Thats All Folks

Many people enjoy a drink after being banded. I've had one or two recently, however when I do, I am sure to count them in my daily calories. Alcoholic drinks are nothing but empty calories so just be careful not to over do it.

If you're missing 4 or 5cc in less than a year, something is wrong. I would demand they check your band for a leak. That much Fluid doesn't just disappear in a couple months. Either you have a leak or they haven't put in as much as you thought. Best wishes.

You should never, ever feel guilty about doing what you feel is best for you. If you feel you need a fill then talk to your doctor but don't even feel bad for it. One thing to remember though: You said "I eat more than a cup at a time so I really think I need a small fill" Please keep in mind it's not the band's job to stop you from eating more than you should. In fact, it's not supposed to physically stop you from eating anything. The band is there to diminish hunger and keep you satiated on less food for longer periods of time, not stop you from over-eating. It will always be up to you to stop eating and stick to band sized portions. Here's a great link to better explain it: http://drsimpson.net...estriction.html Best wishes.

You're not whining, your frustrated and are trying to get answers. It's completely understandable. The reason may be with your husband's employer. Not all BC/BS IL are the same or offer the same coverage. It greatly depends on what the employer agrees on, and in some cases, they even have their own exclusions to coverage.

I would definitely appeal the denial. I really think you can win this. Ok so he wants an exercise program post op? If I were in your shoes, I'd find the cheapest gym or YMCA near you, pay for a month, then submit it. Once you get the insurance approval you can let it lapse. Even if it costs you $50 with registration fees, it's still a heck of a lot cheaper than paying for the entire Lap Band surgery out of pocket. Don't give up.

I absolutely love them! The Chicken and Dumpling is actually my favorite. The Italian Wedding Soup is good, too.

I haven't had a carbonated beverage since being banded and won't again. It's simply not worth the risks of slips and complications. When I had Lap Band surgery last year, the woman sharing my room in the hospital was in to have hers replaced. She had been drinking soda regularly and not only did the carbonation cause a slip, but her stomach actually prolapsed up through her band. She then gained 40 pounds too because all she could eat was slider foods for months. When I asked my surgeon, he said the reason carbonation is bad for the band has nothing to do with a stretched pouch or even esophagus. It's a liquid so it passes through the band immediately. It doesn't have time to stretch anything above the band. However, carbonation expands in your stomach, and when it expands it pushes up on the band from below. This is what causes the slip. It's simply not worth the risks to have carbonation after getting the band.

I've had multiple abdominal surgeries, including hernia repairs and a c-section, and the Lap Band surgery was by far the least painful of all of them. I had my surgery on a Friday and by Wednesday I was back at my old routine. I was a bit tired for a couple weeks and I couldn't do any lifting for the first month, but overall I didn't think the surgery was bad at all. Unfortunately hair loss is common after any surgery because of all the drugs and anesthetic. I would start taking Biotin now. It will help minimize the hair loss in the months after. Being careful to get in all your Protein will help, too. Best wishes to you.

The average weight loss is 1-2 pounds a week so you're doing great. You're right on track.

Yes, between lack of proper nutrients and all the drugs in your system, it's very normal. Hang in there, it does get better. If you don't have liquid Tylenol at home, I'd get some and take it for the headaches (as long as it won't interact with other meds).

I'm not sure about the chair aerobics, but is there anywhere near you where you can take Water aerobics? It's a great work out but not hard on your joints. Best wishes!

I am so sorry you're going through this. Would it be possible for them to replace your band? To a newer, bigger one? They actually stopped making and using the 4cc band in the United States because (unfortunately) there have been a lot of people in your shoes. Being as you've been so successful with it and you've had it for so long, I would hope the insurance would cover a necessary replacement surgery. Then, you'd still have a band and wouldn't have to go through gastric bypass. Just an idea. Best wishes to you.

If your clinic was trying talk you into an unfill for awhile, you're very lucky your not much worse off than you are. You could've had a slip requiring the band be removed all together, so really, consider yourself lucky. I know it's scary to consider gaining all that weight back. I'd be terrified. But I think you've been expecting the band to do things it's simply not meant to do. As a result, you ended up with the pneumonia and problems with your esophagus. The band isn't supposed to stop you from eating. It's up to you to make good food choices, not the band to make them for you. If you're eating until you're full, you're overeating, you should only be eating until you're satiated. Here's a great link to better explain it: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html You've done awesome and lost a ton of weight. Just try to focus on portion control and hang tough until you've healed enough for a fill. Once you can refill your band, listen to your clinic. If they say it's too tight then get some removed. Work with your band and let it do what it's meant to do, don't put yourself at risk with a band too tight. Best wishes to you. You can totally do this

I congratulate you on your success, however I have to be honest I don't agree with everything you wrote. Being forced onto a "perpetually mushy/liquid diet" is a sign of the band being too tight and is dangerous. In fact, more people have the band removed from being too tight and it leading to a slip than people who have it removed by choice. Burning (reflux) is another sign the band is too tight and not something that should be ignored with just popping antacids. The band isn't supposed to physically stop you from eating anything. It's supposed to keep you satiated on less food for longer periods of time. Likewise, if someone is eating until they are full, they are eating too much. It's not the band's job to stop us from eating anything, it's our job to make good decisions. Here is an excellent link to better explain it: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html It's true we can't use food as a crutch, however to say people who don't opt to have their bands so tight they're only able to eat mushy foods and risk a slip couldn't be more incorrect. There are plenty of us, myself included, who have been very successful with the band while able to eat whatever we want- just smaller portions. I've lost 175 pounds in less than a year. I still have bread, I even have a slice of pizza once in awhile. I realize it's my job to make good food choices not the band's job. I listen to my band and stop eating when I'm no longer hungry and I don't eat until I'm full. I never eat more than a cup of food per meal. I use the band the way it's meant to be used, as a tool, not a magic fix for fat. Again, to each their own. It's your body and it's awesome you lost so much weight. But we don't have to have bands too tight and risk slips to lose weight. If we do our part the band will do it's part- without putting our health at risk.

Whenever your doctor said you could resume normal activity without restriction.

It's not common but it is possible.

What exactly did he do or say that you felt that was rude?

Her profile is blank so I'm not sure, but if she is newly banded, I hope she listens to your wise advice.

Granted I'm no doctor and this is strictly what works for me, but when I get stuck or need to regroup, I carb cycle for a couple weeks. If you'd like to learn more there's a very long thread on it here: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/159669-carb-cycling-an-experiment-gone-right/ Again, this is just what seems to help me (and some others, as you'll see on the thread). I really believe the trick is figuring out what works best for your specific body and metabolism. Some do high protein/low carb, some just count calories, others just restrict fat. For me, the carb cycling works well getting me back on track and losing.

It's no different and no more a fad than people who follow low carb all the time, which a lot of people on these forums do. It's a matter of what works best for your body and metabolism, nothing more.

I've lost about 18 pounds during the times I carb cycle. I only do it to break plateaus or after "bad eating days", like Thanksgiving or my recent vacation. I'll be doing it again for a couple weeks after New Year's. Goes to show how everyone is different. The only time I restrict carbs is when I carb cycle on low carb days, otherwise I count calories but never carbs yet I've lost great amounts the last year.

I very much believe it, not just with surgery but with all things in life. I believe when it comes to health matters in particular, your outlook and optimism play a huge role.

I was only in it for about 4 months and from what I've read from others, I was one of the rare lucky ones. I've read of people in bandster hell 6-9 months. Hang in there, it will get easier.

Talk to your doctor to be sure, but unless you had problems with NSAIDS and/or ulcers before band surgery, it's highly unlikely you'll start having problems with them now.

Sounds like either gas or swelling.