Kathy JB

Hang in there, Choppie; it will get better. I sure felt discomfort more on my left side than anyplace else. You can comfort yourself that it is probably not appendix because the appendix is on the right side and it is very unusual for it to be anywhere else. Call your doctor; this is just the kind of question that they can answer and give you some peace of mind. You'll be o.k.

Kat, You sound so nice! Thanks for the encouragement for those of us who are just beginning on this journey. I was banded 7/3, and I'm a week out, feeling very tired. Your pep-talk helps!

Hi Iodine, I don't think that you are too old to consider lap-band surgery. I am 64 years old and just had band surgery last week in Santa Barbara, California. My doctor never made a comment at all about my age. I would imagine that a lot depends on your physical health now. My doctor has his patients go through a battery of tests to determine if they are healthy enough to go through it. I had about 8 different test, including heart and lungs and just about anything else that I could think of. Some doctors don't require that, but I think most do. Some require weight-loss on your own (I had to loose 5% of the amount that I needed to loose, and that is so that he can more easily to get in under the skin to do his laprascopic work). Some insurances require as much as a 6-month diet on your own before they will consider paying. I don't think that is the norm, but reading some of the entries on this site, that is the requirement of some insurance companies. Other are pretty lenient because they are paying for the meds for diabetic patients which add up quickly, and they can see the advantage of weight-loss for these patients. I don't know about Medicare, but I am sure that some of the people here have dealt with Medicare and will write you and give you the scoop. I think most insurance companies that pay at all say that you have to be 100 pounds overweight and have 2 co-morbidities (like high blood pressure or high cholesterol) or be 200 overweight with no co-morbidities. As for being too old, I don't think age figures in too much. I would imagine the state of your health being the prime factor. Are you pretty healthy in spite of needing to loose weight? I don't know how age affects the "snap-back" factor. I am pretty healthy, and before surgery I was going to aqua exercise classes about 4 times a week. I have to admit, though, at one week out from surgery, I am very tired. I don't know if this is normal, or not. It may be an age-factor thing, but I believe it is more because of the liquid diet that we are required to have for two weeks. Right now, with two Protein shakes a day and some broth and Jello, I am still only getting about 400 to 450 calories a day. I think that is why I am so tired. I really admire the people who have to go back to work after a week. And those who have little families at home to care for. They re SuperPeople!! Congratulations on your new marriage. It's wondeful to have a supportive spouse. I hope you are able to find out about Medicare from some of the other subscribers, but in my mind, you are just the right age to do this now.

I was banded last Thursday (7/3), and my port incision is a bit red, too. I was surprised that I didn't get any staples or sutures; instead, my doctor used some kind of medical "super glue." It looks like it is going to work, but I'm keeping an eye on it.

What a nightmare! I hope you are feeling better each day so that you can appreciate what the band can do for you. I was lucky. I was banded 7/3 at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara. They gave me 3 different things to keep me from getting sick like you were. I even got a patch behind the ear that lasts for 24 hours. As a result, I've not had any problem. For anyone who hasn't been banded yet, be sure to ask you doctor what he does in the way of preventative medicine regarding nausea. I was given a shot, a drink of something and the patch. And I have never had any problems with anethesia, but they still did it, and I'm glad. I hope you are feeling better soon.

Hi TracyDe... I imagine some insurance companies are more lenient than others, just as some require a 6 month diet, and others don't. I know that when I went in for my first meeting with my surgeon (after all the pre-op tests and seminars had been completed) I was told that if I didn't maintain my loss (they required 5% of what I needed to loose, so that wasn't too bad or unreasonable), the doctor would cancel my surgery. There was a 6 week wait until surgery, during which time I got a bronchitis, so the surgery ended up being postponed anyway...for another 3 weeks. My surgery is scheduled for Thurs., July 3, and my weigh-in is on Wednesday. I'm pretty sure I am o.k. 'cause I've lost a few more pounds...not too much though. When I lost my weight at the beginning I ate Egg Beaters (made into a vegetable omlet with a LITTLE cheese) for Breakfast, 3-4 oz. of white fish and a vegetable for lunch, and 3-4 oz. of salmon for dinner, plus vegetables. That seemed to get me kick started with about a 7 pound loss in 10 days, then I added a couple of choices...for instance, oatmeal with vanilla Protein powder for breakfast, tuna salad or egg salad for lunch (even a slice of bread) and chicken or beef for dinner, plus vegetables. I lost a bit slower, but I've lost about 22 pounds (only had to loose 11 to satisfy the doctor, but actually lost 17 when I went for the first weigh-in, and I have to maintain that 17 pound loss, or it is curtains) overall. I have really hit plateau recently, so I am glad that Thursday is my day. Don't give up hope; I'll be thinking of you and saying my prayers for both of us.

