Hello, my name is Audree. I was banded in January of 2007, so over 6 years ago. My surgery was done in Mexico by Dr. Ariel Ortiz. I am a self pay lower bmi bandster. I also have the Inamed 4cc band, low profile port. My highest weight before surgery was about 195. My lowest was about 160 and I am now a little up in weight at 175 or so. Its been a few years since I was able to go back to see him for a check up or fill, so I can eat with almost no restriction. The only exception to this is right before my cycle, if I am stressed or eat to fast. I had originally been on this board even before I got banded in 2007 under the screen name Babygotback. I tried to reactivate my old account but was unable to, so I created this new one.

I recently got married and have a new insurance. I was happy to find out that I could be seen here for check ups and fills by my new doctor in the States Dr. Phillippe Quilici in Burbank. I had my band checked and they said it was fine. I got a .5 fill which supposedly put me at 3.5 I thought they said. I felt very little restriction. So, I am going back this month on the 24th to get another fill. I am excited to use my band again after all this time and finally get down to my goal of 150.

Congratulations on getting back on track.

Thanks I am looking forward to getting the support and getting back on track. I am so tired of dieting just to maintain although I know I have to get back to the bandster rules of protein first then veggies. I really need to review!

It's common I think that after a while, living with the band becomes the 'new normal' and you don't even realise you're losing restriction, eating a little more, falling back into old habits until one day your clothes don't fit. I have come and go from this site over the last 5 years but I tend to do better when I'm here talking to people and reminding myself that I have to keep working with my band.

I'm glad you're back and recommitting. I'm sure you'll find loads of support here if you keep posting.

Thanks for the encouragement! I really need it. I know I eat a LOT less than I used to pre band. My all time highest after I had my daughter was 240, but I was able to lose it going on and off Lindora but could never keep it off. I can't believe its been over 6 years since I have been banded. I am totally ready to recommit myself and ready to get to my goal and maintain it. I see your at less than your goal? Congrats! So did you keep getting fills till you got to where you wanted to be then adjusted your current fill level to maintain your current weight?

I am looking for a support group on here to regularly check into. I saw there is a lower bmi group. How do you get your support?

I post all over the place around here! But in terms of a catergory, I guess I'm a low BMI veteran.

Generally speaking, until my band started leaking, yes I pretty much got to my green zone and maintained for 3 years with a small tweak fill once every 6 or more months, just to keep me properly restricted. Then in Jan 2012 I sprung a leak and despite a couple of attempts to fix it, it kept leaking and I 'fell off' the wagon and gained 35lbs. I then went on to lose 15lbs of that while waiting for a full band replacement (that was 2 months ago), and since then have lost another 7lbs. I don't want to lose anymore now so am back to maintenance mode, even though my band is not yet at green zone.

I have a question. What would cause a Band to leak? The seminars I attended before being banded it sounded like they had a "copyright" or whatever the word is, maybe "patented". (The samples they had they spoke of them being foolproof, safe & etc.)

I think like any man-made device, it is not foolproof. They initially believed my leak was caused by me getting a tattoo on my stomach and damaging the tubing, but turns out it wasn't that. My dr also said that there were a bunch of bands placed at the same time that seemed to have been delivered defective and many people who got that batch then experienced leaks. But it's not common, and it is generally quite easily fixed.

Hi Audree, so glad for you to have new insurance so you can get the full use of your band again. I am borderline BMI waiting for approval and am creeping my weight UP for approval. How weird is that? Can't wait to start -- so helpful to read others' thoughts, stories. Thanks for sharing and congratulations on getting back on the bandwagon.

Bandista, I am also trying to keep my weight up for approval since I am borderline. And you are right, it does sound crazy. Although what other options do you have when you are relying on insurance to cover the cost? Do yoy have any other qualifying conditions?

Thanks Bandista Its an exciting journey! The support here helps a lot. I had been on here prior to getting banded over 6 years ago doing all my research.

