pinkxx88

Hi, I am new here, have not been banded but thinking about it. It is encouraging to see people close to my age going through this, I am 53. I have 3 questions. 1. Have any of you had to have a stress test prior to surgery. I am scared of this because I know I won't last on the tread mill. Someone I know said that they could not do the treadmill so they injected them with something that made their heart race and said it was horrible. 2. If you have to be on a liquid diet prior to surgery, how do you manage that. It is a long time to be without food. How hard is it? I am afraid I will not be able to stay on it and blow my surgery date. 3. Are the risks with this surgery higher for the over 50 age group? Thanks everyone. Diane

I struggle with this...I was banded in May 2009 and have lost 63 of my 110 pound goal, a bit over half way. I have had 4 fills in realize band. After the last fill in November, I felt I hit the sweet spot so did not get a fill at the end of December. My weight is up and down the same 4 pounds. I do get stuck daily, but only when I eat too fast or too big of a bite, then I PB. This happens daily as I eat too fast...why...because I am hungry! I am scheduled for a fill next week and am debating. I do not think I am at my sweet spot because I can eat quite a bit and not feel full. 1-2 hours after eating I am hungry. What do you all think? Small fill or not? I am apt to go have this because I do not feel restriction, only stuck when I eat too fast or the wrong food.

Hi, I had my 3rd fill two weeks ago and have little restriction. I do get stuck often, which leads me to eat less, but I am still hungry. I am hoping with my next fill I will reach my sweet spot. I do have some questions, though. What is the difference between stuck and restricted? When you get stuck, what actually happens? Should we want to get stuck so food stays in the pouch. What keeps the food in the pouch, if it is too big, it would get stuck, which is what we want so the pouch stays full? It confuses me. I know we have the pouch so it fills up and food stays in there and we eat less, but what keeps the food in, a small opening, therefore stuck. I do not mean to go on and on, but I do not understand the difference between stuck and restricted. I really feel stupid at times. Thanks.

I was told that if you don't loose most of the weight you are striving for by the 8 month mark, chances are not good for you to reach your goal weight. Any Truth in this. I had surgery at the end of May, want to loose 130 and have only lost 47. I had two fills, have very little restriction. I am going to keep going, but weight loss is VERY slow....less than 1 pound per week. Can anyone out there let me know how long it took to get to your goal weight?

Thanks for the replies....I got this information from a nurse and someone who knew someone who got the band. Another person I know, who had bypass, also told me this. I am hanging in there and look forward to getting to my sweet spot. thanks everyone.

I had different insurance when I had my surgery, which covered the lap band surgery. Shortly after my surgery, my husbands company changed insurance companies (to Health Assurance) and they do not cover the surgery, nor do they cover the fills. Has anyone had to appeal the fills, and if so, how can I do it? Thanks.

I was able to have my lap band surgery before my husband's insurance changed to Health Assurance in PA. His previous insurance covered most of my lap surgery which was done on May 27, 2009. On June 1st, his insurance changed and Health Assurance will not cover lap band fills. Can anyone help me to appeal this? I contacted the insurance and they said I can write a letter to appeal, but I have no idea what to include. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Since my surgery, we have switched insurance companies. They do not pay for fills. I can appeal this. Any idea where I can go for help in writing this appeal? Thanks.

Thanks everyone for answering. I figured it had something to do with weight loss and the surgery. Just when you think you are done, it's BACK. Thankfully, it only appears to be spotting for now and I hope that is the end. We shall see.

Hi Everyone, I was banded on May 27th and things have been going well. I am through menopause, or so I thought. I have not had a period for a year and a half. Yesterday, I had a small amount of spotting?? I wondered if this has happened to anyone else. I am going to call my family Dr. tomorrow, but just wondered if this is something that happens? Thanks.

Hi, I was on a clear liquid diet after my May 27th surgery until today. I am now on mushies and boy does it taste good. Going real slow. Had 1/4 cup of tuna for lunch with some low fat mayo, and did well. I had one scrambled egg with 1/2 cup of yougart and for a snack had a cup of homemade tomato soup. So far, so good. What is everyone else eating?

