Irish Girl

Here I am, 8 months out. Not the most flattering photo, but I wanted to share. Believe it or not, there are really 5 scars. Oh...and that lump over there on my left/port (your right) side, is my port sticking out. It looks like I am going to have another surgery to get it embedded in my muscle so I won't suffer from erosion. But I am not pursuing that until after the new year.

I have the same issue with hot and cold. I used to love drinking cold water, but now it makes me really tight. Be sure you are drinking water if you can't get much else down. You don't want to get dehydrated.

Hi Tammy, You can find a ton of information on this board. I remember when I first looked into WLS, I spent hours on end here reading everything that I could. I will keep my fingers crossed for you.

Mine was 39, but I had high cholesterol for about 8 years and sleep apnea as well.

I tried the strawberry nectar. Kind of sweet for me. The lemon tea isn't that bad, but there is a bit of a bite to it. If you like chocolate, my favorite is Designer Whey (the vanilla is nasty). The chocolate reminds me of watered down cocoa.

Hugs.... I will keep my fingers and toes and eyes and everything else that I can cross, that all is well. Keep your chin up.....you are a trooper.

I use a liquid multi-vitamin from Costco. It has some calories in it, but I think I will take the calories instead of the yucky chewable vitamin taste.

The pre-op diet was the toughest for me. I chewed gum alot during that time. I know you can do it!!!

My doc gave me a script for phentermine. I take one every other day. I can tell when the capsule dissolves as I get a bit chatty for about a half an hour.

My doc is in Tacoma. As far as I know he works with Dr. Raumbauts (Dr. in Mexico) patients for fills. His name is Dr. Earl Fox. How is your progess so far?

I am not at 100, but I have lost 72 pounds in 8 months.

What a fantastic gift. The lap band and a path to a healthier you. I am excited for you!!

I have taken a real liking to Melon flavored Propel. If it is cold, I can only drink a half a bottle, but is sure is yummy.

I use Benefiber once a day every day in my morning protein drink. I also take a small ducosate sodium once a week. It seems to be working.

I had my surgery in April 06. At that time I had United Healthcare for insurance. They covered my procedure. In September, I started a new job and my new insurance is through Regence. The big issue is.......it looks like I will have to have my port put into my abdominal muscle. Where the port is now is risking erosion because there is no fat to cushion between the port and the abdominal wall. I was looking through my benefits book and it states, in the exclusion section "surgery (including reversals), treatment, programs or supplies intended to result in weight reduction, regardless of diagnosis." What to do? I can't get a straight answer from Regence. And I thought that since my other insurance company did the surgery deed, this wasn't considered a pre-existing condition prior to the new insurance. Regence has covered my office visits for the past two months, so I guess I am really confused. Anyone else have this happen? I suppose I am just gathering information before I really buckle down and figure out what I am going to do. Any insight would really be appreciated.

Irish Girl, I am. Well.....its cause I am Irish and I am a girl. Anyway, my name is Julie and I also go by the nickname Jewels (cause I am a gem). I am from Washington State.

There is a scar stages thread that you can check out. It has some good photos of people and their scars at different times after surgery.

Thanks Molly. I am really trying. And you are more than halfway to yours. Great job and keep up the good work.

My doc does fills for Dr. Raumbauts patients. His name is Dr. Earl Fox way down in Tacoma.

Mrsbee....good luck to you. Welcome to LBT.

Wow....Very nice of her to mention.

I have. I don't particularly care for them. They seem slimy to me. But if you are the type of person that likes warm jello, you would probably like these. They are coming out with better flavors now.

My doc is every 4-6 weeks or so. My last month I lost 12 pounds, so I didn't get a fill last time I went in. I am only down 5 this month and I am sure he will want me to have another small fill.

I am in Tacoma. I saw Dr. Fox. Insurance paid for mine because of documented weight loss attempts with the doctor and co-morbidities.

I use benefiber in my protein drinks. You don't even know it is there.