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Hello I'm 24 and mother of 3. I am hoping to loose 100 lbs and hoping I don't have lots of skin but my insurance covers if medically needed. I'm ready for other half of my 20s to be thin bc I wasn't in teens and want to be in 30s lol so here is to 25 and at least being 25 less by 5-13 ( my 25th birthday) my surgery is 3-12 so would hope in 2 mo I could loose 25 ..small goals equal big goal

:help: i have bc/bs of ill. after months and months of testing, labs etc. following there requirements to the T. they approved me on 11/17/06 or should i say pre certified. approve the hospital stay and not the biatric surgery. on 11/18/06 they said i had a exclusion in my policy. my question is when they are review your case and requesting all kinds of information. do they not also review you policy. i am doing the research now to appeal my case. at the time of the so called approval they called my doctors office and schedule my surgery on 12/04/06. and now i am left hang and depressed. after years and years of being over weight i finally, after alot of research and soul searching desided this is my only solution. any one out there with any hope...:phanvan :help: :pray:

Before I ask for advice, I better explain why I'm having trouble reaching surgeon... I lost my job in April, and then when my roomies decided they didn't want me either, I lost that home and ended up at my fathers. He lives isolated on an island community, and while that sounds great, it is also a small fortune to get to the mainland particually when you're on unemployment and jobless. The surgen seemed to think everything was okay, and seemed to be okay with me going through GP most of the time, and didnt' send me out a next appointment... Anyway, so this is what has been happening. About six weeks ago, it suddenly started. Literally, after a meal, I was suddenly unable to eat. I threw up anything solid, or mushy, and even drinking tea was a problem. And at night, I'd have to throw up just to sleep, the acid wouldn't stop coming otherwise... This lasted for about a week and it was when I had a cup of tea, and had to throw it up, when I decided that I needed to do something... so I went to ER. ER was a bit of a disaster. I hadn't slept the night before, due to the acid, and when I got there the nurse seemed to mistake 'Haven't eaten solid or mushy food for a week' for 'haven't pooped for a week' after I mentioned that I did have a bit of constepation. So when I got in there, the doctor ignored the band and tried to prod around in the other direction. I got upset, being tired and having just spent a week drinking tea and watery Soups, and made sure he didn't get near me with that stupid gloved hand. Said that I didn't understand what my bottom had to do with the inability to eat or a lapband problem. So they did an xray and they THOUGHT it looked okay, but then, they also didn't know that a lapband could slip downwards so... The doctor told me to come back to the ER the next day. They didn't have the right doctor, sorry. Couldn't help me. Gave me some pills for the acid reflux, with no instructions, and being tired and upset I went home. Didn't go back the next day, couldn't AFFORD to go back for a second day in a row. ( As I'd told them.) Since when do people go to the ER for anything other htan what might be a big problem? SO I decided to be super careful, didn't want to keep throwing up fluids, so I went on a Fluid only diet for several days to be really careful and gentle on the stomach. It seemed to work and soon I could manage solids again. The acid kept on coming at night but not so much, so well rested and partly well fed, I refused to complain. Or go back to the bottom probing hospital. Then about two weeks ago, it got worse again. I either had the 'vomit acid' which meant I would wake up with nastiness in my mouth and in my throat and would try and throw it all up... but that was easy, seeing as it was 'natural vomit acid'. Or it was the 'gluggy acid' which I couldn't wash down with Water, or swallow down, or cough up, and it would burn me so bad that I'd wheeze and cough for air and feel pretty freaked out that maybe it might close up my airways competely. THAT only could be pushed down with plain weetbix, with no milk, thick and plain and wheaty.... So this time I went to the island's GP. It was so bad that it hurt to drink a cup of tea or to breathe. He reassured me that the band was probably okay, and proscribed me nexum, saying that I'd probably been damaging the espohagus for years but had only just felt hte pain. It worked for about three, four days? But then the acid slowly got worse and worse again, and nothing stopped it... not nexum, not weetbix, nothing. So last night it was so bad that I woke up every ten minutes till I just gave up on sleeping. I can eat all right... just can't lie down. I don't know what to do now, or what is going on. GP and hospital told me everything's okay, but this was so sudden, and I can't sleep! Should I go back to GP and ask for a barium swallow, even if he thinks it's okay, or call up surgeon directly and ask for an appointment... or what? Also, has anyone experianced this? Esspically the gluggy acid! I would love to know what I can do in the middle of the night to fix it, as my 'midnight snacks' cause a few arguements even if they are on bland tasteless weetbix. (Wheat processed then made into rectangles, a sugerless ceral.)