Hi, I was banded the day before you, and as of Monday, I was feeling much better, too. The surgery pain was not too bad, it was the gas. It eventually went away after 4-5 days and then I started to feel better. The other bad thing is my skin from the bandages....OUCH! My incisions look really good, but the skin around them is red and extremely sore. I have now waited until I am in the shower for 5 minutes or more to take them off....OWWWW. Hope this gets better. I walked for 3 blocks today, and it felt good. My weight is now down 21 pounds prior to surgery. YAHOO! Tomorrow I am allowed to start mushies, I can't wait! Hope everyone else is doing well.

Hi Everyone, I just got banded on May 27, everything is going well. I have a question about eating dinner out. Next weekend is my birthday and my wonderful and very supportive husband wants to take me out for dinner. At that point I will be on pureed and blended food. I wondered what would be a good choice to order. We are thinking about Red Lobster where I could order fish. Any other suggestions? Thanks.

Thanks, that's a great idea!

Thanks, I know everyone is different. I also know you have to give your new stomach time to adjust, but how can you recover quickly when you have nothing to help. I know I won't starve, but I don't think 290 calories is enough to help me heal. I will let you know what the nutritionist said. Thanks.

Hi, I was also banded on May 27, went well. My only problem that started yesterday was gas, it hurts. Have been walking but it is still there. I am sure time will cure! Good luck to you!

Hi, I was banded the day before you, May 27th. Surgery went well, stayed overnight. I did not get any pain meds, I was afraid of getting sick from them. The only problem right now is that I am weak, probably due to lack of calories. I am on clear fluids. I am only getting about 290 and I am to stay on this for a week? I am calling the nutritionist tomorrow to see what else I can have. The other problem that started yesterday was bad gas. I wonder how to get rid of it, have been walking but still bad gas pains in stomach and between shoulders. Good luck to all the May banders!

Hi Everyone, I am being banded tomorrow, really scared and nervous. At the risk of sounding stupid, what is a PB? Thanks.

HI, I was reading posts, since I have Great West Healthcare insurance. I have had all my consults and now we go to the insurance. Did they require anything like 6 months of medically approved diet? Thanks.

You are an inspiration to me...I will be having lap band in the next month or so....scared to death to do it, more scared not to do it. I am 53, this a chance for a new life for me. Thanks!

Hi, I am new, have not been banded yet. I have a meeting scheduled on March 9th with Dr. Bono. He is 75 miles away, I could have gone to Geisinger, but I sent them 2 referrals and they never called me. I was curious to see if anyone has used Dr. Bono. Thanks.

Hi, Are you still having your procedure this month? I have my first appointment with Dr. Bono next Thursday. What tests have you had to have done? Thanks.

HI and thanks for responding. I am sorry about your life changes, I know you will continue on with the weight loss. I am looking forward to the challenge, but not the tests...I hate tests, I always feel like the people doing them are so impersonal and cold and I always think they will find something wrong (paranoid, I guess). I will also continue to use this wonderful board for support and information. Please keep me posted.

Hi Everyone, I am going to attend the information session with Dr. Bono on March 9th. I wondered if any of you have had the surgery yet or the testing and how long you had to wait for the surgery. Also, how did the tests go, I hate tests, but realize you have to have them. Can any of you walk me through this? Thanks.

hi Everyone, I an new here, have not been banded yet, but I am thinking about it. I will be attending a meeting in Hazleton, PA with Dr. Bono on March 9 and then set up my appointment after that. I was very positive and excited about it, however have some concerns. My first worry is my age, I am 53. I worry about recovery due to my age and complications. I really want this surgery, for longevity and to stop my back and hip from aching. I want to play with my grandchildren. My BMI is 45, the highest it has ever been. I have always been overweight, but this is the most. I am attributing this to menapause and I quit smoking this past July after a 30+ year habit. Today, I have more reservations as I have been reading of people on this site who have failure. Slippage, erosion and blocked as well as other things, I am wondering if this is for me? Will I be sick all the time? Will all my time be spent throwing up, running to the Dr. and Er? I guess I should read further but just wanted some feedback. Thanks.:tongue2: