Lisa H

Sandi, I lve your story, and would really like to pick your brain about your success. I was banded almost 3 years ago and had a lot of complications with the right amount of Fluid in my band. May I pick your brain???? Lisa H

Ft. Lauderdale is very close to Dr.Szomstein at the Cleveland Clinic in Weston, FL. I don't know if he would do your fills, but is would be worth trying!

Did you find a chewable vitamin that doesn't cause problems after you quit Flintstones?

Hi Alexandra, I always like to read your posts-they're very insightful for me. I see that your band slipped after almost four years. How did you know there was a problem, and do you know what caused it? I start my pre-op diet tomorrow, and will be banded on June 1st. I have a hiatal hernia, and have heard that it can cause a band to slip. Needless to say, I'm pretty worried about that. Also, did you get to a point that your band had the right amount of saline, or do you still have to go back for fills periodically for life? Thanks for any info you can give me! Lisa

Hi Alexandra, I always like to read your posts-they're very insightful for me. I see that your band slipped after almost four years. How did you know there was a problem, and do you know what caused it? I start my pre-op diet tomorrow, and will be banded on June 1st. I have a hiatal hernia, and have heard that it can cause a band to slip. Needless to say, I'm pretty worried about that. Also, did you get to a point that your band had the right amount of saline, or do you still have to go back for fills periodically for life? Thanks for any info you can give me! Lisa

I too have BC/BS Federal Employee Program, and my Drs office said, "You do know you have the BEST insurance, don't you?" I didn't, but when I called one week after my Drs visit I was told I was approved! Just make sure your Dr is a preferred provider and you should be set! Good luck

I'm hoping to be banded May 24th or 25th to have the long weekend to recover. I hope we're not being too optimistic about going back to work on Tuesday!

My Dr. won't give me a date until all of my test results are back. He said that works best because I may have to be on antibiotics for a couple of weeks or may require more test based on the results of the first tests. (My Dr. requires ten different tests to begin with!) Although my insurance co. has already approved the surgery, I can't get a date yet. I would call the Dr's office and ask what their policy is. Good luck! I too, am having difficulty being patient :phanvan

I have a question for those of you who've already been banded. What is the minimum amount of time I should plan to take off from work? I've been approved by my insurance, and I'm in the process of going through ten different pre-op tests that my doctor requires. Things are going well and I hope to be finished soon and ready to set a surgery date. Anyway, we are going on a cruise the first week of July, and I don't want to be liquids or mushies while I'm on the cruise. If I could have surgery on a Thursday, do you think I would be ready to go back to work on the following Tuesday? (I would be able to sit at a desk most of the day.) I know everyone is different, but I'd like to see how long the average person has to take off work.

I'm very excited because my insurance has approved the band for me! I've completed several of the pre-op tests, but I have to do the esophageal motility test next week. Is it hard to "not gag" when they put the tube down your throat? I look forward to sharing my experiences here. Reading all of your responses has helped me know I'm making the right decision! Thanks everyone!

I am waiting to see if my ins. will pay for my banding. Dr Szomstein in Weston Florida at the Cleveland Clinic is my Dr. I'm very excited, but have two big questions for those of you who have already been banded. I am 100 pounds overweight. I've heard that I should only expect to lose about 50% of that with banding-Is that true? Also I've heard that with banding, many people feel full but hungry at the same time-Is that true?