Here I am again! I am excited to be back on the bandwagon

Bandista, I am also trying to keep my weight up for approval since I am borderline. And you are right, it does sound crazy. Although what other options do you have when you are relying on insurance to cover the cost? Do yoy have any other qualifying conditions?

Hi DDavis, I am thinking of putting some D-cell batteries in the pocket of my bluejeans for weighing-in. The absurdity is just hilarious, to think that at this weight I am not fat enough for something! I do take high blood pressure medicatoin and have a CPAP and hope those will throw me into the approval line. It's slow, this process -- I am waiting for an August 6th date just to get things started and then will know more about a timeline after that. One of my first questions has to do with the weight reported to the insurance company -- when that happens, whether they keep getting reports, etc. Assuming then I can start slimming down in advance of the surgery.

It looks as if we have some of the same issues. Have you contacted your insurance vompany regarding requirements? For me, if your bmi is between 35 and 40 you have one of the following: sleep apnea, blood pressure requiring three medications, or type 2 diabetes. I have the bp issue and I am scheduled for a sleep study on 7/19. I attended orientation yesterday and have my first appt with the doctor on 7/23. I too was wondering about having to maintain the weight during each office visit. That's a lot of food. ..

On the other hand, if I have to lose 10% of the weight I need to lose, I may no longer qualify? I am hoping that once approval is received, the weight loss no longer matters.

Hello' date=' my name is Audree. I was banded in January of 2007, so over 6 years ago. My surgery was done in Mexico by Dr. Ariel Ortiz. I am a self pay lower bmi bandster. I also have the Inamed 4cc band, low profile port. My highest weight before surgery was about 195. My lowest was about 160 and I am now a little up in weight at 175 or so. Its been a few years since I was able to go back to see him for a check up or fill, so I can eat with almost no restriction. The only exception to this is right before my cycle, if I am stressed or eat to fast. I had originally been on this board even before I got banded in 2007 under the screen name Babygotback. I tried to reactivate my old account but was unable to, so I created this new one.

I recently got married and have a new insurance. I was happy to find out that I could be seen here for check ups and fills by my new doctor in the States Dr. Phillippe Quilici in Burbank. I had my band checked and they said it was fine. I got a .5 fill which supposedly put me at 3.5 I thought they said. I felt very little restriction. So, I am going back this month on the 24th to get another fill. I am excited to use my band again after all this time and finally get down to my goal of 150.[/quote']

Well welcome back and thank God more insurance companies are recognizing the Lapband as a much needed and valid procedure.

I'm curious about the restriction of your band. What happens after your small band goes to the highest amount and what if you still don't feel restriction? Will your insurance cover you for a new band? Being as you had your first one in Mexico maybe they will cover a new band if you have any complications. I'm hoping you're set for smooth sailing and no complications come your way. Good luck!

Well welcome back and thank God more insurance companies are recognizing the Lapband as a much needed and valid procedure.

I'm curious about the restriction of your band. What happens after your small band goes to the highest amount and what if you still don't feel restriction? Will your insurance cover you for a new band? Being as you had your first one in Mexico maybe they will cover a new band if you have any complications. I'm hoping you're set for smooth sailing and no complications come your way. Good luck!

I have not thought of that, but I don't think it could get to the point of no restriction. The smaller bands are put on lower bmi patients because we have very little fat surrounding the stomach. In higher bmi patients, the stomach has fatty deposits around it so when you lose weight, you lose restriction when the fatty deposits get smaller. I am doing a 5 day pouch reset this week to get my pouch reset so it will be in optimal condition to have the next fill be as effective as possible. I am not sure about them replacing it, but these are good questions to ask. My fills are my $35 dollar co pay office visit and I was told if I ever had any complications, that they would remove it.

I am really excited to finish off the last stretch and get to my goal. Then the new journey begins of maintaining the weight off! Thanks for your encouragement!