LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

My letter of medical necessity and request for the lap band was sent to Anthem today. I am praying that they do not give me any trouble, but I am prepared for a fight! We will see my dr said to call Anthem in 2 weeks if we dont hear anything by them-- keep bugging them! Jill

I had my visit with Dr. Kuwada today and have to say that I really like him thus far. He and his staff were really nice, took their time, and treated me with respect. He answered all of my questions very candidly, and was very thorough in his explanation of potential risks. He even drew diagrams. He thinks I'm a good candidate for surgery, and his only uncertainty was how the insurance might look at my BMI of 38.6 and fairly minimal co-morbidities. I've scheduled my psychological evaluation next Tuesday morning. I already had my appointment for the nutritionist scheduled for that same afternoon; so I'm going to take the whole day off from work. Dr. Kuwada has d…

Hi all I have found that there is a lack of support groups in my area. It seems that Boston or Hyannis are the two big locations and they are both to far for me to travel on a regular basis. I am thinking of starting a support group that would meet some where in between. I just wanted to get a head count of anyone that would be interested. I will be getting some training and will need to secure a location so it won't be immediate (unless you would like to have an informal get together to meet everyone) Let me know

Hello, I have question. I work for the State of TX and have Health Select PPO insurance through my job. I am more than 100 lbs overweight, I have 2 drs my primary & my orthopedic who have written letters of medical necessity for the surgery. But the insurance reps I have talked to all say no way - never- they dont cover Weight Loss. Is there anyone out there who has this insurance thru the State Of TX that has been approved? IF yes could you provide me all the details & info? thanks, MB

My daughter is getting into biking and I need to get a bike to go along with her. However, I'm near the 400 lb mark. Is there a bike out there for me? Can I get one at a discount store or am I going to have to go to a cycle shop? Any help/brands would be appreciated.

Okay I'm officially BORED on liquids. Yesterday I only got in 380 calories, but 50 grams of protien. But I'm officially tired of shakes. Its not even that I'm hungry. Thats what everyone at the gym keeps asking "Aren't ya starving, I'd be starving?!?" But I'm not really hungry either. I'm guess the protien is doing that. I am at the point I"m having to say...okay need to take in more protien drink. I also think I over did it this morning at the gym. Took the salsa class, it was alot of fun....but too much hips and my lower stomach area is KILLING me now. I did 45 minutes in the class and left when they were doing cool down ball exercises (ball exercises almost …

Ok I have lost 22lbs since my surgery Sept 30th. I recently started exercising and Saturday night after my shower, I was puttin on lotion and noticed a dent - not a small one either - right smack in the middle of my shin. It was the STRANGEST thing I have ever seen. A friend saw it and said she had that happen when she lost some vanity weight. She said it was a fat pocket that had moved or dissolved and it would be fine. She said another of her friends had the same thing happen to her. She said she got hers in her thighs and hips mostly. I find this very strange. Anyone have any experience with this?

My sister and I got our bands 8/29/05. She has lost 35 pounds and I have lost 28 pounds in eight weeks. We will be going to our doctor next week. We have not had a fill yet. We both think that we are still losing and we don't need a fill. Our philosophy is "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." What do you veteran bandsters think? Should we get a fill? Thanks

I Am Starting This Thread To Track All Of The August Bandsters Weight Loss. I Will Update This Thread Every Monday. I am going by weight loss after banding not the pre-op diets so please don't be offended. This is just the weight loss with the band. Divaliciousdee -31lbs DEBYO -41LBS SHOWBOATGIRL -28LBS JLUTHIEN -15LBS AIMZE -30LBS MOLLYMOLLY -14LBS NURSE4126 -40LBS

I meet with the surgeon tomorrow. So far I've been really impressed with his office staff. They've been prompt and very courteous. I've filled out a ton of questionaires (sp?), have already requested all the required medical records, and hope they've been faxed when I get there. I have a sleep study this Friday (10/28/05). I have restless leg w/periodic limb movement disorder, and they want to re-check me for apnea. I had minimal apnea 6 years & many pounds ago. I have an appointment with a nutritionist on Tuesday (11/01/05). I guess the big ones left are endoscopy & a visit to the shrink, but 3 appointments in the next 8 days is enough to do me for this …

How are you scars? Does he he cut a nice line? What did they give you for pain? Any other tips or tricks? TIA

I am very discouraged! I have lost a total of 15 lbs and I had surgery on July 28, 2005. I had a fill like a month ago, but it hasn't really helped. I think that I might need another fill but our family can't afford to fly from PA to CA right now! What can I do?? Please help however you think you can!!

