emjay

I agree with Band Groupie that you need to post in more "public" areas. Many of the long time bandsters are not going to be looking at the April 09 posts to suggest advice. Please post on the post-op site or general discussion sections for more input. There are several long time bandsters that post regularly.

Mine was around $675 for forehead, between the eyes and around the eyes. My doc charged $12/unit full strength. Actually, my band surgeon has been trained to do it, so I went to him and am happy with the results...especially between the eyebrows. He mentioned that this area seemed to have the best results of all. If that's all I could afford, I would just get that done since that was the area of most concern for me.

Take some Dayquil/Nyquil, or Theraflu....something in liquid form would be easier.

It sounds to me like your insurance company made a mistake. I would hate for you to be caught in the middle since the check is made in your name, but if they decide to try and get some money returned, you've already sent the money to the providers. Check with Anthem to make sure it was processed correctly. I can hardly believe they would pay $75,000 for what you had done, especially out of network. Normally what is paid is what is considered "usual and customary", not just whatever the provider pays. That being said and knowing that in different regions the cost of the surgery, etc. is much different, it shouldn't be that different. My surgery was close to $16,000 for everything plus 2 years of free fills, checkups, free physician fees if I need a port revision or have complications. If it cost that much in California, I would think alot of self-payers would be coming this way to get surgery done. And, if it cost much less if your self-pay, then something does not sound right and your insurance did not take into account what is considered UCR in your area. This may be found on a routine audit they do or from another company that specializes in finding billing errors. Better be safe than sorry!

I know the blood tests I had were measuring my hcG levels after my pregnancy. Mine would not go down. I had to have 2 injections of methotrixate and monitoring of my liver function for awhile afterwards. It's just a thought. It could be also what the other poster mentioned (Carmelia? - can't see it from here). I can't blame you for wanting to get to the bottom of it. Does it help to try and drink warm liquids at first to "open things up"? I wish I had an answer for you.

Hey Puddin - I have a theory, but only a theory as to why it might be fickle. I have noticed that my band reacts (and my weight loss) to the time of the month it is. I am tighter around the time of my period and mid-month and I get migraines that seem to be hormonal also. I guess I wouldn't be surprised if yours is also like this after pregnancy. I had a miscarriage about 4 years ago and it took my body almost a year with medical intervention to figure out I wasn't pregnant anymore. Hormones can reek havoc on your body and with a pregnancy, it will take time for your body to adjust to pre-pregnancy hormone levels again. This is something that your physician can check with a blood test. Then again, my theory might be full of crap. Just trying to help. By the way, I took a look at your pictures and you look AWESOME! Congratulations!

Go to www.5daypouchtest.com. It has alot of the info you need. In a nutshell, it is a way to feel your restriction again by going back to a mini-post op diet. Liquids, then soft foods, then reintroduce mushies and solids. Many people think it is a way to get your mind back on track after migrating away from the band rules.

I just had it done for the first time 10 days ago. I'm 45 and noticed the frown lines between my eyebrows always made me look mad, and the wrinkles on my forehead really bothered me. So I took the plunge, and I have to say overall that I like it. I also had around my eyes done and am not so keen on that, I think when I smile it doesn't look the same...a little droopy perhaps. I don't know, nobody else notices but me. I like the fact that I can still move my eyebrows and still frown ever so slightly, and the wrinkles are not totally gone, because at 45 you're going to have some wrinkles! But I don't look mad anymore and look more relaxed. So, yes I like it, it does help and I can still move my forehead, but alot depends on your physician and how they inject. I don't think I'll get my eyes done anymore. My doc said the results are more "iffy" around the eye area and I don't think it made alot of difference for me. If you decide to have it done, communicate with your doctor your intentions on the outcome so they know what you expect afterwards. It takes up to 2 weeks to see the results. I'm not going to judge your decision, it's your face. You have to be happy with it. After 4-6 months, it's pretty much gone anyway.

