Elisabethsew

You're not the first one of his patients to gain back weight and you won't be the last. Just go in, be honest, and start over. You were a success once and you will be again.

Welcome and congratulations on getting a date!

Welcome and congratulations on deciding to have the surgery. You'll find a lot of good info here.

It's a great idea to start the six month medically supervised diet while you're waiting for the open enrollment with your employer. I lost 235 pounds via diet and exercise and then regained half of it. Losing weight with the band has been slow but steady and I don't regain. The operation is fairly safe and anesthesia time is usually under an hour. Don't take one refusal as the final word. Read lots of the posts and ask questions. There's a wealth of info here.

If you never had pain and suddenly have it, call your MD. A simple exam and/or x-ray will answer the question and ease your fears. If something is wrong, it's best to catch it early.

Thank you for the illustration. It stresses the importance of following the post-op rules.

I have lost inches in my calves but it didn't happen fast. I noticed it first when my slacks fit loosely over the calves and THEN measured to make sure I really was shrinking in that area too.

Everyday you're eating healthy and exercising, you're adding to your life... days and quality. Try focusing on the good things about yourself. A positive attitude really does go a long way in keeping you motivated. One day soon you'll see your reflection in the mirror by mistake and have to do a double take to make sure it's really you.

Congratulations on taking the first step. The time passes quickly because you have a list of requirements to fulfill. Read a lot of the posts and ask questions. You'll learn a lot here.

Welcome and congratulations on the upcoming surgery. You'll be on clear liquids post-op but won't feel much like eating so don't worry. The staff will supply you with an info packet of post-op instructions. Make sure you walk, walk, walk post-op to help ease the effects of the anesthesia. I had no problems with the gas people complain about because I followed the post-op rules and kept moving. Let us know how the surgery goes for the both of you.

Slips are NOT very common and every surgeon keeps records on complications. Ask yours what his is. It sounds like you're in good hands.

Most of the surgeons have sample letters that show what the insurance companies are looking for. Call and ask the office people if they have one to share with you. I got mine when I went for the required meeting with the dietician.

I really wasn't hungry until about the second half of the second week of post-op clear liquids. By the end of the second week I called the dietician and she allowed me to have 1/4 cup of low fat ricotta cheese. That really satisfied me. Week 3, I was allowed to have tomato soup which was a real treat. Hang in there... you get through it.

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.

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.