Hi GM.... Welcome! What part of California are you in? I'm on the Central Coast and have to drive a little over an hour to Santa Barbara. There is only one doctor between us and the Los Angeles area who takes my insurance, and he is going to quit that (only began in February) because it doesn't pay enough. Thankfully he is going to finish those of us who started with him. I get banded next Thursday. Good luck on your journey.

Good luck to both of you! I'm banding on July 3 in Santa Barbara, CA. It's my Independence Day, one day early.

Hi Jetti, Congratulations on your wonderful weight loss. Good lookin' picture, too! You spoke of willpower, which we have all struggled with. In the online magazine for this site, there is an article by Warren L. Huberman that is the best one I've ever read about willpower. Anyone lacking in it will enjoy this article, and I've printed it out and pasted it in my daily journal for when I'm struggling. I'd recommend it to anyone! Keep up the good work. You're going to hit your goal before long.

Hey Brandilf... You are so close! It is only a few more pounds and you will be under 50. Don't give up! Don't be sad. You can do it; you are almost there. We will send supportive thoughts so you won't feel alone. We want you to succeed, too. And you can and will!

Hi Young At Heart..... I am 64 years old and will be having my band put on July 3rd. I have had diabetes for 10 years, and also have high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I've been able to control my diabetes very well with oral medications. However, I was concerned that it probably won't be many more years that the oral medications will be effective. I was told they are good for about 10 years. Don't know how true that is, except my dad was on orals for about 8 years before he had to go to insulin. I just felt inspired that it was time to make a life-style change and hopefully avoid the result of long-time diabetes, such as blindness and loosing fingers, toes, feet or legs. It just seemed that it was time to take the bull by the horns and do something positive. I started checking into this back in February, and it has taken a long time to get everything done. The doctor wanted lots of tests to make sure I am healthy, and I am sure that that is the best way, even though it has made it a long, drawn-out process. I got all the tests done by the end of April, but his first appointment was 19 June. Then I got bronchitis and the bad cough that goes with it, so banding has been rescheduled to 3 July. I feel good about this surgery because I know that the other options in treating my diabetes only mean more medications or insulin. If I can get off the meds for good, my whole body will be better off. Not such a job for the kidneys and liver...better for the heart. Well, you know..... Take your time in deciding what you want to do because it will mean a life-style change. But your life will also probably be longer and healthier.

Hey Guy, I think it is awesome to have a hubby interested enough to help by being the #1 supporter. Good on you! This is a great site to find out about Lap-Band surgery because just about any subject you can think of is eventually addressed. If you have specific questions, go ahead and ask them. There's usually someone who can help you out. Good luck to you and your wife on this journey. Having your support will make it all a lot easier.

Hey Guy, I

Wow, what a trial! I surely hope you will get better soon. It would be very interesting to know what the doctor says was the reason for the band slippage. It was so soon after surgery? Did you have a cough, or do you think it happened when you were sick from the x-ray Fluid? I really worry about band slippage, too. I'm an older patient (64 next month) and just wonder if I'm at more risk for that. What part of the country do you live in? Did you have to go far to get this done. I'm about 75 minutes from my doctor, so that's a little concern, too. I surely wish you the best and hope you recover soon. You sound like a strong person, and you'll loose the weight, even if it has to be without the band.

Hi MelissaRose, Welcome to the group. I, too, don't know how to use this site. It would be nice if there were an explanation section to let you know how to post, how to start a new thread, how to get to other specific groups, etc. Maybe there is, but I haven't found it. I just limp through and hit the Quick Reply on those posts that I want to respond to, but I have no idea how to start a new one. Help, out there! Is there an "instruction page" to this site?

Hi Dustysdoll, Wow, you can have your surgery in a month? Lucky girl! I'm a Tri-Care patient, too, but my doctor wanted so many tests that it took from early February until the end of April to get them all done. Then I got to see my surgeon for the first time, and he said it was a go for today (June 19). That was a 6 week wait. He's a busy guy!Then I got bronchitis, and last week, since I still had a cough, he said no surgery until July 3. So sad! Today should have been my day, but I know it will be worth the wait. The cough is getting better, so I'm sure it will be a "GO" two weeks from today.

