soonergirl

Although I am sure that every Dr. is different, none of the Dr.s that I talked to about getting pregnant said that you need to wait any certain amount of time. Their biggest consideration is whether or not you are at or close to your goal weight. There are a number of us on here that have chosen the band partly because it was highly recommended to assist in fertility issues that may be related to weight (like PCOS). If you do get pregnant or want to get pregnant before you have lost ALL of your weight, they may be Ok with that too. My surgeon has said that he may have me journal my food intake and work with my Obgyn to make sure that I would be getting enough calories and Vitamins for me and baby. He also indicated that many times this can be accomplished without always taking out all of the fill. Again, they monitor everyone and determine an individual approach at my Dr. There are some great threads on pregnancy out there if you do a search. A few girls have shared their experience. I would just make sure to discuss it with your Dr. during your appointment.

My Dr. told me that the other option in severe cases of vomiting - like a bad bug, they can remove your fill as well??

Sounds like overall, everyone if doing great! Good to hear! Well, there are three more of us left for the month. babyphat tomorrow and bondgirl and I are on Thursday!!!

I think that really depends on your surgeon and your insurance - if you are trying to claim this on insurance. It will depend on the insurance approval process - there are a number of posts under the insurance topic on this. I was self-pay and got a date within two weeks once I was ready. I had an initial visit taht will give you a chance to learn more about the band, ask questions ect. Then I went in for a pre-op with the Doctor, he asked a lot of questions and as did I of him. Then once I was approved, I was given my delicious pre-op shake mix - with Dr. Powell, this is the two week pre-op. My date was set and here I am. Self-pay you will get a date much quicker, because there is not an insurance approval process. Hope this helps! Good Luck!

Hi! I am being banded on Thursday morning at Richardson Surgery Center by Dr. Powell.

Well, by this time, most of you have already gone for it! Please post some updates to let us all know how you are doing! For those of us going in this week - good luck!

The nuvaring is a flexible plastic ring (kind of looks like the outside rim of a rolled up condom, but a little larger). It slow releases a very low dose form of BC into your blood stream. It is a different mix than you would get in the pill. For me it was great, because you don't have the emotional side effects, reduced cramps and for me, drastically reduces the amount and length of my period. The ring is pinched together and inserted vaginally. Once it is there, it softly "springs itself into place". You leave it there for a period of three weeks and then remove it for one week to have your period. Another nice feature, is that you can leave it there for up to 4 weeks to have your period on your schedule in case you are on vacation or something. No- you don't feel it, it is easy to retrieve and you can remove it for up to three hours at a time for sexual activity. (Although you don't have to and wouldn't notice if you didn't) OK, sorry for some this is TMI, but I have been telling all of my friends about this wonderful invention since I started. Hope this helped and please just let me know if you have any other questions about it!

Well, for what it is worth - here is my opinion. I don't think anyone can say whether or not antidepressants are for a particular person or not - some will never need them, some for a short time, some for a lifetime. Some people that need them, will need to try a lot of different "recipes" to find the one that is right for them. I have friends and family that will take them for the rest of their lives - and THAT IS OK! - If it works for them and if it works for you - good that you found what makes you feel better. My story with antidepressants is similar to I'll Succeed's - I had situational depression from a bad relationship ending - and my Dr. perscribed effexor (BTW - the actuall med is irrelevant, because they will be different for everyone) - I started feeling worse. I called my PCP, and he told me to double my dose - Getting Even worse and without even seeing me, he upped it again. I was also VERY BAD!!! suicidal thoughts - One of my friends scooped me up and took me to a inpatient overnight stay - Within 24-48 hours I had all of the meds out of my system and WAS FINE! 3 months later, under a much more watchful eye of a psychiatrist - I tried paxil, within 2 days, same downward spiral. However we found that Wellbutrin worked fine for me. No problems at all. No I don't take anything and haven't for a few years. But - dont think that all of these drugs are the same. Some may work for you while others may not. maybe none at all is best. But make sure that you see a psyciatrist who understands how these meds work and not your PCP! Most importantly - get out of bed, go for walks, DO NOT PULL ALL OF THE CURTAINS SHUT!!, let some light in! and keep posting here and finding the support you need. You will find a solution, maybe just time, but this will pass!! Good luck and hope to hear you are doing well soon!!

AAHHHHH - not a fun experience at all!!!! I am so scared now - Thai food is my absolute favorite thing ever. have you ever eaten it without problems? I am sorry that happened!

You should have been given an "insurance certificate of coverage". In this, it will outline all of your benefits as covered by your plan. Skip everything and go straight to limitations and exclusions (every policy has them). WLS should be listed under this section if they do not cover it, or if there are any specific stipulations around it. I have told so many people this in other posts - but remember, that in many cases - the choice as to whether or not to cover WLS as a part of your policy is your employer not the insurance company. If you can't find you COC - you should be able to get a new copy of it from your employer.

Delarla - Is it really possible that you could be an aunt OR an UNCLE?? Sorry, just had to do it.

Delarla - you actually should not skip periods unless you are on a medication that causes this to occur. Commonly depo, nuvaring and some BC will cause you to have very light periods and sometimes not have them monthly. Not having a period (commonly occurs with PCOS), can actually increase your chances of cervical and other female cancers. I have PCOS and am HORRIBLE at remembering to take a pill everyday - thus another reason I chose the Nuvaring. WILLBETHIN - yes you can take BC - I have just chosen a method (nuvaring) that does not require pills and lightens your period and cramps.

You know what is weird, that I really don't like bread that much. Oh, don't get me wrong, I'll eat it, but if I had to pick between bread and broccoli, I would eat broccoli - I know - what am I worried about????? Sandwiches - I love pannini sandwiches. I have been happy to hear most of you say that toasted bread is much easier for most of you. Your so right though Pam - nothing does taste as good as being thin feels!

Good Luck Pam!! - I am exactly one week after you with dr. Powell as well. Please post on your progress and experience!!

I am to be banded a week from tomorrow - whooohooo! My question is, besides your diet, how quickly did everyone recover enough to resume fairly normal activies? My banding is on Thursday- so I will have Thursday-Monday(the 4th) to recover wtihout any acitivies or responsibilities. I am trying to set my appointements for the next few weeks for my work, as I travel quite a bit - and it dawned on my that I might not feel like driving 2-3- hours and doing meetings that soon - or will I? I am usually pretty good with pain, the biggest worry is I get nausia from going under. Although I LOVE to act like a big wimp sometimes because of how amazing my husband treats me when I am "not doing so good", I am actually pretty tough. I want to get back to work ASAP, but I want to be realistic too. Please let me know what you think! Also - thanks for this site and all of the people on it. It has made this journey soooo much easier so far, and I can't imagine how helpful it will be after next week!

one of the reasons that I am getting the band, is that my OBGYN is pretty sure that my PSOS is really hurting my ability to lose wieght and that I really need to get my weight off to have an easier time getting pregnant naturally and having a successful pregnancy with a lower chance of miscarriage. (a number of people with PSOS/polycystic ovarian syndrom, have slowed metabolisms, out of balence hormones, a more difficult time conceiving and a higher risk of miscarriage, all of which decrease with the ability to maintain a lower and more healthy weight) I plan on getting pregnant in 1-2 years as well, depending on how long it takes me to get my weight off. well, I guess there are probably a few other factors as well. I have read in some places that it is sometime refered to as the fertility band.

Debbie, I am scheduled for June 30th! Also - you should be able to eat seafood this summer. My Dr. recommends it as one of the first solid foods to try. He suggested foods that swim - fly - walk. One month of protiens that swim, then the next month work in things that fly, poultry and then walk the third month, beef and pork. I love crab and shrimp!!! oh, and lobster!!! There is a thread for June bandings, make sure you sign up if you haven't already. good luck!

I don't know if you are on any form of BC, but I used to have BIG TIME problems with PMS and cramps - I changed to the Nuvaring and now my monthly episode is almost non-existant. No more cramps and barely any period. If you are on BC - I would highly recommend the nuvaring!! (no taking pills everyday either!)

During the FDA testing, there were two people that died during the study - BUT they both died after having their bands removed (one of a drug overdose and one because of Gastric Bypass done after their band was removed) So - neither were related to the band. In the European testing, one women died. It is reported that it was due to her severely overeating after the band placement and not seeking care when she began showing signs of complications from overeating. These were the only references that I could find on the internet. Officially the risk of death is listed as 1/2000 vs. 1/100-1/200 with gastric bypass. As it was explained to me - this risk is similar to any other surgery of this minimal complexity.

I have been trying to get used to the bandster way of living and have been drinking mostly a German Riesling. yummy, I had a beer last night and honestly didn't hardly miss it!!

I have had a few more conversations with my Dr since my last post - being less than two weeks out, I am obviously going through the paraniod phase. the number one concern that they have - is drinking in excess to the point of vomiting - which is really bad for your band because of the potential for slipage. now that brings back some college memories (no really, it's been since college, I swear) The other that is a little more remote is gastritis. I don't know much about this, but he assured me that drinking in moderation and occassionally not so much moderation should not create any other problems. The carbonation concern is that too much gas build up in your lower stomach below your band, could cause your band to slip upwards. Well, tonight is officially my last weekend to go out and drink with no restraints - might not be posting for a few days. Wow, I can already smell the regret in the air :knockedou :knockedou :sick

This made me very curious - so I googled it and found this on a wesite about tanning: 4) Tanning booths do not dry up acne or help scars to heal and fade, in fact tanning booths can make both conditions worse over time. The drying effects of UV rays can cause your skin to overproduce oil (sebum) and this can actually make you break out more as there is now more oils on the skin waiting to clog your pores. As for scars, exposure to UV light can make new wounds scar with a darker color and can make old scars stand out even more.

I recently read that Crohn's disease would generally exclude you from being able to have the lap-band. I looked into it because I have had problems with IBS - the IBS was ok, but the Crohn's was listed as an exclusion. http://www.lifebridgehealth.org/2705.cfm THIS IS THE SINAI HOSPITAL SIGHT - it indicates the exclusions. I have seen it other places as well. Ultimately, I think I would still ask my Doctor you never know

Although not really a tapeworm - you would think so!! Trus me, if it were a real tapeworm, I may be tempted to pull that thing out and wash it down with a glass of wine!!! LOL!!

I have been on the yahoo message site, but can you guys and dolls please paste the links to any of these other sites that you feel have been helpful to you? Thanks!!