Poodles

Thin for good from Fred Pescatore. It is a good book with daily modification/self help messages. I read this all the time to help correct the negative "tapes" in my head. You must put good things in. Be positive. Although I do not have the band yet, I am a compulsive eater and have found that when I am very mad I need to sit down and "escape". Thin for good is a diet book, and I think that it would help everyone band or not. I also went on a "Lord of the Rings" diet when I first went low carb. If those cakes/candies started calling, I started reading. Forgive the bad pun...but sugar is my "preciousssss" and reading seemed to help. You can read, take a bubble bath, walk the dog, paint your fingernails, you know try to do something nice for yourself to take your mind off of eating. You are good enough to be good to. You know that because you cared enough about yourself to get the band. Don't abuse yourself or your band. Adjust to this new life with all the strength and willpower you possess. You can do it!

I do not have a band yet, but can tell you Valerian Root (sp?) is the only thing that helps me when I cramp badly. You can get it at Walmart or GNC, Vitamin Shoppe etc. Formula 303 is what I take most of the time. I was given this by a Chiropractor and have never stopped using it. It helps cramps, and will even allow you to relax to sleep if you have insomnia. The Formula 303 is a tablet that can be crushed. Some of the OTC come in capsules and if you search Valerian at VitaminShoppe.com you will find several liquid forms. I would get the one with Passion flower in it too. But please be aware, I am not a doctor, this is just advice based on my personal experiences. http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/browse/sku_detail.jhtml;$sessionid$3LGFAWAIIRAWOCQUAOWSM4QKCQB1AGXK?SkuID=223540&BreadCrumbType=SearchResult Do you have a dog? Or a heating pad? My schnauzer will sit on my lap. The heat and pressure seem to help sometimes. Or it may be the lovin'... Get well soon!

Regarding SCOR. They told me that AIGB is out of network, that the Dr. is out of network, that they would treat me like I was in network, but they never told me the Anesthesiologist (sp?) would not work the same deal. How do you find a doctor that is considered in-network? Went thru my ins provider list and they do not specify. Also called Dr. Hamns office and they told me that for other procedures they are in network, but for the band they are out of network. I am confused. I have an out of pocket Max of $2000.00 but there is a difference of 20% between in network(20%) and out(40%). Can someone explain it to me? If I have an out of pocket max, does it matter what the anesthesiologist charges? I have TRS activecare. Has anyone used it? And BTW, I have an appointment with AIGB on OCT 10th so I need to know something quick!!!!!!

I have checked in there a few times, but no one else was there. Think the chat room would be more utilized if we had scheduled times to be there. Maybe a "newbie chat" at 6:00 M-F, Saturday Night Live from 9-? for all the party bandsters, etc... We would just need to give a time zone and info. Just a thought.

Thank you Keri, you are so wonderful to answer my questions. I really appreciate your help! )

Well thought this might help anyone else doing some research. This is based on Molly Mollys recommended questions, and Answers from Dr.Benevides' office. *How many bands has he done? Over 1500 * And for how long has he been doing them? 4 years, since FDA approval * What percentage of the bands he has done have had -- erosion? None -- slipping? some, said mostly due to patient noncompliance/vomiting -- other problems? Nothing notable * How many free fills do you get? Did not ask. I asked how many fills are allowed? As many as you need. $50.00 copay, if ins covers * What is their procedure if something goes wrong with the band during the first few months or first year? They will take care of it. Do what ever it takes to fix it. * What is the success rate of weight loss of this surgeon's patients? (I know at the center I'm going to, they've got a 70% EWL average, which is higher than the national average -- this may be because of support services offered post op and/or careful screening of surgery candidates)? Says 97% * What kind of followup care will you receive? 2weeks, 3 month, 6 month, 1 year and 1 year after that. * What will the surgeon require of you post-op? (weekly or monthly support group meetings? weigh-ins? meetings with a dietician?) Nothing mandatory, but monthly meetings offered and recommended. * What is their policy on doing fills? Do they limit it to only so often? How do they decide when it's time for you to have another fill? (or is it your decision?) Dr. Will give specific diet if you still do not lose weight then they will do a fill. Overfilling is an issue and they don't want to do a fill and then go back and take things out. * Does he require you to lose a certain amount of weight prior to surgery? No. __________________ Other question I asked: When is the first fill allowed? After week 6 Who does the fills? Usually nurse/PA, but sometimes Dr. B. Will Dr. B do any follow up or just the surgery? Can schedule an appointment anytime to consult with Dr. B, but most aftercare things are done by others. Did call Dr. Hamns office but the lady sounded overwhelmed. She told me the next "new patient" orientation dates and what information was usually covered, but did not have time to go thru my questions (Or I got that impression, so I did not press it). I think I like the setup Dr. Benevides has, but wanted to post the answers to the questions to get your input. Most of you know better than I what is good/bad...

