my_genre

There was a group of us that used to share office suites when I was practicing esthetics. We had a very nice and very experienced lady who made her living doing electrolysis. This is the little that I know just through visiting with her. Electrolysis is only effective when it is performed during a certain phase of the hair growth and since hair does not all grow on the same cycle, repeat treatments are necessary for desired results. It is expensive and it is painful. I had her do a couple of hairs on me because my clients were always asking about it and I did not know what to tell them the experince was actually like. EVERY hair follicle must be individually zapped......OUCH...and basically that is exactly what is going on ...the follicle is being electrocuted. I don't see how this would be feasible for larger areas, but I don't know what you are considering it for. I am a huge advocate of safe sun/tanning rituals, as almost all the adults I know, including my husband, are getting all sorts of skin cancers removed from sun/tanning exposure. My advice would be to start using safe self-tanners or something like booth spray-ons, such as Mystic, and go for the laser treatments after you skin heals itself from the tanning damage. I think you will be much happier with the results and you will spare yourself from too rapidly aging your wonderful skin. I hope this helps. -Debra

Fran, I am also UHC. Dr Lopez is in-network for them and the hospital that he does surgery is is out-of-network...BUT:D ...they take whatever the insurance pays as what it would be as though it was in-network because they want you to be able to use their facility....which is exceptional BTW. Dr lopez can be reached at 913-649-7300, just ask to speak to Ginger. Good Luck! -Debra

My surgery was performed in Overland Park, Kansas. I have never heard of the doctor you have mentioned but as a word of warning- if I were you I would try to avoid Midwest Institute of Bariatric Surgery or I think they go buy Surigical Weight Loss Center in Lenexa at all costs.

I live in the Springfield area and was banded this last November in KC. I have been seeing Dr. Edwards for a couple of months now and he will continue my follow-up care. I also have UHC and have had no problem with surgery approval or get in-network benefits approval to see Dr. Edwards for my foll0w-up care (thanks to Donna:D ). I am not on this site much, but can be emailed at debbs1973@msn.com. I will also be at the next Monday night support group meeting. Good luck to you all! -Debra

You all are naughty, but for some reason I've got this craving to go get 'Jacked-up'.

I wish you all the best. No matter what the outcome, you will do great. I have not been on this site very long, but you are always so supportive to everyone and I do believe what comes around, goes around. You will be alright. :hug: -Debra

Sexy ! Sexy ! Sexy ! You should tell your hubby we all saw your Valentine's knickers before he did!!! Haha, just kidding.....Have a ton of fun, you will look so pretty.:biggrin1:

For all of the manly bandsters among us or those whose boyfriend or hubby has been banded, what was the breaking point that made the guys choose to be banded? The reason I ask is I have suggested to my husband to think about having the procedure done and he wont even consider it. He acts as though it is a slap to his masculinity and while I continue to lose, he continues to gain. I am really worried about his health, he has a very high stress job in addition to the health risks he is submitting himself to by just being overweight. He keeps joking that he is finding all the weight I am losing....but what is not so funny...is there is some truth to that. I have put everyone here on a healthier diet, however I cannot control what he is eating on his commute to and from work or at work. He is an Executive Chef by the way. He knows he needs to lose, he states that repeatedly. Any ideas????? -Debra

Thank you for the compliment! Made my day:biggrin1: ! -Debra

I was looking for some Cereal at Walmart and I found 'Hi-Protein Crunch Cereal' from 'Back to Nature' brand. It is really good! It is sort of like a high protein (13 grams/serving) Honey Oat Clusters(I think that's the name). It is presweetned with cane juice, it is all natural and no perservatives. I can eat about a 1/3 Cup with a little milk or low carb yogurt and I am good to go. It is pretty easy for me to crunch up and get down:clap2: . Even my 2 year old, Greyson. gives his seal of approval and he is super picky. It was with the other cereals at Walmart, kind of off with the other 'healthy' ones. -Debra

Too funny!!!!:biggrin1:

This seems strange to me, but does anyone else get really gassy after a fill or when you hit your sweet spot? My doctor adjusted my fill this last Thursday and it is perfect, however I have had horrible gas pains in my back and shoulders...like after my band surgery. It is definitely gas pains because it is not there all the time, in the same place always, and I can get relief by stretching and moving. Has anyone else 'blown-up' after a fill? Thanks -Debra

Thanks DeLarla!!!!! It doesn't compare to riding the bull!!!! -Debra

WOOHOO!!!!! I HAD MY FIRST PB!!!!!! HUH?????????????? :girl_hug: :girl_hug: While I am not excited that I actually PB'd, I am excited that I have some real restriction now. My doctor discovered that the PA that filled me the first time, made a mistake and only put in about half of the Fluid that he recorded, the rest went into my subcutaneous layer. So I was not where I needed to be (or where we thought I was) and I was getting so down about how hard I was fighting to not eat larger portions. I was beginning to question my decision to get banded. My fill was adjusted accordingly yesterday and I am good and tight now. So yippee!!!!!!!!:clap2: -Debra 5.5cc in a VG Band

Vinesqueen, Great response, I wish I was that confident that it was that simple for me too. BTW- I love your new (well, newest avatar), you look great! -Debra