Miper70

It just never worked for me. I know this isn't the place to post this, but I lost all of my weight doing hCG and have kept it off with no help from lap-band. The reason I am having it removed is because of pancreatitis and pain maybe caused by the band itself. I won't know for sure until it's gone. Email anytime if you want to discuss further...... miper70@yahoo.com

Are you 100% sure insurance will not cover removal? Tricare just started covering in March. I would fight like crazy to have insurance pay. Have your doctors work with you on it.

What part of Georgia are you in? I am driving to Jacksonville to have mine removed. I had to find someone that was willing to even speak to me because I had mine done in Mexico (Dr. Ortiz) and also someone who accepted my insurance. This particular doctor was my fill doc when I lived there so he has all of records from surgery. Just start calling around. It took me days to get it done, but I am now scheduled to have my first appt. Monday, driving 6 hours to get there, then surgery next month when school lets out for summer. It can be done, it just takes some time. The first step is to find out if insurance will cover it. I was surprised to learn that Tricare started covering removal in March. Michele

Did you ever have it removed? I am having mine removed next month and insurance is paying for it. Michele

I am having the exact same problems. I had my gallbladder out last August after having severe pain for months on end. My gb was only working at 10% so I assumed that was the problem. Right after surgery, the pain started up again and so far has not subsided. It doesn't matter what I eat, I get the pains after almost every meal. I even get it drinking Water. I've had so many tests run and nothing seems to be wrong. My gastro did mention SOD, but I'm still not convinced. I'm also not willing to go through anymore tests to be 100%, especially since it seems like there is not much that can be done about SOD. I am going next week to start the ball rolling to have this thing removed. I have my fingers crossed that the lap-band is causing the problems and they go away after it is gone. Anyone else have these problems? I would love to talk to the original poster to see how she is doing and compare notes. We sound so similar in what is happening. Michele

I have lost 75 lbs and have kept it off for months now. Please listen before deciding 100% on surgery. Go to this page: > Title > > When you're there, just enter your name and email (the same ones > you're registered with). You'll be taken right to the download page. > > People who haven't registered yet can use that page to download the > call too. So please feel free to share it with anyone who wants to > know: > > * What really controls your appetite and weight > * Why "eat less, exercise more" fails so many people > * How to finally reset your appetite and weight to normal > > That link is: > Title > > ALSO - you can listen to last night's call – which focused on the > brilliant gem at the heart of the protocol, HCG – by calling in to > the conference center. > > Here's the play back number (NOT the same as the conference number): > > Phone: 605-475-4849 > Code: 288574# > > This recording will be up until THURSDAY midnight (May 14). So be > sure to listen by then, if you weren't able to make the call. > > Our next call is Friday May 15 – time to be determined (by survey).

Hi everyone, I moved to Dahlonega back in July and have not had anything done re: lap-band since I left Jacksonville. I also have not lost any weight so I am seriously considering having it removed. My question is, does anyone know of a Doctor (good one) near my area who will take someone else's patient? I was originally banded by Dr. Ortiz and hate to have to go all the way back to Mexico for this. Thanks!

lost down to 185, now back up to where I started. I have a lot of medical problems that come into play, so I think it's best just to have it removed.

This is a really long story, but i will try to make it short. My Mom went in the hospital and died back in Dec. My Dad lives next door to me and I have totally had to take him under my wing. Let's just say the stress has been tremendous. Back in (I think) Jan. I wasn't too tight, but the stress would cause me to get really tight and PB all the time. I knew it was a bad thing, but it kept happening. I had a slight fill done about a month ago because I haven't lost any weight recently. I still find myself throwing up if I get the slightest pressure because it's so easy to do and makes me feel better instantly. I KNOW it's wrong, and I know I can make my band slip, but for some reason I keep doing it. I will eat too fast or drink something too soon and up it comes. I finally came to terms with the fact that this is an awful lot like what bulimics do. I am scared. I go for a barium swallow to make sure everything is ok in a few weeks, but I need a good kick in the butt. Please don't make me feel any worse than I already do, but any advice would be appreciated. It took alot to come here and admit this. Michele

