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I agree ... not a big deal, especially since yours is so mild. You will likely not need your cpap after losing 20-30 lbs. Please don't let this be one more thing you worry about, and don't be sad because for you ... it's temporary. I got my first cpap in 2004 and it was a God send. I was falling asleep behind the wheel of my car and would get off the freeway to nap before finally getting to work. It was awful. My cpap changed all that. Also, in 2004 my kids were much younger and were not the least bit terrified. They were fascinated and fought over who got to use it as they giggled and played. I explained what it was used for and they were fine with it. They will follow your lead, make it fun and funny and they won't be terrified. I am, unfortunately, still (trying to) using a cpap, but I think it has more to do with my asthma than anything else. I am going to see a pulmonary doctor in December. So sorry to hear about your student. My thoughts and prayers to you and their family. All the best to you on your journey. Your cpap (should you actually have to get one) will be collecting dust in a cabinet somewhere in no time! ~Fran

I started having a little reflux at night a few weeks back. I bought otc Zegrid and have not had a problem with it since. I do however, have problems at night if I eat too close to my bedtime ... the food just won't digest if I do not sit up 1-2 hours. But that's not so strange. As for "is this normal", in weightloss "normal" is a relative term. Some people have to cut their carbs to make the numbers go lower on the scale; others must exercise more; and still others must do both. The key/trick is to find what works for your body/metabolism. It can be a challenge especially when you do not have a large amount of weight to lose. If you are currently at a size 16, you must be another 50 lbs or less to goal, yes? I suggest you pay close attention to how your body responds to certain foods and once you get your formula going ... you'll be golden! All the bst to you on your journey. ~Fran

LOL!!! I thought you said dip and chips too! I guess it's been so long since I have had a "french dip" sandwich that it didn't even cross my mind as I misread your post. Too funny! As for the easy to eat food, hard to drink ... when I have a problem I have both. I have read that in the morning most people are a bit dehydrated. Since I take a blood pressure med with a diuretic in it, I have big issues with dehydration. When I am well hydrated I can drink and eat properly. When I am dehydrated it can be a vicious cycle of not being able to eat because I have not had enough fluids, but not being able to drink because I am too tight from dehydration. Ughhhh! It can be a hassle to have to focus so much on drinking liquids, but if I don't I can spend days going in circles. Good luck with this, I hope you find your solution soon. ~Fran

When you next see your dietition tell her your concerns and expectations. If you are not satisified with her response ... get a new dietition.

That sounds crazy frustrating! Sorry you are going through this. Maybe your next move is to find a surgeon that will do the lapband for you ... maybe lapband with plication (check your insurance's website first to see if they will do the plication part), I understand that lapband w/plication is similar to the sleeve (I don't know that much about the sleeve so plz do not take my word as gospel) ... bottom line is you need a surgeon that will do the surgery that your insurance with pay for ... unless, of course you have the cash on hand for the sleeve. If you haven't already, do extensive research on the band and see if it is something you can live with. Best of luck to you. ~Fran

I am happy that the Cedars program is working for you. Congratulations on starting this journey. Whether or not there are fees depends on the particular insurance plan your employer purchases and the agreement between that plan and the hospital. Mine plan would have cost me extra. Since I have been banded more than two years now and I have no regrets, my choice of surgeon/hospital turned out to be safe. My insurance (as most do) required nut, psych, labs, etc. Different strokes for different folks. I was not saying that the Cedars program was bad, just that it was not the right one for me. All the best to you on your journey. ~Fran

oooooh okay ... good to know it was just a test.

Congratulations on getting your lapband, Justin! Question: Why did you eat a "HEFTY" sized meal? Didn't you get the lapband because you want to lose weight? Justin, you have conquered some pretty big obstacles in the past and in order to lose the weight you will need to use that same inner strength. You can do this! Generally (with a few lucky exceptions) without a few fills it is as if you do not have the band. This means that until you get to your "sweet spot" you will have to "act as if" Also, you are less than 2 weeks out -- your body needs to heal! Please don't sabotage yourself by doing things that don't make sense (i.e., eating a hefty meal in the midst of trying to lose weight, less than 2 weeks after surgery). You are too smart for that. Give yourself a fair chance, ok? This journey may not always be easy, but it is well worth the effort. All the best to you. ~Fran

