Russian_BANDit_inNY

I found few 'no-fill' banders here. I chose to have no fills for as long as I am averaging 1+ lb a week.

Mindy

I am surprised because I was told to LIMIT sugar free food.

1 - if it is not sugar - it is chemical (in most case) substitute

2 - that sugar-free candies, pops...etc can give you gas.

I never had sugar in my coffee or tea, never had soda... the only thing I changed after band is substitute juices for Water.

And a LITTLE 'yummy in your tummy' - will not hurt :-)

NYU ( where she works) has few sessions a month that are required to attend to begin the process...

At that session I was told it is 16k upfront... That was in Jan 2011

You can find more info on payment and more - http://thinforlife.med.nyu.edu/surgical-weight-loss/getting-started/payment-options

I learned about sliming, bping, nutrition.... and more here. Hopping to get help with this issue as well :-)

I know all the general rules - if I don't need it, love it, or used in 1 year - give it away... But I am fighting myself because - I am glad I kept all those 'too small' things... lol

To get dressed is a project in itself. I refuse to buy more clothes that will fit me for maybe one month. I have plenty of "too small now" that will last me for months

Every week some things have to be moved from "too small" to " can wear now" and out of the "can wear now" to " "too big" closets.

I borrowed friends sawing machine to alter some of the pieces I absolutely can not pack into box (it is actually a very organized closet) full of things that are too big. So I now have another section in the closet - "to be altered" OMG

HELP PLEASE

How do I stop the insanity and find a simple way to clean up my closets .... any tricks, hints on how you deal with ever changing sizes and closet organization? When do you know It is time to box up and give away clothes that are too big?

Yours truly - Frustrated Bandit

Initial bill of 47k was sent to my insurance. Hospital forgot to include condition code and payment was denied. I am keeping my fingers x-ed hopping hospital will resubmit all needed info back to insurance so I would not need to pay :-/

This forum is great - you can find ton of info here.

And to start the process - find the best lap band doctor in your area who accepts your insurance (you might find some info in this forum http://www.lapbandtalk.com/forum/1140-massachusetts/) and talk to your pcp.

Good luck!!!

I have 9 incisions but only 6 new scars

Doctor made 3 insisions in the old scar :-)

I CAN eat everything I could eat before the band.

Just have to chew longer :-)

My Nut told me no straws to minimize the gas that leads to burping...

Would burping right after the surgery 'move' the band?

I am not sure ...

You should be fine - driving might be an issue?

I had surgery on Wed, came home Thursday. Back to desk job Monday.

Driving on bad NY roads is not pleasant so was walking everywhere for the first 10 days.

Does the band really help you lose the weight?

Also, would you do it again knowing what you know now?

Yes and YES

We all have different reason for why we got fat. Mine - I ate a lot. Good, healthy, organic foods but buckets and buckets ... nonstop. And calorie is a calorie is a calorie and they do add up.

What and how band works for me might not be same for you.

It is not all about restriction. Correct placement of the band presses on nerves that run to the brain and scream HUNGRYYY

I named my band - WILPOW (will power :-). I lost the uncontrollable hunger and gain ... I guess you can call it will power.

I am 12 weeks out and loosing 1.9lb a week with no fills.

Aja at NYU - Is a nightmare of the coordinator!!!

If anyone reading it - be prepared to go through hell to get all papers to insurance, clear instruction on what needs to be done, getting her to return your calls, and forget about getting anything but her voice mail.

I end up refusing to work with her, complained to the office manager ( Melissa?) who end up doing everything and was absolutely wonderful.

I guess you will have Dr Fielding for your surgeon - he is the BEST in the business!!

All this Aja trouble - will pass. Best of luck with the surgery.

I would

1 - request copy of your medical file from the doctor office;

2 - report them to your insurance;

3 - find a new doc.

in that specific order - so you would have all the paperwork in hand.

Just my 2c

Funny... but not something I would expect from a doctor I would go to for ANY surgery.

Most docs have a preference. My doctor works with both Lap-Band and Realize.

I asked and got the RealizeI - just a personal preference.

Some details - http://www.wlshelp.com/lap-band-vs-realize-band.html

WatchNMyW8 - Don't give up!!!

I have a friend who lost nothing in the first 3 years she had a band. Then she "woke up" and she is doing great in the last 6 month.

I am not a doctor, and newer to the band that you are... But I would hope you try to loos weight with the band (you already have it) before jumping into getting a bypass.

I am 5'1 and was 193 when I had my TT so I disagree about ps and ideal weight.

I am curious - your starting weight shown as 193 in the signature. You had TT before lap band?

U know that picuture with the little devil sitting on your shoulder with his pitchfork???? Tell ur friend to stop with the early sabatoge! lol

What ButerflyM said. Watch out for friends like that after the surgery as well!!!

My 2c ...

1) just playing with numbers here - you are 17 weeks post opp. And lost 41lb. That is 2.41lb/week WOW

2) you also 'almost never hungry'

I would NOT get a fill.

My nose starts to run when I am full. I have no fills and no restriction. So running nose is my signal to stop. I better not get a cold - or I will starve :-)

I know how you feel!

My doc's surgery coordinator took her sweet time to NOT send my docs to insurance.

She told me I need 6 month supervised diet - NOT TRUE;

She told me repeatedly that she send papers - SHE DID NOT.

Insurance requiered ONE two page form, during my appointment I asked and doctor completed it in front of me, I made sure the *(&^(% 'surgery coordinator' knows that form was the ONLY required form to fax - SHE DID NOT.

I opened the case with the insurance myself and established good relationship with my insurance rep.

After weeks of weighting I insited of NOT going through that one person from my docs office. And office manager faxed everything the same day.

Got approval from insurance in 30 min!!!!

If you feel something is not working, the papers are not moving - speak up. I did but after weeks of frustration.

My surgeon's office recommends 100% whey Protein isolate. I'm trying to understand the difference in Protein isolate vs protein concentrates. The main difference seems to be that the isolate is more easily digested.

some info on the 'whey protein vs isolate whey protein' - > http://www.bodybuildingforyou.com/protein/whey-protein-isolate-concentrate.htm

I made a mistake and got a ton of protein shakes and powders... Needed powder for pre-op & post-opp , that is 3 weeks total. I am getting all protein I need from food. NOT everyone is the same, but i do belive getting all your daily needs from regular foods is the best.

I admit it - I AM scale ADDICT as well

Do it at least 2ce a day and always double check.

I know I should not but I take this new addiction over the old food addiction

I had to stay overnight. Surgeon suggested I stay overnight after my surgery run over 2h due to complications (old surgeries created a lot of internal scars and <spikes?>)

It was Ok - was checked out early morning. Got extra fluids via IV, good sleep in reclining bad, and lots of walking around and round and around the same floor was boring but needed

I lost 42lb ...40% of my weight loos goal and did not go shopping yet.

Had planty of tight fit clothing that fit good now :-)

Also have a separate closet for clothes that are too big now - have hard time donating them... keep thinking "what if"