I just wanted to take a moment and write down some of the things I have learned after many, many hours of research on the thyroid. It took me years to get diagnosed with Hashimotos/Hypothyroidism because I knew in my heart something was wrong and I didn't give up until someone (after 4 previous doctors) finally figured I truly did have a thyroid problem even though my tests were coming back ok. I just want to help anyone who is going through the same problems. I will number the facts I have learned to make it easier to read. 1) Just because your tests (most docs only test TSH) come back "normal" doesn't mean there is nothing wrong. There are many tests that need to be run to make sure of this. These include Free T3, Free T4, Total T4, TSH, Thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), Thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb), Thyroid stimulating hormone receptor antibody (TRAb). If all of these are ok and your specialist doesn't see something, then and only then can you be certain nothing is wrong with your thyroid. 2) Have your adrenals tested before your thyroid. If the adrenals are weak, then even normal thyroid activity places an excessive burden on them. 3) Don't settle for having just your TSH and possibly T4 checked each time you have bloodwork done. In order to feel good, your Free T3 and Free T4 must be in the top 3rd of the chart. Alot of Doctors still go by the TSH alone and this just isn't correct anymore. 4) For me, I could get my TSH and Free T4 to an ok level, but still felt bad (taking Synthroid). It was because my Free T3 was not in the top 3rd, so my Doctor and I discussed options and I decided to take a combination of Armour Thyroid (natural pig thyroid) and Synthroid together to bring up my T3. Some people take a combination of Cytomel and Synthroid. Bottom line is to make sure your numbers are where they are supposed to be. 5) TSH- The new levels for normal thyroid function are .3-3.04, a very small range. Anything over this can be indicative of a thyroid problem. Many people have been turned away and told their tests were normal (I'm one of them) when their tests came back at 5.0 or 6.0. 6) Don't take your thyroid medications with food or 4 hours before or after taking Calcium it will keep the meds from absorbing into your system. Soy is also something that is not good for thyroid function. I can't think of much more right now, and if I do, I will surely post it. Take matters into your own hands if you feel something is wrong. In this day and age, we have to. We're lucky if we get 5 minutes alone with our Doctors to discuss anything. Get as much information as you can so that you know what's going on and don't just take their words for it. Everything here is just things I have researched and learned over the years. You do not have to take what I say as fact, but I hope it makes you research some more and find out the truth.

Just make sure your numbers are where they are supposed to be. Make sure your free t3 is right, that's probably why you're getting tired after missing 1 or 2 doses........the numbers aren't right. Just remember top 3rd of the range.

It is VERY hard now. I catch myself wanting to eat all of the foods I missed before when I was tight like bread and pasta. I am going to have to be on my best behavior to keep from gaining. My fill surgeon dismissed me for 3 months unless I start gaining. I figured I would wait it out for a month or so then give him a call. Hopefully by that time I can have some issues worked out. Today is my last day of cooking and taking care of my Dad. I can't do it anymore and he is plenty capable. He may get a little peeved, but he'll get over it. My husband is going out of town for a month (coming home on weekends) so that gives me some time to teach myself to eat better without worrying about what everyone else wants. Maybe by the end of April some of my stress will be diminished.

My prayers are with you. I know how anxious you can get waiting to find out if your band has slipped. When I had the barium swallow Tuesday I thought I was going to crawl out of my skin I was so nervous. Everything turned out fine and it just made me want to baby it even more. Maybe you just need to have everything removed and let it rest. I can't believe after you were spitting up blood that they didn't remove all of the saline.

