Kat817

Hi Sharon! Usually the first step is to contact your insurance rep and see what kind of coverage you have. If they tell you it isn't covered, you will need to have them send you a copy of the exact wording of what and why it is not covered, because many times it can be fought and won. Next you will need to find a Dr. If ins. approves WLS, then you will need to be sure to find one within the network. When you call the Dr. most of them offer a seminar once a month or so. At the seminar they go over the basics....whatis required to have the surgery, how it is done, what the expectations can be, recovery etc. They often have prior banded patients on hand to answer questions, and will have a Q&A period. They will also usually have office staff on hand to help with ins. questions, and will be able to guide you in the next steps depending on your insurance. Some require psych exams, and nutritionist meetings. Even if insurance is difficult right off the bat, it is not a bad idea to go ahead and attend a seminar, and get someone in the Dr.'s office who can help you descipher some of the insurance issues. And attending the seminar will also answer some of the lap band questions you may have. On the back of your ins. card, there should be a # you can call and speak to someone and find out their stance on WLS---lap band in particular. Be sure to mention it is bariatric surgery for morbid obesity. You might also be able to get help finding out about your insurance situation through the HR person at your job, if you are not going to keep the surgery quiet. Hope it all works out for you---I love my band!!! If you have any other questions feel free to ask away---we will try to help in any way we can! Welcome to LBT!!! Kat

Hi ladies- Yes, thank you she is back to her little self full of attiTWO'd...terrible 2's!!! Not really terrible, just that strive for independence, all she says is "I do it", "let me", "I want"....and I have been stressed so it has been a day!!! Nothing serious going on--I am just being pissy with my DIL, and letting things stress me out that I shouldn't. My grandsons 1st birthday party she is giving here is getting bigger by the day, and more out of control. Meanwhile, who is cleaning the house getting ready to have all these people (including DH's ex, which he is dreading) in....I am. She is in for a surprise, I AM NOT doing this party, she is using my house, and I am going to sit my butt down, and let her do something! Sorry---I am really worked up over her right now! She showed up at dinner last night in a huff... didn't speak to any of us, was my DD, her b/f the 2 girls, and my niece who is 14. My DS come in from work, and she was to join us as well, well she come in 30 minutes late, because she was with her sister, and she was mad---I guess because we didn't invite her sister---I have no idea. But she rolled her eyes, and sighed all through dinner---and here I am busting my butt so she can have a party at my house, and she hasn't even called to offer a bit of help of any sort! OK I will quit complaining-----thanks I needed to bi#*h!!!! I hope Bluehill is ok, my FIL was hospitalized with cellulitus, but he didn't treat it for a couple of weeks, and almost lost his foot because he let it go for so long. But he has such sever nueropothy, he didn't think it hurt bad enough to be serious!!! Julie---hope vacation is a blast!!! Tracy---I have been meaning to tell you---I love your upbeat posts!!! (Said in the same post I spend all my time complaining!!) Betty---we had new young neighbors move in, I told DH I wanted them to refer to us as that little old couple----little being my key word----better watch out you and Alan!!! Rick remains 1-2 pounds above me now, I LOVE it!!! Of course he is rock hard muscle and I am all jiggly, but who cares!!! You can be an "overweight loser" with me now!!! But you look like you should have left that title of obese behind long ago! Amourette---have a safe flight, talk to you when you get home! Crud---dryer is finished I need to get busy---will try to get back between another couple of chores!!! Hugs to ALL---miss you! Kat

I would be willing to bet whoever wrote your paperwork---has never been banded!!! Some people wake up from surgery hungry---others never feel hungry again---but they are a very rare few. Most of us go through exactly what you are now....Bandster Hell. A band in place with no fill---and a liquid diet to boot! I was ot strictly limited in how much I could have as far as celar liquids went---so I kept something, sipping at ALL times I think. It was somewhat of a struggle---same as any diet--- until I got good restriction with my 2nd fill. Now, I have no hunger....it does happen, but not until the fill process can be started. Keep in mind this is supposed to be healing time, and any weight lost is a bonus...that is hard, because it is such a psychological high to see the weight dropping! But whatever you do---follow the Dr.s orders, there are VERY good reasons you cannot have food at this point! It will pass quickly and you will beon your way! Hang in there, and when you get really bad, log and and tell us about it! It will keep your head in the game, and maybe we can help in some small way! You are not any more of a piggy piggy than any of us!!! WELCOME to bandland!!!WoooHooo!!! Kat

