Alexandra

Getting used to being banded takes time. There are all sorts of odd feelings and sensations that we have never had before, and it takes us all varying amounts of time to learn what the new normal is for each one of us. So it's really important to take it EASY and learn what the new normal is, for you. And then, once you know that, you will know when something is NOT normal. Andie, you say that sometimes when you eat your stomach feels achy. Might that be the band telling you it's time to stop? That would be the band working exactly as it should, and not an indicator that there's anything wrong. Bottom line, learn your body's new signals and pay attention to them. I know that might sound simplistic but it's really the truth. We are all wired differently, have different stop signals and problem foods; the only thing we share is a band that tells us when to stop. Pay attention, and when something feels wrong call your doctor.

Hi Kat, Loose skin is a function of many things, such as speed of weight loss, age, elasticity, but it's mostly a function of genetics. There is nothing you can do to improve or change the amount of loose skin you have; time will take care of skin returning to whatever level it's going to return to. Working out and otherwise taking good care of yourself during the whole process can improve the *appearance* of your skin, but there's no cream that will do anything about the way your skin fits on your body.

This is something you should talk over with your doctor. Would you get the exact same band? Or would there be some difference that might make your experience with a new one less complicated? I DID band twice, and am very happily living with my second band. It's a very different model than the one I had the first time, and so far all has been wonderful. (Though I'm not losing weight, I know this is not the band's fault.) To me this is all a journey; being banded once was never going to fix my obesity problem forever. There's way too many other variables at play. All I know is that I have NO chance at managing my obesity without a little silicone friend.

Not EVERYONE has this sort of complication, absolutely not. Everyone posting in this section likely has had some sort of complication, or they wouldn't be posting here. To my mind, even the worst complications with banding aren't as bad as what could go wrong with more invasive WLS procedures. I've had three surgeries now related to my band (initial, removal, replacement) but each one was outpatient, minor, and pretty easy. I was back at work in every case within three days. Is it worth it? That depends on how much being morbidly obese impacts one's life. For me, being banded has made an enormous difference and even with all the "complications" it's been very much worth it.

Itchiness, I was always told, is an indicator of healing. Are your incisions healing well and are just itchy? Maybe you're just sensitive to that phenomenon. Have you ever noticed it before? If it doesn't pass soon you might mention it to your doctor, but it's probably just healing itches. Good luck!!

Ses, the kind of problem you're having doesn't call for a tightening but it may very well call for an adjustment. You should call your doctor and BE HONEST about the issues. Your doctor can't help you if you're not completely up front with him or her. You may find that you LOSE weight if you band is made a bit looser. You'll be able to take in more Protein and a bit more roughage (veggies and fruits), and your body will be in better balance. It is never a good idea to 'struggle it out' with a too-tight band or an irritated esophagus, because these situations are unlikely to resolve on their own. Please call your doctor and don't be afraid of an unfill. It can really help and you'll be happier and healthier. Good luck!!

Rainer, I used to do exactly the same thing!! I'd be sitting at my desk, absentmindedly drumming a beat along my collarbones. You are not alone!

David, I'm glad you're feeling better. But please listen to your body: It's a bit too early for even the soupiest mashed potatoes! I'm sure your doctor has given you post-op eating instructions, and equally sure those instructions are to stick strictly to liquids for at least the first week. You've been banded less than three days? GIVE IT TIME! You need to heal up, and pain is your body's way of telling you to leave it be. Really, even if you're hungry don't jump the gun on thick liquids or mushy foods. You need to give yourself time to heal. It sounds like you had a really significant surgery--much more involved than the typical lap-band placement, and it's going to take even longer to heal. So take it EASY!!

What a scary thing! It is a potential complication of any abdominal surgery, but no one can ever prepare for it to happen to them. Best wishes to your husband for a complete and total recovery--we're pulling for him!!

I agree with everyone who says it's cyclic and natural and there's nothing that can be done about it. I lost a lot more hair each time I had a baby. My doctor said at the time (and it turned out to be true) that by the time we've lost enough for it to be noticeable, it's already turning around. I know it doesn't seem that way, but it's true.

Good luck, Jen! I'd love to hear what Aetna does with your repair/replacement. I hope you have a quick and successful resolution.

