paracelsus51

I go to the UNMC clinic. Unless something is really wrong, you won't see the surgeon after your post op check up. That is normal for pretty much every office. You see the nurses and then you go down to the x-ray lab. They do all the fills under fluoroscope. I believe the cost is $150. They also have that package that covers everything for a year, but I don't remember the cost. I don't know what the office fee is. My insurance pays for my office visits as they are also treating my GERD, but wouldn't cover any fills. One thing you need to know is that, no matter what they suggest, you are in control of your fills. If you want to go slow, then go slow. You may have no issue with a big fill at all or you may need smaller fills. They can remove it if it's too much. They have an emergency number, so if there is a problem, you can come in most anytime. My stomach is very sensitive and I have constant issues because of the constant reflux. I spent the last couple of years in absolute misery. GERD is not heartburn, it's a horrible experience that has many negative effects on your body. So, my reaction shouldn't scare you as you are unlikely to have the same problem. I had a reaction to my fill within half an hour. I was sick and felt horrible. I couldn't get back in until the next day. They took half out, but weren't happy about it. I should also note that it doesn't help if they did your surgery, my best friend had her surgery there and got some very bad treatment. She is not aggressive and spent two years thinking she had failed, as they told her she was obviously not following the program. She's going to the same clinic I am now and is much happier and back to losing again. She also had other problems they helped her with, like her edema. Think the other office could've maybe caught that? Anyroad, I've said enough about them. I had borderline high blood sugar too. That's gone. We have many of the same issues running in my family as you do. The odds are, you will do just fine. The first part is to get a properly installed lapband, which Dr. K will do. The second is to follow the rules. You will be SO sick of liquids. I love Campbells Soup at hand. I ate at a lot of that. I didn't strain it. The bits are so small, it didn't cause any problems. They have several flavors. Creamy chicken and Creamy Tomato Parmesan Bisque are my favorites. You can add Protein powder if you like. I hate Protein Powder and Protein shakes. Slimfast makes me gag. I drink Instant breakfast and still have it for breakfast most mornings. My stomach isn't happy in the am. You can premake some things to eat. Cook up some meat and puree it add a bit of Water to thin it, then freeze it in portions. You can do this with veggies too. I still haven't touched the popsicles I got and will probably throw them away. Drink yourself silly.

I flew from Omaha to Denver and back and mom drove me home to Lincoln. I was in the airplane for less than two hours, with very few bumps. The car ride home was annoying, but I am so glad we didn't drive 8 hours. You may think you can move around all you want to in a car, but you are driving for hours and if you keep stopping, it just takes that much longer. Getting in and out is hard and tiring. When you don't feel good and hurt, it's not fun. You are also looking at doing this in winter too, so the drive could be even longer and slower. That is something to consider. I didn't want to get up in the plane. I slept. I was still doped up a bit. Yep, I went to that same office for my aftercare in Lincoln. Another doctor (ok, you don't see the doctor for the fills). They charge $200 for your first fill, $100 after that. I think it's another $150 on top of that if you need fluoroscoped. The post op check up was something like $150 for two minutes with the doctor. The follow up is non-existent, you are just getting fills, that's it. And yes, they are not happy at all, really, to see you when they didn't do the surgery. They are also in a hurry and you are keeping them from the next patient. No one in that office has ever been overweight, so don't expect understanding. Needless to say, I wasn't happy with them. I don't encourage people to go there for aftercare. I had one fill in Lincoln at four weeks, which was too much and too early, and set off my GERD (I should note, if I haven't, that I chose the band to control my GERD. Nothing else helped and the normal surgery wasn't an option because of my weight). They took half of it out, but made sure I knew it was my fault and they did nothing wrong. I am now empty and have been since I went up to Omaha and they took everything out so my stomach could recover. I will be for a while to come. I have lost 34lbs since surgery in June. I have had some other health problems unrelated to my band, so I haven't been able to exercise properly or it would probably be more. I have restriction for solids even with no fill. Fluids cannot be allowed to back up into my esophagus due to the GERD, so I will never be able to have a huge fill. I am seriously feeling better than I have in the last three years. One side effect of the band is that my triglycerides and cholesterol are down to the normal range and I was off those meds in less than three months of surgery. Dr. K will tell you that most doctors are trained to fill you full enough that Fluid gets backed up into your esophagus when you drink. You have to sip and pause. He doesn't believe in this and won't fill you to that kind of restriction. I can't imagine why you wouldn't want fluids to go strait down. Drink a lot. It really helps. I get off work tomorrow, so I say, let it blow. I am going to sleep in and make sure to shut off the alarm. It's blowing like crazy and I will be curious to see how much snow we really get. I love snow days, even as a grown up.