I knew my husband in HS--where I was skinny. Dated him in my 20's when I was skinny. Fell in love with him---when I was skinny. Now I don't say skinny as opposed to what I am, I am 5'9" and weighed 116 pounds...I was skinny! We went our separate ways, he left to continue his schooling, I remained here. We each married and divorced...and I put on 170 pounds. He contacted me years later, and I cautiously over the phone told him I was not the skinny, naive girl I used to be--he said he didn't care. He come to see me, we dated long disatance for 2 years, married and never looked back. When we married he gained about 60 pounds. We did Atkins, we both lost really well, his stayed off, mine didn't! Through the years he has never once said anything negative about my weight. When I broached the subject of banding, he was a bit concerned, but we knew a couple who had had it done, and he saw that they were ok, so he said if I wanted to do it go for it! I did! About 6 months after I was banded and had lost about 50-60 pounds, my DH began having heart problems. He told me one night, now that he had a bad heart I should go find me a healthier guy! I laughed, and said "you put up with me fat all these years and you think a little heart problem is going to scare me off?" He responded with "I never saw you as fat". He looks at a family picture we have on the wall in the den when I was at my biggest, and he freaks out, he says he cannot believe that is me, he never "saw" me that heavy. Everyday as he hugs me, or I walk by he has complimentary things to say. He had heart surgery a few months ago---and between his healthy heart, and my weight loss---we are giving his ticker a real workout!!! They are out there, people who see the inside you---and they are so worth waiting for!!! In my DH's case, his Mom and sisters are all overweight, ranging from a few pounds overweight to one as heavy as I was (we were banded together!). I think he never associated fat as being bad---the women he loved were heavy, and they were good women. His exwife on the other hand was about 105 pounds soaking wet---little petite thing----and every ounce of it bi#*h!!! If you find one who loves you for you---hang on to him!!! Good Luck! Kat

I would imagine it to be up to the individual, and the individuals Dr. My SIL has MS and her Dr. told her NO WAY!!! That the stress to the body would cause her to flare---and she has been free of problems since begining a new Interferon regime. I have a cousin with MS and she just had a different type of elective PS, and it wasn't an issue with her Dr. So it is hard to say---going to be up to your Dr. I would guess. Good Luck! Kat

The only reason I would say maybe---mixed feelings, is that they continue to improve upon what they have now. The new band for instance is adjusted by remote...no port, no tubes...no needles. I might say remove mine once I reach goal---if another option was available that my Dr. and I decide together would be ideal for lifetime control. You know maybe that magic pill we all dream about!!!! Kat

YES!!!!! I won't say I don't "binge" now.....but it isn't quite such an issue when a binge is 2 cookies!!! The desire for food has changed, but the biggest change is in how much I can eat. I used to grab a bag of chips or cookies, and I could eat a good part of it, if not all of it---not so anymore! A few bites, and I'm done! The lack of actual hunger has greatly reduced desire to binge. Now when I do hit a binge, it is head hunger...that little demon on my shoulder telling me I really NEED those Hershey Kisses in the cupboard!!! Luckily I no longer have a need to eat more than a couple. And with real food, I just can't eat much, so when it is a binge---it is a few bites, and I'm past it! YES----YES-----YES!!!! The band helped my binging tons! Kat

Oh GREAT!!!! I have never "seen" Jack...and they embroidered it on the back??? Now I won't know to bow down until he is walking away! Kat

