jtreece

Well I didn't get to onederland but I'm only 7 pounds out so I'm ready to shoot for that for a Halloween Challenge. I like the accountability of doing these challenges. Thanks for those that set them up.

The doctor will be able to tell if there is less in the band because he can draw up the fluid before he fills you again. Mine always does this to make sure that I'm still at the level of my last fill. Also, you will often have quite a bit of swelling for the first few days after you are filled. When this goes down you will probably have a lot less restriction.

I've had this before and what usually was the case is that I was swollen from either eating solids too soon after the fill or was irritated when I got the fill and it just made it worse. After I got the unfill, the swelling would go down and then when I went to get it filled again I wouldn't have the same restriction I had the first time because I wasn't swollen. I take forever for swelling to go down and I don't listen to myself and continue to try to eat when I'm swollen. Now I stick to soft foods for a few days before my fills so I can better judge how I'm really feeling.

I swell a lot from my fills. It took me almost 2 weeks from my last fill to be able to really eat anything that could be chewed like meat. I tried to stick to liquids or mushies. I have to be careful because if I do get something stuck, I seem to swell up and have to start the process again. I suggest going a little longer on liquids if you can get those down. I definitely drink hot tea when I'm really sore. Also, I try not to eat late because I think I heal better if i can go long periods of time without irritating it. I always feel much better in the morning. I'm debating if I'm still too tight also or finally reaching true restriction. It's really hard to judge sometimes. I do feel better each passing day so time does help.

I put down 16 pounds so I'll be at 199. I'm going to the beach a couple weeks after Labor Day so I really want to do well. Good Luck everyone.

Has anyone burped after a fill whenever drinking and did it go away after the swelling went down? I'm on my 5th fill and didnt have this previously but I don't want to jump the gun and get an unfill if others had this go away after a few days. I'm on liquids and they are going down, just a little sore and burping. Thanks.

I had a fairly large hiatal hernia that was diagonosed through an upper-GI many years ago. Thanks to the hernia I was able to get insurance to pay for my hospital stay and pre-tests even though they wouldn't pay for the band. I had immediate relief from heartburn that was absolutely terrible because I had GERD. It was like hot acid spilling over open wounds all day long. The band was worth getting even if it just pushed me to get the hernia fixed. It did make my recovery a little longer because I was in surgery longer. Now I only get heartburn from the things you would expect and not very often.

He did my surgery in October 2009. It's been a little difficult to get convenient appointments since he seems pretty busy and only does fills half days on Monday and Wednesday. I love his personality. Sherry the coordinator is really a help for any questions.

I got banded a week after you and I'm in the same boat. I have a 14cc band and only 7cc in it. I'm still losing at a snail's pace :thumbup: but I'm not gaining. I have had 3 fills and 1 unfill so it's been a difficult time trying to find the right amount with a very conservative doctor. I would love to get to the point where the weight falls off but for now it's still a couple pounds a month. But I feel better in so many regards that I'm willing to go slow if it means I'll keep it off. It's is so hard not to get discouraged when you see people saying they lost 50lbs 3 months out. I just figure that no matter how long the journey, we'll all be at the same destination. Keep your chin up. You are not alone!!!

I'm putting my goal at 22 so that I can reach onederland with the challenge. If not, i'm definitely going to be closer. Good luck!

I'll be gearing up for the 4th of July one. I've been such a slow loser. This really sucks. Not going to get discouraged. Another fill in a few days. Maybe that will help. At least not gaining anything back. Sigh......

I was down another pound this week on Saturday morning but after the weekend it disappeared and i went back to where I was. I'm bound and determined for 3 lbs this week so no snacks. It's funny how I get upset about my eating when I know I didn't eat exactly as I should. Before the band I would have considered my eating this weekend to be depriving myself.

I used ice packs the first couple days to help with the pain of the port. I agree with the sugar free popsicles...they are heaven when you can't or don't feel like eating anything.

Hey just to let you know that I was banded 2 days after you and I've only lost 27 lbs so far. I know this is hard because so many people have dropped 50 lbs by now. I feel like everyone is judging me because they expected me to be thinner by now. I realized I only fail when I start eating the way I did before and gaining. I went months with only a 2 lbs lost and didn't start losing again until my last fill. I don't think you're at restriction yet so don't give up. You've made so many changes in your life. Big mental hug. You are not alone!

I felt the same way after a fill and ended up going for a slight unfill and felt so great afterward. I was able to get filled again the next visit.

