Jess55

I can understand in the sense of someone not being able to keep a secret. I am hopefully revising to the sleeve from the band. I few years after I got the band I found out my mom told my grandparents, her sister in law, etc that I had surgery. I was so mad as I am a private person and didn't want anyone to know. I unfortunately have to tell my parents, as I need their help to and from the hospital and taking my dogs for the night. But I really don't want to, I do not want them to tell people again. Which is why I'm waiting until I get approved (hopefully), but I'm going to reiterate that this is my business and no one else's Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I am hopefully revising to the band in the next month (last visit on Friday, then praying I get approval). I've had the band since 2010. I did well in the beginning with no fill. Then I stopped losing and tried getting fills, I started losing again but only because I really couldn't eat anything until late afternoon, even then i would still vomit things up at dinner. I never was able to find my sweet spot. I had my fill removed and by the time I got courage to go back to my surgeon I am the same weight as where I started . I did not originally want the sleeve or bypass because of the risks, but I know I need it now, so I'm willing to risk it. My coworker has the band and she lost weight and was even under weight, but I think she keeps hers tight as I see her eating soft foods at work a lot of the time (I could be wrong). But now she's gained some weight back too and seems to be struggling to lose it again. It's all up to you, but from my experience I would not recommend the band to anyone. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Wow cant afford that long! Man im have to tlk to my surgeon! Sent from my LG-K540 using the BariatricPal App After my lap band surgery. I went back in one week. I'm a vet tech. I'm on my feet all day in and out of cages. Bending into lower cages. At the time I was a little sore and I managed to avoid lifting any animals over like 25#. I absolutely cannot afford to be out for a long time. I'm planning on revising to the sleeve. Cross my fingers I could have surgery if I get approved end of February/beginning of March. I plan on taking maybe 10 days off. I'm not one who is able to stay at home. I remember by day 4 I was bored crazy last time. I probably was lucky since I didn't have lasting pain. Day one I was like wtf did I do I'm dying? Day 2 I was like ok not so bad, and say 3 I only took pain meds because I had bad cramps. After that I may have taken one or two doses of tyelenol. I imagine the pain will be the same this time.

Please let us know how long it takes you to find out. I have Empire BCBS NY as well. I have my final weigh in on February 3rd. I hope I hear asap who I can schedule for the end of February

One thing why my surgery can't come soon enough. My ankles are so messed up and I'm hoping with all my might that at least some of my pain is relieved after I start losing weight. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I have this problem too. I hate my body now where I am. But I honestly don't think I'll like my body anymore after I lose weight. At least enough to feel comfortable with someone. I'd probably have to be with them for a long while first. I would love to get plastic surgery post op but I know I don't have money for that, short of winning the lotto and that's not going to happen. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I've been using my TENS unit and it helps a little bit.

I love kickboxing! I used to go all the time. I miss it so much, I had to freeze my membership to my kickboxing gym at the beginning of November because I hurt my ankle and right now I can barely walk, let alone do kickboxing. As soon as my feet/ankle recovers I'll be going back. I started 3 months after I got my band and lost a good amount of weight before my band started failing. So yes it's a great workout Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

With my band surgery (trying to revise to sleeve). I only took the narcotics for two, technically 3 days. Third day was really only because I had bad cramps from TOM. But a year later I threw out a more than 3/4 bottle of the stuff. I think I did take Tylenol a few times after though Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I wonder if steroids would help me. I can barely walk some days and I'm on my feet 10-12 hour shifts at work. I had an MRI last month and have a partial tear of my peroneous Brevis tendon along with multiple ligament sprains in my left foot. I'm also 95% sure I've done something to my right ankle. But my feet are also killing me. I need something to relieve the pain Advil does nothing. I've never taken steroids before but I'll do anything to get some relief! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

This was my biggest fear when I had my band surgery. I was scared I was going to be naked before they knocked me out. I am a very modest person and since I am fat have zero self esteem. Luckily they didn't take off my gown prior to anesthetizing me. I just had to pull my gown out from under me so they could take it off easier. I think if they had taken it off prior I would've had a panic attack. Lol Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I've heard when some ones weight is over a certain point, it may not be safe to do bypass completely, so they do a sleeve (or maybe just make their stomach smaller). Then after they've lost a bit and it's safer they do the bypass part, where they bypass part of the intestines. Maybe that's what they meant Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I don't mind at all. I'm a revision patient, but I'll tell you about both. For my initial surgery (lapband) and if this(rny) had been an initial surgery (different insurances then and now) the requirements would've been the same. Visit with psychologist and his/her approval; 6 month physician (other than my surgeon) supervised diet with an inability to lose 10% of my body weight within the past 2 years; 5 year history of morbid obesity; bmi or 40 or more with no comorbidities or 35 or more with a certain number of comorbidities from a certain list (I will put a screenshot in pics In addition to this, my surgeon requires attending at least one nutrition education class that is 2.5 hours long, and at least one support group meeting. I continued the support group meetings because they are soooo helpful. At these, the first 45 minutes is a group discussion with a licensed counselor then the bariatric nutritionist talks to us for 20 minutes or so and gives us tips and recipes and such. The next part is Q&A where preop patients ask questions of post ops. The last part, the preops and postops divide into groups and talk about whatever. There are 2 bariatric registered nurses and a bariatric dietician at these meetings. This time, I was a revision patient, and my surgeon required a refresher on the nutrition and a support group meeting since it had been 7.5 years since my initial surgery. Insurance only required a letter of either surgical or medical complication. My initial consultation for my revision was September 26. My surgery was December 15, 6 days ago. I'd be happy to answer any questions you have. I'm a very open person. Screenshot_20161221-175846.png Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using the BariatricPal App I'm jealous. Lol. I'm revising too and they made me do the entire process again. All the pre op clearances and the 6 months. I was hoping I wouldn't have to do the 6 months and have my surgery this month. But the insurance coordinator said insurance would never approve without it. Now I have to pay my deductible again, pulse my out of pocket witch I'd already paid some of as well. Money I don't have, Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I'm the same. My Fitbit keeps me motivated to move more. Try to beat my steps or calories or whatever from the previous day. I do see the times my tracker broke I did not move as much. It's like if you can't see it it doesn't count (just in my brain. Lol). Unfortunately I haven't been doing much recently as I partially tore a tendon in my ankle as well as other sprained ligaments. My goal is the they back to the gym and get on the bike since that won't put to much pressure on my ankles. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I'm aware of that. The lower esophageal sphincter is right above the band. So basically, you're feeling as if it's stuck there. Oh ok

