Alexandra

Nykee, are there really days when the first thing you have to eat is in the evening? Are you nocturnal?

Any surgery typically requires that you have nothing by mouth for 12 hours prior to general anaesthesia. You'll probably get those instructions from the doctor as you get closer to your surgery date. As Parvathi said, not all docs require a preop diet, and even those who do don't prescribe it for everyone. We're all difference. I didn't have any pre-op diet instructions at all, except "don't gain weight."

My daughters, Gillian and Catie, were 4 and 2 when I was banded back in 2003. I was 340 lbs and unable to be an effective or involved parent in many ways, and this was the straw that broke my camel's back with regard to WLS. My goals have always involved getting healthier, more mobile, stronger, etc. so I could keep up with them. When they were preschoolers I was talking about just keeping them out of traffic and following them around on the playground. In my tiny, silent dreams of WLS success, though, I imagined one day being able to do things like run, jump, bicycle, even roller skate and ice skate when they got old enough. Last night one of my wildest dreams came true. We went ice skating, and I COULD DO IT!!! As a kid I skated regularly but was never any "good," and it's been at least 25 years since I set foot on ice. And I was scared, to say the least. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined how quickly it would come back to my muscle-memory, and how fast I'd be able to skate around the ice with the speeding teenagers. It was amazing!! I didn't fall once, and only hung on the wall to help my kids. I am absolutely on cloud nine and feel like I have won the lottery. :biggrin1: :bananapowerslide: :Banane25: :Banane44: :woot:

I'm another one who never identified with "emotional eating." I've sat through COUNTLESS sessions on identifying those triggers and dealing with them, though, and they have never helped. It was just another going-through-the-motions thing as part of yet another diet program. I always ate a lot because I was hungry, and ate too fast. Period. I'm as emotional as the next person, I guess, but food in my life was always a response to a perceived physical need, not emotional. Who knows, maybe that's naive. Maybe the perception of physical hunger really IS tied to emotional issues. But unless that's obvious to the person involved, no class in the world is going to make a difference. So I hear you about the class and your resentment of it. But just go, and get through it, and move on. Don't be attitudinal, it won't help. Just invest the time. You're worth it!!

Denise, my doctors' office was totally sure I'd lose, too. But I won, and they had to eat their words. All they have to do for you is submit the request--you'll handle any appeals. Don't give up! This is OUR health at stake, so we should never let the carriers make our decisions for us.

Nice to see more Abkin patients here! I'm a very satisfied customer of Advanced Laparoscopic. The doctors are EXTREMELY experienced, and there's enough support staff for everybody to find someone they like. People's personalities are different and we can't all "click" with everyone. I personally really like Dr. Bertha's manner; he doesn't sugarcoat anything (not that Abkin does, either) and is very realistic about situations. I've seen both doctors in lots of contexts and I think they complement one another very well. It's a great team!

We went again today, and nope, it wasn't a fluke. I can still ice skate!! :thankyou: This time I saw a friend there (by accident) and she had a camera. She took a pic of Catie and me on ice, and I'm supposed to get it next week. I'll share, I promise! Man, are my legs going to hurt tomorrow. But it's the good kind of pain. I'm loving this!! :biggrin1: :biggrin1: :biggrin1:

Joyce, you've already lost a lot of weight and are now much smaller than you were. Have you cut your calories accordingly? Eating less than we need to maintain at 250 lbs will make us lose weight, but at some point we'll need to cut even more if we want the loss to continue. It just takes fewer calories to maintain a smaller body. Are you exercising? Drinking enough Water? What are you doing to eliminate unnecessary calories from your day? Give more details and I'm sure you'll get lots of responses to help. But if you're stalled out in your weight los with only 30 lbs to go, the answer probably is just cutting your calories further or exercising more. There is no magic bullet.

Paula, there have been people on this board banded as long ago as 2002, but in the U.S. it was only FDA-approved in 2001 so tha'ts not surprising. On other lists there are people 6 and more years out. People banded longer ago than that (in Europe or elsewhere) probably aren't online much, since the Web wasn't really rocking then the way it is now.