I can eat just about anything I want, so here’s what I’m confused about. If food doesn’t pass through the band immediately, then it stays in the upper stomach, right? For me, that creates terrible pain and pressure that comes in waves. If I chew well enough that it goes through, then I can eat almost as much as I did before. If food goes through, how is it that you end up eating a third? My options appear to be two: drop right through or get stuck. I don’t get it. Plus, I have found that MOST foods go through without a problem—chicken, fish, beef, sausage, pizza, Beans, vegetables, salad, white bread and rolls, etc. I just chew them up, and they drop right through. I ca…

Oh Wilma, why o' why must u be getting bigger and closer?? YUCK. I live in Fort lauderdale and this thing is now a category 3. Getting closer and closer. My band is so tight. I feel like i am choking lol. Oh well. I am going to bed and we will see what tomorrow brings. We are all boardedup with our hurricane proof windows and plywood on whats not hurricane proof. Kids are asleep in our room. Good night all and I will be back when this thing is gone. 8)

For those of you who have used Dr. Gonzales... do you get him to do your fills with flouroscopy?

3 weeks ago we had a fill. I have lost about 5lbs, but Debbie has lost 16 more. She is 12lbs below her goal. She has set a new goal of 179lbs and only 8lbs to go. Having a good fill really makes a difference. Together we have lost 293lbs in the last few years. That is like lossing one of us.

Hello All, I was FINALLY banded on Oct 19th after months of trying to get the funds to self-pay. The thing is, I thought I'd be farther along now than I am. I expected to feel much better than I do. I'm still pretty sore and every now and then I think, "what have I done?!?" My back hurts; I am tired of sleeping on my back! I want to roll over on my side so bad, but it's painful. Not extremely painful, but I certainly can't do it. Today is Monday and I have to go back to work on Wednesday and I'm just not sure I'm ready. I have to say, I honestly thought I would feel better than this. I really did. Could anyone tell me how long it took you to adjust? I guess …

I am bummed.....was going to have my second fill tomorrow, but my leg is inflamed AGAIN....had an ultasound the first time this happened and they told me I had an inflamed vein?! I took anti-inflamatory drugs for it and doctor put me back on them. He said to make sure I eat well while on this drug (on the pills for seven days). Told him about my fill and he said to call my surgeon since he tells me to do clear liquids the day of a fill, full liquids the next day and mushies the three day....that's not really eating "well". Of course, I got "nurse know nothing" on the line, so I made the decision myself....I will wait until next Tuesday for my second fill. Well, as the…

need more energy ,less stress . please check out my website www.dianebering.cyberwize.com I have wonderful supplements for energy , stress , diet and just about anything you can need. I take stress x everyday and I feel so much better during the day more energy and just not so uptight . take a look and please let me know if you have any questions . good luck to you all . thanks for looking Diane

I had the worst flu ever! I thought I was going to die. I was nausiated for 7 hours straight. I needed to puke and couldnt. Nothing would come up. I had a high fever and major cold chills. Being banded and sick is no fun. Has anyone else had problems with puking? Sorry to be so gross.

I am just over two weeks out from surgery, and I get so hungry at times it makes me feel almost ill. Yep, physical hunger, not head hunger. I still have head hunger, but I am trying to ignore that demon. Anyway, I caved. I just had what I think to be a cup of tortilla Soup, soggy tortilla strips, rice and chicken included. Unbelievably, I still feel some growling in my big tummy. And I wish I could say that was the only solids I have had but it isn’t. Though in very small, chewed-to-goo, quantities, I have screwed up a couple of other times in the last couple of days too. I know my food went down though. I feel everything just go “kerplunk” into my big tummy. Especially l…

