Mags

It's a great comfort for me to read everyone's posts. I don't feel so alone. I was banded Sept 06, lost 75 pounds so far but last week it was discovered that my band slipped and also the port dropped down lower in my body. I don;t have any discomfort, it's really strange. Appointment next week with my surgeon to discuss options and I'm really nervous. How long have any of you gone with a slipped band before it was replaced? Should I be eating differently now I know the band is slipped? Feeling clueless. Mags

Hi, I was banded on Sept 06 and lost 75 pounds. Except for some pb-ing I've never really had any problems so was shocked to discover this week that my band has slipped. I have an appointment with my surgeon next week to discuss options. Does anybody have any feedback they can give me? Is it possible to repair a slip surgically or does a new band usually have to be put in? This is a big disappointment. I don;t want to lose my band, I don;t want to have more surgery, I don;t want to gain weight again!!! What torture!!:help:

Thanks for everyone's comments...they are really helpful. I was banded 4 months ago and everything was fine until a few days ago. I can't keep any solid food down and even when I eat very small amounts I PB, even a couple of spoonfuls of oatmeal seem to bother me. The difference is that I haven't yet had a fill, so I guess there's nothing to unfill. Is that right? Has anybody else had this experience? Mags

Dear Lianna -- What great advice! I will definitely try this. Mags

Hi Everyone, I feel like I'm going through a bad patch with my band and need some help and advice!!! I was banded on September 14 and after 4 months I'm thrilled to be down 45 pounds. The first 3+ months were fine, but lately I'm feeling more band restriction and I'm finding that foods I could tolerate just two weeks ago are making me throw up. I'm trying to be mindful of taking small bites and eatling slowly, but just can't seem to handle the solid foods my doctor wants me to eat. Has anybody had this happen to them? Any advice? Thanks everybody. Magis

Hi, How exciting your surgery is coming up in October. I just had mine five days ago and I'm amazed at how quickly I recovered and how well I feel (even better than before surgery). My doctor had me on liquids -- Water, broth, clear juices, etc) the day before surgery and then nothing after 11 pm. I was scheduled for surgery at 7:30 the following morning. Doctors have different ways of doing things, I just think it's best to follow your own orders to a t! Good luck with everything. Mags

Dear Cinderella, Boy, can I understand why you're nervous!!! What I would suggest is getting the requirements for lap band approval from your insurance company IN WRITING and bringing them to your doctor. Also, find out what your company's policies are if you get turned down, but think positively!! I'm in the middle of an appeal with my insurance company and I went to a pre-op lap band meeting at my surgeon's office the other day. I was surprised at how many people had no problems getting clearance. Good luck! Mags

Hi, I'm interested in everything you all have to say. I'm hoping to get banded sometime soon. I'm in the middle of an appeal with my insurance company but somehow I think it might come through. My surgeon requires all of his patients to have nutritional counseling before surgery and I thought I would share the sample plan I was given. This is the regular diet, about 4-6 weeks post-op: Breakfast - egg white omelet, 1/4 c sauteed veggies, 1 slice melon lunch - 2 oz turkey, 1/2 c. green salad with 1 tsp vinagrette and 3 whole grain crackers dinner - 3 oz broiled salmon, 1/4 c cooked spinach, 1/4 c sweet potato Also, you can add two Snacks through the day and they recommed eating a small serving of fruit with 1 oz lo-fat cheese or a Protein shake or bar. I hope the band can help me stick with this plan. I could never do it on my own! Good luck. Mags

:help: When it comes to insurance -- I feel everybody's pain!! Iwas just turned down today by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois. According to my surgeon's office, BC/BS said I didn't have enough appointments with my doctor during the required 12-months period of medical supervision. Although I went through the 12 months I only had 10 appointments and they claim I should have had one every month. I can't believe this!!! Other than this I qualify under every other point - high blood pressure, high bmi, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, psych consult, nutritional counseling, etc. etc. I am now in the process of trying to find out what I can do to remedy the situation. I don't give up easily but I'm really disappointed and losing hope. I was hoping to have surgery in May. Has anyone else out there had this particular experience? Mags

Hi. I also have BC of Illinois and have had wait 12 months. I started monthly visits last year with my primary care doctor and have only one visit left!! I've also had apnea tests, nutrition counseling, a psych evaluation, and assorted other tests It's been a real long haul. We're hoping for a surgery date at the end of April. Good luck to you. Mags

I'm working with Dr. Larry Gellman through LIJ/North Shore in Manhassat. Has anyone had any experience with him? Thanks... Mags

Hi everyone. I'm new to the forum and have found all of your comments very helpful and supportive. I'm tentatively scheduled to have surgery in April after ONE YEAR:cry of monthly visits to my primary care doctor for weight-ins and general monitoring. My insurance company -- Blue Cross/Blue Shield PPO -- requires this before approving lap-banding. Obviously somebody there thinks that if people have to go to so much trouble and wait so long they'll just drop out. I'm curious about everyone's experience with the actual surgery. Was it painful? How long was the actual recuperation? Any hints on how to prepare? Glad you guys are all out there. I look forward to hearing from you and reading all of your postings. Mags (Hopefully 140 pounds down some day)