lml32937

I totally get what you are saying- I am having my band removed for health reasons not complications. My auto immune disease has been flared up since 2 months after surgery and progressively getting worse to the point that with my RA I can hardly walk. I knew it was a risk but felt at the time as with my physicians it was worth to try and take- I knew I wouldnt "die" and that even if I got off 50lbs or so that would be a added plus- I exceeded my expectations and didnt start plateauing until this February when I hurt my back and couldnt work out anymore- Since I have been sedentary I have gained a little back but am not a lost cause- As with the band- I am looking forward to the next chapter with a sleeve instead...

I am having my band removed (somewhat not by choice) I too have had no problems with my band, and I am truely going to miss the "security blanket" as well. But as with you It helped me get where I am at today. I chose to have the band despite the warnings that auto-immune disease was a preclusion in the requirements. I had 4 physicians agree with me at the time that the benefits of the band would outweigh the risk of doing nothing and 3 years ago I was not in the same or right mind frame as I am now to "commit" to a sleeve. I wanted something to help me and something that was not permenant that if I had problems it could be fixed. Despite being very successful with the band, I lost about 90 lbs and about 85 inches over all, I have to have it removed because my auto immune disease process has taken over ( I have RA and test positive for Lupus) and because I am on immunosuppressant drugs it is now counter productive. I will not loose weight with the band while on these drugs. Therefore I am having it removed- it is poisoning my bodies ability to fight day to day things in a "normal" person. I have researched this fully over the last 3 years and am confident that I will be as successfull with the sleeve but also worry about the what if's... I read the good and bad on the board and won't let anywone sway my decision only we know our bodies and what is right for us but not everyone with bands had a terrible experience. IF someone came to me tomorrow and only had 50-100lb to loose I would totally guide them towards the band- if they have 100 + to loose I would think otherwise- The band was an amazing tool as I am hopeful the sleeve will be the glue that "holds" it all together....

I was banded in 4/2009 despite having auto immune problems; my doctors and I were willing to chance the potential side effects despite all the warnings on not- to get lap band if you have auto immune problems. Well 3 years down the road- Despite having great success with my band- 80 lbs lost and about 92 inches all over I have to have it removed. My auto immune problems are not getting any better partly because of my band and I am going to transition into a sleeve in November of this year. Part of me is nervous, excited, pissed- the whole gammet of emotions has engulfed my day to day life- I look forward to meeting people on this board who perhaps have experienced the same or similar issues or who want to share their stories with me. Being in the medical field I make my own worst enemy just by knowledge alone but at the same time it brings a comfort to know you have read all you can on any 1 topic considering the life changing events that will take place. I love my band, my band has served me well and if it werent for my fudged up immune problems I would be keeping it and trying to "work it out" but keeping it in with my immuno-suppressant drugs is now being counter active I have been overweight my whole life, tried every diet under the sun. I have always been a positive and upbeat person with a great outlook on life and am hoping that this procedure will bring me as much happiness that my band did in the beginning and that I can stick it out and make it work- I am worried about the normal things, recovery, side effects etc... Mushies were my favorite during the band placement so I'm not worried too much about the liquid/puree'd stages (i know that sounds weird) but I was able to get creative with my blender and came up with some pretty good meals.... I'm curious what people eat 3-4 months out and if anyone who has had this done 4-5 or more years ago what their success rate is. I am not a huge skeptic- I beleive this will work but as with my lapband I know it is only a tool and not to be taken lightly. Looking forward to new points of view and perhaps different perspectives on the whole process.. Thanks for listening...

I was banded April 2009 and lost a total of 120 lbs and about 90 inches all over- I have not had any "problems" with the band per-say but I do have a lot of medical issues that because of the band are not going to get any better- I have very bad auto immune disease- I knew getting the band was a risk and myself and my physician were willing to take a chance and honestly I am not disappointed or regretting getting it done. But my body is now attacking itself and the band is not allowing it to respond/heal in a way that is "normal" because it is a foreign body- I have decided to have it removed and am going to get the sleeve and it is nice to know there are other's out there. I am nervous, scared, happy and all emotions in-between. I have been able to eat pretty much anything I used to (obviously in extreme moderation) but have limited my carbs and cannot cannot do rice. I have become gluten free and that has helped with the carb control- the bluten free products are not the best in the world. I would love to keep up with you on your journey and be able to learn more from your experience....Good luck!

