paracelsus51

I have no fill in my band ( I got my band to help control my GERD, but my stomach does not tolerate fills, at all) and though that means food moves through more quickly, I can still only eat so much and I do get stuck if I'm not careful. It takes your body a bit of time to adjust to it. I've received two different pieces of advice from different providers. One is chew everything to mush and don't drink for a couple hours after you eat and the other is to eat not soft food and let your stomach fill up, which it will with very little and learn to stop eating. Your stomach will take its time to break down the food and you will feel full for a longer time. Dr. K told me that you should never be so tight that Water backs up. For me that's a no go anyways with the GERD. Since chewing your food to a Fluid consistency isn't working, you may try the other way. You just have to remember to stop. Don't even take that one extra bite. I've been watching, but haven't posted in a very long time. I have had a few issues and they thought I might have slipped, but I have been fine. The biggest problem that I have had is getting good post surgery care since I didn't get the surgery here. Plus the local surgeon isn't that special. I don't follow the normal band schedule, as with the GERD, I can't have fills. And no, I haven't lost much weight, but I haven't gained it back either.

That depends on the insurance plan. You would have to let them know you had the band and make sure they didn't exclude it for being pre-existing. Usually with employers nothing is excluded as pre-existing, as long as it's actually covered by the plan. Otherwise insurance companies try and make as sure as they can that they are not going to have to pay anything for you.

I am sorry this happened to you. Everything has its risks. I am self-pay and know that if any happens it's going to be expensive. I did mine for GERD treatment and have been so much happier with it. I was sick and miserable and in pain all the time before I got it and was given no other choice than to stay on meds that didn't really help and told there was nothing else they could do. I did check out the serious complication rate before I did it and found it to be around 6% or so. I have myself checked out on a regular basis being paranoid like I am. I hope you get to feel better and recover well and still reach your goals. Maybe with this new insurance law, they won't be able to decline insurance for the band as a preexisting condition.

Have you measured yourself? If you are controlling the calories and working out, you may have gained some muscle. You may also be retaining water. That is usually what happens when I gain a couple pounds overnight. You have to have some carbs. Having too few calories is just as bad as having too many.

No, my snoring hasn't stopped, even after 50 pounds and a few months. Probably never will. Why can't you sleep with your CPAP on? You may sleep better in the short term do to recovering from surgery. Or, you may just be one of the lucky ones. Enjoy.

How is the band viewed in South Korea? I've never seen anyone from there post before. It's still seen as some sort of cheat here as all you really have to do is eat less and exercise more.

The manufacturer is usually only responsible if the device is defective and only the cost of the device, not replacement cost for the surgery. Like if your roll of film is bad, they will give you a new roll, they won't pay for you to go on your vacation again so you can replace those photos. I had a good surgeon. If a doctor messes up, I don't go back to them. Dumped the local doctor's office (not my surgeon) for aftercare here as I wasn't going to give them a second chance to hurt me. It sounds more like incompetence than an actual problem with the product.

Beforehand had two weeks of no rice, potatoes, bread, or pasta. Basically, meat and veggies and a little fruit. After there was a week of liquids a couple weeks of full liquids and then moving up as you felt you could. Felt like a long time. You are also supposed to keep up the no pasta, rice, bread or potatoes for the rest of your life.

Apnea isn't really just a fat thing. It runs in my family, only a few of whom are obese. My sister is pretty big and doesn't have it. I got it and, like I said, genetic defect. I'll always have it. Took four different masks to get mine a good fit. If you don't like your mask, try another one. They also have a strap to hold your mouth shut. I couldn't stand the full face mask at all, or the just nasal one. Every time I moved it lost it's seal. My best friend uses a gel mask. I use an air cushion mask so I don't have something clamped so tight to my head. I took a while to get used to it. Still don't love it, but everyone around me likes that I am not crabby and tired all the time.

