PaleoKris

Get the insurance companies to pay out money for something that hasn't happened yet? What? How shocking! Heh, yeah, insurance companies are annoying. I guess their reasoning is if you haven't died yet (or got something seriously wrong with you that they will actually pay out for) then there's always the chance you can get better without their input. Maybe. So yeah, basically wait until you get worse, then pay. Though you'd think that it'd cost them less to get the band -first- than wait until you've got diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, all that fun stuff that you're dealing with on a long term basis (medication, etc).... Plus the band if you then decide to get it. Who knows... Hang on... Wouldn't you need to be approved by the specialist to get the surgery in the first place anyway? For the specialist to go ahead and do it on you? Or if they don't approve but you make enough of a fuss and say you'll pay will they then go ahead with it anyway? I suppose in the grand scheme of things I wasn't really that bad - BMI was under 40, somewhere between 35 and 40 anyway (I just remember noting that I wouldn't be allowed to go to Antarctica on medical grounds, haha) - but I definitely know about the whole lose 5, put 10 on type of 'not-really-weight loss' and it didn't look like THAT was going to change no matter what I did. No! This will be my first Queen's Day! I'm looking forward to it, haha. Though I'm meant to move apartments around then, so trying to figure out when I'm going to do that - hopefully NOT on the 30th. Just missed it last year - got here on May 5th.

Amsterdam is a really nice, relaxed city! Enjoyed it here so far. My boss keeps apologising for the weather but it's so much like home sometimes it's scary. Except for the fog. Can't get over this city and fog. And the lack of hills. Haha. Seems like it's doable from what my surgeon said, but better to deal with it here seeing as I'm paying all this health insurance. Of course, hopefully nothing happens whatsoever - haven't had any problems so far, but better to be prepared than suddenly freak out if something does go wrong! Thanks for the head up about VUMc or AMC. That's actually another thing, it's awesome that your insurance is paying for this! Mine wouldn't because it was 'preventative'. I'm 25, got banded just after I turned 20, and they wouldn't pay because I didn't have diabetes (yet, according to my gp back home!), sleep apnea, or any other obesity-caused problems. Oh well, still, not a cent wasted really!

Hi! Just out of curiousity, which surgeon/hospital/wherever are you going to? I'm a New Zealander who moved to Amsterdam last year, I got banded 5 years ago but I've been considering checking out a surgeon here just in case something happens (a 33 hour flight with a band-related problem is not my idea of a fun two days, though my surgeon in NZ did tell me one of their patients flew from the UK to NZ to see them just because he wanted to see 'his' surgeon, not an overseas one...). Just wondering what your thoughts are on whoever it is you've been going to. For what it's worth, 5 years post-op and I definitely don't regret getting the band done. It's so much more prevalent here than back in NZ, though, that's for sure. Seems almost common in comparison! Good luck and hope the decision comes out in your favour!

Thanks, both of you. :ohmy: As it is after my fill 3 weeks ago I'm now at a conference for a few days, which is an interesting test. Still can't eat anything that can be passed off as a 'normal, if tiny' amount except when taking about an hour to eat it! But oh well. Just have to keep coming up with excuses, haha. There's a lot of food-related socialising (as usual, go figure), and its tempted just to state I had stomach surgery, I don't eat much at all, but I know I'll regret that if I do. I think I had approximately the same amount of Fluid in the band at the same conference last year, so I suppose its just because I'm having a sensitive few weeks while I get used to it. Again. :confused:

This is an interesting thread. I'm new to the forum, but I'm a couple of weeks short of the three year mark since I had my LAP-BAND® surgery... Over the past three years there have been definate moments when I wondered if it was worth it or if (as my sister (who lost the same amount of weight on her own) still claims) I could've lost the weight myself. In the long run, it was worth it. :thumbup: In the short run, sometimes its been annoying as hell. The last year in particular has been a bit like that at times, as I got to my goal weight then promptly had problems with indigestion (my doc didn't tell me about that side effect!), so had to have the band unfilled a bit. Have been putting on weight again and finally had it refilled a little a couple of weeks ago and I'm only just managing a 'normal' meal again (which is still about half the size of what I could eat a month ago). The fill-doc said at the appointment that I'm sensitive, but going out with family that evening and only managing a few spoonfuls of Soup is a bit ridiculous in my opinion... Related to that, has anyone else found they're particularly sensitive to fills if they haven't had one in a while (say... 6 or 8 months)? Also, MrsBerggren mentioned a couple of posts up about forgetting about the band and eating fast accidentally - I've been living with my SO for a year who's eating slower now because he's used to my eating speed, but visiting family gets annoying sometimes as old habits tend to come back and I really have to think about the eating speed (they all eat fast and aren't used to me eating slowly). Ah well. Fortunately I think in the long run the frustrations are generally small compared to everything else. I have to admit one of the advantages is eating such small amounts that despite being a university student on a limited budget I can buy whatever fancy food I want because it lasts multiple meals rather than just one.

Hi! So to be perfectly honest, I've lurked on this forum a little when I've been unable to work out what the hell is going on with my band at a couple of stages, but never registered until now. There's loads of useful info on here, it's great! Anyway, come December I'll have been banded 3 years, and despite amazingly supportive family and friends, its a little different talking to people who actually went through it as well, I think, so here I am. Trying to get back to my goal weight for the second time (first time was slightly overfilled, got heartburn and had a deflation, then put on weight again, go figure). :bored: