RestlessMonkey

Call your doc tomorrow, tell them your symptoms, see what they say.

Your doc should've given you a program but if s/he didn't, join a weight loss group like Weight watchers. How many fills have you had? Fills are the key to successful weight loss. And how much HAVE you lost total? You said "TWO MONTHS I HAVE LOST NOTHING" well what's your total loss?

here's a link to a tutor that should help you: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f5/ticker-tutorial-pictures-41782/

Maybe ya'll should be more picky about your docs? Mine really is a gem...he has been throughout all this. He can't be the only caring, nice bariatric surgeon in North America! :thumbup:

I called it soft drink, for clarity, but in my neck of the woods we usually call them all "coke". :thumbup:

I think you're smart to wait on the fill until you have healed. Good luck to you! :thumbup:

Does the insurance cover lap band surgery? IF it is excluded, you may be out of luck on the fills.

Regardless of how glowing reports are, if you aren't comfortable with a surgeon and his staff, go with your gut. Find another.

Mine's on my left, far enough down to not be bothered by my bra, high enough up not to be bothered by things around my waist.

I say ask your doc.

Oh good grief, you don't believe that do you? I'm generally a live and let live type but while SOME people may not value anything unless "they" pay for it, generally that statement is a bunch of BS. I know you're trying to be upbeat for Greta but to imply that she'll get more out of her surgery because her doc cheated her out of 3.5 k is, well, too much for me.

I had a very strict preop diet (that worked like a charm!) and it included these shakes: EAS Carb Control AdvantEDGE. 2-3 a day. They are low cal, low fat, low carb. (Not the EAS Myoplex). Compare them to the others listed here and pick one that seems right for you. Good luck and hang in there!

There is a forum for doctors and hospitals. You might want to scroll down on the "home" page until you find it and check there. May I say....YOU are getting the surgery. Not that center. If you don't want bypass, don't get bypass. You need to decide which is right for you. (It may be bypass for all I know; but I do know it must be YOUR decision. You'll be living with it) I weighed 405 when I saw my banding surgeon (love the man) and he NEVER tried to steer me one way or the other. He presents several options in his seminar; the customer picks. Then as long as we don't have an issue that he thinks would preclude success, we go for it. I'd find another facility PRONTO, if I were you. If they are this way with you preop, the service is likely to be dismal post op.

Panda don't feel that way...we all have something to contribute and we are all learning still! I WISH the only way we could gain was by milk shakes! That would be too cool! :thumbup:

I could never drink a soft drink again and it would be no big woop. BUT I LOVE BEER. And it hurts me to drink it. I can eat white bread. I can do tequila shots (LOL) I can eat chicken breast. But beer hurts. I have to drink it very very carefully or I get that "swallowed a golf ball" action going on. So...We are ALL DIFFERENT. :thumbup:

There is a forum for this type of post (you're in "introductions") If you'll scroll down through the forums I'm sure you'll find it, and perhaps the encouragement you're looking for.

I used Dr Sonny Cavazos who's head of bariatrics at Northeast Baptist; there's a section here for surgeons (it's a forum, you can scroll down) but I don't think anyone has posted there about Dr. Patel.

We don't all have those issues, though. I knew going in we'd all be different, and my doc stressed that the old way of "FULL" was wrong. He says "eat until satisfied, NOT FULL"....sorry you weren't better prepared!

Sorry, you're wrong. I wish you weren't. You can overeat by grazing, or eating softer foods, or things like chips, enchiladas, etc...it's a little different for each person but no, the band doesn't make it impossible to overeat as long as you avoid the high fat dairy treats you mentioned. It makes it EASIER to control overeating, and EASIER to make "good" choices. But not impossible to circumvent it, or most everyone would lose most all their excess. It's a great tool. But it isn't a panacea.

Here's a different tutor to try: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f5/ticker-tutorial-pictures-41782/

You know I was a little short..I should've said that each nutritionsit, doc, etc seem to have their own rationale for things, so why mine says something is a no no may not be the same reason. I got distracted and should've been a little more wordy! See, sunflower seeds aren't forbidden to me, nor is hard candy, etc.... So if I was short in my answer, you were gracious anyway! :thumbup: AND I am a firm believer that each person should follow his/her doc's orders, mostly! IF you don't trust him, don't use him. if you do, give his viewpoint a chance; they are the pro's here.

Why not call the nutritionist tomorrow and ask?

Why didn't you ask him why he brought it up then? He may have meant it as an odd compliment...you've lost 20, not everyone does, or some such. We dont' know what he meant or why; you should've asked.

Headhunter oh pal...it's really in bad form to make fun of a person's looks...but you are absolutely RIGHT !!! ROFLMAO

Good! :smile2: There are bunches of really good surgeons out there so if this one is charging a fee "illegally", then you'll find a great one who is more honest. I know they have to make a living but not unfairly!