*Love*

Caffeine withdrawal gives nasty headaches. Is that possibility?

Has anyone else been told by their pre-op nurse that they have to remove their acrylic or gel nails off of both of their index fingers or they can't have surgery?

Today is the first day of my pre-op diet: cottage cheese, yogurt, chicken, sole, fresh vegies. It's just 3 days, so it shouldn't be a problem. My surgery is Thursday! :biggrin2: I plan to attack each phase after surgery as an individual entity/challenge: 4 days of clear liquids, etc.

I cashed out my RRSPs (Retirement Savings Plan - similar to a 401k in the U.S., I believe)

I have see soooo many posts on surprise Hiatal Hernia repairs. How can one not know they have one? Are there no symptoms? Is there a possibility that not all these people actually have them, but a scam to increase the price of the surgery?

I am paying $18,000.

I do too. I believe it is meant for hospital emergency room use only. If they use the wrong type of needle, it will cut a tiny round hole in the port top & you will leak. The special band needles poke through the top & the opening re-seals itself when the needle is removed.

I have been going thru the 'last supper' phase for the last 5 weeks. Did anyone else do that? This week is the pre-period muchie week, soooo not helping! I start my 3 day pre-op diet on Monday.

Oops, my mistake. I mis-read again. I thought you wrote POST-Op. :biggrin:

What kind (make & model) of scale do you have?

This is a place to tell your TLBC banding stories. Share your experiences with: * Consultations * Testing * Phsyc exams * Seminars * Surgery * Support * Staff * Recovery tips * Fills * Out of Town Fill Doctors * What do you wish you had known? * Etc... I will be banded in 7 days & I will post my story here. :party:

I think the problem with eating solid foods too soon has to do with the movement the stomach makes to digest food (churning). It could rip out the stitches. I think the idea is to let the stitches heal before putting any force on them. I think liquids would pass through with out the digesting movement.

I think the problem with eating solid foods too soon has to do with the movement the stomach makes to digest food (churning). It could rip out the stitches. I think the idea is to let the stitches heal before putting any force on them. I think liquids would pass through with out the digesting movement.

I had thought that if you were out of province, maybe there was a discount for less after care.

That is right. This is what I found out today: "I have been forwarded your email from Kathy Palermo regarding pricing for the laparoscopic band procedure. I’d like to confirm that the fee for your procedure is $18,000. For a limited period of time, we are honoring our old pricing of $16,000 for customers who had their consultation with us before January 1st 2008 and were quoted this fee." That seems fair.

Where do you live?

Anyone know why & when the cost went from $16,000 to $18,000?

Yes, Kathy emailed me & apologized for the phone call. She has given me the contact info for the person to call to arrange payment 2 days before.

2 days is definately what I worked out with Kathy. They have my deposit.

PISSED OFF!!! I just got a phone call at home, on my answering machine, from the accounting department. A very tiny, faint voice that was hard to understand said (I think) that because they have my credit card on file, they are "just going to go ahead & charge the balance" to my credit card now. She says it was now due, but according to the agreement I have with Kathy, it is 12 days early. I am pretty sure that is illegal. I'd have to check on that. You would think they would also want to make sure there is enough money on the card before charging to it. There is not, but there will be in 12 days.

Are you kidding me? Pay more...on top of the $18,000 fee? I don't think so.

----------------------------------------------- Her immediate reply: "I will always reply. You have my word. It may take a couple of days but I respond. :Have a geat weekend!! Kathy" ------------------------------------------------------------ My reply: "You have been pretty good with me...but I haven't paid yet. J I think they may also have been referring to the nutritionist & any other support workers as well. Especially, post band, replies could be critical. K"

I just sent Kathy an email for all of us: "Just a heads up... On one of the major lap band specific message boards: It is being mentioned repeatedly, that once you have their money,… they can’t get replies to their questions, concerns, compliments, complaints, crisis…via numerous phone & email messages. You may want to consider looking into that. It leaves an uneasy feeling for those that need your help now & it in stills worry for those of us not yet banded."

I have been emailing back & fourth with Kathy. Sometimes it takes her a day to reply.

Sure. I'll put up before & after pics in my profile. I have a small tattoo that I am hoping he can put it under, so we will always find it without hunting / digging for it.