KayleighsMommy

Yayyyyyyyyy :thumbup: :cool2: I am so glad when I see someone who gets approved by insurance (I had to self pay) Welcome to pre-bandsterland!!!

I'm so sorry for this setback. The doctor does seem kind of controlling. But, what it comes down to is that you are aware you may have issues with your diet/band/working midnights... but then again, you probably won't. It's a shame you don't have a lot of choice in surgeons. I guess you just need to stick to your guns and let him know midnights is the shift you work, and that is not going to change any time soon. Good luck, hoping you are able to set a surgery date soon :thumbup: julie

One of my favorite things is some ricotta cheese with some cocoa powder and splenda in it. It is a nice creamy consistency and helps witht he sweet craving (not to mention 1/2 cup of ricotta has 10g Protein ..bonus!!! :thumbup: ) julie

I have the same issue. It feels like there is a little bubble in my esophagus, not painful... just kind of weird feeling.

I had the same problem with one of my sites (the one under my left breast) It was open for 3 1/2 weeks after surgery. I thought it was my port site at the time...luckily it wasnt) It had finally started to heal a bit (though still a gaping wound) I had to have emergency surgery on a different problem (an abcess in my belly due to the hernia surgery I had at the same time as my band) The surgeon went in to that open wound, and made it much larger. It was about a half inch wide when I went in, and 2 inches when I came out of surgery!!! It took another 3 weeks or so to heal. Hoping yours heals soon.

I am really getting frustrated. When my surgeons office first called to check on my benefits they were told no prerequsites.. no psych eval, no diet, nothing... Now they are demanding the results of my sleep apnea test, as well as 5 years documentation of my weight. I got a form letter today, and it appears that they also require 6 months of dieting....has anyone NOT had to do this??? I am getting so flustered and frustrated. :biggrin:

I make a strange little noise. It's somewhere between a burp and a hiccup, but it is neither!!! I just say "Ooops, excuse me..my band is talking" At least you don't have the gurgle in your throat, that is even worse .

First off... I am so sorry you are in pain. I have no problem with straws, and I have met quite a few other lapbanders who use straws on a regular basis. julie

My best suggestion would be to go see your surgeon. They can do an upper GI to see if your band is placed OK still. From what I have read, you are correct that sometimes a total unfill and a bit of time can solve a band slippage, but only your surgeon can tell you if it is slipped, and what you need to do. This is a great site, glad you found it. Please keep us apprised on what is happening with your band. Best of luck. Julie

I would say it is going to be excluded... Sorry. But, the only one that can tell you for sure is your insurance co. Good luck on it julie

Wow.... Good for you.

I just can't seem to reach 40 pounds :thumbup:...though I am trying, and awfully close. julie

I'm so sorry this happened to you. I know when you are so dissapointed it is hard to look at the bright side, but.... something bad could have happened to you had they done the surgery today (so it's a good thing they didn't) -and- Wed is not that far away. I am sure on Wed you will have a good, safe surgery. Again, I am so sorry this happened to you.

I really need a support group. Can anyone tell me of any in the metro Denver area I can attend?? (I live in Aurora). My surgeon (Dr Melniczek) has moved out of state, so I need to find some new meetings. Julie

I know years ago when my friend had bypass surgery she got one. Not sure if they still habd them out...or if restaraunts honor them.

My surgeon has left the state, so I have no support now (other than my great LBT friends, that is :biggrin: ) I know about the groups on every 4th Monday at Rose Medical Center ? Does anyone know of any others. I am really in need of support about now....

I see Dr Susan Santilli. She is in Northglenn. (I-25 and 120th) She shares an office with her husband, who is a chiropracter. She was very supportive over my having lap band, and when I was having issues she spent the whole afternoon on the phone calling my different surgeons to get things sorted out. I have moved to Aurora, and still go see her. She is about 40 miles away...that's how much I like her!!! julie

I have been reading up on this, and I am pretty sure I have it. Every time I eat anything I get pain... a lot of pain. If I wait about 20-30 seconds the pain goes away. Then I have no restriction. Anyone else have this problem?? :biggrin:

I actually got the medical center I was having my surgery done at to knock a bit off the lapband price. ($1500) since they were making so much on my insured herna repair. I figure every little bit helps. You might want to check into that.

Audrey, I had what we thought was an incarcerated abdominal hernia I had repaired at the same time as the lapband. Not to scare you...if your surgeon is honest he will tell you this... the recovery from the hernia is a LOT harder than the recovery from the lapband. (Lets just say you will not be up and about in 3 days, like with just lapband surgery... you will most likely have a bit more down time) This is what my surgeon told me pre surgery... and he was right. I have had other issues due to the hernia repair, but after a little over 7 weeks my lapband is doing great!!!! If you have any more questions.. feel free to PM me :thumbup:) julie

About 12 years ago was trying to go for a gastric bypass. I had to do the 3 hour psych appt. I was given a MMPI (Minnesota Multi Phasic Peronality Inventory.) It was a really long test (like 500 questions) I also talked about how my mom had been verbally and mentally abusive my whole life. I was denied because of "lack of family backup". When I went for my lapband psych eval about 4 months ago, I was not given the MMPI (my understanding is most psychologists have found it does not do much good, when it comes to pre surgery evals). I was very sure NOT to mention anything having to do with my family this time (though my life has changed drastically since then...I now have a husband and small daughter) I just stayed very positive and talked about how much I beleived the lapband would help me, and how positive I felt about the whole thing. I ended up with a very positive eval.

I was banded 7 weeks ago (6-26) So, I still consider myself recently banded . I am in Aurora, CO. If you have any questions....I may be able to help :thumbup: julie

Duhhhh... they paid for the original lapband, but now that it is unusable (for all intents and purposes) they won't pay for the surgery to make it work???? :whatchutalkingabout An empty band is going to do you no good at all. Hopefully they will see the error of their ways soon. My best to you.

Yaaayyyyyy...congrats...good for you. julie

First off... I want to apologize.....I don't want to be one of those doom and gloom nothing good to ever say kind of people (and normally, I'm not) But I have to say this surgery has not been too kind to me yet (though I know I am a bit different case than most) I am now 8 days post op and still in a LOT of pain. I am still having gas pain (though my surgeon insists it is not gas.. that it is the band I feel) Many people have told me they have the exact type of pain (mid breastbone, spreading up and out) and my surgeon told me that is NOT gas...though people think it is. I am sucking down GasX like crazy anyway, it is helping marginally. My other major issue is itching....I had 9 incisions, and each one of them has a nasty dark red rash around it from the tape. The tape did not start bugging me until 6 days postop, and the doctor took it off the next day (yesterday) The itching is so intense it is actually painful....I am doing all I can NOT to itch...as well as using different topical agents on it (hydrocortizone cream as well as aloe vera w/lidocaine) I just have to be careful not to open up an incision. I started mushies yesterday too....I was happy about that, since I was Hungry but of course, now I am having trouble getting in my 3 meals, 3 Protein drinks and 64 oz of Water <sigh> I just can't win. This difficulty is not because of restriction (I don't feel any) It's more a time issue...just not enough hours in the day. I can say I am not unhappy I did the surgery....I am trying to look at all these things as just what I need to go through on the way to a better, heathier me.