MelodyJ

celestemcnair, Welcome!! You will love the banded life...most days! I have named mine "lucy"....somedays she is a controlling thing!! Just live the rules: eat a bite the size of a pencil eraser, chew, chew, chew....and ask yourself "am I still hungry?"....not "am I full?" ....changes your way of thinking! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -100lbs

Well.... I MIGHT be pregnant!! YAY! Anyway...I am SUPER tight....any thoughts??? If you've been pregnant does your band get tight???? Anything else I should know??? God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -98lbs

I actually lived in TN when I had my surgery and it was $13,500.... everything. Dr Grossbard in Zephyrhills/Tampa area has started a Lapband clinic with an outpatient surgery....so he's cheaper too..... God BLess< melody Banded 3/20/06 -98lbs

Koala, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GREAT JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I AM IMPRESSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep up the good work!! You can do it!!!!!!!!!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -98lbs

Coolbrze: First of all....WELCOME!! IF your insurance pays 80% that is a gift....many of us are/were self pay!! So having insurance that pays so much is a gift I'm sure!!! I did not do an informational seminar....so can't say much. I lived too far from the doc doing my surgery to go twice! I'm sure they give you "information" about how to prepare and what's necessary. I went right into the first meeting. They had me watch a video....did a lot of teaching and discussing of nutrition. I am a PA....so I am the right hand of the dr....anyway....MOST docs realize the long term implications of obesity and realize that the weight loss is so important....speak to your PCP from your heart. Optifast is a drink....at least it was when I did it years ago.... Flouro is explained beautifully by kwhenrykerr above. This has been one of the best decisions I've made for myself ever!! I am happy with my band....it is NOT easy...still a head battle and my band has such a personality that I've dubbed her "Lucy"....she can be very controlling!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -97lbs

Jukebox....thank you!! Very good!! Dr Grossbard does my followups!!! Very good info!! HOpefully, people that are searching can find this!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -97lbs :lost1.5lbs:

Welcome!!! I had my band in March 2006....LOVING banded life....MOST days!! 2 fills....doing well!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -97lbs

Thanks Tann....we're not pregnant yet...just working on it!!! Keep making good choices!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Your on track it sounds like!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -96lbs

WOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Good job Marchsters!!!!!!!!!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am down 96lbs!!! Now we're talking baby..... I've gone from a 26/28 to a 16W.....I LOVE it....but not done if baby don't come right away....will keep working at this!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -96lbs

I live in Deltona....not too far away and work in Longwood!! Cool....some close!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -95lbs

Heather....I believe I pay $200 for a fill whether it's flouro or not....may be $300 with flouro?!?!??! I don't know it's been awhile since I've needed a flouro or a fill. God BLess, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -94lbs

HEather, They do take BC/BS....the question is: Does BC/BS cover anything for obesity!? They didn't for me.... Lisa, Keep up the GREAT work!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -94lbs :bolt:

Heather, Dr Grossbard is wonderful...he has a partner that is nice as well...have seen them both. :girl_hug: You do have to get "Pre-approved" for them to accept you and they want ALL your records....so make sure you've copied and brought them with you from Portugal. God Bless, MElody Banded 3/20/06 -94lbs

CONGRATULATIONS Spydr!!!! I am IMPRESSED!! I LOVE my band too!!! I FEEL SO MUCH BETTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Life is sweeter!!!!!!!!!!! God Bless, MElody Banded 3/20/06 -93lbs

I had mine done in Dalton, GA with Jaime Ponce...he's done 1,000's of the surgeries and the charge was $13,500 I believe!? That includes fills for a year.... God Bless, melody Banded 3/20/06 -91lbs