Search the Community

I had a fill before thanksgiving (had a total of 7.5cc in my 10cc band). It was fairly tight and about a week ago I began having reflux. I should have listened to that little voice in my head telling me to make an appointment for a slight unfill. This weekend I was only drinking liquids and felt like I had something stuck. I began vomiting (even after swallowing my own saliva). I went to the ER and luckily the chief surgical resident has been working with my bariatric surgeon for the past few months and was unable to help me........a complete unfill .....to let my stomach rest until I can see my doctor this week. I am keeping track of everything I put in my mouth and will still follow the band rules. I haven't worked this hard for the past two years to start gaining back even one pound back.

My bariatric coach gave me a great idea: She said if you take the money you WOULD BE spending on eating out and fast food every week and deposit it into a jar, at one year you would have enough money to buy you a completely new wardrobe or go on a nice vacation! I'm taking her advice!

Have you been weighing in? You need to have 3 recorded monthly weigh-ins over 89 days or more. I did mine at my Bariatric clinic. My clinic required me to lose weight, Cigna didn't care if I lost or gained. Cigna also requires a letter from your PCP recommending Bariatric surgery and a psych eval. Aside from the BMI requirements, I think that's all Cigna needs.

Im not really sure if shes experienced with bariatric surgery. It took me alot of calling around and searching to find someone that seemed to know what they were talking about when it came to WLS and when I called her to make an appointment with her after I had already scheduled the appointment she said, "Oh wait wednesday.....im guna be at the other office wednesday.... well I have another dietician that works for me and she will be at that office will that be ok?" and me being stupid said sure. So The dietician I saw who was really nice maybe just dosnt have the experience that I had hoped for. As for losing too fast, definately not. Tomorrow is my 4 week post op mark and I might be at around a 15lb loss.

Yes, I had to pay a $550.00 fee to St. Francis Hospital's Bariatric Center, this covers my support group visits, and nutritionist follow-ups for the next 5 yrs. This had to be paid before surgery, but they told me this upfront. I also, have to pay my regular co-pays to the doctors when I see them, and for lab work.

Hello gang, I had WLS in 2004. I was one of the early lap band recipients in Australia under Prof. Paul O'Brien. I did great and lost 46kg (101lbs), but then life set in and I had two kids and a suicidal husband so I let the weight creep back up. I had a revision in 2013 due to a hiatus hernia so large I was having esophageal spasms. So now, I'm at the heaviest I've ever been, and I've got a ventral hernia that goes from my navel to my sternum. My surgeon said he won't even try to fix it if my BMI is over 30 because it will just come right back. He then talked to me about how the lap band has fallen out of favor because it was not as effective as the original studies promised. He suggested a revision to a VSG, and set me up in my insurance's approval program for WLS. The first step is the removal of the band and port and recovery from that. Surgery is scheduled for July 7th. After that I'll progress through the "hoop-jumping" to qualify for the VSG, which providing everything goes smoothly, I'll qualify for in October. So far no one has stated any pre-surgery weight loss requirements, but I have been studying the various plans and doctor's programs I've found online, as well as reading personal stories from support forums like this one, so I can get an aggregate view of the entire procedure both pre and post-op. I must admit that the pendulum swings widely across what I've seen, both in program execution and in individual responses. Of course, I realize that there are outliers on every scale, and I'm averaging what I see. I got this little binder from the program introduction meeting (Dignity Health), and I've been adding my own research to it, things like print out of appropriate bariatric (or equivalent) vitamins based on their recommendations, worksheets for tracking eating and drinking, pre and post-op protein shakes, mixes, and recipes, motivational type posters, and text documents on things like how digestion works, how protein is used by the body, etc. Note, all the research is stuff from actual university or journal studies, I'm not taking answers from Reddit or Quora as facts! I've decided the biggest issue I've seen is the grief process that hits people after the surgery when they suddenly realize they can't eat what they want. I've read a lot of threads (not just here) of people rebelling and hating themselves and hurting themselves because of this. I do not want to deal with this. I'm already working on changing my eating habits, albeit slowly. I want to be more in control of this transition than I've seen, So, if you've read this far, my questions to you are: Did you make any effort pre-op to really change your eating habits? Did you experience grief or regret post-op if you didn't? Did you regret your surgery for any reason OTHER than the food restriction/complications? Thanks for discussing!

cheese is high in fat and not so good on Protein. chicken, fish, low fat beef and pork, eggs, Beans and rice are all good sources of protein. Do you have access to a nutritionist or dietician? A good bariatric nut can guide you to eating a healthier lifestyle with your surgery?