Would I do it again? YOU BET! And, I happen to be a "slow loser". Best thing I ever did for myself, and the hardest I have ever worked to lose weight and still loving every minute of it. Yesterday we had a "full building evacuation drill". I had to walk down 26 flights of stairs. Before losing weight I probably would have bowed out for "medical reasons" (i.e., too fat to make it without having a heart attack). But I made it, and I didn't even have to use my inhaler. I learned that although I walk 3 miles each morning before work the muscle strength in my thighs is not as good as it could be. So, tomorrow when I go for physical therapy I will talk to my PT about exercises I can do at home to improve my muscle strength. This new attitude comes from the band and losing weight. It took me over a year post surgery to exercise consistently. But I am consistent now (for a year actually) -- and that's what matters. And I love it! So, don't worry about being lazy, you will get there when you decide you really want to work with your band ... not just sit around waiting to see what the band will do for you. You will find that most of the people on this site are anxious to lose the weight so they do whatever it takes. That is my current attitude. Every person is different ... you'll get there when you get there. The band is not around the brain, but it is a great motivator for me. The biggest challenge for me is that I am a "head hunger" person. I rarely feel physical hunger since being banded, and didn't feel physical hunger much before banding. But I ate over EVERY emotion. With the help of my obesity specialist therapist and my band I rarely turn to food to help me feel (what I thought) was "normal". It's been quite a challenge, but I am happy with the results. I think that if you decide to go through with the lapband surgery you will see big changes in your life - for the better. All the best to you. And, sorry but I have to say this ... you are 49 years old and while it would be nice to have your parents' support, as an adult (of many years) you need to learn to support yourself. They may not like your decision but if you have the courage of your convictions, they will have no choice but to respect you. This website is a great place for info and support. ~Fran

You should be able to go to the website for your insurance and it will tell you all the prerequisites for the surgery. Admittedly, it was not easy to find the actual info on my insurance's website, so if you have a problem finding the info either call your benefits department or your insurance directly and they will tell you how to find it online. It is very helpful to have the info in black and white. It also helps you determine what your insurance requires vs. what your doc requires. Some docs are very strict. One of the programs on my insurance was through Cedars Sinai here in L.A. I did NOT use that program. Cedars included extra fees and a very strict program before surgery. Knowledge is power, and you are able to make better choices when you have more information. All the best to you on your journey. ~Fran

Very nice "venting" ... I think I'll give it a "9" on a scale of 1-10 ... not "loud" enough to be a perfect "10", but close ... LOL But seriously, I am sorry you are going through this difficult time on your journey. I am currently struggling myself. Since I don't have PCOS it becomes and even longer explanation (which I don't bother with) about back surgery and asthma and ... etc, etc, etc. I am soooo exhausted all the time. I am seeing TWO docs on the 17th. I can't live like this anymore! Exercise is supposed to give you energy but my morning miles have yet to kick me up a notch energy-wise -- or drop pounds on the scale (I don't get on often -- can ruin my day if I do). Anyway, this is your vent, not mine ... sorry. If you are going to vent, this is the place to be. I hope things get better for you soon. Hang in there ... for some of us this journey is not a "sprint" or a "marathon", it's more like an "ultramarathon". LOL But we won't give up ... WE CAN DO THIS -- no matter what the obstacle before us! ~Fran

Amanda, I had noooo idea what a God send this challenge was going to be when I signed up. My normal routine is to do 3 miles each morning before work and any miles I do on the weekend (before of after errands, chores and/or events) is just icing on the cake. Imagine my surprise when I find myslef struggling to get my miles in ... I am stunned! My life was turned upside down when I was on a project that had me working seriously crazy hours at work, but that's over now and I can't seem to get back on track. Thank goodness for this challenge! I am pretty good about fulfilling my promises so even when I have to roll myself out of bed, down the stairs and into my car to drive for the park ... I do it. Why? Because I am bound and determined to complete this challenge! Thank you soooo much! ~Fran

Your doc did not give you a aftercare food plan? My doc did not give me the best aftercare, but he did "briefly" go over what I should and should not eat. May I suggest that you give your doc's office a call, becasue each doc seems to have a different method for healing. I was on solid foods in 3 weeks. Some people are on Clear Liquids for a month or longer. Might be a good idea to check with your doc. All the best to you on your journey. ~Fran

