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If you're planning on being banded in January your either half way thru your 6 month wait or you've just recently met with your surgeon and you're beginning your 3 month wait filled with dr appts and nutrition classes. I have aetna and I only have to wait three months but it'll be filled jam packed w/ dr appts and classes, etc... I went to see a pulmonologist last week and he wants me to get a breathing test, chest x-ray and sleep study. Saw the GI yesterday and my endoscopy is set for 11/5 and my cardiologist is Friday - can't wait to see what HE has in store for me - haha --- I'm actually excited to get this "work up of the stars" --- how many others are thankful for all these tests (cause when else would we get them done??) My BMI is under 40 and my last two years worth of weights was around a 35 but I have diabetes and high triglicerides...hoping that this is acceptable for aetna approval cause I'm gaining and not losing no matter what I do - I presently need to lose 80-90 pounds and there is no way I could do it on my own with the diabetes and hypo-thyroidism. :laugh: I'm curious to know who is getting banded in January (My surgery date is 1/18/11 if approved). I'd love to hear your stories and concerns - anything at all --- just want to put together a group for those that are planning a new life style come January - I can't think of a better new years resolution!!!! :thumbup: ~Renee

Hello All I haven't had a good day. The stress is mounting as I am trying to finish my diploma coursework, have a new job with so much school preparation etc and a 10 year old that is behaving like a teenager! Bl***y hormones! Stress really made my band very reactive today at lunch time and it wasn't pleasant believe me! I had to come home from school as I couldn't stop heaving. Finally, after about an hour I lost my boots and am now feeling a little better. But it was awful. I agree that it some days one thing will go down really well and other days it may be quite the opposite! Just a complete nightmare. Wish I hadn't got out of bed!! Anyway, upward and onward - come on Marine don't let the side down. Have a good evening all.

No, the band will not prevent the symptoms of hypo/hyperglycemia. I was hypoglycemic for decades. Now I'm hyperglycemic. In both cases, I had to eat something every 3 hours to keep my blood sugar stable. Still do. .

I have not been put on meds yet but I do have hashimotos which is an autoimune disease where my body is destroying my thyroid and will have to eventually be put on meds to control it. Some weeks I can tell that my levels are off becasue I am extremly tired all the time and others i am full of energy. I go every six months to have blood work done but since the tests usualy land on a day that I am feeling pretty good they come back on the low side of normal so the doc wont put me on anything. So I have allready mentaly prepared my self to be a slow looser do to the hypo weeks. Good luck with your testing, and getting the last 20 off!

okay... I know it seems like a weird thing to be happy about.... but I'm thrilled. I have been a painfully slow looser since surgery. The most I ever lost in a month was 10lbs (one memorable month). I work out 2x per day most days... yoga (harder and more intense than it sounds) and weights. I also hike and bike and almost never watch tv. I eat mostly Protein and my calories stay between 600-1100 per day. My loss has slowed to the point where I loose about 1/2 lb per week (some weeks its a whole lb!). I am .1 bmi points away from being "normal" still, and would like to loose 20 more lbs to end at a bmi of 21. I had come to accept that that might never happen, and that if it was going to happen in would take me 8 mos or so (to loose 20 lbs post gastric sleeve.... seriously!!!!). Its been depressing but I reached a place of acceptance. Got my 3 month labs done (I know I know... I'm 5 months post op) and everything looks fabulous... great Iron, b12, D etc. Only thing is I have hypothyroidism. We are going to check again in 1 month... but if its truly hypo... that exlains my slow loss, and if I get on some meds that last 20lbs will more than likely come right off. So.... I guess I'm excited about the news that my thyroid isnt functioning well. has anyone started thyroid medecine post op???? how did it affect your weight loss?

