Randi

Hmmmm, I used a Herbalife product years ago that had aloe vera in it, but I think it was topical. I guess I'll have to investigate further.

jgandg, I see your band date is this week. Yeah for you! Were you and your therapist able to work things out at your last meeting?

I've never heard of a sleep study being an option. At one time, it was thought that sleep apnea primarily afflicted the obese. However, its been found to be an affliction of both the thin and the overweight alike. When I was looking into the gastric bypass, my intial surgeon requested one to determine if I had sleep apnea which could pose a risk of not surviving the surgery. However, the surgeon I currently have did not request it for the lapband because she was aware that I had one previously. So, this time, I requested it myself because I want all the bases covered and because I've gained more weight since the last test, DH says he has noticed a change in my breathing, to include increased snoring, and also because I wasn't convinced the first test wasn't properly conducted by the sleep lab technicians. If I do have sleep apnea, I will be prescribed a CPAP machine and I believe I'll have to use the machine for at least two weeks prior to surgery.

If you think about it, it's sheer genius. Many sellers legitimately make money off of ignorance. The one thing that immediately comes to mind is self-help books. I must admit, I've bought a few in my time and I bet I'm not alone. The pamphlet might be worth five dollars to someone out there. Especially when you consider the "Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies" book runs $21.99 Did that get anyone's entrepreneurial (sp?) juices flowing???

If it were me and someone showed interest where there was previously none, I would politely refuse any advances and just keep the relationship strictly on a friendship/professional level. Why? Because life is filled with shallow people, and although I understand that there are many people who prefer to date thinner people, I don't want to have to deal with a person like that on a emotional or physical level. EVER. My basic premise is this: If it took getting the band to lose weight before that person could see you, what happens if your band should have to be removed, you choose not to have it replaced or switch to another WLS option, and eventually regain the weight? If you're just dating to have fun, this probably won't apply. But if you're looking for a lifetime mate, it's not a scenario that can be easily dismissed. I'm one of the very fortunate ones. The one I chose has loved me no matter how much or how little I've weighed.

ButterKup, I have a suggestion . . . When you arrive at GC tell 'em you want to purchase one buffet and one meal to go. Put the amount you think you can eat in the to go box, have them weigh it (that's how their to go orders are priced), pay for both meals, then remain in the restaurant with your hubby and transfer your food to a plate.

Alright, I need some help on this one. I understand no bread in the sense of baked bread -- loaf of bread, banana bread, etc. But, bread takes many different forms i.e crackers, cookies, croutons, cornbread, cake, etc. So when you say no bread, are you talking about a certain consistency of bread or bread and bread products period?

Ladies, I'm curious . . . what was your starting BMI, weight and height before banding. Also, how often were you working out pre-band versus post-band and what is your actual exercise regimen?

mysherrijo, That a great idea to stay overnight when you live so far away. Have you ever been overfilled? And, did the Doc charge for the unfill?

OMG, Cathy, that's awful. Did the Doctor have you drink water immediately after the fill? And, if so, how long after you left the Doc's office did your body signal you were overfilled?

Harley, I'm also in the Insurance/Pre-op testing phase. In fact, I'm two insurance carriers down and one to go (or possibly four if I decide to change jobs. LOL. Welcome aboard. You'll find that LBT can be quite addictive at times addictive. And, just when you think you've learned all you can about lapband (or life for that matter), you'll find something interesting and new to lurk or join in on.

Vagus Nerve: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vagus_nerve

I usually go to Ross and Avenue. I also pick up a piece or two from Catherine's and the Womens Dress Barn from time-to-time. If I see something in a catalog that I really like, I order it in two sizes while both are in stock, then return the one that doesn't fit.

How 'bout MidTown!

Hmmmm, I haven't done WW for years. What's the core plan?

Lind2, Where are you located? I didn't realize that placement of the lapband after gastric bypass was being done in the states.

Cheri, I've run into the same problem. The first thing you can do is speak to your HR Benefits representative to see if they will consider adding the rider during the next policy update. When I spoke to my HR representative, she actually thought it was already part of the policy. However, when she checked into the cost of adding it, she said it was too expensive. Before you use your husband's insurance, do more research on the $10,000 lifetime maximum. That stipulation may only apply to elective procedures, but my concern is that once the entitlement is used, how will it affect your family's healthcare future? I've also read on LBT where people have used their 401K funds to pay for the surgery. I don't know if that's a possibility for you. Just be advised that using the option can be quite detrimental if you don't know the rules for borrowing and quickly repay the loan. So, before you consider using that option read this: http://www.smartmoney.com/debt/calcu...ory=borrow401k There are also other finance options available for the procedure. Check out this website for some ideas: http://www.lapband.com/lapband/costsandinsurance.do Of course, changing jobs is always an option. In fact, I've considered that one myself.

