Blund

Good thought, Rosstheboss. Perhaps the lap band manufacturer(s) should be asked about this. Pharm. companies have a lot of influence. I'll post again when I find out more.

Yes, but what they do is charge a high premium, therefore not "excluding" you. Of course the extra cost usually excludes you!

Thanks for the info. I never "pushed it" with the insurance companies I spoke with. Now I will! Thanks! I'll be sure to post any new info I get.

I just found this on a search and have the same problem. I got my band in 2008 (paid by BC) but since lost that insurance due to husband's job change. I've never heard the "no issues for over 12 months" and to try an appeal. Anyone tried this? My health insurance ended 8/1/2011 and I'm 47 with a family. Thankfully everyone else in the family has health insurance. Just wondering if anyone knows anything new on this topic.

Honk, I am BCBS COBRA also (till 8/31 with grace period) through my husband's old employer. Ironically, my husband had stage IV sarcoma in 2009 costing thousands of dollars in surgeries & chemos, and is now on Medicare because of SS disability. It is very inexpensive! (He is doing great, BTW.) I can stay on the COBRA until it expires in March 2012 for $550 per month. Yikes! Our Michigan Pool wants me to be uninsured for 6 months before applying. This is so rediculous. I've lost 75 pounds and am MUCH more healthy now. I don't even care if they excluded my band from any coverage! I agree that we should get some credit for becoming and staying healthier. Not punished for fixing a problem. I think I'm going to get on the phone to the State of Michigan Insurance dept next week and give em hell! Thanks for listening!

I'm in a situation where I need to buy an individual health insurance policy. I was banded in April 2008, and an agent told me no company will insure me because of my lap band. I can maybe get a 6 month temporary catastrophic policy, but thats it. Has anyone had experience with this? And what, if any, companies will insure you?

I get the hick ups too, and realized that means I should have stopped eating a bite or two before! I used to get the one big what I call a 'hick burp' when I was pregnant! I get it now with my band too. My DH laughs and threatenes to throw a lilly pad my way! I also will get a pain in my left shoulder/neck, which seems weird, but I've read about it here before.

Thanks Rose. I've learned so much and gotten so much great info from these forums. There seems to always be someone here with simular issues. As great as most of our doctors are, most of them haven't 'been there'. -Barb

Rose, I'm so glad I read your thread. I've been going through a simular situation. My DH was diagnosed with a rare agressive cancer back in Feb '09, and my life has also been all screwed up. Amazing how priorities change. He is still in chemo and fighting, but responding well. We've had lots of support from friends and family and help with our house and kids. I'm FINALLY getting back on track. I hadn't had a check up since Feb (or lost more weight)and hadn't had a fill since late 2008. I just didn't have time. We've been traveling a lot for Dr appts and chemo, etc. I fianally got in and had another fill recently, and my Dr, while sympathetic, said I have to remember to take care of me. Which I know. But you know how it is. Just know you're not alone, and the one day at a time chiche' is true. -Barb:thumbup:

I didn't really get any restriction until around my 4th fill, so don't feel bad. I'm 1 1/2 yr out from surgery, and have 'stalled' like some of the others mentioned. I have vomited, pb'd, slimed, etc. I hadn't gotten a fill since late in 2008, and just recently got a 1/4 cc (yes, only 1/4!) fill and what a difference! I would never have thought that small amount would make a difference. I feel full faster, but I still just like to eat and overeat! I thought I'd be doing better at the 'head hunger' by now, but I guess I had 45 years to make my overeating habit, I can't expect it to go away that quickly. I've been reading the OA threads for inspiration.

Sorry I got on here so late. I remember you TeachLady from my posts several months ago. I'm a little west of Traverse City. My surgery was at Munson through Grand Traverse Surgery. And Brad Pitt....say no more! I was drooling over him in Thelma & Louise!!!! He doesn't have that long hair anymore, though. :thumbup: Yes, Monty Python & Princess Bride! I think my "list" could go on and on! I had been a few months since a fill, and got a whopping 1/4 cc fill, and you would not believe the difference! A tiny 1/4 cc, and I can tell a big difference. I'm at 6 1/2 cc of a 10cc band, so my Dr didn't want to push it too far. I'm glad he didn't put any more in! I've had a lot of crap going on lately, and have been rushing & eating around my band. My husband was diagnosed with a rare cancer back in Feb, so we've been going through surgeries and chemo. Not to drag on about that, but its really changed everything in our family. My Dr is understanding and didn't scold me for misbehaving! I just hope I didn't damage my band....I dont think I did...I dont have pain or anything.

so I haven't been on here in forever, but started lurking a couple of days ago. Thought I'd throw in Jaws, Alien, and Kill Bill 1 & 2. I like most of the others mentioned too.

Yeah, I haven't even been lurking around here in a while. I guess things have finally calmed down after school starting, soccer ending, etc. I don't know if gum does that. It never occurred to me. Maybe Dr would know. I just figure its faking me out chewing something! I'm rarely hungery...just love food!

