RestlessMonkey

Insurance is VERY different...even the same "insurance" can cover different things depending on the purchaser (usuallly an employer) and what coverage is selected. That's why it's best to start there, to see 1. if it's covered 2. what prerequisites they require (if any...and there are almost ALWAYS conditions to fulfill, some more tedious than others) and 3. if it's covered, which surgeons can you use? If your insurance company/employer has a website you can check there. Just remember coverage can be modified by an employer (for example they can exclude bariatric surgery if they want to, since it is elective) Good luck. It is tedious but considering surgery costs anywhere from 10K up to 20K, just think of it as "earning yourself" all that money by taking the time to find out if it's covered and so on!

Honestly, because I've been in nursing school and had training about fecal impaction, I'd never ever let it go so long! It does happen, though. Usually, just once! :thumbup:

I believe the INAMED 9.75 band holds 4cc's actually, not 9.75 or 10. Check out this site: Compare Adjustable Gastric Bands - LAP-BAND vs. REALIZE Band It's the older style band...been around since 2001.

Depends on what size band. I have 14 cc's so 9 cc's wouldn't be THAT drastic for me. Also I agree, if you're paying $1100 a fill, you need to look around for cheaper fills! OK DUH I just re-read the thread title and see you are in a 10 cc band. SO I agree; do they count what's in your tubing? 1 cc isn't much....as a guideline, a teaspoon is 5-6 cc's. Otherwise if you don't have restriction, either your pouch is really stretched, or your band is leaking. I think you should discuss with your surgeon! Good luck!

Ask your doctor, do what s/he says!

When were you banded? How much do you eat? WHAT are you eating? If you were recently banded and eating foods that give you gas, it can be normal. Best bet is to call your surgeon and ask!

Yes, if you don't chew well and take small bites, more restriction means food gets stuck.

not sure but maybe this will help you...someone else posted it a while ago http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f5/ticker-tutorial-pictures-41782/

I was banded 8/29, have a 14 cc band, have 2 fills totaling 3 cc's (doc's choice, not mine! LOL) and I STILL have no restriction whatsoever. Unfortunately, you name it, I could eat it. My doctor says that's normal. Until they start "tightening the belt" (giving you fills) the band sits loosely around your stomach and most don't feel any restriction.

I wasn't allowed to eat for 2 weeks post op! Lucky you to get food so soon!

The band is supposed to provide lasting weight loss, but pills are just "interim". You aren't going to take the pills forever; the ones on the market today aren't formulated or indicated for long-term use. If you are truly physiologically hungry because you don't have restriction, just be patient and give it time; it will work for you. If you are feeling "head" hunger, you need to find a long-term way to deal with it; perhaps some meetings with a therapist would help.

I agree, call your surgeon, it sounds like it could be your gall bladder, but I'm not a doc and if I were, couldn't diagnose you over the internet anyway! Your safest course is to ask your surgeon. If the pain was severe to the point that you went to the ER with it, don't ignore it. Call tomorrow.

Your best bet is to just ask your surgeon.

Are you sure he said you could not take the pills? Or did he just give directions like "take liquid tylenol for pain"? Mine recommended liquid but I CAN take the pills if they aren't an issue for me (which they aren't). You need, to be safe, to ask your surgeon what he wants to do; don't use anecdotal advice for something like this, unless you feel sure it was a suggestion and not a rule! :thumbup:

I used the shake my doctor advised me to use.

Please clarify this with your surgeon and/or nutritionist. (I prefer my surgeon, but that's just me). Each seems to have his/her own "spin" and pre- and post-op requirements, and they have good reasons for their choices; if you follow anecdotal info you may mess up. (IE I had to do additional dieting preop because it was important that I shrink my liver; not everyone has this issue). My surgeon says, once healed, we're to get 60 gm of Protein a day, but as I'm sure you know, going for a few days without won't make or break you! Just do what your experts tell you to do. They should recommend brands and specific products to help you. and.....congratulations! :thumbup:

I think it would be dangerous, during an initial consultation without knowing anything about you, for your doctor to "pump the surgery" for you. Seriously, it is smart of him to lay it all out so you can test your resolve. However if you are uncomfortable, go to a different surgeon. My surgeon had us go to a seminar first before any meeting, when the pros and cons were all laid out. After that if we still wanted to proceed, he'd meet with us and start getting blood, paperwork, other tests, etc. Mine also said in the USA people lose only an average of 50% on the lap band. He DID say that in Australia they lose up to 80%, so it CAN be lost, just isn't in the USA. He didn't try to steer me to one type or surgery or another. I've NEVER heard of a surgeon recommending bypass (which is what I assume you mean when you say "gastric") for patients with less to lose. I HAVE heard of it for patients with very high BMI's. His point is valid if you are nervous about social settings; nerves can exacerbate restriction. I can't speak for him; don't know him or anything about him. But it sounds like while his "bedside manner" may be lacking, he was pretty straightforward with you. It will be up to you if you want to go forward, find another doc, or go "back to the drawing board". At least this one seems honest with you, if more negative than you might wish.

Vangirl hang in there! It's a process. I haven't lost ANY more since my preop and the 2 weeks of liquids post op, and it's been 3 months for me. My doctor isn't fazed in the slightest and he says I will start losing at around 6 months...I don't even have any restriction yet. I just figure if I'd wanted to drop 60 pounds in 3 months I could've gotten bypass surgery. Yay for those who do drop lot really fast, but it's not a race, and I figure I'll get there eventually!

I don't have restriction yet but my surgeon repeatedly has stressed that we do NOT eat until "full" (as you stated) but instead to eat until "Satisfied". That's a very different thing. You should meet with your nutritionist to get some portion guidelines until you can hear that inner "cue".

My surgeon was quite explicit...DO NOT DRINK while eating. It wasn't a general guideline or suggestion, but a rule. Drinking while eating can 1. help food flow through more quickly, thus negating the effect of the band or 2. hang in the top portion of your stomach and stretch out your pouch. Do what your surgeon tells you! :tongue2:

Do you mean you've read negative stuff ABOUT your doctor, or just negative things in general?

Ask your doctor. A major concern postop is being immobile because it increases your risk of blood clots. Your surgeon can give you the best scenario for this patients and what is average recovery time for them.

I didn't even KNOW there was a 12 ml lap band; I thought the "new" AP ones were 10 and 14 ml. At any rate, call your doc. If you can't keep liquid down you are too tight.

you shouldn't HAVE a lack of Protein in your diet, except for the brief period post op when some of us are on liquids only (ie my doc doesn't allow Protein shakes the 1st week post op) Otherwise most of us report that we're supposed to get in protein however, even in supplement form. SO lack of protein shouldn't be an issue. Beyond that, I've never heard that and color my hair regularly

Mine waits 6 for 1st but then fills SLOWLY. So that at 3 months out I'm at 3 cc's in a 14 cc band. He says his patients have great success with this slow rate. I trust him.