RestlessMonkey

I don't know any docs in Indiana; but why don't you 1. check with your insurance to find in-network surgeons 2. check a phone book and/or 3. google "lap band surgeons in Indiana" or whatever your city is? If you can't find "lap band" try "Bariatric".

I am not an insurance agent (you'd need to call an independent agent, I'd think, to get coverage) but the facts as I know them are this: 1. It is VERY hard for obese people to get insurance without paying a small fortune, unless you get it as part of a group (ie an employer) and 2. many personal policies (like just buying it on your own0 DO NOT cover weight loss surgery. In fact, not all insurance through employers etc cover lap band surgery.

Just curious, why would she always be subject to fluctuations of weight? Not everyone retains water and some who are obese, once they lose, are not as prone to the fluctuations. ? And usually those that do fluctuate can track it to either hormonal issues or excess salt...or exercise/heat.

Many people either don't lose or gain until they have good restriction and many docs will NOT do aggressive fills (mine's one of them) because of reports of severe issues like esophageal spasms etc. I think you need to just chill, honestly. The band is a process and for some of us it's slower than others. Just try to make healthy choices, watch your portions, and let it happen. My doc won't do a fill any sooner than 4 weeks apart either. It took me 5 fills to get restriction of any sort.

Check with your surgeon, that's safest.

Honestly I am a firm believer in therapy. You are a "new" person. You may need to grieve the loss of the "old" you (it's not that uncommon) and find things to love about the new you. A good therapist can help you navigate those murky waters. I too am happier and feel better and more like "me" with each pound I drop, but I can understand how you feel very different now and aren't familiar with "yourself". Get some help if you can; what a great problem to have! Many people who have this issue face it because of something sad like losing a limb or suffering burns and scars etc; but the essence is the same. You aren't who you were and the new you isn't a familiar long-lost friend but a foreigner. Therapy will help you love the new you.

I lost 32 pounds in 5 1/2 weeks following my doc's preop diet so yes you CAN lose 30 by August. I had to follow a high protein low fat low carb diet and the weight fell off. My doc, though, is adamant about only 3 meals a day and no snacks! funny how different they all are

According to what's in my docs office you are too tight. You have to take small small bites and chew well. A small amount (a cup or so) should "satisfy" you for up to 5-6 hours (as the food slowly trickles from your pouch through your band to your "lower" stomach) If you ARE taking small bites and chewing well, not drinking during meals, and still can only eat oatmeal, you're too tight.

How lucky you are! I had to do a preop diet for 3 weeks! And I cheated and so had to do it another 2 1/2 (even though I'd lost 15 pounds) It's hard but it isn't for long; and to be honest post op it is vital you follow docs orders which will probably entail more "liquid diet" while you heal. Hang in there and keep your eye on the goal; it's just a short time in a long life!

It's an "incentive spirometer"....or at least that's what we call it here in the USA. You inhale and it keeps your lungs clear, and prevents the development of pneumonia, post op. If you don't have one, buy a bag of balloons and blow up balloons (about 5 balloons, every hour or two) until this passes. Blowing up the balloons will require deep breathing and help clear, and keep clear, your lungs. Once the balloon you are using gets stretched out and doesn't resist, toss it and get a new one If it doesn't get better in a day or so, or if you develop a fever, call your doc.

I think once you exhaust insurance and/or paying for it yourself (either by saving or financing) you're pretty much out of luck. Maybe your situation will change soon.

They are the ones who will approve/pay for your surgery. Someone there has to know what that entails. Call back and get a supervisor/manager; demand someone who knows what's required and can help you.

You are safest to call your insurer. An insurance company can offer many different policies/provisions within each state so your BCBS may not be your neighbor's. Call them and find out exactly what YOU need to do.

I'm 54 and it NEVER occurred to me I was too old for the Lap Band. What did occur was that I am too old to stay fat and live much longer. You don't see many morbidly obese people in their 70's and 80's.

My doctor, when I told him I wanted a low profile port (I have the lap AP band) very delicately told me this: "It can be a challenge to find the port in many patients, until they've lost a substantial amount of weight. If you need a low profile port because the old one sticks out I can do that for you quickly and fairly easily, and will gladly do so" LOL So keep that in mind! OH and no, he placed my port about 2 " below my left breast and I forget it is there. My bra doesn't hit it, it doesn't hurt, I can't ever feel it (although I do NOT lie around mashing myself!) it's a non-issue right now. Otherwise here's a website that contrasts/compares them: Compare Adjustable Gastric Bands - LAP-BAND vs. REALIZE Band

Actually I can think of one reason more people=higher percentage of slipping, and that is that more people (and YOUNGER people) with less to lose are getting the band, (the infamous band mills, for example) ANYONE who gets banded and doesn't scrupulously follow the post op diet (as recommended by Lap Band) is more at risk for slips. I am NOT saying all slips are the fault of the patient. BUT statistics are great only to a point. Since we don't have the source of wasabubble's data (again am not implying you are lying because I am sure you aren't, Wasa!) it's impossible to judge the validity, or whether that figure is even germain to this discussion. The upshot is, all surgery carries risks. Even "dieting" carries risks. Remaining obese carries risks. We all have to make our own best choices.

Each doc is different regarding caffeine. Mine had it on the "no way" list but when I asked I was told it's because it is an appetite stimulant TO SOME! (get that...TO SOME. For some it is an appetite suppressant!) I've had 1 cup of coffee a day, and caffeinated sugar free tee (about a quart a day) for YEARS. I am still "indulging" and am fine. The thing is, if you put cream and sugar or so on in your coffee, the empty calories are a waste. So ask your surgeon WHY he has coffee on the "don'ts" list and use your judgment. I will say, though, that I didn't have coffee for my pre and post op times; all told about 3 months. I didn't need to wean, either (no headache or withdrawal; I guess my body is meant for caffeine LOL) but I gave it that long while I healed.

The early times are for healing. If you lose fine, but that's not the point. Many don't start losing until they get adequate fills that 1 cup of food will fill them up and keep them full for up to 5-6 hours. You are expecting way too much and being way too hard on yourself.

How long can you maintain (house etc, cutting back but still having your life) if you DONT cancel the surgery? I'd have to look at that; and what are the chances your husband will find a new job soon? How long has he been looking? And would your surgery money really "save the day" or just delay the inevitible (ie moving in w/family or whatever) for a while? The lap band can improve your health and, quite frankly, your employ-ability (employers aren't supposed to discriminate against fat people, but it's human nature to go with the thinner person)... I agree only you and your husband can decide, but what if he'd lost his job the week AFTER your surgery; what would you have done then? I don't think it's awful for you to think of proceeding with it; I think you just need to weigh all your options.

Of course you can lose on very low calorie; aside from bypass patients (or other WLS patients, other than banding) think of prisoners of war, or concentration camp victims. Your body may temporarily try to not lose but it is GOING to happen if you don't get fuel. "Starvation mode" is bandied about quite a bit on weight loss sites but if you consistently eat very low calories (below what your body needs to just survive) you WILL lose. Of course, not eating (or consuming only very low calories) isn't healthy, and your energy level may be low, but you WILL lose weight.

My port is high enough that if I were constipated and that caused me port pain, I'd be a medical marvel! LOL :frown: Not everyone has a sensitive port, but even if you do.... Pain that gets worse as she described isn't normal and should be checked out.

DO NOT eat ahead of your post op diet!!! That's the road to band slippage! Yes it's probably too much salt and water retention. Many of us need to keep our salt low (under 2000 mg/day) and a can or two of tomato soup can blow that out of the water. Besides you're supposed to be HEALING right now. Give your body a chance to let this work! You need to discuss your concerns and so on with your surgeon. This isn't a quick fix; it's not bypass. Talk to him and see what the plan is for you.

I'm not sure I exactly understand what you want here; you mean your surgeon said if you don't want back surgery, to lose weight and that would help your pain? IF your back pain is caused by obesity and you are successful at losing with the lap band, then yes it will help your pain. If your pain is caused by some other issue and your weight just makes it worse, then it may not help. AND lap band surgery requires diet and exercise to work; you have to watch what you eat, exercise etc for the weight to come off. If you just want lap band surgery to fix your back, I think you may need to look into it (and other options) a little deeper...unless I misunderstand your post?

If you do go to Mexico to get surgery (and people do) just make SURE you either 1. have the time and funds to go back frequently, at least the first year, for fills and checkups or 2. line up aftercare locally. I've learned that aftercare (especially that pesky fill level) is VITAL to the success of the band. Getting it and no fills would be like buying a car but not being able to get gas for it. It won't do much for you if it doesn't run! :frown: Many many surgeons will not take on patients that they did not initially band so aftercare is a problem for Mexico bandsters. (or actually anyone banded anywhere away from home, here in the USA. You could go the next state over and still have issues locally; surgeons don't like to treat people who were not their patients originally. I guess they don't like dealing with someone else's problem.)

good luck! And follow your post op diet to the letter! You'll heal well that way!