running_scared

Wow, passive aggressive much?

Ok, I know that alcohol contains empty calories, and it should be limited or avoided to maximize weight loss, but that being said, does anyone drink with the lap band? A few times a year, I wind up out with my girlfriends, and we tie one on. Is that going to be something of the past, once I have my band? A friend of mine, who is going to be banded after me, thinks that the band will lower our alcohol tolerance. Is that true? What was your experience?

You look HOT! Good job!

Oh no! That's so crappy. I hope it is a minor issue this time.

Why wait to see the doctor? If you've got a slip starting, you might want to get that diagnosed ASAP.

I think it sounds like the doctor was trying to get your insurance to cover most of the costs, but I think the lap band only costs about $17,000 altogether, so it seems like they might have over billed your insurance by a lot.

How would she hold it over you? Any why? Seems very immature.

I'm going to have to tell the people I work with, as I have a fairly physical job, and I'm going to be taking 5 weeks off (I work on an oil rig). I'm just telling them that I'm having a hiatus hernia repair. I'm going to be telling my consulting supervisor (I'm a consultant, so I can take as much time off as I can afford) that I'm having an abdominal surgery, so they know that I might not be 100% when I do return.

Maybe try sucking on some ice chips.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/editorial_1374.shtm#1

Could you save up for it? Taking out a loan for such a large amount, is a big financial commitment.

I'd get the gallbladder out. I would have LOVED to have that option, instead of the months and months of chronic pain, and acute attacks.

It would be an insurance thing, as opposed to an employer program, wouldn't it?

What was the specific issue your friend had? I'm willing to bet it was a more rare complication.

I think it's all the swelling and infection that causes that. My surgeon was very concerned that I would wind up with an infection, but I got lucky!

My gallbladder attacks started as a pain under my right ribs, and it felt like someone was poking me. Then as they got worse, the nausea started, and it would feel like someone was reaching into my chest, and pulling my ribs apart, right from left, and the pain would travel over to my back. I am not banded yet, and I had my gallbladder out over 4 years ago. I also have IBS, so it took a long time for my digestive track to adjust, but I'm all cool now. The surgery was by far less painful than the attacks themselves. Mine was also infected and very enlarged when they removed it, and it took them hours to do the surgery, as it has welded itself to my liver (eww, lol). Also, they got 7 or 8 1/3 inch stones out of it. I wouldn't be too hesitant to get rid of it, as I've felt so much better overall, without that demon organ! Good luck.

What are sense sprinkles?

Boo! Good luck.

I'm starting to think that I might have a lot of really supportive people around me, and that maybe I should tell a few more of them. So far, I have only told DH (obviously, lol) my BFF, a friend who has announced that he is getting banded the week after I am, and another really good friend.

I told my BFF about my plans to get a lap band, and she wondered if I might want to do a 'last big meal' party, or go out for something fancy. Part of me thinks that it would just encourage my overeating, but part of me kind of wants to. Did you do something like that?

Doesn't having someone on the show a form of endorsement?

Did he say that they would be able to do the surgery in Ontario? I would just call the line again, and ask those questions, if you are really determined. Or just gain like 15 pounds, and reapply.

I really hope they don't do that. Have you had counselling, to find out why you have a problem with food?

I haven't had the surgery yet, I am booked for April.

I'm not saying that it won't work, it probably will. My point is more that this is a serious, life-altering surgery, and I wouldn't even be considering it, if I was your weight. In fact, if I get to your weight, I would be super happy. I am fighting for my life, and I fear that I am going to die way too young (just like my Mom). I just feel like getting weight loss surgery at under a BMI of 40, is like blowing out a candle with a fire hose. Have you considered the gastric balloon? It is way less invasive, and it gets removed after 6 months. SWLC also does them in Ontario.