I dont know anything about fill costs but traveling to mexico must be kinda pricey, too. Maybe you could explore options to see if you find someone you feel comfortable with...id feel better having familiarity with a bariatric practice nearby anyway, in case of an emergency or something like a much needed unfill. Im going thru insurance so I cant entirely empathize but I hope everything goes well with your surgery and that restriction comes easily for you!

I'm back! Just an update-- i appealed and as I suspected, I was denied my appeal despite a very convincing, well written letter. I did my best to readjust my attitude about the situation. I used it as a life learning experience. I knew in my heart this wasn't over, so I was going to apply what I learned to my life and channel my disappointment into eating better and starting a workout program. And... Great news! I changed insurance starting January 1st and this coverage allows bariatric surgery!! Since I already finished the approval process with my surgeon, all the have to do is resubmit my paperwork. They either did it this last week or hopefully this upcoming week. I should know soon. I'm hopeful that I'll be on the losers bench in about 30 days or so!

I feel your pain. I just got my denial today. I have BCBS of IL. I got a lap band in 2010 and was self pay. The band IS NOT for me. I should have gotten RNY from the start, but I was looking at the monetary bottom line, and the band was cheaper. I now have BCBS with bariatric benefits, yet they told me there isn't significant failure of the band to warrant a revision. I had an upper GI that shows the acid reflux is burning my esophagus, plus I have a dilated pouch with constant vomiting. HOW DO WE BEAT THE INSURANCE??????????????????

I haven't tried the K20, but if you are looking for a real bang for your protein buck, Worldwide Protein Shakes are great. They have 35g of protein, 1g sugar, 3g carbs, 1g fat (0.5g sat/fat)and 160 to 170 calories. It comes in Chocolate Cream, Vanilla Cream, Strawberry Cream, Banana Cream, and Cookies 'n Cream (tastes like Oreos). They are sold in Vitamin Shoppe for $2.75 individually and $27.99 for a 12 pack which is about $2.33 each. Worldwide calls it a protein supplement, and says not for use in weight reduction, but I have been drinking them for over a year (I saw a link here once to Brigham Womens Hospital Bariatric Program, and these shakes were on their list of protein drinks for patients). They also come in 29g drinks but I have only seen them at Trader Joe in Vanilla and Chocolate. They were $1.69, and the Vanilla and Chocolate 35's were $2.29. GNC has the 35s in Vanilla and Chocolate but they are $2.99 a can. Vitamin Shoppe (and GNC) also sell them online and sometimes you can get a free shipping deal depending on how much you buy. I really like them.

Dear Nancy, I was also scared and a lot overwhelmed when I first started this trip. There is a lot of information to absorb and if you have problems dealing with change, it can to be a bit much. Here's what I would suggest: Take a deep breath and try to focus on one issue at a time. Read as much as you can on the subject. There is a very good book out there titled - Bariatric surgery for Dummies (or something like that)- that talks about all the different types of bariatric surgery and everything about each one. I started with a seminar from my surgeons office, worked thru the book and came to this website, a lot! The pre-op tests will take some time and if you are using insurance, they may require you to take at a minimum 3 months before you can have the surgery. That is useful, "considering it" time, for you. I did all of that and had my surgery last week. Since I have type II diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea, I can understand all your concerns. I have been off of my diabetes meds since the day before surgery (my numbers are consistantly low) only on high blood pressure (and may come off those in 3 months) and hopefully will be off my CPAP machine in 6 months. This option does work. It is not easy and you will find yourself wondering about it all the way, but for me, it is already accomplishing what I wanted it to do - get me off the meds! Please, take your time to think about it, don't feel rushed and use the resources that are out there. Then, it may not feel so overwhelming. Please feel free to contact me privately if you would like more support - elgrad@hotmail.com. I am also in North Carolina. Be calm and breath deep. Elgrad

Don't let your doctor talk you out of it if you know that weight loss surgery is right for you. Once you talk to the bariatric surgeon, you should be able to get your questions answered about how long it might take and they would be better able to tell you if you are a good candidate. I also have Aetna and they were able to do a 3 month plan. I don't see why it would take a year to get approved even if you did the 6 month. You will do your other requirements for insurance and for your surgeon while you are doing your medical weight management plan (which is the supervised diet). When I called Aetna when I was first thinking about lap band, they told me to go on their website and do a search for obesity surgery. It gives you their requirements for coverage, but you will still want to check with your plan to see if it covers WLS. Message me if you have any other questions. Good luck!

