julieplunk

Diane, I know the feeling .. I am beginning to think that I am never going to be on a regular diet again.. lol ... As time passes it does get easier because you grow accustom to it .. You are soo right .. it is all worth it .. I have lost 9 pounds already and I am only 5 days post-op .. Good luck with your surgery and keep us posted on your progress .. Have a Great day !

HKHarms , You have to do what you feel in your heart is best and follow your gut. This is a life altering decision and will forever change the way you live your life. I know that this surgery has benefitted me because I am a stress eater and since my step dad's diagnosis I have gained weight because I have stuffed my emotions.. I am not able to do this now and it has saved my life I believe. Before you make the decision to make the trip, put your loved one in the hands of the Lord and everything will work out for the best.. God Bless You and Keep you safe on your journey... Keep me posted and let me know how things turn out ..

Darlene, Congrats on your weight loss .. You can go to www.tickerfactory.com to set up your weight loss ticker for free. I know the feeling about hunger... I am four days post op and I am having a hard time with hunger. I am trying to adjust to eating less food and more meals .. I think I am over doing it when I do eat because I eat until it hurts and I know that's not right .. I need to get into a support group so that I can do this the right way and be successful. I am always open for suggestions as I am soo scared to do the wrong thing ...

I was banded on 01/19/2006 but I was on liquids for nine days before surgery so I know the feeling about it sucking big ONES ... I am still doing solid liquids and sticking to broccoli cheese soup and it is the greatest.. especially from Chili's ... lol. It is a huge life altering adjustment but I have lots of will power and determination and I know I can do this and you can too.. Just stick to it .. Remember the rewards !!!

Where are you traveling from ? I know exactly what you are going through because my step father is in the final stages of colo rectal cancer and I was very nervous about leaving him and something bad happening and there being complications but everything went as planned and I was home in no time .. You will do just fine .. Don't worry !! Keep me posted and let me know how everything works out and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers ..

Hi ! I was really nervous too the next before my surgery. I had to be at the hospital at 6:15 a.m. and my surgery was scheduled for 7:45 a.m. I think I was the first cut of the day which was great because I was in and out and on my way home by 1:00 p.m. Everyone was wonderful . Dr Luk came in and explained everything in great detail and answered all my questions. Dr. Jay came in as well and was wonderful.. After the surgery I felt very little discomfort and almost no pain at all. The second day I went to Dallas and had lunch with my father and walked alot which helped with the gas pains.. Take lots of GAs X it really does work. It has been my saving grace.. I am still having a hard time keeping my calories up because I am scared of over eating but I think that will come with time and adjustments.. Dr Jay did fill my band with 1 cc of saline so I am feeling lots of restriction but I think this is normal because of swelling as well .. Am I right about this ?? How long does it take for the swelling to go down ?? I hope I have answered all your questions.. Good luck w/ your surgery. I know you will do great and you will never be sorry ..

Hi Kim , I am in Alvarado, Texas which is South of Fort Worth. I am about an hour from Medical City Dallas. I would love to get together at least once a month for a group meeting. I think that would be great. I don't mind traveling.. Here is my personal email .. DAngelbaby2395@aol.com .. Email me with your info and I will give you mine as well.. Look forward to talking to you real soon .. have a great day !

Hello Everyone ! Thank you soo much for all your imput and support.. Today has been a rough day for me. I think I over did it yesterday and I am having quite a it of pain and discomfort today. I am taking my gas X as often as directed and it has been my saving grace as far as gas pain is concerned. You are right about the port location. I think that is where I feel the most discomfort at this point. I am still on liquids and I have started on solid liquids very slowly. I am having a hard time keeping my calories up also because I am scared to over do it because the last thing I want to do it vomit .. I hear that is very painful.. How do you know when you are full ??? I think I will start my protien shakes tomorrow when I wake up and see how that goes tomorrow. I will be four days post op.. I think I am still in shock.. I feel like I am living a dream still. This has been the best experience of my entire life other then when my daughter was born and I would highly recomend it to anyone who is looking for a better way of life and is tired of being sick and tired.. Although I am still feeling kinda crummy I feel that my life has taken a new turn and I am soo excited to see what the future holds.. I am in Alvarado , Texas btw and I am willing to travel to a support group and would love to share my story in hopes that others will know that you are never alone out there and there is always someone that is where you are or has been where you have been as well. I am soo thankful for lapband.com because this website gives me the support that I need to stay on this positive road to recovery.. Thank you all Very much !! I love you all !! How do I set up my tickler .. for my weight loss ??

