stargate713

Everyone is different.....it sometimes takes people numerous fills to reach proper restriction. You stated that you already had testing to ensure that the band is in proper position, so you just need to be patient, and not so hard on yourself. Follow the band rules, and continue to get your fills.....it will work!

The wording in most insurance plan information is designed to discourage you from proceeding with the process. The first thing you need to do is call your insurance and ask "do i have any exclusions in my policy for weight loss surgery" some employers do have exclusions in their plans. They may tell you it has to be medically nessassary, and you need to be over a specific BMI. As long as there is no specific exclusion in your policy, you go through the process, and if they deny you, then you appeal. If you read through these boards you will see numerous stories of the "hoops" people have had to jump through to get approved. But if your BMI is high enough, and there is not an exclusion in your policy then it is worth the effort. Good luck!

sugar free popsickles helped me right after surgery....as well as warm drinks like hot herbal tea...it was soothing as well as hydrating

I'm and RN and former dialysis Nurse. The 2 biggest causes of kidney failure are diabetes and high blood pressure, and the combination of the two. Also there are genetic forms of kidney disease and some ethinic groups have a higher pre-disposition. I can not see how the lapband surgery could have any direct relationship to kidney failure unless you had some complication or infection during your surgery. KT.....I hope you have seen your doctor, because you may have a kidney infection. Women are prone to UTI's and if left untreated can progress into a kidney infection which can be very serious if left untreated.

Health food stores like GNC and even some Walmarts have protein suppliments that are clear liquid, in fruit flavors that taste like jello. Just keep trying different ones till you find something you like. I use the GNC 100% whey protein (carmel chocolate flavor) That's the only flavor I like in that brand, so even if you try one flavor in a brand and dont like it, try another. Unfortunately they should have instructed you to find one you liked before you were banded, so you wouldnt have to be going through this now one week post-op! Also I have heard that some of the bariatric web sites sell "sample" packs so you can try different products, but i dont have any specific links for that, you would have to do a search. Good luck! Get your protein....it's important.

I won't go into my whole story except to say that my situation was similar. My husband is "apathetic" I would say. He did that same as yours in the beginning, he didn't discourage me, but he didn't support me. When I would try to explain things to him, or talk about what I was learning in support group he would basically ignore me, so I just don't bother anymore. The only thing he did do was go with me on the day of surgery. He didn't even get up the next morning to help me get our son off to school. One thing (and I can't say that I blame them) is thatn they have seen us lose and gain and lose and gain.....they probably do have their doubts that this will really work. Also I think that some men are truely afraid of the surgery, afraid of the wife dying, or being sick, and they have no way to express it. Another fear is as some have already stated, they are insecure that we will leave them once we look and feel better (and many do!) The only advice I have to offer is that if your spouse is not supportive to find your own support. My support group and bariatric team (the MSW, RN, and nutritionist) has been there for me every step of the way. Search out what YOU need to be sucessful! And lean on us when you need a shoulder.

You are certainly not alone.....I am 4 months post op, and just had my second fill today. I have not had any restriction to date, but hopefully will have some now. I have not gotten myself too worked up because i have been reading these boards and many blogs for months, so i DID know what to expect....but that didn't really make it easier. I think though now i am getting a better idea of why the gradual increase in restriction works from reading this blog: S.O.B. Stories After reading the process of sucessful bandsters the "light has dawned" so to say. I think we need time for our brains to really "learn" the new habits. Sure we can recite the "rules" backwards and forwards....but it takes TIME for our brains to catch up to our bodies. Our bad old habits didn't just appear over-night.....so why should we think our new healthy habits will happen over-night? When i stop to think about the fact that i have been obese for 30 years, 18 months to become thin dosen't seem that long. Be good and gentle to yourself.....you will see the changes soon.

What is your plan for keeping the weight off? Statistics show that 95% of the people who lose weight traditionally don't keep it off. I wish I had done this 10 years ago when I was your age....but then again it's hard to know if I really would have been "ready" to do it then. You do have to be mentally ready and comitted. Good luck with your decision, we'll all be here for you no matter which path you choose.

What is your reason for wanting to run this particular race? Is it just because you already signed up? it takes the body 6-8 weeks to heal after surgery. Why would you want to risk any injury to yourself for something you don't have to do? Everyone is different of course, but I didn't feel like resuming my previous activity level for several weeks, I just had no energy while just on liquids. Have you discussed this with your surgeon? Most have guidlines for post-op exercise.

that's why you are having lap-band surgery.....if we could do it on our own we wouldn't be here. Just do your best!

will your insurance cover it if you get a referral from your primary doc? They can say it's for stress, anxiety, depression etc ( and who dosn't have a little stress???)