I dropped nearly forty pounds before I moved down from a 2x to a 1x. Of course, every clothing company is different. I'll have to see how much more I lose before I go down another size.

You have to decide that for yourself. You have to stay motivated with the band, or it will give you hard lesson. I think everyone who doesn't have a problem with weight, or doesn't care about their weight has the idea that anyone can lose weight if they want to. I've seen a lot of families who are just sure you're making a mistake. Mine didn't really get it, but were supportive. If you believe that this is the right thing, then do it and be successful. They aren't you and only you know if this is really what you want.

I have a 10cc band and have restriction with no fills at all. Fluid goes right through, but solids don't and I can only eat a limited amount. Definitely not a placebo for me. I mess up and I feel it. I eat too much and I feel like my internal organs are being shoved into my chest.

I went up to Omaha for my checkup yesterday and came out great. I have lost 30% of my weight. I am still wary of getting a fill. I can't consider one until I have my face surgery next spring and since I am losing at the right rate and risk setting off my GERD if I do, they are still waiting. The fill clinic person really wanted to do one as fluids go right through with no problem. That is great and what I need, but solids stop and can get stuck and I simply cannot chow down anymore, even if I want to. I wonder if some people never get a fill and still lose are are fine. They also doubled my vitamin pills and added more calcium and vitamin D. I also have to add some tests to my next blood draw. It's always a relief afterwords.

Wow, March weather will be a worry. I think the others gave great advice. I had my surgery in June. My mom came with me and we stayed at the Comfort Inn and Suites Denver South. Comfy and free Breakfast. Not that I got any of that. Got a good package price online with car. It's cheaper to get hotel with car than separate. Flew Southwest, so got a great flight price. Dr. K did a great job with my surgery and I've not had any problems with it. I wouldn't drive, even to save money. You will also need to stay a couple days after surgery. The day after is miserable and you will be really sore, mostly by your large incision where they stuff everything in. Getting up and down requires help. You will get your meds the day before after your appointment with Dr. K. He is very nice, but firm. Do yourself a favor and don't overeat before the surgery. Afterwords, every bump and movement will hurt, so a long car ride won't be fun. I found the liquid drugs to be effective and not make me sick. Also, you should consider getting local aftercare. I can highly recommend Dr. McBride's clinic at UNMC. It's located in the medical building at 42nd and Emile. I think fills are $150 and are done under fluoroscope. They also have package you can buy, but I don't remember how much that is. They are very good and patient. They don't just put you in a room to be filled, like the Lincoln office does. You meet with the nurses to get checked out and answer questions and make sure you are on the right track. They are used to dealing with people who didn't have their surgery there. They also deal with GERD, which is my problem and the main reason I got the band. They coordinate my care with my other doctors. When you get a fill, if you have problems, it may be half an hour or a day or two later. If you go to Denver, and if you have a problem, you've got to find help locally. I am glad I went to Dr. K. I was treated very well and it was a very good surgical experience. I also had a good anesthesiologist. Sean O'Connor, I think. Didn't ding my lip, chip a tooth, or leave me with a sore throat. I also didn't have any gas problems. I was properly degassed. That's all I can think of.

Wow, I am running into so many people from Lincoln on here. I never expected that. This will be the first year I've had something to deduct on the taxes. I had Dr. K do my surgery, but I go to UNMC in Omaha for aftercare.

Wow, you had a run of luck there. I am sorry it didn't work out for you. I hope you find what you need. I wish the insurance companies were required to pay for WLS surgery or cover treatment. Even the best plans may not work out. I am hoping it works well for me as it's the only thing that has controlled my GERD at all. Of my choices my surgeon was slightly overweight and the one I didn't choose had never been overweight a day in his life and had no clue what that was like.

