tztmama

I just received a statement from my insurnace company and they were charged $75.000 for my lapband surgery. It was totally laproscopic, it was done at a surgery center as opposed to a hospital, i was only there for a few hours. My surgery was done in California. My portion of the bill only amounts to around $3,800 but still. Has anyone ever heard of the surgery being this high?

be careful about putting anything in a jacket. my nurse made me take off my shoes and jacket. if she/he asks you to pull your shirt just act really shy about showing any bra area (if you have weights there).

how about those travel weights that you fill with Water? Get a big bra and tuck those away in there. In the 70's, while going to rock concerts, I would tie those leather canteens full of wine to the area between my knee and ankle, around the calf. Bell bottoms were in style then and they are now. This way may be riskier though.

My dentist is a sweet man but not necessarily a "communicator". I have to remind sometimes that I am a teacher not a dentist so he needs to fill in the gaps of information he assumes I know. I will call him and ask him to look into this, as well as my surgeon.

You look absolutely awesome! I'll bet now you can climb those play grounds too! Good for you!

Wow, I have lots of dental work done. I am glad I read these posts and will ask my Dr. about it.

My dr. said he does not see the "Switch" as being as effective. He is a man of few words so didn't say why and I didn't ask him.

Gain the weight. safety pin weights to your underwear.

I am still new (9/26/05) and have yet to find the "sweet spot" where I can eat without overeating. I am losing slowly (15 lbs so far) but struggle with dieting. I am tired of getting fills (4 so far) and want to "get on with losing now" without going to the dr. so often. I voted "not overall satisfied but would do it again".

I was taking Lexapro but still acted bitchy so I quit. I really couldn't tell any difference. If I don't start losing some pounds and find my "sweet spot" I just might need to get back on something! I am totally for taking them if they help. Life's too short to be unhappy!

I am losing slower on the band then on my liquid shakes. Liquid shakes are the fastest way to lose, for me at least. I am yet to get the restriction I need to lose at the rate of 2 or 3 pounds a week. I was banded 9/26/05 and here it is, almost three months later and i have only lost 15 pounds. I guess I should try yet another diet until i get some more fills.

I so wish we lived near each other! I guess you can tell that we all may "feel this way" most of the time or at least at various times in our lives. I just don't fit in either. I am a teacher and most of the other teachers know how to coordinate and accesorize and their hair and nails are always perfect. I have never been that way. I am doing good to get to work with my lesson plans half way thought out, much less choose clothes. My weight fluctuates so much I can't afford to buy wardrobes. I can't wait until this band and I are closer to goal. It won't change my personality or organization habits but, darn it, it will be easier to get dressed in the morning.

never considered it. I guess with the stretch marks for child-bearing i just figured now i would have a tic tac toe board.

If anyone remembers the Cambridge diet of the 80's, they have a powdered shake product that I use. It is still around all these years later and it is the only shake substance I can stick to because it tastes good. Three shakes provide all nutrients needed but since I love to eat, I have one shake in the morning and then regular food for the rest of the day.

Mines first name is Sil. Last name Icon.

I initally lost 12 pounds because I was on the liquid diet after surgery. Once I went back on solids and could eat, I gained 10 back. I just had my 4th fill and am finally losing again. I am about 13 pounds down now, total. I was banded on 9/26 so I have had quite a few fills in a relatively short time. It is soooo frustrating isn't it? I expected everyone to be in awe when they saw me this Christmas (okay, at least for them to say "are you losing weight?") but I have not lost enough to even tell. It will come, though. Have faith.

I saw a statistic that said 25% have problems with the band but not that they just flat out didn't lose. Interesting. Let us know if you hear anymore about this, okay?

Awesome! What a wonderful holiday gift for you and all who love you!

Hey, I had a BMI of about 38. I did the surgery because obesity killed my grandma and completely incapacitated my mother at the young age of 60 (diabetes/strokes)----- I care for her now as she is on hospice. I see everyday what is in store for me if i don't get a handle on this.

I have the big band so I had 5 cc's the first fill. It didn't hurt at all and I felt almost no restriction.

Update----------- I have had 3 fills since the initial "5cc for first fill". I am up to 7 cc and have pretty good restriction for now but I can tell I will need more. If I am not feeling major restriction at 220 lbs and at 7 cc's-------what wil it be like at 170 lbs.???? Dr. said the band losens as we lose weight. I am also afraid I will run out of room in the band.

Debra, You sound soooo ready! I am very excited for you and wish you all the best as you journey toward a healthier you!

thank you so much for sharing your story. I am so discouraged because of gaining some of the weight back. I hope i will also have a happy ending like you!

Let's keep this line of communication open, please! I am so depressed lately because I feel little to no restriction. I got 5 cc on a VG band and am going back for more on Wed. I only had my first fill of 5 cc last Thursday. I can just feel that it isn't enough. I ate a hot dog and baked chips after the fill (bunless of course). While I waited in the dr. office to get my fill I was surrounded by women who had GBP and they had lost lots of weight and all looked so good! AAAGGGHHH! Lets keep in touch on this so we can help each other problem solve or vent.

Ewwwwwwww! No wonder they are still single. moms is probably the only one who'll put up with them.