Fluffy

I love it here in ND. We can afford to live in the country here and have horses and pets and enjoy some peace and quiet, yet drive 10 miles in to town and shop at nearly every major store you can imagine. We have it all. OK so I will admit, winter was a little long and crazy this year.... but... I really like it here in ND. Oh yeah, and my main reason for posting in this thread is to say that I have 6 kids. My husband and I work hard, have good insurance, don't rely on govt anything or welfare of any kind, we feed them well, we take good care of them, we homeschool even though our tax dollars go to the public school system and we have to pay for all our homeschool supplies out of our pockets...... we are not super religious bible thumping freaky people who drink blood or anything else (well, my husband does like his bourbon on occasion but who doesn't??). We are NORMAL people who wanted a big family. We used to believe we were QUIVERFULL minded but, I believe my quiver is FULL and I am done having kids. I associate with a lot of quiverfull folks because they, like me, have larger families and we talk about how to feed and care for our larger families and laundry and all sorts of large family issues. I must say that I don't know hardly any of them who rely on govt. for anything either (welfare or food stamps or anything like that). Anyhoo.... My children are healthy, happy, thriving, they have everything a kid could want including acres and acres of trees to climb, horses to ride, dogs and cats to love..... they have it all. We really do have it all. And we have worked hard for it all and no one has given us anything. So........ that's my thoughts on the topic. From a mom of 6 kids the baby of 6 kids whose mom was one of 13 kids and I love love love the family reunions when we get to see our 200+ cousins, it is such a blast.

The team at Mid-Dakota in Bismarck is WONDERFUL. Dr. Schmit is my surgeon and though I have not yet had my LB I have had other things done by him. LOVE HIM. You could call there and talk to his nurse KAY, and ask about the fill thing. They are such nice nice people I wonder if they wouldn't fill for someone who had the surgery out of state. Of course they have to understand that if your insurance isn't paying and you can save so much money you would go out of state for surgery. You can call KAY at 530-6039. She is incredibly kind and I am sure she would help you.

Hello!! I am in Bismarck, ND. My surgery is on May 10th. I can't wait!!!!!!! They told me that return to work is usually within 3-4 days.

I am in Bismarck ND. My doctor here is really awesome. He has done other things for me (removed lump in breast). He is at Mid-Dakota Clinic, Dr. Schmit. I have BCBS of IL so I am waiting, praying, that they approve and surgery goes fine..... May 10th. If they don't approve then I have to cancel. Praying praying praying!!<br /> <br /> I know there are others here who have said they went to Meritcare in Fargo and had good experiences.

Hello Everyone! My appt for pre-surgery stuff is on the 16th and from what I understand as long as my insurance pays my surgery will be VERY soon after. The nurse said I would have it all done in 5-6 weeks from the day I talked to her last, which was over 4 weeks ago, so I am hoping I will be with you guys in April. I am SO excited to get my life back. I don't think I will have any prob with insurance as I have a 5+ year history of doctoring with weight issues and I have co-morbidities too. (PCOS, HIGH Cholesterol, Thyroid issues, and borderline diabetes, as well as other stuff like a lot of pain and trouble sleeping etc). So, wish me luck. And GOOD LUCK to all of you as well!!

There may be some antibiotics you can take during pregnancy. I got sinus infections almost every pregnancy and took a couple different kinds of antibiotics. Best of luck to you!

I have told my mom and I was surprised at how excited and supportive she was, is. I just hope that she doesn't tell everyone because I am not prepared for that, at least not yet. I do not want to tell my inlaws. They have never liked me anyway and I don't need them to have any more reason to judge me. So, we will see how that works out. I never imagined that sometimes people are really *mad* at a person for this, or really THAT judgemental... Wow. Something to really think about, that's for sure. Thank you all for the input!!!

WOW that is a drastic reaction. How horrible. You know, I lost my sister last year to lung cancer. Every single day I cry and miss her so so much. It just crushes me to see things like this -- you still have your sister but she is acting awful toward you. People taking life for granted, you know. One of the reasons why I made the decision to get this surgery is that I know my sister worried about me and would have been supportive of me doing this. I don't want to take my health or my life for granted and I want to be here for my kids as they grow up. Doddie, I am so sorry she has treated you like this. I need a sister. You can be my sister anytime!!!!!!! :bolt: HUGS!!

What great replies! I have a few questions. Two of you have said you had other surgery, one was hiatal hernia. I am wondering first of all if they can do the hiatal hernia surgery along with the lap band and if not, how much in advance do they do that before the lapband? I may need that done myself. Also, If the doctor would do a tubal ligation (have 6 kids) during the lapband I would really like that... otherwise we are going to go with hubby having a vasectomy.... but I was just thinking, if it can be done at the same time, why not just do that? Does anyone know? THANK YOU!

I wonder how many of us have kept this a secret from others and how that works. I am struggling between not telling anyone but my mom and husband, and telling everyone in hopes of perhaps helping someone who needs help or inspiration.

Hello Disney! So happy to meet another person from the great north tundra who is going through this. Definitely keep us posted on how you're doing and what happens. I am so excited.... I pray I am not denied. What kind of Ins do you have?

Thanks so much!

Hello everyone! I am wondering. Did you all have to stay in the hospital overnight or did you go home the same day as the surgery? Thanks so much!

Hello there, I feel really bad for you going through this and hope and pray that you find the answer for you. I know I am excited planning the surgery and I can't imagine how disappointed I will be if my insurance doesn't approve it. I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 22. The weight came on and I have never been able to lose it. It is very difficult with PCOS to lose weight. I volunteer with a website that may be of help to you. www.projectpcos.org Keep us posted on how you're doing!

Keith Thank you for sharing your experience with us! I wish you speedy healing. I am sorry that you have had to suffer like this!

Thank you Mary1094. I miss her. But losing her has been a real motivation for me to start LIVING, and get healthy. She is my guardian angel now. :think

Hi!! So exciting to meet neighbors!! I am going to Dr. Schmit in Bismarck. I live here in Bismarck and I have had him before. He did a biopsy on my breast in November. He was so kind. My sister had passed away a week prior (cancer) and I was really sad. His bedside manner just touched my heart. So... I am sticking with him. The coordinator for bariatric surgeries there is really great too. Mexico huh? How much less did it cost there? Best Wishes, Tarra

Hello! I just joined. I live in ND and am looking forward to having the lapband surgery sometime mid to end of April. Hopefully my insurance cooperates and it goes that fast. I am very, very excited with my decision and looking forward to a new life of better health. I have BCBSIL if anyone has experience with them let me know. Thanks a bunch! Tarra