The fact that the lymphs are high and not the neutrophils, usually means that it's not a bacterial infection. Lymphs tend to indicate viral, but that's just a generalization. The same thing with the C-Reactive Protein and the sed rate. Both of them mean that there is something inflammatory going on, but it's pretty minor, if you're only at the high end of normal. Many people who aren't sick are walking around with high C-reactive Proteins. The combination of results, I think, merits the trip to the hematologist. I still doubt that it will be anything at all, it all seems very non-specific. I hope you can schedule an appt. soon. I hate sitting around and waiting on these things. It just makes you crazy. Cindy

Hi Cindy, my white count has always been at the high end of normal but never over 10,400. It usually ran around 9000-10000 or so. It is the lymphocytes that are high. She also did a C reactive protein (which measures inflammation) and it was high....around 10 I think. I'm told normal is around 3 or less. She also did a SED rate which also measures inflammation it was at the high end of normal. Thanks for the reassurance. I keep telling myself that even if it is something horrible, we have probably caught it really early since I'm not having symptoms and its only slightly elevated at this point.

Hi Everyone ! My name is Mary, and I'm almost 3 weeks post-surgery. As of a week ago, I was down 24 lbs, but that included the weight I lost during the 10 pre-op diet period. I'm starting to feel pretty good, other than I get tired easily. That may be compounded by the fact that I have other chronic illnesses (hypo-thyroid, ulcerative colitis), but I'm glad to be getting into the pureed food stage ! Was anyone else bothered by the odd sensations of the gas exiting your body? It kind of made my left shoulder hurt a little....nothing major, just a discomfort. :thumbup:

Maybe someone can help me with this. Becasue of my profession, I am pretty well know where I live. I am not trying to sound concieted or cockey or anything like that, but a whole lot of people know who I am and have for several years. It is obvious that I am bigger that the obvious person. :frown1: When I start losing weight, I will be doing so in the public eye where tens of thousands of people will see me every week. I was thinking of having my journey documented and then shown a few weeks after surgery before the questions start coming about what I am doing. Now what if I go that route and the weight loss does not happen as it should? In your opinion would that be worse than answering the question "How are you losing weight" countless times. Sorry about being so vague, but I do not know who is reading these boards and I do not want to reveal my idenity right now, but I eventually will. Don't worry, in the end you will be like "Oh it's only you,big deal!" :biggrin2: Has anyone had an experience similar to mine? Thanks!

onceuponaband --- Hi Paige. Welcome and congratulations on your surgery date. We look forward to hearing about your journey through this. I have opted to tell only 2 co-workers, my husband and daughter. At first my excuse was not to say a word until I know for sure that I was approved. Now that I have been approved I still don't want people to know. I don't want people to think, "Is that on your diet" or "Should you really be eating that". I would rather right now just let them think that this is just another "normal" diet and be quite. I'm sure one day when they finally get enough nerve to ask what my secret is I'll let it out but not till then. sunny day -- I am in the same boat as you. I met my surgeon on Feb 3 at the seminar and have not seen him since. I will see him for the second time this coming Thursday for a pre-op meeting and then I have surgery 15 hours later. I got my pre-op diet info from the dietitian. It certainly would not hurt to call and ask when your pre-op appointment will be. That way you are not slipping through the cracks and have to reschedule because of someone else's mistake. I have always been proactive instead of reactive though when I can because I don't like surprises. They never seem to be good. Anyway, give them a call for peace of mind.:biggrin: Cathy

Hi Everyone!! okay soooo. I wana get the LapBand. I have United Health Care. I have a few questions. I hope yall can help me. 1. If my BMI is over 40 will I automaticly get approved? 2. Has anyone used Dr. Steven Fass out of Austin TX and does he make you jump through all kinds of hoops? 3. Since my BMI is 41, I have hypo-thyroid and hyper-tension, depression and back pain do u think I will automaticly get approved with out needing to prove 5 years of weight history and do the 6 month pre-op diet? I was born over weight. It runs in the family. I have never ever been thin. I am almost 285 lbs today. I have never been able to keep up on my health due to a rocky life style and bad choices in life. At 28, I am ready and able to finally take care of myself and become healthy. I have come a long way, and ready to make more changes.Now I am able to with a good job and health benefits. I hope ya'll can help me by sending my your opinions and experiences. :smile2: Thanks so much! Always, Amber Xoxo

