Marlluvia

OMG, so everybody has the toots! How funny, and here I thought I was special. But seriously, I'm glad I found this thread b/c I was going to complain to my doctor at my next visit. LOL.

I haven't tried the Vaniqa cream. Did you go to your doctor for it, or dermatalogist? Does insurance cover it? I know it's expensive.

I haven't had it done yet, but will definetely do it. I have PCOS and have facial hair on upper lip, chin, and cheeks. I'm tired of waxing, plucking, nairing, etc. I haven't tried shaving b/c I always thought it would grow in heavier. Anyway, when I spoke with laser center, they quoted me $200 per session. This would cover: upper lip, chin, and jawline area.

I was banded on 7/11 and still have gas. It is unbelievable how much gas I have, and it's uncomfortable. I get so bloated because most of the time I can't pass it. I can occasionally belch and if I lay on my side, it helps also. However, most of the time I'm in public, which makes for a miserable time. Sorry if this is gross. Just wanted to tell my story.

Piscis here, a Jekyll and Hyde sign, if you know what I mean! LOL.

I was already this way before the band. Any nasty smells would just make me sick to my stomach. I have not had an encounter with a nasty smell since being banded, so it will be interesting to see what reaction I'll have when I do get a whiff(sp) of something unpleasant.

Hey Chris, I know what you mean with those gas pains. They are awful to say the least. I took GasX chewables for almost two weeks, I still do, but only occasionally. They will pass, but might take awhile. Good luck!

Congrats JMO, it sounds like everything went fine. I'm so happy for you, and welcome to bandland. You will do well. I did not really feel like eating until about a week post-op, but I did drink some protein shakes and some soup on occasion. Also, I had gas for about a week and a half; hope yours clears up before then.

Thanks Endocollector, what you stated makes sense. I have not gotten around to calling them yet, since I just had surgery, still a little sore. I have group insurance and basically my employer will give them continuos coverage up until August of this year. My employer is supposed to be mailing out information about them sometime soon. I'll e-mail if I have any more questions after receiving info. from employer. Thanks again.

Hey Funny, I was banded on July 11, so right behind you. I know what you mean when you talk about uncomfortable feeling. I didn't sleep the first two nights, but did sleep good on the 3rd night. I took some Tylenol before bed and I think this seemed to work. I get gas pains worse than anything else. How long do these last? Gas pains that is.

Dr. C, I was banded two days ago and I feel like I need to belch, but nothing comes up, instead it seems to explode in my chest? It really hurts, is this just gas, or something else? Also, when lying down I don't feel it, but as soon as I sit up, the pain is there again. Thank you in advance.

I only 2 days post op and already feel hunger. The liquids help, but only for a short time, then my stomach starts to rumble again.

Glad to hear everything went well for yourself and Amy down in Mexico. I'm sure you will do great.

I think it is possible, but don't take it from me, I'm not banded yet. However, I did speak with a gentleman that was banded a month ago, and he lost 65 pounds. He was on liquids for one week pre-op, and two weeks post-op. He then went to mushies for week three, and finally to solids on week four. It is possible, but I think everybody is different and lose different as well. Just my 2 cents worth.

Has anyone on this website heard of Texas True Choice, it will be my new ins. carrier effective in the fall. Do they cover bariatric surgery? If you know anything about this carrier, please let me know. My surgery is already covered, I would need aftercare for fills, or complications. I will try to call the 1*800 number, but I'm not sure they will give me info, since technically, I am not an official member on their plan.

I'm sorry to hear your in such pain. I'm not banded yet, so not much help. Have you tried calling your doctor yet? I would certainly do it tomorrow, if you can't get a hold of any one tonight. If your pain is unbearable, however, I would not hesitate to go to the ER. Best of luck.

Good luck Amy, Sherri, and Tracey. Sounds like you guys had a wonderful time. I'll be thinking about everyone and saying a prayer for you tonight. My surgery is on Tuesday and I'm starting to feel really nervous, but trying to stay preoccupied.

Amy, I am really sorry to hear about your marriage, but life will go on. My husband walked out on me and my two kids about four years ago, and I remember thinking it was the end of my life. I cried day and night for a whole month, until I realized it was time to stop mourning and move on with my life. The road of life is a hard and long, but we learn valuable lessons along the way that makes us stronger and wiser. Allow yourself to go out with friends, family, etc. It is best to occupy your time with productive thoughts and think about making the best of your future life. Wishing you the very best.

I received a letter from my employer yesterday stating that we are getting a new ins. carrier effective 9-1-06. My current ins. is UHC and they are covering the surgery,which is scheduled for next week. I have talked to my surgeon's office and they don't accept my new insurance carrier. My concern is follow-up care. I know nothing about this new ins. carrier and whether or not they cover WLS. If I needed to have additional surgery because of erosion, slippage, etc. I can't afford to self pay. Any suggestions or comments on this? New ins. carrier is Texas True Choice, anyone know anything about it?

Thanks for the replies Jack, sunsett, and Tamyrn. Everyone makes a valid and very important point. The surgery is for me and my health, and who really cares what everyone else thinks or says. My main concern is myself, DH, and kiddos. In response to Tamryn, it's a little of all of the above for my mother. She is known for spreading her children's business all over the front page of the newspaper, whether it be good or bad. Oh well, I guess I just need to ignore her and go on about my business.

:angry :angry :angry :angry I have to vent this morning because I couldn't even sleep last night. I will try to be brief about it. Yesterday, I had a pre-op appt with doc. My mother babysat my kids and I was really feeling good after the appt because I spoke with three patients in the waiting room at my doc's office and they had excellent results with their weight loss. Anyway, I mentioned to my mother and she began to lecture me about how I had to take care of the things I ate after surgery, otherwise, I would get fat again. Mind you, my mother went into great detail about the band, restriction, etc. I had never been this specific about the band with her, so how did she know all these details? I assumed my sister had briefed her about the surgery, and that's ok. My immediate family were the only ones that knew about my surgery, or so I thought. I specifically told my mother not to tell anyone about it, and now I find out that she told a relative, who briefed her about my surgery. To make matters worse, when I asked her about it she denied it and became very defensive. I am hurt and very angry because I trusted my mother and now everyone in town knows I'm having sugery even before I've had it done. Now I feel like I'm going to be under a magnifying glass. Any comments on this? I don't think I'm wrong for feeling this way.

I would also like to know what the problem was with her band. Could you please elaborate a little. Thanks

My screen name is in spanish. Mar means sea and lluvia means rain, both of which can be soothing or rousing. I'm a piscis, hence the fish swimming in opposite directions.

Thanks for the input everyone and also Dr. C. I will make an appt. with my PCP and go from there.

Not banded yet. I have my surgery scheduled for July 11.