JMinDallas

Around how much was it to remove the band and then have the sleeve at the same time? Was it an outpatient procedure? I have insurance, but it doesn't cover WLS.

Thanks everyone for your responses! Good to know some insurances covers the emergency part of things and I'll review to see if mine does cover it.

WOW and OMG are the words that come to mind! This is the type of thing that scares me when being a self payer

What dr did you use if I may ask?

I personally wouldn't have joined right after being banded. I lost weight very easily all through the process until a few months ago. So for me, a year after being banded, it is now helping me make better choices. I don't know so much if it would help everyone, but for me it's really helping to make me track my food as well as be accountable more frequently to someone who is checking my weight. It's also nice getting tips from other people on healthier food options. With the WW now being geared more towards protein type foods, I feel this is a good fit. I just started a few wks ago. I lost 4 lbs the first week, gained 2 over thanksgiving, and now lost 2 lbs this week.

I too just rejoined WW this past week. After about 15 months post-band, I keep gaining and losing the same few lbs, I realized I needed to do something else. I need that accountability more often. I have been eating all my points and some of my xtra's each day. The scale has finally started to go down again. I think the biggest help for me is tracking. I do it via etools which is really helping me stay on track. I haven't told anyone at WW about the band, and I don't really plan to. I feel I'm like others there who have 30ish lbs to lose. GL to everyone!

Thanks for posting this. I was never much of a carb counter, more trying to watch the total calories. I've been noticing my weight is fluctuating between a few lbs back and forth and can't seem to lose. I just checked myfitnesspal and realized the days I've lost I've had less than 50-60g carbs, but on days I gained or stayed the same I had over a 100g carbs. I *think* this might be the answer, or at least I'll try and see where it takes me.

I like the Premier bars, and find them online. They're 290 cals and 30 g protein. I usually eat one a day, and they're very filling and taste good. I also ditto the Premier ready to drink from Costco shakes. They're only 160 cals and 30 g protein.

try taking benefiber on a regular basis. I would get those pains at times too, and realized I hadn't had a bowel movement for several days. Once I started taking the benefiber in with my hot liquid in the mornings (about 2-3 wks ago) I've noticed a big improvement.

Glad you're back to new again. Just be really careful on exercise. I know we were told none for 6 wks. Even when I started exercising, I was really careful about crunches/abs area and stuck with walking and swimming for a while. Great you also got a fill at the same time!

I hit goodwills and resale shops. I haven't bought anything brand new at a regular store except for a very few things (like undies and bras), and they were on sale and with coupons. You can find tons of nice things whether it be jeans, shirts, skirts, blazers, etc. You have to go through and make sure in good condition, but for the most part I've found a lot of really nice stuff. I find you need to find good stores in right areas. Some have no good selections, or clothes that my great grandmother would have worn when she was a kid! But others have really good stuff. Even just for jeans and shirts its paid off. Now I'm hunting for summer clothes since I have none. I love to shop, so I find if you pace yourself right you can get great clothes for not a lot of money.

It sounds like the first band had problems from the beginning....so no wonder you couldn't eat very much. The new band is probably in the right place, but may need more of a fill for you to not feel as hungry. I'm so glad everything went well for you!! Take it easy and you'll be contiuning your loss in no time.

I bought the body media too. Not the blue tooth one. Read some reviews and wasn't sure about it. I do love it. Nice to see how much I actually do in a day. Their food journal part is not very good at all though. I usually use myfitnesspal and then load a total amount of calories for the day into bodymedia site. What's it's really showing me is the days I don't go to the gym, I need to do some sort of exercise.

I finally got benefiber off brand. I take 2 tbsp in my diet hot chocolate each morning. I FEEL so much better being regular again. I too was every 4 days or so. When I'd go I'd lose a lb!! LOL! I just started it last week and I already notice the difference.

It's better to side on the side of caution. You can always gradually go back up, but nothing worse than being too tight. Glad you're feeling better!

When I've had a fill, we're supposed to do liquids for 2 days...no food at all. I would suggest you only do liquids for at least the rest of today and maybe tomorrow. Take it very slow in drinking. As long as you are able to keep liquids down, you should be fine. Sometimes it takes a few days or even a week for the swelling to go down after a fill.

Congrats!! Amazing job!

Hope everything goes well for you. I've read on here where people have had an unfill and their band has gone back into place. Here's hoping yours is the same! Take care and let us know how you're feeling. (I hear ya about having one meal w/o the band!!)

I had free for 6 months. This past visit (no fill) was $50. I have insurance (doesn't cover lapband) so if I need a fill I pay difference of $200. Insurance pays about $120, so I'll be paying $80 if I need a fill. Ouchie!

Or drink some pineapple juice. Afterwards stick with liquids for at least 24 hrs. Hot liquids work good too.

Would you tell me which you feel is the better one? I've researched both, and they seem to both be pretty good. I do like the idea of the Fit monitoring your sleep as well. Are either of them waterproof for swimming? Thanks for your help in making my decision!

I just saw the vanilla last week. I'm not a big chocolate person, but the chocolate is great. I love that it's so much protein for such small amount of cals. I try to drink one each day or every other to get enough protein in a day.

I agree that Water helps. I don't know if it's because it 'fills' you up so you're not as hungry or what. But I've noticed it just in the past few wks. My weightloss had slowed down or stopped, and I realized I was barely drinking 32 oz if that a day. Only because it's been cold. I normally drink 72 oz or more of water a day. I started back to drinking at least 64 oz and I notice my weight is going down again. Could just be me, but I figure it can't do any harm.

I am a little over 6 months post op. I was 260 and am now 195. I've lost 65 lbs and feel great! I went from a size 22/24 to a 14/16. Thankfully it hasn't been tough for me yet too much. I've gained a few here and there, but quickly got back in control. I do allow myself treats at times (it keeps me sane and not overindulging). I didn't own a scale, but decided to buy one two wks ago. Even though I told myself I wouldn't, I weigh every morning. I'm not obsessed with it at all, but it really helps keeps me on track. If I gain a little bit, I immediately eat better or less that day. So it's a good thing to keep on top of it.

Hey everyone! I didn't even know this was here! Glad I was browsing outside the normal forums and found the June bugs. Sounds like most of us are about same lost. I too am kind of jumping up and down my 2-3 lbs. I *think* I'm at restriction, but not too sure. I'm not as hungry, be do get so at times. Mostly after lunch until dinner. I've been trying to get better about tracking my food and exercising more regularly. I just bought the bodymedia fit (similar to bodybugg) and hoping that gives me an extra boost. Keep up the great work everyone!!!