Let me start with a History of what's going on: Oct. 21, 2009 I had lapband surgery. I have lost to date 134lbs. I am at 350lbs right now. I know I am morbidly obese, and I am trying to work on that issue. I was enjoying life when losing the weight, and walking and exercising enjoying my new founded mobility. I was trying to eat right, but with lapband my diet consisted of mostly Protein. I was doing great and was happy with life...Then in March 2010 I went to the Beach for Spring Break and had a great time. In the beginning of April I noticed a redness on my cheeks that felt tight. I thought it was a sunburn left over from spring break. It never went away, and it started tingling. I went to my PCP and she said it was Rosacea. I used the metrogel, and it didn't go away. I went to two other doctors and they said maybe allergies. One gave me nasonex and the other just said use topical ointment like neosporin. I did everything nothing happened. In the middle end of April 2010 It started tingling and the numbness/tingling started going down my face. My mouth, cheeks, and jaw felt numb and tight. the numbness/tingling progress to the scalp, forehead, and extremeties arms, legs, fingers, feet, toes. It spread to the middle of my upper shoulders in where it is tight. My chest seemed to get tight also. I went to a neurologist due to having these weird sensations in my head and the rest of my body. occassionally feeling burning sensations on my toes and scalp. They did the general neuro test. Then they did an MRI of my Brain and Cervical Spine. They stated that it came out normal. THey stated they believed it was not MS. They did other blood work, and tested me for ANA which came out negative, and then B-12 was 174. I was even tested for diabetes and the glucose test came out negative. My first neurologist stated that the neuropathy was due to B-12 deficiency. I had the series of 7 shots. then I was advised to go back to my Primary Care Physician to get b-12 injections once a month. During the time I had to wait for the first shot I advised my neurologist I was still having the systems and they did not alleviate. I took it upon myself to take sublingual B-12 5000mg daily to try to get rid of the numbness and tingling throughout my body. I finaly went to my PCP for the first shot. I gave her a list of all my symptoms still. She did a whole blood work also and said everything was fine. She even did another ANA which came out negative again. The only thing that was off was my Vit. D which was at a level of 23-24. So I am taking megadose of vit. D for four weeks. I tried to tell my PCP what was going on and she just said go back to your neurologist. By this time I am dealing with anxiety and deprssion of what is happening to me. I have never been sick like this. I have had Hypothyroidism for six years, and then asthma all my life. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea prior to the weight loss surgery but I stopped using the cpap because after the weight loss i was able to sleep better. All doctors believed noone of this was what was causing the numbness/tingling throughout the body. So at this point I decided to go to another neurologist Dr. Sara Austin in Austin, Texas I told her what was happening, and gave her all the results. SHe did another neurological exam, and even did the EMG test where she poked needles into the peripheral nerves to see if there was damage. That test came out normal. Along with her other blood work. she did a CBC, an tested me for other vit. min. deficiencies which all came out normal according to her. She also stated I do not have MS or Guillen Barre. I asked about Lyme disease and she said I did not have that either. She just recently ordered another lab work to check for Fabry's Disease, ERS blood test, and another test called a Rheumotoid Factor. I don't have those results yet. I am just looking for answers. I asked my Lapband team if it could be the lapband and they stated No it was not. They took out some fill out of my band so that I could get more food in, thinking that the parenthesias was caused by malnutrition etc. I still have the numbness and tingling. My b-12 levels went from 174 to 1700 when my PCP tested me again. She stated I did not need to be taking any more B-12. I told her that I was taking the oral supplements but again that seemed to fall on death ears. My Endocronologist recently said I had switched to hypo to hyperthyroidism. which is weird so she lowered my synthroid level to .150mcg two pills a day. it was at .175mcg two pills a day So I am confused on what is going on with me. I will list my symptoms below, Maybe you could help or Guide me in a direction I need to be guided in. I would really appreciate your help. I know this was long but its been a long five months. I need answers and I need resolutions. Symptoms:</SPAN> Head - burning sensation on scalp occassionaly. Feels like I have a cap on somedats. tingling/numby. I do have a few pimples on the scalp but not sure if itsjust due to sweat or something else. Forehead - Tight the numbness seems to travel down my face underneath my eyes. Like a pulling sensation to. Face - cheeks numb/tight. around the mouth is tight and numb. I don't have any lost sensation it just feels numb and tight. Lips - Tight/numb sometimes burning tingling sensation Mouth - an ulcer on right cheek that has a clear bubble doesn't hurt. Upper Teeth numb. Vision - blurred vision occassionaly. Went to Optamologist and said she didn't see anything like pseudo tumors that could cause this. Neck/shoulders - tight and numb/tingling Chest - tight and red. Feels numb also. breast - feel tingling/had a recent mammo it came out fine Arms- Right side feels more numb/tingling than left side. sometimes get burning sensations. Small red dots on upper arms not sure if they have always been there or if its just started. Arms - Forearms feel tingling/pull. Burning sensation on wrists occassionally. Elbow Joints - when squeezing touching very tender and slight pain Fingers - Pointer fingers seem number than the rest, but again no sensation loss just feel numb. Joints feel stiff Stomach area - Feel tingling around lapband and on the right side feel burning sensation/tingling down right side of stomach to abdomen frequently. Kidneys - I think I feel an ache in them. I seem to feel sore, and feel tingling in that area. Burning pulling sensation sometimes in the front. Abdomen - again burning/tingling sensation across belly button area and ovary area. Legs - right let feels heavy and numb. Its had edema for a couple years now. but never has been numb or heavy. Left leg tingling numb frmo buttocks down. Right leg the same. Even my genital areas get tingling numb. Toes/Feet - burning sensation on toes. stiff. but no sensation loss on toes or legs. no weakness or balance problems that have been found. recently felt I was dealing with some mild vertigo but did not know if it was the Neurotin Dr. Austin prescribed me. 800mg three times a day, but only taking it at night due to having to work. My prescriptons include: synthroid .150 two pills once a day Neurotin 800mg I only take at night Hydroxzine 25MG...as needed for anxiety given to me by my old PCP I was not depressed or suffering from anxiety prior to all of this happening. I was on top of the world. I was enjoying losing weight and doing things I had not been able to do. Then I hit this brick wall, and I feel like crap. I don't feel fatigued just tired off all the tingling, numbing burning sensations. I'm tired of my body feeling foreign. Has anyone had this occure with their lapband. I'm scared and tired. Everyone tells me not to take the band out. ....I'm so confused on what's causing this. I don't know what other options to persue.

