New Hope

Mary, what a wonderful, refreshingly honest post! Congratulations on the fantastic weight loss. I have an unfill also right now. And you are so right, it's very easy to slip back into those bad preband habits. I really needed to hear this right now. Thanks for sharing!

Leigh, please research both as much as you possibly can before you do anything. There is so much to learn -preop and afterwards. This is a Lapband Support Forum, so obviously we're going to vote for the lapband. A Bypass Forum will do the opposite. How much weight are you wanting to lose? Either method requires lifestyle adjustments on your part. Best of luck to you! #1. I prefer the Lapband because the surgeon didn't have to reroute my intestines. It can be removed if ever needed and my insides would remain intact. Weightloss is slower w/the Lapband which gives me time to adjust to this change - physically and mentally. I am not limited in my food choices. #2 Breads are difficult because they're doughy and "clog up" inside. Very uncomfortable. I try to avoid breads, pastas, and potatoes because they are empty calories. I try to make healthier food choices than preband. Because I eat less, I want foods to be high Protein. A good band meal is hard protein (lean, moist meat), vegetables, and if room left - carbs. #3 Complications - none w/ surgery or post-op. If I eat too fast or swallow too big a bite, I "pb" (like baby spitup, but very uncomfortable while trapped in the esophagus). Excessive pbing is to be avoided. It can also be caused from being "filled" too tight. A slight unfill corrects this.

Pat, I'm so sorry! Sounds like you were on the verge of fainting. Hopefully, the next time will be a more positive experience. My dr. doesn't deaden. One quick push and it's in.

Seppi, there's a lot of mental work to do along w/eating healthy and exercising - for any successful weight loss to work. You have to be at a point where you want to make positive changes and you're willing to do what's necessary to succeed. If you honestly think you can do this on your own, then perhaps you should cancel the banding surgery. Only you can answer those questions. I personally had gotten so down on myself that I had just literally given up and figured "Why try, it won't do any good any way?" I didn't think I was worth it. That was then, this is now. I am worth it! Best of luck to you on whatever you decide to do.

Well, I certainly can't think of any better reasons! You need to post those pics on your frig. for encouragement against those binges. Boy, wonder if sending those to the insurance company with your banding requests would get them in gear a little faster. "A picture's worth a thousand words!"

You ARE worth it!!! Hang in there, girl!

Wow, Blossom, and you're having to take time off from work for all of this, right? Excuse me, but isn't barium used for a fill under fluro? So why couldn't they do your fill? These type of problems are everywhere, unfortunately. My husband's been seeing an ENT locally about sinus problems. After a catscan, the dr. scheduled him for surgery to remove numerous nasal polyps. On 2 different occasions, he's gone to fill RXs she gave him and both times found (after the pharmacy filled them) he can't take them because of his immune problems. Concerned, he changed drs., brought his scan films with him, and the first thing the new dr. says is, "You don't have polyps. Those are Water pockets. You don't need surgery." Thank goodness, we found out BEFORE he had an unnecessary surgery!! The first dr. and the pharmacy prescribed bad meds. twice, the radiologist and the same dr. saw something that wasn't there and recommended an unneccessary surgery. You point blank tell the dr., it's on your pharmacy info., and still.... You have to constantly look out for yourself and if you're too sick, then you better have someone there with you.

That's great! Now be patient and follow all of their rig-a-ma-roll. My UHC originally denied me, I appealed, 8 months later got my band. It was definitely worth the wait! But hopefully you won't have to wait so long!

Also check what his post-fill rules are. It may feel the effects of your fill right away or it make take a few days to hit. That's really neat, being each other's band buddy!

Thank goodness you've got a year to get in shape for that passport picture!!!!

How about using http://fitday.com now, before you're banded? Then continue it afterwards. It will really help you keep track of what you're eating, good and bad. If you were able to control your eating habits, you wouldn't have a weight problem and wouldn't be considering the band. We've all done that. The only thing that kept me half-way honest before banding was a bad gallbladder (that was removed during banding.) Hang in there, you can do it!

Mary, there's a whole slew of things available. Deciding which one is the hard part. Can you swallow pills o.k.? Figure out if you need something for congestion (chest or head), runny nose, aches & fever, etc. There are pills, capsules, powders. Thera-flu makes several different powders that dissolve in hot water. Be sure you read the directions and don't overtake anything. If you don't get to feeling better in a few days, please see your dr. Sometimes getting the right RX is all it takes. (And those over the counter meds. can add up in cost.) Please be sure you're getting in enough fluids to avoid dehydration. Hot teas (decaffenated) are great to help ease restriction and feel soothing. Hope you get to feeling better soon!

Lenna, there are 3 fill levels...too little, too much, and just right (the sweet spot). I'll be glad when I hit that "just right" one!

Lenna, please keep an eye on this. If the problem continues, then see your dr. A slight unfill may be all you need. If you'r too tight, you're going to resort to soft, high-calorie foods and defeat the way your band is supposed to work. Best of luck to you and please let us know how you are doing.

Hang in there. Please check with your health benefits coordinator to see what exactly your UHC policy covers (and if they have specific weight loss exclusions). Different companies have different contracts. Best of luck to you!

I like Cheaptickets.com. The sooner you can buy your tickets in advance, the cheaper they will be. Also, check direct with different airlines. The only thing about Priceline is you can't pick your times. You're likely to get a red-eye flight (and possible connecting flights). I always like to get a direct flight if possible- easier on the ears, saves time, and less chance of losing your luggage. If you're looking for a hotel too, you can get some good package deals. Glad you're liking your car. Hope you have many years of safe, dependable use. My son is so proud of his too! He's actually keeping it clean. (Wonder how long that will last?) LOL

Kim, I'd contact the band surgeon and try to give them as much info. as possible, see what he/she suggests. Please let us know what you find out! Best of luck to you!

PB means "productive burp". It's more like baby spitup, undigested food that gets stuck in your esophagus. It's usually caused from eating too fast and/or taking too large of bites. But it can be caused from too tight a fill. Excess pbing is not good for your band and can lead to band slippage. It can be very painful and serves as a wake-up call to slow down and chew, chew, chew.

Girl, you've done great!!! Now, take it easy and let your body heal. Keep up the good work!

Trish, sounds like you're willing to do what it takes to get your band. That's great! Best of luck to you!

Hi Anastasia, nice to meet you! You can drink up until the time you eat, but then you should avoid drinking during your meal and for one hour afterwards. This lets the food stay in your pouch longer, gives you a sense of "fullness" longer by not washing food through so that you want to eat more. Eat and drinking together is defeating the way the band is meant to work. You have to remember to take small bites of food and chew, chew, chew. You should not be having pain when you eat. How much fill do you have right now? Could you possibly be too tight? Do you know what 17 kilos is in pounds? Best of luck to you!

Great job by all!! I think Nancy's BMI is too low to be considered "overweight" any more!

Wow, Melissa, hopefully that does the trick! Glad you're fixed and safely back home. I'm sure this is a typo, but is your current weight now 115?

Kim, you really should contact your banding surgeon and ask him. Try to make notes and give him as much info. as you can. Do these episodes hit after you eat or just any old time? Did these hit after you got a fill? Could you be too tight? Are you running any temperature? Does the area feel hot to the touch, is it tender? Do you feel nauseated with these spells? Do you still have your gallbladder? Please follow up and find out what's going on. Let us know and Best of luck to you!

It's quite normal to think that it won't work. We've failed so many times, what makes this one seem any better? But a little silicon band can change your life and help you get out and enjoy life w/ your family. You will figure this out and be a successful Bandster before you know it.