Astrasmom

You might want to try a heating pad. Sometimes that works for people. You might be experiencing some gas pains to. Try some Gas-X strips. Congratulations on your surgery and I hope that you feel better soon. Be sure to get up and walk as much as you can.

I would simply say to them, "Although I really appreciate everything you do for me and I love you. I have made up my mind that I am getting the lapband procedure done. It's something that I need to do to live a healthy and productive life. I have tried all of the diets and they don't work for me. It would be great if I could have your support through this but if not I hope that somewhere down the line you can understand why I need to do this for me. Please do not try and change my mind because as I said this is something that I need to do for me in order to live longer." By the way I admire you for getting it done at a young age. You have your entire life ahead of you. I wish you luck. And if you have already told your parents before this reaches you. Please let us know how it went.

What a great post. I am proud to say that I was banded on Oct. 23, 2009. I have lost 100lbs since my surgery. I have 19lbs to go until the doctors goal which I am hoping to reach by my bandversary but if not that's ok because I have already passed the 50% weightloss in the first year that my doctor said they wanted to happen. I would like to lose a few more pounds after that. I plan to increase my exercise more. I've also been at a plateau for the last 4 weeks and haven't lost anything but the point is I haven't gained anything either. So I hope to get out of this rut soon. My big goal is to hopefully be an inspiration for others along the way. Good luck to everyone. I hope that all your goals, dreams and hopes come true.

Congratulations!! I wish you a speedy recovery. Please keep us posted on your progress.

Exact same feeling that you described. Restriction is also not chewing your food properly and getting stuck. That's when you know you have some restriction. Also as you said, being able to eat so much and the feeling slight pressure which lets you know that you are full. Sometimes this is followed by the soft signs of fullness. Mine happens to be hiccups. That's when I know that I am full.

This is a wonderful site. Everyone is like family on here. Never hestitate to ask questions because someone will always be around to answer. And remember the only stupid question is the one never asked. :cursing:

Doesn't it feel wonderful when you lose that much weight in such a short period of time? I bet you are getting several compliments from people? I bet yourself esteem is much better now too? Congratulations on your weightloss. It only goes to prove what I keep saying, you get what you put into it. Anything is possible if you work hard and believe in yourself.

Congratulations on your band. I wish you much success. And you have the right attitude. Also congratulations on your weightloss. Keep up the outstanding work. :cursing:

I am so lucky that I found my doctors office. They are wonderful. The doctors are out-of-network but they only take in-network- fees. Meaning they don't back bill. They accept whatever my insurance gives them. Also the longest that I've ever had to wait was 30 minutes. And the doctors themselves are so down to earth. I always look foward to going there.

Wow that's awesome and congratulations. I wish you a very easy and speedy recovery. Please keep us posted. Be sure to get yourself some Gas-X strips and a heating pad.

Find the picture on Facebook you like. Right click on the picture with your mouse and click "Save as". The pictures are usually saved to MY PICTURES on your computer. Then go to Lapbandtalk and at the top of the page go to USER CP. On the left hand side of the page you will see "Edit Profile Picture". Where it says add a picture click on the "BROWSE" button and find the picture in My pictures that you just downloaded from Facebook. Click on the picture and hit ok. Then at the bottom of the page click save. Your picture will then be displayed.

First congratulations on the start of your journey. I wish you much success. 1> When you attend the seminars they will explain to you the differences between the weightloss surgeries. Lapband, gastric, sleeve, etc. They will also explain each surgery. This is the best time to ask questions. 2> I was able to make the appointment at the seminar. All offices are different. 3> You probably won't know about insurance until your consult but my suggestion would be to call your insurance company directly and ask them if they cover weightloss surgery. Usually most insurance companies will cover WLS if your BMI is over 37 or you have other medical conditions. Unless of course your work has a clause that they don't cover WLS. 4> What to expect...A life changing experience. Go into this with the mind set that the Lapband is a tool. It's not a miracle cure all. It does take alot of work on your part, but the band will help you reach those goals easier then a conventional diet. The lapband is NOT a diet but a lifestyle change. Everything in moderation. I would also suggest attending a local support group if you have one in your area. Good luck and if you have any further question please feel free to ask. Keep us posted.