Wildabeast, I can't see anything there, other than the saltines, that would cause reactive hypoglycemia. Does your doctor offer any possible explanation? Has s/he suggested you journal your intake on a site such as fitday.com so that you can better assess how you're meeting your nutrient needs? Sometimes, it's helpful to see how many grams of Protein, etc., you're getting, because it can help you tweak things a bit. My doctor recommends 65 grams of protein/day. I have to tell you, I'd be a shaky mess if I stuck to that level--I aim for 100, and then I'm fine (even though I eat very low carb).

Carol, you're hungry because the band around your stomach does not yet restrict the flow of food from the little pouch at the top to the stomach below yet. As you work toward restriction with adjustments, you will have incremental improvement until you reach your sweet spot. Until then--yes, it is like dieting. But it will be the LAST time you are hungry in the name of weight loss! Wildabeast, can you post a typical day's worth of eating for us? Even if you've tested negative for hypoglycemia, you can be experiencing reactive episodes, and tweaking your intake can make a huge difference. (Oh--and 29 pounds since April, before having restriction? That's a great loss!) Peachpuffabilly--"fills" are adjustments of the band. The band is placed around the stomach to create a pouch. There is tubing to a port that is placed under the surface of the skin. For a period of months after the surgery (and periodically after that), your surgeon will access the port with a needle to inject saline into the tubing, which adjusts the pressure placed on the stomach by the band. This reduces the size of the stoma (hole) between the upper pouch and bottom portion of the stomach, slowing down the rate at which food leaves the pouch (and making you feel satisfied longer). (I hope that made sense!0

