Sugarbear

First check your insurance policy for how bariatric surgery is covered. Mine was listed in my benefits book. Or just call and ask about bariatric surgery coverage. Do you have any friends or family that is close that would help you with the children when you have the procedure? pushing, pulling, or lifting, is not recomended as you would not want to upset your port site while it is scarring or seating in place. With four young children you would definitely need help. Everyone is right about support from this site. We have all been there...done that...and we fully understand. Many people have the will power to just "do it" on their own. MANY do not. Some of us need some help. Such as the lapband. It is only a tool to help you along. There will always be people that don't understand that. We do. Sometimes you just have to take control and help yourself. Trust me, YOU ARE WORTH IT!! Good luck with your decision.

thin within, welcome. There are no foolish questions. We have all been where you are, and everyone is willing and eager to help in any way possible. When is the big day? I too was nervous but ready to do it. I am a year out now, and don't regret one thing. Good luck!

You need an unfill. Iguess they gave you so much because of the distance you travel. Most only get a little at a time when getting follow-up fills. Isn't there ianyone there that could take out a smidge? Can't believe you got so much. don' risk being too tight for too long. You need the nutrition. How long since you got that fill? pb, usually just comes up and out. Vomiting, you will contract and heave. NOT good for your band. Vomiting may make you slip.

Does anyone here have any light to shed on who, where, and how much for tummy tucks?

You might try exercising your arms and shoulders, an of course a lot of walking. Just don't do anything heavy or strenous, like lifting, pushing, or pulling, that might upset your port site before it scars or seats in place. Lots of walking and moving, usually helps break those air bubbles into smaller ones where they are easier to dissipate. It is very early fr you and exercise should take care of it if it is gas. Good luck.

Whitepants, maybe you can just get a partial unfill. Don't want to be too tight and risk erosion. Take care.

Sistergirl. if you don't mind me asking, who did the surgery in MX and what was the cost compared to the states? I am not to that point yet but know it's comming. Cost of travel, surgery, and the stay in MX is an issue I will have to deal with. Just would like to be prepared. Thanks.

People are going to notice the loss, for those who don't know about the surgery, they always say your losing weight, or what are you doing to lose weight? I thank them for noticing, and say I am eating less, which is the truth! I am pushing back from the table, or something like that. Your weight? Too much, I'm still working on that. They SHOULD get the hint. If not, I embarrass them and tell them it is personal, and I don't dicuss it. Haven't been to this thread in quite a while. Looks like many are doing super. I am slow but still losing very slowly. I broke my leg and ankle in a fall and lost about 6 months of good exercising. Spent 2 months in a wheelchair. But I am slowly getting back to Normal. Good to see everyone doing well!

Pitter, you have every right to be nervous. This surgery will alter a part of your life (if you follow the rules) that has been a comfort and friend to you for a long time. Most of us that are obese are having to say goodbye to the amounts of foods we have enjoyed for a long time. You are undergoing a change to your life, even though it is for the better, and sometimes change makes us nervous. Try to stay busy with some Spring projects and it will help take your mind of of the surgery. I was ready too, but still nervous. Now, even though I have been a slow loser, and very glad I did it. Everything will be fine. You are on your way to a happier, healthier you. Good luck.

The reason for following the rules post-banding is healing. Letting things seat or scar in place. There isn't a lot of stitching there and it is to tissue. Thin, cream, low-fat soups, are usually fine. No chunks in them. All doctors have different rules for that first few weeks after surgery. by all means adhere to his or her rules. No lifting, pushing or pulling is advised either. You don't want to upset your port. You want these things to heal and seat or scar into place for your future band care. After going through all this, take care of your band, and it will take care of you. It is tough but once it is over and it will be sooner than you think, you will be on your merry way. Some get away with cheating, some suffer for it. I wouldn't want to chance being in the latter group. Hang in there, you will soon be on your way to a happier, healthier, thinner you. Hang in ther guys. Sugar free hot chocolate is a nice change for a liquid, and it may even help your sweet tooth.

butterfly...Check with the insurance or with the surgeons office and see how much will be written off. My insurance paid the same as yours. But a lot was written off. Talk with the hospital they can help with that too. Also if you have met your deductible, you will not have to pay that over, I had not met mine so that meant another 500 for my doctor. I have arkansas BCBS. I had mine done at the hospital as an outpatitient. No overnight stay. Had mine in Texarkana.

Hello Arkansas Bandsters. I live in AR but was banded in TX. I live close to the state line. Had my surgery in Texarkana, Dr. Rachele Keilin, (Precision Surgery). Her husband and her do surgery together, (Dr. Ron Heiker) I love everything about them so far. They assist one another. It was all very slow going for me too. But things are picking up for me now. I think I am getting to the proper restriction now. Everyones anatomy is different. It has only been in the last couple of fills, especially the last one, that I have felt truly restricted. I have a friend that was restricted before her first fill. So, like I said, it is different for everyone. Don't get discouraged if it is slow at first. I go back for my 6th filll tomorrow, doubt I'll need much. Maybe just a "tweak." I am almost 10 months out. I am hoping to change my ticker tomorrow after my docs visit. I should have done much better, but the after holiday leftovers are killing me. I plan on getting back to normal this week. Everyone take care, and hang in there.

