MelodyJ

You'll have to call your insurance company or look online and see if they cover the surgery! I had my surgery done in TN where I was living.....you can google "lap bands Chicago, IL" ....this should give you some options. Once you have names....then you look on the IL Board of Medicine and you can find any reports against them. This may help. Also go meet them....hopefully, you have good "gut" instinct and will know who to select. Many will let you talk to former/current patients. Hope this helps.... God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs :second:

Chabutter, I was told nothing bigger than a pencil eraser! I have found w/ capsules I can put them in Water and let them get mushy and then drink it w/ the water in the glass....but this isn't regular just an antibiotic. Xenical is rough ....have not taken but have prescribed it and if you let a stinker....get ready because it will probably be in your pants!! :second: Not sure how it would react to the band....it is another tool to make you decrease the fats in your diet or you will have the stinky in your undies!! Hope this helps! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs

Hot/warm is better than cool liquids!! Cold causes spasms....keep reading there are many words of wisdom around here w/ all the experience!! I had many such "spasms"....something would come from way down deep and just give me the pain!! Congrats on your weight loss!!!!!!!!!!! Welcome to Band Land!!!!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs

Well as one of the three Amigas....you can say I was very concerned...but came in after the fact! So glad your feeling a bit better Leenerbumps!!! Can't have only 2 !!!! Also ya made me nervous....don't like these complications!! Scar tissue can come from anything....2nd hand smoke.....prior pneumonia.....asthma....anything that has aggravated the lung can leave a scar....just like on the outside. I don't think it will spread or cause problems if it's a scar. Just my humble opinion! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs

Warm up whatever your drinking....cold stuff causes spasms I was told....also with the others....glad your calling your doctor!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs

Tracey, I was self-pay. I had about as much to lose as you. Initially I thought my insurance was going to pay...they did not. Anyway, as someone else said you can get your primary care dr to order the basic labs, UGI (barium swallow), and EKG under your insurance w/ proper codes. I did not have to have a sleep study as I was negative on the questionnaire they had about obstructive sleep apnea. The surgeon will determine what you need to have done. I did not have to go on a diet before surgery except the day before and he didn't want me to pack on all the food as a "last meal" effect I believe!?!?! My dr (Dr. Ponce in Chattanooga,TN/Dalton, GA) said I was the perfect candidate because I didn't have the co-morbidities! I did do a psych test....just a written questionnaire and they never told me any problems w/ it?! I think being self-pay lightens the load of jumping through the hurdles of insurance stuff! Hope this helps! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs

I had my band place by Dr Ponce in Chattanooga. He is wonderful....but don't know how far it is. www.lapbandinstitute.com is his website. God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs :confused:

Hey ...why not!? The 3 amigos seems to fit!!!! Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs :confused:

My gas was completely gone til I got filled!! Then whooop there it is!!! Both ends!!! I believe....through my vast personal knowledge and experience...HA....that it is definitely too big of bites and too fast that produces the golf balls!!! I told my husband I'm going to get the hang of this band or die trying!! I just go back to clear broth and it settles right down by the next day! If you keep eating then you just pile food on the stuck part which is ABSOLUTELY miserable!!! Terez---don't think your totally unrestricted or you wouldn't be getting "stuck"....remember you didn't have this pre-band!!! So....we gotta slow down...continue small portions....I"ve went back ot the baby spoon for size control in my mouth!!!! Praying this helps!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs :Banane10:

Paula-- Had my surgery March 20th in Dalton, GA. My first fill was May 4th and he popped that thing up!! 2.4cc in my 4cc band!!! Felt just like I did post op for a few days...but has calmed down and I am going to get the hang of this band yet!!!! Have found out that I can eat big pasta pieces....I guess I chew much better....but thin spaghetti and such gets caught!! Just not worth it!! I still have to learn how to go slower!! But only eating about 1/2 cup each meal!!!! Have lost 43lbs....that is EXCITING!!!! Exercising by walking 2mi for 30min each day....that's a huge improvement in my lifestyle!! Eating and feeling better than I have in YEARS!! :Banane10: Loving the banded life!!!!!!!!!!!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs :Banane33:

Deb- Thanks!! I was able to do it last week before the fill....I told my husband last night as I had my broth...."I'm going to get the hang of this!!" And I will!!! GodBless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs

Leenerbumps-- My guess is YES....you are eating too much and too fast!! That's the feeling I get when I get stuck....there tonight! Tried Pasta for lunch...didn't eat more than 1/2 cup or so but I did eat too fast....all afternoon was blessed w/ a bit of a golf ball....then I came home and felt a bit hungry and took a bite of tomato....ugh!!!!! So back on hot liquids....cold causes spasms!! GOd Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs

Jenwillwin- I keep hitting the tab button....this sends my message!! I"ll figure this out!! Anyway....did you find out if you can join Dr. Kim's support group w/o paying the fee???? Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs

Jenwillwin- Did

Cat-- I am not w/c bound.....so cannot answer from that perspective!! I can tell you medically you WILL benefit from weight loss....you get clearance for the surgery and the weight loss will increase your mobility!! :clap2: Just do your research and pray and talk to your healthcare providers!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs

