VegasGrace

Just like you! No insurance, not much money..am single mom of 3. Dr. Huacuz is perfect! www huacuz. com Huacuz Surgical Center Did the research, spoke to some of his patients, was only $7,000 for everything... surgicenter anesthesiologist cardiologist consult psych eval surgeon fee hospital stay even brought 2 friends...free room and board When selecting a physician, don't sell yourself short just by going w/ someone cheap. You want quality...your life is too important. So many of us on here and other forums talk about Dr. Huacuz...he's the best. With the money I saved from 15k, I only paid 7...I went on a cruise for my pre-op. Loved it! Paid tuition for my kids college, paid the rent, etc. A buck is a buck! And I found some good ones for 10,000...but I'd much rather have the $3,000 in my pocket. That's alot of money. Do the research, but I'm sure you'll find Dr. Huacuz the best.

I posted before about how I had given my clothing to a thrift store and they put high price tags on them where those in need couldn't afford them. I shop Bloomingdales/Macys/Nordstroms and occasionally the JCPenney. But that doesn't mean they should do this with my donated clothes. So I posted a thread about my size 12 green pant suit and someone wanted it, sent it...and they love it! I have a few more items that I'm giving away to those of you who are going down and don't want to spend money on things only to wear them temporarily. Coctail dress, size 1x -but I wore it when I was a 16. Blue w/ glittery embellishments and a ribbon sash belt, ties. It has spaghetti straps, I wore a shirt under it. Coral jacket dress w/ sash belt. Size 14. Size 16 mint green dress w/ sweater jacket. Pearl neclace comes w/ it. This is brand new, never worn...I lost weight too fast. White wrap top..Lane Bryant size 14/16. The kind that has the tie at the side. Size 16 pearly pink 2 piece dress, button up top w/ pearl buttons. Tulip cut. Size 14 navy pin stripe suit. Comes w/ sleeveless shell. Size 14 ivory cream skirt. Size 16/18 1 is pink, the other blue. 2 blouses that have a silver pinstripe. Looks great under a black suit! Size 16/18 ruffle edgeing blouse, white. Size XL ruffle front blouse, white. Size 16 black bathing suit. Boy leg cut (looks like a pair of shorts w/ a tank top attached) very modest looking. Has the tummy control spandex inside. If anyone wants any/or all of these...They are free. Just PM me.

No, but I love it. I went on a cruise for my preop diet...knew I'd crack if I tried to do it at home...being a food addict. The first night at dinner, we had pumpkin soup for the soup. WOW! I loved it. So I had 3 bowls, instead of the main course. I guess I need to get a recipe for that one!

From the land of casseroles and Jello..... enjoy yourself. I don't mind food...looking at it, anyways. I love to smell it, look at all the different colors...Mmmm. Love food. But luckily I'm restricted so I just simply pass. Me at a buffet is funny. My lil 4 oz isn't worth the price! If you don't have restriction yet...it must be trying to diet and not eat. For me, I didn't worry about dieting. I ate what I wanted, when I wanted...within reason. If someone made a comment to me "you lost 20 pounds so you think you're too good to visit me"... I'd reply, yep...staying away from you has allowed me to lose the weight. Must be allergic to you"

Thanks for sharing your story. I've read so many on here that they have had so many fills and no restriction...only to discover there doc wasn't giving them full fills. Restriction should be acquired soon after having the band put in. 6 weeks, 1st fill, 4 weeks later another. Then 4 weeks later another. Then 4 weeks later another. And for a 4cc band that's 2ccs for the first fill, up to .5 for the second, etc. I'm sure there's a recommended schedule for a larger band. But within a few months you should be restricted. If not...something's not right and you should find out what. You said you got restriction on your last fill...but I didn't see when that was...should have been over a year ago. I slime frequently...but it keeps me in check of speed of eating and what I eat. Thanks for posting and I know so many are quick to blame.... but bandsters are in this together and should uplift..not shoot down. I recommend ditching all the providers and just get a fill doc. It's only like 155 dollars for a fill and you would see him/her every 4 weeks...when you want. Restricted? -then you wouldn't go. Good luck and keep us posted on how things are going for you.

