lotsofkids

i app0riceioate your tyouthts , I am curently haveibng troubel to typping band getting my wt hatr8i uprgreadinllll * w8oo oet y9ou see jy reao tyr- (I will let you see my real typing without a million backspacing strokes!) 'Right now, I can't get my ticker to show the wt changes ....help me out ...my cognitive funtion is challenging me LOL Big hugs.....and smiles....Diane

but ....hmmm....I think I might be seeing double ....LOL You're doing great...keep it up! hugs...diane : )

hopefully you will lose more than your sister as you will value your band and waited so long to get it. It must be very hard for all of you self payers to read this thread....as you suffered with your wt and with your wallets! warm wishes to you and best of success in your journey. smiles...diane : )

Go to www.tickerfactory.com to make yourself a tracker! So sorry about your bp'ing...glad to see you here with us! I assume you are recently banded, as you just got your first fill. I was filled one day prior to you and I don't feel very much restriction...but I am eating less and not feeling hungry at all.....so it is working just the way I was hoping! smiles....diane : )

Just checking in with you guys. I was banded May 23rd (my 1st mo anniversary was yesterday and I'm down 15 lbs) I was scheduled for my first fill June 19th...then I postponed it to July because of my pericarditis problem....but when I started feeling better....I asked for my June 19th appointment back....and YES, I got it....and was filled with my first fill on this past Tuesday....only 1.4cc. Doc said the .4 will be in the tube...and only 1cc will be in the band. WOW...I don't feel very restricted...but....the amazing thing is I have a total loss of appetite. I eat much smaller amounts and I really do feel satisfied! Prior to the fill, I was eating anything....and sometimes probably more than I should have. Hope everyone is enjoying their band. If feel so blessed to have this exciting chance of finally really breaking my wt problem for good. smiles and hugs to all.....diane : )

I started out as a lower BMI of only 35 w/co morbidities. I told the doc today at my 1st fill appointment....I believe my choice to have this surgery has saved my life. I was spiraling downward in my health and I personally did not tolerate the stresses of overwtness very well. It was a no-brainer that I needed to intervene or look forward to a heart attack in my future. My DH is a physician.....said some people much heavier than me....may have carried a stocky frame and have adapted ...they can tolerate the wt better. For me.....my construction...I put on wt later in life....and it seemed to be a big stress with cronic shortness of breath, apnea, hypertension etc... So whether the numbers say you qualify or not.....you clearly know how you feel and if this wt is going to effect your overall health. I am sure this was a lifesaver for me....my dad had a major heart attack at only 42 and my mom dropped dead of one at age 61. It was only a matter of time before I would follow suit. I didn't need to jump into the 40+ BMI's.....I might not have even survived getting to that wt...LOL My apnea already went from mild to severe (and wrecking havoc on my daily life) I was starting to get pre-hypertensive....and I was found to have fatty liver ds. I started out at only 228.....I am now 197 and melting.....This surgery meant survival!....for me! and I am sooooo grateful to have had the opportunity to get a chance to change my course. If it is medically indicated........the Insurance Companies should pay....regardless of the numbers! wishing you all good health.....diane : )

I have seen your postings before and I must say you are an inspiration for a lot of folks here. You have accomplished what many have tried and failed before you. Losing wt the 'ol fashioned way! There are a lot of people visiting this site who are looking for answers and may be turned down for surgery or just afraid to go ahead with the surgery. I hope they see some of your posts and at least try to get the mental stamina to overcome their wt issues. And yes, we are all fallible...I may speak of high manners and morals...but of course, I have dirt in my history that I am not proud of. But now that I am older and wiser....I feel as an adult...I do have a responsibility and an obligation to try much harder to "do the right thing" and keep my little corner (and my concious) clean. It is a life journey and struggle to seek to better one's self on a daily basis. Bottom line on this subject......I feel if a reputible Doctor...finds that the surgery should improve your health and that if the benefit of surgery outweighs the risks for you personally....then the insurance companies should be pressured to help you to achieve better overall health. It would be in their long-term interests as well. This supercedes any numbers or cutoff requirements. It should be up to the doctor if he feels you can obtain a healthier life with the surgery. Now, maybe the Insurance companies can ask for a second opinion through their own doctors so that there will be some checks and balances and that it is being done for the right reasons. Or they can ask that you be under the care of a doctor for 6 or 12 months prior...etc...They can smooth out all those fine details to eliminate abuse...but if a reputable doctor says this surgery will help you to be healthier.....and you pay and have a current inforce insurance policy....then "I" feel it is UNETHICAL for the insurance companies to deny you a healthier life. Now, they can set high co-pays and upfront costs for this type of surgery ...but those are the minor issues. They should pay if a doctor feels you need it. Whew....now I will take a breath. I hope everyone has the opportunity to better their health. hugs and smiles....Diane : )