Hey guys! I did this last night and thought that I would share with everyone. One of the first things the nurses told me at the surgi-center when I had my surgery was to put this card in my wallet that said I had the Lap-Band. This way, in case of an emergency the ER staff or EMS would not put a gastric tube in if I needed one. Well, I thought about it and decided that what if I didn't have my wallet with me? How would they know I had it. It isn't a guarantee that my husband would be with me to tell them. So...I went online and did a search for custom medical I.D. bracelets and found some really nice ones. Not the ones that your grandma would wear but ones that were styli…

I go in Monday morning to see if my surgeon will be able to manually flip my port enough that I can get my third fill. I'm so hoping he will be able to! He said if he's not able, then we'll have to schedule surgery to reposition the port and I so don't want to have to do that. Keep your fingers, toes, heck, if it would help, even cross your eyes for me! :cross-eye

Good morning! This is my first post here. Just a short background that might help you understand my predicament. I am 27 years old and currently weigh 339 lbs. I have Insulin Resistant PCOS but otherwise am fairly healthy besides my weight. I decided in May that I wanted to get banded. I went into my PCP to discuss it with her and she suggested I give weight loss one more hard shot before going under the knife. I agreed and gave myself 4 months to lose weight. I have lost 29 lbs since the end of May and reduced my BMI to 55.1. (I started at 368 with a BMI of 55.9) I have been seeing a dietician, cut out all soda and sugars and am trying to follow a diabetic diet (be…

Ya'll this is the strangest thing. I am losing weight, without losing weight. Like I have lost about 25lbs, but like I havent lost a pound since the hurricane, but I have already had to buy more jeans and shirts because the old ones are too loose. I am still experiencing this, and my bones are becoming more prominent. I can't stop stressing over stuff, and I think that this is my hang-up, but I am not sure. Maybe I am not doing something right??? I do everything that I can and by the books while people who cheat all the time still are losing weight (by the scales.) I just dont understand???????????? P.S. I am having another bad night, I cant wait until I gradua…

Hi guys, We are having a nice time. No food problems. Just to much and bites of deserts and some bread! But I'm still doing my protien in the AM. We are heading north to get away from Wilma. Everyone looks drunk when they walk! Didn't have tiome to check on Melissa, so I hope all has gone well. Talk to you all on Sunday when I'm home. Have a good rst of the week!

Hey Everybody, I've hit a wall-- started out at 260, down to about 200, and it has been almost a year of little or no weight loss. I had some trouble with a tight fill and had to be opened all the way up to let it heal, and also another meidcal issue that will remain private, but still maintained 200 and am healthy, now.. Finally found the 'sweet spot" fill, I think (meaning, I can drink more than a thimble size mouthful of water). . .but feel as if if I get any tighter it will be too tight, yet, not really losing. Okay, so I can get real about choices and exercise, and really how well I am WORKING THE BAND, etc. . .but I would like to hear from others who have hit a pl…

Please post some DOCUMENTED PROOF how carbonation causes slippages. What does your doctor say when you ask, "Why no carbonation?" Does he have documented studies showing carbonation causes damage? My doc says there's no documented proof that carbonation can cause a slippage, so I asked why it was on my list of things to avoid. Plain and simple, soda is filled with crap. There's nothing in soda that's good for you. Sugar in regular is a killer, and Diet contains poisons. However, he knows I'm having problems keeping away from goodies, so in his own words, "I'd rather see you hooked up to a Diet Pepsi filling station than see you ever eat Ben & Jerry's again." …

Hi everyone! I am coming out of lurker status to introduce myself finally http://www.lapbandtalk.com/images/smilies/smile.gif I am from Concord, NC and had my band done by Dr. Bauman on 9/20/05. I have 2 girls (6 and 4) and I am a stay at home mother-- I have enjoyed reading all of your messages and thank you for all of the information that you share-- it always feels great to discover that I'm not alone out here! I am still not through all of my eating plan, so I guess it is still early to start worrying, but I am CONSTANTLY hungry. I don't have any idea what restriction feels like and even though I know that this is healing time-- it sometimes becomes frustrating and …

So, last night, me and the DH were watching Amityville and the more scared I got, the more my band was giving me the "creeping in my chest" feeling I get when I eat too fast. It was funny b/c it was hours after I'd eaten and I had eaten really slow and felt fine, so I am convinced that my band was just reacting to the tenseness of my body from being scared. I guess it makes sense b/c the band is sewn to muscle and if you get scared your muscles tense up. Anyways, it was kind of funny!