I had surgery on a Friday and went back to work the following Monday. I was a little sore but it was an easy recovery. I'm a Instructional Assistant in a special education setting. So I move around alot. My suggestion is listen to your body. You'll know when it's time to go back.

The first week I was tired. It took me a good 2 weeks to get totally back to normal. I walked as much as I could tolerate. You have to listen to your body. When it's ready to stop it will let you know. Don't push yourself to get back to the way you were right away. You need time to heal. After all you had major surgery. As for your incision - keep an eye on it. If you just stretched it you should be fine. If you have an drainage from the site or develope a fever, call your surgeon immediately. Do not progress onto other stages unless your doctor says that it's ok. You take the chance of stretching your pouch. This you do not want to happen. You are put on the stages for a reason. As I said, slow down and let your body heal. The first month is probably the hardest. Oh and for the gas as someone else said. Gas-X strips are great as well as walking and a heating pad. Takes about 2 weeks to get it totally out of your system. Good luck to you. And congratulations.

Great post... 1> I want to live longer and don't want my kids to have to grow up without a mother. 2> I want to be proud of myself, and I want others to be proud of me also. Not just looked at as the fat, unhappy person that attends functions. And ok, all of the attention is great!!! 3> I want to stay out of the 'fat people' section in the store because as state before there are only styles that a grandmother would wear. I am happy to say that I do shop in the regular sizes but I still want to wear a pair of skinny jeans. 4> I want to feel sexy!!! And I want to have some respect for myself.

Sorry that you are having so much problems with this issue. I know it's so easy for anyone to tell you that your issue is with the food and that you have to let food stop controling you like this. BUT it's not so easy getting rid of those old habits that follow us even after we are banded. The only real thing that I can possibly say to you is this, Step back and re-evaluate things. You had the band for a reason. You can either make this work, or you can give up and let food take over like it has probably done for most of your life (I know that's what it was for me). I am not trying to be harsh here but sometimes the only way to the heart of things is facing the truth. Honey we can sit here and type until we are blue in the face and it's going to go in one ear and out of the other. You have to be the one that makes the decision of wanting this to work. "You can lead a horse to Water but you can not make them drink." Yes the band is only a tool. And if you want it to work for you, you have to put your best efforts into this. Yes this is not a diet but it is a lifestyle change. And it will work if you set your mind to it, and WANT it to work and MAKE it work. Look food is a comfort food that we turn to when we are stressed, when we are upset, and when we want pleasure. It's just like an alcoholic turning to the bottle or a drug addict turning to heroine. It's a addiction that can only be broken by you. And if you want that to happen, only you can do it. No matter HOW much your mind tells you to do otherwise. Most of what you are feeling is head hunger. You really need to learn the difference. I don't eat 5 to 6 meals a day. I eat 3 meals a day which are no more than 5-6oz. I have sugar free ice pops and plenty of Fluid in between. I have a sensible snack once and awhile. If you are THAT hungry then you need to make sure you are eating higher Protein foods. And you need to stop yourself when you have reach the end of the plate. If you are having problems stopping then you need to measure your food and only eat that much. Keep a journal of what you are eating, that sometimes also helps. Get back on the path and don't give up. Don't give into frustration. That's probably how we all got into this mess in the first place. You can beat it. Don't let food beat you. Have faith in yourself. You can do it. If I can do it, SO can you.

There are no set rules when you have to drink and when you don't, just those 15 minutes before a meal and 45 to an hour after the meal. Whatever works for you as long as you are getting your fluids in. I tend to drink alot of fluids in between meals all at once because that helps me to keep full, plus helps to get my fluids in.

You aren't a failure. You may just need another fill. If you are that hungry between or after meals and you haven't lost any weight for awhile, chances are that is what is happening to you. Are you doing Protein drinks still? How much food are you able to eat at meals? If you are able to eat more than 1 cup of food, are hungry inbetween meals and aren't losing the weight, it's probably time for a fill.