I saw this post and thought I could have written the heading! Lisa, its nice to know I'm not the only one still struggeling with this! Not the soda thing....I've never been a big soda person. But I was raised with 2 big brothers and learned to eat fast. I guess it takes a while to "un-learn" 40 some years of a habbit! -barb

Or maybe its just our age?? I noticed I was getting wrinkles on my face & forehead about 3 years ago. (I'm 44 now.) But, I no longer have my double chin!! I've always been blessed with good skin, though. Thanks Mom & Dad! And have been told I look younger than my age. I'm sure weight loss comes into play with the wrinkles, but also consider our ages. I also feel better/younger because I'm in better shape and more active now. And I think by feeling younger & better, you project those feelings as well. Never done botox or anything, so I can't help you there.

Sugar free gum helps me, but PMS is hard to fight! Also, ear plugs???!!!! :laugh:

I might look into getting a unique or engraved thumb ring for my right thumb, so that when I eat MAYBE it will remind me! I'm kinda old for that kind of trendy stuff, but oh well, whatever it takes. I'm going to check out the timers SueMagoo mentioned.

OK, I've been MIA for a while. So busy with school & 3 little ones! My sliming is like Lauralee describes. (Now I've met 2 people in my life named Lauralee!!!) Anyway, I talked to my Dr about it, and he said it really isn't true reflux because its not acidic and bad tasting.....like Lauralee said. But it is clear and too gross & thick to swallow! I am just barely starting to STOP and THINK before I eat. Then I can purpously chew a lot and eat slowly! But man, how long is it going to take me???!!!! I'm 6 months out! I need a string on my finger, or a note written on my "eating hand" to remind me! Something. I feel like an idiot when it keeps happening!

Yes, I get this too when I eat too fast or too much. Its like my mouth fills with this thick saliva that is gross to swallow, so I spit it out. After a few spews and thumping my chest, I'm usually better. Walking helps get my stomach feeling comfortable again too. A nurse friend of mine said that this is a form of reflux? It doesn't taste bad or acidy, so it doesn't seem like what I know of reflux. I know that frequent acid reflux will damage your esophogus. Anyone know if this is the same thing?

I only got my last (3rd) adjustment a week ago, but so far, the good restriction I finally feel and the uncomfortable full feeling sure seems to stop the head hunger at that moment! Anyone else experience this? I hope it continues. Its exactly what I need! Wish I would have known this when I was bummed out and not losing very fast. :thumbup:

I have a few on the weekends usually. No real problems. I'm not a huge beer fan, but when I have it, I let it sit a few minutes to de-fizz. Same with the Mike's or anything carbonated. I'm not a soda fan. And I love wine, but now drink the cheap wimpy kind. If I have the good strong stuff, I have to mix a little fruit juice in it to tame it down a bit! (I'm sure this upsets my "wine snob" father-in-law!) I do get tipsy much faster and pay more attention to the callories just runnin' on through me!

I have no clue what would cause that. Where would it come from? Is your stomach producing it? Try a search with a couple of key words on this site. The only issue I have, is when I eat too fast or a little too much, my saliva starts gushing, my eyes start watering and my mouth fills with slimy spit. I think its what bandsters call "sliming" and I can't swallow it, I have to spit it out. If its really bad, I throw up. This is all normal from what I've learned here.

Sharzi, My BMI was just under 37, when I had the surgery. I had co-morbidities too, which was required for insurance approval. I'm surprised your doctor is pushing for the RNY with your low-ish BMI. I have the 10cc Lap Band made by Allergen. I now know there are other new bands out there, but I don't know the difference. I don't live near any large cities, so there is only one surgical center for the procedure in my area. The Lap Band is the one my surgeon uses. Honestly, I didn't even think about other brands, which sounds stupid to say! :smile2: Maybe your surgeon is not familiar with the Lap Band???

Hi Sharzi, I was just banded in April, and just had my 3rd fill. I've done well with the band with no side effects so far. Doctors seem to like the RNY for "morbidly obese" but I think it should be your choice. I had the same feelings about the invasiveness & risks of the RNY. I had my 1st fill 6 weeks post-op, then another month, then another month. My next fill is in 2 months. My doctor thinks I should be set with this fill or the next. I don't think the maintenance is as bad as some make it sound. I suppose if one has complications, its another story! On the other hand, it is a commitment and your doctor should be monitoring you anyway. At my pre-op appointment, the nurse made it clear that I would be continually monitored by them, and I have to be OK with that. Good Luck Barb

I was beginning to wonder WHEN I would feel restriction again like I did right after surgery. I got it now with my 3rd fill last week!! I think I have 5 or 6 cc's in my band. My "stuck" scale is finally working again! I saw a poll about this somewhere here, and felt better when I read it a few weeks ago. And it turned out to be true! This forum is the BEST source of information, so keep reading (and searching) and you'll find lots of things to help you on this journey!