I babysit for my 2 yr. old granddaughter. My DD had made other arrangements for her while I recovered...but I felt good. I hadmine done in Mexico. I flew home 5 hours on the 3rd day, and then had another 5 hours by car---and only needed some Tylenol for a headache. I told her to cancel the back up, and she was here with me from then on. We were working and remodeling a place my DD was moving into, so I was back at Home Depot the day after I got home, shopping. Not everyone has it quite soeasy---but it was much easier to me than the root canal I had a few months ago! Just start walking ASAP!!! Good Luck---I'll be thinking of you! Kat

I wish getting proper protein were all it takes to keep from losing hair---but it isn't some of us do, some don't. I have maintained protein intake, and my hair is still falling out! BUT I am not hairless yet---and when it comes down to it---I have been hairless before---and survived! Will do it again!!! My Dr. recommended limiting my juice intake, but it is allowed. In fact they brought me apple juice in the hospital following my banding. One thing you need to keep in mind with juice is the amount of acids in some fruits---and your pouch (especially when you reach restriction) will have it sitting in the pouch for extended periods of time, and sometimes it reacts to the acids. I live by the motto "all things in moderation". Talk to your Dr., when you try something new, make it a very small amount....until you see how you react. Your new pouch will hold such a small amount, you need to really work to fill it with the best possible thing. Pretty much anything that can disqualify you from other elective surgeries can side line this one. I have noticed though that since so many of those things ARE weight related, that they are much more willing to work with you. Have you called and talked to anyone at the VA to see what they say? Richard----that pun tells me why you have that name---it was wretched!!! Made me laugh!!! Kat

Thanks marys I got busy and forgot to look it up---life has been pretty chaotic the last couple of days!! Appreciate it---I hate when I leave things hanging like that. They say the memory is the second thing to go with old age----I forget what the first is..... thanks! Kat

Hi girlies- Wish I could pop over to help you out Mandy, hope you feel better soon, that the mneds help---then I'd head on over to Sherry's and share a couple of hot flashes....stop by and make faces behind Eileenies boss' back.....hmmmm then maybe just for fun, sneak in and hide all of Di's clean undies!!! Think I better stay away from Mary's house, I don't have the best of luck with either computers or cars---would hate to put the final hex on either of hers!! While I am out, I am going to have to just drag Patty & Pat out by the hair ----good thing no one is doing that to me, I don't have much left! I hope you girls are ok---we miss you! That should energize me some...so maybe I should go and fight with Darcy's car dealership!!! Oh yeah, better stop by the school and see if Cassie needs any help with the principal....thining evil thoughts! I really want to stop by Cindy's BUT she has all those damnable GS cookies there!!! Might be safer for my wiastline to see if Beannie has anything low carb for me to munch on....gotta eat sensibly, cuz I intend to finish my day off having a drink with Betty!!! Then I might sneak over and see if I can catch a glimpse of tattoo boy at Chris' new place! Heck maybe there is another box with a gift card waiting!!! Yep I am wanting to do ALL kinds of things, except for the things I NEED to be doing. Cleaning house. My kids are having my grandson's first birthday party here this weekend---and she is having a huge bash---he is only 1!!! But that was not my choice! I just get to supply the house, and of course clean it before and after. She said she would come help, but if she come and helped she would have to bring the tiny terror---and you get NOTHING done with him around!!! Love him to pieces but OMG what a handful! IF it was just our family and friends, I would not even lift a finger, but it isn't. DH's ex wife and her family will be here (oh joy!), as well as the DIL's family, and some of their friends. So.....now I feel like I need to clean. I really need to shampoo carpet---but she said there are 12 kids going to be there---so I decided to wait til AFTER the punch gets spilled all over....do you get the feeling I am not thrilled over this??? I had little choice, I let my DD have Kinsey's parties here---our house being the biggest. But she had fairly small parties---I mean she is a baby! Not the DIL, she has a pinata----games, an $85.00 cake, the list goes on....we even have streamers with Elmo on them. She was put out that Kinsey had an Elmo party, wtf---she was there! But we have Elmo noisemakers, streamers, balloons, pinata, hats, Pin the nose on Elmo game ...Connor has an Elmo outfit. (gotta tell you a story about that word outfit sometime). I am talking the whole 9 yards!!! My DD tried to tell her that she could get Elmo plates at the Dollar Store---but oh no! They would be the right design! She is in the wrong family, my DH says I can pinch a penny til Lincoln screams for mercy! I think it all boils down to the fact that this is the first time she has ever had any $$$. She comes from a very dysfunctional family, and my DS is making good money, and she wants the best for the baby, She is doing it with a good heart---it just seems so overboard! And in MY house! Enough complaining---if I am going to get to all of your places---I better get going! And if I missed your house---I'll catch you on my party recovery trip!!! Hugs-- Kat

