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It has been a while since I was on here. I havent lost weight in a while. Insurance issues as well as not having a job anymore, really put a damper on my success. Anyway, I havent gained which is a good thing. Once you have no insurance to pay for the band any longer, youre treated differently with your surgeon, at least this is how I see it. And it happened. to me. I had a fill, about a month ago, everything was going great. I started the gradual loss of weight again. Well, last Friday, I started having acid reflux, and then my band got tight. So, For an entire weekend I did not eat or drink. Talk about not having energy, and a quick loss of 10 lbs. I was hurting, all over. Physically and mentally. I called my doctor that weekend, and he refused to see me. Told me to go get a bag of Fluid. I seen him on Monday he took all the fill out. With my inability to pay the bill, he wants to see me in Feb. Anyway, 2 days ago, I started getting choked again, only with food. And throwing up. I hurt when I eat, and the acid is unbearable. I can drink. But eating is out. I have no money or insurance to pay to get my band fixed. I know it has slipped. In fact I believe I felt when it actually happened. I dont know what to do. I hurt. And I just cant afford to have this done. What will happen if I just keep drinking? Will I lose the ability to drink too?

On another note, before I lost my job, I was approved for gastric bypass, because of all the problems I was having with the band. Since I have had the band, I have had problems. I was even told by my surgeon that I wasnt supposed to have the band because of my GI disease. I dont know what is left to do, it is bad enough, that my husband just lost his job too. I am stuck, and at times I feel I will die. Maybe I am being too paranoid, but, I cant help but feel this. The way I have felt over a course of a week is unbearable.

If I had a choice to do this over, I would have done the sleeve. For all those who are considering the band, it is a great tool for those of you who DO NOT have GI disease. I lost 100lbs in a year and a half.

I need help and advice from anyone. Thanks for listening.

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I wish I knew what to tell you! The stress of not working is enough to deal with at this time and to have your band in trouble is more than you should have to deal with now.

Have you tried talking with your surgeon, explaining that you & your husband have lost your jobs and you are physically in trouble from the band? Ask him that if he felt you should have had the gastric bypass, why did he do a band instead? Is he just after money from any surgery instead of what is best for your health?

I know that what I said isn't going to help you but I do wish the best for you and hope you will keep us informed of your future.

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I really dont know what is going on with my doctor. When I have money, and are able to pay he is all nice. He gets frustrated that my band has a habit of getting tight after a month. I have gone through this for over a year now. I went Monday, and he was in a good mood with all the other patients, I could hear him in the other rooms, laughing and carrying on. He basically didnt want to help me out until I get insurance and a job. Its crap. I got the band, because I was tired of being huge. And my health is better. Do they want me to fail? So he comes into the room I was in, and is frowning, and he really didnt want to talk to me. I would love to know if I can get on medicaid, and get gastric done regardless, and just go to a different doctor. What I really want is the sleeve. Anyway, I really dont know what my doctors problem is, he seems like he cares one moment, and then changes when you have problems.

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Please make sure that you research the sleeve carefully before having it if you get insurance/job. It is fairly new, insurance doesn't cover it yet and it hasn't stood the test of time yet. At least that was what I was told at the pre-surgery seminar that I attended.

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A lot of insurance companies will not cover the sleeve. So I would highly doubt that Medicaid would. I hope you feel better. Maybe you could call the Dr.'s office and speak with one of the office staff and explain the situation. Ask them if they have any suggestions for you? Many times the office staff is extremely knowledgeable.

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What GI disease do you have?

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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