Ok, I asked two offices these questions (and you can guess by my other thread which offices I asked). One could not answer all questions, but Dr. B's person answered them all in detail. Regarding the question "What is their policy on doing fills? Do they limit it to only so often? How do they decide when it's time for you to have another fill? (or is it your decision?)" What is the appropriate answer? The answer I received was that if I hit a plateau the Dr would give a specific diet to follow for two weeks. If after those two weeks you still did not lose they would do a fill. The PA does the fills most of the time. Is that good? Or bad?

No one but me likes it at my house so I make a small batch: 1 can Bush black Beans 1 can Water 1 tsp Knorr chicken bouillion (not the cubes) Or, to taste. It has salt/spices in it. 1 small roma tomato 3-4 sprigs cilantro (just the leaves) 2 tbsp red onion or to taste Put beans, bouillion, tomato in sauce pan and boil until tomato is soft. Put onion and cilantro in at very end. I like my onion to have a little crunch, if you don't: cook it with the batch. The cilantro gets mushie/yucky if you don't save it until the end. I never put corn in my soup... but I try to keep low carb. Hope you like it!

I have been reading obesityhelp.com where they have patient comments regarding physicians. All positive comments about Benevides, some negatives about Hamn. Biggest negative for Hamn is no aftercare program. That is very important isn't it? Still a little confused....

Hey was just surfing around and found this. Don't know anything about it, but it looks like a great price for a self pay patient. http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/wish_center_lapband_special.html

Well according to my OB/GYN I have three years of documentation and he will write me a letter of recommendation for the approval. I think that is good news! Hopefully, it will work! As for the sleep test, he did not know. Called my insurance company and they said I need a psych test, a nutrition consultation, and 12 months of documentation. Guess my next step is to find out if I am psycho....

Ok, well I went to a seminar on Saturday with Dr. Benevides and really liked him. Today I called my OB/GYN to see what he thought and he recommended Dr. Hamn in Frisco. Says that several of his patients have had tremendous weight loss with Dr. Hamn, and that his facility is at the hospital in case something happens, which would be safer. He did not have an opinion on Benevides. I have read good things and bad regarding Hamn, like how he won't let you go to another "fill Dr", appointment issues, bedside manner issues, etc. And have not read any negative things about Benevides. Would like to know opinions from actual patients about before care, after care, surgery issues/facilities, etc. My OB/GYN said to find out about rate of success and complications before I get cut on by anyone, so figured I would start here! Figure I need to make the right choice, because from what I have read you are stuck with your surgery doctor for aftercare. Thanks in advance for your help

Hey, I am a Better Homes and Gardens lady myself... a fun game I like to play is Sticker Stalker. People have to get up and move around, you know, mingle. You give each person a few stickers (3-?) and they must place it on another person without them knowing. If they get caught they have to take all of the stickers from the person that caught them putting the sticker on them. Trick is to hug everyone, pat everyone on the back, "throw" the stickers on people. First one out of stickers, and with no stickers on them, has to name who they tagged and prove it, then they win a prize. Women love this game, they get very creative and very paranoid of others. Also, I have an A-Z game. Give a topic like Actors names and from A-Z they have to list them (Alec Baldwin, Brad Pitt, Carson Daly, etc) First one done with real names wins a prize. I had a "Hot List Card" for Valentines day, and they loved it. Have fun!

