LeslieMush

i have been banded for a bit over a year and get occassion port pain. one doctor said it had been placed 'too high'. great... anyway, it is nothing bad enough for me to get it surgically fixed.

:help: I live in Sussex County and am looking for someone to go to the gym or the YMCA with. I currently am not a member of the 'Y' or any gym, but would like to be. Thank you!

i think that having your first fill almost a year after your banding is NOT the norm. The needle thing is no big deal, believe me...good luck with your consult with dr. abkin... you will like him. he is better than his associate dr. bertha. you can contact me off this site if you want to @lchilenski@hotmail.com

:help: Iam looking to get breast lift, lipo and maybe a tummy tuck. Can anyone recommend a top notch plastic surgeon in the NY/NJ (preferably NJ) area? How muc do these things cost? Does insurance pay for anything( I have AETNA)?

anyone from New Jersey that could recommend a top notch plastic surgeon in the NY/NJ area, for lipo, breast lift and possibly a tummy tuck? and how much do they cost? Insurance ( I have Aetna) pay for any of it?

I got mine removed in 1998-after losing some weight (not much) on the Nutri System diet.

anyone have a template of a food chart? I used my last one and have no more left. Really was not thrilled with that one anyway... email me @Lchilenski@hotmail.com thanks! ~Leslie

Let me tell you about the Psychologist that Dr Abkin suggests you use-(down the hall from his office). He was soooo clueless.:eek: A waste of money. You are going to have to get a psych eval with whomever doctor you go to, so if you have to pay for it, you might as well go to a psych who is knowledgable, has a clue and does not charge you an arm and a leg... the nutritionists in Dr. Abkin's building are very good, though. I was very pleased with them. I paid $325.00 for 3 visits. The psych was $175. and that was in August 2005. My insurance reimbursed me for the psych. Still waiting on reimbursement for the nutritionist.... Check out Dr. Gritsus. He trained with Berta/Abkin. Works out of Chilton Hospital in Pompton Plains, NJ (can't say enough good stuff about this hospital). His office is in Lincoln Park, NJ and he has one in Ridgewood, NJ (Valley Hospital is also an excellent hospital). I had Dr. Abkin do my surgery, as he took my insurance. I really like him. Didn't care for his partner, though... no bedside manner... he made me feel like i was bothering him. so i would NOT recommend Dr. Bertha. Good luck on your search...

quick question...anyone have a probelm with hair loss since beingbanded? If so, what did you do about it?

this sounds like a great idea. I don't get on as much as I'd like to , but i will try. Accountability is what it is about and owning up to yourself. It is not easy, but i have come to far to screw it all up now! B-Tea w/2 equals, tried 2 pieces of pancakes(just to see if I could tolerate it) and then P-A-I-N ( i guess that is on the DO NOT EAT list) L-2 choc Italian ices S-Lots of Tea w/Equal or splenda D-1oz. chx with tbls mashed potatos and tbls spinach Not too much liquid, except my italian ice ( I can use that as liquid, can't I?), and lots of tea... I need more protein, i know.... don't understand how everyone can eat so much- I cannot eat rice, bread, pizza, pasta of any type, pancakes...i throw up or have bad pain. I guess this is good, as I shouldn't be eating them anyway???

Thank you for the info!!! I too drink this protein drink. I hate the shakes, and found this drink to be actually quite good! ( I like the blue and purple flavors). I get a 20% discount at GNC with my Gold membership, but it still is expensive to get all these drinks. And I agree with you about the bulky glass bottles. I try to drink 2-3 bottles a day, but usually end up finishing 1. I am not getting enough protein from my diet and have found that drinking these really helps, with the 40 grams of protein per bottle. I will contact them and see what they can do for me, as far as ordering a few cases. Thanks again!

I was banded 8/29/05. I have not had a fill yet. I think it may be time to get one, as I am getting more food and liquid down than I have before. Is it time?????

I live in New Jersey and will be in the market for a PS in the near future. Anyone have any recommendations?