I'm pretty sure it's getting stuck at the band. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

You're 5'10" and the doctor said your goal weight is 145? That seems low. I'm 5'2" and my doc said my goal weight was 143. I don't know what your body type is but my doc said I had a large frame. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I wish I could! That means I wouldn't have to tell my mom. Who when I had the band I asked her to keep it quiet, then a few years post op I found out she told everyone . Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Thanks! One other question if you see this. If I went for my cardiac clearance and was not happy with the doctor (just went for initial appointment with ekg, no echo yet) will insurance pay to go to a different one? This one wanted me to do a stress echo (which even my surgeon agreed is completely unnecessary). Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I'm in the process of converting my band to sleeve. I have (hopefully my last) appointment with my surgeon on 11/18. I have an echo scheduled for the 3rd. So here's my question, my left foot/ankle has been bothering my for about 8 months now. I've been putting off getting it checked feeling that maybe it was weight related. I've finally gotten to the point where I want to get it checked out because it's getting worse and inhibiting my life. But I'm worried if I go for an MRI insurance might not want to pay for the surgery. I know it may be irrational, but I'm concerned. Do you think anything will inhibit their decision. I have Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield. Thanks Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I am a licensed veterinary technician who works emergency. I had lap band 6 years ago. Isn't back to work one week post op. I was still a little sore but had no issues. I just avoided lifting any patients larger than 25lbs. I did not tell anyone I had WLS. I did fudge and tell people I had a hiatal hernia repair (which was true). I worked the morning shift which was a bit easier on me. I am hopefully converting to the sleeve soon. I now work the swing shift which is a lot busier. I'm thinking of taking 10 days off. I really can't afford to take too much time, I do have more vacation time I could use, but I'd rather save it. I'm not sure what I'm going to say this time in order not to lift. I may just say I hurt my back (unfortunately in my field lots of people have bad backs). Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I asked my surgeon if he's done many in the same procedure and he said yes. He didn't really push the fact that he'd rather do it in two procedures. Like I said I cannot take off work twice. Plus the fact a leak is a leak. I do not see how it is more dangerous in a sleeve vs bypass. I work in veterinary medecine and have seen many foreign body surgeries (where they are removed either from the stomach or intestines. Some who already have a septic abdomen from their intestines perforating). Same amount of danger if your intestines leak vs your stomach. Yes, I have seen some die too from it. I am more than fully informed. This was one of the main reasons I didn't want the sleeve or bypass to begin with. The risk of peritonitis. But I am more than ready to assume that risk. It is a risk. They are cutting into your stomach and it can happen

I went for a consult today for a revision to sleeve. My doc told me today it would be better to do the band removal now and do the sleeve in like three months. I told him I can't really take off from work right now or avoid heavy lifting (my coworker is on maternity leave and we are short staffed). He said he's done it in one procedure many times but there is a higher risk of leaks 1% vs 3%. I am willing to take the chance. I don't want to go under twice anyways. Hopefully the scar tissue isn't that bad. I hope to have surgery in november

I'm so depressed. I called my surgeons office yesterday to see if there was any word on my insurance and the receptionist said she'd gotten a call that they denied me for revising to the sleeve. She was goi g to leave it for the woman in charge of the insurance stuff though. I'm so upset, originally I said I probably wasn't going to get approved since my bmi was under 40 and my only complication was vomiting. Then I got it in my head they were going to say yes and now I'm devastated. I keep gaining weight without any Fluid in my band and I don't want to go back to puking at most times, or being able to eat anything other times. My scrubs barely fit me and I refuse to buy larger ones. My bmi is like 37 right now, it was under a little less at my last surgeons visit. At this point I'm almost thinking if they would approve me if I gain a little bit more, but I really don't want to. I'm probably going to start and try to do a 1-2 week liquid diet n Monday anyways because I need to lose weight bad, I'm miserable. Maybe the insurance lady at the office will manage to call and talk them into it. Here's crossing my fingers.

Unfortunately besides being overweight I'm very healthy. No problems at all. Which in this case kind of sucks