barbara465

Panera's sounds like fun. I'll be there . Melissa: thanks for the info about North bandster meeting. I'll try to make it in 2 weeks. Let me know what resturant.

I understand the Trufolk site. You are selling costumes. What is the DD site? Are you asking for donations for your plastic surgery? I didn't get the donation part. The site is informative about your weight loss, but I don't get the donation part.

I think I need another week. I just had surgery on Tuesday and want to get myself going so I can return to work. The following Saturday will work for me. That would also put me of liquids and on to mushies. Pick a restaurant and let me know.

I live in the Humble/Atascocita area. Someone had started a group that met in The Woodlands. However, I haven't heard from that group again. I would love to join a local support group. I work so it would have to be early evenings or Saturday. If you get some more involved count me in. I can come to Willowbrook area. I do so all the time.

My band size is 10. I think you got a smaller one Melissa. I have no pain except that soreness around the surgical areas. It feels like a big hard baloon when I try to get up from a chair. No real gas, although I have some left back ache now. I've been up and working for most of the day. I need to move a little so that gas pockets don't form. Glad everyone is doing so well. Keep up the good work.

I wore loose shorts and a long baggy pull over top. I work sandals you slide into and big enough for socks. It worked perfectly because you come home without a bra on.

Additional surgery would fall under the 60/40 out of network costs. Remember, once you meet your out of network deductible that split takes over. My out of pocket max is $6,000. Once I paid that I wouldn't have to pay anymore. Look at it like that. The most you would have to pay is your max out of network. That could happen with any doctor. One of my specialist, not lapband related, is out of network. I had to pay the out of network deductible. I wouldn't worry about it too much.

I personally went with experience and success rate. The more they know the better your surgery will be. I know they have to start somewhere. I just chose not for it to me. My surgeon has done over 3,000. One of the things he does is a extra stitch so the band doesn't slip. I am into this less than 24 hours and I feel pretty good. No gas, no pain. This might change as the days go on, but for now I'm feeling great.

24 hours almost. I'm actually feeling pretty good. A little more discomfort around surgery points, but not enough to take anything. Sleeping was a bit more challenging. I'm finding I can sleep on my left side better than right. My port is in the middle of my stomach, just above my bellybutton. I have more discomfort on the right side and have had ever since surgery. Slight pain in my left shoulder last night, but te heating pad fixed that. Nothing else. Liquids are going down, but I don't get much in because this sip, sip, sip is too time consuming and tiring. I have been really surprised and how easy this was. I even did some work last night and have conference calls today.

I'm in bandland!! Surgery was at 10 and I was released at 2. THe last one to leave because I couldn't pee. Feeling pretty good. Some soreness and left shoulder pain, but not unbearable. Have been pretty much awake. Did sleep through a little of the rain storm we had when the power went off. Glad to be on this side and hope I don't get too many more pains.

I'm in bandland!! Surgery at 10 and didn't get out until almost 2. I couldn't pee so had to wait a while. All 11 for the day got to go home before me. Just sore, little gas in shoulder. Nothing else so far. Thanks for the kind thoughts.

I think it strange that Spivak and Spiegel both advertise together, etc. I thought their programs would be similar. Spiegel has a big NO to oatmeal, breakfast drinks. Says they clog the band. ?? He also has me on liquids for 1 week, then thicker liquids. I do have to start protein drinks 3/day. Lots of contradictions. Enjoying my clear liquids today. Tomorrow's the day!

Does the craving and food envy ever go away? I look at your stats and think WOW you have been very successful. Why would you want to worship the very things that made us take such drastic steps to get rid of? Let's replace this food obsession with something else? I don't know what it can be, but food can't be the center of our lives. Margo you have come so far. You are looking and feeling great. What would that waffle have done for you? Or that whipped cream? Be proud and be strong.

Cindy, Just a little worried about you. Are you really allowed to eat beans so early. Most are on clear liquids for a week, then thicker liquids. Mushies after that. I know you are allowed to do what your doctor says, but it just seems very soon to be trying so much. Sorry if this sounds like preaching. I'm just worried that you are pushing too much too soon. Glad everyone is still doing well. I start clear liquids tomorrow. Only 1 da of it and then surgery. My doc has me on clear 1 week, then 2 weeks of protein drinks and 4th week begins food. At that time he wants all the protein drinks with calories stopped. Keep up the good recovery and be kind to yourselves. Be careful returning to work and sip, sip, sip.

