88KEYZ

After all the failure of diets, etc. I am proud to say I had the lap-band surgery. Frankly even with the band we are eating healthy and living right. I simply add that line as well that I'm eating properly as well. Be proud, you have paid for it and are living it and maybe it will help someone else that is in need! Also, thank them as you must look good!!

I am working on losing 100 lbs. I as of today have lost 39 total so far. I would love to be in touch with you for support as I need it too! Who did your lap band and where at? Check out my profile when you get some time.

Welcome! Go through my profile and read my blogs as I tried to post things as they happened. Basically I was self pay, but in Tijuana and did great. Pain for me was a lot of gassy pains, left shoulder, etc. Not everyone has pain! My Dad breezed through his as did my sis-n-law. Recovery, again some people 1 - 3 days, me a little longer, more like 2 weeks. It is a wonderful surgery, I would do it again today if I had too. Stay on this site and get support! Good luck!!

I have two sites:

My personal page: www.myspace.com/debbie_clanton

My business page: www.myspace.com/88keyzstudio

Please join me on both!!

I would go by what the doctor says, but my doc had me on 40 - 50 carbs a day and now I just watch it close.

My pre-op diet consisted of: 40 - 50 carbs per day, High Protein, do not count calories, liquids, broths, jello's, etc. The last day was solid liquids and clear to see through.

The liver sits in the path of the surgery. In order to be protective of it as it is fragile, we shrink it so the doctor can move it or hold it out of the way during surgery. There is a lot of videos on You-Tube of lapband but I did see one really great one that shows the procedure and shows the liver being moved. The diet is made up of 40 - 50 carbs a day - high Protein - liquids. The doc gives his / her version of the diet to each patient.

Welcome! This site is the greatest I have found to get answers and opinions of others. Very helpful. Good luck to you - hang in there as it is a great decision to be banded!!!!!

Doctors have huge issues with dealing with patients that were banded by someone else. Ask your own doc if they can refer you to someone due to the move. If not, check out www.fillcentersusa.com They are putting up offices everywhere and do only fills for patients that can't find a doctor. I am very pleased with them.

Congrats! I too am in the Atlanta metro and was banded on 4/19. I am so happy with it and would do it again tomorrow if I had too. Who is your doc and where are you having this done at? I actually went to Mexico as my insurance would not pay, but my Father went through Emory for his. This is a great decision and you will be very happy!!!!

My Father had lap-band on 5/28 with Medcare paying. His fills are part of the deal with his doctor at Emory in Atlanta for 3 months. After that I am not sure.

Ask what kind of band and size of band the doc will use on you. Research the bands on-line. There is sometimes a choice and sometimes not.

The doctor should give you all the info, but check on the pre-diet to shrink your liver.

Good luck!!! It is all worth it.

Absolutely! I had my surgery in Mexico, so upon returning to San Diego we spent a couple days enjoying the sites, our dinners consisted of Jello from the store, wanton Soup and egg-drop soup from the Chinese restaurant and smoothies!!! I still love those too and tomorrow is 8 weeks banded! I have to add that my first fill was on 5/31 and was harder than the surgery (not the actual fill but eating and the new fillings of fullness it gave me).

I also live in GA; Emory in Atlanta plus insurance asks for all of this paperwork. Whatever you do - keep copies of everything, carry to all appointments as they can't always find everything! Protect yourself. I ended up in Mexico for surgery as insurance denied me, but my father had his at Emory. Even with preapproval, the day of the surgery they were battling until we left the house saying they could not do it, but yet finally did it. They could not find one of the documents he hand carried to them. So always have a copy! I encourage the surgery, I had mine 4/19/08 and have lost 31 lbs. so far. Dad had his 2 weeks ago and has with the prediet lost 35 lbs. It is wonderful! Good luck.

$389.00 to Fill Centers USA and $200.00 to the doc for the fluroscopy. So all total $589.00

After the first the price goes down to like half the cost.

Dr. Corvala was the kindest and most caring doctor I have had. He even brought his son up with him and we had a wonderful visit. Dr. Corvala is a wondrful doctor and spoke lovingly with me and my sis-n-law among other patients with us that weekend. --- People are people, all can have a bad day, you overheard something, professional or not, the point is, there is more to what you heard than you even know about. Don't judge people on one episode, if you do that just think how others will judge you in the wrong scenario. English - Spanish - French - who cares....people are people and we must consider the source and surroundings.

I had my first fill yesterday. I have to be honest with you .... the process was so simple and painless! Although, the after - all through the rest of the day and night I was pathetic! I hurt (not like surgery hurt) with heartburn and pressure. I was up until 3 a.m. I called my Doc on Sunday at noon and she felt like it was normal swelling because things are going down. You just have to move a lot slower, use a lot of caution and stay on liquids. She suggested 72 hours of liquids, but right now I am doing good with very thin creme of wheat!! So I will be fine, it is all a new feeling than I had before. Good luck to you and I hope it goes very well for you.

Caffeine makes you hungry faster than normal. The reason to not have it is to help you not eat as much.

I went for my first fill on Saturday morning 5/31 - it was so intriguing! Fill Centers USA in Roswell, GA. I loved watching on the Monitor screen as the liquid went through. First it was completely closed and nothing went through, then Dr. Zebley drew saline out until she liked the way it went through and I felt that it seemed right, 1.5cc total, so amazing! I then sat for the 15 min., drinking Water at room temp., no problem...so we left. I have been slightly uncomfortable today, mostly the new feeling of tightness and also I'm so hungry! I have not been this hungry at all since I was banded. I hope this goes away quickly. I tried broth, swallowed perfectly, but just felt yucky and did not want to smell it. The Jello was better. She said - clear liquids(warm) today, clear cold and warm on Sunday and then soft liquid food Monday. From there, add foods one at a time, insuring I'm good with each one. They gave me a nice packet with a special book enclosed that is most helpful, plus a magazine and instructions galore! I hope tomorrow is better, now if I could only sleep!!

You can go to a GNC store and buy Isopure in a Protein liquid drink that is fruit flavored. They are very good. 0 calories, 0 carbs, high protein, no sugar, etc. These work as a clear liquid. (Not the red one - only the other flavors) Good luck and follow the rules! You will do great.

Stock up on the little Jello packs and pudding packs too! I had my first fill today and they told me liquids for 72 hours. Yours sounds different!

This is great news! You will be so happy that you did this surgery when you are through it all. I would do it again tomorrow!

Congrats! This is the best thing I have ever done for myself - you will be glad...just do everything by the book and you will be wonderful.

I used Neosporin for the first week, then stopped as air dry no bandages is needed. I bought scar cream at the drug store and have used it daily. I have not itched too bad as all that helped. Also, wash the area lightly with Water and non-allergic soap, or better yet, rub on rubbing alcohol on the area. All these relieve some of the itch and raw feelings.

I went to Tijuana, Dr. Corvala. I used "World Med Assist" to set things up. The hospital was a very clean state of the art hospital and safe. Check out www.worldmedassist.com; Woeter (wow-ter) helped me with everything. I would do it again tomorrow!! Read my blogs on my profile. If you call tell Woeter I told you too, he was so nice - tell him hello for me. *(Debbie Clanton)

Here is my testimonial: http://www.worldmedassist.com/lapband_mexico_lopez_corvala_debbie_clanton_testimonial.htm

My husband is a city employee in a town in Georgia and I was not covered on Blue Cross Blue Shield and then I found out that employees for the state of GA are also not covered. Sad - it would save the insurance companies money in the long run having healthier cients! I paid cash and flew to Tijuana for my surgery at a fraction of the cost and would do it again tomorrow!!!