Hello all, Most of you know my story, but for those who don't. Last year I refinanced my house to pay off bills and have money to pay for my lapband. I was banded December 21, 2004. Was thrilled with it, but had a little trouble because I seemed to be too tight a lot of the time. Then caught a nasty stomach virus that had me throwing up violently and it shoved my band down around the middle of my stomach. Had to make a trip to my wonderful doctor in Mexico and he ended up having to remove it (port and all). He said if I wish to get rebanded I would have to wait about 6 months. Well...that was 3 months ago and I miss my band terribly. Anyway, I am planning to be…

Hi guys, I could use some help. I'm now 2 weeks post banding, and I'm feeling stressed. I don't seem to get that full feeling, (I know that since I haven't had a fill yet I theoretically don't have any restriction) but I do get pain when I eat. It feels like my chest is going to explode. So I slow down, but still I seem to be eating more than the 1/2-1 cup that we are supposed to eat, especially when I eat mushies. I've been seeing a lot of bad outcomes here on the forums, and I'm begining to have doubts that I should have done this. Even so I'm also worried that since I am eating "too much" I'm ruining my pouch anyway. Thoughts support and advice are all welco…

2aslimmer lost 31.5 ABrightFuture lost 25 Anwyn lost 40 Bernadette lost 53 Cyndel lost 38 DianeChef lost 30 Daisybelle lost 52 HopeFull lost 34 HotLikeMe lost 20.5 Ivan708 lost 38 MouseCrazy 33 Joyce in Va lost 25 JulyBandester lost 29 Pamstransk lost 39 PinkMary lost 46.5 Pierce lost 40 Seppi lost 35 Susu lost 21 Teresa Skinner lost 50 With-the-band lost 38 Yellow Rose lost 25 :Bunny :Bunny :Bunny Congratulations for your loss!!! please update if you lost recently.. this thread is not a race, we are all different .. do not compare yourself with others! it's just a way to keep a contact between us! Now lets work to lose anoth…

Hi everyone I have tried to get a picture of myself on but it won't accept it. I used a little computer cam with hardly any pixels in it but it still won't accept it. Any answers?

I am trying to start an online clothing exchange forum on yahoo. If you are interested please go to: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/WLSClothingExchange/ I would love this to be a place where we can help each other out.

I know it is slower than alot butttttttt........ I finally hit 50lbs lost since my op in April. Since joining this site, I covert most things to lbs now, and wanted to hit that seemingly elusive 50lbs lost...well today I DID IT!!!!!!!! I just had to share that

FARENHEIT Anyone heard about this nifty swifty new Metabolism booster phenomanon? I just saw the commercial and checked out the website. (www.f-heit.com) Not advertising this site just curious if someone knows anything about it and can share info. It isn't really specific how it works neither in the commercial nor on the website.

Since my second fill last Wednesday I have not been able to eat and even liquids were a struggle. This morning I have managed oatmeal and two glasses of Water with no problem! Oh yeah, I have lost 7 lbs since this fill!!

I was wondering why it is that when you get a fill it may be really snug and then sometime in the future you may need another fill? Does your upper stomach stretch or does your body just adjust? I got a fill yesterday of 1.4cc and I'm so snug I'm doing good to sip liquids today and only small sips at that. I'm wondering if in a few weeks I'll stretch enough so that I can eat or am I going to have to have some cc's taken out? I was just banded 7/29/05 so I'm new at all this! I did have one fill by a different doctor about 3 weeks ago but I didn't think he did it correctly because I had absolutely no restriction.

(continuing the thread I started ealier under Suggestions, feedback section) The link started is here: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=9537 Today's post: Well we got some good responses so far from you all. How about we do follow up on this thread with each other? Weekly sign-ins would be great although a daily thread would be fine withe me too as I need daily and sometimes hourly encouragement.... At my highest weight I needed to loose 170 pounds and have lost 130 of it so far. I have hit a plateau for a while now. I know I need to increase exercise and decrease snacking between meals. Any more suggestions? I am gonna sit down real soon and make out …

I have an appointment with my bariatric surgeon on Tuesday morning I recall seeing a thread on here about questions to ask; does anyone know where I can find that post? I know to ask about how many surgeries they've performed, and number of complications encountered. Any other suggestions for questions?