Hi all I had a VSG on 12th August and then developed a volvulus which they tried to fix endoscopically but it failed then ended up being given a bypass on the 21st. So I hadn't read as much about the bypass and all it involves because I had no idea I was going to end up with one The Bariatric nurse rang today and said I need to be on 80g protein a day instead of 60g as with the sleeve. So, my issue is that the protein shakes (slim fast etc) are making me feel really unwell an hour or so after having them and I am guessing it is the high carb count in them even though they are sugar-free. So I am trying to avoid them. Also Vomiting... WHERE HAS IT GONE!? Vomiting is pretty much just a burp and a tiny amount of bile!? I have whey Isolate unflavoured, which I am making up my protein milk with (and some dried skim milk powder) and adding it to some of my drinks too. I will go and read through this forum re: food etc but is anyone making their own fresh soup, adding protein and straining? Cheers

Honestly, they can't force you to see this internist. I would keep going to your endocrinologist (I'm sure that you are), and I would find another bariatric internist recommended by other patients and let the bariatric surgeon know that is where you'll be doing your follow-up care. Are you also seeing a registered dietitian (RD) who specializes in bariatric patients? If not, I would definitely find one. I am a slow loser also and my RD is really my most important post-op coach. I don't know what I would do without her. Diet is about 75% of what will make or break our success, and it takes on even greater importance when you are limited in the exercise that you can do as you are, so I would see if there are any tweaks that you can do to help there. Obviously I know that you are working very hard and your weight loss isn't a reflection of that, but at the same time, there is always room for all of us to tweak and optimize what we can. I would really, really focus on getting at least 60 to 80 g of Protein, even if you have to do more shakes, and try to drink at least 100 oz of Water. An RD will have lots of specific ideas for you that work for you, your lifestyle, and the particular preferences of your sleeve.

I am sorry about your complications. I have PB'd occasionally... but never on a regular basis like that. I agree with you though that it is not a "light" matter like some people seem to want to make it. My PB's are violent... and while they may not have stomach acid... it definitely is not a good situation. Thankfully over the 4.5 years I have had the band... I would say I have PB'd less than 20 times. I hope that this time around it will be easier for you to focus on slowing down. Make that your main focus! (once you figure out what is going to happen) It is so hard to be mindful constantly. I struggled with the decision on whether to remove my band or reposition it. I opted to reposition it because insurance actually covered it (I was self-pay due to bariatric clause). I have been up and down on whether or not I made the right decision. My hunger is starting to return and I have 2 weeks until my "first" fill. I have been measuring my portions and eating slow. Well this afternoon I ate a little faster than I would have if I had restriction... and I was able to eat my entire lunch (1/2 cup spinach, 1/4 cup ground turkey, 1/2 avocado, and a pinch of cheese & salsa). Normally I eat about half to 2/3rd's and toss the rest. When I finished my plate at lunch today... I realized that my band really HAS been helping me. So I am glad I kept it. I hope you are able to keep yours and continue on your journey to your goal. Something obviously has to change with your behavior, you realize that, or at least it seems that way from your post. It is not worth permanent damage continuing with non-compliant eating behaviors. Thank you for sharing your struggle. None of us are perfect. We all make mistakes.

PB, Remove your band port? Oh my gosh, not for reconstructive surgery! Let us hope you keep your band and your health - I hope I can keep mine as long as I need help with weight control (unless I get an RnY bypass, that will probably be forever.) To be honest, that surgeon doesn't sound as if he knows a lot about the LapBand. I don't know anyone who had their band port completely removed for cosmetic or reconstructive surgery - it might get moved down with a Tummy Tuck, but that's it. If you can, try to consult with a Cosmetic Surgeon who has experience with LapBanded patients. (Ask your LapBand surgeon if he/she is local who they recommend - some bariatric surgeons have a colleague whose handled more of their patients and that's a powerful referral.) I did consults with 4 Cosmetic Surgeons but finally I picked the one who had done more LapBand patients and who worked closely with my Band doctor. He had done Lipo on plenty of Band patients (never poked a port yet) and also many Tummy Tucks/Abdominoplasties on Banded folks. He wasn't fazed at all. I saw his work on other band patients and I was very comfortable. My LapBand and I survived the Abdominoplasty and thanks to him, I didn't even need an unfill before my procedure. It's exciting to hear how your consults are going. You're already shapely contoured and symmetrical - if you do decide to have cosmetic work, you're gonna have a dynamite shape. Hopefully once I put these surgeries behind me, I can restart my belly dancing classes again, and one day maybe I'll have some belly-baring pics to add like yours! Happy Band (and Life) Journeys To All.