I ended up taking the max dose of stool softeners, lots of liquids, and a suppository and that did it. If you still can't go, I'd be getting to the doctor. You've already tried quite a bit.

This always happens to me. I don't get to my level of restriction from a fill until about 3 weeks after my appointment. It doesn't seem to tighten up right away. Inexplicable I know, but now that it's become a pattern, I don't even think about getting another fill until about 4 weeks after my last one. I just had a little taken out after 3 weeks because I ended up with just a hair too much. So, yes you are not alone!

I get mine at a local Kroger's - although not all carry it. I have also ordered it from the unjury website. www.unjury.com. Shipping is fast and the price was the same as in Kroger's.

Check out the following blog from a girl whose following this book right now on a weekly basis. You may have to go back through her blog for the past 2 weeks or so. She's a riot and gives it to you straight. Not a bandster, but she wrote a book and lost 1/2 her body weight. She's got a great gift for words and is very interesting. PastaQueen | You'll laugh your ass off. (I did.)

How about the good old rubber band around the wrist. You snap it enough to smart each time you are craving something. You know the whole Pavlov's dog theory. It's trying to condition yourself that cravings are associated with something unpleasant. And h*ll, it's cheap!

Get rid of it. Think of it like old baggage. And think of it like stored fat. Your allowing yourself the possibility of gaining weight by keeping it around. Give it to Goodwill, a consignment store, a clothing drive, but just get rid of it. It's hard to give away clothes that you didn't wear that much, but seriously, if you have the choice to wear a 16 or a 10, which would you pick? Don't make it easy to gain weight. You are changing your life for the better, allow yourself to complete the process and get rid of the things that remind you of your "fat days". It also allows you to make room for some cool new things!

I like the chocolate unjury the best with 2% milk. Mix in 2 Tbsp of Benefiber also helps to control hunger since it adds Fiber to the drink. I have one every morning and usually don't get hungry until around 2pm. 10 oz milk with 1 scoop of Unjury = 30 grams Protein.

Sure Mandy - Typically in the morning I just have a Protein shake with skim milk, and add a capsule of Biotin and 2 tbsp of Benefiber. It usually takes me about 2-2 1/2 hours to drink this and I'm usually not hungry at lunch, but I eat anyway to keep somewhat of a schedule. Lunch usually consists of maybe an egg & cheese omelet, or maybe shredded beef and cottage cheese or banana, or if I don't have alot of time - a Healthy Choice or Lean Cuisine meal. Sometimes it's smoked turkey or chicken or ham and cheese on high fiber toast. In the afternoon I have either a yogurt with homemade granola (Kashi Go Lean Cereal, choc chips, dry-roasted peanuts, toasted pecans, raisins, Peanut Butter chips), or a bag of 5 Factor chips (10 grams of protein, 5 g of fiber, 130 calories) or fruit. For dinner I like to have some sort of baked fish (cod, perch, tilapia) and cottage cheese, or a baked potato. Sometimes chicken, sometimes hamburger, but usually a healthy dose of protein. I really frankly suck at eating vegetables and have my whole life. Some people have trouble with things like broccoli or cauliflower - fibrous vegetables. I get uncomfortable with hard apples, pineapple, and harder fruits. It's not that I can't eat them, it's just easier if they are dried, or grilled, or roasted to either make them crunchy or soft. But before you think I follow a really good diet, just know that I've been caught eating pizza rolls and potato chips for supper too! (Hubby made that and FYI - pizza rolls did not go down well). But I try to limit my treats to only a couple of times a week or just a few bites.