Hi Serenity55, You sound like you are just having a bad day and feeling overwhelmed. Getting ready for Lap-Band surgery takes quite a long time, and I think it is pretty normal to be questioning whether it is right for you or not. You will find a lot of supporters here. Yes, you will also find those who have had problems. A lot who have had problems have learned that maybe they hadn't quite understood things like how much you have to chew food and how slowly you have to eat and how exercise is so important to success. As you read more of the entries here, you will learn from others mistakes and take encouragement from people who are having success, in spite of a bump here and there in the road. We all wish you the best in your search for what is right for you. For the greatest majority of us, banding is the best answer. Hope you feel some encouragement from all of us.

Hi Tyler, It sounds like you are a bit apprehensive about this procedure, and maybe more investigation about it will put that to rest. At the seminar that I sent to given by my surgeon, he said that all of us have lost weight before, sometimes in large amounts. The hardest part really isn't about loosing the weight; it is in KEEPING THE WEIGHT OFF. Socalgal3 pretty much hit the nail on the head. The LapBand is our tool to keeping the weight off. Take your time and make sure you are ready to make the commitment to not only loosing the weight, but also to keeping it off. I'm sure there's no hurry; if it is right for you in your mind, you'll do it. Best of luck!

Hi Furgie, Good luck with your surgery on Tuesday. We will be thinking of you all the way over there in New Zealand. I hope everything goes well for you. I was supposed to be banded on Thursday, but I'm still getting over bronchitis, and the doctor won't operate until there is no more cough. We've rescheduled for 3 July, and I'm hoping I'll be ready by then. Have a good day on Tuesday; it is the first day of your new life.

Hi Mom2Twins, I've never had a Magic Bullet, but I was considering one until I read an entry here that said the Magic Bullet had only 250 Watts and it didn't always chew up ice cubes. I thought that was what it was mainly for...making smoothies. Anyway, I opted for a Sunbeam 3-speed for about half the price of a Bullet, and the Sunbeam has 500 Watts of power. Plenty to make good Protein drinks, even with ice cubes. I think the little food chopper would be nice for food, though, because it is a pain to try to get a small amount of pureed food out of the blender. I'd say your choice might be based on how much you will use a blender or Bullet in the future. If you won't be pureeing food, a blender would probably be the best long-term investment. It will be stronger and if you are making smoothies for the twins, there's plenty of room in the blender for a big batch. It's a thought, anyway. By the way, I'm a twin, too. It's a special bond!

Congratulations on hitting your goal. It's a bummer that you don't feel well, but don't let it get you down. You Rock!

AutumnLeaf, I like your sense of determination. Your doctor sounds more expensive than most US doctors that I've heard of. I'm in California where you'd expect it to be more expensive, but mine is about $15,000. I think other states are even less. Happy Day that your insurance picks up most of the tab. Good luck as you start through all the pre-op stuff. It takes a lot of time, but it gives you the assurance you are healthy enough to do this and it gives you a chance to learn more about it as you prepare. Best of Luck!

AutumnLeaf, I

I think I should be starting a new thread because my questions don't have to do with diet, but I can't figure out how, so here goes with another line of questioning... Re: Lap Band Slippage I am scheduled for my Lap Band surgery in a couple of weeks. Right now I have bronchitis and a bad cough. I had whooping cough as a child and now whenever I start to get a cold, it goes to my chest. When I cough, it is deep and powerful, and I want to know if anyone else has had this problem. Could it cause band slippage? For that matter, how do you know when your band has slipped? Is it painful? Can you feel it? Or is it something that has to be checked with ultrasound? I have heard of band erosion, too, as I have been trying to find out about band slippage. What's that all about? Sounds serious to me! I'm really excited about getting banded, but after having a coughing fit a while ago, I began to wonder if this is really right for me. Can anyone help me?

I am scheduled for my Lap-Band surgery in a couple of weeks. Right now I have bronchitis and a bad cough. I had whooping cough as a child and now whenever I start to get a cold, it goes to my chest. When I cough, it is deep and powerful, and I want to know if anyone else has had this problem. Could it cause band slippage? For that matter, how do you know when your band has slipped? Is it painful? Can you feel it? Or is it something that has to be checked with ultrasound? I have heard of band erosion, too, as I have been trying to find out about band slippage. What's that all about? Sounds serious to me! I'm really excited about getting banded, but after having a coughing fit a while ago, I began to wonder if this is really right for me. Can anyone help me? Thanks.....