pennyw

Ema, I would call TLCEdge first. Dr. Jay works through them, although he also has his own practice. But I'm not sure what kind of pricing you get by going directly through him. My total out of pocket was about 3,000 with insurance because TLCEdge has a package deal with the surgery center and the doctors they use. I also enourage you to join DFWBandsters@yahoo.com. You can get a lot of information about all the local doctors there. They say Dr. Fox is very good. Two of the people on the list - Cynthia - works for TLCEdge and Sandy - works for Dr. Jay. She is his nurse practictioner and does most of my fills as I don't care to wait three hours just to see him - although he is good on the eyes also. LOL. Hugs, Penny

Ema, Since you live in Ft. Worth, I would check out TLCEdge. They did a fabulous job for me, both financially and with the doctor. I got to choose from several doctors, and I chose Dr. Jayaseelan. He is awesome. They also fought for my insurance, and it was the cheapest deal in town - even with insurance because the bill in one block. I did have to pay some copays for the pre-op visits and I still have to pay a copay for my fills. But nothing like what you were quoted. If you are self-pay, it is all inclusive for less than 10,000. Just thought you might want to check on it. I don't know their location in Ft. Worth; I went to Plano, and Dr. Jay's office is at Medical City, Dallas. Just thought you might want to know. And to all, I'm down 33 pounds and what is even better is my internist ran tons of bloodwork to be sure I'm getting proper nutrition - which I am, and my blood sugar has already dropped from 103 to 90 - and I wasn't even fasting when she ran it. Penny

I am a newbie also; I had my surgery on February 5, and my port site is still bruised and swollen. (I get my first fill on Tuesday and since my doctor always uses a floroscope, I guess I will find out that it really isn't a tennis ball that he put in there. - LOL) So, as far as I know - your tenderness and redness in that area is normal, but I don't know much. Hugs to all, Penny 224/201/140

Hello Everybody, I was banded on the 5th and did great. I was very lucky (as I think I may be the old granny of this list) and had no pain, no shoulder pain, nothing. Then - the Monday after my surgery I started running fever. Called the doctor, went in, and to make a long story short - I have caught the creeping crud stuff that has been going around here in the Dallas area. He gave me strong antibiotics to prevent pneumonia. I thought I was going to split my incisions from all the coughing, but I was assured that coughing wouldn't hurt the band. I am finally a little better - but it was rough. The advantage is that I am just now getting hungry enough to be sick of liquids. Just four more days and I'll be on mushies. I am looking forward to this support group very much. My family is there for me, in fact, when I was sick, my son and his wife made me stay at their house, but it isn't quite the same as having people who are going through the same thing. Best of luck to all of you. Penny 224/203/140

Lynne, I'm sorry I'm no help. Since I just got banded I have no problem swallowing my pills. I take cozaar for high blood pressure - and the doctor assures me it will be ok. The only one I am worried about is Boniva - and that is just once a month. I was wondering what meds you are on. I think the high blood pressure - in my case - might not go down because it is hereditary in my family - my son has been on BP meds since high school! And both my parents were on it, and my mother doesn't weigh 90 pounds dripping wet. Hugs, Penny

Hi again, Well, when I posted how great I felt - I think I jinxed myself. That was last Sunday. I woke up Monday morning with a fairly high fever, called my doctor and drove to downtown Dallas. Wouldn't you know - their thermometer showed no fever - they told me it hadn't been working! But he put me on antibiotics and checked my incision - nothing wrong with the incision. By Monday night I was coughing my head off - but not a chest cough. I guess I caught whatever my grandson had last week. I still have a low fever and a horrible cough - my question is - can this coughing so soon after surgery hurt the band or cause any slippage? I hold my stomach every time I cough. I am doing my breathing exercises, but I am concerned about the cough. The doctor didn't seem that concerned, but I wasn't coughing that much then. Also, is it ok to take over the counter cough syrup? If so, what kind? My fever is finally starting to go down, but this has not been a pleasant experience. Hugs, Penny

Oh - I forgot - I live in Frisco, Tx, which is a suburb of Dallas. Hugs, Penty

I am totally confused as to how this board works. I had my surgery Thursday and was back at my son's about three hours later. (It is now Sunday). I really haven't had any problems at all. I was on the full two-week liquid pre-op diet and I lost 10 pounds on that. I think I have lost another 3. My doctor is very good and very thorough - he has post op instructions spelled out thoroughly. Two days were clear liquids; two weeks liquids; two weeks mushies; two weeks a little more real food; and then the real thing. I see him again next week. If I ever figure out how to post pictures - I'll try to post one of me. The reason I mentioned Silver city is there were some posts from a lady who lives there at the beginning of this thread - but I finally figured out to go to the end of the thread to begin my posting. I am really glad to have found a group for those of us who are "well seasoned, but young at heart". Hugs, Penny

Hello, I am new to the group and being banded tomorrow. I grew up in Silver City, NM, and miss it terribly. I've been gone since 1965, but it will always be close to my heart. It was a wonderful place to grow up. Sorry if this isn't lap-band related. So let me introduce myself. My name is Penny; I'm 61 and have been overweight ever since I left Silver City - LOL. Have two sons, two grandsons, one granddaughter, and another grandson on the way. Next to them, the love of my life is my Maltese, Henry. I am a retired teacher, love to play bridge and build dollhouse miniatures. So that's my intro - and yes, if I ever post a picture my hair is natural - I was named for the copper red hair I was born with - maybe from all the copper in Grant County - yeah right. Hugs to all, Penny