Jeketus

Have any of the unbanded here had to pay for their removal surgeries themselves? I desperately want mine out, but I'm pretty sure I have no complications that would get insurance to cover it. I was wondering how much a removal could potentially cost out-of pocket. Thanks

I trying to figure out if I'm having mechanical problems or not. When I first got the band (07/2007) and before my first fill, there wasn't much difference in what I could and couldn't eat. Since then, I've experimented with various fill levels up to the point where I was throwing everything up. I've had an empty band now for months, but I still feel decent restriction and it always hurts to eat. As a result, I have become seriously maladaptive. I still have a massive appetite and eat until I feel truly full, no matter how long it takes or the pain I have to endure. I've had an upper GI, and the doctor said everything looked normal. I have an endoscopy scheduled for October 5th. Is there a chance the endoscopy could find something that could be overlooked in an upper GI, or should I resign myself to the notion that the problem is mental?

It's one of my favorite foods to overdo. I have what I call the "low-carb fluffernutter". I just spoon out some peanut butter and some marshmallow Fluff in a bowl and stir it together. Absolute heaven!

I had my surgery in July of 2007, and one of the strangest things to come of the experience is that since my surgery I have become an incorrigible sweet tooth! Before my surgery, I was a gorge-type speed eater, a buffet-buster. But I never had much interest in sweets, aside from my addiction to Pepsi. Since my surgery, I have been living with uncontrollable cravings for chocolate and other sweet foods. Before my surgery, for example, if I had a piece of birthday cake, I would eat the cake and leave the frosting on the plate. Now, I ask for the piece with the flower on it! It's extremely troubling, and has made a difficult process even more difficult. has anyone else had a similar shift in cravings?

I went through a period when my band was too full that I was so sick of the pain and throwing up that Ben and Jerry's became the staple of my diet. I haven't had any in a while, and I know the next time I pick up a pint, I'll get hooked again! I've found it odd (and dismaying) that so many bad foods go down easily and so many good foods don't go down at all.

To my shame, I have returned to being the Pepsi addict I was before my surgery (7/2007). I manged to stay away from sodas for over a year post-op, but like alcohol, one drink rekindled my addiction. I drink about a 2-liter bottle of Pepsi a day. I don't have any problems with the carbonation (and I CHUG, not sip), but all those calories are a major contributor to my losing post-op battles. Old habits are hard to break! :cursing: