Kryssa

Would anyone like to know why US docs don't want to take other Dr.s patients (MX or otherwise)? It is called medical liability and the insurance for it eats up to 40% of any US Dr's income. In our very litigous society, when people sue at the drop of a hat for anything and everything, those docs are protecting themselves. They aren't being mean, and they like to make money as much as the next person, but they have weighed the costs vs the benefits and decided not to do it. If you really want a doc close to home, offer to sign a liability waiver, they just might take you on.

I can't believe I didn't think about this! My DH is an EMT and he didn't think about it either! I'm going shopping for one today!

I can barely feel mine even if I'm lying on my back feeling for it. That may change when I lose more weight, and if so, I don't care!

Welcome to LBT! I know what you mean about other websites, I actually had someone tell me off for having WLS with a BMI of "only" 45. No such attitude here, and we have all had the same surgery, so finding information that pertains to you isn't like looking for a needle in a haystack. Again, WELCOME!

25-30% of your total caloric intake should be from fat calories. On a 1200 calorie diet that equals 300-360 calories or (divided by 9) 33-40 grams of fat per day. 10% or less (120 calories or 13 grams) of your total caloric intake should be from saturated fat, the bad news is that animal fat is saturated fat, so it can make getting your Protein difficult. I am amazed at how much I know about all this stuff, but boy is it hard to live it!

I tried the warm tea before dinner over the weekend and guess what... no pain! I actually did exactly what bandayed did; I spit out the slime and kept eating, very slowly, and I was fine, no pain and no pb. Thanks so much for posting!

Ok, I guess the fact that I work for H&R Block might actually help someone this year! Most of the information given here is correct. If you are worried about being audited get your Dr to write obesity as a diagnosis on your next visit, PCP or surgeon, doesn't matter. The requirement is "medically necessary", but with the IRS today that means OTC medicines like tylenol and prilosec as well. Yes, you can claim mileage, but you will only get a percentage of it back. And ALL of your medical expenses are subject to a .075 of your AGI exclusion. So yes, if you make 30K, the first 2250 is excluded. Keep in mind that if you are going to itemize, do it up right! Medical insurance premiums, OTC medications, mileage, claim it all. Also make sure you claim mortgage interest, ad valorem taxes on cars and boats, state taxes paid in, charitable deductions, and any employee business expenses on your schedule A as well. It will maximize the benefit of claiming the medical.

I lost extremely slow before the band, I'm still losing slow with the band. The difference is, as mentioned before, the band prevents you from "giving up" and heading out to an all you can eat buffet! As far as the Atkins thing goes, my mom had the same problem. Were you exercising? My mom lost 100 lbs., but alot of it was muscle and she killed her metabolism. If you don't exercise your body will preferentially burn muscle instead of fat for fuel. That is not what we are going for at all.

I'm still learning at 12 weeks out. I have a big sliming problem in the evening (sigh). It shouldn't take you an hour to eat, think 20-30 minutes, about as long as it used to take you to eat dinner out at a restaurant. The reason you want to go slow at first is so you can really listen to your body, you will figure out when to stop, and if you don't stop the food will come back. There is a definate learning curve, Good Luck.

Thanks for the post. I think this is the first Dr that admits complications have more to do with the surgeon than the patient. Interesting...

I promise that it gets better. It took me seven months to get my insurance to agree to pay, complete with 6 months diet and exercise program. My surgery experience was ok, but postop was hell for me as well. The port dug into me and hurt for days. My job was nasty about me being out for 4 days. The good news is that now, 12 weeks out, everything is fine. Pain is gone, you can't feel my port even if hunting it, and vitamin E oil has worked wonders on my scars. Keep your chin up, it does get better.

I lost 60 lbs before WLS and I ALREADY need a tummy tuck. My PCP said it will be necessary to eliminate back pain and strain from excess skin. On the other hand, I want my arms done as well, purely for cosmetic reasons i.e. they sag halfway to my waist! I don't think I'll do anything else, though.

My psychologists do only WLS patients and they are wonderful. They are located in Atlanta although they travel to St. Simon's Island once or twice a month (get evaluated and get a vacation at the same time?). Greg Cox and Betsy Ryland are a husband and wife team. They do individual evaluations as well as seminars for pre and post op patients. Their website is obesity2balance.com; it has their email address and phone #. Good Luck.