Hi, I'm 50 year old woman living in Victoria, BC Canada. I'm an elementary teacher on long-term medical leave, married with no children, and have 120-140 pounds to lose. I'm currently on my pre-op diet and will be banded on December 2nd. I would love to hear from someone who's around the same age and has had a similar amount of weight to lose. Thanks!:biggrin:

Sunny, you are fine, and your band is fine. 9 pretzels arent going to hurt anything. Throughout your entire journey there are going to be times when you slip up, or revert to old habits. The only reason that it is "bad" at this point is bc you are still healing and just want to be careful. Docs usually put people on liquids and mushies, etc so you can get used to your band and don't get anything stuck...which would lead to pbing or throwing up. But really, slap yourself on the wrist and realize that we are all weak! We need help and we have chose the band bc we recognize that! It's okay. Now, don't do it again :smile2:

I call BS on that, personally, as does my surgeon. Your easiest results happen in the first year or so, but that's not the end by any means.

Hello My husband had the band put in mon 6/6/11, he passed the swallow test prior to being discharged from the hospital. I had to bring him to the ER that evening bc he wasn't keeping anything down. Then the next 3 days he had continuous vomiting, it was all foam and mucous. Then on friday the dr did a revision and it looked promising he was gonna be discharged the following day. Well he never made it home he is still in the hospital 1 week post band not able to even keep in saliva. He wants the band out ASAP. Anybody else experience this? and if so, how long did it last and what caused it.

So, it was my understanding that you should not drink after you eat something for at least 1/2 hour. I was told so that the food will stay above the band and let you feel fuller longer. I had my second fill on 7/22 and am now at 5cc total. I definitly have restriction bc I have had a few instances of vomiting. First, I get this horrible chest pain, ike the food is stuck. this has been happening more than I would like now and so I decided to drink a little in hopes of pushing the food through. The liquids actually made it worse! Once I had a few sips, I had to vomit. Has anyone had similar issues?? I would appreciate any stories and advice!!!!! Thanks!!

Thx!!! My husband keeps asking me what I want for Xmas but I think I want to wait bc I will want clothes! Sent from my iPhone using VST

I was informed i was suppost to get my surgery yesterday the 26th of oct, so i started my liquids on the 19th all went well lost 6lbs. When i called my drs office on the 24th to see where we stand and if we are a go for the surgery on the 26th she told me that she hasnt heard anything yet from my ins. co. So i took it apon myself and called my ins co and asked if they rec my paper work n to see whats going on n they said they just rec my paper work on the 21st of this month n it can take 10 to 15 business days to see if i am approved. also, the reason they rec my paper work so late was bc the ins co internal fax wasnt working so this was apperently going on since the end of sept beginng f oct. Also im back on solids, bc i couldntdo the liquids knwg i didnt have to so that only lasted 2 extra days.I realllllly want to get ths surgery, bc when i lost only the 6lbs from doin the liquids i started to feel great. But im becomming very impatient!!!!

hello all..tonight is my seminar and im just wondering what to expect..im nervous and excited at the same time..also i have Anthem bc/bs in GA..anyone have that and can give me some info thanks

Day three of pre op Milk diet .... A little fed up now, didnt realise how social our mealtimes are. Sitting drinking/or eating jelly is hard whilst all the family eat the lovely dinner prepared by myself. Did fam fav last night spaghetti with prawns in tomato sauce ... smelt so good! Anyone else in similar boat and just missing chewing?

