wuan2000

I've been banded for 4 years next month. I have a 10cc band. I lost all my weight in the 1st year and kept it off until recently. I started at 256lbs and made it down to 152 and fit comfortably in a size 6/8 for the past three years at 4.2 cc's. I slowly started having band issues over the past year. Pb's, acid reflux at night, and about a 10 lb weight gain over time. I had my doctor do a slight unfill (.25cc's). This helped my reflux for a short time, but it came back. I tried not eating after 6pm, propping up on pillows to sleep, but no matter how small the meal, my pouch was stretched and it would just sit in there and come back up when I laid down at night. My pouch had stretched over time and I didn't even know it. I didn't stuff food down my throat and sit there in agony until my pouch stretched day after day. It wasn't like that at all! Like other bandsters, sometimes I eat and am comfortable, other times not. My doctor said this is something fairly common when you've been banded for a while and that every now and then I would need a "reset". An unfill for 4-6 weeks, then slowly filling again. I had a complete unfill 2 months ago, then a 2cc fill about 3 weeks ago. I'm going in for another fill next week. In this time I've gained 13lbs. It's been hard for this "foodie" to not have restriction during the holidays. I have the lap band for a very good reason. I'm looking forward to getting back to where I feel restriction again so I can drop this weight I've gained. My doctor recommended doing this once a year to keep things in check. Hopefully this helps your curiosity about pouch stretching.

Hi Angelia! I'm from Florida. I'm ready for a fill too. I can pretty much eat what I want. Although my portions are smaller, I get hungry every 2-3 hours. I've lost 17 lbs since surgery, but I'm at somewhat of a stand still since eating real food. I've had to reign myself in a little bit so I can keep losing. Down another pound today. Yay!

Wierd! I'm having my first fill the 13th of march and going to Disney on the 19th as well! Small world. I'll keep my eyes peeled for someone else eating ridiculously small amounts of food. LOL! Have a good time! My doctor said I can eat whatever I'm comfortable with. Just chew it all up, and if you feel any discomfort not to eat that particular item anymore. I've had chicken tacos wrapped in lettuce (refried beans, canned chicken, cheese & taco sauce), quiche, clam chowder, chicken salad, and snuck in a few cookies. I'm down 16 lbs in the last 2 weeks, but it's slowed down alot. I'm definitely ready for a fill!

Hi, today is 3 days post op! I feel much better. My advice to anyone getting banded later in the month would be to take it easy!!! I took alot of advice about walking a ton, and I was in complete agony for 2 days. My first day, I walked too much and cried all day the next due to the pain. I kept walking thinking that it would get better. It got worse! The next day I took it easy. I lounged in the recliner and barely moved. The R&R did so much good! Today I feel great aside from the gas in my shoulder and some minor pain around the port incision. I'm still lounging today and getting up and down at my own pace. Give your body a chance to heal and don't try to force your recovery.

How are you doing now? I had surgery the day before yesterday and I'm miserable. The pain is awful! I've had 2 c-sections and bounced right back, but I'm having a hard time with this one.

Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. It's nice to know someone is having a similar experience.

Banded Feb. 12th! I'm excited to be banded, however (thanks to the morphine) I over did it yesterday. Today I've been in agony and feeling a little emotional about the whole thing. I'm looking forward to next week when I'll feel better and can eat some soup. Ugh!

Thanks everybody. I took all the advice and let them know how sick I can get after surgery. They covered all the bases and aside from a close call, it worked! I just had my surgery yesterday and am recovering.....slowly. Thank again.

Hi all, I've been under anesthesia 4 times, and everytime I get horribly sick! I throw up and dry heave for a good hour or two after I wake up. The hospital always gives me that citrus flavored antinausea stuff, but it never helps. Any one experience this, or have some tips for me? I'm getting banded tomorrow morning and that's the only thing I'm pretty nervous about.:smile:

Cheers to not bringing any more babies home. My husband will be relieved! LOL!!! It's a shame we have to diet for 6 months, then go into surgery. I would love to have a few solid weeks to enjoy pancakes, glazed doughnuts, fresh rolls with cinnamon butter, cheesy pizza....ect...ect....(no wonder I'm in this mess)! OK, so I'm starving right now. Can you tell? Good luck to you, too!