Are you a confrontational person? Are you able to stand up for yourself? I know a lot of us lack self confidence, and I've seen people gain it through losing the weight. For your 2 'issues'... I'd say if Mom has something to say about your money, express to her that you work hard for your money and you can spend it how you please. You can express that you are sorry she is in the prediciment that she is in, but she had her entire life to make the choices which led her to where she is, and you WILL NOT take her path nor be responsible for the fact she didn't plan for her own financial future. Reminder that you have helped her, and if she has the attitude of "you owe me", then let her know she won't be receiving help any more is she feels like she has control over YOUR money. You do NOT owe her an explanation though.... And certainly don't tell her how much the surgery was. It's none of her business! For your coworkers, if they said the first word to me I'd say "Shut it... my body, my decision, my life....go find someone else to give your opinion to, because I don't want it. And if it was a mistake in your eyes, it was mine to make, but guess what?! I don't share your opinion, so back off. You think I cheated? You try going through a major surgery, have 85% of your stomach removed, recover from that only to be able to eat a little amount of food when you want to eat more...this **** ain't easy." Stand up for yourself! Don't let other people make your decisions, and don't be so afraid of what they think. The questions are only... do you want this surgery? Do you want to be healthier? Are you willing to spend your hard earned money on it? That's it...No one else gets a vote! So in answer to your question...No! It's only a fear if you let it be... so don't Good luck to you! You are gonna rock all those people's socks off with your renewed confidence and healthier self when you get to your goal

@@kimmyco You sound like you are coming from a place of compassion. You have the experience of being in the shoes of a bariatric patient. I see it as you will have a greater impact on other patients. Absolutely not bragging by helping others wherever they might be in the process.

Or if anyone else has this answer. Aetna I think requires that bariatric surgeries be performed at an IOQ (Institute of Quality) hospital. On their site the only two that are IOQ in Nevada are North Vista and Desert Springs. My problem is that my surgeon of choice is Dr Teng. I just ran through a barricade to get past the bill owed. That has been cleared up now. I want to stick with him because he took out my gallbladder and did a great job. Thing is, he operates out of MoutainView and Summerlin hospitals. I know he has had patients with Aetna so I'm just curious.

Hi. I am using medicare. they, like most insurance had some requirements and I've met all of them. You have to have a BMI of 35-40. If its under 40 you have to have some co morbitities. You have to have 6 months of non consecutive weights. Like Jan 05, April 06, and so on.... You have to have tried a lot of other ways to lose weight before....I had a long and dr documented history. You have to have your surgery at a bariatric center for excellence....you have to have a letter of medical necessity. I had all of this information faxed to my surgeon because my doctors had been documenting everything for me for a long time. They had been recomending me have this surgery for two years before I was ready. Now my surgeon has the complete chart, and I am having surgery Wednesday. They will then send it all in to Medicare and the surgeons office staff knows what will work with each insurance company so they make sure they get everything right. Hopefully, I will get a bill that says medicare paid their part. Its a process.... just like everything..... I called Medicare and asked them specifically what their requirements were before I saw my surgeon. Some people have to have a lot more things done....I was surprised medicare was so "lenient".... Good Luck, Meg

