Wishes4444

Elsa, The Nutritionist was very nice when I was there but once she has your money good luck getting in touch with her. She will tell you to e-mail her and everytime I did it took over 10 days for her to get back to me and then it was with something like just keep doing what your doing instead of answering what I asked her. A TOTAL waste of money she was! I did not use there pyscologist because she was booked up and I found one that took my ins. Why are your fills only 50.00? Who told you that? Everyone else I know from there as well as myself get charged 250.00 per fill PLUS your co-pay. In fact before they gave me my surgery date they made me sign a paper that I understood the fill was 250.00 and ins does not cover a penny of it. If you don't mind not having a "personal" feel office then the office is fine and I don't blame you for not wanting to wait until March. They are very good Dr's and Mercy hospital was fantastic!!!!! I was losing weight great for the first 2-3 weeks. Then it stopped, so far I have had one fill which they do for everyone at 6 weeks post op. In 5 weeks since my fill I only lost 5 pounds! I have been very upset about it. I started writting down what I eat and I joined an indoor pool so I can exercise. Exercise is the key without it the band won't do any good. Since I joined the pool 2 weeks ago I finally got the scale to start moving down again. PLEASE feel free to e-mail me to chat more about this! wishes4444@aol.com Oh and I went to one meeting but it was pre op have not been to either one of them since my surgery. They only hold them once a month on the 2nd tuesday of the month. Good Luck please e-mail me for any other questions!!

Hi Elisa, I had Dr Holover, Dr Garber did not take my ins. Truthfully I am not impressed with their office. Their nurtitionist is HORRIBLE a total waste of money and she does not take any ins. I think they WAY over charge for a fill 250.00 PLUS your office co-pay, which I think is ridiculous! Dr Holover is nice but if I had it to do again I would check out other Drs before I made a choice. They didn't take a before photo which I have heard some offices do, it took them THREE tries to find my port for my 1st fill, and it hurt like He**. After the fill they didn't have me drinkwater or anything. I really and just NOT impressed with how I am being taken care of. I chose that office because I read that Dr. Garber is supposed to be the best and I figured Dr Holover must be right up there. So I guess what I am saying is go check out Dr. Geiss, I sure would if I had it to do over again. As for Mercy Hospital where they work out of it was wonderful. Good luck PLEASE keep in touch and let me know how you make out!

I use Dr. Garber's office but see Dr Holover who is on my ins plan. I think what he chrages for a fill is VERY ridiciouls! It's 250.00 PLUS my 40.00 co-pay! I have heard of people paying only 100.00 per fill I think at LIJ. I have to look into it.

My ins won't cover it either!!!! So I pay 250.00 and the Doc still has the nerve to charge me a co-pay of 40.00 on top of that! So 290.00 per fill for me. I have only had one so far and don't expect to get another one for a long time!

Skinny Jill, I know I love the Injury Choc and Van as well. I do agree 100% with you on the unflavored, when you add it to something it just changes it a little and then i don't like it. So I am sticking to the choc and van that I LOVE!! YUMMY YUMMY!

WOW what a great thread! I had to get my BMI under 60 before my Dr would do my surgery. So it did give me the motivation that I needed. As you can see I had lost 43 pounds and got to have my surgery! I do have a question did anyone experience horrible pain with there fill? OMG on Dec 19th I got my first fill and they took 3 tries and finally a VERY long needle to find it! I will NOT be doing that again real soon! The Dr said it is because I have a lot of belly fat and the port is very deep. Since my fill I am not able to eat much of anything, worse then when the band was first done, but no way am I going back for some of the fill to be removed! I can eat and drink my protien shakes so I know I am not going to get sick from it. Anyway just wanted to join this wonderful threat! Good luck to all!

