Humming Bird

I was turned down/denied private health insurance a few years back because I was overweight. Maybe I should contact that same insurance and see if they turn me down because of the band. I bet they would and now my BMI is "normal".

In the beginning it seems like the fills/restriction level goes away sooner. The surgeon usually includes some fat between the band and the stomach. As you lose the weight the restriction level seems to go away a bit. When you reach your true green zone/sweet spot, it seems like the restriction lasts much longer. I had 2.7cc at surgery and then reached my green zone on the 2nd fill after that (5.3cc tatal). I went back in 10 months after fill number 2 and had dropped 100 pounds! I needed a fill at that point because I was getting way too hungry. Now I go in about every 10 months or so ..... I'm thinking I need a little fill here pretty soon. Some of the Fluid DOES go away over long periods of time. It is not a leak. My last maintance fill was in Sept 2011 (5.7cc). Some of the fill had gone away ( 4.?cc). I feared a leak, so I went back a couple weeks later to have the fluid removed and checked. It measured exactly as it should (5.7cc). This time when I go back I would expect some of the fill is gone ...... think osmosis.

They suspected Lupus and thyroid problems with me for years, but all the tests always came out fine. I was finally diagnosed with fibromyalgia and CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome) in 2006. Stress brings it on full blown. My mom died toward the end of 2005 and it was so stressful for me. It caused the fibro to be full blown and I went to a new PCP. It didn't take him long to diagnose and I believe he has the correct diagnosis finally. It sure does explain all the symptoms I had for so many years. I think I've had fibro most of my life including childhood. He put me on cymbalta, Ultram, and a fab med for the fatigue ....... I'll have to think of the name of it and get back with you ........ It worked GREAT!!!! but then my husband's job changed and we no longer had insurance, so I had to stop the meds. Since then I have been able to control the fibro with stress reduction. I do still have to use some NSAIDS. I know they are contraindicated with the band, but I just take a double does of Jr. Strength liquid ibuprophen. I don't have to take it often because the stress reduction really works like a charm. I think that Rx for CFS is called Provagil. At the time it was new and very expensive. They may have a generic out now. The problem now is that with the band taking pills whole is bad and these can not be crushed. I don't take and Rx meds right now and only take vits. and things in liquid, sublingual, or chewable forms. I don't exercise. I'm not sure if the fibro & CFS can be part of the reason or not. I do find it much easier to be more active in general with all the excess weight gone. I know the FMS & CFS can be blamed for some of my excess weight gain over the years.

Thanks Jean! You bring up some very good points to toss around.

Gotta love comments like that!

When I am in the green zone/sweet spot with my restriction I simply can not drink while eating solid food. When was your last fill? The reason I ask is because over time some of the Fluid does go away. I still go in for a tiny fill about every 10-12 months for this reason. You still have your band so it is worth giving the process another try. Go get a fill. Do not have a drink at the table with you. Of course there will always be ways to sabotage, but maybe if you give it a chance long enough to fit in normal sizes it will be motivation to stay there. I encourage you to never give up and do this for yourself.

I don't think people who have good restriction can overeat in one sitting. If they say they can, they don't know what good restriction feels like. The only way I can overeat would be to graze on junkfood throughout the day.

huh? This site is for the "real" gastric band ........ go advertise someplace else

If you are going to travel consider the Denver area. You can get cheap flights sometimes from Cali to Denver. Quite a few bandsters do it from what I've seen. They do phone consults and such. Dr. Weaver offers specials under $9,000. Here is a thread with some of his info. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/139401-considering-dr-john-weaver-in-colorado-for-lap-band-surgery/page__p__1721980__hl__considering%20weaver__fromsearch__1#entry1721980

Make sure you take your vits and get in the Protein ....... The fatigue may last awhile even if you are following all the rules. There is a chance you have other things going on that will make the fatigue last longer as well. I don't know how the young gals with toddlers do it ! Those little buggers could wear out even the healthiest person. My fatigue lasted many months, but I had other things going on. I have fibromyalgia and CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome) goes hand-in-hand with fibro. If you are doing all you should be with the vits and such, getting the proper hours of sleep, and think your fatigue is lasting longer than it should, consider things outside the box and always talk to your doc. I hope it gets better for you soon.

There are many people who get the band with a BMI over 50. After speaking with your doc and doing all your research you will figure out what is best for you. I have had very good results with the band and am a big cheerleader for it. (I started with a BMI of 43.1) I know it must be hard to know what is best when you go to a meeting like that, but try to keep an open mind when you choose what is best for your own situation. I think the worst choice would be to do nothing and stay obese. For me the band seemed so much better for my organs.

I think getting the band was part of my midlife crisis (in a good way of course). I didn't want to spend any more years being obese and frumpy! Shopping is great therapy! On a side note: I would urge you to stop the tanning. I got squamous cell carcinoma on my nose from tanning in the sun and tanning beds.

Ground beef is pretty much the only type of beef I can eat. It has to be in chili, soup, taco salad and other ways like that. I can not just eat a hamburger patty.

Whoo Hooo! so happy for you. It feels so great to hit that "normal" range.

You have done so well and I am so happy for you! Whooo Hooo! It's time for your 100 pound reward! What will it be?

Here's another vote for Vitafusion brand Fiber gummies! They saved me from this issue and I've been taking them for over 2 years now. All it takes for me is one gummie every morning. They taste great, chew well, do not swell, and work great! I get them at Target.

I do understand how this can happen. I fear you may stay bulimic even after you get the band out. Is there any way you can go talk with someone who deals with eating disorders?

I like having areas of LBT that don't have to be about WLS. I get to know people a bit here because we all have WLS in common, but I can only talk about fills, constipation, restriction, Protein and tickers so much. I'm still happy to see Patty return to the site and continue to post. I don't agree with her all the time, but have great respect for her. She really makes people give thought to many issues and have connections to others here that have nothing to do with WLS. Patty, when I have time after work I want to send you a PM. I was given what I consider an offensive Christmas gift by someone and want your take on it

Last time I checked ensure was way too high cal and too high carb. I don't know if they changed it. Isn't ensure made more for elderly people who don't get in enough calories? I didn't have to do that type of pre-op diet (I did Atkins for 2 weeks). I know for the post op shakes they told me to stay under 150 calories and above 15g protein. I don't remember the carbs, I would have to look it up.

Have you thought about going in and getting a fill? When was your last one? I bet the band could help you drop another 50 pounds. I like icecream and other "bad" things and still eat them. I just don't live on them. I also never did start exercising. I sure am more active in general now that I'm not lugging around the extra 100+ pounds.

I bet there is a lapband doc closer than you think that can help you. Where do you live now? Start a new thread asking folks here about docs in the area. I drive through several towns and one large city to go to the doc I want and pass quite a few lapband docs to get there. I've seen post after post here over the years that show the ER is not a good place to go for the band in general.

Thanks Patty

I don't know if all the info is the same, but it would be worth calling to see about it if you want to go to the meetings. I'm pretty sure they still have them at Penrose main.

I stick around LBT to keep my head in the lapband game. Things are well with me and I'm loving life (mostly). Many of the people who posted often when you were active on the site don't post much anymore. There are still a few of us around though. With the nature of the site there are many newbies gathering info and basic support. The Rants & Raves area has cobwebs and dust in it. I like to talk with folks about things other than lapband sometimes after getting to know them a bit because we have the band in common. That doesn't happen as often here anymore I hope you are well and loving life too Patty.

Patty! It's nice to see your name pop up again.