I began my new life today. I am now free from prison and I am able to spread my wings and fly. As I was being transported to the OR I was already making plans for my new life. Thinking of things that I wanted to do, and places I wanted to see.. I am now able to get out and visit old friends that I haven't seen in years.. It feels good to be able to move about and breathe clearly and know that it is all up hill from this moment on. Since my banding I have lost 9 more pounds in just a few days. I am seeing the light now and I know that I can do this with lots of determination and will power. I would like to thank everyone who has stood beside me and supported as I have struggled through this journey. I think I am on the right path now and I can't wait to see what the future holds for me as I continue climbing this mountian to reach my goal..

I began my new life today. I am now free from prison and I am able to spread my wings and fly. As I was being transported to the OR I was already making plans for my new life. Thinking of things that I wanted to do, and places I wanted to see.. I am now able to get out and visit old friends that I haven't seen in years.. It feels good to be able to move about and breathe clearly and know that it is all up hill from this moment on. Since my banding I have lost 9 more pounds in just a few days. I am seeing the light now and I know that I can do this with lots of determination and will power. I would like to thank everyone who has stood beside me and supported as I have struggled through this journey. I think I am on the right path now and I can't wait to see what the future holds for me as I continue climbing this mountian to reach my goal..

Hello Everyone ! Just wanted tp check in and let everyone know that my surgery was a great success. Dr. Jay and his wonderful staff have been soo supportive and helpful. I am very sore and still adjusting to the band and eating very little but I think I am doing as well as to be expected. I have already lost 9 pounds and I am excited.. I am looking forward to a wonderful road to recovery and would highly recomend this surgery for anyone who is looking for a new way of life..

Hello Everyone! It has been a while since I have posted and I wanted to update and all the exciting things going on.. I have been approved for the lapband. I am having surgery on Tuesday, January 17th . I want to thank you Spyr for referring me to Dr. Jay. He is awesome and his staff is wonderful. Everything has gone very smoothly. I can't believe I got in and got approved that quick.. I started my liquids on Tuesday and I am hanging in there but it sucks. I know it is all for the best though and I am very determined and I have lots of will power. I have lost 50 lbs to date and I am on my way to a new life.. I will keep everyone posted on my progress.. Good Day to all !

Hey Everyone ! I got an appt. with Dr. Jay. It is on Dec 8th at 12:30 .. I am soo excited . I will let you know how it goes ..

thank you Stephanie .. I have applied and I will let you know what happens .. My credit is really bad so keep your fingers crossed and say a prayer for me ..

Spydr- I just got home from the seminar. I am soo excited ! I am very impressed with Dr. Jay and his staff. They were really helpful and answered all my questions. I am going to call tomorrow and schedule my first appointment . I will keep you posted and let you know how it goes .. I do know right now that I have to have my gall bladder removed first and then I will be banded after that .. I can't wait ... How are you doing ? When did were you banded and how are things going? Keep in touch .. Talk to you soon !

Here are names and numbers that I thought might be helpful to those of us that can't seem to get anywhere with insurance companies or those of us who don't have any insurance at all .. I hope this information can help someone who is struggling to get banded so that they can have there life back such as I am .. Good Day to all ! Capital One 1-888-440-2375 www.cosmeticfeeplan.com APF Advanced Patient financing 1-800-392-5189 www.APFUSA.com Reliance Finance Corporation 1-800-322-6377 www.reliancemedicalfinance.com The Surgery Finance Center 1-888-942-6609 www.surgeryfinancecenter.com

these are the financial resources that Dr. Jay's coordinater .. Jennifer sent to me yesterday and I have already gotten pre approvals back .. I just need a co signer and I am approved ... I hope this helps you .. Hang in there and everything will work out for the best.. Keep the faith ! Have a Great day !

Capital One 1-888-440-2375 www.cosmeticfeeplan.com APF Advanced Patient financing 1-800-392-5189 www.APFUSA.com Reliance Finance Corporation 1-800-322-6377 www.reliancemedicalfinance.com The Surgery Finance Center 1-888-942-6609 www.surgeryfinancecenter.com

I have the names of several patient finance companies that I would be more then happy share with you .. If you will email me directly I can forward the information to you .. marknjulieplunk@netzero.net Have a Great day ! Julie

If anyone needs info on patient financing I have some info for you ... email me and I will gladly share it with you ..

I am sooo excited !!! I just talked to Dr. Jay's office and they are having a seminar tonight ... I am going ! They also accept medicaid with a 2000.00 deposit which covers fills and everything forever .. I see the light now ... I think my prayers have been answered .. Good Day to all !

I called Dr . Maese today and I am going to the seminar on Thursday .. they told me that medicaid doesn't cover the lap band surgery but I called medicaid and they said they do if it is medically necassary. .. I am still researching this issue and I will keep you up dated as I find out more info ..

does he accept medicaid ?

I am also new to band land and I am having a hard time finding a doctor that will accept medicaid .. I am getting frustrated more and more as I keep running into road blocks .. I am keeping the faith though as I know this surgery is the best thing that will ever happen to me .. I appreciate all the info that I have received and am always looking for more ..

I live in Texas btw ..lol