Kellie, There are a number of reasons your husband may be behaving this way. The overarching reason is usually "FEAR" of some sort. Could it be: a. He's afraid you might not make it through surgery and he will lose you forever. b. He's afraid that you won't love him anymore once you become thin and will eventually leave him. c. He's afraid as you start to transform to a thinner you that you will become more attractive to the opposite sex and have an affair, thereby putting your marriage in jeapordy. d. He's afraid of how the change in your eating patterns will affect his. e. All the above; none of the above; something not listed above. He's told you he "scared", now it's up to BOTH of you to discuss the fear and find out the root cause so you can both deal with it openly and honestly.

OOOh, I forgot about dumping syndrome. It's when you eat too much sugar your whole body becomes sick. I had a friend who had the bypass and one day I watched him eat a sliver of cake and he became sick. The way he explained it to me is that because his stomach had been rerouted and reduced to the size of about an egg (actually, I think it was smaller than an egg), eating a sliver of cake was like eating the whole cake. He watches his carb intake very carefully to avoid the dumping syndrome. In fact, he's one of the reasons why I chose the band over the bypass. One of the other reasons is that another very dear friend of mine passed away about three years after she had the bypass from complications -- that malabsorption thing is NO JOKE!

Gael, Tonight when the doc goes over the gastric bypass, tune into words like "rerouting", "malabsorption", "lifetime supplementation", "not reversible", "plastic surgery", "recovery time" etc. I must admit that one of the most disturbing things I've recently read regarding the gastric bypass is that those who stretch the pouch are actually returning at a later date to get banded on top of the bypass because eventually they started to regain the weight. Also, keep in mind that if you choose the band, and it doesn't work for you, then you can always convert to one of the other weight loss procedures should band removal become necessary.

Losin', At least you got a few inhales and exhales in before surgery. LOL. I'd be okay with the amount of turnaround time you had prior to surgery. I think it's just my mental make-up. I just wanna have some more time to get settled with the idea of surgery before I have the surgery. Two weeks would be good.

Mail it. Mail it! . . . and don't forget to ensure the hospital commander gets a copy. Then BOLDLY make your appointment to see different provider on that team or another team for that matter.

Whoa, Shauna, I'm reeling from how quickly you got your lapband. I'm considering cash pay as well, but your story just kinda freaked me out. I knew cash pays could go faster than insurance-bill, but I was thinking, I'll get all the preliminary paperwork done and maybe even get to pick my date. Yours sounds like a story of, "Don't let that cash pay get away." LOL. Now, I'm a little scared . . . hyperventilating a little bit even.

Babs, He sounds like he's off his freakin' rocker! I don't think your request was unreasonable at all, but his reaction was. He sounds to me like a controlling, pompous, bipolar, abusive A$$hole. It's good you're rid of him. Who wants to have to gear up mentally to deal with that kind of attitude at every visit. And . . . when you're resettled with your new surgeon, find out how you can report him. I would also go out to www.obesityhelp.com and post under his name as previous patient. That way, newbies will know what kind of A$$hole he can be after he's done the implant surgery.

Dani, Before you withdraw the money from your 401K read this: http://www.smartmoney.com/debt/calculator/index.cfm?story=borrow401k Also, the beauty of the military health care professional in the Surgery clinic that does bariatric procedures, is that once you PCM refers you, there are no more questions asked. At that point, the only criteria is do you qualify and how soon can you get the prerequisite testing done (sleep study, mammogram, pap smear, echocardiogram, complete blood panel, etc.). How do I know? Well, before I discoved the lapband, I was actually pursuing the full blown gastric bypass at Wilford Hall Medical Center (WHMC). However, after I attended the information meeting with the surgeon and learned that the gastric bypass was a one way procedure, required lifetime supplementation because of the malabsorbption, and that the journey may be fraught with unrecoverable complications, I knew there had to be a better way. WHMC has been trying to get a their Ajustable Gastric Band (lapband) program up and running for well over a year, but just don't have the resources. So, that's why I've been exploring the other options available to me for payment. But, if the VA won't cover it and I can find an MTF that does the procedure, that's where I'm going. Self-pay is the last option I plan to pusue.