Thank you ladies. I can have more med in 2 hours thank goodness. I am scared to overdo it today. After getting home and laying in bed, the pain was extreme to the point that it hurt to breathe. I think i need a wedge bc my angle is bad. I also hurt the port site when trying to roll out of bed. So it's been a rough day but hope it is better day 3

Thanks! I have been all the way up to 319 at one point probably about 2 and a half years ago but when I started with my surgeon in Feb, I was 299.5 and day of surgery was 291. And this morning I was 276.0 so idk I know I haven't EXACTLY been eating quite the way I should though which I'm mad at my self for but at the same time its so hard bc I do still crave the thi gs I shouldn't have. Plus, my family all eats terrible and I mean TERRIBLE so that doesn't help me either[emoji19] but when I do eat kinda bad it's not like THAT MUCH ya know? So idk I guess I just gotta keep on... keepin on! Lol Thanks for the info and help dear![emoji4] Sent from my SM-G981U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hey everyone.. I was trying to find a forum to post a ques re: the title above.. Not sure if this is the most relevant if anyone has other suggestions please let me know! Question is I rec'd my first fill last wk and feeling comfortably restricted, however this is the first time I'm feeling the effects of excess stomach acids and having it bother my throat. I had surgery on 5/3. The MD prescribed prevacid immed post op.. I took it for several days and stopped bc I felt fine (yes I understand prevacid is for preventative measures). Now w this restriction, I started taking the Prevacid again however I've been reading any discomfort due to this should be alleviated with an antacid..ie TUMS.. So: A. Is taking TUMS OK? B. Are there foods that can help minimize this feeling? C. Are there foods to exacerbate this feeling? D. How long should this last before I reach out to the MD or nutritionist? Ps.. I also have a cold so I'm trying to work thru that before calling th MD. Thanks in advance!

I joined this forum two years ago when I was going through my insurance approval process. I eventually decided not to get the surgery about one month before it was scheduled. I started working out really hard and dieting. I lost 80lbs and felt great.....now guess what....just like every other time in my life I gained it all back. I'm active, I hike, scuba dive, swim etc...I'm not a lazy person but I just can't keep the weight off. I'm so fed up and sad. So here I am starting over and think the band might be the answer. I am concerned about the long term affects of it. I'm not really posting to get answers but hoping to find people with similar feelings. I meet with Dr. Luttrell in two weeks and Dr. Wellborn after that.

@@Cervidae - I've been tested up and down, left and right for PCOS! I had an ultrasound to check out my ovaries but there weren't any cysts. I had my blood tested to check for PCOS and it came back negative. All my doctors assumed I had PCOS because I have all the classic symptoms but nope, I'm good in that regard lol... @@Sajijoma - Wow, sounds like you got the short end of the stick Sorry you go through that. My periods aren't super heavy, but they are very painful and fraught with symptoms. I don't know 100% if I'm done having kids... the deal is I agreed to carry one baby and my partner is carrying the other (I'm a lady married to a lady). If for some reason she's incapable of getting pregnant I need to keep my oven fresh in case I have to bake another bun. I'm HOPING I'm done but I can't say for sure that I am. I didn't know you could get your uterine lining removed. I'll probably do that after baby number 2 is born since we don't want more than 2 kids (if we can help it - there's always the risk of multiples when you use artificial insemination with fertility drugs). I also don't want to remove all the parts because of the hormones. My mom had a full hysterectomy when she was 39 because her period pain was unbearable (must be hereditary because I'm the same way). But her hormones were all out of whack because she lost her ovaries. I don't know if I want to rid myself of the organs but it sure would be nice to kill my period forever! Will probably research BC pills to find something that works for me.

I'm sure you are feeling better now. But I'll just share that I TOO was surprised how much it hurt post-op....only bc I thought this was a "nothing" operation. I was challenged by standing up from laying down and bending to pick up. Didn't take long - I'm back in the garden, back reaching deep for laundry, etc.

Im a little confused, is it Bariatric Pal Hospital or Hospital BC? I have heard that it is referenced as both names. If I have acid reflux is it ok to have the Gastric Sleeve or would I need the Gastric Bypass? Thank you Tammy Weller

I scheduled a gyn. Appointment shortly after my surgery for this reason. But I do not want an IUD. I don’t like the idea of having that in my uterus and I have heard too many horror stories from friends/families. I hope to continue with the good ole pill form of bc.

I'm done. I just really don't think I have it in me to deal with MY emotions and fears let alone his BS!

