Sanlortut

First of all, is the procedure something the insurance company never approves, or is there some reason they didn't approve it for you? If it's the latter, I've read on this site that the lapband company will fight insurance battles for you. I can't remember the name of the website you need to check, but perhaps someone else can supply the name for you. Secondly, if insurance won't pay and you are able to borrow the money, I think you should give serious thought to doing it. As women, we tend to take care of everyone else first and seldom get around to taking care of ourselves. You're not being selfish by wanting this surgery. In fact, it will be better for the entire family if you're happier and healthier and able to live a longer life with them than you might have without the surgery. Thirdly, I've read of many people who have gone to Mexico for the surgery and have been very happy with the experience. But I've also read about people who have had the surgery there, have had complications upon returning home, and have not been able to find a doctor who would treat them due to liability issues. If it were me, I'd have the surgery closer to home where I had easy access to my doctor. I wish you all the best as you make the decisions that are ahead.

I was banded on 3/11. I stayed home from work for one week. The second week, I had planned to go back full-time, but found I couldn't make it more than 3 or 4 hours. I was exhausted and sore. I had to put a heating pad on my stomach every evening. By the end of the second week, all of a sudden, I began to start feeling semi-normal again and worked full days this past week. I think the thing we (and those around us) need to remember is that we had major surgery. Our liver was moved, work was done inside us that will take 6 weeks to heal, and a foreign object was put inside our stomach. And we had anesthetic. All of this is a lot for our bodies to adjust to, and it takes time.

My doctor said absolutely no Advil or any other ibuprofen ever again. He said it can eat through the lap band.

I am 8 days past surgery. I just started on mushies today. I am eating the recommended foods, but the portions are unbelievably small. I had 1/4 cup of oatmeal and 1/4 cup of applesauce for breakfast. Two hours later, I was ravenous. (And, no, it wasn't head hunger). My stomach felt like it was eating itself up. So I've decided to eat the food I'm allowed and to eat it until I feel satisfied. Each one of us is different, and we all have to work out a plan that helps us be successful. I'm grateful to all of you for sharing your stories. It helps so much to know we're not in this alone.

I had surgery on 3/11, so I'm not sure yet how the weight loss is going to go. Typically, I lose weight very slowly. I have heard nothing about ever being able to discontinue meds.

My doctor said Advil can eat right through the band.

I just learned yesterday that my surgery will be on March 11. I started the liquid diet today. On the way to work this morning, all of a sudden I panicked and started telling myself that I could do this without surgery. I know I can't, of course. I've tried and failed many, many times. I'll hang in there, but ask for your prayers that this 2 weeks of liquid diet gets easier as the days go by. Any suggestions on the best Protein supplement and what I can mix it with so I can get it down?