Vera

Obtech may be a distributor?? Its listed with C J Medical on my band which is an A.M.I. known also as a swiss band. The AMI is 11mm tall can hold 9.75cc's total. The Inamed(FDA approved) is 9mm tall.(don't know how much it will hold) note Inamed has a 11mm band also, which is not the FDA approved band, but is also use by some Mexico doctors.

I just got off the cycle! I try and do an hour non-stop, twice a week. If nothing else my legs will get thin:rolleyes: Does chaseing kids count as excersize?

Michelle You look great!!! Do you feel lighter? Does your head spring forward...LOL

Congratulation Roberta Wonderful weight loss! Check out Robin down on the "Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery" forum.

Nancy I apologize for talking over your thread. I hit my own nerve. I was sitting here looking forward to New Years, Going on a party boat (with sis in law whos flying out from Chicago) and about 11 others in the SF bay and just wondering what if....................My self esteem hasn't been all that high lately. Anyway I want to hear about whats going on with you. I'm trying to make plans to do stuff and its not easy, any advice? I wearing Black I'm serious.

Well said Bright There's the restriction in your mind that says " I'm ganna get sick if I don't stop now." I can only eat so much turkey, fish or chicken and feel it starting to fill into my esophagus. I feel full before I feel satisfied. My lap-bone is connected to my brain-bone, Sue your so funny!

Marsha I had Dr. Sanchez and stayed at the same Hospital and the same Hotel as Sue. It sound like the same trip as Hers and everything she says is correct. Cost was $10,850. Good Luck:cool:

Sue I'm laughing so hard. 2 of my friends called me Brenda Vaccaro.

Thanks Donali "Is it a cold that you have? It is very possible that the additional mucus will make you feel tighter as well. " Sinus infuc tion with the flu... Very interesting, Mucus I have! I'm feeling much better thanks, You should hear me talk I sound like minnie mouse, I had no voice 2 days ago. Thanks again

Hello All I'v been really sick for a few days and been mostly in bed but I have experienced some greater restriction in the last week. I believe it was Donali who said she got more restriction 4 weeks out from her fill(correct me if I'm wrong). My last fill was on 11/21/03 and I'm up to 3.5cc's note I have an AMI band which is taller then an Inamed band. I make these references cause I also study the differences and similarities if any among bands. Anyway during Thanksgiving I was able to eat alittle of everything with some restriction, I take vitamins cut in half every morning, I even have a carbonated water occasionally, not a problem. Then this last week I can't seem to keep small amounts of chicken, turkey and some fish down, chewed well. So I'v gone to yogurts, protein shakes... and really chopping food up. The worst episode was the meds for my sinus infection(Z-Pack) where I was to take 2 pills the first day then 1 there after. Well I chopped them in half and drank them down with a ton of water, there I was 15 minutes later on the bathroom floor with OBSTRUCTION, something was stuck and it hurt. All that could go through my mind was "here I go to the Hospital.. should I try and throw up" it finally passed, 10 minutes later again on the bathroom floor, the pain was intense!! Theirs something about a nice cold bathroom floor LOL. Well it happened a total of 3 times, the other half of the pill?? Now I'm crushing pills and learned a lesson. Boy am I restricted. The other thing I noticed is I don't feel very hungry maybe cause I'v been sick? I just thought I'd mention my experiences and also for those not noticing any restriction after a fill, just give it alittle more time. Then again everybody's different.

Anne Back in June, I did call my insurance co. to see if they covered lap and was told with "medical review". After reading and speaking to others regaurding the approval process, I realized my chances were slim, I'd be fighting all the way and could take (I'v heard of 6 mos., a year).. to get aproved. I didn't want to wait, I didn't want to get fatter. I was missarable and knew I wanted a band. I didn't know of any extremly qualified doctors in my area either. So I made more calls to patients of Dr. Sanchez and decided to go to MX....I'm so glad I did, I feel better each day. Lately I'v heard of people being approved in just a few weeks, but not those with my ins co. A new doctor opened his practice near me the day I had my sugery. I use him for fills, he says alot of people want the band but there not getting the ins approvals. So with time I'm seeing more advances in the Lap Band world. I hope the Insurance companys will come up the the bat.