My doctor does a check for a hernia when he does the band. I didn't have one, but he would have fixed it and installed the band. I've heard that from both doctors I visited with and everyone else I've talked to. I agree, get that second opinion.

I eat pretty much what I want too, but make better choices. The doctor did take me off of pasta, rice and bread before surgery. He wanted me off of potatoes too, but I do have one once in a while, I don't put toppings on. I food journal off and on, so I know exactly how many calories are in everything I eat and how much protein. I am being bad right now and probably will be until new years. However, bad for me now is no where near where bad was before the band.

Remember if your insurance doesn't pay to put the lapband in, it won't pay to take it out or if something goes wrong. So try to have a rainy day fund. Make sure you check out the aftercare. You most likely won't be seeing your surgeon after your post-op checkup. You want to be confident in your choice, so check everything out and attend meetings. Talk to current and former patients if possible. Also remember to make sure that you take advice about the lapband from lapband people only. Bypass folks are not the same. You are never going to be able to ask all the right questions beforehand. Until you experience it, you don't really know what details to ask.

I am more than five months out and have no fill at all. I can eat anything I want and at times, like right now during the feeding frenzy season, I eat too much. I cannot, though, even with no fill at all, eat anywhere near what I used to. I do get hungry. I eat on a schedule and I don't pay attention to calories, I try and make my protein. I also don't eat bread, pasta or rice. All were taken away before surgery. You also have to remember that you may not feel "full" like you used to. I don't get that feeling. I just have to limit what I eat and then my side hurts. That band is not hanging loosely on your stomach so when you hit solids, you are going to be limited.

Yes, get a sleep study. I had one and ended up with a cpap. I don't really like the cpap, but I sleep tons better. WLS is excluded from my policy, so it didn't matter what I had. I must say, my GERD is a lot better with the band too, which is the main reason why I got it. Even if I get skinny, GERD will still be there. Hopefully still controlled to a point by the band. Good luck and let us know what happens.

Yes, I am losing 1.4lbs per week on average. I also have no fill at all. I should note, that I do walk a lot. I do cheat on occasion, which allows me to stay sane, but I mostly try to get enough Protein and take my supplements. I am going to try a light workout this weekend and see how well I do with that. It's only been two weeks since my ovarian cyst surgery, so I have to take it slowly to keep from messing myself up. I haven't been able to do a serious workout in a year now.

I ate a lot at Thanksgiving, not any where near what I normally would have. Mostly soft stuff and was fine. I ate a bowl of tomato soup with shredded turkey breast and couldn't finish it and my side hurt. Makes no sense. Today, I haven't had anything of any nutritional value. Tomorrow I am just resting. I totally overdid it shopping for everyone on Friday. I am also sore all over from standing in line for hours. I ran errands and had a baking day with my nieces and nephews today. It was fun. Now I have four sacks of cookies to ditch. I had four of them today. They cannot stay in the house. I love to bake, but I send everything I can home with the family and bring the rest to work. How'd everyone else do?

Mine has quieted down. It was really loud at first, but now is only once in a while. It was pretty embarrassing at times.

Thank you. Yes, she is so much happier and less stressed about everything. She has hope again. I am too.

