sister-woman

I have the same problem! I had my first fill 3/9 (surgery was 1/14), and it's not so much that I'm hungry, but I feel absolutely NO restriction! I'm like, what the heck? I have lost maybe a pound since then (down 20 from surgery), and can't seem to get anywhere. I think if I tried eating as much as I wanted I'd be able to. I've been going to the gym 4 times a week, using treadmill and a bunch of other equipment, for about 1 hr. work-out. Another of my group-mates (her surgery was I think the week after mine) has also had the same result. Anyhow, I am disappointed, and my next fill isn't until April 20. I tried to get in earlier, but they said I had to wait that long before coming back. ] Rats.:tt1:

"center of excellence"--that's the term! so far no one has said anything to the effect that medicare wouldn't pay for me--they just won't pay for the 6-month pre-op medically supervised program, but that's onlt $415, I think, for me. my program ends in December, so I imagine I won't have surgery until January at the earliest.

So far all my docs (including nephrologist and endocrinologist) have said go for it. I'm also type 1 diabetic. Anyone know if either of these conditions will cause me not to be allowed the lap band?

Wow! 32 years! That's amazing! I am going through the process with Medicare (still on it as well because of the transplant), and Medicare told me they'd pay as long as it's in one of their approved hospitals (I don't think that's the term they use). Medicare's theory is that, in the long run, it is more cost effective if you lose the weight--fewer expenses because it alleviates the co-morbid problems like type 2 diabetes and such. I think you can go to medicare.gov to find out which hospitals are approved.

At the lap band group medical visit last week, the nurse said that with the band the acid reflux goes away, since the upper part of the stomach has little acid. I am 53, and due to other circumstances can't use walking for my exerecise. I do have a stationary bike (which right now I don't use), so I guess I'll have to use that. There are no indoor pools anywhere near me, unfortunately!

Thanks! Glad you are doing so well! I saw the transplant nephrologist on Monday, and he was cool with it. Now I just have to see the band doc early SXept, and if he's willing to do it, then I'll proceed. Have to be in the weight loss program for 6 months first, which will be over in December.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! This is all so encouraging! Now I can't wait for my appointment! I am SO excited!

You are so right, GenaO! I figure it won't be so bad! My brother's kidney donation surgery was laproscopic--he was out of the hospital in a couple days! Next Friday I have to take my daughter for her second Gardasil shot, and she's not happy. i don't feel sorry for her!

Wow! Of course, I have type 1--used to be called juvenile diabetes, now it'seither type 1 or insulin-dependent. I had a test done a while back, and my pancreas makes no insulin. So I'll always have to take it. I use an insulin pump, which is the way to go. No shots, you just have to deal with a needle every 3 days to refill the pump.

Going to my first meeting with the bariatrician at the end of this month.

thanks! hm, i just tried to send"thanks" and it was too short a message!!!!!!!

Wow!!!!!! I am really hopeful now! I'm almost 4 years post-transplant (my brother donated). I was quite thin at the time of the transplant (after 2 years of dialysis and doing nothing but sleeping and puking), but once I got on that Prednisone and my appetite came back--well, you know what happened. I've been following Weight Watchers points program since last October. I lost 6 lbs. the first week, then it took until Feb. this year to lose another six, and I've been up and down ever since. Funny, when I asked my nephrologist about getting banded, he said "I don't think you qualify." That ios, that I wasn't overweight enough. Then he calculated that I've got a BMI of about 41, and he said "You wear it well". I guess maybe because I'm pretty tall (5' 8"). Then he recommended a surgeon. The thing that's kindof annoying is that they require that I go through a 6 month program. Although I think this is more of a requirement for insurance (I have Medicare bvecause of the end stage renal disease--Medicare will pay for the surgery!) Thank you SO much!

Thanks. GenaO! That sounds encouraging! BTW, since you hda half of your pancreas removed, do you need to take insulin? Just curious!

Me, too. My only concern is that, since I have a kidney transplant and I'm type 1 diabetic (on an insulin pump), they might not want to band me. All my other docs say go for it!

That's what I'm thinking. Heck, if I lose the weight, it will extend the life of the transplant. Well, I'll know July 31st!