My slipped band was diagnosed in April 2007 after 3+ years of banding. I had the reflux, nighttime aspiration, etc., and while those symptoms would resolve with an unfill I couldn't tolerate even the tiniest fill no matter how much time had gone by. I had several barium swallow tests (since my docs do fills that way) and they kept saying the band was in good position. I even had an endoscopy at one point, during which esophagitis was diagnosed, but the band was supposedly fine. But clearly something was wrong. Ultimately a slip was diagnosed and my band was removed. (BTW, I had the 4cc version, and now I think it was too small from the start.) Insurance carriers handle this situation differently--there are no norms. In my case I had lost so much weight that my BMI was now about 30, so my carrier would not cover a new band. I simply didn't qualify. They paid for the removal and probably would have covered a repair/reposition, but not a replacement. But not all carriers take that approach, so I switched to a different carrier that would treat my band as an ongoing treatment for a chronic medical condition, and they paid for a new one. Now I have the AP-L band, implanted last August. Obviously not everyone can manipulate their insurance coverage the way I have been able to, so it's really important that we understand our own policies and the laws where we live. It's entirely possible that your state has laws that will require maintenance of ongoing treatment, regardless of whether the treatment was covered in the first place. Check it out with your state's department of insurance, and DON'T take what your carrier says as the final word.

Anita, I'm glad things have settled down and that you're on the way to healing. You said your erosion was without symptoms, but you had months of SOME kind of symptom, right? Before your unfill if the band was too tight (causing reflux and requiring all the testing) the band was putting too much pressure on your stomach this whole time, I'd think. So it wasn't really without symptoms at all. Before my slip was diagnosed and I had months of recurring issues, I was really expecting to be told the same thing. But my band had not eroded, the stomach was in fine shape and a new band was able to be placed. So these symptoms are not necessarily an indicator of erosion. But I'm thinking that symptoms like that are an indicator of SOMETHING, and medical attention must be paid. Good luck with everything!

Redstar, it's one thing to be an advocate but something else entirely to stoop to name-calling. Please be advised that such tactics are unacceptable on LBT. Thanks!

Band removal is just as big a decision as having it put in, and the same medical and insurance questions apply. Is removal medically necessary? If so, and if the risks of surgery are less than the benefits of having the procedure, it shouldn't be difficult to reach that decision. And your doctor will likely agree.

I can't get into discussions about spousal gift-giving because it always sounds like I'm gloating. (My husband gets it, and always seems to hit the mark. I am a total lame-o in response.) But HAPPY BIRTHDAY, WHEETSIN!!!!! Love ya!

I've actually heard that this is not the case this time. Another poster elsewhere quoted someone as stating that it will have no effect on 2008 taxable income. Guess we'll find out when the time comes.

Yep, and really the only reason they want higher employment rates RIGHT NOW is so that the current administration can get one (very tiny) feather for its cap. The hell with the future, or with the present making any kind of sense. It's just like what happens with companies when their purpose stops being whatever they went into business to do (sell shoes, for example) and starts being about nothing so much as their share price. It kills me to hear CEOs talking about their responsibilities to their shareholders--what about their responsibilities to their CUSTOMERS? Screw the customers, unless they hold stock their opinions matter not at all. So with this "rebate." Screw the country, all we care about is votes. It is to vomit.

This whole scheme is utterly harebrained to me, like much of what our government does. Any economist will tell you that the economy takes TIME to recover from ups and downs, that things like the housing bubble and subprime crisis will be with us for a while. So why on EARTH does our stupid, asinine government try giving people a quick injection of cash to fix these problems? It's absolutely mindblowing, and I just can't pay attention because it all ticks me off too much.

Hi Syndy, Volleyball is the BEST!! You should be able to go back as soon as your body tells you it's OK. Give it a couple of weeks, and then take it slow paying attention to twinges and pulls. You can't hurt your band but you should allow plenty of time for healing, and since everyone heals differently you're the only one who will know when you're ready. Congratulations on your banding!

Where did you post them, Brina? I can resize them for you but first I have to find them.

Congratulations, Laurend!! I hate to break it to you, but if you were wearing a 14W you ARE in regular sizes. That's easily a 14 or 16 depending on cut. And that's what they sell in REGULAR stores!! :thumbup::thumbup:

Holy cow. I asked for some explanation about that. It can't be serious, can it? Who "communicates" that way? Is it some fad I've missed out on?

I'm thinking there's a program or something that converts regular text into that...whatever that is. I canNOT imagine someone typing all of that in that way on purpose. Ready4-a-new-me, if you really did do all that, can you please explain why (and how)? I'm seriously in the dark about it. You know what they say--inquiring minds want to know! On the other note, congratulations on your coverage and I hope things continue to go well for you!

Medical expenses, whether US or overseas, are deductible above the amount that equals 7.5% of your taxable income. (Maliyah, you had the effect correct, but your first sentence is very confusing.) If you make $30K, 7.5% of that is $2250. So any amount OVER $2250 that you've spent on medical costs is what's deductible. If you spend $15,000 on surgery, you will be able to deduct $12,750. What that does to your refund depends on how much you've had withheld. If you've been withholding taxes all year without the expectation of having this big deduction, you'll get a larger refund.