That is really detailed follow up. You are really lucky. We don't have anything like that around here. I had my surgery done in Denver (my insurance doesn't cover WLS) and wish I could follow up there, but I live 500 miles away here in Nebraska. I went to the local surgeon for follow up. His office has a schedule for everyone. Actually, the same schedule for everyone and when I had a problem with a fill at not quite four weeks out (2cc's caused a massive GERD attack, as I can never have anything back up into my esophagus, but they didn't listen), they were upset with me. Kept telling me they do this for everyone and usually put in twice as much and I am not going to lose the weight and I am going to fail. Really? I feel like I am going to die and that is their response? My best friend had her surgery done by the local surgeon and after a few months was told she was full and obviously wasn't following the program and so she spent the next two years feeling a complete failure. The support group, which she attended, is mostly bypass patients, which is a totally different experience, so she was getting bad information there. She was also told that when she was eating and got what turned out to be her stop signal, she was to drink until the feeling was gone. She had been at the same weight for the last two years and really thought she was failing. She was even considering bypass surgery. She is very emotional and will just stay in a funk no matter what you tell her, just because of what they said. Neither the surgeon nor anyone in his office has ever been overweight, so they can't relate at all. After what happened to me at that same doctor's office, being a bit more proactive, started looking for another doctor. I am not about to put up with that sort of crappy treatment. There isn't another one here, but there is in Omaha. So I trek to Omaha and got people who actually listen and came up with a treatment plan for me as every patient is not the same. I had a complete unfill and may not be able to have a fill again, but they will check and go slowly. I got her to go up there and in one visit they found her band wasn't full and gave her a bigger fill. They told her that feeling she got when she ate was her stop signal, she's full, so stop eating. They also told her she had a ton of edema in her pannus and put her on Water remover to shrink it. She has lost more than 12 pounds now and is much happier. She is also mad about the last two years. Sorry this is so long, but I can't emphasize enough getting the right follow up treatment by the right people. I am not an in person group support type, but I have her to kvetch with and I can come here anytime to ask or seek answers. I can also call Omaha any day and they freely answer anything.

I get a pain in my left side when I am full, instead of feeling full. Feels sore. Today it's just hurting. Tomorrow when I overeat (a bit) it will hurt again too. I also feel some pain on the right side every once in a while. When I go in for my check up in a couple weeks, I am going to have them point to exactly where my band is, as I've never thought to ask that before. I used to freak out thinking I'd slipped at every ache and pain, even though I've never had a symptom of a slip. I am amazed by the variety of places I can hurt with the band. I am told every time that it is all normal. Let us know what the doctor says.

Wow, that's pretty intense follow up. 1. My band helps control my GERD, so I am not eating thousands of calories worth bread and crackers to reduce the symptoms. 2. If I overeat, I feel like my abdomen is being shoved into my chest. 3. I don't feel deprived and can still eat pretty much whatever I want, just in smaller portions. I don't touch bread, Pasta or rice and lettuce isn't working well either. I have learned to like Yoplus yogurt. Before, I couldn't stand yogurt. I would say exercise, but due to a series of health problems (unrelated to the band), I haven't been able to start yet. Also, having someone, whether it be a friend or group (lapband, not bypass patients) or provider who can listen to your problems, questions and fears is really necessary. Yea, that's more than three.

Sorry, the insurance wasn't an extra $5000. The cost of the local surgeon over Dr. K in Denver was that much. That price included the lowest BLIS insurance. It's a gamble whether to get it or not.

Congratulations and good luck! That's interesting. My doctor who did my surgery didn't offer the BLIS insurance. The local doctor offered it, but his costs were at minimum $5000 more and the insurance only covered for 30 days. He required the minimum level of BLIS. For $5000 I was wiling to take the risk for 30 days. It was another jump in cost to up the length of time of coverage. I don't remember what the max time was, but there were exceptions to the coverage. It's nice that it is available, but it just put the surgery out of my price range. Since my band is not covered by insurance I do get paranoid about everything. I have them check my band every time I go in for my swallow test for GERD. They are looking at my stomach anyways. I can't get fills right now. They don't want to try it until I am symptom free for at least three months. Since I just had another surgery it will be next year now. I can't complain, I am still losing weight by just over a pound a week on average and my GERD symptoms are way, way less than before the band.

I am a chocoholic. I have been eating dark chocolate since my hyster four years ago. My ability to taste changed after surgery. I can't actually taste regular chocolate anymore, so I switched to dark. Better for me, but not in large amounts. Potato chips are a big downfall for me. I love Baked Lays cheddar and sour cream. They are so addictive. I find regular potato chips to be too greasy for me now. I cannot have brownies anywhere near me. Brownies are evil. I have not touched Pasta, bread or rice since surgery. Too scared to find out what a gooey mass would do to me. I love chinese food. I just get it without the rice. I also choose meat with veggies. I know it's still too high in calories, but I don't have it that often.

Yes, I am off the pasta, rice and bread, so going italian is hard. I am not totally off carbs by any means, but I don't want to risk gummy foods. Usually they have salad bars and usually they have chicken Parmesan or sausage options. Most of them had kid's meals that include chicken nuggets. My stomach is not tolerating salad at all, so I pretty much don't go italian.