NEWME10

Just wondering how some older bandsters are still doing? I haven't lost much at all but want to get back on the "band"wagon so to speak.

How did you know something was wrong with the band?

tHANKS FOR YOUR MESSAGE, I WAS SO HAPPY TO READ YOUR NOTE ABOUT THE PERFECT FILL. I HAVE NOT GOTTEN THERE YET. I WAS BANDED ON 5/14/08 AND HAVE LOST APPROXIMATELY 30 POUNDS. I KEEP HOPING FOR A FIX SOON. I EAT SO LITTLE AND IT SEEMS SO STRANGE THAT I HAVE NOT LOST ANYMORE THAN THAT AT THIS POINT. BUT I NOW HAVE RENEWED HOPE. I GO BACK TO THE SURGEONS OFFICE EVERY 6 WEEKS FOR A CHECK UP JUST TO MAKE SURE IT'S DOING OKAY. I HAD TO HAVE SOME OF THE FLUID TAKEN OUT JUST LAST MONTH BECAUSE I HAVING HAVING REALLY BAD HEARTBURN AND THROWING UP WAY TO MUCH. BUT IT'S MUCH BETTER NOW. THANKS AGAIN FOR THE WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT.

Hello Mary1966, I live in RIchmond also and was wondering How your weight loss was going. I noticed your date was 5/23 I was banded on 5/14. I'm down about 20. We started at about the same BMI also. I was 37.5. I just didn't know if this was a normal amount of not. I've had one fill and not scheduled for another until 8/5. My Dr. was Bautista @Commonwealth. I am always happy to see someone else from RIchmond around the same time as myself. Susie

How low? Mine was 37.5 and after about 9 months and 1 appeal with 2 comorbidities I was approved by Cigna. You will have to be very persistent and as soon as you are denied get the surgroned office to appeal it right away. I started this process last October 1 and had surgery on May 14th this year. It seemed like they were never going toapprove it. I had already met the 6 month supervised diet thing before I started in October. They think if they deny you you will go away. Just stick with it. Go to one of the seminars about it and get you first consult in with the surgeon so that you will be on track. They know everything you have to do. I have Cigna through Dupont and I ddo not think all Cignas are the same. But your surgeon would know best if they will approved it or not before you have to jump through all the hoops. Good luck and stay after them all the way. Susie

I had this done about 14 years ago. It was the best thing I had ever done for me up until I had the Lapband installed. No more Periods, no more mood swings nomore discomfort down there. It's fabulous. It took about 3 to 4 weeks to recover fully. The rectocele is the worst. Very difficult to go to the bathroom for a while afterwards. Probally a little more information than you wanted but just being honest.

Congratulations, I also had to appeal twice. But you will be glad you hung in there after it's over. I was so scared right before surgery but then I got it together it's the best thing I could do for me right now. I was banded on 5/14/08 and have lost 23 lbs. It's worth the wait.

I have the exact same problem. I was banded on 5/14/08 and was okay with them until may first fill on June 24th. Now they feel like a 20 lb weight in my chest. I am sorry for you, I enjoy them but I don't feel like I have to have them. I only ate 3 as well and knew that was my limit. I have the same issue with any type of beef. But chicken and fish are still okay. I am a little afraid to try pork but I guess I will get over that at some point. Good luck if you find a way to enjoy eating them let me in on it. Susie

I was just wondering if you could explain to me what a golfball is? thanks Susie

Good morning, I am 50 now and I have had a weight problem since I had my 2nd and third child also . I just got banded on May 14th. As we get involved with our families we have way less time to spend taking care of ourselves. I litterally let myself go down the tubes. I am also 5' 8" and started this process at 241.pounds. It much harder to have the time and energy to make the special food for any type of diet program. Do not feel like a failure , I took many months to make my decision and I have not told but a few people that I had it done. I have lost 19lbs so far and I am content with that. The extra weight right now is probally more of a appearance and lack of maybe a little energy but as we get older the body starts to rebel. Last year my thyroid died and I developed type II diabeties, and a host of other issues so thats what made me make the real decision. If there is any way you can turn yourself around now while you are still younger and with out the health issues it's got to be easier down the road. Good luck, check out a seminar near you and fine our the ins anad outs. The only good thing about waiting for problems to develop is that with 2 comorbidities my insurance did after an appeal pay for the surgery. Susie

Hello all, I had surgery to have a couple cysts removed back in February and they closed those with stitches. I have a large amount of scaring where the incision healed but for the LB surgery They glued me. LB surgery was May 14th and the incision is almost unnoticeable. I small thin line very smooth. All of my incisions were glued I loved it. No pain from the actual incisions. I really didn't get an option but I liked what the surgeon did. Good Luck now that I have recently had both ways I would definitely go with the glue. SUsie

I was out of work for 2 weeks. It took at least 1 and 1/2 weeks to feel decent. Apparently where I work is very generous with there time allowed off. I think these other people must be super hero patients. More power to them. I had surgery on May 14th and went back to work on May 27th. Susie

Good afternoon I had my procedure on May 14th and felt like a truck had run over me afterwards. It really surprised me I thought I would not have been so miserable but oh well it's part of the life. I must say that I feel great now. I did not take any of the pain meds after I left the hospital they were making me so sick I just couldn't When I took the nausea medicine it made me so sleepy it was aweful then I couldn't sleep at night. Nights were the worst. Couldn't get comfortable but I can tell you that it does get better everyday and I am really looking for the first fill week after next. Now I am really never full or content but thats okay because everyone here says that will past. I am currently in what all the others before us call Bandster Hell. If is was too easy it wouldn't be worth the ride. Hang in there. Susie

