan. My ketosis strips are in the purple and I should be losing, right? Have any of you guys experienced strange fluctuations in your weight while following this?

Tina, Thanks a bunch!! I will definately try that. I'm going to give them a call.

I was wondering if anyone has had this problem or any advice for me. I had the lap band surgery in June of 07. My company insurance was BCBS of NC at that time and they covered surgery and follow ups, fills etc. Later that year, my company went self insured thru med cost. At that time the HR department told me nothing would be covered related to weight loss or my follow ups. Because of this I have not been able to have regular follow ups and maintenance. I only go when I can save enough to. I spoke with our HR again, but she was no help and I also spoke with a company nurse and she said that she believes this is wrong. Because I did not change insurances and I have a medical device in me they should not deny me care now. I need to know if anyone else has dealt with this and if there might be any options I could take. Thanks so much!

I posted this in the insurance forum, but wanted to check in here also and see if anyone had any information. I was wondering if anyone has had this problem or any advice for me. I had the LAP-BAND® surgery in June of 07. My company insurance was BCBS of NC at that time and they covered surgery and follow ups, fills etc. Later that year, my company went self insured thru med cost. At that time the HR department told me nothing would be covered related to weight loss or my follow ups. Because of this I have not been able to have regular follow ups and maintenance. I only go when I can save enough to. I spoke with our HR again, but she was no help and I also spoke with a company nurse and she said that she believes this is wrong. Because I did not change insurances and I have a medical device in me they should not deny me care now. I need to know if anyone else has dealt with this and if there might be any options I could take. Thanks so much! __________________

I have talked to my doctor's office about this and they do give me a discount if I pay in cash at the time of my visit. That does help some, but it's still alot out of my pocket, especially for fills.

I have Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC Blue Options. I was told that they do not cover the Lap Band. Has anyone had any experience with getting Blue Cross to cover this surgery? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

I have been banded since June of 07. I have had 2 small fills since then. My doctor is not very agressive and I have 1.5 ccs in right now. I have lost 31 pounds since June but haven't lost anything in the last 3 months. I am very discouraged and wonder what restriction is supposed to feel like. I feel a little discomfort when eating meat but that's it and it passes quickly. I feel like a failure. I've been bouncing 4 pounds back and forth for about 2 months now. I can eat pretty much what I want but I am trying to watch what I eat but it's really hard especially this time of year. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to eat and what I'm not anymore. My surgeon was excellent pre op but I haven't seen him since. My visits are with the PA. They gave us information before the surgery but it was geared more for the gastric bypass patient because that is the majority of his clients right now. I thought by now that I would be alot further than I am. Can anybody give any advice on what I should eat and what are the signals to look for in restriction. I don't want to give up.

Sorry I haven't been here in a few days. I have been so busy with work and the children. Anyway, put me down for 60 minutes of exercise. I've only had time to use my elliptical 20 minutes a day this week. I hope to get back on track this weekend. Thanks!

I attended the Walk in Pinehurst. I wish I would have known about Charlotte's walk and I would have walked there also. I really enjoyed participating in it.

I walked 60 minutes in the Walk from Obesity this Saturday in Pinehurst. Sunday I walked 60 more minutes just around the neighborhood. I can't remember what I had posted up until now but I'll look back and see what my total would be. How often should I post my minutes?

Thanks for letting me know how the exercise challenge goes. I'll start with 900 this month.

I'd like to know the answer to that too. I had my second fill on Sept. 26th. That would make it 1.8 cc's in a 4cc band. I feel a little more restricted but it depends on what I eat. I can eat soft stuff. I had a baked potato and a small chili from Wendy's for lunch today. Last night I had a spoonfull of field peas and a couple bites of salad and about 4 bites of chicken and then started hurting.

I'd love to join in but I'm not sure what the rules are. I just purchased an elliptical machine and it should be here next week. I started walking Sunday. I've walked 1 hour a day for the last two days.

Thanks for all the encouragement. I got some therabands from the doctor on Wednesday and I am starting to use those some. I have to be consistent. I talked with my husband about how important it is to find the time for me to exercise and even tried to get him to do it with me. He told me to go ahead and order that elliptical machine I've been wanting but I've been thinking about how that money needs to go to bills. One thing is for sure, I really like the support in here and I'm going to start on my exercise tonight.

Banded June 11th 2007. Thanks Heather!

Hang in there. I'm at my second fill and still don't feel much restriction. I know it will come and that keeps me from giving up. My weight loss has been really slow for the past 6 weeks.

Just wanted to introduce myself. I've been hanging out here for awhile but just now saw the June Bandsters. I started working towards getting my band in August 2005 but insurance wasn't paying for it then. I hung on and insurance finally covered for me and my surgery was June 11th. I've lost 28 pounds since then most of that was from the first 6 weeks of liquids diet. I had my second fill Wednesday and I'm hoping to have better restriction and hopefully the weight will start coming off better. I haven't started regular exercise and need to find the time to do so. It's hard with 3 children, ages 11 and under. My husband works odd hours and that makes it tougher but I've got to stop the excuses and make time for myself. Anyway, I love my band and I think it is going to be the best tool for me. I hope to make some good friends here and be supportive for you all as well.

I remember waking up in recovery and a nurse was talking to me. I felt sick all of the sudden and they gave me something right away to take the nausea away. I was very sore and my throat hurt and I needed to cough. But, the pain wasn't severe. I was sleepy and my eyes were blurred. But after recovery and for several days after the surgery I couldn't sleep. I only slept two hours the night in the hospital and the next day. I wanted to sleep but just couldn't.

I lost 20 pounds between the week before surgery and 2 weeks after surgery. I'm 4 weeks out and have lost 3 pounds since last Tuesday. I'm wondering why the weight loss is slowing down. I'm still on liquids and my calories are the same. Am I eating too little. I figure my caloric intake is about 500-600 a day, some days less. Do I need to eat more to lose weight? I have heard that sometimes you can put your body into starvation mode. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy with the loss, just confused to why it is slowing down now. Any answers for me? Thanks!

Thanks Karla. I will try that. I just bought some Isopure and it has 50 grams of protein. I've been drinking that for a couple of days now. I was down 6 pounds as of yesterday but this morning I was back up 2. I know I need to stay away from the scales. I see the doctor tomorrow so maybe he can tell me exactly what I need to be doing.

Thanks for the encouragement. I have been so confused about it because I haven't been eating anymore than I was to start with. Thankfully, my willpower has been incredible this far. I'm sure that I could eat more if I wanted. I'm worried that once I do start putting more calories in that my weight loss will surely stall. I hope not. When do you usually get your first fill?

I'm just bumping this back up to the first page to see if anybody has any replies. Thanks

Thanks for the replies! I hope it's nothing. There isn't any swelling or redness around the incision, so that's a good thing.