Please don't let this scare you off. I truly don't think it's a problem with emotional eating as much as the stress just closed me up. Stress I'm used to, but for my Mom to go into the hospital on the 7th of Dec and die on the 22nd really took it's toll. I had to go to the hospital at least every other day (35-40 min drive), shop for Christmas, try to talk my Dad into the fact that she was dying and to let her go....etc. Now I have to literally baby him and cook for him everyday (he does't like the foods we do so it makes it really hard). You can see this isn't "normal" stress.....this goes way beyond. I could literally feel my band snap closed if I tensed up. That was my problem. I just found it very easy to throw up instead of being in pain. I knew what I was doing was wrong, but I did it anyway. I didn't want to have to start all over again. Now I'm glad I had some saline removed because I do get that chance to start over and teach myself better eating habits. With RnY, I think I would have been up the creek. Do you really think 2/3 of a 6" sub (turkey on wheat with no mayo) is that bad? I haven't eaten bread in a long time. I just wanted a sandwich....that's it.

4 months huh? Well, I should start losing soon then...lol! It does get very discouraging, but that's what the band is for...to keep us from going off the deep end. Usually if I were dieting and the weight stalled for more than a few weeks, I would throw in the towel. Now, with the band, I can't.

I was depressed thinking I had only lost 35 lbs. in almost a year, but starting at a lower weight (217), I've lost over 50% of my weight and wear a size 12 now. Considering my health and hormone issues, I'm ecstatic. I guess you could say I'm almost at goal with 20 lbs to go. It may take me another year, but I'll get there.

Well, I went Tuesday for my swallow test and the barium didn't move...just sat in the pouch. I told him I had thrown up the day before and was probably swollen, but he took out over a cc. I went from 2.3 to 1 and feel 100% better. He told me he would see me back in 3 months unless I started gaining weight. This is a time for me to get my head back on straight. This may sound funny, but I already feel better just being able to enjoy a small meal. I feel like some of the stress has already lifted. For those of you going through the same thing.......why take a chance? I was petrified that I had hurt my band when I went in, but God was watching out for me and it was sitting perfectly (special thanks to the wonderful Dr. Ortiz). I will never put myself in that position again. As time goes by and the stress lessens, I will start very slowly getting fills again. I still have a little restriction, but not enough to stop me from eating 2/3 of a 6" sub yesterday.......YUMMY!!!!! LOL!!!!!

I have had a major stall (weight wise) since December. I have not lost one single pound on the scales, but my clothes are fitting differently. I am a very slow loser (35 lbs in almost a year), but have gone from a size 16/18 to a 12 and now those are getting big on me. I just put the scales away and go by clothes now. Got me!

Well, I hate to say this, but it's good to know I'm not alone. I went all day yesterday without a PB....of course I had soup for lunch and dinner. I made up my mind to really, really watch what I do and try to relax more. I put myself in God's hands. I am serioudly considering taking all of the fill out until I get better control again. I will wait until the barium swallow coming up and see what it says then talk to my fill surgeon about it. Thanks everyone!

