ILUVMATH

I was having problems after my last fill. I was told to drink hot liquid in the morning before thinking about Breakfast. It has worked for me.

Just wanted to say that I looked into the lap band surgery several years ago. It was more trouble than it was worth to do anything.

I am a Texas teacher. In January 2012, the requirements changed. You no longer have to jump through hoops. Your BMI only has to meet a certain requirement.

If you were discouraged about your insurance coverage, check again. I'm glad that I did!

Dana

[quote=APPROVED Candace83]Got my approval! dr appointment will be Jan. 16..2 weeks. surgery probably first of Feb. one happy girl right here!

You are doing the right thing. Thank goodness for your perseverance. It will be great.

I will tell you why people are so negative about the lapband. Its because the doctor's themselves spew bitterness about LB

50% or more of a lapband surgeons practice is the followup care/fills/nutritional guidance/having a real relationship with patients. These appointments don't make the big bucks' date=' its the surgeries that are the cash cows, so many surgeons will push patients to do gastric bypass or VSG because they do the surgery, make the cash and then never have to see the patient again.

Doctor's don't all INTENTIONALLY mean to mislead patients, but when they know where they're bread is buttered they will surely steer you towards it. BTW, insurance pays 2.5 times the amount for VSG/GB than they pay for LB (not sure why)

Not all surgeons are like this, but I have seen way to many surgeons on youtube spewing forth negative propaganda and falsities about the Lapband while glorifying all other WLS's

I hope i'm wrong but I don't think I am[/quote']

You are exactly right about doctors spewing bitterness. I am a Type I diabetic. My diabetes won't be as bad if I lose weight. I will always be diabetic, but I can live better.

A few years ago, my endocrinologist suggested the lap band. My insurance wouldn't pay for it at the time. This past January, my insurance became much friendlier & I decided to get the lap band.

I went in & told my doctor & she started telling me about her patients without good results with the lap band. She said I needed to do gastric bypass.

I didn't listen. I got the band & I'm happy with my decision. My doctor will just have to live with her wishy-washy self!

I don't know if anyone has ever brought this up, but I'm wondering if I choose not to exercise if that will be bad? I look at it this way,........I have never exercised. After I lose weight, I will probably not exercise again. So, my thought is, why exercise now if I know that I will not continue the habit? Just a thought. Just let the weight come off slower.

Hello All & Happy New Year!

As a low bmi'er and self-pay, I know I can find a doctor here is the US to do a lap band procedure, now that they've lowered the required bmi. I've been mulling this over for so, so long and have a question for everyone who's already banded and down the road a bit. Is there a moment when it hits you that your ability to emotional eat is over and how do you or did you deal with that?

I'm a classic over-eater, takes a lot to get full, emotional eater, etc. I often think if I could just find a pill or a switch that would curb my hunger and stop me thinking about the next thing I'm gonna eat, I could succeed. I've done therapy on several occasions and lots of soul-searching, trying to come to terms with my history of eating. I've done every dang diet, some that included some level of counseling and each time I've thought this is the time I'm gonna have a mental shift and think differently about food. But it never lasts. I'm super motivated and will do all that's needed to work the lap band, but I'm scared about "getting it". If the lap band helps me control overeating and quell hunger, but I never get that "aha" moment regarding the emotional eating, can I still succeed???? I'm 50 yo and I've been dieting, reading self-help books, soul-searching, etc, for 20+ years.

Thanks for reading this and hope someone can share their experiences.

You must be emotionally ready. I, too waited until my insurance restrictions weren't as bad. I have a daily struggle with my eating habits.

Even with insurance, I know that I did pay a lot for this surgery. I think it is the not wanting to waste my money aspect that keeps me going.

The hardest part is getting to your green zone. I think I may finally be there after today's fill.

If you are strong & set your mind to it, you can do it. It is a lifestyle change, but don't be scared. The lifestyle change can be developed. I know that I am still making adjustments.

Good luck to you.

Dana

I had lap band surgery in July. I was assigned to the surgeon in my hometown, but got changed to a surgeon further away since my hometown surgeon had to have shoulder surgery. I was very pleased with my substitute surgeon, but his office was too far away to keep going & not miss a lot of work. I paid a big transfer fee to get moved back to my hometown & be able to not have to miss work.

The thing that I find strange are the different instructions. One surgeon said it was okay for me to have my Diet Coke & the other surgeon said no to any carbonated drinks. One surgeon said no popcorn & it wasn't a problem for the other surgeon. This is just a couple of differences. There are other differences in diet & lifestyle.

One surgeon says mushy food after a fill. The other says liquid diet after a fill.

One surgeon numbed my skin before a fill & did it himself. He also didn't use an x-ray for the fill. The other surgeon uses an

X-ray & no numbing. The fill is done by a technician & I drink something during the fill.

I think that I've been on both extremes. I just find the differences very interesting.

I'm okay with both. I will do what it takes!

Gallbladder attacks seem to occur after weight loss. My sister had to have hers removed after losing weight. Her problem was an attack in the middle of the night. Violent vomiting & pain. However, they sucked that puppy right out through a tube. No more gallbladder! She went back to work in a couple of days. Good luck to you. Stay on top of things.

Mine was 4 weeks after surgery.

I got banded on sept.6' date='2012 I'm worried about my first fill ! Does it hurt??[/quote']

It didn't hurt. I was nervous about that, too. My surgeon put some kind of numbing cream on the skin before he filled. I don't think it would have hurt even if he hadn't used the numbing cream.

Got 3 cc & then he had to take out 1/2 cc after I tried to drink Water & it got stuck.

I had surgery on July 26th. I got the lap band with plication. My surgeon calls it the I-band. It holds 13cc's.

I had my first fill today. It was a piece of cake! My surgeon put in 3 cc's. I drank Water & the Water felt like it was hung at the top of my throat. It made a weird little gurgling sound. He took out a half cc. Taking out that tiny bit made the water go right down.

I'm on mushies for 5 days & then back to regular food.

coffee is okay with my doctor. I am also told that my beloved Diet Coke is okay after I've poured it in a glass & let some of the bubbles go away.

Congratulations! Has to be a great feeling.

I was the same way. My surgeon's nurse told me to get the Protein Shots. I was able to get them down even when I wasn't hungry. They look like those energy shots, can be found at Walmart by the Protein Powder & drinks. They are usually fruit flavored & are loaded with Protein. You can also get them from GNC.< /p>

Your mouth will be dry. I packed sugar free Lifesavers to suck on. They gave me a little pillow to protect my tummy from the seat belt. I took my own pillow from home that I used instead.

Good luck. It will be a great day in your life.

Congratulations! Nice job.

Congratulations. It does feel good to post in post op threads!

Tomorrow I go see my surgeon for my 2 week follow up. I am nervous. All the things keep running through my head.

What if I've messed up? What if the band has slipped? What if I'm not losing fast enough? Will I get a fill? What if..........? You can see that I'm driving myself crazy.

So, what should I expect the first visit? I did find a local support group that meets at 6 pm on

Tuesday nights. Maybe going will help calm my insecurities.

My surgeon's staff warned me that my neck & shoulders would hurt from the way they have to position your head & neck for the anesthesia. Maybe this could be your pain.

I am a 16 days post surgery. I am still sore under my left rib cage. I finally figured out that is where my port is. I occasionally sit wrong & feel a sharp pain under my right breast.

I don't know when this will go away, but it is nothing I can't live with.

I dont think I'd worry too much if the pain is bearable.

Good luck to you.

Yes. Math nerd here!

Congratulations. How exciting.