I buy Nectar protein mix from www.smartbodynutrition.com and generally buy the variety pack. I have fallen in love with the coffee one and the chocolate one so I may buy a jug of it next time around. It can be mixed with milk, water or juice and tastes great !.. I also mix it into smoothies fruit..

I measure by grams/serving- and with meat I really just measure the size (portion) and know that let's say Salmon is way better in protein than a burger.. etc.. Once you start it becomes 2nd nature and you dont obsess over it like you do when you are 1st banded it is just one of those things you know. Good luck!

I too am ready for this procedure- I live in Fla. I have been to 2 different plastic surgeons. One was 6500.00 the other was 3500. Because of my size I will need 2 surgeries- 1 now and the other when I plateau and have lost all my weight. Because of my size they have both said that a different approach would be needed to remove the amount of skin that I need to have gone. I am hoping to get another opinion and go from there. I also have friends that have gone to the carribean for "plastic-cation" as I call it and I want to look into that as well. Right now the $$ is an issue- and the rates may change again in January so I havent made any decisions. I have so much more to loose and so many other surgeries to consider- it is all a bit overwhelming- I am trying now to just focus on weight loss and am with a personal trainor for toning.

Suggestion #1.. Do you have a support group? If you do you might want to do a clothing exchange- That way you can take your clothes in and others can exchange their stuff. Suggestion #2.. Don't buy a lot of new stuff. Alter what you have appropriately then when you do need to buy something make sure it is able to be altered or fitted so that it will still look good but not terribly baggy.

My doctor required a 1 week pre-op diet. I did a 2 week pre-op diet and my reasoning was this. I knew I would drastically be cutting the amount down and I wanted to get the anger and frustration of missing my food out of my system on my terms... In retrospect- I am soooooooooo glad I did this- During that week "on my own" I did full liquids- soup, yogurt, smoothies, grits on occasion etc. I splurged the night before my 1st night of required pre op and ate a salad.. Whoo Whoo!! Anyway.. I am glad I did it :thumbup:

1) How much did you pay for brachiaplexy? 2) If your insurance paid for it .. how did you get the medical justification for your arms? did you have to have ulcers? pain? etc... 3) Did you go to multiple plastic surgeons for opinions or just 1 and were you happy with what they said? Reasons for questions... I am 1 year post op and in need of something- My arms are hideous and my legs are too... I found out that I cannot have my legs done as of yet beacause I still have more weight to loose and need to plateau first... Plus I have Lymphedema which makes me a greater risk for any lower limb procedures.. RE: my arms.. surgeon said they are way bigger than he has seen and will need to do in 2 surgeries no matter if I do 1 now or later .. and also my scar will beon the back of my arm from elbow to arm pit instead of inside due to the huge amount he has to remove. 2nd surgery will be in same scar line... I was quoted a price of 7800.00 and am floored that it is that much considering I will be a "life long" patinet with everything else- My insurance will cover my stomach and legs but so far not my arms and this particular doc said it is not "medically necessary" despite each one needing like 6.5 lbs off !!!!!! So - Do I search for another to prove medical necessity or search for cheaper do I try and find one to do pro-bono do I go to a foreign country/? LOL latter suggestion NOT an option.. Any feedback is appreciated as always!

I have been told that weight does effect edema; especially if you are mostly sedentary. I too have a desk job but make it a point every hour to get up and walk around a litle bit. Did your PCP give you a diuretic? Refer you to a vascular surgeon?? I am only asking this because I feel strongly that Lymphedema is very common in overweight people and it tends to go undiagnosed. If I were you I would research it and then talk to your PCP and ask for a referral. I think the stockings are a good start but if it is Lymphedema there are othe treatment options available.

For me it depends on what I am eating. Some times I get the "full" feeling other times I dont eat a lot for fear of over eating- BUT what I have noticed is that I cough when I am full. Sort of my body's way of saying no more- SO it is sort of my chest and my gut acting together...

I was banded a year ago and have been on this quest too.. but look no more I found Syntrax Nectar protein. I bought a variety pack- 14 flavors for 15 bucks and each packet has 23 gms of protein!!! Taste is awesome- I mix with either milk or water- add some Ice and blend it and VIOLA a smoothie- Also the cappucino one can be made with warm milk and viola- a healthy coffee..... I bought mine on www.smartbodynutrition.com and it only took like 4 days to get it- They are in Indiana and I am in Florida...