Hello Bama Folks.... I need help with answers to some questions! I have on more month to go with my BC/BS PPO six month doctor visits. I have my other requirements scheduled... (psych, sleep study, misc. test). I am getting excited and also nervous at the same time... I have actually started thinking that I don't need the surgery and I can do it on my on... Yes, I know- that is crazy!!! I guess it's presurgery nerves. At any rate, I hope some of you can answer the following questions for me: 1. I know I pay my insurance co-pay upfront, but... do I also pay the percent not covered by BC/BS or do they bill me? 2. If I have a terrible case of sleep apnea, will they not do my surgery? 3. I have an enlarged liver and the nurse at Dr. Scmitt's office said I needed to lose 40 pounds before the surgery. I have not.. will they not do the surgery until I lose the weight? 4. All I read about is Dr. Miles doing your banding surgeries... has anyone used Dr. Schmitt? Is there something with him I don't know about? I know I can contact the office on several of these questions, but,I wanted to ask "one of us" first. Thanks so much and I hoping for my first summer, in a very long time, of wearing shorts! Thanks so much and God Bless!

Our company did the exact same thing!! We had our own version of The biggest loser over a 10 week time frame (WAY too long BTW) and our team won!! I was completely irked that I lost out of 1st place overall by less than one pound!! Keeping in mind our last weigh in was 2 days after we got back from a 2 week trip to WDW, and I STILL lost, but I digress! We didn't win anything, but our company matched $100 for every pound lost and donated it to our local food bank. We were lucky enough to walk the check to them (for $5800) and they were BEYOND excited! So we did win, and the fat we lost was turned into food and fed thousands!! CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR WIN!!!

Crappy knees? Check. Hurt to bend? Check. Knee replacements in the fairly near future? Check Ongoing need to exercise to help with weight loss and overall health? Check, check, freakin' check !!! I'm in the same boat. Sometimes it feels like the boat is taking on Water and the sails are shot full of holes. I have zero medical training other annual first aid, CPR and the like. So take anything I ever say with a grain of salt.......and extreme skepticism, lol. I'm just a fat guy trying to get less fat, more healthy and stay active up through the nursing home years and beyond. When I was pre-op I was told, "Great news, fella, you have a high enough BMI that there's no risk of you falling below the minimums for insurance to cover the surgery......so....we need to see you lose some serious weight prior". Lucky me, right ? The fact that I never used insurance due to their bs delay tactics and shenanigans is an entirely different story. I did engage in the pre-op challenge of losing weight and dropped 55 lbs prior to surgery. Due to a back injury (the final catalyst that helped me make the decision to have wls) I was sorta hemmed up and not really able to do much in the arena of exercise. My only real hope at weight loss was to work on the other side of the equation.....reducing caloric intake. I began with their recommended low calorie diet, but soon moved into more of a low carb approach and did so with an eye on total calories, too. The scale began to move along nicely, even though my own movement was minimal. Once post op the weight loss continued at a better clip and exercise was easier to do. The more progress I made.....the more progress I could make....and so forth. Knees suck, though, and I didn't heed my doctor's warning. Gym work was too fun and I continued to pound the treadmill and elliptical like a beast. Enthusiastic newbie overkill occurred. Now.....ten months later I'm having significant daily issues with the knees....both are beyond the timeframe the ortho docs said would be my" replacement age". I wish I could go back to the month after surgery and approach it differently.....I would have joined a different gym....one with a swimming pool and used it for frequent lap swimming. As it is, I've been sidelined from cardio for over a month and it sucks. The stationary bike is about it for the time being. I may still do the swimming pool, however, that spot is miles out of my way and has a prohibitive lap swim schedule. My work hours over the next few months are amped up as well. Careful weight training and stationary bike as well as much walking on the job are the ticket for me know. Please.....please.....carefully consider the recommendations for aqua fitness. The water is where it's at in terms of safety.

hello i was banded in dec 2006 in belgium i have had very very slow weight loss and im fed up with the band, as ive had problems with it going tight by its self i have been in hospital twice becoz of this not being able to drink anything, ive had xrays unfills and all any tips on how i can have faster weight loss ive lost about 2st in 2 years very slow i was 17st when i had the OP im 15st 4pounds pls help, when i went in to hospital the Dr said my band was placed too high up do you think this is why i have slow weight loss and problems with it thanks mine __________________