The first doc (the one referred by my PCP) was not on my insurance. He and his staff were fabulous, I was sorry to leave them. The second doc, who was on my insuraces website, turned out to not be on my inurance either. The third doc I went to I made sure he was on my insurance ... got all my tests done and had a surgery date. about 3 days before surgery I received a call telling me that my surgery was cancelled because the surgery center that my doc uses would not accept my insurance. I was mortified! Soooo upset. I called the surgery center, which was on my insurance website, and they told me that "yes" they had a contract with BCBS of CA, but that my insurance did not pay them enough so they would not allow me to have the surgery there. I called the benefits dept at my firm and they went ballistic ... it got a little ugly because the woman at the surgery center devulged info to me that she was not supposed to, but that's another story. Knowing that my tests would not be valid for much longer I went on a Quest to find a doc. My insurance gave me a list of doctors and facilities. I found one, the doc understood about my insurance and the problem with facilities so he found a hospital for me and voila! instead of having my surgery on June 1, 2009, I had it on June 15, 2009. It was a little stressful, but it turned out ok. With 2 kids in college at the time I couldn't afford to go with a surgeon that was not on my insurance. Good luck to you! I know it will all work out. ~Fran

Many of the things mentioned apply to me ... but, I have one that makes me laugh every time: Since losing weight I frequently have to check my seatbelt -- to make sure that I have it on! Before lapband my seatbelt was a constant bother and uncomfortable while driving. Now, I have to check an recheck that I have it on because I can hardly feel it. Once I look down and see it's in place, I adjust it so that it is snug -- makes me laugh every time. I've heard it said that one habit is replaced with another. The key is to replace the habit with a good habit. Personally, I tend to shop too much these days ... virtually everything I buy is on sale. My good habit is walking. I love, love, love my early morning walks! I would never have believed it would happen, but it did. I now get up at 5:30 a.m. to go to the park and walk at least 3 miles before I go to work. It soooooo wasn't me to do that before lapband, but I am soooo thankful that it's me now. Find a healthy habit that you enjoy. It can happen! All the best to everyone on this journey! ~Fran

Wow! This looks like something I can do. YAY! I think the hardest thing will be getting the "ticker" on my signature. I have 24 hours to get that done. Thanks! ~Fran

To get the answer to your question I think you should read the requirements that your insurance puts forth for lapband surgery. I have BCBS of CA and on their website it sets out eveything you must do to have lapband surgery. Like Kll724 said, if you need a referral from your PCP then you will likely have to jump through your docs hoops. But, I believe it is best to be your own advocate and check it out for yourself. Find out from your insurance what the requirements really are and move forward from there. Good luck to you! ~Fran

I have never heard it referred to as "mouth hunger" but, I do suffer from "head/emotional hunger". Physical hunger was never my problem. For me, historically, the answer for every emotion/feeling ... bad (or even good) was to eat. I also struggle with wanting to eat something before bed. Well, the band has helped with both. I see a therapist (obesity specialist) to help with the emotional eating, and together with my band I am winning the battle. As for eating before bed ... when I do it, I pay dearly. I wake up coughing and choking -- the band does NOT like it when I eat and lay down, not at all. So, I rarely do this anymore. When I do, like I said, I pay dearly. All I can say is collect as much information as you can before you make your decision. All the best to you on your journey. ~Fran

... they really don't know! LMAO! Good luck!

I don't think you are crazy in the least! You WILL wear those blouses sooner than you think. And what a great bargain. Last November I bought 5 pairs of slacks on sale -- they were quite snug. Well, they aren't snug anymore! LOL They are a little bigger than I like to wear my slacks and still have them look neat, but it's tolerable. I'm pretty sure the sale will happen again next month. This time I plan to buy them a size smaller than I currently wear. I have no doubt at all that I will fit into them in just a couple of months (or less). I love to shop and a good bargain is hard to pass up. You're not crazy -- at least not any crazier than I am (and the jury is still out on me... LOL). ~Fran

I agree with you both, Okie and jsea, especially since at age 16 (that's what his profile says), I doubt his parents would allow him to make the final choice of lapband or sleeve. Really?