Hah glad I could help. Yes I have lost 101lbs. It's called determination. I have been heavy for most of my adult life. I was getting sick of carrying around all of that extra weight and not being able to move around. Not being able to walk without losing my breath. It was horrible. As for exercise I am not a fanatic. I walk as much as I can. I use my Wii Fit at home. I use my hand weights and resistance bands and exercise ball. But I don't do it every night. I do measure everything that I eat. It's all in the mind. It's a lifestyle change and if you decide from the start that you are going to do it no matter what, then it will work. I thing having my cardiologist tell me that if I didn't lose the weight I was going to die was my wake up call. After I started losing the weight I realized that I could do it. Especialy after trying all of those so called Yo-Yo diets. They worked for me BUT I gained it all back and then some. I also reward myself once and awhile. I enjoy the finer things in life once and awhile. Everything in moderation. Your mind has to be convinced that this is not a diet. Diets fail because they are boring. And everyone has to understand that the lapband is a tool to help you lose the weight and keep it off. It's not a miracle cure all. Your band habits continue to haunt you. The band won't cure that. You just have to learn to deal with those issues in a different way. You will also gain weight at times. SO WHAT. You get back on the path and try harder next time. For me, it's the last restort. There is nothing after the lapband (I refuse to get a gastric bypass). I went through all of this to get where I am now, I am definately giving up now. Good luck to you.

Things to ask: 1> How many Lapband procedures have they done? 2> Ask about the complications and the risks. 3> If there is a 1 night hospital stay or if you will come home the same day? 4> How often they do their fills and if they are agressive with the fills or if they like doing them slow? 5> What test will you need in order for your insurance to approve your surgery? 6> If you work, what your recovery time will be? 7> The different stages of foods that your doctor will want you on after surgery? As the tests. I wouldn't think so. They usually schedule the tests for after they talk to you and tell you what your insurance carrier requires for approval.

Congratulations. I wish you much success. Remember everyone has their ups and downs. This is not a cure all but a tool to help you along your journey. Beleive in yourself and anything is possible.

First let me tell you that it's not impossible to lose 100lbs. I've already lost 101lbs. It all depends how much you put into it. Everyone looses at different paces too. The reason that I chose lapband over Gastric Bypass is for several reasons. 1> The band is safer. I knew someone that almost died from the gastric bypass. 2> Dumping Syndrome - Eat too much sugar on the Gastric Bypass and you will be in the bathroom. 3> Lapband is less invasive and quicker recovery time. 4> I have heard that gastric bypass will stop working after 2 years because it can not be adjusted anymore. 5> You will need to take many more Vitamins then you do with bypass. 6> If there is an emergency the Lapband can be removed. 7> Losing weight faster is better for you. It gives your body time to heal. I researched all the options myself before I decided on the lapband. I have no regrets at all except that I wish I had it done sooner. Before surgery I was borderling everything and had sleep apnea (used a CPAP machine for 5 years). Now my blood work is normal and I no longer have sleep apnea. I've went from a size 26 to a 14. I've went from a BMI of 49 to a 32. I am 19lbs away from goal. I haven't been this weight since 1987. I feel awesome. My self esteem is no longer in the crapper. I feel good about myself which hasn't been possible for many years. Needless to say with all of that said, you need to decide what is best for you. This is only my opions. I wish you luck in whatever you decide.

So glad that I could help you. Good luck on your journey and I wish you lost of luck. Keep us posted. Here a new site that might help you also. Please check it out and tell all of your friends. Be sure to use my name Astrasmom when you sign up. bandedliving.com

Hi Danika. I'm Dawn. Sorry to hear you are having so many frustrating things happen. You are going in the right direction though. If you haven't heard from anyone at the Mayo Clinic within a week, I would make another phone call. Sometimes they tend to put you on the back burner. As for your insurance company. That I don't understand. If I were in your shoes I would call and ask to speak to a Manager because they should be able to tell you what the requirements are to have the lapband surgery and even if Lapband surgery is covered under your insurance. It sounds to me like whomever you talked to was either to lazy and didn't want to do their job or they were in a hurry to get out of the office for the day. That's what happens when they hire people that don't know what they are doing. May I ask what type of insurance you have? You will need to attend the seminar first before you can see the surgeon. After that, most of the time it's smooth sailing. Sometimes you have to fight with the insurance companies though. Please feel free to add me as a friend or email me cc-dmtermini@comcast.net I will try and answer whatever questions you might have. Good luck in your progress. I hope everything works out for you. Please keep me posted on what happens.