Yes, I am from outside of Colorado. My insurance excludes any weight loss treatment (which is funny, as they now have this "wellness" program where we are supposed to talk to our doctor and nutritionist about diet, but we can't because it's excluded). The cost here was nearly $5000 more than Dr. K. After doing a LOT of research around the country and Mexico. Dr. K does not offer the BLIS insurance. You can call around to find a place that will treat you after the surgery. You will need a post op check up and fills at some point. Usually not for 4 to 6 weeks. I went to the local surgeon's office for follow up and I recommend that no one ever go to their office. I should note a couple things, one is that I have GERD, so that is why I did it. My stomach is very sensitive. They gave me a fill at four weeks to accommodate the doctor's schedule even though I never saw him, just an assistant who did the fill. They have a schedule for everyone that is exactly the same and if you don't fit that, it's your fault that you inconvenienced them. I was having no problems beforehand and after too much fill I had to have a complete unfill. I, even at 9 months, have no fill at all. I now go to the next town over to the University Med center. They actually take the time to figure out what is best for you. So, after that book, sorry, didn't mean to make this so long, what I am saying is that you need to make sure that whatever place you choose, that they don't have a schedule they go by, but make an individual plan for you. You make need a fill every few weeks or months. Don't rush it. Even with no fill I have lost more than 50 pounds. Another thing is that, and Dr. K will talk to you about this, is that most places fill to the point where Fluid backs up into your esophagus. He does not believe in this. Just because fluid goes through quickly, doesn't mean solids will. In my case, any fluid back up will cause a reflux attack, so I may never be able to have a fill again. So, give real thought and planning to your aftercare. I spent so much time on finding the right surgeon, I didn't even realize how important the long term aftercare is. I should have talked to some people about the local office and asked more questions. Hindsight and all that.

I have no fill at all and morning eating doesn't work for me either. By 11am I am fine and need to control the hunger thing. I can drink though. It looks like this is pretty common.

I got my band to help me deal with my GERD. I have never been skinny by any means, but I had gained nearly 70 pounds in about a year eating nothing but bread and crackers to help the pain stop. It's a genetic issue, so even if I weighed 90 pounds it wouldn't cure it. Since the band, I've had only mild heartburn and it's been so much better. I had my panic session a couple days before surgery. Man, what was I doing? It's surgery and it's scary. As far as eating out and with the family. There is still so much you can eat. I take my nieces and nephews out to eat all over the place. I order things without the bun, alter the side dishes. You are the customer, so it's not like you are too restricted in choice. For example, today I went to Arby's and had the fish meal. I ordered the tartar sauce on the side and ate the fish and potato cakes. Ok, too many calories, but you get the idea. The only time I have trouble is when I order chinese without rice. They really, seriously, cannot understand the idea of no rice. When eating with family, just find out what they are having, or let them know what you cannot have. Mine doesn't mind setting something aside for me if necessary. Same thing at work. They know about my band, which was my choice and are accommodating on food days if necessary and I can always bring my own stuff. It's not a big deal at all. If you are one who chooses not to tell anyone, you can just let them know you are on a restricted diet and let it go at that. By the by, you will try to eat too much. It will be a learning curve to figure out how much is enough and how much chewing and still get enough Protein and enough to drink. Especially if you get distracted. It will frustrate you, but hang in there, you will get set in time. Long post, but basically, eating around others isn't that big of a deal and you will adjust and figure out how it's going to work for you. Ask, ask, ask, don't just let yourself worry or get freaked out.

It took me weeks to get used to mine and four different masks. My machine is set 6-14. It adjusts according to the resistance, so it's usually around 6-8 when I check it.

Everyone is different. I have no fill at all, so this may change depending on how much you have in your band. I can eat pretty much anything I could before. I don't eat pasta, rice or bread because I am not supposed to. I am just used to it now. Yes, I do get stuck, even with no fill, the band is not just hanging there, which you may hear from some folk. I have learned to chew the living daylights out of meat. Just follow the rules and you should succeed. It will take time and you will have to learn again and again. The mushy diet isn't that bad and it's only a few weeks. The liquid diet was really boring. Campbell's Soup at hand is a great thing for that.

I had my surgery about 9 months ago now. Did all my preop stuff over the phone. Saw my local GP for tests and checkups. Contacted Dr. K's office in March and had surgery in June to fit my schedule. Talked with him over the phone and the nutritionist over the phone. Had an appointment with him day before surgery in person. I have no complaints. He had a good record. When I talked to him I had confidence in him. He provided his direct number and talked to my mom after surgery himself. I've had no problems with my surgery at all. I had surgery at 3pm and was out of the center by 6:30pm. Got all the drugs the day before, which is a great idea. All my calls and emails were answered promptly and my questions answered and not blown off, like at my local surgeon's office. We stayed at the Comfort Inn Denver South. It was really nice. You will have to have someone with you. You won't be able to drive. A hotel with a recliner would be great as getting up and down afterwords hurts! After I found out I would have to pay for this myself, I considered Mexico too, but my family was dead set against that idea. Many people go and have no issues, but I don't usually get that lucky. I flew home two days after surgery. They have transportation in the airport if you need it. All your meds are liquid, which you can bring on board with you after they bomb test it. I am just reaching the point where I don't freak out about every random thing I feel. It is different.

