ParrotheadCathy

Actually, a large percentage of adults have at least some degree of lactose intolerance! You might buy some LactAid and see if taking that solves the problem. If not, then it's not lactose intolerance. Sounds like an easy rule-out to me, and LactAid is more than likely even available in a store brand version that would be fairly cheap.

I buy my Greek yogurt at Kroger. "Greek Gods Greek Yogurt" It comes with honey in it. I love it!

Pain around your port is going to be unrelated to your eating habits. But, remember that your port it either stitched to muscle (the Lap Band brand port) or crimped onto the muscle with metal crimps (the Realize brand port). If you are exercising in a way that pulls on your abdominal muscles, that can be to blame. I would suggest that you do a couple of things. 1. Cut your all the food on your plate into small bites ... about the size of a nickel. 2. Now it's time to learn how to slow down by taking a bite, putting your fork down, chewing well, swallowing and then and only then should you pick up your fork again. I burp or hiccup once I am full. It's a big "stop eating" sign. Even if you've eaten what you consider less than you want/need, stop. I was not told I could eat a cup of food or 3/4 cup or whatever. I was told a meal should be 3 oz of lean Protein, which is about the size of a deck of cards, a steamed or raw vegetable choice and a single serving of a whole grain carb. So maybe try that instead. I also can burp like nobody's business when I am hungry, so usually my drive home in the evenings is punctuated by "sound effects" LOL.

I heard this comment in a professional discussion about addiction the other day: You can't reason with it and you can't make demands about it. food is an addiction. What you can do is what you've done here. Express to your Mom your concerns about her health and future well-being. Tell her that you want her to be around as a grandmother and great-grandmother instead of as a loving memory shared at a family dinner. Tell her you (and your brothers) will help all you can and that you would like for her to consider the lap band. Explain to her why. Tell her that it's not at all like gastric bypass and that she will still be in control, that the band is a tool to help her lose weight BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY to keep it off. Most of us have been pretty good at losing but really crappy at keeping it off. And it sounds like that's happened to her as well. You might consider talking to your stepdad. Perhaps she's expressed concern about her burgeoning weight to him. And having him on board as part of the support team will be very important as well. His support could make or break the decision for your Mom. And feel free to email me at parr0thd51@aol.com if I can help in any way.

They are young enough to be happy with simple answers. You could probably just tell them that you are getting your tummy fixed and that will satisfy them. Tell them you'll be sore for a few days and won't be able to pick them up but that they can always climb into your lap. A poster on another site tried to give her daugher (who was 6 or maybe 7 at the time) a simple description of what she was having done....only to hear her daughter tell a neighbor (very loudly) "My Mommy had a rubber band put around her tummy so she won't be fat!" My great-granddaugher lives with me. She's 18 months old. She loves to eat whatever I'm eating.....Greek yogurt with honey, Soup, and Kelloggs whole grain crackers are her favorites, LOL. Oh, yeah, and cottage cheese. She sees that carton and after saying 'mmmmmmmm' she opens her mouth.

Kimberly, call Aetna. There should be a customer service phone number on your insurance card. They will need your policy number and they can tell you if you have coverage for weight loss surgery. If you do, ASK some questions: 1. Is there a minimum BMI I must reach? 2. Must my BMI have been at that level for a specific period of time? 3. Do you require a pre-op diet? If yes, for what period of time? 4. What doctors/hospitals/surgery centers are approved for this surgery? If you DO NOT have coverage, pick a surgeon (there are threads on here about surgerons and you can get an idea about different docs in your area). When you go for the first consultation (not seminar), find out what pre-operative testing they require. Then go to your PCP and have him/her make the referrals for those tests and have the results sent to your PCP and have your PCP forward the results to the surgeon. This way, at least all the testing will be covered by insurance. One suggestion -- if a sleep study is required, schedule that as soon as possible! Because it involves spending the night at the doc's facility, the availability is tight. I had a hard time getting an appointment and that actually postponed my surgery by almost 2 weeks.

I would say that everybody on here has made some attempt(s) to lose weight. Lots of us lost and then regained multiple times. So, OF COURSE, it should cause a bit of leave-taking as part of the thought process. Like, "why should this time be any different?" or "why should I think I could finally be successful?" or simply, "why waste my money?" Well, here's my personal truth, and most of the others on here have their own version. I'm down 79 pounds. I have a ways to go but I haven't been this small in about 20 years. In that 20 years, I've dieted and ALWAYS fallen off the wagon, gotten discouraged and given up countless times. And I KNOW BEYOND A SHADOW OF A DOUBT without this band, I would have given up a good while ago and started with the regaining. But after a couple of days of a pity party, I realized my band wasn't letting me eat my misery. Not everybody loses as fast as 2Fly and not everybody is willing to post a picture in a bikini like Jachut ... BUT success is there in the future as long as you are willing to start the journey and use your band for the tool that it is.

After you've healed, it shouldn't be a problem. I was sleeping on my side the same day as surgery and often wake up lying on my stomach....