Good morning, I had my surgery on May 14th, 2008. Things seem to be going very well. Dr. Bautista was my doctor. Everyday keeps getting better. I go back for my 4 week check up next week and then I can schedule my first fill for the following week. That will be really nice. Who is your Dr.? ANd do you have a surgery date yet? Welcome to the forum, I have found the members to be very helpful and knowledgible. Susie

Good morning, WHat do you mean by bandte hell. I had my surgery on May 14th, 2008. I am comming up on my 4 weeks next Wednesday for an appointment. I really do not feel any restriction. It I eat to fast I do feel like I have a lump in my chest. Thats a very hard habit to break. After the fill will I actually feel full or will I just feel that lump quicker. The nurse said I could schedule my fill the following tueday. Will the fill hurt? I have to swallow barium the first time. I think that was the worst part of the surgery going down to xray already filling throw uppy from surgery and having to drink that nasty stuff. Could you explain the filling after a fill? or after the right fill? Thanks for any info you can share. Thanks again Newme10 (Susie)

I went Realize because it was just a tad bit shorter where the port site is. I am in Richmond are you coming down here for surgery? I think it's supposed to attached to the abdominal wall a little easier too. I think when you're that close to the big day a lot of what the Dr. says to you kinda of bounces off. He recommended the new one. I had my surgery on May 14th. Good Luck. Susie

hello I was wondering if you could tell me how to get the ticker to the bottom of my posts? I went in and created it but it only wanted me to put it in facebook . I couldn't figure out how to get it here. Thanks Susie

Northwest Nance, I Was Banded On May 14th,2008 I Was Down 16 Lbs But Since Going To Mushies I Have Gained Back 4 Lbs. It Scares Me. I Really Do Not Feel Any Restriction But I Know Until I Get A Fill I Maynot. I Am Eating Very Small Portions Like 4 Ozs And 1/2 Cup Veggies. But It Really Concerns Me That I Have Gained. I Really Want This To Work. Down Newme10

Good morning all, I am 1 week and 3days out from surgery and I am getting so scared. My nerves are getting the best of me. I haven't been to terribly successful on this liver shrinking diet yet. 6 days and I've lost only 4 lbs. I have cheated a little but from now to surgery I am not going to cheat anymore. How much are you suppose to lose? My BMI is 37.1 so I wouldn't expect to lose too much in just a week. If you guys can remember can you let me know how much you lost during this phase. I afraid I won't lose enough and he may not operate. Thanks Susie Susie

Hello there, I also had to appeal. Then they approved with no problem. Alot of insurance companies turn you down the first time to see if you will go away. Don't let them win. We pay good money for these benefits and we deserve them. With me the will probally be saving money within th eyear if I can get off the medications I'm on. Try it again.

Good morning CHris, I was approved on March 20 and my surgery is scheduled on May 14th. That was Dr. Bautista's next available. It took me from September to March to get approved though. Good luck. The time actually passed fairly quickly. I have Cigna and I think they are worst for approvals especially with a 37 BMI and 2 comorbidities. Good luck. Susie

Hello all, I have a bmi of just over 37 but I have Diabetes, reflux, low thyroid problems and lots of joint pain. I'm 5'8" and weigh about 250. Does the weight come off fairly quickly or is it really slow. I know everyone is different. My surgery date is May 14th and I've been working on this since August, 07. Finally got Cigna to approve. Going now to all the pre op appointments. It seemed far off but I really have a lot to do before surgery. Susie

2BEA12BY50. i AM ASSUMING THAT YOU ARE GOING TO BE TURNING 50 SOON ALSO. I AM TURNING 50 IN MAY AND I AM HOPING BY 51 I AM FEELING AND YES LOOKING MUCH BETTER. I AM GOING TO BE A GRANDMOTHER IN SEPTEMBER AND I WANT TO BE ABLE TO ENJOY MY GRANDCHILDREN. I AM GOING TO THE DAY OF MEETINGS ON APRIL 28TH. I AGREE I'D RATHER CALL IT THE PR OP DIET LIVER SHRINKING SOUNDS NASTY. DO YOU KNOW IF THE TWO GROUPS SHARE THE MEETINGS? GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND LET MEKNOW HOW THINGS ARE PROGRESSING. I HAVE NEVER BEEN MUCH INTO THESE BLOG THINGS BEFORE BUT IT'S THE ONLY PLACE I FEEL I CAN GET A POSITIVE REINFORCEMENTS. MY HUSBAND IS SUPPORTIVE BUT SKEPTICAL BECAUSE HE HAS SEEN ME START AND FAIL AS SO MANY DIETS BEFORE. SUSIE

Congratulations, When did you have surgery and how long were you in the hospital? Did Dr. Bautista do your surgery? It's wonderful to hear you are feeling so well. I have surgery on May 14th and need to go to my daughters Graduation on the 17th. I hope I will be able to get there and not look sickly. I am trying not to tell anyone that I'm having this done, too many negative people and I'm not up to hearing all of it right yet. I really hope you continue to feel good. Susie

Slim_One_Day, Thank you for letting me know the skinny on that. Was it hard to stick to? Did you lose weight on it? I'm so afraid if I don't stick to it he may not be able to do the surgery, I think that fear may keep me straight. How long is the diet for? Sorry for all the stupid questions? But I really do appreciate your answers. Susie