There will always be shades of gray!!!....however blatent lies for insurance purposes is not my cup of tea and not what I want to teach my children. I do feel that it is dangerous to view this surgery lightly and as a cosmetic procedure for the general public to just elect as with having botox or other cosmetic surgery. There are definate risks and post surgery behavior that must be adhered to. JQ Public is not always informed or ready to put in the full efforts required. My husband is a physician....and was totally unsupportive in my decision to have myself banded. He was thinking long term for my ultimate health and what complications could come from my decision. Of course.....I was doing all my research and speaking very candidly with the doctor/surgeon.....and only because the doctor believed that I would and could benefit greatly from the surgery and that I was a good candidate (no metabolic syndrome problems etc)...... that I continued to pursue the matter. My husband is slowly getting on board...as he can see that I am taking my health seriously and not expecting the band to do the work for me. I knew I had to intervene if I wanted to be around for the future.My BMI was 35...but with 2 co-morbidites (including a horrid sleep apnea that was ruining my health) I was lucky the insurance approved me...but if they had not....I probably would not have pursued the band...as we have too many financial burdens going on....but I would have continued to try to lose wt the "ol fashioned way......I had already lost 14 lbs from the time was measured with the bariatric program and was going through all the testing till the time I went in for surgery. Now, I have lost an additional 14 with the first month of my band....and hopefully many more to lose! There are many tests that are performed before you are accepted to have this surgery....they are all for your benefit and to reduce the risks of serious complications. The bariatric nurse......who had roux-en-y gastric bybass 8 yrs ago......had a massive heart attack one week post surgery.....and she could have died! Luckily, she recovered and was able to lose 160 pounds....and she has been an advocate for total awareness of the risks and benefits of bariatric surgery. She still says....it is a daily struggle and she must work at not slipping back into bad habits. For anyone who is stuck in a rut....and has tried and failed over and over....then it might be time for a life-preserver called Lapband Surgery. But that is a personal journey and must be an informed choice. We know ourselves and where our health is going or not going. We must take an active role if we are to succeed. I am glad that I pushed forward without the blessings of my husband....as I think this surgery will have saved my life and most definately have improved it's quality....let alone I feel I am already walking taller and seeing my confidence increase! But if people are still going to live at drive through....fast food chains and slouch in the sofa for hours on end......then ask for a surgery to right all the wrongs.....I think it would be unethical for the doctor to accept this type of person as a patient. An informed and motivated patient....that has been tested to rule out any other problems that could be harmful......should be able to have access to surgery....if a qualified doctor believes they will be able to improve their health...regardless of #'s called BMI or scales....if a doc feels the benefit outweighs the risk for you....then you should be able to follow through with surgery. If an insurance co doesn't want to pay....well.....hey....take a mortgage on your home......you might live longer to see it all paid off! Yes it is expensive....but it is the price of a quality car....and I think much more important in the long run. Smiles....diane : )

Wheetsin.......I think most of us are just enjoying an interesting thread.....it makes us scratch our heads...and also realize that there are many roads leading to a lapband. I think the most important thing we must all remember in the end....is once we are lucky enough to be banded.....albeit, insurance...vs self pay vs Mexico...or whatever...is that we use this opportunity to succeed and not cheat "ourselves" with french fries or icecream or whatever bad habits we found challenging! And hopefully we will all rally together here for great support and results. I personally think this is a super thread.... thanks Wheets! Pass the cyber chocolates.....(my err....um....bad habit LOL) smiles...diane : )