4-3: JenRN - 263/257/223/150 - 40 total 4-3: jenn28 - 282/265/229/165 - 53 total 4-3: Picardy3 - 298/300/257.5/150 - 42.5 total 4-3: tipper - 300/290/259/165 - 41 total 4-4: Sugar1 - 311/289/231/150 - 80 total 4-4: DeltaDawn - 358/202/179 - 156 total 4-4: Dak – 255/251/205/150 – 50 total 4-4: Angels - 264/255/235/? - 29 total 4-4: Harpseal Al - 327/295/220 - 34 total 4-5: Boo - 208/203/165/132 - 43 total 4-5: siestaqh - 180+/177/117/110 - 63 total--NO MORE BAND :-( 4-6: Disneynut - 290/287/260/125 - 27 total 4-7: Guysis - 234/170/134 - 64 total 4-10: JulieNYC - 358/216/180 - 142 total 4-11: Vickie1177 - 320/297/267/137 - 53 total 4-11: tellymelly - 240/235/143.5/140 - 96.5total 4-11: Fel0816 - 307/284/265/to get under 200 - 42 total 4-11: dsrjrr - 231/230/210/130 - 21 total 4-11: truckinmama - 262/234/160 - 28 total 4-11: waterlily1072 - 354/285/150 - 69 total 4-13: Nursekathy2u - 358/356/335/175 - 23 total 4-13: NJgirl - 248/230/188/140 - 60 total 4-13: Miper70 - 217.5/187/145 - 33 total 4-17: Amourette - 22.5 total 4-17: Jeepergurrl - 242/192/140 - 50 total 4-17: MelAnne - 245/207/150 - 38 total 4-18: KAYBEE-284/198/180 -86 total 4-18: Danaclark2 - 270/260.5/266/150 - 4 total 4-20: TrustUfirst - 210/205/177/135 - 32 total 4-20: Omamoon - 220/211.5/179/130 - 41 total 4-20: KimInMD - 288/288/228/156 - 60 total 4-21: Yoda - 273/257/199/150 - 74 total 4-21: kristielynn - 310/302/237/150 - 73 total 4-22: alisonb - 286/270/176 - 16 total 4-24: Eficka - 125/117/95/69 - 27 kgs/66 lbs total 4-24: Ceparano- 255/270.5/201/170 - 69.5 total 4-24: Kat - 289/281/203/165 - 86 total 4-24: hlj25950 - 262/257/206/160 - 56 total 4-25: momof2boys - 270/266/237/145 - 33 total 4-26: Bostongurl - 264/244/184/150 - 80 total 4-27: tinaj - 226/221/210/150 - 15 total 4-27: lookingout - 185/178/165/101 - 20 total 4-27: flowergoddesstn - 214/204/190/130 - 24 total 4-27: Dimples0323 - 284/284/241/145 - 43 total 4-28: Susan4794 - 283/229/150 - 54 total 4-28: bluehill - 333/228/150 - 105 total 4-28: Irish Girl - 225/214/150/135 - 75 total 4-29: Momofsixkids - 238/188/140 - 50 total<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Oh and yes, I love Dr. Ortiz. Even to this day if I have a problem, I just call or write and he's right there for me.

Thank you for writing....you said the words I think I needed to hear. Maybe I do need to talk to someone. This has just been so hard and I feel so stressed. I feel like I never have a minute for just me. In my brain, I do try to take it one meal at a time and I do good for a while then it's back to eating too fast or too big of bites and off I go again. I was doing so good with all the bandster rules up until a short time ago and now I can't seem to get myself back on track. I tried to talk to my fill surgeon, but he didn't seem to grasp hte enormity of it. I think when I go back I will try harder to make him understand how big this is. At least he was willing to check it out for me though. I will feel better when I know all is well. I just hope I haven't hurt myself or maybe it will show up later.

This is a really long story, but i will try to make it short. My Mom went in the hospital and died back in Dec. My Dad lives next door to me and I have totally had to take him under my wing. Let's just say the stress has been tremendous. Back in (I think) Jan. I wasn't too tight, but the stress would cause me to get really tight and PB all the time. I knew it was a bad thing, but it kept happening. I had a slight fill done about a month ago because I haven't lost any weight recently. I still find myself throwing up if I get the slightest pressure because it's so easy to do and makes me feel better instantly. I KNOW it's wrong, and I know I can make my band slip, but for some reason I keep doing it. I will eat too fast or drink something too soon and up it comes. I finally came to terms with the fact that this is an awful lot like what bulimics do. I am scared. I go for a barium swallow to make sure everything is ok in a few weeks, but I need a good kick in the butt. Please don't make me feel any worse than I already do, but any advice would be appreciated. It took alot to come here and admit this. Michele <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Hey, we could try...lol......I think I'll be a redhead....no a blonde.....maybe a blonde one day and a redhead the next....lol!!!

I just want to let you know that I have also been banded almost a year and have only lost 30-32 lbs. I exercise and eat right most of the time. My problem is hormones. I have underactive thyroid that we can't seem to get right (either too much medicine or too little), female hormones are out of whack and adrenal glands are sluggish. On top of all of this, I am pre-diabetic. I am happy to have lost this much and know that every little pound counts. I don't care if it takes me 3 years to lose it all...... Have her hormones checked by someone who knows what they're doing. If she is doing everything right and still not losing, there is something wrong somewhere.