I have had 4 sleep studies since 2004 and 3 of them were in the past 4 years ... didn't have to take my take mine out. Have you spoken directly to the techs at the sleep study facility? I'm sure they have run into this issue before and there must be a solution that will work in your favor. Good luck to you. ~fran

"Wonder if this feeling will ever go away..in the past it never did and every time someone complemented me I felt like a fake" This feeling won't go away until you LET IT GO. I have never worked harder to lose weight than I have since getting the band. I love the work, but it has been hard ... that's a good thing ... builds character. And yes, even at my age, there's room for personal growth. LOL I'm sure your psychiatrist has made you aware that this has nothing to do with what others may think of you and the band, only what YOU think of you and your band. So I ask you: How does it serve you to feel 'guilty' about using a "tool" to assist you in your weight loss? Are you uncomfortable with the idea that you are on the road to better health, more confidence, smaller clothing sizes, more attention from people of both sexes (people (strangers really) treat you better when you are slim - both men and women - sad, but true)? Often extreme weight loss will take us out of our comfort zone. In the beginning it can be uncomfortable, but in time we adjust -- and it feels GOOD! You'll be alright. Work on changing your thinking and in time things will come into focus. And as betheboo said ... 50lbs down and the guilt will subside. All the best to you on your journey. ~Fran

Kimmel it sounds like your surgeon is a general surgeon like mine was ... as opposed to surgeon that specializes in WLS. The WLS surgeons usually base their practice on the care and support of their patients. On my first visit my surgeon gave me a booklet that was still enclosed in plastic. I had information about the lapband and I think it had a dvd inside as well (I never read it). He told me about how long the surgery would take and then said his assistant would call me with my surgery date. That was it! He is a very nice man and apparently a decent surgeon (I haven't had a single problem -- at least not related to the surgery ... I tend to get dehydrated too often, my fault). As for the staff in my docs office ... hmmmm ... well, he moved offices about 3 months after my surgery. The people at his first office were inept and I believe a little "crooked", but that's another story. At his new office the people are nice and I am sure that they know what they are doing, but they are not actually his staff. They work for the plastic surgeon that has apparently leased office space to my doc. They make appointments and such, but they were not familiar with lapband. They may have more knowledge now -- I was banded 2+ years ago. It is nice to have support, but you may have to find yours in other places. That's what I did. Find a lapband support group in your city. Read, read, read. I cannot say this enough "educated yourself" about the band. This forum is very good for support and information -- but look elsewhere as well. I haven't seen my surgeon in well over a year. When I got to my sweet spot I didn't see any point. I do a lot of reading about nutrition so that I continue to eat healthier. I also power walk 3 miles every morning before work (not lately since I have been working 15 hour workdays ... but that ended yesterday -- can't wait to get back on track). I see a physical therapist once a week because I had back surgery in 2004 and in order to kick my exercise up a notch or two, I have to strengthen my muscles so that I do not injure my back. I live in L.A. and I receive evites for a support group from a great doc that I went to initially --- but he wasn't on my insurance so... Find support online and support groups in your city if you can. Sometimes we have to do a "work around" to get what we need. It is time for you to recognize that you have taken a really big step in getting banded ... you can now do whatever it takes to succeed in your journey. Just keep moving, one step at a time. Trust yourself. This is your life, your health, your future. YOU must do what it takes to help yourself, trust me ... no one else will ... and no one else should. Your docs office is not the only place to get support. You can't change anyone but yourself, so just change the way you look at your docs office. Remember that your doc works for YOU, not the other way around. Ask for a fill sooner as suggested by another poster. Then get to work finding places to get support and researching how to better work your band. YOU CAN DO THIS! We are here to support you! Your life is not about to change ... YOU are about to CHANGE YOUR LIFE! YAY Kimmel! ~Fran

I am sure you are very frustrated. I have good news ... take your healthcare into your own hands and your frustration will lessen (I say lessen because some insurance companies do require a supervised diet for 3 to 6 months, maybe more). I suggest you take a look at your insurance (based on your employer) website. There should be information about prerequisites for the surgeries that are covered, including Lapband. Once you have this information in black and white, you will know if you even need a referral from your primary care physician (some insurance companies do not). If you do, get your referral and then find your surgeon. If you are going with a WLS specialist they will likely have a connection for all the testing you will need before surgery. Don't allow your primary care doc and certainly not the receptionist take your power. This is your health, your life -- take control. This forum is a great place to find support. You have taken the first step and you are on your way! All the best to you. ~fran