IneedMajorHelp

sorry for the long delay, I don't get on here much anymore - but tomorrow will be my 4-year band anniversary so . . . . here in Utah you can apply for state insurance which is what I'll have to do - if you can get insurance through a work plan then they HAVE to take you, but as far as individual we're all pretty much screwed. keep up the good work and have a good weekend

we're losing our insurace (aetna) and I have to switch. applied to Select Health and was denied coverage because I have the Lap-Band. any thoughts as to who would be able to provide health insurace for my family?

I'll say one more thing on the subject - either surgery is ELECTIVE - you are paying for it - if your surgeon is pushing bypass or band be weary - it's YOUR DECISION - GROW A PAIR - 'nuff said

not sure who does them that cheap - Dr. McKeen does fills for people he hasn't banded - I know he charges more than 150 though

the gallbladder isn't even in the same neighborhood as your band - like I posted earlier I had my gallbladder out almost 5 months after being banded and didn't have one problem in fact the gallbladder surgery went easier than the band - I'd contact your insurance and see if theres a chance of using a different doctor - here's a link to part of the gallbladder surgery - [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr3Md9XlLvw&eurl]YouTube - Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy[/ame]

I had to have mine out after I had the band 3 1/2 - 4 months - no problems since - the gallbladder surgery actually went easier than the band

I'm right there too - just hit a year out - on a long plateau - it's starting to come off again - had another fill - slow and steady wins the race

just got back from my 1 year follow up with Dr. McKeen - I just can't say enough good about him or about my experience with the lap-band - everyone keep up the good work!

no reflux here

where to start - well about 70 pounds down I had to have my gallbladder out - guess thats a trial - 4 month plateau has been "fun" NOT - the food battle continues - 1 thing I've noticed is I'm a stress eater, so I'm trying to find other ways to deal without eating - not having soda for a year not as hard as I thought ( I totally don't miss it at all ) caffiene is another matter - went about 6 months and then . . . I discovered green tea lattes at starbucks - not as much caffiene as coffee - but then I started back on that too - a year in - starting to realize what an emotional attatchment I have to food and how much being the "big guy" is part of me and my personality and coping with that - still wouldn't change any of it, I'm definately so much healthier now, so much more energy - a new lease on life if you will - I can swim farther, bike farther, with less effort than ever before - it is a change in lifestyle, a lifelong journey with weight loss - I equate it to being an alcoholic - addictive personality - at least for me - food will be the thing I have to be ever aware of and vigilant about because it's too easy to slip back to where I was - the band is only a tool, I still have to make the right food choices and follow the rules or it won't work. Kudos to all who have started this journey, it's not an easy decision, and it's not a "quick-fix" as some would think - it's hard work and determination but very worth it.

I'm nearing my 1 year bandaversary and was wondering how long some of you have been banded, and how the long term has been - sound off!

oh yes - avacados - we go through them like crazy - and olive oil - your so right

serious? - both are staples in my diet for the last year - cheese has alot of protien and so do nuts - as long as you chew well and don't over indulge I don't see a problem

don't get depressed - it takes time - I'm on a month long plateau here - it is discouraging - but try and remember - you are working out - so that means that you are probably gaining muscle - which weighs MORE than fat - #2 have you measured your inches? - you are probably losing a ton of inches - get a measuring tape - don't always go by the scale - #3 don't be negative - you've taking a huge POSITIVE step in your life - you HAVE lost weight - you're in the early stages of this new journey it gets better - these are going to be life long changes - you didn't gain your weight overnight - you will not lose it overnight - I know alot of this you've heard and it sounds cliche - but it WILL GET BETTER!

sorry haven't heard of them - let us know how it goes on the 15th