You will get some pains everywhere. When I am full, my left side hurts. Not bad pain or anything at this point. But it was very concerning at first. Do you notice the pain after you have eaten?

I had to fast for all of mine. I just had my first post surgery blood test levels. They did some stuff I haven't had done before, like vitamin D and calcium and protein markers. It was interesting.

I am about nine months out now and am far from perfect too. I do follow a few food rules, like no bread, pasta or rice. I eat the wrong things, but I haven't gained any weight. I eat too much at times, but nothing like I used to eat. When I cheat it's on a small scale. I have no fill at all, my GERD won't allow it. I heard all kinds of bad things, but I really needed to something to improve my life, as it sucked. It took a long time to gain all this weight and it will take time to lose a lot of it. Even if I don't lose it all, I am ok with that. I am healthier than I have been in a long time. The band is helping me stay that way. Everyone is different and has their own problems and this isn't right for everyone. I don't understand the complete negativity and the idea that it's cheating.

I don't have a significant other, but the cats don't seem to mind it. I look very silly, but I sleep very well. My only problem right now is that I had a skin cancer removed so my left cheek is flat and my mask leaks. I have to get my face filled so I can sleep. Amazing what a difference sleep makes in your life.

I haven't been on in a while. My computer died and it's taken forever to get a new one and find my passwords and id's. So, how is the pouch test going? I haven't lost weight in a few months. Haven't gained either. They decided right in the middle of winter to remodel the women's restroom. I had to go across the street. I didn't drink hardly at all for nearly four months. It's really, really cold here. Since they finally got it done, I have noticed a big difference. On the other hand all I do is study, so not much moving around. I am more active now, but my knees are really bothering me making it hard to exercise. I am sure running after the kids will be a good workout. My nieces and nephews keep me going. I couldn't run 100 feet, much less 5k. That'd kill me. I am such a wuss.

I am doing badly over the holidays. I will get back on track after the new years. I will be back to work with no more parties and no more giant family meals. I still can't eat a lot, but I can eat many times a day. I am still working out though.

I dodged the lapband hair loss bullet, but I started losing my hair about a month or so ago, not from the band, but from an ovarian cyst. I was turning into an ape with all the extra hormones and pills and now that I've had the cyst removed and am off the pills, poof, hair is coming out. I am told it will go on for a couple more months, or so. I have thick hair, so I hope it will stop before it gets bad. I also want to know why the hair only falls out of your head and not your legs or face or anywhere else.

I weigh myself every day. First thing in the morning, in the birthday suit. I use that as my actual weight before I start eating and drinking for the day. I will stay the same weight for a couple weeks at a time and then drop a couple pounds. I don't expect to lose much right now as I have been bad. Drinking really makes a difference. I can't drink as much as I should right now as they are remodeling the bathroom in our building and we have to go next door in freezing weather to use the bathroom. I have noticed my body isn't as happy as it could be.

I am working myself up to serious exercise. Right now I am doing the treadmill 30min workouts plus lower body weights three times a week. I have to wait a few more weeks before I can work out my upper body. At some point, I hope to get back to water aerobics, which I really like. I find that I have to go someplace. I have all kinds of stuff I can work out with at home, but don't do it. If I go to the Y, I will do it.

Well, at this point, it's $134 to fly Southwest roundtrip or probably $67 one way. If I had to do it, I would fly. I wouldn't be in a car for any longer than I had to. Many people have done it, so you could. You can take your liquid meds through security, but they will check them to see if they are bombs or leave them with the hubby. Not a big deal. You can send your baggage home with the husband so you don't have much to carry. They will give you a ride to the gate if you need it, just let them know. It's really a long walk and a train ride to the gate. I had my mom with me and at that point I was still having trouble reaching my shoes. Yes, I could've done it by myself. You just sit and you can also request early boarding so you won't be bounced or bumped by the other folks getting on the plane. Give the UNMC clinic a call and find out what their program is and what it will cost you. That will give you an idea what to prepare for, when to set stuff up and you may be able to attend some support stuff beforehand if you want to do that sort of thing. You can also call around if they don't work out for you. Omaha has some choices, in Lincoln, we don't.