In General.......peoples behavior reflects a trend in how they view life. Does the system owe me something? vs the rule follower. Of course being desperately overwt can be pretty compelling so I would not be too hard on someone who NEEDS the surgery.....but if you are someone that always follows the rules and gives back the cashier the excess $5 she mistakenly gave you.....well, I doubt you would fill your pockets with sand and try to cheat the system. On the other hand......many people feel they have paid their dues...and it is within their right to have the insurance company pay for the surgery. Who is right? and who is wrong? I dare not make that judgement.....it is your own personal comfort zone and what you are willing to live with within your concious. (but I would be disappointed if it were only a cosmetic issue and someone is causing my insurance rates to increase by their actions) If your doctor feels you are a solid candidate and might benefit greatly from a lapband but the insurance company doesn't want to pay.....then how do you view things? It is a tough call......personally.....I don't blame anyone...but I do feel that I must try daily to be an example for my children. They are a mirror of their parents......and I would not want them to ever see me stretching the truth for any reason.....it is my duty and responsibility to raise them within such standards...and hope they will take the higher road during their lifetime. Ok...I just stepped off the soapbox (oops....watch out....the first step is a doozey! LOL) smiles....diane : )

has to be my hardest obstacle. I love to drink with my meals.....lately, I have been trying to get used to no drinks or just baby sips if needed....but I understand your frustration....it is really hard to change our eating habits. Hopefully, we will get used to it....as it is for our benefit not to wash away the food into the main stomach and lose the fullness feeling in our pouch which we went to great lengths to get in the first place!!!! big hugs....and small sips.....LOL....Diane : )

"I needed that kind of support from a bra!!!!!!" LOL.....smiles.....Diane : )

You've started the journey of a 1000 miles! I keep looking long term.......I can't wait to see the 6 month point and where that puts me! I am a November B-day....so hopefully I'll be giving myself a nice gift! You made 21 days so far......in 6 months it'll be another 160 days....(big smiles) Keep up the good spirits.....attitude is half the battle.......and the other half...well....we know our weakness areas.....so hopefully, we will gather support and intervention from our fellow May bandsters here! smiles to all.....Diane

Just checking in......after my bout with Pericarditis and 5 days in the hospital. Feeling a bit weak....but happy to be home and able to take a shower when I feel the need.....(life's little pleasures) My lapband is doing great....in fact I can pretty much eat anything.....I just burp more than before.....yikes. I pushed my fill date from june 19th to July 8th....to give my body a needed rest. Even though my heart wishes I kept the original appointment...but it was a wise move considering all the stress I have just been through. I do miss drinking liquids while eating....that will be my challenge....I'm sure!!! Well.....big hugs and smiles to my May bandsters......TTYL.....Diane : )

:clap2: and welcome EV22......I too was banded on May 23rd! Glad to see you found us here.....it's a great bunch....please pop in often and share your success! big hugs and smiles...diane : )

And all those well wishes! Trip2bme I have been following your posts and I am very proud of you.....you will be "looking good" wayyyyy ahead of us! Keep it up! Mvpo8961 thanks so much for the soup.....I will have some in "your honor" today! MarcyD Glad to hear all is going well.....excersising and down 23lbs....our next poster girl! LOL chrisgtl get your physician's office involved.....they can petition the need for your rest as medically indicated do to other factors....then the insurance company can't bully you around. I hope you can get the extra rest. BTW....I am went from achy tummy to really not at all aware that I even had the surgery.....You will feel better soon..I hope. 3loves you seem to always be there for me! Big hugs....and eventually...down the line...WE Will hug each other ....or "less of each other" in a real place! Let's all recover and lose wt....so we'll make that a grand appearance and meet-up. kim2bhealthy great to see you Kim....and glad you are OK.....not only the Iron rich foods...but do eat green veggies...like string Beans...etc....to help your body "absorb" the iron from the iron rich foods. Of course....red meats and liver...come to mind...but not so much to be appetizing with a new band.....check with your Protein drinks and choose a brand with heavier iron content. I too suffer Restless legs Syndrome......not only a lack of potassium...but low magnesium can trigger a worse episode for me. Try to add the both....and if you still suffer.....then I also take requip ....which really has helped me quite a bit. Ask your doc about the requip.....it has made a major difference for me. justduckie Wow...your first fill....how exciting!...Guess it'll all be a piece of cake from now on. : ) CLOE so sorry to hear all your troubles......glad you know to slow down. It must be pretty frightening to be going through a pb.....I hope they will be your only ones! Each of us...need to be very intune with what our bodies need and not to be in a hurry to see the wt drop.....it will drop and we will get to where we want to be....but with patience and wisdom. It certainly took a lifetime to pack it all on! Big hugs to all you Maysters! Happy to be associated with such a nice group. Diane : )

