jam265

well, if you don't want to go to Mexico, you could consider Dr. Kirshenbaum in Colorado. He is 9950, doesn't mess with insurance companies. I think there are a couple of threads on Dr. K.

I have a low thyroid, and basically just crush my pills and go on.

Thanks! I just went to Wally world today and got some supplies. I also bought some Protein powder from a company callled xelr8. My dr. recommended them. Has anyone used it? I hope I have enough stuff! I don't want to run out and have to go to the grocery store soon after surgery. I also wish I could find someone being banded that day. I'd feel more like I was among friends. I'm also really worried that my scale is broken, although I checked it with a bag of flour. It says I've lost 15 pounds since Saturday.

Is there anyone getting banded then? Just wondering who else will be there!

Well, tomorrow is the day for the consultation. I was really hoping to get my surgery in quick because I'll have my mother up for help. Natalie says not until May. Mom can't come back because she and my husband refuse to be in the same house. So, I'll do it in May, without help. On another note, I will have surgery the 31st. I've got a torn rotator cuff in my right shoulder.:embaressed_smile: So, she will be here to help me with that surgery. And, I guess it is more difficult to deal with anyway. But I'd sure rather the other one be first.

Lyrica is fairly new in the fibro world. Ask your dr. about it next time you go in. You may find it the lifesaver I have. I have RA and my dr. pushed Percoset, a habit forming narcotic, over Lyrica. I switched drs. and the lyrica, while it does take some getting used to by just forging through the initial weirdness, has saved my life, or my husband's, or my children's. I no longer have pain daily when the RA and the fibro are under control.

A bipap machine is for sleep apnea. It lets the air flow at two levels, one pressure level for the inhale and one pressure for the exhale. A Cpap machine does not vary the air pressure.

I do take Xanaflex, and I have a bipap machine, so no one can complain! I'm not familiar with Elavil, so I will look into it. I appreciate the input. I'm very concerned about the RA aspect.

I don't have my band yet, but I have Fibro and Rheumatoid Arthritis, both of which have no cure. I do take Ultram generic for the pain, or Percoset if it is bad enough. But what worries me is the Lyrica. I have gained 40 lbs. since starting it, and I'm really dreading taking it and fighting the weight loss. Julie

My name is Julie. I live in Colorado Springs. I'm waiting for my consultation with Dr. K on March 21. But I'm impatient, so I've been reading the posts here. While doing so, I've come up with so many questions. 1. For people who are self paying and having their surgeries now-ish, how long did you have to wait? 2. If you only live an hour and a half away, would you stay in one of the hospitals to make your life easier? 3. I take soooo many pills. How do I get them in liquids, or can I swallow pills one at a time (I ususally down 20+ at once, and they aren't all small!)? I'm curious, because I read somewhere that people were taking pain killers, and I know Tylenol and Vicodin don't work, but Percoset does. 4. Does anyone here have the band and Rheumatoid Arthritis? Thanks, Julie

I'm in Colorado Springs, about 60 miles from Denver, but I'm not sure exactly how far it is to Dr. K's.

My friend used Dr. Spivak for gastric bypass, and if I hadn't found Dr. Kirshenbaum in Denver, I would have used him, too.

In Houston, I've heard of Dr. Spivak. He did a friend's gastric bypass in Feb., '07, and if I hadn't found Dr. Kirshenbaum in the Denver area.