Hi everyone and Happy New Year! I did it-got rid of allof my 'fat' clothes. I had to go and get some new ones, though (can't be naked in Jersey in the winter, can i...). I didn't want to get too much-4 pair of jeans and i have about 6 shirts in my closet. it is very bare... i used to have so many clothes inthere, but all 'Fat' clothes. it was a huge weight off my shoulders getting rid of them (donated them to a local women's half way house). But at the same time, it was kind of meloncholy... sounds wierd, i know , but they were my 'fat' clothes, my reliable, dependable, not too attractive clothes that i had. But it took a lot of looking at them (with disgust) and finally said that is it... and away they went! I feel so liberated with out them in 3 different sizes! Now I am a 14 and so happy I could kiss myself! lol... but i have about 50 more pounds to go...but until then, i think i will kiss myself, for everything that I have been through in 2005 and survived it, making me a stronger, more independant woman!

I was banded 8/29/05 and have had troubles on and off since. Yes, I have lost about 50 pounds (yippee!), but i am so restricted at my food and drink intake. Burping??? I know all about it, Delara... I can pump 'em out with the best of 'em...lol. I go for my endoscopy 2/26/06- yes, a doctore that does them on Sundays! No missed work! I have a question... I am losing a lot, not just a lot, but A LOT of hair. I assume it is because i am not getting my protein, as I should. Any one else have this happent o them, and if so, what did you do? I used to have awesome hair, but now it looks like a bad Barbie doll hair....HELP!

Hi- Just scheduled my LB surgery for 8/29 at Morristown Memorial Hospital with Dr. Abkin. Any suggestions/comments/helpful hints would be GREATLY appreciated. I'd also love to hear about your personal experience with Dr Abkin and Morristown Memorial Hospital. Thanks. ~Leslie

well, went to see Dr Abkin 9/16. may need to get an endoscopy in 2 weeks to see what is going on, as I feel crappy. Does anyone else feel like they have a sore throat or a tightening in the lower esophogus ?it is a horrible feeling. It has been 3 1/2 weeks and am still on liquids and full liquids. I want a potato chip!!!!! and a slice of pizza! But I have discovered Marino's Italian Ices in Chocolate-they are my chocolate saviors! now if they only made them in pizza flavor... But seriously...i may need to get the band removed, if they find a problem. By- Pass is not an option for me. But the good news is that I am under 200 lbs for the first time in 10 years!!! Yeah for ME!!!!! Lesliemush getting skinnier by the minute and loving every minute of it...:Bunny

Well...the surgery went.... It was ROUGH...I came home the same day (8/29), but needed to take an ambulence ride back due to severe pain and dehydration, after 4 days home. I stayed 5 days at the hospital. I am back home now and feeling better everyday. I even lost 12 pounds!!!:Bunny PS- My breast surgery went very well with the small lump being benign.

All Blondes Can Do Everything zyxwv

jello pepsi or coke- even though we are not suppossed to drink soda anymore...

Well I found out last week that I need breast surgery. My insurance changes Sept. 1st, and Memorial Sloan Kettering does not take my new insurance (Neither does Dr. Abkin), so I am going to get the breast surgery this Thursday, Aug. 25th. ( my babys' 2nd birthday...not that he knows or anything...) Then 4 days later, I go in for the LapBand. To be quite honest, though, I am more afraid of the LapBand surgery than I am the breast surgery. I went to the Pre-Op class at Dr. Abkin's on the 17th. Linda, the nurse, was so awesome. Talked about the support groups and even mentioned, you, Alexandra! The nutritionist was extremely helpful and then Dr. Puplova came in for a few minutes. (Abkin is doing MY surgery). So wish me luck, actually wish me double luck...I am going to be feeling like a piece of swiss cheese when these surgeries are all over!lol... Thanks for all the encouragement from you all!

Tall Men Are Just Unique OPNCE

Carpet Wizard of Oz or Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (original one, of course!)

How long did it take to get back to work???

i saw the nutritionist on Friday. The Lap Band diet is sooooo restrictive. Yes, I need to and want to lose weight, but the lifestyle change with the food seems so difficult to do. Anyone have the same thoughts? And no more soda?????? What's a Dr. Pepper addict to do?!? what about emotional eating? and cravings? and by the way... I love those little things you guys have posted on your replies with your weight and how much ymore you need to go-how can i put one on my page?