Cindy C

Here is a list of surgeons in Orange, CA. Click on each one and scroll down to the bottom and it tells what insurance they take. Good Luck. And yes. $3500 is nuts!!!! http://www.lapbandtalk.com/forum/432-orange/

You don't have to eat meat to get your protein. I eat very little of it. Try alternatives....eggs, almonds, cheese, yogurt, refried Beans, protein powder....there are many things to choose from.

Sounds like you are too tight. There is no magic number on visits or amount of saline in your band. You just have to keep going back until you find your green zone.

When I went for my first fill, 8 weeks post op, I had lost 45 pounds since surgery. He still gave me a fill. Obviously, I was eating very little, not hungry and satisfied easily. It's not the green zone....your body is responding to the band being there and the changes in diet (liquids, softs etc.). You're doing great, BTW.

PBing is the regurgitation of non-acidic swallowed food from the upper pouch.

I was the exact same way in the beginning and pretty much ever since. Make sure you are getting protein and take a really good vitamin. I took pre natals. You are probably going to start losing hair in a few months. There's really no way to avoid it. Its partly because of a lack of protein but rapid weight loss plays a part in it as well. Don't freak out when it happens. Its not falling out, its breaking. It will grow back.

If you're burning that many calories per workout then you need to up your intake.

You're not a failure. You've lost 50 pounds in a year and a half! Your calories consumed need to be less than your calories burned. Shoot for 1000-1200 and exercise. You could probably use a fill too.

Get rid of the pasta and bread at lunch time. Switch it for something high in protein...soup, refried beans, tuna...and maybe a fruit or veggie. Skip the slim fast bar too. I can't eat much in the morning either. Have a protein shake. No wonder all you want to do is sleep. You aren't getting the proper nutrition. And if you aren't exercising....start. That will help energize you too.

Good Luck, Brandi. Relax. Everything will be fine and you will soon be on your way to a new healthier you.

Lorraine and the rest of you...Welcome and congrats on joining the land of the banded. Trust me, the pain and hunger get better with each passing day. Just be hang in there. Keep yourselves hydrated and try to stay focused on something else.

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/surgeon/viewprofile/943

The only stupid question is the one that goes unasked! Before I had my TT I did my best to wear things that drew attention to other parts of my body. I would wear "skinny jeans" or leggings with a shirt that was blousey and maybe showed off a little cleavage. That way the eye was drawn to the boobs and thighs and the middle was hidden.

WOW! That's crazy. If I get a fill the doctor charges $110 and the hospital charge is $80. For a follow up with no fill the doctor charges $50 and the hospital doesn't charge anything!

I'm sure you'll be fine. Just try to lift him as little as possible. At 18 months old he can probably do more for himself than you like to think. Let him climb into the car seat on his own. Feed him on the couch or let him kneel on a big chair while you're healing.

WTG! Keep up the good work!

Salad is NOT a mushy. I hardly ever eat it anymore. If you don't chew well enough the lettuce acts like a piece of Saran Wrap over the opening!

I go to a Center of Excellence. My doctor's theory is "You know your body better than I do." He even asks me how much I want him to put in. He might question me and sometimes we compromise, but ultimately, it's my decision.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Congrats on taking the first one!

If it helps, when your stomach growls it means that your body has run our of calories to burn and starts burning fat for energy. Its called being in catabolic mode. It's a good thing! It just takes some getting used to. Personally, I love it when (as Winnie the Pooh would say) there's a rumbly in my tumbly!

My doctor requires no pre-op diet. My BMI was 48. When I asked him if I should at least try to lose a couple pounds beforehand he said it really didn't matter to him. He never had a problem working around a liver. He's done this surgery over 2000 times and, as far as I know, he has never knicked a liver.

If it helps, I went back to work six days after surgery with a 25 pound lifting restriction. You should be fine.

I had endrometrial ablation which is also very easy and insurance covered. They burn the walls of the uterus so even if an egg fertilized it would have nowhere to attach. It also stopped my periods! I was back to work the next day.

People are eventually going to know. If you don't tell those that are closest to you it could cost you relationships. I had a friend who had it done several years ago (before I did). Not only did she not tell anyone, she lied to us when asked. We would have all been very supportive of her. In fact, one time I asked her if she would do it with me so we could support each other. She said "Oh, I would NEVER do anything like that!" Then she went and did it. We found out when another friend went to a seminar and, lo and behold, who was there speaking as a former patient? Unfortunately, it cost her alot of friends.

Good job, Melissa!