The first band that was used, back 20+ years ago mentioned by Lara, was not adjustable----and we all know how well our bands work without fill!!!! So those stats do not pertain to wht we have. To me, the ability to have it removed, in the event of any problems was the big seller. I am a cancer survivor, and that increases my odds that at some point I may be fighting it again----and this band I see as being able to help me be healthier (by being much lighter) if I do ever have to fight it again. Plus if need be I can have my fill removed, so getting nutrition would not be an issue. The band does have risk attached----but so did morbid obesity! Kat

I agree with most everything that you have been told! I think if you will look at the home page, and see how many members there really are on LBT, you will be shocked!! The ones without problems don't start new threads everyday saying "Another good day", "Not dieting anymore", "Smooth Sailing".....it is when you need support for one issue or another that they come here, and look for help. I am like Jachut, I know several people locally who are all banded, and none of us have had serious issues. My SIL was overtight once, and had her fill removed for 3 weeks, but is filled again, and doing well. The rest of us, have never had problems. I do see my Dr. on a regular schedule, I do not have a way to attend any support groups. My Dr. is a 10 hour round trip away---so his support groups are not an option. Nor do I see a professional dietician. I am sure these would be nice to have, but I have not suffered without them! I do exercise---I began after losing about the first 50 pounds---when it became comfortable to do so! Now I look forward to it! It was NEVER something I enjoyed before---now I love feeling my blood pumping--it is exhilerating! I walk everyday---I also joined Curves, to tone up...and the inches fell off! And DH and I lift small free weights every other evening---it is great together time. When we walk we talk of course, but the lifting we are eye to eye, and have a contact that is awesome! The band has improved my marriage in sooooo many ways! I do eat better than I did prior to banding. I eat better foods, and I eat much, much less. I try to avoid sugar, and most starches---but I do not eliminate ANYTHING from my day to day diet. I do not want to diet every day for the rest of my life---and I consider this to be a life style I am adopting...for the remainder of my life, not just until the next 40 odd pounds come off. When we go out, I eat what I want and enjoy it, if I want dessert I have it. If I do have it, I know the next day, I need to cut back---it is a give and take, but I do not journal all my food---I just try to use a level head, and keep the word moderation in mind. I would suggest lapbanding to anyone. Yes, you do have to be willing to make changes. But when you reach a good level of restriction, it makes those changes incredibly easy!!! It is easy to choose healthy foods when you are not starving all the time! If my own Mother, or Daughter needed WLS, I would accompany them to the hospital, and cheer them on. It is by far one of the best things I have ever done for myself---and my family, I am going to be around to enjoy them---the rate I was going before I wouldn't have been for long. There are always risks with any surgery----but in my case the risks I was taking with my blood pressure, and blood sugar, were far worse than the risk of banding. Don't give up----look deep inside, and see if you are ready to change---if you are tired of the life you have now, tired of seeing the same tired and worn out person looking back at you in the mirror--then step forward and make those changes. I am not any different than you in many, many ways I am sure---I loved to eat---food was pleasurable company to me for many years...and I truly thought I would mourn it forever. In actuality, there are times I miss certain things, or being able to eat in a certain way (gobbling!!!)---but they are not all consuming thoughts as I would have expected! The surgery for me was a simple surgery, recovery was not difficult---soreness more than serious pain. It was in fact a bit anticlimatic!!! I prepped for it, and researched it for so long, I expected a huge life changing excitement. Instead it was just smooth---and uneventful, almost felt like I missed the boat! But then the weight began dropping---and the smile began picking up!!! This is an awesome place for support, I have made wonderful friends---so yep, I would say GO FOR IT!!! I love my band, I am living a life I had given up hope for----my band gave me back that hope---it gave me control over my eating! Good Luck! Kat

