bmooney364

Looks like we are all three viewing this thread. Hello ladies.

I know that Pangburn had a support group, but he is leaving too. I am sorry to hear about your reflux. I had the hardest time with his office staff. More about that later. I have searched and found some people from this area, but they were old posts and the people did not respond when I tried to contact them. Like from 2005 guess by now they have moved on. Maybe I can call you later on this week.

The support group sounds wonderful. Do you know anyone else here who would like to come? Did you ever have restriction? I have a 14cc band and have 5cc in it right now. I have learned most of what I know from this site. The nutritionist he sent everyone to gave me a booklet of information. His staff offered me the same booklet. The meeting with the nutritionist was basically going over the booklet. He never spent more than a min. in the exam room. I had to go every week for awhile because my port incision got infected. Thank God it healed up before he left. The nutrition consult was only 35 dollars at the new medical center and would probably be worth it for you. Maybe you could get your MD to refer you or when you decide on a fill doc. Think about the support group and let me know.

Dr. Hsu is charging 150 cash for fills and I don't know if my ins. will pay for it. They don't file on ins. I have to send in the paperwork. I wanted to use the center you mentioned, but at the time they didn't take my ins. I am on Cigna now and could use them. Congrats. on the wt loss, give me some tips. I have lost 30 lbs and am at a stand still for several wks. Yes I think that center and all the support they offer would be better. I just heard such good things about Dr. Hahn and did not know that he was leaving when I had this done. They did not offer much follow up support. I have called the nutritionist one time since I had the band. I guess they would be available if needed and Dr. Hahn did have a support group that met once a month. I never got to go. I am going to ask if they are going to start up one now that Dr. Hsu is taking over. Did you have a good experience with Dr. Hahn? Thanks for posting. I just had my 2nd fill so I guess I have a ways to go for restriction.

I was banded May 15 by Dr. Hahn. I also live in Orange. Dr. Hsu took over for Dr. Hahn. I had a fill from him on Monday. He is seeing pts. in Groves ,building in front of Renazant Hosp. I had wondered if there were any others in my area. Do you know if there are any support groups here. I really liked Dr. Hsu. He spent alot of time explaining about fills and he was very good doing the fill. Kim is his nurse. She worked for Dr. Hahn. I think they had a list of other docs that would see Dr. Hahn's pts. Anyways good to chat with you. Good luck to you.

No. Did not have to stop Plavix for fill.

You should be able to find liquid Tylenol at Walmart or any other pharmacy.

I got banded on May 15 and have lost 30 lbs. ,without restriction. I agree with everyone else. The band is only a tool and you have to be commited to use it. I advise you to do your research. Read the good,the bad , and the ugly on this board. There are lots of successful stories and some horror stories. Most of us have been on a diet on and off all our lives. (losing weight only to gain back more) This was one of the last resorts for me. So far, I wish I had done this yrs. ago. Maybe I would have saved myself from diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. I am looking forward to feeling better and getting off most of my expensive meds. I can think of a lot better ways to spend my money. I wish you luck with whatever you decide. PS : you may want to develop a thick skin for people who make rude and flip comments to you.

Speaking of coffee. I love to get the iced coffee at Mc Donald's. I get the sugar free vanilla. It is so refreshing and less than 2 bucks.

I am 53 and had the band surgery on May15th. Before surgery, I was hurting somewhere every day ,and having to take something for pain. I just realized a few days ago that I had trouble remembering the last time I had taken even plain Tylenol. I have lost 30 lbs, and knock on wood don't have the pain I was having before surgery. Good luck to you.

No. I did have to stop the plavix and also my asprin for a week before surgery. The surgeon wanted to stopped the meds for a few wks. after surgery, but my cardioligist was not in agreement so I started back a few days after surgery. The surgeon also put me on cytotec with the asprin now. So another pill to take. Just what I need.

I take plavix and had a fill. No problem.

The 1st 2 or 3 days are the worst. Day 2, I mostly took my pain meds and slept. I was really uncomfortable when awake. I think it was mostly the gas. Just take the pain meds when you need to and just wait for it to get better. Everyone is diffrent. Good luck to you.

I take 2 Flintstone gummie vits. They are not bad.

I was banded May 15, down 30 lbs. today. yay!

I was told to crush all meds or get liquid. I tried the crushing. It was awful. I take some pretty big pills and so far they have gone down with a sip of water. I take alot of pills, and it is impossible for me to do it any other way. I was banded on May 15 and have only 2cc in my band. May become a problem when I get more fills, but hopefully by that time I will be off of most of my meds. Good luck to you.

Me too, Minx and jessiel2X I am having fill #2 on July 20. My first fill was 2cc and did not do anything. I have read that sometimes it takes 2wks to feel restriction after a fill. I guess that is why most docs want you to wait so long between fills. I have lost about 25 lbs and just pray I don't start gaining. I have not lost anything in about a month. Good luck to us all. Guess this is bandster hell.

I was banded May 15, 2009. I was sure I would be off all diabetic meds by this time, but no such luck. I had a UTI, and port incision infection right after surgery. So high sugar. It hasn't come down much. In fact the doctor told me to stop the glipizide before surgery to avoid low sugar. I take 4 actomet tabs a day. My sugar was 219 random a few days ago, so I went back on the glipizide. I also went to the doctor for a UA to see if I still have an infection and that was why my sugar is high. 200 is extremely high for me and I am eating so little. I have an appointment with my pcp on the 14th maybe he can figure it out. Fasting bs is between 140 and 170. I don't know what is going on... How are you guys bs doing? Any better?

I am lovin' ordering an appetizer. It is usually plenty and if I think it won't be I can always order a house salad. The only thing, it is usually cost as much as a regular meal.

I am 53 and had my surgery on May 15. I have lost about 30 lbs. post op. It took me about a yr. or longer to get surgery. I had an insurance change about the time I was to get it approved the first time. It seems to take so long and I think just about everyone has a horror story about ins. and doctor's office staff. I have got a lot from this board. Just reading the post lets you know your are not alone , someone is having the same problems and someone is at the same stage you are. I also get tips on things to eat. Protein drinks and hi protein foods. lots of good ideas. Good luck to you and ask lots of questions if you need to.

Have your incisions healed? My surgeon said "no". I was so disappointed. I was on vacation at the beach the week after surgery. Then my port incision got infected anyway. My surgery was May 15 and yesterday was my first splash in the pool. I still have a dried "scab", but I covered it with a good waterproof bandage and it worked. It was so nice. I am a water person in the summer. Good luck.

You look great. Congrat. on your wt. loss. I know you and your band are working hard.

Yes, they helped me alot. I take aciphex and took the gas X strips for a wk or 2 after surgery for gas pain. I don't need them any more, but they were a life saver for me at that time. Good luck with your surgery.

My PCP didn't want me to get the band either. I think he didn't want to lose me as such a good patient. I have so many health problems that he has been treating for yrs. Ha. I know that was not the reason. I was gaining weigh every month also and needed something done. He finally agreed and helped me by sending my entire medical file to the insurance co. I am not sure that was a good ideal, but a few days later they agreed to pay for the surgery. WHatever it takes. Go for it.

Ok, I had the most wonderful dinner. I ate 5 shrimp and a "house salad". I chewed well, ate slowly. No problems so far.