tigerlili08

Hi Sandy, I use to work for St. Joseph's, my husband still does, so if you have the insurance that Baycare offers, I know how horrible it is. The place I work now is a tinge better, but not much. Are you a nurse? At least you get to see family and what I am sure is a beautiful state (I have always wanted to go there). I will keep you in my thoughts as you head up that way in a couple of weeks! Good Luck!

Hey Sandy, I am a self pay also. You would think that one day the insurance companies would figure out it will be much more expensive in the long run to pay for diabetic and high blood pressure medications and then all of the other tests and hospital bills down the line than to just shell out this one lump sum and pay for the surgery. We used Capital One Finance, I come from a long line of brittle diabetics, when I turned 30 I was diagnosed with diabetes myself, my husband and I weighed out the options and decided to pay for the surgery rather than pay with my health later on. I am already off of all of my medications and feel so much better than I did! When do you have your surgery scheduled for? Will you have to fly back up there for all of your fills or just find a doctor down here to take care of that? Good luck with everything!!! April

Hi everyone! I'm from Odessa/Land O' Lakes area. I know of support groups through JourneyLite. I had my surgery done at their outpatient center in New Tampa and they do have a support group there once a month. Hope that helps with location!

Hi everyone! I am from Odessa, Fl. In Pasco Co. north of Tampa! Glad to see some other people from Florida on here! I had my surgery through JourneyLite with Dr. Grossbard on May 13, 2008.

Hi! I could use a friend and be a friend also! I am 2 months post op with 1 fill down and the 2nd scheduled for July 21st. I live just north of Tampa, Fl with my hubby, 2 beagles and a cat! I have been reading a lot on this site, it seems like we do have a lot of support here! Which is nice since the support group I go to only meets once a month! I wish everyone well on our journey!!!!!

I had no problems with anything until I had my first fill. I attempted scrambled eggs and they did not stay down. I took 2 bites and spent 30 minutes in the bathroom. A few days later I tried baked turkey breast, it was very tender and I chewed the one and only bite very well, but as soon as I swallowed I was in the bathroom. I have not attempted either of them since. I go for my second fill on July 21st!

Hey JB, How have you been? So you had your second adjustment! What you described is how I currently feel with my first adjustment. I feel a yucky pain in my chest, it goes away and then I am able to eat the rest of my meal. I am still stuck on the scale, just moving between the same 2-3 pounds which is aggravating. I go for my next adjustment on July 21st. I have seen that may people start to get more of a restriction after the second one, so hopefully that will happen for us!

JBFlorida- How are you doing so far? Have you had your first adjustment yet? who was your Doctor? Mine was Dr. Grossbard and Dr. DiCicco through JourneyLite.

Hi everyone, I am new to this site and to being banded! I had my surgery on May 13, 2008 and my first fill on June 23, 2008. I have lost a total of 36 pounds so far with 82 more to go. I am taking this one week at a time! I don't really feel a huge restriction, which I expected after my first adjustment, I have my second one scheduled for July 21, so hopefully I will notice more of a difference in my appetite and on the scale. I wish everyone the best on this journey we have started!

Hi, I'm from Odessa, Fl, about 15 minutes north of Tampa. I was banded on May 13, 2008.