rustymarie

Spoke to a great bariatric surgeon today who will take me on as a patient. Just have to get all the paperwork sent to his office from my other doctor...thanks for the great suggestions everyone. Will keep you posted on the outcome.

Thanks for the replies. To stevegoad, I have no problem with diets...I actually eat a pretty healthy one. I am quite pissed that my doctor had no problem taking my money (and a lot of it), not listening to me even after telling me "you must know your own body" and having me get an expensive test (upper G.I.) While there is nothing wrong with my lap band he still won't give me a fill because "he doesn't believe in the lap band" anymore. Well, I do! And I suppose most of the people here do also, otherwise none of us would have gone through the surgery. It is not magic. It is a tool. But even though I have the tool implanted in my body, my doctor will not give me a little hand (or fill) to help the tool work. The metabolic plan he wants me to go on (at a mere cost of $250 for 10 group sessions) is based on Live To Eat by Dr. Fuhrman if anyone would like to check it out. Not for me!

Anyone else have this happen to them? I've had a ton of problems with my band from being overfilled. Every time my doc "over" filled me I told him I could tell it was too tight. Needless to say I had 3 emergency unfills. Last Feb.2012 he took all the saline out except for 2cc. and told me to go on a diet...are you kidding me???? I was self pay and after paying him over $14,000 of my hard earned cash he says go on a diet? So, I gained about 30lbs. (but I do feel good cuz I can eat without throwing up) I went back asking for a small fill and he told me he thought I had a slip and needed an upper G.I. (once again I paid for it by myself). Went back after the upper G.I. with normal results....nothing wrong with the band, port or my stomach. Doc told me AGAIN to go on a diet (a metabolic diet) because he didn't believe in the lap band anymore.....Seriously, this is no joke. So what now? I'd like to find a new bariatric doc but most don't want to take on another doctors patient. Any suggestions?????

I do a little scrunch (sit-up) and my Doc finds my port and does the fill...30 seconds is all it takes. No numbing. That would hurt...the fill is nothing! No pain, just a little pick.

Hi Everyone. I live in the Thumb...Caro to be exact. I didn't have insurance and went to Harper Hospital in Detroit. It was $11,700 but I think they have gone down in price now $10,700. Whatever the price it was well worth every penny. Wish I had done it years ago. There's no support groups around here but wish there were.

1. Sis in law

2. A good chicken broth...taste it before surgery

3. Pain meds

4. Lots of Water

5. My favorite pillow

I work in a restaurant and do a lot of physical labor. I went in for surgery on a Tues. and was back to work the following Tues. I didn't lift anything over 10 lbs. for about 2 or 3 weeks after. The doctor suggested 6 wks. of no heavy lifting but that just wasn't feasible. I've had so much more energy starting almost immediately after my surgery that it was no big deal going back to work. I feel that if you get your Protein in you feel stronger sooner.

I had a little restriction right after my first fill but nothing now. I go for my second fill 3/17 and can hardly wait. My doc was great with my fill. No numbing shot (I heard that's what hurts) and hit my port on the first try. He's wonderful!!

I just got my first fill 2-18 and my doctor put in 4cc's. He said he's pretty agressive because most of his patients have to drive so far. I can feel more restriction than before the fill but I'm still hungrier at night.

My doc said the biggest myth is that you can't swallow pills. He said I could have saved some money not buying liquid Tylenol...which is BTW gross!!! He sent me home with a RX for Vicodin (which I've used twice)and I was scared to take it but he said the hole is the size of a dime and it wouldn't get stuck. So far, no problems taking any of my meds. I'd say just listen to your doc...they know what's best for each individual patient.

I just bought Unjury (unflavored and van.) and it tastes terrible. I used the unflavored in sf pudding (as per directions from Unjury) and all I could taste is the powder...yuck! This morning I had a van. shake with skim milk and the taste and after taste were horrible. Since I spent so much money on them I hate to throw them out...I actually bought 2 containers of unflavored. Anyone have any suggestions on how to use either one of them?

I will be banded at Harper (DMC) in Detroit Jan. 8.......anyone else there going to Detroit?

UPDATED LIST:

Dec 31- Chrisann (honorary member of the Jan 08 bandsters)

Jan 1- HAPPY NEW YEARS! Starting the year off right!

Jan 2- phowell, Megmarie21, Gingerbug(Victoria), jengland, racetrackweary, rainbowme2(Bunny), RT (Brisbane)

Jan 3-WOWOX7, Woodsy,momto3, Mommamare(NJ), nancy52,AnneElliot, ovahkummer

Jan 4- KUgirl, steviegene, SuzanneG, Songinmysoul, sleclerc (shirley), WendyRae

Jan 5- texasbandster

Jan 6

Jan 7- CallmeJim, comepickmeup, NukeChik, mamato3, kintime, Shell, destined2befree, babedoe4

Jan 8 - Fat&thrifty(and husband Joe), itz me, faa31, crackedpepper, flipbarnett, Joanna240, rustymarie

Jan 9 – Redtulips3, FLMan, TachaBaby505!!!

Jan 10- luvsrocks, Hilary, Jen25bl, jtag10_4, Char1007, Pizzaman citygirl4616

Jan 11- brez1015, Tmusicmaker123, Poopsie, Ready2JustDoIt

Jan 12- jen6740

Jan 13

Jan 14- CoreynVA, acalpn, srbanker(Suzanne), grayl, cnukaya, Jessthat

Jan 15- Travelology (Mexico), Dianegoe, poodlecamper

Jan 16 Kathy-CA. Saleel --Australia, back2reality, Cherry_Blue, Perth, West Aus

Jan 17- SJK, Alfie, L.A., lwood, tweenwaters, Laurieloo, kcintx,mia31771

Jan 18- RuthE?, shanarene

Jan 19

Jan 20

Jan 21- mo7293 (Maureen), graham

Jan 22- purplegoddess

Jan 23- min, Ang1982 (Angela) Tigger_Shorty (Rose)

Jan 24- holleyhobby,jst4kel

Jan 25 Noni(Mary)

Jan 26

Jan 27

Jan 28-kawanabear(Kalonda), crystalcml, blg200200

Jan 29 - diane-south fla

Jan 30 - PortuguesePrincess(Stephanie),Amberwaves(Amber)

Jan 31 SarahT1982, lkgrubb

I'm scheduled for surgery through Belite @ Harper on Jan. 8 and after hearing all the "bad press" about them I'm getting a little scared. I'm not sure what my expectations are of them after surgery. What will I need from them after my surgery is done? They've been pretty helpful so far and I haven't had any problems with them returning phone calls or emails. Should I call the doctor at Harper directly before surgery?? Can I trust that they've scheduled me or do I need to make sure my surgery is scheduled at the hospital? Help!

I'll be having surgery 1/08. I'll be spending that night in the hospital and the following day and night at a "hotel" assoc. w/hospital. I was wondering if I'd be OK to drive 20 mins. away to my SIL's house to spend the next couple of days? I'm not sure if I have anyone to pick me up when I get released. Anyone drive themselves home second day after surgery?