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My insurance plan specifically says they will cover repair or replacement for a defective or slipped or eroded band. After two years they will cover another surgery if adequate weight loss is not achieved despite following the drs. plan. To rest your mind I would call the insurance and ask them specifically.

Follow the guidelines you were given and you will be more confident in your weight loss! Believe me, once you have more options for food, it also gives you more opportunity to go over on carbs. Time really is flying for me so just focus on getting a variety in what you can have right now and plan for the switch to full liquids when it is permitted. I had to do clears for 10 days, it is all just a memory now and I am on day 13! Best of luck!

Rhonda, Your decision should be made between you and your surgeon and some self-reflection. I am 4 mos out now and feel great with my decision and my weight loss. That said, my surgeon was very clear with me that if I could not commit to regular exercise I would probably lose 20-40# tops! I am in the gym 5-7days every week since a month after surgery. For me, I had lost weight before I considered surgery. I know I can lose it and have the right mindset to succeed and keep it off. Also, I had made many lifestyle changes prior to surgery. I am young and otherwise very healthy aside from a back injury. At this point, I didn't feel I needed to go the more drastic route of RNY. I like that I am responsible for my weight loss. I have some restriction now, but I still have more control over my choices than bypass patients do. In 4 mos postop and a little over a year since starting this process I am now down almost 90# and down 6 dress sizes. So it can be done, but takes A LOT of dedication. If you are able and willing to commit to regular cardio and strength training as well as make the changes in your diet, then the band may be right for you. However, choosing the bypass is a great option as well. You will lose weight faster, but there are other possible complications and longer recovery. You can dump post bypass but not post band. With either surgery, vomiting and PB'ing can happen. Since bypass is malabsorptive, you can have Vitamin and mineral deficits, but these issues can happen after the band too, if you make poor choices. Also, do not look at the band as reversible because it should not be removed except in the extreme case of severe complications. The band is placed to help you manage your weight over time. Just because you lose X pounds doesn't mean then the band can come out. Both surgeries are major abdominal procedures and are permanent except in the rare case. RNY is more drastic and requires a lot of cutting and stapling while the band involves some internal sutures around the device. Both surgeries have been proven to be safe and effective. Remember, RNY is still considered the gold standard for WLS. In the end, both surgeries require you to exercise in order to keep the weight off. The bypass just shortens the weight loss phase. I know many people who have chosen both surgeries and each has been successful and healthy. The choice is yours, but I encourage you to be honest with yourself- your comittment, expectations, and lifestyle. Talk to your surgeon and others who have had surgery. Best of luck! I'm sure you'll come to the right decision for you. I wouldn't change my decision for anything!!

I take 5,000 mcg per day in one capsule, but there is more in my multi and more in my hair skin and nails vitamin. I hate to say it, but all of this does nothing. I think I just have expensive pee. My hair fell out when I had band surgery and has never recovered when I had revision surgery. I have new hair coming in, but it's still falling out!

I understand the urge to have some unit of relative measurement, but the truth is that we all lose weight at our own pace. If you start with a very high bodyweight, you drop more of it much more quickly at the beginning. People who start with low BMIs, lose more slowly. If you want to know the averages, at six months post-sleeve, the average weight loss is 80 pounds. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

This was SUCH a great question! Last night I was reading Eating Mindfully: How to end mindless eating & enjoy a balanced relationship with food by Dr Susan Albers. I'm only on chapter three so I can't recommend the book yet - but I shared this because even after four months and 100 pounds lost, I am very aware that I must continue to deal with my food addiction and certainly not think I am home free by any means. You are right that our tiny tummies are just a tool. My sister had surgery a few years ago and her team told her that those who have surgery get about 18 months to get their &%$# together! (smile) Meaning - now is the time to deal with this and to learn new habits. They told her that those who develop healthy habits with food, exercise, stress management, etc. in those 18 months are likely to make it for the long run! I want to be one of them!!! You do too!!!! You may notice that you may not crave the same foods you did before your sleeve. I have very little desire for sugar which was always my thing - but instead crave crunchy stuff now. I struggle the most at work and at night - which is really the majority of my day! (grrrrr) I take Breakfast with me, I definitely eat a super healthy lunch, and I grab a skinny starbucks when I want a filler in the afternoon. At night I get my Protein in and then I sometimes nibble on diet popcorn or rice cakes. And I drink as much as possible - Water, diet tea, etc. You can do this. You've lost weight before and made good choices... it's just now you have a fighting chance to make it long term!!! I will say that I try to be very good to my tummy. I know that sounds weird - but I am so thankful for my surgery and try very hard to eat good things and care for my tummy. So far it's worked. I am amazed at the weight loss - and oh so humbled! I too am single andwork like a dog. You will find the things you need to do to get yourself through the stress. I'm learning to go to a walk - even for 5 minutes. You could jump on here if you need help in a stressful work situation - or when you are feeling down. We are all behind you!!!!!! You can do it!!!!!