Denise, this is just one of the requirements that MANY carriers have. It's not a "no," it's a "we don't have enough information yet." DON'T GIVE UP!!! Worst-case scenario, you start a six-month relationship with your PCP tomorrow. If you've been seeing doctors over the last few years for ANY reason, get their notes. It's possible/likely that their notes include comments on your weight. I had Aetna too, and what I supplied was notes from my OB/GYN from the two deliveries of my children, which had happened within the prior five years. So there were lots of notes on my weight, even if they didn't involve attempts at weight loss. And in 18 months prior to banding, I'd been seeing my PCP regularly to talk about weight loss, surgery, my thyroid, etc., and all of those notes counted as well. This is a minor hurdle. Historical records from any doctor will do to support the five-year-history requirement. And if you can't supply the six-month diet attempt, get started NOW. Six months will go by before you know it.

It's very...interesting. I indulged when I visited Oz several years ago. It was truly an experience.

Hi ladies, Yep, you're having reflux and I think it's a holdover from being sick. I just got over this myself. An unfill could help, but if you really baby your system and stay FAR away from eating or drinking four hours before bed, it will probably resolve on its own. By baby, I mean eat as gently as you can for a week or more. When this happened to me I'd eat yogurt for Breakfast, Soup or a small amount of cold cuts for lunch, and a very small dinner. If hungry, I'd make sure to eat something more BEFORE dinner, not after. Drink lots of warm drinks through the day, and then have tea or something a couple of hours before bed after you've eaten your last. Do this for days and see where you get. If your cough is really bad, get something to control it. I went to the doctor and got a prescription cough medicine which was the ONLY thing that got it to stop. During the nights of coughing, though, I had to sleep in a reclining chair just to let my husband sleep and to keep my stomach contents down. (I've got a nice little nest made up with pillows, blankets, books--it's almost like a sanctuary!) You can get through this, but realize that all the coughing is just keeping you from healing. Get that cough taken care of and then let the rest of yourself heal. Good luck!! I know how miserable it is.

What a hard road, I'm so sorry you had to go through that! I hope you are well and truly healed and your health is ever improving. Nice to have you here!!

Thanks everyone! This really was the biggest victory I've experienced, no question. I was sailing around that ice thinking that THIS is what it was all about. I can't wait to go again. I want to take lessons!! Now, let's just hope I don't get crazy and break something next time.

Jack! Thanks for the early morning guffaw!

We went to Aspen Ice, and yes, I saw Time In. I want to go there, bad. Can we drop the kids off and go do some skating?? How cool would that be? Tan? I hate you. (Not really. Just jealous.)

Ali, I'm shocked!! (Welcome back! How was your trip?)

How cool!! Congratulations, Jess, Miss Normal!! :biggrin1:

This is just another one of those life experiences I fear will pass me by. Congratulations!!

You know, I'll bet all of this hand-wringing is for naught. Call the doctor and ask him why he didn't want to give you another fill. And then ask him WHEN you might be able to get one. Perhaps there is a physical problem he saw on the fluoro that is telling him to go slow. Perhaps your restriction really WAS pretty intense, and the fact that you couldn't feel it indicates a problem right there. Call him and ask. There is no magic formula to the amount of fill anyone has--it's an individual thing. If he thinks you have maxed out for now, find out why he thinks that. And then move on. Your "barely passable" restriction is still restriction, and if you let it guide you there is no reason at all you can't continue losing weight. It gets harder you have less to lose; the lighter you are the fewer calories are needed to maintain your weight. That's common knowledge. Tighter bands do nothing to change that reality, and it will always seem unfair to those smaller people trying to lose weight.

Celine, I'm with Kathy. You have found your place! I am exactly where you are mentally--I just am totally enjoying the freedom from weight worries that the band has provided me. I'm 2.5 years out and not actively trying to lose weight right now. Other people might be appalled that a BMI of 30-31 is acceptable, but considering what it could be otherwise I am one very satisfied bandster. There's NOTHING wrong with moving to a new stage! Banding is for life. We can't actively be trying to lose weight all our lives, now, can we? If you're comfortable in your own skin and no longer worry about the risk of increasing obesity, THAT is banding success in my book. WELCOME!!

All RIGHT!!! Congratulations, lady! Way to go!!!

Uh-oh, a day late but heartfelt nonetheless. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! :biggrin1:

I had a total unfill last summer, it's nothing to worry about. Think about your poor esophagus and give it the gift of time to heal. Be thankful that you HAVE the ability to unfill and give your system time to rest! Don't worry, this does not mean that you will lose your band. It's just a breather and you'll be back in business soon. :eek:

A leak? It's also possible that some Fluid is just hanging out in the tubing, but if the effect is consistent it could point to a very slow leak.