Cota129

All patients got a letter saying they were closing as of May 31, 2011 and that we needed to find a new doctor. Then a few weeks later, we all got letters saying they were still open and had new owners and new docs. However, they don't answer the phone or return messages. I don't know what's going on, but I'm done with them.

All of the patients at the company who did my surgery 3.5 years ago have been notified they are going out of business at the end of May due to the doctor taking a new position out of state. I was self pay, as were others, and part of the perk of paying cash is that I was to recieve lifetime care and fills at no charge. The company changed hands a year ago, but the terms of my original contract transferred and was continuing to be honored. My question is, since I was promised lifetime care at no extra charge, and my lifetime isn't over like the company is, should all the self pay patients be eligible for some kind of reimbursement since we will now be paying out of pocket for any follow care we will need since we are having to transfer to new docs?

Well, I've been divorced for a couple of years and feel like I'm ready to make the plunge and start dating. That's a big "yikes!" for me. I'm kinda nervous. Sex is not in the plan at this point, but it may happen. I've lost a lot of weight, look great with my clothes on, but when they come off....not so great. Plastic surgery is not an option. I'm muscular and fit, but the loose skin is not attractive (think shar-pei thighs, boobs are gone, and bat wings for arms). If the time comes where the clothes would be coming off, how have others approached what's hiding under the clothes? I have a feeling some men may be turned off by the extra skin. Thanks for any input .

Getting unfilled before a vacation was brought up at a support group meeting the other day. It was being recommended by the staff. All I could think was that being unfilled was stupid. Why ruin my hard work by getting unfilled so I can just fill my face, fall back into old habits, and have to struggle to get pounds off when I get home. Vacay's aren't about eating as far as I'm concerned.

I am at the last 12 lb. It is SO SLOW. I've been sitting here at the same weight for weeks trying to do what ever I can to get it off, but those 12 lb are stubborn little suckers! I think my body is going WHOA!! I know it will come off eventually, but only when my body is good and ready to give them up. I practice patience and keep up what I've always been doing. Hang in there!

I had acid reflux prior to banding. They fixed a large hiatal hernia, and have had no problems at all since. However, it does run in my family. I started having ripping acid reflux a couple of months ago and knew it wasn't related to my band, because I've been at a perfect fill for quite some time. Tried different meds, OTC and prescription, with no luck. I was so sick. So, I did some reading. Here's what I've been doing and my reflux is gone. I put 1 tbs. of Bragg's apple cider vinegar and 1 tbs of agave Syrup in a cup of Water, 3 times a day and drink it down. It works. I know, I sound like a commercial. But my reflux is 100% gone. I'm amazed. Not one med worked, but something as simple as organic apple cider vinegar did. Just wanted to pass it on.

I think many of us have food addiction problems. And, I agree, psychological help would be hugely beneficial. However, many of us can't afford to do that. Any addiction is a struggle to win, and I personally feel food is one of the more difficult to overcome since we HAVE to eat to maintain our body/life. It's been a struggle for me to learn, on my own, how to find alternatives to eating. I exercise, I do yardwork (alot!), I always have a gum or a piece of sugarless candy with me. It's a learning process to be able to ask yourself "Am I really hungry or do I want to eat because x, y, or z is going on?" Do I fall sometimes? You bet.... However, I've learned that on those occasions, it's a smart thing for me to have something that's an acceptable alternative to crap to eat. For me, a fruit bar or an italian ice works. There's always one or both in my freezer. And the funny thing is that as time has gone on, they sit there for longer and longer periods because I've learned that I don't need to eat when x, y, or z happens.

Don't get me wrong. I am certainly not saying that everyone can overcome addictions on their own. If you can afford psych help, get it. Look for support groups. I go to the monthly meeting at my docs on occasion and I am on LBT to read, and occasionally post, when I need a bit of help. You can do this. It's not easy. We didn't gain weight prior to having surgery because we had good habits. Learning new habits and a new way of life is HARD. But you can do it. Sometimes it's one day at a time, and sometimes it's one minute at a time, but you can do it.

I shop at primarily resale and thrift shops. Most of my clothes are designer labels and I never spend more than $5 for anything. Nobody knows my clothes are secondhand because they sure don't look like it!

I must have a great nurse who does my fills. Never have had a numbing med and never feel anything.

I'm sorry.....but what a load of hooey. I drink 1.5-2 cups of coffee in the morning. Didn't stop before or after my surgery. I use a couple of Sweet N' Lows and use Soy Silk creamer. Coffee is a mild diuretic for ppl who drink several cups through-out their day, but it's not a big deal for those who like a cup or two in the morning.

Shop at resale/thrift stores for your everyday clothes during your weight loss. I have great clothes, but have paid next to nothing for most of them.

I was never told to not eat these foods, just to eat in moderation. I discovered quickly, however, that they all got stuck and I'd bring them back up. I do enjoy gluten free pastas, breads, and muffins, though, on occasion. They break down differently and I have never had them get stuck.

I'm 2 years and 3 mo. post surgery. I've lost 110 lb. and feel great. I've gone from a size 28 to a size 12. Lately, though, I have lost all interest in food. I'm not too tight, I've had the same fill for quite some time and have been happy with my restriction. It's just that I have lost any and all desire for food. I have no interest, I make myself eat because I know I have to. I did just start back on Prozac because of depression and anxiety, and am wondering if that might be the cause. It seems that the lack of food interest started at about the same time I started the Prozac. Thoughts or suggestions anyone?

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I can eat any of the vegetable dishes, shrimp, scallops, and egg foo yung. I can't eat rice at all. Doesn't agree with my band. I also like vegetable egg rolls.

I had a right hemicolectomy on 12/1/08. A large portion of my colon and lymph nodes were removed due to a cancerous polyp. I was unfilled prior to surgery and am going to be refilled on 12/17/08. I was at 6.25 cc in a 10cc band prior to surgery and it was my sweet spot. I still have considerable tissue swelling around my incision and, I am sure, swelling internally. When being refilled after surgery, have other's experiences been that the fill starts less than before surgery to accomodate the swelling and recovery? Did the sweet spot change when going through the fill process again? Thanks for any input.

Did you have a large weight loss after the resection? What should I expect as far as recovery? Thanks.

I had my lapband placed 11/7/07. This past Friday, during a routine colonscopy, it was discovered that I have a large pre-cancerous polyp that was not able to be removed during the colonscopy. I will have to have open surgery in the next month, have the pre-cancerous section of my intestine removed and then the 2 ends re-attached. I don't see why this would affect my lapband, as in REMOVAL :w00t:. Doctor hasn't said anything yet, but in my mind, it's two different parts of the body. Has anyone else had a bowel resection since lapband placement and what was their experience? Thanks.

I take B-complex Vitamins daily. My energy level is definitely more up when I take them

At Synchrony Health, free fills for life

I love hummus. You can use it with raw veggies. I like to put it on crackers.

I enjoy the taste of food. Food has lost it's hold over me, however, and I am not interested in it as a rule. I eat when I need to. Sometimes, I forget to.

I like bagel crisps or crunchy crackers if I get a rare bread urge.

I would look at the paperwork that you signed prior to surgery. If there is nothing in there about extra charges for other things that are done during surgery, you should not have another fee to pay. There should be a stipulation in your contract that would allow your surgeon to charge over what was the originally agreed price. No stipulation for extra fees, no extra charges to be paid

I like Schick Quattro, both the refillable and the disposable