I noticed the day that I was able to intake at least 60 gm of protein, my hair lost stopped. My hair is pretty thick, so i only noticed the hair lost while washing it daily in the shower. It was my notice that the day prior my protein intake level as under 60 grams. So I started adding nuts as a daily snack which help me reach my daily protein goals. Hair loss stopped for me after 4 mons post op.

I'm also 6 months ... Tried everything and take everything . With this surgery everyone will experience hair loss. Just something u have to embrace. on a positive note, it will grow back .

So I'm 6 months post op and have been having horrible hair loss! It's been pretty depressing :/ my mom told me to try garnier fructis fight fall and I've only used it today and it has worked wonders for me! I used both the shampoo and conditioner and my hair loss was reduced by at least 70 percent! Best part is that it is cheap and you can pretty much find it anywhere! I bought mine at wal mart. I wanted to share the wealth since I know that many of us are or will be going through the same thing. Let me know how it works for you guys!

hi, my name is debby and i was banded on may 24th '04. since then as you all have experienced i have had ups and downs. It has been almost 6 weeks and i can really eat now, which is not good! I have not had a fill yet and can not wait!!! I need to know that my eating is normal @ this point and that it will get easier when i get my fill??? I mean i can eat whatever, granted it is smaller portions than i was used to but still bigger than what i have heard people can eat! Also my weight loss has slowed down. I lost @ 25lbs. the first 4 weeks including the liquids they have you on 5 days prior, and now it seems to be tapering since i have been gradually on regular food. Thanks deb.

I always took vitamins pre-band and I take liquid vitamins(Vital Earth) and liquid calcium now. Sometimes I take Viactiv calcium for a choclate fix! I also take liquid iron at my doctor's request. I never had an iron pproblem pre-band, but I guess I can't eat enough now to keep my levels up. I never had hair loss after surgery and I think the vitamins were a factor in that.

Like the rest of your body the biggest visual change will come from simple fat reduction. Many women first notice upper body definition as a result of weight loss, its the first place it becomes obvious. So good eating and loads of cardio to shift the fat are your first line of defence. Light dumbell toning exercises (high reps, lowish weight) will tone and maintain lean muscle. However, if you have significant loose skin (bat wings) then actually building some muscle will help to fill it out - only marginally though, women dont tend to gain lots of muscle no matter what they do. But if building muscle is what you want then you need to change the focus to heavy weight and low reps. Stuff like drawing up a chair, or backing up to a waist high rail (like a fence) putting your feet out in front of you and doing dips. Go RIGHT DOWN into the dip and have your legs as far away from you as you can handle, so that you work the muscle to failure within a couple of reps. You can adjust difficulty by making it easy (knees bent, feet right in front of you, legs taking weight) to super difficult) legs straight out in front of you, unbent knees, all weight taken through the arms. Work the muscle to the point where it fails a couple of times a week - if you can do 12 reps, its time to make it harder. Do the same with push ups to attack the arms from different angles. And arms always look nice with a little bit of shoulder definition which you can achieve with side lateral dumbell raises, heavy heavy dumbells, so you can only do a few reps. It depends what your goal is and how you want to look. But some loose skin unfortunately is a result of weight loss and only surgery can remove it.

I really need to include wholegrains to feel full for a long time. They fill that stomach space (my band isnt tight) and give me lasting satisfaction - Protein and vegies just doesnt cut it for me. I need to add bread, Pasta or rice. Luckily that's not affected my weight loss at all.

Pugger 1st quesstion what are you eating??? Are you keeping a food diary or logging your food on fitday.com?? Are you exercising??? Calories in vs Calories out = weight loss. I don't have much restriction - could eat a horse half the time - but i am makeing healthly food choices keeping my calories at 1000 - 1200 a day and exercise 5 times a week. Ya gotta let us know what you are or aren't doing for us to help..

Hi Jeanette, Researching the good the bad and the ugly of any decisions is always a smart move. While yes these things can happen, they are complications that most of the time can be avoided by proper band practice! (pardon the pun) Following the rules that your surgeon gives you and practicing good eating mechanics and food choices will all help to prevent things like esophageal dilation, or pouch dilation. As you search for your "green zone" for optimal weight loss and satiety as you begin to have fills, making sure that you are never too tight, where you are having issues swallowing liquids or having reflux will also help to ensure that you do not experience band erosion. There is a down side to everything, but with proper usage, open honest communication between you and your surgeon, and adherence to guidelines provided to you the odds of you experiencing any of these complications is minimized. One step at a time. Keep a good outlook and don't let fear dictate your actions for you. Read, research, and then decide what is best for you. If you are having serious doubts, my advice is to schedule a session with your surgeon and compile a good list of questions and have them answered before your surgery date. Best of luck to you!

