Petunias

About a month ago I got my second fill and it took me 3 weeks to realize that I was too tight. I couldn't eat more than 2 or 3 nibbles without slimming really bad and I wasn't able to get my daily water in either. I was never really hungry though. I lost 9 pounds in 3 weeks, which was great! I did realize that this was not the way I wanted to live and went back to get a little unfill. I'm not sure how much the doctor took out, but I can definitely consume more and eat more healthily. Now the downside..I'm hungry all the time and I need to use more will power to avoid eating junk food. I'm wondering where the green zone is for other bandsters. How much are you able to eat at one meal to be satisfied until your next meal?

I had my surgery last Thursday morning. The doctor also repaired a hiatal hernia and a morgagni hernia. I have quite a bit of noise coming from both ends and gurgling around inside. I have the left shoulder pain too, which is quite painful at times. It's good to know that is a common side effect.

It has been a long stressful haul since I started all of this last July. I had to file an appeal with my insurance company to get an initial consultation with my surgeon because my Health Management office said that my BMI was too low to warrant the evaluation. Now I have to get all of my testing done and lose 5% of my weight before they will schedule the surgery. I wonder how long all of this will take. I'm glad that I didn't give up when I was thinking about it. Many thanks to all of you who encouraged me to keep at it even when I wanted to give up

Thank you for the information. Looks like it will do the job.

I understand your anger, your doctor sounds a lot like my old one! I can tell you that the drugs don't work long term and can make you feel like total crap when you are on them. I would find myself eating to try to feel better!

Congratulations!!

I'm addicted to Diet Pepsi and I'm giving it up starting now - even though my surgery won't be for months. I don't want to be completely miserable afterwards.

Thank you for the info - I'll keep you posted on how it helps me

Thanks, I will keep you posted.

Way too scary for me. I'm old school!

Sounds to me like you need to go to a different doctor. My daughter had gastric bypass in 2005 and is having problems with never being full. She had a bunch of test run and they said that her stoma goes straight into her intestine so everything just flows right on through. She needs a revision.

Thanks, I went to their website yesterday and submitted my data. How long did it take before they responded to you?

Is this who you used?

I have had hypothyroidism for 23 years. At first when they put me on the medication I lost about 10 pounds but, I have gained that back and many more. They are always adjusting my medication up and down, drives me crazy! Some people think that the medication is like amphetamines and it gives you all kinds of energy and makes you not hungry. It isn't like that at all. No matter what they put me on, I am always tired and hungry. Even though at this point I have been denied by my insurance (BMI too low at 34.9) I am going to have the surgery. I will probably have to self pay. Hope my little rant here helps with your decision.

I was denied by my insurance last month and have been formulating my appeal letter. I'd love to have a copy, if you can send it to me at kimrzidy@gmail.com. Thanks!

Congratulations to you ALL! I hope to someday be posting the sames happy news!

I think it is better late than never. Also, I remember when I was in my 20's, 40 seemed old, and in my 30's, 50 sounded old. Now that I am in my 50's, 75 is sounds old. In short, don't listen to the young, they don't really know what "too" old is yet! Best of Luck and keep us posted!

Who is your insurance company? I'd read my policy carefully myself to see if they cover it. A lot of times the person on the other end of the phone gives misinformation. If you read that they do cover the surgery - go back to your primary care physician and have them actually submit the paperwork to request for surgery approval. Best wishes!

My daughter had the surgery in 2005 to remove the excess skin on her arms after losing 100 pounds. It was very painful and the scars are still tender. They have turned from red to white now so they are less noticeable. She says even with the scars and pain she would do it again. I, myself have "batwings" and am trying to over come being self conscious about them. They are incredibly uncomfortable and I will be going to to the website mentioned above and checking it out, thanks.

lizzy - I wish I would have put a roll of quarters in my pocket or maybe a block of lead! LOL Cocaabean - I like the way you think! I'm definitely going to use that reasoning in my appeal letter. Thanks a bunch! And you are right that gaining the weight won't do much good currently. I was getting really depressed thinking about gaining that weight. I'll keep you posted....

Thanks for the well wishes. Yes I will appeal, I'm going to get copies of my medical records for the last 5 years so I can have all of my facts straight. My BMI was almost 38 (and was for some time) before I started my last diet. I guess I jumped the gun in going to the doctor too soon. I just started to panic as I started to gain back the weight I lost . And that usually means gaining a few more pounds than I lost too. I do have co-morbities, high chol, mild sleep apnea and gerd. Thankfully, I don't have diabetes or high blood pressure-yet anyway.

Hello, Both of my sister-in-laws had gastric bypass and did fine for about 2 -3 years. They have not learned to eat properly and do not exercise. They have gained back a lot of the weight and continue to yo-yo back and forth. They had beautiful thick hair and now it is thinner and dull. For me, just watching them experience the dumping syndrome was painful. My daughter had bypass surgery at age 24 and has had problems with her mineral and Vitamin absorption since. She too, has gained back weight and has been considering the lapband. Having seen what they had/have to endure has led me to the Lapband because it is reversible. Unfortunately, I don't know anyone who has had the Lapband surgery and maybe I would feel differently if I did. Best of luck on your decision.

I have been denied twice in the last 2 days. The reason I was denied is that my BMI is only 34.8. I lost 30 pounds last year and have been gaining it back slowly. I thought that I'd head it off before it reached more than I had lost. Guess I thought wrong. I need to gain another 6 pounds in order to qualify and I don't really want to. I already feel horrible at my current weight..

Congratulations and wishes for a speedy recovery