Glad your doing well Mellisa. It was good that you got to meet Barbara as well. I hope I get to meet some nice people on Tuesday also. I bet I was there when you guys were there. I had an ekg at 10:00 and at that time there was 3 pre op patients waiting. One for sure was Spivak's and they seemed to have been waiting a while. Is any of our group going to be at the Surgicenter in Houston on the 13th? Keep up the good work and hope all of you recovering are doing well.

Finished my preop today. I was at the Surgicenter around 9:45, but only saw the preop patients. I was hoping to see Barbara, but I think she had already gone in. I only have to do 1 day of clear liquids on Monday. I report at 6:00 am on Tuesday. Glad everyone is doing well. I'm almost there. Newly banded - take care of yourselves, walk and sip, sip, sip. Those almost there - get hold of those nerves. We are doing the right thing. :cool:

I just got back from my preop visit and instructions. 1 day of clear liquids. That's it. Another interesting thing - no instant breakfast drinks EVER. He says they can clog band. Also no oatmeal. I was surprised at the breakfast drinks and powdered drinks. I saw on another thread someone's doctor had said clogging. I find that interesting. Oh well, I'll do whatever he wants.

Absolutely fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You should be very, very proud.

Having just gone through the stress of having a doctor (spiegel) and being accepted, to him going out of network and wanting to charge a large, large, fee, finding another doctor, trying to get approval from UHC for new doctor, and the last minute going back to spiegel at a reasonable price I say pay the $500 and call it a stress reducer!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't begin to explain the emotional roller coater I have been on with what was supposed to be such a easy process to change doctors. However, if you have time, and you feel strongly about it, then by all means change. No one should wonder about their doctor.

Sending good wishes your way. Let it go now as its not in your hands. I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason. If for some insane reason you don't get it, it must be that there is something else good for you. :cool:

sissi, brocolli causes gas so you might want to stay away from it this early in.

I couldn't get on for a while. Not seems to be OK. It's the board, not your computer.

Just a quick update. I was changing doctors because UHC and Dr. Spiegel were parting ways. I was quoted $4,800 for doctor and $2,900 for surgicenter. I was changing to another doctor and thought i had everything straight. Called to cancel with Dr. Spiegel and they were shocked. Bottom line: They quoted me $2,800 out of pocket. Period. They will also do my fills and adjustments for rest of year with no out of pocket to me. They also will do the surgery on the 13th. They have taken care of everything and assure me the insurance is now in order. They said UHC called them and wanted to know why I was changing surgeons because I was going to have to go through the approval process again. Needless to say my nerves are shot, but the surgery is on. I am very tired after all this drama this morning. Going for my pre op tests in the morning and reporting to the surgicenter at 6:00 am on Tuesday. Glad to hear all of the early junebies are doing well. Some of you need to try and get the calories up. Once that happens your energy should return. Keep moving around so the gas doesn't settle and sip, sip, sip.

My saga continues, but its almost at the end. Short story: I called Dr. Spiegel's office today to cancel the surgery I still had pending with him. I made this call after I was told that my UHC approval had been transferred to Dr. St. Laurent. Spiegel's office was very upset and said that they didn't want me to leave them. Bottom Line: After many phone calls, nervous collapse (mine), Dr. Spiegel is doing my surgery for out of pocket of $2,800. No additional to surgi center. He is doing it on Tuesday as scheduled with the other doctor so I don't have to wait. I feel like I've been through the wringer. I liked the other doctor, but Dr. Spiegel certainly has done more. Spiegel's office also told me that the rest of the year I wouldn't have to pay anything since my follow-up and first fill were included, and future fills would be paid for since I met my deductible. In other words, they would take what the insurance gave them. I see them in the morning so I'll get this in writing. I feel like I've been to a fire sale and the sale was my body parts!!!!

I love your answer Weetsin. I have been on a campaign lately about this issue. It just frosts me that so much time is spent trying to prevent same sex marriages. I'm not sure the issue really is "marriage", but more a recognized union. It doesn't have to be for the purposes of sex ..... oh some day others will be perfect like me and this will become so crystal clear. Until then the insanity will continue.