MemawFlorida

Is it possible you are jumping to conclusions? This just doesn't have the right ring to it. Are you reading more into it than there really is? After all, you are just recently banded. And WHY would this make any difference to co-workers?????? That option is available to all.

Yes. I thought it was a reasonable thing to do. It was only about 20 bucks. Mine wrote an extremely convincing letter and it worked! Small price to pay.....

If your concern is for bicarbonate of soda, I can't imagine that would be harmful in any way. There's plenty of food products that include baking soda as in ingredient. I have never heard that it is something we bandsters need to avoid. I'm not familiar with that particular drug. I take Aciphex.

No option for just plain "NO" ????

My doctor says liquids for 24-48 hours, but I've found in my own case, I cannot do anything but liquids until FIVE days after a fill. After the 5 days, I'm pretty much back to a "normal" bandster diet.

Had mine done by Dr. Matei last August. I find him very informed, quiet-spoken, and extremely pleasant. I recommend him highly. He is conveniently located right adjacent to Memorial Regional Hospital. The office staff is also enjoyable and friendly. There are - I believe - three surgeons in the practice. To date, I have lost over 80 pounds since the end of August. Hoping to make it 100 pounds by the one-year mark!

No, I don't. That's when I lose the BEST...right after a fill. Had one 4 days ago and I've lost 4 pounds. Last fill I lost 13 pounds in 3 weeks before it settled down to the "norm" of 1 or 2 pounds a week. And - surprise, surprise - it didn't go back up in a couple days either.

Is there a way I can change her font color so I can read her post???? It's barely showing up.....

I am taking a cross-country flight and need to pack some food THAT I CAN TAKE THROUGH SECURITY since I know the only thing available for purchase is SANDWICHES which I can't eat. I suppose coldcut roll-ups would do...any other suggestions? Thanks.

The ONLY one I can drink is Premier Protein which I have only seen and bought at Costco. It is 30g of protein. I buy the chocolate flavor and was worried I wouldn't like it when I first bought it since I had spent $24 on case of 18 individual containers. It is also sold in vanilla, but I've never tried that. I usually add about an ounce of ordinary milk to the glass as well which brings it up to a 12 ounce serving. It is not sugar free, but only has 1 gram of sugar. Is also labeled Low Fat. I can't even stand the SMELL of any of the others I've tried....

No question about it....I've replaced eating with SHOPPING. Not a good thing, I suppose, but at least there's a ton of bargains out there right now and it's far more fun to buy clothes.....

Oh no..... I am 3 weeks POST op and NOW the insurance is saying I didn't have the required 6 months supervised diet. My surgeon's office handled ALL the insurance paperwork and I didn't even find out until the day prior to surgery that I was "good to go" as they put it. I had called the surgeon's office to find out if they had heard anything from the packet they had faxed to the insurance company a week before. The insurance coordinator said they had not heard yet, but she would give them a call and get back to me later in the day. She called a couple hours later to say I was "good to go" and that I didn't need anything else. I see where the hospital has submitted a claim of $18,000+ and the surgeon has submitted for a bit over $10,000. I can't afford to self-pay that kind of money. If I had not been approved, I MIGHT have tried for a loan to have it done in Mexico, but not THIS kind of money!!! I even ASKED the coordinator at one point about a 6 month diet because so many people on these boards had to do that. (I thought since I had several co-morbidities...diabetes, high BP, and a couple more I might be spared......) Now what??????

I find it difficult to understand how a person can go through this major surgery to install a tool that will let them eat LESS and then FORCE themselves to eat MORE. Are you trying to undermine your success? STOP eating when you feel satisfied. Even if you have to throw it away. Better in the trash than on the tush!

Had my first one a week ago today (which is 10/29; exactly two months since my surgery) Surgeon got it on his first try. Said "just a little bee sting" and it was over in SECONDS. I didn't even feel any pressure. I drank a very small amount of Water and left the office. UNFORTUNATELY, about an hour later, I found out not even my own saliva was going down. Next morning, after a rough night running to the sink every 10-15 min) I called and they had me come right in and they took about half out. (Had lost 4 lbs since they had weighed me the day before and it was only 20 hours later.) STILL feel a tiny bit tight, but I'm "waiting to see" how things go... Down 32 pounds since surgery. 88 to go

I got banded last month at Hollywood Regional Hospital in South Florida which is a Bariatric Center of Excellence. I was pleased to use the office of Surgical Consultants of Hollywood, which is actually in a wing of the hospital. What was nice was that all my tests, etc. were able to be run right at the hospital. I'm 63. They have informational group seminars quite often right at the hospital.

I just realized that in another year, I will be on Medicare. I am retired and currently covered by Blue Cross/Blue Shield from my previous employer. They also cover my DH, but when he turned 65 last year, they became SECONDARY to Medicare so I am sure when I turn 65, the same will apply. I am recently banded and have not even had my first fill yet, but am wondering about when I go on Medicare next year. Do they cover fills if needed? Also, what about any other complications that may arise? Thanks for your insight......

I just got a small AP band on August 29. I believe it is because I have a smaller frame. He seemed to be "eyeballing" the rib cage area when he told me he would probably be using the small one for my size. HOWEVER....I have not asked him since then so I really don't know. I seem to remember reading somewher that a lot of people get a card saying exactly what they have "installed" in their body. Anyone get such a thing?