If you trust her with your children then you should be able to trust her with this. I'm glad I did'nt tell everyone I know, but I'm comfortable with the fact that I told the people who I'm closest to. Good luck with everything!

Look'n GOOD!!!

have the snack. Sometimes you cant follow the reccomendations to the letter...everyone's life is different...there is room for individual modifications. check out this blog about sucessful bansters and you will see what I mean. S.O.B. Stories

what I have to say is basically the same as everyone else......but being in the medical profession i feel that you would benifit from some counseling along with weight loss surgery so that you have the best chance at being sucessful. And this is only my opinion of course, but it sounds to me like you may want to consider a gastric by-pass. A counselor who specializes in bariatric issues may be able to help you decide what is best for you. But don't give up....the important thing is that you do something to improve your health and well being!

well.....I'm in "banster hell" right now. I was less prepared for this than I was for the liquid/mushy/soft diet post-op. I am now progresed to regular food, but have no restriction. My surgery was 3/31, and I won't have my first fill for another 2 weeks on June 3rd. Since I have no restriction....and CAN eat anything i ate pre-op.....the struggle is not eating it. And the psychological aspect of that is about making me crazy! Because knowing I can eat anything i want NOW.....but won't be able to once I start getting fills is like having a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other. "You should eat that now....because soon you won't be able to......no, no, no....don't do it...keep yourself on track!" On top of that, since I have resumed exercising my appetite has increased. I guess my point here is to be prepared for many different stages of this game, and many different emotions related to food.

You are monitored the entire time you are under anesthesia, You have your surgeon, possibly an assistant surgeon, and the anestheologist (who is a doctor or nurse practitioner) and several nurses ALL taking care of you and monitoring everything. You do have to put your trust in them for that time period, but as a nurse I KNEW that they were professionals and knew what they were doing. My biggest fear was that "loss of control", but every person on my surgical team was so nice, and caring and professional, I knew everything would be fine. Try to focus on the posistive......and not stress yourself out. On a side note, I for one was having my own second thoughts about 2 weeks before the surgery....I think that is very common as well. We are all here for you...just like your dear loving Mom!

Wow.....yes I sort of agree with the previous post. I started feeling better around post-op day 4 or 5, but I have read on here some folks have their surgery on a Friday and are back to work Monday....so everyone is different. It will be a long day, you have to factor in getting to and from the airport, waiting for flight in those less than comfortable waiting areas....possible flight delays. So a 5 hour flight really is an entire day of travel. Also you will have to plan for your fluids. You will be fine, but be prepared, I understand if staying a few days longer is not an option. Good luck....and let us know how you make out.

No...it stand for "productive burping".....it is vomiting up what is in your little pouch. Sometimes it happens if you eat too fast, don't chew well enough or get "stuck".

Don't lose any weight prior to your weigh in at your first surgeon's appointment, that's the weight your insurance will use (actually your BMI) Unless of course you are way above the required BMI for approval. Most insurance company's require your BMI to be at least 40 or 35 with comorbidities....but like machan30 stated CHECK YOUR OWN INSURANCE!!! They vary wildly. Good luck with your journey!

Definetly stay on top of your doc and make an appointment. It does not sound like you have restriction if you are hungry all the time. You have to be pro-active in this, make sure you continue to get fills until you reach adequate restriction, for some people it takes several fills.......you have to be your own advocate to make this work for you... no one else is going to do it for you! Good luck, it will work!

Good work everyone!!!! I was banded March 31, I'm down 23 lbs including pre-op. I probably won't have my first fill for another 3-4 weeks. I feel great!

Don't be so hard on yourself....you are learing a new lifestyle, and you haven't even had a fill yet, so you don't have any restriction. This is just the beginning of the journey. And your husband is right....no one expects that you will never have another piece of cake for the rest of your life, that would be unrealistic. Read some blogs where people have been sucessful.....you will see that there are alot of different stratigies for success. Good luck!

When I look at Your age....20 and think back to myself at that age.....I can't help thinking about how different my life whould have been if I had had the opportunity to be a normal weight. Flash forward to 26 years later....26 years of being fat and miserable. You just can't get that time back. This takes a lifestyle change, and a lot of commitment on your part. if you feel you are mature enough, and commited enough, then by all means do it. If you are not sure yet, then maybe wait a few years and then re-evaluate where you are in your life. The option for the surgery will stiil be here. But don't wait 26 years! Good luck in your decision.

my PCP was a bitch....(but she is anyway) sorry to say. The day I went for my referral she had me in tears...but then she said "I'm still going to write you the referral". By the time I had my follow up appointment with her when I needed to get a letter for my insurance.....you would have thought it was all her idea from the beginning! As it turns out she was clueless about the lab-band proceedure...and I ended up educating HER. Don't let your doctor intimidate you...remember, he or she works for you. You are paying this person for their services.