RestlessMonkey

I LOVE my band. I feel like it's my partner in my lifelong war on obesity. I feel like FINALLY I have something in my body that's on MY side! :tongue_smilie: Logically, if there are people like me who feel that way, there will be people who HATE it. I grappled with the "do I want something foreign in my body" question before I got it; but we're not all of us equally self aware, frankly. I had years to mull over the band; that may have given me an "edge". I will say it must be absolutely horrid to have a band installed and wish it were gone. That must be miserable; and as judgmental as people can be about getting it, I'm sure they can be as bad about getting rid of it.

My Thiamine (B1) and D were both fine, but on the "low" side. Of course, I was taking a great multi, so that's probably why they weren't "low". Anyway they told me to supplement them and I have, it's NBD. B12 deficiency, I think, occurs more often in older people and in bypass patients. My doc recommends we take it but what a pain in the neck to sit and wait for the darn thing to dissolve...without swallowing! BORING! LOL I'm glad my levels are good.

Sounds to me like you need a fill. I don't know about you but it took me quite a few fills to finally find out what they meant by "restriction". Good luck!

many surgeon's offices have flyers or info on credit companies that will finance the band. However in these economic times I've heard that you need a good credit score to qualify (700 or above?) because the loan is essentially unsecured. Some people take out another mortgage. I WAS going to put mine on a low interest credit card but ins came through. I will say, since you'll be paying, SHOP AROUND. Prices (and what your price covers) varies widely. Some surgeons just cover surgery, some fills and follow up care for life. So be a prudent shopper; you may save yourself thousands that way. (Less expensive doesn't necessarily mean bad, either, at least not in this instance. You just have to do your homework) Good luck!

My nutritionist said just make sure pasta and rice are well cooked (no al dente on the pasta) because they both continue to absorb liquid. Since you already heard from your nutritionist, that's best...safest to follow the advice of the pro's YOU have picked to guide you through this. Once you've had your band a while etc. you'll modify to suit. :tongue_smilie:

I cheated on my preop diet the first time and while I still lost 15 pounds, I did NOT get the band; my liver was still too thick. The second time around it was oddly easy to stick to the diet. :tongue_smilie:

As I said, if you want one, get it! I don't. If there's time and I'm unconscious, they'll do x-rays, MRI, something before just cutting into me and if they need to "cut into the port" to save my life (ie no time for x-rays) then I do NOT want them fretting about the band. Save me first; I can always get another band. Personally I don't think it's worth the bother, but as I said, if you want one, buy it!

I think if it worries you, then sure, get one. However since my doc has told me I can take NSAIDS since I'm careful with them,(and frankly a dose or two in an emergent situation won't hurt ANYONE unless you're allergic) I personally don't think I need one.

I'm sorry, I did mine over a year ago with help from someone else and found the tutor afterward. If it doesn't tell you where to post it, then I don't know.

I can't eat and then go to bed, either. I need several hours before. YAY really helps me to not snack! And I never was a "get up at night and eat" person thank goodness or I'd probably have weighed 500+ instead of my 400+. I do Love me my restriction! :thumbup:

Call your doc tomorrow, tell them your symptoms, see what they say.

Your doc should've given you a program but if s/he didn't, join a weight loss group like Weight watchers. How many fills have you had? Fills are the key to successful weight loss. And how much HAVE you lost total? You said "TWO MONTHS I HAVE LOST NOTHING" well what's your total loss?

here's a link to a tutor that should help you: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f5/ticker-tutorial-pictures-41782/

Maybe ya'll should be more picky about your docs? Mine really is a gem...he has been throughout all this. He can't be the only caring, nice bariatric surgeon in North America! :thumbup:

I called it soft drink, for clarity, but in my neck of the woods we usually call them all "coke". :thumbup:

I think you're smart to wait on the fill until you have healed. Good luck to you! :thumbup:

Does the insurance cover lap band surgery? IF it is excluded, you may be out of luck on the fills.

Regardless of how glowing reports are, if you aren't comfortable with a surgeon and his staff, go with your gut. Find another.

Mine's on my left, far enough down to not be bothered by my bra, high enough up not to be bothered by things around my waist.

I say ask your doc.

Oh good grief, you don't believe that do you? I'm generally a live and let live type but while SOME people may not value anything unless "they" pay for it, generally that statement is a bunch of BS. I know you're trying to be upbeat for Greta but to imply that she'll get more out of her surgery because her doc cheated her out of 3.5 k is, well, too much for me.

I had a very strict preop diet (that worked like a charm!) and it included these shakes: EAS Carb Control AdvantEDGE. 2-3 a day. They are low cal, low fat, low carb. (Not the EAS Myoplex). Compare them to the others listed here and pick one that seems right for you. Good luck and hang in there!

There is a forum for doctors and hospitals. You might want to scroll down on the "home" page until you find it and check there. May I say....YOU are getting the surgery. Not that center. If you don't want bypass, don't get bypass. You need to decide which is right for you. (It may be bypass for all I know; but I do know it must be YOUR decision. You'll be living with it) I weighed 405 when I saw my banding surgeon (love the man) and he NEVER tried to steer me one way or the other. He presents several options in his seminar; the customer picks. Then as long as we don't have an issue that he thinks would preclude success, we go for it. I'd find another facility PRONTO, if I were you. If they are this way with you preop, the service is likely to be dismal post op.

Panda don't feel that way...we all have something to contribute and we are all learning still! I WISH the only way we could gain was by milk shakes! That would be too cool! :thumbup:

I could never drink a soft drink again and it would be no big woop. BUT I LOVE BEER. And it hurts me to drink it. I can eat white bread. I can do tequila shots (LOL) I can eat chicken breast. But beer hurts. I have to drink it very very carefully or I get that "swallowed a golf ball" action going on. So...We are ALL DIFFERENT. :thumbup: