Longhorn

Speaking of dreams, my daughter told me she dreamed that I had the surgery and was instantly slim! But she said her initial reaction was, "Oh, I didn't think your surgery was until next week!" :D

I wasn't even asked about my cycle. And at the rate things are going for me now, I couldn't predict the next one anyway. They've been very erratic for the last several months.

Do they put the tube down your throat before or after they put you under?

I'll look forward to hearing how it goes with you! I'm right behind you. Take care!

I had a glass of wine last night and my surgery is Thursday. It may be my last glass for awhile. I enjoyed it!

I'm not going to be in any hurry. I don't want to get stuck or PB any more than I have to. My fills are free for the first year and I'll be glad to keep going back a little at a time. I'm not even going to weigh myself in order not to obsess over whether I'm losing. I'll find out about my weight loss, if any, when I get to the doctor's office. Hopefully, I'll be able to tell before then, though, by how my clothes are fitting!

I joined a Lap-Band team on SparkPeople because I needed a place to read and post! I'll have to check out ObesityHelp, just in case this happens again!

Speaking of Jello, my nutritionist suggested I add powdered egg whites when I make a batch of sugar-free Jello to add Protein. This is for my post-op period but I think that's a great idea! I can fill up on Jello if it has a dab of sugar-free, fat-free Cool Whip on top. :hungry:

My mother-in-law, being supportive, said something about how I'll be able to go on a shopping spree one day. I told her, no, I kept all of my clothes from the last time I lost weight four years ago. And while shopping may seem more fun, actually, I will be so excited to get in those clothes again! Some of them I only wore once or twice and I know I've got a couple that still have tags on them. They're in another closet and I feel guilty whenever I go in there. But one by one, they will make their way over to the "official" closet as I retire the big clothes. I can't wait! (But I will. :car:)

Me, too! I was gone last evening and the first thing I did when I got home is check to see if the board was back up. I was so glad to see it working this morning! I'm only four days away from my surgery and I love reading everything I can about my new experience! Good to see y'all again! :car:

Hi, Laura: Since I live in Dripping Springs and work south, he sent me to Allison Wilcox. She was great, too! I felt even more positive about my decision after talking to her. She's very "pro-band" for the right people. I had the same impression about Dr. Ganta. I didn't feel like he was trying to sell me anything but that he believes in the surgery. He answered all my questions very patiently and seemed to enjoy explaining everything. I teach math and teach the same thing over and over again but I love what I do and it never becomes boring for me. It seemed to be the same way for Dr. Ganta. Good luck! Sounds like you'll be next! :clap2:

Go to the UserCP at the top and paste that code into your signature.

You might try taking some Lactaid before you drink it, at leas to finish up what you have. I had the same reaction a couple of years ago -- and I've never been lactose-intolerant with anything else -- but the Lactaid worked.

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I signed up online to go to a True Results "free, $400 consultation." I was supposed to be contacted about it but never heard a word and since it's on the other side of town (I live in Dripping Springs) I decided not to go. There's a member here, lonestar, who got banded with Dr. Ganta. I emailed her and she was very helpful and encouraged me to call. I also read about him in an Austin Chronicle article written by their food critic. However, she mentioned taking out an $18,000 loan so I thought he was too expensive. He told me that his fees haven't changed but he has worked out better deals with the hospital. He now uses Austin Surgical Hospital on Bee Cave Road near Mopac. I felt VERY comfortable with Dr. Ganta and his nutritionist, as well as the psychologist he sent me to. And he uses the new AP band, which I really wanted. He does seminars but I wasn't able to go to one before my surgery because I teach at ACC in the evenings this semester. Feel free to email or PM me for more information! :car:

I'm getting banded Friday. The cost is $12,500, including a year of after-care and free fills. In addition, it was $250 for the initial consultation, $75 for the nutritionist, $150 for the psych evaluation, and $515 for the labs and tests through my GP's office. I will also pay $100 for the preoperative appointment next Tuesday. So that's a total of $13,500. I will probably also get a bill for the blood tests from the lab. Here's Dr. Ganta's site: ::: AUSTIN INSTITUTE OF BARIATRICS & LAPAROSCOPY ::: If you give them a call, you'll talk to Joy, who is very friendly, helpful, and informative. Good luck!

I had been interested in lap-band surgery ever since I first heard of it a few years ago but I wasn't 100 pounds overweight. After I saw a commercial for it, I decided to check again and saw that I might qualify with my BMI of 35. The first I said anything about it out loud was on a hike in the mountains with my husband and two of my daughters. They all thought it was worth looking into. That was on September 21. I started researching it more seriously after that and found this board. I made inquiries at three doctor's offices -- one in Denver, one in San Antonio, and one in Austin where I live -- and decided on the Austin doctor. I had my consultation with him last Friday and I'm scheduled for surgery next Thursday. I am also self-pay. I just applied online with a company that my doctor uses and I got immediate approval. I've been able to get all of my other required labs, tests, and appointments in since last Friday. So from the first moment I seriously considered it to fruition should be about six weeks! However, this is a culmination of several years of interest. Good luck!

According to Dr. Trace Curry, the new small AP band also holds 10 cc. Here's a quote from him on his support board: "Allergan/Inamed has a new band in the US called the AP band. It has not yet been released to the general public but I have put a number of these excellent bands in. There are a couple of differences in this band and the previous ones: 1. Cuff - the cuff on the AP band is 360 degrees around, as opposed to about 300 degrees on the prior bands (there was no cuff around the buckle on the old ones) 2. Cuff length - the cuff on the AP band is 18mm longer/taller than on the previous bands, so the surface area in contact with the stomach is much greater, hopefully increasing the speed of weight loss and maybe reducing the risk of slips 3. Cuff volume - the AP small holds 10cc, the AP large holds 14cc Note that we do not believe that AP patients will lose MORE weight, just possibly faster. So those of you with the older models, it would definitely not be to your benefit to think about having your band swapped out! Just thought you guys would like to know this! _________________ Dr. C" Trace W. Curry, M.D. :: View topic - New AP band

My doctor said that the new version has the "baffles" going completely around the band. There is some belief that if the band erodes into the stomach, it may start at that point where there is no inflation. Also, he said that the baffles may help prevent slippage.

I have to say, I would really be pissed! And I do believe that the band that they put it is fine. My surgeon told me that any problems they had with it were rare, plus it was an improvement over the earlier band. But one of the reasons I chose my surgeon is that he does use the AP band. I felt like I wanted the latest improvements. I don't know what they can do now, short of replacing it, which I'm sure you wouldn't want. But they should make some concession, in my view. Certainly, if there is ever a complication due to that particular band, they should fix it for free! That said, I think you'll be fine with the band you have so don't let this sour you. Good luck!

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I just got back from my pre-op testing but I was able to get it done in my GP's office. The appointment was at 9:15 and I was done by 11:15. I had an EKG, Pulminary Function Test, Chest X-Ray, and blood drawn for tests to be done at the lab. Including the visit, it cost $515, which they told me was much less than it would have been at the hospital (I'm self-pay.) I go to the hospital Monday for pre-op paperwork and to my surgeon on Tuesday for his pre-op examination. Then surgery on Thursday at 7 a.m.! It is getting very close! :whoo:

I'm off to the GP, hoping he will order my labs and I can get them done today! If not, I'm getting a manicure!

I decided a long time ago that I am NOT a mind-reader. And since I don't really know what they're thinking, why not imagine that they're thinking GOOD things about me? I mean, really, I'm the one who is putting words to their thoughts so why not good words? Try it! When you get used to it, you find that there is love and support everywhere you go!

Yes, but she thought it was smooth like the AP band so I was showing her that the AP band is not smooth. That's the one I'm getting.