jerbear

I don't know if it would be differant for Retired Army and your location, but I did not have to do the 6 month proof of diet. The nurse at my lapband clinic said Tricare was one of the easiest to get approval. I did not pay for surgery and I only pay $12 for a fill. My surgeon starts with an information seminar that will answer alot of question for you. I think that is what alot of them do. I suggest you find a surgeon and get started. It did take me about 9 Months to get everything done that they required and get a surgery date.

2-3 pounds a week is good but I agree with Mis73. If you are hungry and not staying satisfied, you probably need a fill.

I'm not a big asparagus or celery eater but I have had it chopped in chicken and seafood salads with no problem. The food I wonder about is sweet potatoes. I was told they were a no no because of the fiber. Anyone know about that?

I only told the people I am close to at work and my close family. My thing was I was afraid I would fail and people would say "I knew she couldn't do it" or other such things. Just tell the people you know will be supportive and let the others wonder "what the heck is she doing to lose all that weight". Later you will be ok with telling people.

It's funny you said that about the cheese. I have thought that it was the cheese that made me sick. But I can eat regular cheese so I thought it was crazy that pizza cheese would do that.

It takes time to get to that perfect point. I remember thinking "this thing is not working for me". I ate several small meals a day until I hit that green zone. Just make sure your meals consist of some good protein.

I can eat pizza if I get the thin crust from Dominos. It's so thin and crisp that it's almost like a cracker. If I eat the deep dish or regular crust. I get sick.

I am going through the same thing. I don't have a gallbladder. I also went to ER the first time it happened. I went through test and was told it was not my heart. That was in May and I have had the pain again several time. My pain is between my breast and between my shoulder blades. They told me to see my primary care provider and she put me on nexium twice a day. That has not helped. I am open for suggestions too.

I was banded over 2 years ago and everything has been great until just recently. I had been having reflux really bad. The nurse removed fluid 3 times and finally had me do an Upper GI. They found that my stomach had worked it's way up thru the band. I had a large pouch at top and small at bottom. They took all the fluid out of my band and I have to wait 6 weeks. Hopefully my stomach will go back down and they will gradually tighten me back. I have reached my goal and am really worried I will gain during this 6 week period. Has anyone else had this happen? If yes, what was your outcome?

It is hard at first. You just gotta break that habit of having a drink at your meal.

I think we expect an overnight miracle to happen right away. I know we have all heard "you didn't gain all this weight in a month, so don't expect to loose it in a month". Don't get discouraged. It took me 2 years to get to my goal weight. It will happen if you do the right things. Also you should measure youself. Sometimes when you don't see results on the scale you will on the tape measure. Good luck and keep up the good work.

It took me two years to lose 110 pounds. I agree with previous comment track what you are eating and up your excercise program. But be patient. It takes time.

I am having that problem now. I was banded a little over 2 years ago. Everything was fine and about 6 months ago I started have bad reflux. I have had fluid taken out 3 times. I am now waiting for my insurance to approve an upper GI. They are going to see if there is something up with the band. I hope to get it fixed soon. I love my band and want to get back in the green zone without reflux.

I agree that sweet potatoes have more nutritional value, but I was told not to eat them. I was told they can get stuck because of the fiber. Was I mislead?

What causes a band to slip?

I had a friend that had lapband surgery, lost only 40 pounds and gained it back. She is at the same weight she was pre surgery. I almost backed out of my surgery because I was afraid I would be like her. I made up my mind to do what doctor told me and I am a success. I just past my 2 year mark and have lost 94 pounds. This is a great tool but if not used properly, it does not work.

have you had a sleep study? If you have sleep apnea, I think that is considered a co-morbidity.