Kristy
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Posts posted by Kristy
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Congrats Patty. Hang in there through all the testing and meetings, your surgery day will come! I have found this site to be the best on-line tool and have even had the opportunity to meet 2 really nice ladies from my area who are both bandsters. So keep coming back!
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Hey Teresa,
This is sooo cool!!! What a great experience. I think that just about every American was rooting for Rupert to get the "America's Choice" million. So nice when good things happen to good people. And you....great pictures and what a beautiful smile! You look great in red. Tell me more at our next coffee session!
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Carmen,
Thank you for sharing today. It is helpful to me (a relative newbie) to have realistic expectations of what is to come. I keep reminding myself that although I am changing how food its into my life and all the ah-ha's that come with that, that the band is a tool and I need to work with it to accomplish my goal.
By the way, I think I started this journey already being considered a 'bitch' by some because I am a tad bit out spoken. I wonder if it will get worse (maybe that isn't possible)?!?!
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...and then tomorrow, time to kick off the Holiday shopping with elbow shoving, cart-wedging, price-slashing SALES! Stack up your ads, route your path, call you shopping partner, set the coffee maker for 5 am and then GO (or stay in bed and keep your ribs intact!).
Happy Holidays!
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Hi MomHappe1,
I too am were you are. Banded 4 days after you and getting my first fill next Thursday. I lost about 20 pounds and then plateaued as well. It is a little hard not to be anxious about 'not loosing' right now but as others point out, ya gotta look at the bigger picture and this is just a 'stage'.
Hang in there and good luck on your first fill next week!
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Hi Fran,
My cardiologist said something negative about the band and patients not losing weight as quickly as with bypass, and that the band wasn't as 'good'. I gave him some info and let it be as I didn't need his approval to have surgery. I work with physicians and I find a variety of responses from "What is that?" to "...doesn't work" to "Cool!" I think that if they are uninformed and providing care to a patient, they don't want to be held responsible should there be issues (sue-scared).
My experience so far has been very positive. I get my first fill on 12/2 (yes, the day you have surgery--I'll be thinking of ya) and I have lost 20 pounds already. I have ZERO regrets and doubt I ever will have any. I knew this was absolutely the right procedure for me.
Stay strong in your desire to get the band as a tool that will transform your life in such a positive way.
I'll be keeping you in my thoughts on 12/2!
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Hi Blossom,
Great pics -- I would use number 2 because it shows off your great smile!
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Hi Fran,
Congrats on getting a surgery date! I was banded 3 short weeks ago and am feeling GREAT! No regrets and everything went fine for me. I know that the pre-surgery jitters can be a little unnerving but just trust that this is happening for you now for a reason. I will keep you in my thoughts.
Good luck!
Kristy
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Hi Danyielle,
I had my band implanted by Dr. Montgomery, in Kirkland Washington. It was $18,000 and included surgeons fees, hospital stay (one day), anestesiologist and one year of aftercare (fills ect). Outpatients there pay $17,200 (extra $800 for the one night in the hospital -- needed due to other conditions). I have still asked both the doc and hospital to submit a bill to insurance...who knows if they might pick up part. Good luck to you!
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Hi Everyone! (Disclaimer: Long post here...) I was banded by Dr. Kevin Montgomery in Kirkland Washington on 10/25 (2 weeks ago). I live in Eugene Oregon - about a 5 hour drive from Dr. Montgomery but after researching the various docs in the NW who perform this surgery and talking with some, I decided to go with Montgomery (Northwest Weightloss Surgery). So far, NO regrets of any kind. I have a sister and friend up in Seattle and occasionally have to travel there for business, so making appts is not a problem and gives me chance to visit and shop!
I came to the conclusion that there was no turning back this summer when I found out that I will need to have my aortic valve replaced in about 5 years due to a congenital heart defect. I knew I had some stenosis of the valve but upon having it remeasured this summer and finding out I had progressed, I knew that the time had come to get myself in shape so that I can better handle the heart surgery. I had been researching different gastric surgeries for the last 3 years and had even consulted with one local doc 2 years ago. Hit a barrier with insurance, appealed, then lost interest in moving ahead -- too overwhelming.
Anyway, never did get insurance to cover it but I am blessed to have an angel in my life that said 'go do it - here is the money'. I am not sure how to ever fully thank my angel except to make this work for me and not waste the gift (and say 'thank you' <a hundred times> give hugs and love her for the fabulous person she is).
2 weeks ago I weighed 297 and today I am at a more svelt (ha!) 282 (down 15 pounds). I am already feeling the clothes loosening and more energy than I have had in a long time. I have my first fill scheduled for Dec. 4th.
I read a post from one person who listed all the wonderful things she had lost... the need for extender belts, etc. I have a small list of all the things I am looking forward to and thought I would share those.
- Getting my wedding ring off my pinky and back onto my ring finger.
- Being able to walk down a plane aisle without banging into someone.
- Being able to walk with my coworkers to a nearby restaurant for lunch.< br />
- Being able to put on pantyhose without huffing and puffing.
- Being able to paint my own toe nails (Fire engine red, of course).
- Not having chapped thighs from heat in the summer (bad visual, I know).
- Shopping for clothing in any store I want to.
- Hiking with my husband and daughter when we visit her in Hawaii (she is in college there - rough place to attend school, huh?!).
- Wearing shoes that are a normal width -- hence the next one...
- Shopping for shoes that are to die for.
- Not feeling like a "sexless blob" to quote another bandster.
- Not having to ask for a chair at a restaurant because I cannot fit into the booth comfortably-- close to the goal of not having a chair hang onto my butt when I stand up because it is such a 'perfect' fit).
- Being able to look in the mirror on a good day and say "Geez, your looking so HOT today" and mean it because I feel it and I believe it.
- Finding out what I look like as an adult who is normal sized.
- And last but not least, fairing well during heart surgery because I am in such better shape.
Anyway....the list could go on but those are the biggies. Thank you all for sharing... this is an incredible site and the positive messages are inspiring. I hope someday I can be a wise bandster who can offer others the positive support I feel from this group already.
Thanks for reading and sharing!
- Getting my wedding ring off my pinky and back onto my ring finger.
New and Interested
in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Posted
In October, Drs. Watkins and Montgomery at Norwest Weight Loss Surgery in Kirkland Washington (next to Seattle) charged $17,500 for outpatient surgery, which includes the one year follow up w/ fills. If you have to be inpatient for one night, the cost goes up to $18,200.
Good luck!