Cat-- I am not w/c bound.....so cannot answer from that

TellyMelly- I am a goal setter....I actually have only set though for the first 6 wks then the 2nd six weeks....then the end of the year. My first 6 wks I wanted to lose 30lbs...I have lost 38lbs....my 2nd 6 wks I want to lose 20lbs more.....I haven't even finished my first week of that and I am down 5lbs as I got my first fill. I believe goals are important....my husband asks me if I will be "upset" if I don't accomplish my goal....yes...but I will keep going!!! Marathon attitudes win....not sprints!!! You are doing great!! Keep looking at the prize!!! Completion!!! Now I after I finish this 2nd week then I'll set another goal for 2mos maybe?! I haven't decided....I broke it down 6 wks because of fill schedules....so we'll see!! I just know that I WILL succeed THIS time!!!!!!!!!! :mad: God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs

Teachntots-- So sorry...I've been able to stick w/ liquids so far!! I did try the Nexium capsule in pudding...it was GROSS!!! Hang in there....maybe you can get your dr to prescribe your prozac in liquid form?! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs

Eleda, You can go out to eat!! We now get one meal and share!!! If I want something different then we each buy a meal and mine lasts for 4 or 5 more meals sometimes!! Not a bad thing if it was tasty!! I only eat about 1/2 cup at a meal.....rarely snack anymore!! My husband has about 40lbs to lose I think we figured out?! This has helped him tremendously!!! I had to be on liquids the first 3 weeks so that made it a bit tougher for him... but he was great about it!! VERY supportive!! Good Hubby!!! If you sincerely share your heart and reassure him in his fears I believe he'll be more supportive!!! It did hurt me honestly....but it was short-lived! If I needed to go to work I could have within a week....but I didn't need too as we moved and I took almost a month off!! Was really wanting to take about 6 weeks but my new boss was begging for me to come even quicker!! I hadn't told him I had surgery....I just told him I wanted some time off w/ family!! I truly enjoyed my time off too!! Even if I was moving about 600miles away!! You mentioned my rapid weight loss!! I LOVE it!! I also work for it! I do have LOTS to lose....so not unexpected that I would lose faster I believe! I was totally not exercising before the band....eating terribly and basically eating myself to DEATH!!! So this was a HUGE motivator for me! We paid cash and I am not one to "waste" money....so am getting my money's worth in this band!!! I am now walking every day...2miles...not as many as some....but LOTS more than I was. I eat only 1/2 cup at a time....truly!! I have cups that I know what line is how much and I feel them to there.... usually can finish it....but sometimes (after my first fill last week) I can't even finish it!! I occasionally snack like a 1oz cheese stick....but that's only if my meal gets delayed (work) ....I eat usually every 4-6hrs. I'm not hungry in between.... Hope this helps!! God Bless< Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs :mad:

Eleda-- My husband wouldn't even consider me having surgery....so I got all my ducks in a row and about 2 mos later I had all the statistics and information and asked him to please let me tell him what I'd researched! Also he'd watched me lose and gain...watched me cry about how unhappy I was w/ my weight!! He knew that if I stayed at this high of weight then I would probably get disease....have a heavy family history....all of these things convinced him!! :mad: He loves me and wants me around for awhile!!! Prayer also helped.... Love you, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs

Teachntots: Yes there is a liquid form of Prozac....not sure how bad it tastes?! Someone also told me if you put the capsule in liquid and make it mushy then you can still take w/o getting stuck...haven't tried. God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs

Lisa-- Great idea....self-talk!! Used to do that when I was just "dieting" pre-band.... it works!! I think that what we confess we possess!!! So thanks for reminding me to tell my stomach to shut up and I am in charge!! I actually don't snack too often! At work it gets crazy and I do grab a cheesestick and take a bite....do some work then grab another bite! Helps the hunger grumbles!!! I have noticed that I "forget" to eat if busy enough! Love that!!!! :mad: I told my family yesterday for the first time I am feeling in control finally!! The food is not controlling me....I am controlling me....most of the time!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs

Susan.... Is Orange City close enough?!? That's where I'm at.....suburb of Orlando I'm told! Keep trying you might get someone closer!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs

Tina-- Thanks for the sympathy/empathy....know I"m not alone in this battle!! The fill on Wednesday has jump started me again....have lost another 4lbs since!! Of course, liquids do that....but have prayed alot and asked the Lord not to let any weight come back once I've lost it and He is faithful!! This truly is a journey!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs

Lisa-- I agree!!!! Thanks for the reminders!!! No 2nds....my biggest struggle is taking a couple more bites as I put food away....I know it's only a couple of bites but I also KNOW this is why I'm where I'm at!!!!!!!!!!!! I will get the hang of this!!!! I eat on a saucer too!!! I got a fill on Wednesday....he put a bunch in!!! 2.4cc of my 4cc band! I feel like right after the surgery....except no pain!! The dr told me that he was aggressive....I would appreciate him when I lost more weight!!! Back on liquids for 4 more days!!! I'll get over it!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -38lbs