Elisabethsew

Just a reminder... you can use the "ignore" button for any poster who you don't care to hear from.

Your EF is good so I don't think that would be an issue or contra-indication to getting approval for the surgery. Leg swelling and weight gain is not associated with colds but it is with CHF so you might want to check it out with your MD.

Welcome! As a GENERAL rule, you need to have a BMI of 40 with no co-morbidities or 35 with one or more co-mobidities. The BEST answer is to call your insurance carrier and ask for a written list of their requirements to pay for the surgery.

Welcome and congratulations on your upcoming surgery. The pre-op diet is difficult but important so do your best to get through it. Reading lots of posts is an excellent idea. You'll find a lot of info.

Welcome Nina. I'm sorry to hear about the cardiomyopathy. Do you know what your ejection fraction is? You'll find a lot of good information here as well as at the free informational sessions that surgeons offer. Read a lot and ask questions.

Call the insurance carrier and ask to speak with your case worker. This is the person who can best answer your questions and assist you in what is required to gain approval.

Congratulations! I bet your HDL is high, LDL is low, and triglycerides are less than 150!

Welcome! For me, I feel pain in the chest region and sometimes the upper back. Occasionally, I feel some nausea but I always have time to excuse myself and walk to the bathroom. Sometimes the offending food passes down... relief, and sometimes it takes a while to come up. I too have experienced retching bringing it up but then there is relief. Many people have "warning" signs when they've eaten enough that includes the hiccups! LOL. Keep reading and learning.

It looks like we're all in agreement; do your research, talk with surgeons, go to the informational seminars, talk with people who have had the procedure, and THEN make the best choice for YOU. It's YOUR body and it's YOUR decision.

I found this interesting and thought I would share... Artificial Sweeteners Tied to Weight Gain AOL Posted: 2008-02-11 11:07:34 (Feb. 11) - If you're watching your weight, those no-calorie sweeteners could be doing more harm than good. A Purdue University study found that artificial sweeteners might actually foster weight gain by confusing the body in a way that makes it harder to burn calories. <!-- MOD: info_genericpromo - 312043 --> In the study, one group of rats were fed yogurt sweetened with glucose, a simple sugar with the same calories as table sugar. Another group received yogurt with saccharin. The saccharin group went on to consume more calories, gain more weight and put on more body fat. Other artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, sucralose and acesulfame K could have similar effects, the study said. The findings come on the heels of a separate study that linked diet soda consumption to an increased likelihood of metabolic syndrome -- a combination of risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes that include abdominal obesity, high cholesterol and blood glucose levels, and high blood pressure. When humans prepare to eat, their metabolism revs up and body temperature rises. The Purdue study found that the rats used to the saccharin had a smaller rise in body temperature after eating a sweet, high-calorie meal because their bodies were expecting fewer calories. Study authors Susan Swithers and Terry Davidson said they think this response both led to overeating and made it harder to burn off sweet-tasting calories. The research might explain why other studies about the effects of artificial sweeteners on weight have largely been inconclusive, Swithers said. It might also explain in part why obesity has risen in parallel with use of such sweeteners. People can still count calories to regulate intake and body weight, Swithers said, although she acknowledged that it requires more conscious effort than consuming inherently low-calorie foods. The findings were published the February issue of Behavioral Neuroscience, which is published by the American Psychological Association.

It's interesting that different people tolerate different things. I can do small amounts of rice but bread doesn't seem to agree with me. Salads go down with no problem.

What I like doing is taking an hour to myself and stealing away to the nearest book store. I get a cup of java and spend an hour reading from the nutrition/exercise/weight loss section. I try and do this once a week... helps keep the motivation level high.

It is not appropriate to label surgeons who use both bands as "whores" so please carefully read over your words before you post them. You have made your preference for the VG band and your dislike of the J&J quite clear. Let's refrain from personal attacks. Thank you.

Best of luck to you!

What many term a "productive burp" is the result of "stuck" food. If you try to put more food in or drink to relieve the problem, what often happens is a regurgitation of food from the pouch. The body's natural defense to move food along is saliva production. When food is stuck, the saliva production goes into overdrive. Many people "bring up" this thick mucus while others bring up the undigested food as well. The ordeal of trying to relieve the obstruction can result in chest, back, or abdominal pain as well as a sore throat. Most surgeons advise a liquid to soft diet after such an event.

Please remember that ALL of the lapbands that are FDA approved have been shown to aid in the loss of weight. Regardless of the model, the band is a TOOL that helps with weight loss but does not guarantee it. You still have to monitor caloric intake, exercise, and make a conscious decision to change maladaptive patterns. While strong opinions are fine, it should be remembered that this is a support forum and people who have the new J&J band should not be made to feel that they were foolish for listening to their surgeons' advice and getting it.

Walk, walk, walk. Anesthesia slows everything down and that includes the GI system. Limit the amount of time you spend in bed or a chair and walk as much as you can. You can also try lying on your left side and bending as low as you can tolerate. I hope you feel better soon.

I agree. Call your insurance carrier and request in writing their requirements for weight loss surgery approval. Congratulations on taking the 1st step and welcome.

Welcome and best of luck with your surgery. It's normal to have doubts but you're in good hands and have people to support you post-op.

Congratulations on taking the first step!

This phenomenon also happens for a lot of people when they travel via air. I too notice I am tighter around that time of the month.

I'm not sure what band you have. Call your surgeon's office and ask to speak with an NP or a PA. They can tell you for sure.

Having surgery is a very difficult and personal decision. I told only 2 people and never regretted that decision. I only need to answer to myself. Obesity is part genetic, part familial, part emotional, part situational, etc. People who don't suffer this disease simply CAN'T relate. Stay strong!

I think you really need to see your MD. Women don't have typical symptoms of a heart attack but left arm pain is significant and can be the only sign for some. An EKG and some blood work will anwer the question. You were banded on the 13th so there is a slight chance that it's being caused by the lingering effects of the anesthesia but that's unlikely. Please see your MD ASAP and let us know how you're doing.

Many obese people have a fatty liver and that's the reason for the pre-op liquid diet... to shrink it. I hope everything works out for you... fingers crossed!