La-La- La La- La----I'm not listening!!!! And I'm not gonna look either!!! Kat

I buy the unflavored unjury protein powder (any unflavored would work), and I add it to just about anything! It has 20 g. per scoop, and I don't usually use an entire scoop. I am picky, and do not want my flavor changed!!! It is not suggested to go into really HOT foods, but warm is fine. I have used it in broth, in juices, I have even added it to spaghetti sauce. I agree that you might want to discuss this with your Dr. and see if a temporary unfill might be in order. You may have irritated your stomach, and be dealing with the evil cycle of swelling when you eat. Have you tried sipping something warm, before trying to eat? It sometimes relaxes the stomach and then you can eat easier. Many people I have read, also take a couple of bites, then need to wait 5-10 minutes before eating again....it allows the first bites to settle, and then you don't back up into the esophagus they said. There is supposed to be some sort of protein that you can drink in just a couple of ounces that has huge amounts of protein, but I don't know what it is....have you researched protein supplements? That might give you some good info. If I hear what it is, I will let you know. I hope you find some answers soon!!! Kat

Job Well Done!!! It is so good to see success stories on here---that you take the time to share, it goes a long way towards helping those researching, and wondering if this is the right thing for them...and it says a lot about you--- it is no wonder you did so well!!! Congratulations!!! I'm proud of you! Kat

No problems here with shrimp, I have eaten a variety of sizes, and cooked in a variety of ways---DH and I tend to share!!! As with everything new---take it slow, and chew forever!!!! Kat

My o My---I know you want to lose the weight, but keep a very close eye on the severe reflux! See your Dr. and have it checked if it continues, he may just prescribe something like Nexium. I have the same issues, unfortunately I have a long family and personal history of GERD. I find a few things help me with the night time things you are dealing with. If I am going through a rough time with reflux I sleep on an incline, on my left side. I try to make sure my pouch is empty at bedtime, and flush it out with Water before bed. Then since my problem is simply that I produce too much acid, I keep saltine crackers near the bed, and if I get the acid backing up, I snack on a couple of crackers, and it seems to absorb, and allow the acid to pass through my system. I have had my band checked, and all is well, I am not too tight. I just have the same problems I always did. Losing weight can loosen the band, and ease an overfilled situation, but the excess acid can also cause a swelling that weight loss will not affect, so please see your Dr. if it continues. It can cause other health issues, you can aspirate the acid into your lungs and get pneumonia from it. Like you say you can damage your esophagus....cause an asthmatic nightime cough---all kinds of things. Being too tight is not a good situation, it can lead to erosion. Please be careful and see your Dr. if it happens much more! OK I will now step down off of my soap box!!! Kat

My eliptical trainer has "ifit" capbilities, and it come with a freebie one, but I don't find myself using it. I hook on a pedometer once in a while to see if I am still hitting my 10,000+ steps a day---but don't do it daily. I know how far I walk each evening, but most of mine comes from running around during the day, and walking outdoors during the daytime hours. I only walk the treadmill (aka dreadmill) when the weather is nasty, or my knee is bothering me on the eliptical. I keep an MP3 in next to the eliptical, and the treadmill, but more often than not, try to do them as I watch TV....or I will read and walk on the treadmill. I just finished listening to "Sophie Kinsella's "Can You Keep A Secret?" I listened to it, while striding away on the eliptical---anything to keep my mind occupied!!! I just don't find time to log my exercise in, nor my food in---I spend too much time here, or chasing my grandbabies!!! Keep up the good work! Kat

On another Lap Band support site, they are working on becoming incorporated or something of the sort, and will have a board of directors (volunteered---unpaid), in order to try to do something like you are talking about. It has been being talked about for some time, and still being worked towards---but nothing finalized yet. Kat

