kacee

Looking forward to being "Spivak'd" on May 23. Can't wait! (Hope I can figure out how to get my ticker working....)

A lot of folks have not probably heard of places like Teavana (we have several here in Houston in the malls). This is an excellent place to go try out different teas (they have tons and tons of different types), so you can get spice teas, chai teas, green and white teas, herbal teas, many of which are not caffeinated. I am very addicted to teas now. I have probably 15 different kinds in cannisters at home and am constantly brewing it up. I'm not worried about getting my liquids in because I could live on tea and you can get enough diversity with the many types you can find where it doesn't ever get boring (at least for me). There's also a website called Adagio teas online.

Okay, I am assuming stuff gets stuck because you eat too big a bite or don't chew enough, right? Or does stuff get stuck because of the type of food it is? If something gets stuck....what do you do? I saw where someone walked and walked and walked. Do you barf or what?

Can y'all eat raisins? I like oatmeal, but only if it has lots of raisins in it. Do they plug up the pipe or go through?

I think I am fat for several reasons, not the least of which is that I have a small starving Chinese child living somewhere inside me who continues to remind me to clean my plate because of the starving children in China.... I am hoping Dr. Spivak will excise that little kid when he puts my lap band on! The other is, it's a whole lot easier not to have to deal with people by being fat. Gives me an excuse to hide from the world and not deal with folks.

I am looking at my banding coming up in late May. My biggest concern is that I have this nasty double chin thing and that it will turn in to a turkey waddle when I lose the weight. Do you find that your chins go away or just fall to your collar bones? I am 55 but have good skin.....

I am GETTING my CPAP next week some time. My sleep test was what prompted me to go ahead and decide on the lap banding. I NOW have hypertension, high triglycerides, high cholesterol, pulmonary hypertension, and NOW OSA. :omg: I said enough is enough.

Has anyone here used Bodymint? It's a chlorophyll tablet (made in Hawaii) that you can take which helps with bad breath, feet smell, body odor, etc. from the inside out....as opposed to breath mints, etc. I've used it for about a year because I have stinky feets problem (**poooooeeee!** :faint: ) and it has really worked. I hope I can continue to use it after being banded. It turns your poop green (which is a good conversation starter at a party), but it does seem to do the things it says. I haven't found it in any health food stores (they give me this blank look), but I just send off for mine on line.

Okay, I am in the market for a good pill crusher....I take Vytorin,Tricor,Toprol, and Diovan daily and that's a lot of big pills I won't be able to take when I am banded. Here's a great link I found. Has anyone tried any of these? http://www.forgettingthepill.com/tools.html

What do you folks use for a journal? I cannot BELIEVE that ther isn't a journal published for patients of the lap band...customized with sections each day for food intake, adverse reactions, hunger ratings, general comments, weight status, stuff like that. I Googled and found zippo. This absolutely astounds me. Isn't there something out there????? Somebody is missing one HECK of an opportunity if not!

Do you mean Spivak's meetings on Tuesday? I will go to as many as I can. I live in Clear Lake so it's not 100% convenient, but I will try. How many folks show up generally?

Betsyjane, I see you are a Dr. Spivak veteran. Your BMI also looks in the neighborhood of mind. How have you done since your banding? I anticipate surgery in mid-late May. Waiting for CIGNA response now.

I have Cigna and a requirement of their's is that you be on a doctor sponsored weight loss program for a minimum of 6 months. I have not done that. However, I have hypertension, high lipids, high cholesterol, pulmonary hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and diabetes runs in my family. Has anyone else not had to fulfill that requirement? You'd think the medical issues might be considered more important.

Hi all. I am a future patient (current patient, future surgery) of Dr. Spivak. I've been to the seminar and have applied to insurance. Will be getting it done whether they pay or not. Having been overweight all my life (since age 8...I am now 55) I feel like I am taking control of my life FOR ONCE.

Hi....future bander here (figure in about 6 weeks or so). I see people talk about their "shoulder hurting"....exactly where IS the port anyway? I kindof figured it would be up under my boob or something.:phanvan

Txbecca....how did you like Dr. Spiegel. I go Saturday to the seminar. I am getting this done whether it is insurance covered or not. And where do you guys get the BMI graphic at the bottom? I am 55, 5'3", 220 (for twelve years but overweight ALL my life) and I have HAD it.