Glad to see everyone is doing well and progressing nicely. Well, for me.......I just spent 5 glorious days in the Cardiac Care Unit...for Pericarditis (imflamation and Fluid around the heart) I went to the ER on Thursday night.....they wanted to admit me then...but I started feeling better and told them I would follow-up with the Cardiologist on Friday. Well, Friday I was 50/50.....but I started deteriorating by Saturday and ....by Sunday the pain and difficulty breathing was just unbearable. I woke up in tears....and went directly the the Hospital where the EKG and Echo showed significant increase in the fluid around the heart and ALSO in my left lung! They surgically put in a catheter to drain the fluid and removed 500cc (half a liter of fluid around my heart!!!!!) then I went into rapid heart beats so they put me on beta-blocker meds. I got 4 cortizone injections into the pericardial membrane and high doses of anti-inflamatory drugs. My Iron is low....my white count was over 23,000 .... my sed rate in the 130's and I had a high ANA) positive anti-nuclear marker. I also had a positive mycoplasma....so it could have been mycoplasma pericarditis????? Not, that I really know or understand what I just wrote.....except...it was an acute inflamatory pericarditis.....either caused by a virus (I had a bad flu a week prior to my banding)...or....it could be a connective tissue disease....they are waiting for all the blood work to make a final decision. It is possible that it could be an inflamation from systemic lupus. Well, I got home at 8pm thursday....(was admitted 11am on Sunday)...so a forced R+R was on my menu! As for my lap-band....I am feeling great and I was eating and enjoying soft hospital food during my stay. The Bariatric Doc from the hospital I was in...came and visited me a couple of times and sent his nutritionalists in to visit me and see if I had any questions....all in all....everyone tried their best to keep me comfortable. I am very, very tired and will need to rest for a week or two....and just chill out for a while. It was too much drama for me....so now to slow down.....I even canceled my 1st fill date of June 19th....and pushed it later on.....for July 9th (I think)...figured...no reason to rush....my body doesn't need any more stresses or strains. Sorry for the long soap box....but...this is an example that....if you feel something is not right.......regardless.....go and have it checked out professionally. big hugs and smiles to you all.....Diane : )

I'm still having a lot of pain in my shoulder and discomfort breathing......from this heart inflamation......my lapband is the least of my worries...that is doing just great. When it rains....it pours... :girl_hug: hugs....diane

I found my way over....but 3lv's....your link didn't work.....I left another link for everyone...so hopefully, they can find their way here. hugs....diane : )

you have to cut and paste it into a new address page. diane : )

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=19312 I wanted to post as the above link from 3lv's didn't work.....hopefully, this one will bring you all there. smiles...diane : )

As long as people know where to go to keep this great thread going! May Bandsters.....continued...part 2 June May Bandsters.....continued...part 3 July May Bandsters.....continued...part 4 August smiles...diane

I was seen in the Cardiologist's office today and we did another EKG......showed exactly the same results....an acute pericarditis. He said it was most likey caused by a virus. I did have a nasty flu 3 weeks ago...and that was my culprit...according to the Doc. Pericarditis is an inflamation of the heart and causes fluid build-up....it can take 4 -6 weeks to fully get back to normal. But is treated with high doses of anti-inflamatory meds.....no rocket science. LOL My tummy is feeling much better and I am able to eat table foods in small amounts. But the heart inflamation seems to dull my appetite....so I am not really hungry yet (that could be a good thing ; ) thanks for sticking it out with me......I appreciate everyone's support. big smiles....Diane : )

It is 3am and I just got back from the Emergency room........turns out my hubby was right on the mark.....I had an abnormal EKG and the dx was peri-carditis.....(fluid buildup around the heart) which gives the pressure and pain in both the chest and left shoulder...but not a heart attack...thank God. They gave me some IV meds, an anti-iflamatory and reduced my BP with another drug. My hubby gave my Nitroglycerin just prior to going to the ER. All in all....I am feeling much better and will now follow up with the Cardiologist and continue with anti-inflamatory meds. My hubby said this can happen 9-10 days post surgery.....and I was exactly 9 days post! Kudos to him. I wanted to post this.....for others to see...and do seek medical help if your sx's persist. And 3 lv's....a port placement topic would certainly be interesting......sort of "are you an inny or an outy" LOL Hmmm.....we could start out with....."Righty, Lefty or Centered" Or....Do you know where your port is?....or how about are you Starboard or Port? smiles...Diane : )

that's encouraging......I have heard many speak of shoulder pain.....so maybe I am getting ahead of myself. Congrats on the wt loss! Can't wait to see what your second month shows on the scale....you skinny thing! smiles back at ya..... diane : )