Do any of you count cal? I have had myself down to 800 / day and not lost weight (unbanded) b/c I am severely insulin resistant. My endocrinologist has told me I need to be around 600 cal or under to lose weight. Am I just kidding myself that the band will help me do this?? I dont feel too well on 800 cal and cant stay on that diet for longer than a few months. I can comfortably stay on 1000 cal but I dont lose weight. Do any of you count calories and stay around 600 cal / day? Is this even possible?? I guess I am going to be a turtle if I do get this LB, which is ok (not that I want to be though) but I would hate to have this surg and lose 10 pounds and that is…

and a bit nervous. I need to go get lab work and an EKG. This is all out of pocket and i'm worried that i'll regret spending hte money (like somehow this won't work for me). Question: How long until you felt like you were ready to go back to work after the lapband?

Several months back I posted a thread about my DH, and some of his band journy. I cannot for the life of me find that thread, I searched and searched. Searches only go back to mid-sept, so I'm wondering if the archives didn't get moved along too.... Anyway, My husband has been banded for almost 2 years and has lost almost 200 pounds so far and needs to go at least 100 more. That will put him at 300 pounds. I know, do the math. When he started, he weighted 596 officially. He had a BMI of over 82%, and was Super, Super Obese. That's two stages beyond MO folks. He was so fat he couldn't walk through a doorway, he would have to turn sideways and squees into the room. He to…

Come on NM's Dont be shy LOL

So I went for my consult with the PS yesterday. I was looking to have a tummy tuck (for the excess skin now flapping on my stomach lol) and a breast reduction (36G and hasn't went down any in the cup size). I had a good long talk to the surgeon explaining what I wanted - a flat tummy and boobs that were "small enough to be perky and stand by themselves, but big enough to still get attention when I walk down the street" LOL. We decided on a large C cup. The surgeon also recommended maybe doing a bit of lipo on my hips - they've always been huge, so I'm all for it. I really liked the surgeon, as he made me feel extremely comfortable. I know a few people that have use…

Hi All, Sorry I Haven't Been Around For A While. My Husband And I Are Moving - Going To Move In With My Dad. Since My Mom Passed Away He's Been Really Lonely. I Think This Will Be Good For Him. Needless To Say It's Been Hectic. What I Am Coming Here For Is Some Support. And Thanks In Advance - As Usual You Guys Are Great. My Prob Is That Since I'm Banded (9/19/05) I Am Affraid To Eat. I Followed The Doc's Instructions To The Tee. 2 Weeks Liquid. 2 Weeks Mushies. And Just 2 Days Ago Started Solids. I Won't Dare Deviate. I Know It's Inevitable And Something Will Get Me To Pb Eventually But Why Am I So Affraid? Also I Get Hungry But Only About 2-3 Times A Day And A Small…

Yep you read it right! I'm over filled. LOL I had a Video Esophagram yesterday before the fill and everything looked fairly good. The doc said my pouch was a little enlarged but nothing significant. He said I could use more fill. I don't feel any different yet. I did soups yesterday and most of today. Had some Egg Foo Young for dinner. Went down fine. Maybe this will kick in in a few days?

Ok, who among you Texas Banster's has made it out to the State Fair and of those that did, were you able to have any corny dog??? Man what I wouldn't give to be holding one right now...I wouldn't eat it or anything...just sniff it and maybe lick it a little bit...lmao!!! :-)

Hi all...I've decided I'm gonna do it! I've been reading this board for months now, have researched, found the money (like it was under a rock or something!) and now just need to start the process. Geez, just writing about it makes me nervous. Here are the facts: My employer has an exclusion for WLS, so no insurance I've decided on Dr. Sanchez in Monterrey because his nephew in Dallas is only 90 miles away for fills I am divorced and one daughter is in college and another in another city. So it's just me and my lap band. They're supportive though which is good. I don't personally know anyone who has done this, though I feel like I know you guys from reading all t…