There is just so much involved in making something like you mention a legal reality. Very few, if any of us have money to just give away with the blind faith that it will be used for the purpose we intended to give it for. I mean say 100 of us, agreed to what you say and we each blindly sent off $50.00 each----it still is not enough for surgery---so what then? It has to be a recognized charity for our donation to be tax deductable---with receipt in hand. What happens to our $$$? It is a great idea, and if someone is flush enough to outright pay for the surgery for someone, then it becomes a liability issue for them. We live in such a litigious society, it becomes harder with each passing day to just be nice to someone we don't know! And like Tracy said, most of us know personally someone we would love to help if we had the funds to do so....it is not that we are ignoring the need or the desire to help others. I fully believe most of us are very supportive, and have a desire to help....but show us a safe way! Kat

You won't need this right away, and it isn't really a food suggestion...but you mentioned doggie bags--buy a food saver! Most doggie bags are styrofoam containers---food dries out, especially at the rate we eat!! I bring things home, and put them in airtight bags. I make the bag several inches too big, then when I open it to take some out, I can reseal it. You can write on the bags with Sharpie markers---because you don't want to keep it too long. Another thing---with doggie bags...ask for it as soon as you get your meal. Take 1/2 to 3/4 of your food off of your plate, and put in the box, then if you need more out of it, you can get it. The idea is, not to eat off of your utensils, then put it into the food that you are going to save or take home---it introduces all the bacteria from your mouth to the food you are taking home. I bought a stack of plastic compartmented plates in the picnic supplies, and when I cook a big meal, I make myself several "TV dinners". I fill the plate, pop it in a bag, and shrink wrap it. Then I can zap it in the microwave, and I have a "me" sized lunch, balanced healthy food---no work! And we ALWAYS have leftovers now! The point being---we DO have lot's of doggie bag left overs, and homemade leftovers, BUT we also have to be extra careful with them. The last thing our bands would appreciate is a case of botulism!!! And as for foods----buy several flavors of SF pudding mix---you can use it in protein shakes for better flavor. Also the DaVinci SF syrups help a lot too!!! Kat

Well ladybug, in my case when I say I "can't handle" something, it pretty much means, it causes me pain...or is no longer worth eating to me, because of how it makes me feel. For instance I 'can't handle' raised donuts anymore. I only tried once---but it was misery for about 15 minutes. I chewed, but as I swallowed that yeasty donut, it felt like it began growing again---and by the time I swallowed, it was 10 times bigger than it began! I slimed, and spit, and all over a stinking bite of a donut I didn't need in the first place!!!! So I said no more---they are on my very short list of "can't handles"....in fact right now they are there all alone!!! I can eat pretty much anything else I have attempted at this point. I have changed HOW I eat some things---drier meats, I make sure I have gravy, or even ketchup----something! I used to grab a chicken strip, and just eat it without thinking---now I make sure I use gravy, or ranch dressing---keep it moist. I made that mistake yesterday while shopping, I grabbed a container of popcorn chicken to eat for lunch---and was doing fine, but got busy with what I was doing, and slipped into my old inhale mode. Popped a piece in my mouth, pretended to chew, and swallowed. I remembered as it went down....and while I didn't get sick enough to slime or PB, my stomach felt sore all evening. I stuck to drinking cool liquid all night, to let it soothe itself, as opposed to eating and making it work. I used to would never have been able to do that---just decide not to eat---it would have haunted me every minute of the evening. But now I am not hungry---eating is just what I do! So doing without was not a big deal at all. I love that---I feel so powerful! In such control!!! You will too----find the right restriction, and you can eat most things, but only when you want to---hunger no longer will drive your every move. A freedom I never even knew existed! Kat

Don't worry about it Sherry---even after going through the change you will still be a HOT MAMA----it'll just come in flashes now!!! My hysterectomy took care of that problem---or hurried it along I guess. Hope you feel better soon---I was missin' you!!! Kat