Alexandra

OK, where should it go? And what should it be called?

This has been suggested before, and the sense among the moderators was that we didn't want to start creating support forums for all the various different groups that might spring up. Men, women, high-BMI, low-BMI, etc., would just splinter the main support area into special-interest groups. (Monthly support groups make sense, because people in those sections really do have everything in common, and what interests them ONLY interests them.) The question becomes where do the special interests stop? Band-specific breakdowns seem logical, like Life at Goal, but drawing lines along gender or age or race or whatever seems like a step too far. The topic is open for discussion, of course, but that was the mods' thinking the last time this came up.

Congratulations! Believe me when I tell you I know EXACTLY how you feel. Isn't it the greatest relief?!? This waiting period is worse than the first time. I'm trying my damnedest not to gain weight but it's sooooo hard. Fingers crossed for you that they can mvoe your date up and we can BOTH be back in bandland before the end of the summer!!

Abdominal surgery of any kind calls for being careful about lifting for at least a few weeks afterward. You don't have to worry about lifting a newborn, though, past the first couple of days. As with anything, the general rule is if it hurts, DON'T DO IT. If you're careful and take things slowly, you'll be fine.

I had been taking Prevacid for weeks before my band was removed. I stopped the day of surgery and haven't had any heartburn or reflux since.

Gina, from time to time the manufacturers of bands have released newer models with more sizes and different features. The doctor makes the decision at the time of surgery as to which is right for the patient. When I was first banded in 2003 there was only one size/type available. Now there are several different sizes and types, and the new AP band is just another model which was released for general use last month. It will be an upgrade for me because it's mich bigger than the band I had, and I hope will be less likely to cause problems down the road.

When I last spoke to the doctor it was a definite go for the AP band. I'm sure we'll speak again before my surgery date, and I'm assuming there's no reason I won't be getting an AP. I'm walking around smiling all the time! What a great feeling to know that I'm going to have my silicone buddy back with me in my fight against food. August 13 can't come soon enough!!

Denise, you're having reflux and it's a sign that your band is too tight or that your esophageal sphincter is relaxing and allowing material to back up into your throat while you're lying down. TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR. This could lead to complications such as aspiration pneumonia or esophageal lesions. Please don't let it go on for long. People talk about raising the head of your bed to let gravity help, but in my experience the only thing that allowed me to sleep when things were bad was to sleep in a reclining chair. Not fun.

Absolutely call a doctor! Those symptoms are nothing to ignore. Call your primary doctor though; there is no reason to think it's related to your band and most likely isn't. Take care and let us know how you're doing!

For maybe two weeks after band removal I still felt some residual effects, but not really "restriction." But that faded quickly and I was back to 100% normal (PREband normal) in short order. I think it just has something to do with our own internal healing processes, and will differ for everyone.

Yep, Lands End for me, too. Great minds think alike!!

Hi Steph, I think that's just your internal stitches healing up. I've heard surgeons say that about a week or so after surgery they always get calls from people wondering what the sharp internal pain is! It's perfectly normal and will fade in a day or two. (You'd think, if they know patients will call with this concern, they might TELL them about it in advance!) If it doesn't recede soon then indeed, call your doctor. But I think it will pass very shortly.

Hi Chickie, Sorry to take so long to address this. I've added a section in General Support called Life At (or Near) Goal Weight. Now go post!!

You should talk with your doctor if everything you eat is making you sick. Your band may be too tight for some reason, and you may be compromising your future health. Good luck!!

Findingme, I don't believe your doctor should have put it that way. No question, lap-band surgery isn't right for everyone, but if in fact one uses it to eat less then one should lose weight, period. If that hasn't been your experience, take another look at all the elements of the equation. If in fact you ARE eating less and you are NOT losing weight, there may be something physiologically wrong with your metabolism. Start from scratch and really examine your situation. What can you change? What can't you change? You can get all the support you need right here, so in-person groups are not a deal-breaker. But the old equation is true--eat less over time, exercise more over time, lose weight over time. So what is going on?

That could be any one of a number of things. It sure sounds like a fever, which could be caused by an infection. But there isn't any reason to necessarily think it's band-related. Or did you mean 6/22/07? In any event, call a doctor!

Ahh, that makes sense! Somehow I skipped the "glorious hair" part, though.

Off the top of my head it would seem to me that this could be a significant problem in relation to banding. Bypass too, for that matter. I guess it depends on what his symptoms are and how it affects his ability to eat. What does "spastic" mean, exactly?

Thanks everyone. Mandy, I amsoooo hoping you are right. Yesterday I went to a wedding and I could see the looks in some family members' eyes, wondering what happened to me and why I have gained weight. No one said anything, thankfully, but I can't wait until the NEXT family function when I'll be my OLD new self again.

I've discovered that Crystal Light (and lots of other brands) are way too sweet for me. So for a long time I didn't drink them. But now they have those "single serving" envelopes, and when I add them to 32 oz of water it's PERFECT. My favorite is the Wild Strawberry with added caffeine. :eyebrows:

I had to change carriers. My old carrier--which I'd switched to a year ago because my doctors dropped out of my OLD old carrier--twice denied my request for rebanding. They were a band-friendly carrier who paid for fills and other things, but felt that with a BMI of 30-31 I just didn't qualify for placement of a lapband. The fact that I'd had my band removed due to medical necessity made no difference. LUCKILY, I happen to be an insurance broker and my company's anniversary was coming up. I asked my doctor's office which insurer they'd recommend for this situation, and they didn't hesitate to recommend Horizon BCBS of NJ. And, LUCKILY, Horizon happens to have a slew of new plans available that are more affordable than ever and have the benefits I need. So all these things came together to allow me to change to the right plan on July 1. My doctor's office submitted the request only yesterday, I think. ONE DAY! What a wonderful way to start the weekend. :whoo:

OK, I'm officially ON BOARD for August 13th! My approval came through today for rebanding, and I can't wait to get back to bandland. Great to be here!!

:update: See here for news on my rebanding. Thank goodness BCBS of NJ knows that bandsters need their bands!!!

:whoo: I'M APPROVED FOR RE-BANDING!!! :whoo: My cell phone rang while I was on line at a department store...buying pants in a larger size! So not only was it the best phone call I've had in a loooong time, but the timing couldn't have been better. I saved another $50 by putting the pants back! August 13 can't come soon enough for me. I am one happy camper!! :cheer2::Banane42::confused::woot:

Great to hear you're doing well, Laurend!! Congratulations!! :biggrin1: