Janieh123

The runny nose thing is very common. Take it as a sign of being FULL! I did not noticed so much when I did not have much in my band but now that the restriction is more I really notice it. Watery eyes, hiccups and the runny nose are all good indications of when to stop eating. Good luck everyone.

Aetna paid well for me for the lapband. However I was told three times by a Aetna rep that they do NOT cover lapband. I appealed it and it took 9 mos but I won. I had lapband suregery on January 17, 2005 thru Aetna and they paid very very well. The whole surgery cost me less then $150 and they pay 80/20 on the fills. I think it depends who you have Aetna insurance thru if they pay or don't. The bottom line is FIGHT these insurance companies. After all you pay the premiums they need to pay their part. DON'T GIVE UP!!

Hi, I had Aetna thru UPS and they paid almost 100% of the surgery and they pay 80/20 of my fills and 100% of the complications so far which consisted of getting plugged and making a trip to the ER and having my port flipped. I will say it was a fight to get pre-approved but it has been great ever since. Don't give up. Mary

Hey, I want you to know you are not alone out there. I know it is easy for me to say but I do know what it is like to be down and out. It seems we have no where to turn. Everyone says do this and do that but I found that the most helpful advice I could do for me was to make time for myself. To make goals for me and to make myself happy. It truly is true that you cannot make anyone else happy in your life unless you make yourself happy. Take little steps to finding out what makes you happy and do it. It does not have to cost money but take the time for YOU. After all you deserve it and your family will notice the change. I am here if you need to talk. I won't get into my past down and out days on here but I am here if you need a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen or whatever the case may be. Hang in there and try to smile. You have children who need you very very much. HUGS to you. Mary Ps My email is janieh123@yahoo.com email me anytime.

I walk right now. I hope that someday I may job and even run. I walk 2 miles in about 25 minutes. I walk anywhere from 2 to 6 miles every day. If I don't walk I ride my bike at least 4 to 6 miles a day.....I want to jog...still kind of hard for me yet.....but someday

I have been told not to eat after 7pm at night. Who told you to eat 6 times a day? We are suppose to eat 3 meals a day with no snacks if possible.........curious to know what is up with the 6 times a day on a weight loss surgery.........

I have not changed jobs but I still have a good amount of weight Iwant to lose. I am joining you in the 50lb goal by November. Star ting June 1st. which is also my dads 80th birthday. I turn 40 May 20th. This i my gift to myself. Thank you for the inspiration. I have lost 77lbs. I weigh 245 and my goal is 175. Good luck. Mary

Hi, I was banded January of 2005. I am 16mos out and have lost 77 pounds. I started a 322 lbs and now weigh 245lbs.My goal weight is 170 to 180 pounds. I started out in a size 26w (4x) I am now in size 20 jeans and 18/20 tops. I know I have lost and I know we all hit spells where we come to a stand still. I have had some times in the last 16 mos where my band has been unfilled and had to wait a time period to refill. I am just wondering if this is slow weight loss for some or fast for others. I guess I just want to know if I am doing ok or not. They say you should have over half your goal weight lost in the first year and that is not true for me. Any comparisons, suggestions or any comments out there? Mary

HI, Funny you ask that because I was wondering or experiencing the same thing. My restriction seems to be more about a week or two after a fill. I thought perhaps it was in my head but now I don't think it is. Is this what you experience also?

HI, I also am losing hair. I however know I am not getting enough Protein. This has been a problem since I am filled up more and the restriction makes it hard for me to eat meats. I put a powder from of Beta-protein in soft foods or liquids to make sure I get enough protein. Too early to tell just yet if it is working but I am trying what my nutrionist said. Will keep you posted. Good luck. Janieh123

Hi, I did not have my gall bladder out when I had my band put in but it may have been a good idea. I had my band put in on January 17, 2005. I had my gall bladder out September 1, 2005. It is not uncommon to develope gall bladder problems with weight loss. A good doctor can help you with that. Good luck.

The vomitting did not stop until the band was unfilled!

Yes for the firt day or two you want to be sure to drink liquids and really really soft foods. You will be tender for a few days if you have been vomitting alot. Just take it one day at a time. It will get better. I am going thru the same thing right now. God bless.