Sorry you went through this...but thanks for sharing. Now we all know what happens if we don't stay on top of things. When even a pound is gained it's time to take a look at getting a fill.... is it just hormonal? Did I just eat too much? Then wait a week or two and see if the pound is lost or gain more. Thanks for sharing your story...keep us posted on how things go for you now.

Guys, I went to the ER w/ pain and labored breathing.... pneumonia. But in the blood work and all the doc came back in and said my potassium was way low. That normal was 3.5-5 and I was at 3. He asked about my diet...and I shared with him my lapband story...how my eating has decreased so much over the months...but I was happy. He said potassium is the first stage of malnutrition. No worries though as it's easily fixed... just FYI to everyone...keep up the fruit intake! I stopped eating fruit as it's too fiberous and I slime it up. But word to the wise.... if you can't eat fruit...drink the juice. So I'm forgoing Water and just sipping juice all day.

Hmm... I can't eat beef anymore. And I am a big steak/potatoes person. I tried it in ground beef tacos/sloppy joes.... nope...just slimes back up. Can't eat chicken either...slimes back up. Even if it's in Soup. Lettuce is okay, but like the post from above, I have found my iceburg lettuce salads at home I slime up...but Olive Garden or a cesear at a diner...is fine. Must be the lettuce...or the slimy dressing? Bread is fine, too...just not loaf bread...has to be sub sandwich bread.

Took xenical a few years ago and didn't have the problem some have with it. I wore white. Of course, my sister can't eat Olestra-olean- wow chips because it makes her run... but not me. I guess everyone is different so try it and pay attention to your bowels. Let us know how it's going for you.

Thought the questions were a bit misleading.... don't drink it because it's bad for you...someone may think because of the band is why the doc said it. Nope, humans shouldn't consume soda pop... but it's your choice to drink it, and no, it doesn't have to be flat.

Good for you! Don't let it stand in your way. I'm a single mom of 3 w/ no insurance. Like you, I made it happen. Found a great surgeon who gave me a great deal, $7,000. Didn't want to compromise my safety just by selecting a 'cheap' surgeon. I used my line of credit/overdraft protection attached to my checking account. Keep us posted.

Everyone is different as I've found I can eat anything, almost. But I read the posts and find others can't eat what I can...weird, huh? I love bread and eat it often...but I've found light bread, like sandwich bread/sliced bread that comes in the loaves at the grocer..... I slime it up. But Subway- no problem. I can't eat McDonald's buns though...that slimes up too. Rice is something I enjoy but others say they can't eat it. I eat it everyday almost. Now, just a few spoon fulls as I am well restricted. Same w/the sandwiches..just a few bites and I'm done. Sweet potatoes/yams is another thing others have said they can't eat...I love it! No, you weren't lied to... but it will be trial and error when it comes to things you can eat, and can't. Good luck and keep us posted.

Mine didn't give me restriction, either. It was 2cc in a 4cc band. Went back 4 weeks later for .2cc and Boom...I've been losing weight ever since. And it's been quite a while...wonder how long this restriction is going to last? Maybe til I hit my goal? Hope so!

I've found the same thing. When I was on Atkins a few years ago... my entire family lost weight. :confused: But now, I don't expect my kids to eat what I eat. I always prepare 1 item that I can eat with their meals.... sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, rice, etc. I just eat that one item and they enjoy everything else. I've saved a ton of money at the grocery store!

Just called and asked a nurse I've known for quite sometime...she's done hospice, ER, and neonatal, visiting, etc. Been a nurse for 20 years or so. She said, "no" it's not needed. Then she asked if someone was trying to sell a braclet.... Well, to breathe it goes down the trach...not the stomach. And by the time they get around to doing anything thru the esophogas...will be days later... and more than likely the patient will have freinds/family already around and they will answer questions. Plus, if a tear ever happens...they simply repair it. Tears happen to unbanded patients, so it happening to a banded patient (and weight loss won't be the most important factor here in the life and death situation) is no greater risk. Just wanted to put it out there so no one will think this is necessary.... but ask your doctor... he/she will tell you. Mine says it's not necessary.