I thought I better start writing about this journey now so I don't forget. I had lap band surgery November 3, 2007. I actually lost about 60 pounds with the lapband at one point but gained most of the weight back. For the first four years of the lap band I was in constant flux. I dieted more in that four years than in the rest of my life. In December 2011 I was back up to 255 pounds. At that point I realized the lap band had failed me and I needed to consider other options. Through a long drawn out process I was accepted by my insurance company to get a revision to the Sleeve. On December 27 I decided to make a radical change in my lifestyle and eating. After confirming with my bariatric surgeon that I qualified for the revision I decided to become a raw foodist for the next five months. It was a very positive experience and I learned a great deal about health and nutrition. I have to say I read everything I could get my hands on regarding raw foodism, veganism, and the like. I finally understood what it is to make a very real lifestyle change. Understanding that eating processed, boxed, bagged food was not the answer, it finally dawned on me that what I was missing was the live enzymes of fresh fruits and vegetables that no one seems to think are important, or simply don't know that they're absolutely necessary and needed in the body. I watched quite a few documentaries and I'd like to recommend that you also consider watching these few. Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead was the first documentary I watched; that became life-changing. Foodmatters, Food Inc., The Gerson Miracle, Burzynski, Forks over Knives, and The Beautiful Truth. Sorry more than I thought... Anyway I guess what I'm trying to elude to is that we've all had an eating problem to the point where we've had to have surgery once or twice and for some of us it is still escaping us as to how we can actually make a real change that will ultimately save us. So many times I have heard people say I could never give up sugar, coffee, meat, wheat, bacon, soda, etc... When I hear this I think then a lifestyle change for you is probably not something that is going to happen for you. How much do you truly want good health? Maybe it's time to start pushing yourself in new and different directions, maybe there is new and exciting information to be gleaned that will help you to a better and healthier you. For me being a 80-10-10 raw foodist wasn't for me. But I did adopt eating a high fresh fruit and raw vegetable diet into my new lifestyle. I have decided to include cold blooded sea creatures in my diet as well as cooked Beans and rice in moderation, but also to maintain a balanced healthful diet for me. Please understand I am writing this as much to myself for my own remembrance as I am sharing my experience with you. The day of surgery I weighed 204 lbs. Two days after surgery I weighed 213 lbs. that was disappointing but the Water weight gain from th IV was to be expected. Today is 7/1/2012 and I am at 202. So from December 27th 2011 to June 25th 2012 I lost 56 lbs. I am so excited about where I am going... God bless us and keep us! Mardee

Sure we can be bariatric surgeon buddies. Have a nice day!

@@laguerr13 There are quite a few bariatric veterans on this site that helped me make my decision, and they give me some great advice when I'm in a panic over something dumb. I'm still learning what works and what doesn't. At first I was hungry all the time. No kidding. I thought maybe the doc took my stomach but left the grehlin hormone behind. lol But once I began soft foods, I filled up really quickly. I have to remind myself to chew the crap out of everything and take my time eating (or it feels stuck in my chest), and I have to remind myself to drink. Drinking seems to be harder for me when I'm at work, but I am going to figure that one out too. If you need anything, as far as advice we all will try to help you out. But I only know from my own experience, and everyone is different, and experiences things differently. So far I am psyched at how great I feel. So...cheers to you, friend!! You will do great!

Hello all. I just wanted to give a little encouragement to the newbies out there. Today I am 4 years post op. I am still in love with my band. I have been filled and unfilled, I have pbed. I have gotten stuck and yet I still love my band. It has taken some time but I have learned to live with it as many of my fellow veterans have as well. I have learned what I can eat and what I can't eat with my band. I do drink a little sprite or orange soda every once in a while. I can't stand coke any more which used to be my favorite soda. I can honestly say I haven't had it in over 4 years. What I do drink on the regular is orange juice because I can't eat oranges any more. I can eat apples but I choose to drink apple juice. I still have my coffee every morning and tea every week as well. In regards to foods, well I eat just about anything except pasta that you use for lasagna. I do eat spaghetti every blue moon and I will eat a little mac and cheese only if it's really cheesy. Other than that, I eat bread, rice, etc. I actually had a couple slices of thin crust pizza for supper yesterday. Speaking of supper. I have learned that I can't eat past 8 p.m. If I do, I will fall asleep but in the middle of the night I will start coughing and coughing and then I'll fall back to sleep. Later I will cough some more and eventually water will start coming out of my nose. That will go on until I finally throw up the last whatever that was in my stomach before I went to bed. So that means I have to get in all my food and drink by 7 p.m. 7:30 at the latest. When I do eat before 7, I have no problems. I sleep like a baby. What can I say, my band doesn't want me eating late I can dig that. That was a problem before I was banded that aided in me gaining weight in the first place eating late at night and snacking watching tv. Well I can honestly say those days are definitely over. I do eat chips but only when I crave them. I eat popcorn as well but only when I have a taste for it and that isn't often. My last fill was August 2012 which put me at 7.1 ccs in my 10 cc band. So I will leave you with this final note, don't give up. Don't get discouraged. The weight isn't going to fall off over night, every week, everyday, etc. Stop stressing. Follow your bariatric team's instructions/guidelines because all our bodies and problems within our bodies are different. We all have different medical issues so what works for me may not work for you and vice versa. Sometimes it will but in other cases it won't. If you aren't sure about what's happening in your body, don't be afraid to call your doctor and find out. After all, it is YOUR BODY. Take care everyone and happy holidays. I'm 95 lbs down and loving it.