AFmom

I am going to make the swiss oatmeal tonight...can't wait to try it in the morning! Since you say you only eat about 1/3 I am assuming that is is okay to refrigerate it for a few days? Thanks again, Michelle

Dr. Smith did my surgery May 6, 2010 in Albuquerque and I could not be happier with the care I have received. I have lost over 100 pounds and I am just about 10 pounds away from the goal weight he set for me before surgery and about 30 pounds away from what I consider my ultimate goal weight. Doctors and staff in Albuquerque are all great Michelle

I have never even heard to Swiss Oatmeal, but it sounds wonderful and filling! I am going to try it out. Thanks for sharing the recipe @Melissannde - do you just mix according to the regular directions and then put the bowl in the crock-pot? That sounds like a great idea too because I am the only oatmeal eater in my family and I don't like having to clean the pot I cook it in and the bowl I eat it out of. Michelle

I burp much more frequently since having lap band. I also hiccup when I drink too fast and when I am getting to the point where I need to stop eating! Like you, my burps just seem to come out, without any warning! I think that it is pretty common Michelle

Thanks for the great responses! It is encouraging to hear from those who have been successful and are continuing to be successful. I know that Lap Band is different than bypass, but I read something from a bypass patient that said keeping the weight off is much harder than losing it. She warned that the people who were in the first 6 month post-op stage, that even though they were easily losing while not eating by the rules, that if they would be in for a surprise down the road when they had a hard time keeping it off. I guess that is one of the downsides of bypass, is that it is not adjustable. Hopefully if we were having those problems a fill would get us back on track. Thanks, Michelle

I am 7 months out from surgery and already knocking on the 100 pound weight loss mark. I am thrilled that things have gone so well, but I wonder, is it harder to keep the weight off than it was to lose it? I have tried to stick pretty close to the rules my doctor set forth, but I have not been perfect, and yet I have lost weight really easily. I am still 24 pounds away from my goal, so there is still work to be done, but I wonder for those bandsters out there who have been successful long term (2 plus years) what is the key? Thanks for your input Michelle

Salads work well for me, and always have. I am 7 months post-op and I was worried that I would not be able to eat salads after the band because I head about so many people having problems. I start with spinach, make sure I add protein, and a little dressing helps it slide right down

I have the Lap Band, not Realize band, and my port flipped. First fill was VERY difficult under fluro, but he eventually manipulated it into place, second fill was a total no go and so I was scheduled for surgery to reposition it. Original surgery in May, port surgery in August, and everything has been fine since then. My doctor used mesh and sutures to hold it in place. One question I have is why don't they use the mesh and sutures in the first place? This seems to be a common problem, and it just makes sense to make it more stable from the beginning! Oh well, at least it is fixed now Michelle

I had to get a small un-fill (.25 cc) a few weeks ago because I had gotten to the point that I could not eat solid foods at all, even Soup with soft veggies would not go down. I had been tight for almost 2 weeks, and it was getting worse. I loved the extra weight that I was losing, but once I got to the point where even liquids were difficult I called and asked for an un-fill. I felt much better immediately, but after a few days when I went back on solid foods I found that my appetite had returned with a vengeance, along with the ability to eat right along with that appetite! For the first time since getting my band six months ago, the scale is not going down, but up!!! One thing that this has taught me is how much I need my band. Without good restriction I don't have the will power to follow the rules. I am scheduled for a fill next Tuesday and I can't wait.

Sorry...I know that you are asking for Tricare Standard people to reply, and I am Tricare Prime, but I am surprised that it is all that different. My doc says that Tricare is about the easiest insurance to work with. I was approved right away because of my BMI alone (over 40) and I also have high blood pressure. I agree, call and have them tell you exactly what the qualifications are. Hope it works out for you quickly! Michelle

I totally agree with Bob...getting the lap band is the best thing that I have ever done for myself! I was banded almost 6 months ago and I have lost 84 of the 124 pounds that I need to lose to reach my goal! It has been so much easier than I expected. Even on my surgery day I had doubts and questioned if getting the lap band was the right decision. Of all of my fears, the biggest is that it just would not work for me and I would fail at the lap band just like I had failed at losing weight in the past. I wasn't sure that I could give up soft drinks and bread, but it has not been a struggle. I simply don't desire those things anymore! I feel like the lap band is a wonderful gift and my only regret is not giving it myself sooner! My advice, do your research, find a good doctor, and then go for it! Michelle

Mine is just to the left and about an inch above my belly button. Mine was originally a little higher and had to be moved due to the port flipping, but was never anywhere nearly as high as my breast area.

My husband is active duty and we are covered under Tricare Prime and pretty much everything was covered. The only thing that was not covered was my required appointment with the nutritionist. I was covered for everything else at 100% with no co-pay. I have a friend that is about to have the surgery with the same doc, but her husband is retired and they are covered with Tricare Prime and she does have co-pays and my doc's office has started charging a program fee of $500 (includes nutritionist, psych eval, Vitamins, and Protein powder) and she said that will be out of pocket for her. From what I have heard Tricare is just about the best insurance to have for WLS. No hoops to jump through...just BMI of 40 or above or 35 with co-morbidities.

My doc leaves a little fluid in the band at the time of surgery, and then starts fill about a month after surgery. He does emphasize that the time after surgery until fills start is for healing and not weight loss, but still most people do lose weight during that time. You will lose weight much easier after you get a few fills, but I did lose during that post-op period. Good luck!

Okay, I am not a pre-op bandster, but it was not that long ago that I was on your side. I had lots of fears, but my biggest is that the Lap Band would not work for me, that it would just be yet another failed weight loss attempt. I worried that I would not be able to make the changes necessary to make the surgery work because if I could control what I ate then I would not be at the point I was at. The thing that allowed me to go ahead with the surgery was the thought that I could not continue down the path I was on...I was over 300 pounds! When it came down to it I knew I had to make a change. My only regret is that I did not have the surgery 5 years ago when I first starting thinking about it. If you have any questions I would be happy to answer them. Do your research, choose a great doctor, and make the decision that is right for you. Michelle