Edema, pedal edema and Lymphedema are 3 distinct DIFFERENT conditions. All with various levels of severity- If u have swelling of any nature- you should talk to your physicians. I was treated for years for edema which actually was Lymphedema and had it been recognized sooner I wouldnt be having such problems now.

I don't "count" calories per say.. but I am cautious about what goes in. I too try and often fall short on the protein. If I had to count the calories it would probably be between 800 and 1000 per day. I exercise daily and eat a lot of fruits and veggies to "feel fuller" as snacks etc. This was very hard not to "diet" so to speak but rather make wiser choices with smaller portions- but so far so good- it works!

What do you do when you have the flu bug or any type of GI problem that prohibits you from eating the things you normally do especially the protein? I am speaking specifically of a lower GI problem not vomiting??

I work in the medical field as a practice manager and just got a "spring mailer" the other day and yes Tricare is covering them with authorization. You must have certain co-morbidities. Also I am unsure if you are aware of this or not but Humana will only have the contract as of now until 4/2011 and then UHC will take over unless the OIG steps in and changes it. If this happens I doubt seriously that UHC will allow it to continue. Before they have taken over the contracts they presented were cut by 10% just in physician services.

Congratulations! and good luck! I am a stomach sleeper too and for the first 2 days I had to lay on my side not because of pain but I was so afraid I would move the port or something stupid like that... After a few days when the soreness wore off I went right back to tummy sleeping and had no problems. I still sleep this way and have no problems still...:wink2:

There is a very high turn over- a lot of the $$ you see advertised is for sign on bonus's which are nice to get you in the door. They have to put up with a lot of BS for very little $$ in the long run.. I speak from experience.. doctors are cheap- they dont pay well

I have Lymphedema in my lower legs and had Thyroid cancer. The 2 are very much related as well as being overweight for so long. You can take Lasix till the cows come home and it wont help if it is Lymphedema- You need to see your PCP and ask for a referral to a vascular sugeon- Although there is no cure- it can be controlled. GOod luck- it isnt fun

I am curious... I have some lower back pain/butt pain and my hubby thinks it is becuase I have lost so much weight that the way I used to have to sit has been "revised" and the cushion is now gone so I am feeling things differently when sitting.. I am now having a hard time to sit for long periods of time and have to "adjust" my bum every so often.. Is this normal?? it makes sense but still sounds weird...

I think that the fact that you paid for your surgery and made the commitment should make you happy... We all have different metabolisms that process things differently. You need to remember the band is a tool to help you make appropriate lifestyle changes- I am almost 1 year banded and have just finally reached a good restriction point. I am thank ful my doctor is conservative and really teaches us to follow his program of healthy eating and exercise sort of forgetting about the band. Don't give up and don't be so hard on yourslef- remember there is this place called bandster hell and it isnt fun... it generally lasts till you find restriction and that is part of the process....

After years of mis-diagnosing and under medicating I was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer in 2008. I had both glands removed wtih 5 parathyroids as well- I was banded in 4/09 and feel great! I personally have done well but all of my doctors have assured me it would be harder because of the thyroid problems. Because I never didnt have a thyroid problem I dont personally know if it is "harder". I am currently on 425mcg of Levothyroxine a day and agree with the others that if I dont exercise every day and follow my dietary restrictions I feel worse. I am thankful to have found an awesome Endo @ the U of Miami who was very pro-lapband for me.....

a) my desire to eat fast food went away with the surgery :thumbup: I could not eat any bread let alone a whole burger c) like a previous poster.. the closest I have come is a turkey burger patty with melted cheese and taking 20 min to eat it all... my suggestion- stay away from fast food and if you dont cook it dont eat it- you never know what is actually in it and there are tons of hidden callories, sugars, etc.. for me personally it is just not worth it...

I started curves 1 month after my banding on 4/2/09- Until 1 month ago I went to curves 3-4 times a week (30 min). I started a new job and my schedule now only allows me to go 1-2 times a week. About 1 month ago I also started a Zumba class and attend 2 45 minute classes on Thursday pm and 2 45 min classes on Saturday am. THIS KICKS MY BUTT!!!!!! and made me realize that Curves isnt doing enough for me- I have lost about 12 lbs just from Zumba... I have friends that dont do didly squat for exercise and have not had as good results with their weight loss as I have and therefore I firmly beleive that exercise is the key... Part of my new years resolution is to join a regular gym now that I am able to "keep up" and dont feel so self conscious about what I am doing...