Wow, the tube goes all the way into the stomach? never new that A nurse told me it just goes down a bit into the trach...trachea....but it goes in the esophogas? I have do do a little bit more research on this one.

I've read the first page.... never even considered it.... what's the purpose? So, if you are unable to communicate...they may look at the bracelet. And if you are unconcious...there will be no food going down anyways...only an iv. Why do we need one?

I was eating potato Soup 2 days after being banded and by weeks end was eating more solids but had to mush most of it. By 2 weeks I was simply eating what I could tolerate.

I'm down from an 18/20 to a size 12...going into a 10 so some 12s are loose. I've been an entrepreneur since high school and am a member of the Chamber of Commerce as I own another business that I dearly love. Today was my first chamber function since being banded. I kinda took some time off, dealing w/ surgery, healing, and trying not to throwup in public- taking a while to relearn how to eat and slow down.... anyways, today.... other business owners were more receptive to me, I contracted new clients, etc. Where as before, I was large...very. And I spoke with an image consultant who said...although it's not right... we are judged on how we appear...including weight. And that by losing weight, I would see an increase in the bottom line. It's true. I have more customers now (I'm in direct sales) and it seems I have more credibility as a Beauty Advisor. Yeah, it may be my self esteem is up...but I am still that same person. Just wanted to share and see if anyone else has had a similar experience.

back pain - almost gone Injured in Desert Storm and it was a never ending cycle...started gaining weight because I was immoble..back pain got worse but can't exercise... exercised then my back killed me. Now, I'm not carrying around so much weight and my back only burns a little from time to time. The band was the best thing that's happened to me (besides family and all)

Weird to say it...but that's great!!! So many worry about knowing they have the band or feeling it.... just goes to show that you don't feel it. I had hoped I'd be one of those who lost weight just by virtue of having the appliance inserted...wrong. Oh well. Just having the band implated doesn't cause weightloss...it can on some. Restriction is what causes weight loss and that comes with having the band adjusted. I didn't lose my first pound until 10 weeks AFTER surgery...and that was my 2nd fill. So don't worry and try not to be too discouraged as the band is working as it should. Cindy, call your doc for a fill. But don't get discouraged if that doesn't work. It may take another fill or 2 to get restricted...but I can testify...it does work!!! Hang in and hang on. Write back when you "omg, just had a fill and am loosing weight"

Was using Weight Watchers a few years ago. Loved the point system. Used it for about 5 months. Problem was, I saved all my points and ate BBQ chips and pepsi...oh, but I measured and stayed w/in the point system...didn't cheat. I lost 3 pounds and after a few months realized it wasn't quite working for my food addiction. But WW has been rated like the best paid diet plan to be on...good luck!

Nope, no limit on fills. To be a candidate for a fill the doc listens to certain key words the patient uses in the visit. Without these key buzz words, the doc may not do a fill. Get out the manual and look for the section on adjustments. When you see the doc next, speak to him/her using the phrases out of the book. If you still don't get a fill...something is wrong. "still hungry" "I fell like I eat too much" "difficult to stay on the prescribed diet".... just a few examples.

I've heard of others doing Alli...even weight watchers or other diets in combination w/ lapband. If you have good insurance, don't waste your money on Alli. Get a script for Xenical...the prescription - stronger, too. But that's if your copay is less than the 50 bucks or so Walmart charges for Alli. But of course I must say, ask your doctor.

You are so funny, but one of so many of us. I was down right scared...was updating my will...wrote my kids goodbye letters, getting my finances in order...directions on what to do if I "don't come back". Was terrible. Now I look back and think how silly I was. When I made the decision for lapband then took a few weeks to select a surgeon...I had my appointment within a month. Don't know if I could go through all that gloom and doom thinking for longer than that. Hang in there and you'll be fine! Keep us posted.