Hi Michiganer, I did the liquid diet from Aug 9th- Nov 5th!! So trust me I know how hard it is lol. The first 4 weeks I did 3 shakes a day NOTHING else 750 cal a day. I only lost 16 pounds, so the Dr had me start eating 2 pieces of fruit a day. Or 2 shakes and a a small chicken breast. Toward the ead I was only drinking 2 shakes a day and eating some fruit. I really got used to it and was not hungey because the shakes they had me on were great! They had 35 mg of protien and I really was not hungry, yes I wanted food but was not hungry. I lost 43 pounds before my surgery and was very happy with that! The shakes were V.H.P shakes and you can find them online. However after the surgery they didn't want me drinking them because the have 15 gm of sugar and also I used to add 3 cups of Water so it would take me all day to get it down. They also want me to keep my protien between 40-65mg a day including my food. The unjury is great! I bought a sample of all the flavors and ordered the Van and Choc. To me they are really pretty good. I have not heard of anyone being consipated from the protien in fact I was told I would be "loose" which I was. I would NOT take the metamusil unless you get binded up. I LOVE my band! The first two weeks was very rough for me pain wise, and I still have some discomfort, but everyone is different. Yesterday I ate a few potato chips and had a bite of this and that, but was not able to stuff my slef like I have for all these years! I could NOT be happier! I am losing about a pound a day right now! I know it will not keep at this rate but for now I am so excited! At this rate I will be below 300 by Christmas! Good luck! and drop me an e-mail and let me know you are doing! Amy sounds like you are doing great! I go back to the Dr Dec 18th and I guess I'll get my first fill. even though I know I could eat more I have been eating about 1oz- 2oz at a time and I an not hungry and the weight is coming off! I tried to get the shakes at walmart but they only had choc. Have you ever tried the chco one? The Unjury is very good though. Best Wishes!

Hang in there Worththeweight, it will be fine! I know just how you were feeling! I even almost canceled my date becasue I was getting so scared! But now it's over and I could not be happier! I am losing almost a pound a day! I am sure it's not going to last but I'll tkae while I can! You will be just fine, and you will be on the road a more healthy you! Best Wishs all and Happy Thanksgiving one and all!!!!

Hey everyone! How are all the bandsters doing? I can finally say each day seems to get better and better. I am going back to work this week which I know will make me feel better for sure. Just to get back to normal again. I ate the top off a one inch wide piece of white pizza last night. The doctor said I could have ricotta cheese, but I felt so guilty afterward, and FULL it took a while to feel comfortable again. Think I better stick to my pureed stuff for now Good luck to everyone getting banded this week!:gluck: Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!:hungry:

I am also a babysitter, but my is 17 months and I can't lift over 7 pounds for 6 weeks! So going to need help getting her in and out of crib. Who can lay around after surgery lol. I had to walk every 2 hours even through the night for the first 4 days. I have been going out shopping trying to keep me moving and move the darn gas out. I too am finding it hard to get all my water in and shakes and meals. Just doesn't seem possible yet. I am sure I will get the hang of it in time.

Rest your very lucky! My Dr has done over 2000 lap bands so I know he knew what he was doing. I just had a lot of adhisions to cut throught from previous surgeries. Also my diaphram is shallow so it caused it to get inflamed. I think from all I have read and many many people I have spoke to some people are luckier with the amount of pain then others. You were one of the lucky ones! I was not. Good Luck everyone! Best Wishes

Pre made choc EAS shakes are awful!!!! OMG YUCK!! I use the Van and Choc Unjury in milk not bad at all. I tried the chicken broth one and it was not bad. I added the unflavored to some ricotta but it made it taste weird. So for now I am going to stick to the Van and Choc.

Well here I am 10 days out and still not great but better. WOW I was so hoping to be one of the lucky ones who get very little pain...no way. OMG I lived on my pain meds every four hours until today. Today I was able to go for 7 hours on a 1/2 one. Of course I was a little uncomfortable but was able to live with it. Tonight I will take a whole one to help me sleep. The pain when I bend the wrong way or try to move a certin way still is awful. I am very glad the surgery is over but sure will be glad to get back to life without pain. It just makes me laugh when I see the commercials for Lap Band surgery. It says have surgery today go home tomorrow and back to work the next day. Are they kidding! The sad thing is that there are so many people who believe that. I know my Dr didn't mention pain at all, just a little discomfort. HA HA HA is all I can say to that! Best wishes