I believe most get unfilled durring the pregnancy. Check with your pcp or check with the lapband doc. Most of those guys have toll free number dont they? Or email him. The empty stomach in the a.m. causes many to be sick. You may want to put a few crackers on your nightstand to have first thing in the a.m. Call some doc to check out what you should do, quickly. Take care and congrats.

Hello all, and Happy Thanksgiving! Haven't posted here in quite a while. I was banded on 3/7/07. Haven't lost too much but I think all that might change now. I got a fill almost two weeks ago and for the first time I have got definite restriction. Maybe too much,but I am going to try stick it out a while longer. This fill is giving the portion control that I have so desperately needed. It sounds like most everyone is doing well. I hope I am going to fall in there with you guys now too. Half the weight I lost was preband diet. Maybe now I can get this show on your road. Everyone take care.

Imonmyway, I did not have a catheter for my surgery, nor did anyone else that I know that has been banded. The occasion that arises of not being able to pee after surgery is a not usually a problem. There are a select few that have that problem after any surgery. Most do not. Most lapband doctors offices have a nurse or a person that councels you through any doubts and questions you may have. Mine did. Call them so your mind can be put at ease. You need to be confident and have a positive attitude when going into this. I am sure you will do fine, but talk with your doctor, get the facts, and I think you will feel much better. Take care and good luck.

Stool softeners and more fiber. Benefiber. Use regular too until you can get to a normal diet. That kinda pain....call the doctor to be safe.

Now that you are making healthier food choices, no salty pizza and fries, and not such fried greasy things, you will get used to drinking less. Still need lots of water, just not with or right before and after meals.

Aimee, my doctor has his patients do a two week pre-op diet, liquid. Slimfast. (optima.) After the third day you may substitute a garden salad (only things grown from the earth) and FF dressing. You may have SF drinks SF jello, SF popcicles, any SFliquid. Nothing else, no solids with the exception of the small salad once daily. I lost about 17 lbs. in two weeks. Most everybody, IF they stick to it, loses at least 12-15 lbs. You have much longer, so you could lose it easily. Well, I mean by time. There was nothing easy about it for me, but I did it. It will help shrink your liver, which gives them more room to work. This is life changing, so it is a good time to push yourself and see how you do. You can do it..

Hello Marchies. Haven't posted here in a while, but looks like everone is doing well. I had an accident 2 weeks ago. Fell on some slick steps, broke my leg pretty badly, had surgery, been laid up ever since. Can't put ANY weight on my leg yet. This is getting really old. I go back to the surgeon Thurs. hopefully he will cast it and I can get on the road to recovery. Not losing any weight either, but I had to reschedule my appt. for my fill, due to the leg thing. Hopefully the next fill will be "it." Take care everyone.

Mpalen, we all do that from time to time. I am not losing period, so I tend to eat whatever. No, it doesn't make sense, but sometimes we just don't do what we know is best. OMGosh, we must be human!!lol. Just try to get back on track, start fresh, and you will do fine. Take care.

TracyinKS, You are looking fantastic!! Nearly 50 lbs.! In five months! WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

Momlambert, it took 7 fills to get restriction!?? We were banded about the same time. Me, the 7th. I felt a little after the 3rd, for a short time, more after the 4th. But of course you can tell by looking at my ticker i haven't lost since surgery. Only 16 lbs, from the actual surgery date. The other was pre-op. I just eat too much. I was so hoping to get help with portion control. My biggest problem. Hope this next fill gets me closer to the "sweet spot." Very frustrated. Hope it is working better for you now too.

LapBandit. 170 pounds!! OMG!! That is terriffic!! I would like to reach 70 or so bu now. That is why I have changed my ticker to a snail. Good Luck.

I too have had 4 fills. I have a 10cm band. I have only lost 16 lbs. since my actual surgery. The rest were pre-op diet. I lost as much pre-op as I have in nearly 6 months post-op. Very discouraging! I go back 9-10 for 5th fill. I felt a little after 3rd fill, little more after4th. Sooooo I am hoping this is "the one." Bulwinkle I can eat much more than I thought would ever be possible after 4 fills. Seems like most have their greatest amount of weight loss in the first year or so. That is why I am kinda upset about thing. 1/2 year is gone and I'm down a measley 16 lbs. I am glad for that but I have so many pounds to go. I have to wait 6 wks. inbetween fills. This has just got to get better, portion control is why I got the band.

Sue, it sounds like you are doing fine. It is important you get in plenty of water. Especially in this heat. As long as you drink on and off most of your day you should be fine. Staying hydrated around the clock is a good thing. Not just in the heat of the day. Sip late, sip early. You should do fine. The exercise program sounds great. Sometimes when you tone muscles your weight loss will lessen. Muscle weighs more than fat. But it will come back around. Keep up the good work. It will pay off.