Wellbutrin XL is tiny! I've taken it every day from day 1 with no problems. The three times a day stuff is hard, ask your doc if you can stick with this one.

Oh, Elda! I am so sorry that happened to you! I understand about the weight loss, I was banded 2 weeks after you and my net loss is six lbs. And your husband should be ashamed of himself! My hubby should be ashamed too. My DH finally went shopping on Christmas Eve and he spent every dime he had. He bought a gift card for his parents and a bunch of Xbox things for himself. I got nothing. I bought him a bunch of presents too! It was our first Christmas since we got married... I'm still mad at him!

I agree that food is addictive, as are the feelings you get when you eat (ah, serotonin!). It is SO important to deal with the emotional and mental issues that surround eating, not just the physical ones. I'm glad my Dr makes everyone see a psychologist first and for follow-up. That poor woman...hours after surgery...that is so horrible!

I mentioned in another post that I have a problem with the first bite blues every time that I try to eat. Well, since my last fill has kicked in , I am noticing other things that are weird about my level of restriction. I have the worst trouble eating at night. At lunch, I am wide open, and I can eat ALOT :rolleyes . But for some reason by dinnertime, my band locks down. It doesn't matter what I eat, or how well I chew it, or how big the bite is. I am going to slime and it usuallycomes up (not the food, just the mucus). I don't know about breakfast, frankly I've never been a morning eater (protein shake at 7:30, coffee at 8:30). I thought most people were looser in the PM. Does anyone else have dinner problems?

Mine is 2 inches above my belly button and slightly to the (my) right. I can barely feel it even when I'm looking for it, of course the scar helps...

Instead of my usual "exercising more", I'm going to go to the gym a minimum of 2-3 days a week. That is a concrete goal, with no room for the interpretation of "more". Also, it is obtainable. I don't even have to tell you how important it is to actually be able to achieve the goals you set for yourself!

In the 6 months before my surgery I worked out 4 days a week: two on the eliptical and weight training and the other 2 water aerobics. I lost two pounds. However, I FELT much better. Lately I've been struggling to get to the gym, I have zero motivation. However, I will do better from now on. I have to; I didn't spend all this money to be fat and out of shape!

I've never had flouro. I've had three fills and my Dr has always gotten the port with the first stick. He's great because even when I'm lying on my back I can't really feel my port, it's just a little harder than the tissue surrounding it.

Dee! I'm so happy to see someone from my Dr's office on here! Congrats on your weight loss!

The scale moved! A whole 3 lbs this week! It's still only a total of 6 lbs. in 11 1/2 weeks, but I'm so happy I could cry. Anybody else making new year's resolutions? I'm for sure not going to do the "lose XX lbs. in the next year", that is setting the stage for failure. My resolution is to go to the gym 2 - 3 times a week, every week. I've got to do something about my super slow metabolism; I'm hoping consistant (as opposed to erratic, like now) exercise is the answer.

1. get referral --> surgery consult I didn't have to get a referral as such, but I did have to attend a seminar that the Dr gave where he described the various bariatric surgeries he performs. They figure it will answer your questions about which surgery is best for you. Then a huge packet of paperwork and an application fee to get an appt. about a month later. 2. surgery consult --> surgery scheduled 6 months! I was required to go on a 6 month diet and exercise program to "prove" I couldn't lose weight by normal means before my insurance would pay. 3. surgery scheduled --> the actual operation From the day my approval hit the Dr's desk to surgery - 10 days 4. operation --> leaving the hospital I checked in at 6 AM, the operation was scheduled for 7AM; I was in the car on the way home by 10 AM. 5. left hospital --> first fill 6 weeks. I have heard that is the standard to allow for healing. I had my second fill at 8 weeks out and my third at 10. I have already scheduled my next fill for the end of January when I will be 15 weeks out.

Thanks ya'll. It's nice to know that I'm not the only one. I've actually gotten to be okay with it except when I go out. Then everyone including the waitress wants to know why I'm not eating. Oh, well!