Hey Karen, Sorry I have not been on. Was banded Nov 6th and still not feeling very well. I came home the following day and was back to the hospital the next day becasue I was having trouble breathing. My diaphram is very inflamed so they gave me heavy duty pain meds to try and help me feel more comfortable. That was a week ago today. I went to the Dr yesterday for my one week post op and he said everything looks good and it is just going to take some time to feel better. I don't understand why so many other people are feeling great by now and I am not. I still have to take meds every 4 hours I tried cutting them in half today to try and not take as many. So now I am back to being uncomfortable. Tonight I will take a whole one to help with the sleep. I got yelled at for not eating 3 times a day so today I made apoint to eat three times. I find it very hard to get in all the liquid as well! I was 7 pounds heavier when I got home from the hospital but have lost that and I am 2 pounds lighter then when I went in so thats good. Just wish the pain would go away! Sounds like you are doing well. I am sure I will have plenty of What did I do days. Right now pain and all I am glad I did it and even happier the wait is over. Now if I could just feel better all would be well! Best Wishes

Hi I had Dr. Spencer Holover who works with Dr Shawn Garber. I wanted Dr Garber but he was not on my plan. He is supposed to be the best one around and people come from all over the US to use him. Dr Holover was very good as well but the best part was Dr Garber was in there too! They work out of Mercy Hospital and have there own Bariatic center there! They meet the first tuesday every month for free seminars at the hospital. Good Luck!

Thanks everyone! Tish I am on Long Island too! Who is doing your surgery?

Well tomorrows the day...I am terrifed, but I can do this! Can't wait for it to be over! Have to be at hospital at 9am for 11am surgery.:phanvan

Thats great Steve! I hope I am as lucky tomorrow!

WTG Phil! I am so glad all went well for you! My surgery is tomorrow and I must admit I am terrifed. Not of the surgery but of not waking up or blood clots. I am sure I will be fine but sure can't wait for this to be over. I have to be in the hospital at 9 am then surgery at 11am. Here in NY they make you stay over night. Wish me luck!

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Thanks Steph! As for Turkey Day, well I will be with a lot of people but they are all my very close family and they all know, so it will be fine for me. I will still be on liquids but thats ok, I have been on liquids since Aug 9th anyway! That was the hardest for me I started the liquid diet 3 days befor I left for a week vacation, but you know what I did it and survived! So this will be easy! I have told only close family. My sister did say to me "why didn't you wait until after the holidays" I said the same reason I didn't wait until after vacation. It's TIME! Anyway hope everyone does fine for the holidays! Best Wishes!

Karen SOOO glad to see you post! I was starting to get worried! I'm glad everything (minus the sholder pain) is going well! I am nervous as all hell and can't wait to get this over with! Amy, don't beat yourself up, I am sure everyone has bad days now and then. The good thing is that you are getting back on track! I do believe the meat sticks are good for you, I ooked into them as well and have a few jars for after my surgery. Yesterday was my final weigh in and I guess I figured I could go wild and eat what I wanted...Well needless to say I was sick all night and today still feel like uuuggggg. I almost believe that I could stick to this liquid diet without the surgery for the reat of my life about 98% sure BUT it's that 2% that makes me realize I better do it just in case. I have come to far not to finish this journey! Good Luck all!

Thats great Rest hope I am as lucky as well! Now Jenny I am SURE its not "just fat" :confused: silly! I have heard of other people feeling that way after this surgery. Can't wait to hear how you do. Did you go one week after your surgery just for the incision check? As for Bikini...LOL, I figure I am going to have so many extra flaps hanging every where that I am going to need big stuff to hide them all until I can afford to get them choped off! LMAO! We are going to our sons house in NJ today trying to get the weekend to fly by, Monday is going to be the LONGEST day of my life I bet, but it will all be worth it in the end. Thanks!

Well 4 more nights for me. God this week went so slow! Just wish the 6th would get here so I could get this over with! Wonder how Karen is doing? Hows everyone else doing?? Went for my final weigh in today I lost another 13 pounds since sept 26th, that makes 43 since Aug 9th. Not too bad. Wanted 50, but will take the 43! Best Wishes!

Jenny, ou should try it! It's a wonderful thing! What I wear is like weraing a tank top with capris. I am not thrilled about it but it's the best i can do. nest summer will be better for us all! How are you feeling? Hows the port feeling? Best Wishes,