Lolagirlie

Could use stellar info on Tummy Tuck

Has anyone had their plastic surgery covered by their insurance company and how?

I was banded months ago, had 2 hospitalizations for severe dehydration, had my band unfilled and have been unfilled ever since but continue losing weight,,It gets better, everyone has a different start. Good Luck

It sounds like reflux and this can cause you to have that cough, almost always happens at night. Call you doctor, an unfill may help the symptoms..it's not normal to have that cough. Let us know how you do, Good Luck

Please call your doctor, you may have had some fill in the band during surgery and you may need to have some taken out, if you cant drink enough, you need to seek medical advice. Don't wait to long either..let us know how you are!!

Depending on where you live in the country Vitamin D is very common in not only obese people but in people that might see the sun 5 days a year. LOL not really but it seems that way in upstate N.Y. The deficiency has been linked with everything from cancer to autoimmune diseases. Take your Vits and give yourself the best chance at a healthy life!!

I have been banded 5 months, and there are some days I have that feeling all day..It's as if I can't swallow, but I can and don't have trouble eating. I asked my surgeon, he thinks it could be esophageal spasms..nothing really to do about it. It should get less and less for you as you are not that far out from surgery. Good Luck!! Lola

Wow, Big Papa isn't big anymore. Congratulations on figuring out how the band can work for you and your commitment to its success!! I'm sure everyone who has ever had this surgery has struggled to make it work too. Keep up the fight!! Lola

You have done amazing...Your goal should be one that you can comfortably live with. I hope at this moment you can Celebrate your success.

You don't have to have a fill. You are the one that controls whether or not you feel you need one. Based on the information that you can only eat tablespoons of food, it sounds like you don't need a fill. Just because you are scheduled for one, don't feel as though you need to. You have lost a lot of weight in a short time. I think you are doing great!! Let us know how you do

It feels like a hard ball the size of a golf ball, it usually sits below your ribs on right or left. It can be tender to touch or when you use abdominal muscles, although some people have no tenderness. Hope it helps

I have been banded for 5 months without a fill. I have lost a total of 92 lbs., 70 of it without a fill. It is possible, I have been lucky, the band has worked without a fill.

It definitely is not normal to have the kind of pain that requires Vicodin and lasts as long as it has. Call the doctor and insist it gets checked out, I'm wondering if it could be nerve irritation from the fill...the doctor should get to the bottom of it. Good Luck and let us know how you are doing

Your supposed to be able to eat more than a third of a cup of food when you eat.My surgeon said about 1 cup to 1 1/2 cups Might want to call your doctor about the funny taste in your mouth.

I didn't have the deficiencies before my surgery.Actually the surgeon said it was because of the rapid weight loss since the band and a lack of calories that I have been taking in. I am currently receiving injections of the B12 and taking Thiamine 3 times a day. I know if I don't take the meds, it can cause neurological difficulties. I have to have my levels checked in 6 wks. The hardest thing is the lack of energy I have had, can't wait to feel better

Dumping most often occurs following gastric bypass surgery. After eating sugar, you can get pain, diarrhea, sweating, fast heart rate..it is usually not associated with banding, but would call your doctor if it persists

To those of you who have done this..You have got to be kidding right? Do you know the risks you idiots take when you something as ill conceived as this. You set yourself up for infection which can lead to sepsis and even death and port injury. I guess you all have received the special training the surgeons have to safely do the fills. This is so offensive..why bother even using the doctors for anything..I'm fairly certain you all would be the first running to the doctor for any of the complications associated with self fills and expect him to clean up your mess.

Has anyone had a Thiamine (B1) or B12 deficiency since your surgery? I went in for a follow up and my surgeon checked some labs because I have been so fatigued. Turns out I have these and a Vit D deficiency (so who doesn't have a VitD deficiency in the Northeast) LOL. Lola:wink2:

The slower you lose the weight, the less chance of nutritional deficits that can occur. Seriously...you should be over the moon with your weight loss. You need to take it slow. NO FILL. Lola

I am 5 months out from surgery, during a post operative lab check for fatigue I was found to have a B12, Thiamine and Vitamin D deficiency. They are currently being treated with injections and supplements. I like many others had the Vitamin D deficiency preop. While I know Thiamine and B12 are commonly deficient after bypass surgery.Out of curiosity how many of you since your lap band have the same deficiencies. Thanks..Lola

Hi, I am 4 months out and still occasionally have pain at my port site. There are many nerves that may become irritated and it may take some time for it to settle down. When I move a certain way, the port site really hurts...less and less though. There is definitely a healing process that occurs and just because your incision site looks fine, the inside heals at a slower pace. Good Luck on your journey to a new life:wink2:

I strongly urge you to make an appointment with the nutritionist associated with your surgeon. Based on your description of what you eat, you may need to even boost your intake. I learned a few helpful things to keep myself on track and continue losing. Let us know how you do..don't give up. Having the surgery is just the beginning of learning how to use this tool!! Good Luck

The vena cava filter is not a huge procedure. They thread a catheter through the large vessel in your groin. You have a local anesthesia (Lidocaine) and often a little sedative. It shouldn't take more than an hour. It is worth the piece of mind you will have preventing a blood clot!! Good Luck and let us know how it goes.

I was banded 4 months ago and I currently have no fill in my band for a variety of reasons. I have not been able to eat any bread except sometimes a hard crust and crackers. I think it is very common because of the gluten in the bread that becomes sticky and hard to swallow and digest. I'm sorry I can't comment on how much restriction will be right for you. I feel a little:smile2: restriction without any fill..which is relatively unusual but am still losing slowly so I am not going to tempt fate. Good Luck..Lola

Your honesty is heartbreaking. I know the majority of people who post on this forum either are now or have had the same issue with our powerlessness over food. We so want the band to be the thing that ends the struggle. Your ability to recognize the need to renew your commitment to a healthier life is what will make this fight, (make no mistake it is life long), one that can be won. Know you are not alone and totally supported. I am sending you strength and good wishes.!!