Hi too much me, Thanks for the heads up on the shopping list. I actually went out this evening and picked up a few things. Some bottled water, light & fit yogurt smoothies, protein, more yogurt, and chewable adult multivitamins. I got my BMI down enough that my doctor isn't requiring me to do the pre-op shakes, but my husband (whose getting banded the 26th) has to do 2 weeks starting wednesday. I think it will be hard for him, so any advice would be appreciated. I'm doing my pre-op testing on Tuesday. I'm starting to get butterflies. I don't know why, I've had 2 c-sections no problem! I'll be getting my house in order too. For some reason the house has to be perfect before I have any surgery. Before, I thought it was the "nesting" instinct. But since I'm not having a baby I don't know what it is. LOL. Take care, and keep in touch!

Hi Too Much Me, I was just reading the posts and noticed that we have the same surgery day. Are you freaking out yet? I'm so nervous and excited! I've focused on nothing but insurance approval for 7 months and now the surgery is here. I can't beleive it. My approval only took a week, then my doctor sched my surgery only a week out. I feel like everything snuck up on me. Ahhh! I live in Florida and can't wait to wear a bathing suit that doesn't require a skirt. Yay! Best of luck to you.

Thank you Gone 4 ever. Your advice is exactly what I've been thinking. For the past 7 months all I've constantly thought about was the insurance approval. Now that that's over, I'm saying "Oh my gosh, this is actually happening. Now what"! I have a week by week chart from the nutritionist that I think will help alot. As long as I follow that, I shouldn't take on too much too soon. Do you have any advice about the surgery and first few days?

Hi everybody, My husband and I were approved yesterday, and I couldn't be more excited. We have Aetna Select Open Access POS for our insurance. We just made sure to stick to all their requirements in the allotted time, and Bingo-approved! So, to anyone having doubts "Just hang in there and follow all the guidelines to the tee and you'll be fine". I took 2 weeks for the approval and I'm scheduled as early as next week for surgery. My husband has to do the Optifast, so he's not scheduled for 3 weeks. I was so nervous throughout this long process and I never thought I'd be one of the people writting one of these threads, but here it is. I'm stoked! :cursing:

:confused: Hey everybody! My husband and I are going through this together. Our last appointment for the 6 mo. plan is Jan. 20th and I get more nervous by the day. I'm worried about insurance not wanting to pay for 2 surgeries. Anyone have experience with this? Here are our stats. Me: 40BMI @ consult, severe sleep apnea, psych eval (done), dietician appt. (done), and 11 lbs. lost during 6 month diet (currently 39 BMI). My husband: 44 BMI at consult, diabetes, high BP, fatty liver, psych eval (done), dietician appt. (done), 15 lbs. lost during 6 month diet. I think my husband's good to go, but I'm nervous about my approval. Have any good info or tips for us? We have Aetna Select POS II plan. Thanks for any info!

ocbreeze4u....No bother at all! Thank you very much. My doctor has me doing the 6 mo. plan, 2 meetings w/ dietician, 1 psych eval, and 1 or 2 meetings with their own trainer. He said all physical activity has to be documented. Even if it's just a walk around the block. Will aetna accept my own notes of when and how long I excersized?

Thanks for the insight! ALOT of good information here! I'm taking my sleep apnea test Aug. 14th. I never thaught I'd say this, but "I hope I have sleep apnea" LOL!

Thanks everyone! If I lose 1-2 pounds, my BMI will drop to a 39 and I won't qualify. I'll have to do as mentioned above and check with Aetna on wether they go by your BMI before or after the 6 mo. I'm just afraid to inquire about it. I'm worried that they'll note the account that I called in about that, then use it against me later saying I tried to manipulate the diet. Am I being too paranoid?

Were you approved? Did you have any problems? How much weight did you lose?

Hi everyone! This is my first post. I've just started the 6 mo. diet plan. My BMI is 40 w/no comorbidities. I have Aetna, and I'm afraid they won't approve me if I lose wieght and drop below a 40 BMI. I'm also worried that I won't be covered if I don't lose any weight during the 6 months. Anybody have any insight? :biggrin: