Gigee

Congrats! That's a great NSV! That's how I felt the first time I was able to slide (that's right I said slide as opposed to squeeze) in a booth at my favorite restaurant.

In answer to your question about a doctor in the inland empire. My surgeron was Dr. Douglas Krahn. I've had great experiences with him and his staff. Would recommend him to anyone looking for this surgery. I don't know how much he charges for self-pay as my insurance paid for my surgery. He has an extremely busy practice. Give his office a call and see what you think.

Hi Callista, Bariatric Advantage has every vitamin in as a chewable. Check out their website. Bariatric Advantage - Calcium

What about ordering a side order garlic mashed potatoes with gravy or butter on the side.

Would do it again in a heart beat. Hands down the best thing that I've ever done. Ever! Only regret is that I didn't do it sooner!

You're probably wearing an underwire bra. You should switch to a sports bra. The fabric is softer and there's no wire. I wore them instead of my regular bras for about 8 weeks. Not as much support but better for my incision.

My insurance paid for the surgery and a year of follow-up care, including fills. Luckily for me my new insurance covers fills also. But just to be on the safe side, I have a flexible spending account that will pay for any and all medical bills not covered by insurance. My doctor charges $175.00. This covers office visit and fill.

My doctor has me on clear liquids 2 days before my fill. After the fill has been done - then its 2 days clear liquids, followed by 2 days mushie foods and then I can return to my normal eating routine. Works well for me cause I've finally reached my sweet spot and I don't feel hungry anymore. Who would a thunk it!

Hi, My surgery was not performed by Dr. Coon. My surgery was performed by Dr. Krahn at St. Bernadine's Hospital in Highland. Gigee

Hi Where is SC (South Carolina) do you live and at what doctor and hospital did you use. My sister lives in South Carolina and she's looking for a doctor to perform lapband on her. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Gigee

I won't miss: Being/or feeling like I'm the heaviest person at any function Trying to find something or anything pretty to wear to any function Being the fattest mom among my kids friends Always wearing a jacket (as if it can hide that fact that I'm fat) Wearing those ugly long granny dresses that they sell in plus size stores Wearing granny panties - I can't wait to buy my first sexy thong Always being on the bottom when making love to dh. Looking to be more agile, flexible and moveable Shopping in plus sized stores Not being able to sit in a booth Being heavier than my dh I'll add to my list as other things come to me. I love this. There is hope at the end of this journey

My favorites are yogurt, scrambled eggs, jello, string cheese, chunk light tuna, and bananas.

They're right 16 lbs. is fantastic! You can buy Optifast from Bariatric Advantage.com. They have lots of stuff - vitamins, protein shooters, etc. Check them out.

Well, for me it meant that everytime I started a new diet I would let my doctor know and she wouldl make note of it in my files. And I would follow up with her every few months. I've been on every diet known to man twice. Go to a seminar. My doctor's staff consisted of an insurance specialist who knew the ins and outs of getting approval. You'd be surprise what they can do to assist with approval. Take that first step, you won't regret it. This is the best thing that I've ever done for myself. I ohly wish I had done it sooner.

I had HealthNet when I did my surgery, September 14th. I had no problems with them at all. My paperwork was submitted and before long, I was approved. I didn't have to do a 6 month diet, probably because I had 10 years of documented diets on file with my PCP. Good Luck!

I would do it again in a heartbeat! It's the best thing I've ever done for myself and my family. My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner! Just keep in mind that it's a tool. You still have to do the work. Good luck!

Hi CaliGirl626, Most of the cash patients that I've spoken to at the support group meetings tend to get in faster than those of us going thru insurance approval. I don't understand why the process is slow for you.

Dr. Krahn performed my surgery in September 07. He is a fantastic doctor. My experiences with his support staff was and continues to be great! They were very responsive and helpful while I was going thru the approval process and they continue to be helpful as I go through the weight loss/adjustment stage. I think you should complain to his office managers. Or better yet, complain to Dr. Krahn. His office staff represents him and I'm sure he would want to know that his staff is not responding/following up with his potential patients in a timely manner or at all. If he doesn't know there's something wrong, how can we expect it to get better. I think you should complain even if you choose another surgeon to perform your procedure.

My pre-ops were done at the hospital where my surgery was performed, St. Bernardine Hospital in San Bernardino. See if you can get your pre-ops done at the hospital where you're going to have your surgery.

I recommend Dr. Douglas Krahn of Western Bariatric. He is fantastic. His staff is also great!

Chicken breast Chop the chicken add mayo and make a chicken salad Turkey burgers or ground turkey Yogurt Cheese sticks Salad

Actually, Khaliah Ali is the daughter of Ali but she did not appear on Dancing with the Stars that was Layla Ali, another daughter of Ali.

Check out Welcome to LAP-BAND.com. To get the full benefit of the website you must register though. You will learn a lot about your surgery, the pre and post op diet, etc. Give it a try.

Okay. Let's try it again. Try Nutritional Supplements for Gastric Bypass Bariatric Surgery Patients from Bariatric Advantage. They have vitamins and other WLS products. I hope it works this time.

Hey wait a minute. That's not what I wrote! Anybody know how that happened? Let me check out this website and I'll check out the one it should have been. I'm totally confused!