Thanks Barb, My AMI buddy! Sandy I too had a BMI of 41 and knew the Insurance game would be tough, BUT I have put in a claim as soon as I got back from MX, Blue Cross wanted Doctor op notes, which I provided, then they just rejected my claim. So I'm trying to get some kind of appeal/explanation of future problems that I may incounter if I were to continue to be obese and the family history of obesity... Eric, Ann-Marie husband, says a lady in Minn. got her Insur. to pay 50%, so its worth trying harded to recover some of my expences. If you think you might put in a claim, make sure you get all your paper work before you leave MX receipt of amount paid doc op instructions your band type and its s/n Have them e-mail copies as well. Some other patients of Dr. Sanchez have had a hard time geting all the info they need once they've come back into the US. I have got everything that I have requested, not a problem. Dr Sanchez himself is one of the best lap doctors there is! He is truly wonderfull. Good luck

You are BEAUTIFUL! what a smile.

I know of a great doctor in San Jose, Ca. Dr. Robert Mckeen www.southbaybariatrics.com He charged me $75.00 for a (his first) blind fill. He did remove most of my first fill,(check for leaks) then gave me a fresh fill. Good luck

So Happy for you:D

Quick When I decided on Dr. Sanchez in late July and spoke several times with Ann Marie. (Had some blood work done.) It was a matter of getting an airline ticket and telling them when I was coming. I flew in on 8/13/03 at 10:30 pm, was picked up by Alex the driver, brought to a hotel, had surgery 12:30 pm on 8/14/03, spent the night in the hospital, spent the next night back at the hotel, then left 6:00 am on 8/16/03 back home. Was back to work monday 8/18/03. Dr. Sanchez has been very busy! also look into finding a fill doctor in your area, one that fills MX patients, ask if they fill AMI or non-Inamed bands. You might want to demand an Inamed band with Dr. Sanchez. I have an AMI and am very happy with it and have a great fill doctor. Good luck He is one of the best doctors!! his staff can be a bit busy at times.

Thanks They had a way of makeing me feel like I wasn't good enough, so now I don't feel like being around them. But they are family and I will smile, and maybe some day I'll let them know how they made me feel. Accepted not Excepted ... Thanks again

This might be unrelated but.. My betterhalf's family would rarely talk to me during get-togethers, I felt as if I were jugded for my looks and that I had problems, they seem so fake. Now I'v lost some weight and inches and I'm looking better, they are speaking to me, I feel like screeming, I'm only excepted if I'm thin, people can be so rude. Its the person inside, your soul I try to see. Take care of yourself first!

My rings and watch spin Thick socks in my shoes. I get cold, I was always sweating before. I'm doing more with the kids, energy. The betterhalf says I much happier now, and so is he. I'm trying to shrink my clothes too. (Gave some to a Womens shelter) I need to get more clothes that fit. Isn't it grand.

Hi Kathy Sounds like your doin great and feeling happy! Looks like you might hit goal by next summer:D Keep up the good work and Congratulations

The night before my band placement surgery I had a dream that I ate a pickle without chewing it then started panicking because I thought I was going to pop my band or something horrible was going to happen. I told the nurse about it, laughing she said your still having your last supper in bed. It scared me so much to this day I chew very well, and yes I'v had a pickle since then.

Isn't it odd that the guys all want some perfect girl, when they themselves are not without flaws. Accept me for who I am. I have alittle theory, relationships are like stepping stones to your soulmate. Theres someone out there just for you. I'm probably not much of a comfort for you now, but I do feel for you and your not alone.

Misty You can find a list of doctors on www.obesityhelp.com Once your on the site, on the left open "find a bariatric dr" pick your state, in the middle of the list it shows who does lap. Hopefully this could help. Good luck:D

Sometimes it feels good just to talk and let feelings out. I will listen. I just got a good fill too. I cook the meals and sit with the family then watch them eat. Keep smiling:)

Congratulations In the beginning the weight drops fast, you've got a great start! Keep it up....20 lbs a month is a bit much for future expectations. My numbers on the bottom are: Day of band placement , dr. weight on day of surgery/weight today/goal You can do what you please, welcome to this forum and to bandland!