leatha_g

Yep. That amount was held out in reserve, for authorizations. I FINALLY had it restored last night, after calling my bank several times and them telling me that the vendor HAD to call and tell them it was a mistake. Otherwise, if they don't see the paperwork for the charges it will hold your account for a minimum of 3 business days before it releases the charge. Randy Lutz <RANDYLUTZ@WEINSTOCKMARKETING.COM>is who I corresponded with and I do think he may have tried to return a call early this morning, but didn't leave a message on either my work phone or cell phone, which he called both. Their number should be on your bank account where it was charged. RandyLutz@WeinstockMarketing.com is the email I was emailing.

Teresa, So sorry to hear of this and at Christmastime too. :confused: I sincerely hope you're okay and I'm very sorry to hear about your car. :confused:

Darn! I'm really sorry to hear this. Surely there is an appeal process?

Yea. I miss you too, Donali!! Merry Christmas!

Yikes! It does sound as if you may be either eating too quickly or not chewing your food to a more 'mush' state. I've heard of some people having issues with chicken, but I've never had more than a very real 'stop' sign saying that I am done with it. Pb'ing is never fun and like you, the times I have had to do it, one trip has not really always taken care of the offending piece of material. You do know that once you've PB'd your meal is over, right? That is the rule with the band. If you pb, never return and try to eat more. This means you are 'done' with that meal and your tummy/esophagus needs to rest after that episode. Also, some foods just automatically can be a problem. Mashed potatoes you definitely have to go slow with, if at all, due to the fact that they 'settle' around the opening of your band, sort of like sand in a funnel. They'll pass, but they do tend to settle first and move slowly downward. Another reason why our 'guideline's state that we should avoid breads, rice, Pasta and potatoes. Firstly, these are high calorie choices, but secondly and really more importantly, they are going to eventually turn on us and make us regret it. lol. Also, please be careful not to get into this 'eat and pb' rut. This is very dangerous to your esophagus AND your band. It is going to happen, but it sure should not be happening every week or several times a week. It'll take time to adjust, but go very very slowly and chew until everything is basically disintegrated and DO NOT drink to wash it on through. You're doing great with the weight loss!! Congratulations!

Yes! I did get an email this morning. You can bet I'll be watching my bank account today.. Geez!! "Dear Ms. Goldsmith, We are part of the fulfillment arm of a publishing company which process your order. While balancing the orders today we found errors that occurred during import which we have applied to our credit card account. Because we found these error after the cut off time you will not see them until tomorrow which is the next business day. For the inconvenience we have also credited your account an additional $16.45 so the book will cost you nothing. - Customer Service - "

Lauri, I'm sorry to hear you're not feeling well. I do hope your doc made an appt for you to get that testing done. I don't know alot about MS myself, however, you can certainly find lots of information online about any disorder. One thing to remember, however, alot of information is outdated and great strides have been made in many illnesses, so you have to read it objectively. It's real easy to let your imagination get the best of you with these kinds of things. Hopefully there will something easier to explain about your sudden onset of symptoms. Educate yourself with what 'can be' and pray for something better. :confused: Keep us posted!

WARNING!! WARNING!!! You guys need to really watch your cards you sent in for this book. I have just looked at my bank account, where I used my debit card. This company had not only charged my account the $16.45 for the SECOND time (it was charged on 11/5) but, it has also charged my account for $378.50!!!!!!!!!!! Luckily, I called the bank right away and disputed the charge and showed them where this company has already gotten their money on 11/5 when I first ordered the book, but imagine my heart attack when I went to find my account overdrawn with some strange charge of $378.50.. I am so NOT happy right now! I am certain (I hope) that this is a big big mistake on their part, but this mistake now holds my account in freeze state until the dispute is cleared up, which ties my hands money-wise. This is so unfair. Thankfully, all my bills for the mid-month check had already gone out of the account. Amazing!! Simply amazing!! By the way, I did call the number associated with the charge and let them have a piece of my mind (voice mail, of course!). After this, my book should be damn well free of charge. lol

Welcome Patty! 18 months here, minus 67lbs. I feel alot the same way as you. As long as I'm headed in the right direction and not gaining I'm so much better off! Glad to have you join us!

I have used a straw since my first day home from surgery. I'm not sure I understand why some say no. I think it has to do with swallowing air, but I gotta tell ya. I can 'sip' a whole lot better with a straw than I can sip straight from the glass. Also.. when moving to full liquids, it is said 'anything you can sip through a straw' is legal for that phase, so that pretty much tells me I could use a straw. Funny how each doctor makes up their own rules.

Welcome! I second Marie's vote that you clearly MUST have met your prospective 'fill' doctors and gotten their word that you will be treated. Many are given names and find out 'after' their surgeries that these docs will not see them at all. Please don't get caught in that trap of assumption and be left out in the cold.

Nope. No book here!

So glad to hear all is well, Teresa! It'll be no time at all before you're telling us how much weight you've lost! Welcome to the fold!

Welcome Blu!

Thank you Betty, I was beginning to get concerned.

Thank you so much Tellie!! Here's wishing you and yours a safe and happy holiday season also!!

I've not met him personally, but I've talked to quite a few of his patients via these message boards. I've never heard anything bad about him at all, in fact, most of his patients rave about him. I do believe I've heard mentioned that his office is very busy and sometimes it takes awhile to get appointments. I also know he doesn't take all insurances or take patients who've been banded elsewhere for fills. Not sure that helps any, but I know we have some folks who know him lurking about, maybe they'll have something to add. Welcome!!

Me too. I've resorted to canned chicken breast this evening and a few wheat thins. Something has got to give, cause I am NOT willing to go backwards!!! And, you know, the world we live in is not a safe place, by any means. Tomorrow, we're all supposed to bring a dessert for Christmas! Argghhhhh.. I'm baking a pecan pie, that way I can't sneak into it without the others noticing. lol. I came SOOO close to baking Cookies and had to talk myself into reality, like a frickin junkie... :think

That's great news!! Study, study study, so you'll know what to expect. No surprises after surgery is so reassuring. Remember, you will NOT wake up skinny and you may not lose by leaps and bounds UNTIL you have restriction. Often people even gain a few lbs back before they actually get restriction. It's better to know these upfront so you don't suddenly get scared something is wrong afterwards. You'll do great! Congrats on getting a date!

I would definitely tell her you'll be needing that letter with as much documentation as possible of her knowledge of your weight issues. Every time she has counseled you about losing may be a mark in your favor.

If you have been reading this site for a long time, you'll recall that most all new bandsters come here saying they are gaining or they are as hungry as ever after their surgery. This is a very common complaint, but one that is expected. this too shall pass. This is what we call bandster purgatory, or the pre-fill stage. Any weight lost in the first 6 weeks after banding is purely bonus. You have no restriction, most often and it takes a while for your body to decide you're serious about not feeding it anymore. Most weight loss during this time is actually water and often returns by the time you actually do get restriction. Good luck and welcome!

Yikes!! LOL, now there's an 'after' picture.. hmm, Congratulations?? ??

Awesome! Maybe mine will be there today too then!

Great photo Vera! Gorgeous kiddos! Like their mama! Thanks for sharing!

Be careful with how much extra protein you get in. Your body can only assimilate so much at a time and sometimes, too much can cause kidney problems. You definitely don't want that. Good luck!