dogtooth

You may be able to get insurance to pay for the excess skin removal if your doctor can demonstrate it (the excess skin) is causing another medical problem, which is what a surgeon did for me. Good luck!

i still have my band in, but have had similar episodic problems where i have gotten so sick i thought i might die - two months ago. it got to the point i could not breathe and had to be treated in an emergency room. I have not yet had my band removed, but am very careful not to eat anything during the late evening and to chew thoroughly and being sure to stop at the first hint of pain; perhaps that might work for you? My surgeon and gastroenterologist tell me I have a distended asophogus, which appears to be part of the problem. It can be very puzzling - at times I feel I can hardly eat anything at all, while at other times (usually later in the day), I can be ravenous. I had lost about 105 pounds from where I was, but have gained back between 10 to 15. I'm not sure ultimately what I'm going to do, i.e. whether or not to have the lap-band removed - for now I'll wait and see.

thank you so much for the encouragement. i've actually lost an additional eight pounds (i'm now down to 180) - but it's tough. when the band is tight after a fill i can eat almost nothing and then when the leak accelerates, my appetite comes back and can become ravenous at times. i'm trying to resort to self-discipline at those times, but as we all know, that can be tough. But, i weigh less now than i have for more than 35 years - so there's an incentive to go down the little further i need to. thanks again. dogtooth

hi, i too have a leak - which is a drag, but i'm hoping to avoid additional surgery, by, instead getting more frequent (weekly) fills. I've lost 80 pounds (268 to 188) and, as i'm 64, i'd prefer to avoid more surgery. i'm also finding that when i get a (tight) fill, it exacebates my acid reflux. wish me luck. dogtooth