I went to a seminar yesterday with Dr. B. He went through the procedure and answered everyones questions. I like the fact that he has done 1500+ cases with no deaths, and he has trained several doctors too. I asked several questions, and he did not make me feel stupid at all. From what I can tell he was very honest. I asked him if anyone removed the band because they could not handle it. He said he has had some patients that could not take the lifestyle changes, but for the most part everyone is happy. He went through the pluses and minuses of the procedure, and answered very specific questions like it was no big deal. There was also a lady there with a testimonial. My friend and I were very impressed with the whole situation. I did not make an appointment yet, but am still gathering information and filling out paperwork. It kind of freaked me out when I saw that the band can fill to make the opening the size of a dime. But guess that is the point. My friend and I drove by the surgery center, and was not impressed by the outside, but guess they can cut you open anywhere, right? Really liked the staff and the doctor, for all that is worth.

So does it have to be six months straight? If so I need to start back now. If it can be three/four times a year, or once/twice a year with my OBGYN then I am good for the past 10+ years.

The nuclear stress test is no big deal. They shoot you up with green juice (joke) and they take some pictures of your heart. If I remember correctly, they take pictures of your heart. Then they put you on a treadmill and take pictures of your heart again after exercise. The "green juice" just makes everything show up better. I drove myself to the office and everything. It seemed to take forever, but was only around 2 hours. I had two doctors review mine, and everything was fine. My EKG was fine, and they could not figure out why my BP shot up so high and I had chest pains. New Meds and a few days rest and I was back at work. Now the nuclear stress test itself required no follow up. Guess it just depends on your results as to what they do after.

I keep reading that some insurance requires psyche exams, sometimes sleep apnea tests, and sometimes a stress test. Would like to know exactly what tests are required before surgery. Is it different for each person? Also, I had a nuclear stress test two years ago. Do you think that would work? Or do the tests have to be recent? And about Dr reports on diets, what are the requirements? I was put on a low carb diet after I was released from the hospital for chest pain (Atkins same time as the stress test). My OBGYN put me on it for my PCOS/HBP/insulin factors. He may have it in my chart. Went from 320 to 285. I have tons of proof of using the product (receipts), but no official Dr visits for weight loss. I was also on Phen-Phen 8 years ago, and could probably get the records. Info too old? Just don't know what kind of stuff I will need, or if I need to start now.

Good news for Teacher! If you are on that horrible TRS Activecare through BC/BS offered to TX teachers then I have good news for you. In my ISD three people have been approved and have had their surgeries. Two bypasses and one band (so far). I am watching their progress now. The lady with the band just had to show Dr. monitored diet for one year. So there is hope, if you meet the other requirements.

Hey, you have made it through the tough part. A fill should be great! Wish you the best of luck and a very safe trip!

Thank you for all of the information. I think I am going to do it, will know for sure after this seminar on Saturday. I know I need to do something. Trying on my own for 15+ years has not helped! Would appreciate any more advice you have. Thanks again!

I have been reading about "mushie" stages and blenders and such, and was wondering about baby food. Can you eat baby food post-op, or thereafter for a "fast food" type deal? They come in little 4 oz jars, which would be just the right portion. Laugh and point if you must, but then tell me if it would work.

Hello all. I am a 32 year old female, close to the 285 mark, have been big for 10+ years. Ended up in the hospital with chest pains two years ago and was put on a diet, which I have followed, and lost 35 lbs. Highest weight was 320. I have been on a low carb diet to help PCOS symptoms, am on glucophage, and High Blood Pressure meds, as well as Wellbutrin. If I stay low carb I have a regular cycle, but have not dropped any more weight. Know that my portions are too large, but I get HUNGRY. Have read that the band helps with appetite control if you "work it" correctly, but have also read that it does not help PCOS patients as much as "normal" people. So my question is: do you think it would work for me? I know I have the will power to stay low carb, but feel I need some help with portions. My insurance has been good about paying for it for others, but have not tried myself, yet. I am going to a seminar on Saturday, but really wondering if it will be worth it in the long run. Any and all advice appreciated. Thanks!