You guys are all right and I know things could be worse and that is true with anything in life. I just needed to vent and was having problems. I did not mean to be a whiner. As for the starting over comment, no I did not gain the weight back. I had to start over with nothing in the band and slowly go back up again which can mean a little weight gain is possible. Again sorry for being a whiner I just needed to talk to someone but I guess I come off wrong. I just needed some support as so many people do not understand unless they have been thru it. GOd bless.

I am glad everything turned out. I however last week on August 3 was not so lucky. I had the same thing happen to me but ended up in ER and they had to unfill me to get it to go away. It was soooooo painful I feel what your words in your message. I guess we all have to learn the hard way one way or another.

I had my port fixed on June 24, 2005. It was pretty simple. I had it done on a Friday and was in the hospital about 4 hours max. I was back to work on Monday but watched the lifting. It actually went very smooth. Good luck to you and I am sure it will heal fine. God bless. Mary

I was banded on January 17, 2005. I am down 54 lbs. I have had my share of complications lately though and am getting very discouraged. We went a whole month in June to finally find out my port was flipped and empty for some odd reason. We surgically fixed it and it has not leaked since which is very odd. But none the less I am thankful it is not leaking Then on August 3 I got a MAJOR clog in my band. For about 5 hours I could not keep anything down, not even Water or my own saliva. It was horrible and so very painful. I had to go in under fluro and have my band emptied. Now I am back to square one again and have to wait a couple weeks to get a fill in it. On September 1 I am scheduled for gall bladder surgery. It just seems it has been one thing after another. Even though I am still down 54 lbs I know it could of been more without all these complications. I guess I just need to remember that I could not of lost that amount of weight in that amount of time with any other diet. It is just hard right now to keep my head up. Has anyone else had crap like this happen 7 months out of surgery or less? Mary

I eat popcorn with no problems. I make sure to buy the low butter and less calorie kind so I don't feel guilty eating it. But as far as it being something to snack on I find it goes down very well with no problems what so ever. Good luck to you!

Lapbanding will take the weight off much slower then a gastric bypass person. There really is no camparison when it comes to that. They are two totally different surgeries and diet tools so to speak. Both come with pros and cons. I however like the fact that we have control with the band for the future when our ideal weight is lost we can keep it at that. If we notice it starting to come back on we can adjust it with a fill. However, what they both come down to is a life change......after all it is just a tool to use. If used incorrectly you can fail both gastric and lapbanding. The lap banding is much safer as you don't have to re route your instetines and such. It is also a comfort to know that it can be reversed if something life threatening should happen in a person health. But to compare the two as which one will lose weight faster...........gastric bypass will win every time. Lapbanding goes off slower but healthier and gives the skin time to go back to somewhat normal and your body adjust to it. The weight did not go on overnight nor should it come off overnight.

Your message brought tears to my eyes. I am so proud of you. I wish everyone out there who does not believe in or the insurance compaines who deny us for this surgery could see the quality of life it has brought back for many of us. You are a PRIME example of the wonderful changes this can bring to a persons life. Keep up the awesome work. HUGS to you and a big huge CONGRATS!!

I was banded on January 17, 2005. Just one week prior to you. I have lost a total of 40 lbs in those three months. So I would say you are right in the ball park at losing 34lbs. They say about 1 to 2 lbs a week with the band. I say as long as the scale is going down keep up the good work. There are times I don't lose for a week or more then all of a sudden 4 or 5 lbs drop off. Just hang in there and be patient. This does not drop off like gastric bypass patients. As long as a little goes here and there. You are doing great. Keep up the good work. Good luck.

I have not had that problem with too much fill ( as of yet ). I do however know of a lady who has and it happened a year out of surgery. She is doing well. She had some taken out and has not had problems since. I am surprised to be honest that they would put that much fill in on the first one. I had 1cc put in on my 1st fill. I lost 15lbs in 6 weeks. I then got 1/2cc put in on my 2nd fill. Maybe it was just too much at one time. But sticking with the clear liquids and mushy foods for the day of and day after a fill is a MUST!! It is amazing but it will get better. Hang in there. It is learning our bodies all over again and getting rid of bad habits of eating too fast, too much and the wrong things. Give it time : )

I am missing Pizza lately also. I have not tried anything but the toppings off it. Bread is a huge NO NO for me and the crust of the pizza scares me. Maybe a thin crust would be good. That is about the only thing I am really craving. Otherwise I feel better then I have in years. WOO HOO!