LOL, that brought a memory back! I'm an AOL user. A few years ago, I was IMing with a friend who lives in Virginia when another instant message popped up -- from an absolute stranger. The message said "Hi, my name is Steve and my dick is pierced" and went on to ask if I was interested in sex with a stranger. After I stopped laughing, I answered him "OUCH". No more messages, LOL.

Most of us (since we were all overweight) had food issues...and ate until we were stuffed. Not full, but stuffed. We don't know any different, so post-banding we have to learn what full really feels like. My doc told me that to first figure it out, eat according to the plan .... 3 oz of lean Protein (looks like the same size as a deck of cards), a steamed or raw vegetable and stop. Then keep track of when I started to feel hungry again. If it was less than 4 hours, I could have a small protein snack but the goals was to get where I didn't get hungry again for 4 housr. As I got more restriction from my band, I've discovered I can now stay satisfied for about 5 hours or so. I normally eat about 3/4 of a cup of food (sometimes a cup or so if Soup or salad is involved). So, knowing that, I went back to how I truly feel. By eating more slowly, I reach a point where I am aware that I am no longer craving the food on my plate and I often leave a little bit behind now. If I should get the hiccups, I know I've gone too far and must stop immediately.

Suzy, my Blue Cross Blue Shield policy had a written exclusion against any weight loss surgery, so I know how you fee! I weighed 284 pounds, had 3 comorbities and my PCP supported my choice 100%. So I went to the first visit, found out what testing had to be done and then called my PCP. He made referrals through BCBP docs for everything i needed, had the results sent to him and he sent on to my surgeon's office. Other than a couple of $25 co-pays, the pre-op testing didn't cost me anything really. Abbemac ... be aware that it is NOT the insurance company who is telling you they won't pay for it. It is the employer who negotiates with the insurance carrier as to what they can provide for a price. So some of us have coverage for WLS and some of us don't. I have BCBS HMO...and a written exclusion put it by my employer and you can't even appeal a written exclusion. But my best friend has BCBS HMO too ... and her policy covers WLS with just a couple of qualifications. But all that testing that you have to do before surgery is pretty much stuff that tests for problems any obese person might suffer, so to go back to your PCP and get referrals to docs for the testing is a very smart thing to do if your policy doesn't cover the surgery.

Remember that your port is either stitched to muscle (Lap Band brand band) or held to the muscle with metal crimps (Realize brand). If you do a repetitious movement that pulls that specific area, it's going to create soreness/pain.

I would call back (chances are you won't get the same person twice) and ask your question again. ASK FOR DETAILS. Find out what their requirements are for approval .... Is there a minimum BMI? Must you have been at that BMI for a certain period of time? Documented weight loss attempts? (This could be as simple as your PCP having in your records that you were trying Weight Watchers or NutriSystem or Jenny Craig or whatever) What do they need to see to approve you. They will have specific requirements, and every policy is different. If they say it isn't covered, ask if there is a written exclusion (somewhere in your policy it could say specifically that there is absolutely no coverage for weight loss surgery) because such a written exclusion cannot be appealed or gotten around. This is a hard one because nobody wants to hear this one. But your policy was decided upon by your employer, not the insurance company. Your employer decided what they are willing to pay for and if there is a written exclusion for WLS, then you are out of luck or self pay. I read a post where someone even called their state insurance commissioner on that and was told a written exclusion is Iron clad.

LAP-BAND There is a list of lap band abbreviations. This can help you read posts! PB = productive burp. If you eat too fast, take too big a bite or don't chew your food well enough, it can (and often does) get stuck. How will you know you're stuck? You'll know. It hurts. Your body's reaction is to produce "slime" to lubricate the esophagus so that HOPEFULLY the stuck food will pass into the stomach. If it doesn't it will come back up. Please note that this is NOT vomiting. Your stomach contents, including stomach acids, do not come back up. Just the food that was stuck. It's a pet peeve for me. I hate it when people say they are vomiting when in fact they are PBing. Frankly, when food gets that stuck, I don't care which way it goes as long as it moves, LOL. After a PB, I recommend not eating for about 10 minutes. Then go ahead and eat but be mindful of the size bites you're taking and make sure you chew them well and don't rush to take the next bite.

Anatomy varies from person to person and affects how much it takes to create enough restriction. I will say, I've never read many positive comments from people who got at fill during surgery .... combined with post-op swelling, so many have problems with being too tight. For me, there was .6cc left in my band after they tested it in the operating room. My last adjustment was an unfill of .2cc. I am holding at 5.8cc.

carolepart -- I'll be 59 in January; my 1st bandiversary is 2/10. No regrets at all; only wish I'd moved forward sooner. As for the cold feet, that's actually pretty common. Most get nervous right before surgery. It's okay! The people who post with problems....you have to remember that a lot of people who have had the surgery are living their lives, succeeding with their weight loss and really haven't found a need to look for something like this board. Throw a problem at them, and they post because they are looking for answers, reassurance they are not alone, etc. I probably wouldn't be here except that I was looking for more information back before I had my surgery -- and I stuck around because I enjoy it. But the squeeky wheel thing certainly applies, LOL. Good luck with your surgery and let us know how you're doing!!

There was a post on here a while back that described the gain/lose yo-yo like this: You are chained to a slot machine. You keep putting quarters in but you never, ever hit the jackpot. NEVER. Sound familiar?? Anybody who questions your choice is probably a bit misinformed about lap band (they know a bit about gastric bypass and that's about it). Don't bother to try and educate them. It's not worth the trouble. They will see soon enough that a lap band isn't a magic potion. Tell them that you are tired of gaining and then losing and then regaining time after time. That you know that yo-yo-cycle is stressing your body. That you know health problems related to obesity are not a matter of "if" but only "when" and that you are doing this for yourself and your health -- NOT for them.

Go for protein first. Protein is more dense than other food so it takes longer to digest, so it makes you feel full longer than other foods as it stays in your pouch longer. Bandster Hell is tough!! We've been there. Once you get to fully solid food and start getting fills, it does get easier.

I believe the brand name is Nectar....a protein powder to mix with clear liquids. Comes in quite a variety of flavors. Ask you doc if it would be an acceptable substitute. Also, GNC sells a variety of protein shakes and will usually let you sample before you buy.

Journal every bite you put in your mouth. You're the only person who will see your food journal so be exactingly honest. If you ate one M&M write it down, basically. Most of the online (free) journaling options will help you track calories. Try to keep it under 1200 calories per day. You may find that you are eating the appropriate volume but not the best food choices. Change your exercise routine around. Change your food around. As long as you stick to the program, the scale will move.

99% of the time a supervised pre-op diet is not the surgeon's requirement but that of the insurance company. I've heard different stories ... (1) that they want you to lose weight so that you are below the qualification level so they don't have to approve you or (2) that they want to see that you have a commitment to the process so that they are not throwing money away.

Another fill would probably be a good thing. Remember that we all have weight fluctuations and you may have simply gotten on the scale when you were up.....monthly cycle, red meat can make you retain Water. Just keep doing what you're doing and it will correct.

I don't have a problem. I eat things like low fat cottage cheese (packed with protein, 12-13 grams in 1/2 cup) and an egg (usually about 7 grams per egg); 3 oz lean meat, usually about 20 grams) with a veggie and sometimes a whole grain carb; about the same at dinner. If I feel I've come up short for the day, 1 oz of low fat cheese is tasty and is 7 grams.

1. Can you feel the device once it's in? You can't feel the band around your stomach. However, if you press down, you can feel your port. But it's not like you walk around with this conscious awareness that your band/port are "in there". 2. Any complications at all? (I know it's different for everyone, but still...) None for me. 3.Ladies: Can you take birth control afterwards? I'm using Yaz right now...will they put me on something different? I'm too old for that issue, LOL BUT no you don't have to change your BCP. You can swallow small pills almost certainly. I can swallow the one pill I do take (to help me stay asleep) and I have taken Tylenol caplets 2 at a time with no problem. 4. Sex: When can you start up again, and is it safe...? For me, a week I guess it was. Maybe don't swing from the chandeliers right away.... 5. Did you experience a lot of vomiting? No nausea post-op. Vomiting is bad for your band. The doc should give you a prescription pre-op so you can have it on hand. Nausea and pain meds, actually. 6. Will you ever be able to eat food? What do you mean, will you "ever be able to eat food"? You'll be on liquids for some short period of time post-op and then mushy food for a little while and then youo literally can eat anything your little heart desires. That doesn't mean you should, of course. Discretion is part of losing weight! 7. Right after surgery, what did they give you for nourishment? Followed by a week-to-week deal? Post-op was liquids like Protein shakes, broths, Water, sugar free Jello, SF popsicles, etc. For me, it was 10 days. Then mushy foods (for me, again 10 days)....soups, SF pudding, mashed potatoes, grits, refried Beans, that sort of thing. After 7 days of mushy foods I was told to start adding regular food and move forward to a fully "normal" diet as soon as I wanted to. JUST BE SURE TO DRINK 64 OZ. OF WATER!!!! You must stay hydrated. Oh yeah, NO MORE CARBONATED beverages, EVER. 8. How much weight did you lose within the first month? I know it's slow and healthy weight loss, but do you feel like it goes quickly? I've lost 80 pounds in 8 months. Sometimes, it's slow like 1 or 2 pounds a week and sometimes you might not lose anything, and other weeks can be 3, 5 or even more. 9. Any change in emotions? (Not hormonal, just all around feeling great - confidence?) duh! You will have more energy (enough to drive the people in your house insane), more desire to go and do because you feel better.

CALL THEM BACK. Explain that this is somewhat of an emergency in that 1. You cannot eat any solid food 2. You often/most of the time have a problem taking in hydration of any sort. DEMAND to be seen. Surgery is not the first line of treatment if there is a slippage. Most doctors will put you back on a full liquid diet and many times that enables the band to slip back to its problem location. Honestly, slippage doesn't occur easily. Many doctors actually use some of the stomach to stitch around the band to anchor it down, too. I know mine did that and I've read comments where others were told the same thing. There are possible other causes for your issues but just the fact that you have a difficult time swallowing liquids makes me thing you could even be too tight.