Ok I'm going to join you on the Mother's day Challenge. I'm going to commit to 10 lbs. I'm hoping the fill I get next week will help. I'm starting a couple days late so I'm going to go for 12 but accept 10 as realistic. I've pledged to my BFF that I would pay her $20 towards the Susan G. Komen 3 day walk she is doing for every pound I don't lose. If I make goal, she is going to pledge $100 for St. Jude's (my favorite charity). No one loses but me....lol

I was having issues with pain and not being able to keep things down. They unfilled me to let it calm down. I should get filled next visit but I know he won't give me a whole lot since he's worried that I'll be back like I was before. I'm trying to focus on the positives and just be glad I have a lot more control over food than what I used to. I don't think about it all the time. I've definitely made lifestyle changes. I don't even know what it's like to have the amount of food I used to eat. I am so very happy you are doing so great. You look so happy in your pictures. It will be so nice for you to be able to enjoy your son even more. I'll try to keep in touch more. Take care. Jodi

you are doing so fantastic. I'm completely stuck at the present weight. I had to go for an unfil so I don't have restriction. I'm losing like a snail. But I'm losing. I go back for a fill in a little over a week so maybe i'll finally get back to real losing. I'm so proud of you. Especially with all the traveling and family stuff. keep it up girl!!!! big hugs! Jodi

Yes, you can have the surgery but if you have it, they want you to bring your C-Pap machine so they can have it on you in recovery. I didn't have sleep apnea so I didn't have to do anything other than the test. My doctor required if you did get tested and needed the machine you'd have to have it for a couple weeks before the surgery to before he'd operate.

I just wanted to say that you are not alone. I feel your frustration. I also was banded in October and haven't lost much. I didn't have restriction for 5 months then when i got it, it was too much and had to go for an unfill so i'm just holding steady now with hardly any restriction. Sometimes I feel like I'm right back where I was before the surgery but then I see I'm eating less, not pre-occupied with food all the time and I exercise more. I haven't gained any of the weight back I have lost...which is amazing for me. I know it's hard to come on the board and see people dropping weight so much faster. I have to remember that it's not a competition with anyone else and to recognize the victories I've had that may not be reflected on the scale. Don't get me wrong, I continue to make changes to hopefully speed up my weight loss. I started journaling and Weight Watchers online. I definitely found where my problems are when it comes to eating (carbs and still eating sweets too often) so I would really suggest keeping a record. Also, I bought some Leslie Sansone DVDs that have 15 minute walks (very easy and low-impact) for when I can squeeze them in during the day because I work 9hrs with 3 hrs of commuting back and forth to D.C. Her workouts are simple and you can always modify the walk to your needs. I just wanted to let you know you are not alone. I soak up all the advice on the board I can but nothing beats knowing that many are in the same place you are.

I was self-pay and excluding the pre-op tests the following was my charges: $11,300 hospital fee (includes the actual band $3,600) $3,000 surgeon's fee $2,400 anethesia $500 program fee Total: $17,200. I did get insurance to pay about $7,700 of the hospital fee because I had a hiatal hernia and I went with the approach that I was getting the lapband while I was there for that. I only had to pay for the actual band. I argued after the fact and had to surgeon's office code the hiatal first then obesity surgery. So I ended up paying $9,500. I had to get a sleep apnea test and was lucky that my insurance paid for that. It can be very expensive (I believe over $1,500)

I was self-pay and had a large hiatal hernia. I was able to get my insurance company to pay for the hospital stay because they hadn't processed that claim yet so I had the surgeon and hospital submit the surgical report and change the order of the billing codes. However wasn't able to get them to change the surgery or anethesia denial. They also wouldn't pay for the band which was $3,600. In the end, i did save over $7,300 dollars and they did pay for all my pre-op testing.

Definitely I'd call your doctor. The one thing my doctor said to me last visit is that the band won't usually slip unless you violently throw up a lot (exact words). I'd also stick to foods that won't irritate the band. They may just want you to take it easy and see how you feel but it's always good to find out.

That is really high for a program fee. I was self-pay and I paid a $500 program fee but that included my surgery consultation, psych eval. and meeting with nutritionalist as well as a binder of info. and support groups.

I did the patch too and it helped immensely if you get sick from anesthesia. I was told though to put it on the night before because it won't get into your system enough if your surgery is in the morning. I was also told not to touch it or wash my hands but they didn't say anything about the vision stuff. I plan on using it in the future if I do have to go under again so thanks so much for the info.