I'm a prebander and I'm scheduled for surgery on May 16th (whoo hooo). Anyhow, I've been doing the 6 month diet and really took it seriously in January and then kicked it into high gear in February...... the reason I'm telling anyone who will listen this story is because I sometimes read posts and wonder "if it's worth it", or "can I really do this"....today I put on a shirt that I noticed for the first time is loose around my stomach and looks actually a little big. That is when it hit me...."Yes, I can do this. I'm doing okay without the band imagine how much more successful I can be with a little more help from the band." I know I've made the right decision for myself and cannot wait to get this done because I'm going to be a good story in a year when I can say....I've lost over 50 pounds. See, I'm not trying to be unrealistic. I have over 80 pounds to lose but I'm not going to set myself up for disappointment by not losing it all in a year. I'm going to be satisfied with an average of a pound a week...If I lose more...all the better, but I'm happy with slow and consistent weight loss. I didn't get huge overnight - well, actually, I think I did because one day I woke up and wondered who the heck was staring back at me in the mirror - but it is going to come off...I'm going to make it come off. I've done it before w/o the band and this time, I'm going to do it, change my life for good and the band will help me keep it off. Okay, I'm off my soap box but it felt so good to have this shirt fit loosely around my midsection....that is positive step for me. Thanks for listening.

Thanks Rae. Love hearing stories like this! Congrats on your loss do far.

Orea is right, Dr.'s Halmi and Tran, as well as their staff, are amazing. You DO NOT have to be a patient of to attend the support group meetings. They have 2 per month. More information can be found at Support Groups - Virginia Weight Loss Surgery Center.

Thanks everyone for the advice and sharing your thoughts and stories, it means alot to me. I guess im just so lost feeling now that she brought up the sleeve and I've tried to do research on the internet but you never know what you can believe on there. When I first started this journey I was told by a dietician that ran the informational session that the sleeve was for very large people that were 400 or more pounds...so for me it was not an option. My surgeon actually rolled her eyes when I told her that and was mad that the weight management center is telling people that. I feel like I absolutely need this surgery but im scared...im so young and I feel like not a lot of people my age are doing this and its scary. Can someone answer a few questions for me maybe? Can you take excedrin migraine when you have sleeve done? Bc I know with rny u can't and I have horrible migraines. Also, what is the average amount of weight loss per week? Do you absorb nutrients with the sleeve ..like with the rny you don't absorb very much. Last question....can someone tell me what the surgery process is like? And how painful is it? For the women out there that have had a csection...is it that painful? Because alot of people I've talked to said its as bad as having a csection and let me tell ya...I thought I was gunna die after my csection lol. But....I don't tolerate pain very well. Sorry im asking so many questions...im just super crammed for time to make a decision. Thanks so much again!

I am sitting here on the couch typing away and he starts playing with the skin on the underside of my upper arm. "Stop that!" I say. "But mama, it's funny! It's all wibbly-wobbly and stuff!" He replies as he continues to bat at it like a kitten batting at a ball of yarn. Yep. This is what a 100-lb loss gets ya! LOL That's okay. I'd rather have loose skin on my arms than an extra 100 pounds any day!! What's an embarrassing moment you've had since losing weight?

how do you add the weight loss ticker?

I also had a Dr that thought matchmaking would be a good incentive for weight loss. Putz! There are married fat people too. Anyways, are you banded? Or looking for information? Hang in there. If you choose to you can change your path. You just need the right vehicle. Good luck in your journey, Amanda

Congrats MistyDTX! Can't wait until I get to experience that type of weight loss. Keep up the great work!

Hi BD2SD, and welcome aboard. I haven't been sleeved yet but like you I believe it is the surgery for me. My sister and I toyed with the Lap Band but after the seminar...nah! I'm not from Central NJ but Philly isn't that far away. Besides, there are so many wonderful people on this site, I'm sure you'll connect with someone from your area in a very similar situation. Congrats on the weight loss so far. Keep up the good work and I look forward to reading your progress. Be well. Niki

For Dr. Umbach, you can go to Lap Band Las Vegas - Gastric Bypass Nevada - Weight Loss Surgery to get additional information. I met Dr. Umbach through Medical Tourism and was quoted $10,900 for the procedure which included pretty much everything except flight costs, pre-op testing and pysch eval (insurance covered these) and my nutritional counseling. Worth every penny to me! Sorry - I don't know more on other doctors in Vegas, but other may chime in.