Proper restriction will make you feel full after 1/2 cup to a cup of food and stay satiated for 4-5 hours. You shouldn't have too much trouble eating if you take small bites and chew them very well. Being too tight makes eating a chore and is very uncomfortable. When I am too tight, I tend to make alot of noises when I drink or eat something and feel alot of pressure in my stomach - sort of like if you would take a big bite of something on top of a huge belch that you can't get out. I don't get hungry unless it's been 6-7 hours since my last meal, or unless my meal was softer foods. Some foods will stay with you longer than others. And hopefully after you remember to eat small bites and chew very well, you should have little or no pb'ing or sliming. But there are some foods that are better tolerated than others. And to be honest, some people do have trouble with certain foods regardless. I don't have anything that I can't get down, but some foods are too much of a chore to eat or feel a little uncomfortable so I choose either not to eat them or eat them only occasionally. Hope that helps.

Congrats on your decision. I live up in the Northern Miami Valley and went to West Chester to Cincinnati Weight Loss Center (Dr. Watkins). I really like him and his support staff is wonderful! You get the full package with his practice and he stresses how important it is to get all the support you need and has support groups in Cincinnati, Maria Stein and Columbus. My SIL went to Dr. Alison Clarey and seems pretty happy. I really don't know much about her. My cousin went to Dr. Schumacher, so you have a variety of choices. I guess I prefer what I know, but they have been absolutely wonderful to me and very accommodating with their office hours (Saturdays open 8-4 pm for fills) and evening hours. I've never had to take any time off of work for adjustments. Best of luck with your decision. It's the best one I've made other than marrying my hubby.

I think it's worth it. I get the Fage at Kroger's also. 2% plain. Trader Joe's does have the larger containers, but they really weren't that much cheaper than the 7 oz. 17 grams of Protein and I add a little sugar free Caramel topping and bananas and wow, just like a Sundae! As a side note, if you're looking for high-protein yogurt. Kroger's has their own brand called Carbmaster yogurt at is around $.39 apiece. Comes in alot of different flavors. 6 oz has 12 grams of protein and 80 calories. I mix a little homemade granola in with the vanilla and it's a nice afternoon snack or lunch. (And no, I do not have any affiliation to Kroger's - I just like it).

4 cc's much of a difference? Let me tell you! .2 cc's makes a difference. Not 2 cc's - .2 cc's. I had a fill 3 weeks ago and it kicked my butt. Saturday I had to get .1 cc's taken out due to reflux developing from the last .2 cc fill. So yes - any amount can make a huge difference. When you're starting out, you may not think that much is that big of a deal. Believe me, when you get close to your sweet spot, there is a fine line between perfect restriction and being too tight. Since my .1 cc unfill - no reflux. Go figure. A couple of drops made all the difference in the world. Good luck with your progress. You're doing great!

Tish - Do you have Kroger's in Noblesville (I have a cousin in Carmel, but I can't remember if I've seen a Kroger's in your area). Anyway, their Private Selection brand of fish (like the potato crusted cod, and their parmesan crusted tilapia), is very good. You just bake them for about 1/2 hour and not fishy at all. I was not a fish eater either, but for some reason, I almost crave the stuff now that I'm banded. You may want to give them a try.

I started having reflux at night after my fill about 3 weeks ago. Just went back in yesterday for a slight unfill after doc said I had a mild dilation due to being too tight. So far so good. I feel much better and not problem last night. Only had a .1 cc unfill so it doesn't take much to make a huge difference!

Here is mine...thanks for asking! Jo's lap band weight loss journey

I had a problem with waking up coughing about 3 hours after I went to bed, getting acid reflux. My doc recommended trying no fluids for 1 hour before bed and no food at least 3 hours before bed. It did help, but if it continues, you may need to get a very slight unfill to take care of the problem. p.s. I never drink in bed, even when I'm thirsty. I don't want a repeat of those episodes.

Just keep doing what you're doing. It will come off. You are not at your proper restriction yet and that makes it very difficult to lose weight. It honestly is like dieting somewhat until you feel that restriction. Get your recommended protein, limit your carb, you should try and watch your overall caloric intake and drink plenty of non-caloric fluids. Your scale will respond, you just need to give it time, and that is very hard initially. We all want it to come off now!