When I landed in the local ER after my motorcycle crash last summer, my band was *tight* from the trauma of broken bones and stress. The idiots in the ER tried to give me frigging Pepto Bismol as I told them I was banded and was complaining that I barely swallow my own spit, but I felt nauseated. I immediately got on my cel phone and called my band surgeon. I finally got an anti-nausea med that melted in my mouth and was OK after he told me to tell them what to give me. He said if necessary he'd walk them through the process. My point being that if trained medical ER staff aren't familiar and proficient with this process, what makes one think one can do it ones' self? Crazy talk. If you want to be a fill nurse, then get trained as a fill nurse and make it your new career. Don't go giving shite advice on a forum. Oh, and if you don't use huber needles on your port, it lessens the ability of the membrane to seal as you are cutting a "V" shape flap out of it. All the clinic staff has to do is X-ray or fluoro the port and see the 'whisker' like appearance left by the hypodermic needle versus the huber. There are new huber needles that look a lot like hypos, but aren't. I strongly suspect the RN suggesting her doctor is using a hypo *is* mistaken and is setting herself up for a leak, infection or a piece of the silicone membrane floating around in her abdomen. Pass, thank you. Be well. Ducati Bonnie

I'm also hypo, on Synthroid. I've lost 52 lbs since Oct 09 and my doctor said he was going to do some blood tests on my next visit (Oct) to see if they can lower the dosage. I talked to him about possibly getting off the meds once I reach my goal, but I guess I need them forever. It's not like diabetes - where if you eaqt properly and lose weight, you may not be a diabetic anymore. From what I understand, hypothyroidism doesn't go away with weight loss, you just need less of a dosage. Marci

I', hypo-and I have found that for me, it makes a big difference if I'm on my meds or not. I was off of my synthroid for 3 1/2 months due to money issues, and did not lose a pound during that time. I actually gained a couple. I was able to go back on it a couple weeks ago and I've dropped 10 lbs since. And the pills are small enough that I have not had a single problem swallowing them-I take pills larger than that, and my band is pretty tight.

hi, i am also hypo and while i was in the hospital they dissolved it for me but when i got home i called my doc for another reason but i asked if i could take it with out dissolving it and he said yes because its small enough it shouldnt get stuck. Im 3 weeks out and have had no problems. Good Luck!

Hello~ I am hypo too but haven't taken my meds since surgery because I was afraid to swallo them lol. So my question to all of you is, The pill doesn't get stuck? I was tld by my reg doctor to dilute the pill in a lil bit of water but it tasted nasty so I didn't do it again.

I'm hypo and actually had to have my meds increased since my levels TSH levels were rising instead of falling. It is now under control - but I didn't noticed any particular problems due to the fluctuation. Doc monitored it every 3 months and now every 6 to make sure it is in range.

I am hypo and was banded in feb 2010 and have lost only 26 pounds....its super frustrating because I work out and eat right for the most part and have decent restriction...i take 100 mcg of synthroid and just recently had my levels checked and they are fine...

I have hypo too- I have lost fairly steadily since being banded Nov. 2009. My levels have been where they should be. My doc. wants to keep an eye on it though- he said dosage is weight related.

Banded 11/24/2009. Weight loss only 22lbs. Just now (today) have good restriction after 6 fills. I take 75 mcg of Synthroid for Hypo. I believe the restriction has been what held up my weight loss; not the Hypo.

Thyroid disorder bandsters- curious as to if you think your thyroid complications hold up your weightloss with the band? Whats your overall opinion-- on how you work through it? I have Graves, but am hypothyroid now, treated with sinthrod and my levels seem to be stable for a year + now. There were quite a few bumps along the way to get physically heaalthy from all that. It certainly encouraged me to get banded since no matter what I kept a slow gain.... I was banded in March 2010, and loose 4lbs a month. Lots and lots of exercise, a healthy diet and finally better restriction- as I am a pretty new bandster. What is your average weight loss? Heaviest weight 244, Surgery weight 221, now I'm hovering at 204. If I knew how to set up a poll, I'd do one. Is anyone having better success? Did your meds require a different dosage as you lost? Any success secrets out there?

Coneflower- I have graves too and was treated with RAI to slow my thyroid. yep, it's gone... on sinthroid. I was banded in March 2010, and have been working really hard for every pound lost. I can barely muster -4 a month. Proper eating and lots and lots of exercise. I am up to 5cc's now, with better restriction- but I would think I'd be loosing more... I think I might post something today. I'm super curious what the loss rate is for bandsters with a thyroid diagnosis. Hyper, Hypo, they all suck. I'm just wondering if it is what makes me slow. I know the graves really messes with me, by my thyroid levels seem to be steady. Has anyone had thier sinthroid level lowered after weight loss? Take Care!