bashful1269

HI Sig, There is a minimum of a 35 BMI, he charges self pay $12500 or somewhere around that number. You can find more information about his services at columbia bariatrics. He is a great Dr. and runs a very good practice IMHO, he is banded, I think that makes a huge difference in the way that he prepares his patients. They give you REALISTIC information. I've read many post where people are complaining because they don't feel restriction right after surgery. He tells you straight up that it may take 2 to 5 fills before you are at your sweet spot. For me the insurance pays for my first three fills and after that they told me it would be $75.00 per fill. Not sure what it will be for self pay. Hope this information helps, good luck in your journey. Stacy

Just three words to say here... "I AM STARVING!!!!!" Day four of the pre op liquid diet that consists of two protein shakes and up to 2 cups of milk or juice. I somewhat cheated today and went to starbucks and had a fruit smoothie with protein powder. It was made with naked 100% juice and it had whey protein so that's not really cheating, is it??? Only 7 more days to go! Can't wait not to be hungry. Good luck everybody!

I bought thermacare patches, take or toss baby spoons and sippy cups that way I could leave one at all of my friends houses and not have to worry about not having what I needed when out. I bought some way cool little plates and individual sized stoneware from pier one! I'm so excited I'm ready to start using them now...darn liquids just won't stay on the plate...LOL oh well only five more days of liquids!!!!!! I'm ready to eat a TRUCK!!! Surgery is coming so fast I'm running around trying to get everything done.

Great suggestions...I'll remember the tank and find some cocktail spoons and forks since I am having surgery in a week...man that's hard to believe!! Thanks for starting this thread

Well, the pre-op diet pretty much sucks! I'm a starvin marvin... and it's only day two! Eight more days to go. I can do this! I'm still trying to figure out which band to get. It seems Dr. Pitt is correct that it doesn't really matter which one he uses. I like the way that realize band attaches to the port and I like the low profile port as well. Silvia explained that the lap band port could be changed but I'm seeing $$$'s there. So, I am leaning pretty heavy to the realize band at the moment. I really like the band design of the lap band and the band is actually the thing that's going to be doing the work....decisions decisions. I'm ready for a STEAK!!! If I close my eyes and imagine this protein shake is a steak do you think it would taste like one? Oh well...life goes on ...you can not have what you've never had unless you're willing to do what you've never done. So, I'm doin it!

Well, the pre-op diet pretty much sucks! I'm a starvin marvin... and it's only day two! Eight more days to go. I can do this! I'm still trying to figure out which band to get. It seems Dr. Pitt is correct that it doesn't really matter which one he uses. I like the way that realize band attaches to the port and I like the low profile port as well. Silvia explained that the lap band port could be changed but I'm seeing $$$'s there. So, I am leaning pretty heavy to the realize band at the moment. I really like the band design of the lap band and the band is actually the thing that's going to be doing the work....decisions decisions. I'm ready for a STEAK!!! If I close my eyes and imagine this protein shake is a steak do you think it would taste like one? Oh well...life goes on ...you can not have what you've never had unless you're willing to do what you've never done. So, I'm doin it!

I am so worried about the same thing happening to me. My cats are inside/outside cats and every year they have given it to me. Epsom salt diluted with a little Water and then scrub the area and leave it to dry, is the fastest thing that I have found to clear it up. Hope this helps good luck!

I agree, you should go...think thermacare heat wraps...they work wonderfully along with Excedrin Migrane although, that's not what it was meant for...it's the only thing that works for me. Good luck on your surgery!!!!

WOW, my preop diet is way different...pout pout pout!!! On mine they have me drinking four 4oz Protein shakes an then 2 cups of no sugar added juice or skim milk, then unlimited amounts of broth, sugar free popsicles and sugar free Jello. Just fyi many of the sugar free products have the side effect of diarrhea so have to be careful when consuming those... Good luck on your surgery

WOW, that's amazing congratulations!!!

I'm trying to figure out which band to have placed. My doctor told me either is good. Not a lot of help there Doc! I thought I would start this thread and see if based on your answers I could get a more accurate decision. What I would like to know is Which band you had placed and how much weight have you lost in what amount of time. I have until Wednesday to figure this out, everyone's help is GREATLY appreciated. Thanks, Stacy

Hi everyone, I'm Stacy from Jefferson City, Missouri I'm 38, divorced with no kids unless you want to count my two fat cats and my labradork dog. I love to travel, always up for adventure or a challenge. My biggest challenge was a few years back when my family and I built my house. If anyone wants to be friends feel free to PM me.

January 23, 2010 That will be my six month bandiversary and my work holiday party. I'm the coordinator, it's the one time that all eyes are on me and I want to be able to look good for once and not feel like I need to be hiding in the shadows... What do you think, should I wait to reveal any loss I've had until then??? Just wear baggy clothes for a while? I think that would be kind of fun? Has anyone else done something similar or want to do something similar??? Am I just being silly?? LOL

That's the most important thing! I'm proud of you for making this decision, I'm sure like me it's been one that you have thought about for a while. Congrats and we can do this!!!!

Being able to play softball without feeling like I'm the fattest one to ever play the sport... Being able to walk without foot pain... Being able to tell my sister that she finally has to buy me that out fit she promised to buy me when I was 18 and trying to get under 200 pounds...twenty years later I still have yet to make it under, I'M GOING TO DO IT NOW!! Being able to not spend so much money at the grocery store! And many many other things

Hang in there you're almost to surgery date!... You CAN do it!! Just a few more days. I'm not going to be able to make the meeting either, just remembered I have to play softball at 7:15 an Columbia is a forty minute drive no way to make it. I will make next months for sure. Can't wait to meet you guys. GOOD LUCK, God bless and please keep us posted on how you are doing.

WOW, that's a lot of hard work and determination!! I'm proud of you!!!!!! You look amazing!

I think it's because most people don't understand what all is involved with the lap band. It's easy to say " you took the easy way out, or I lost weight the hard way, working out with a trainer or whatever" The thing to remember is that we are not only making the decision to do the work necessary to get the weight off but to "buy" the tool that will work to keep it off and make a lifelong commitment to being healthy.

The ticker is pretty easy, just click on it create one that you like and then copy the bb code then go to your profile and add it to your signature. I haven't gotten the liquid diet instructions yet. I go on Wednesday. I'm a little nervous, but I did medifast for a solid two months.

For those of you already banded what do you think your bio will be like a year from now? Congrats to all those who have been banded and good luck to us that have not been yet.

Thanks Juniper, Medifast is great but when you go off of it the sugar cravings are KILLER or at least that was my experience. And very hard to get back on it once you've gotten off of it. I think the weight has always helped me hide. I was talking about that tonight with a friend of mine and she said that I was a lot more out going when I had lost a little weight and then it was like I had gotten scared and put the weight back on. I'm not sure how it will be with the band. I'm a little nervous what about you?

I'm 38 yo, I like so many others, was overweight as a child and all of my adult life has been spent trying to get the weight off. My family was all pretty thin with the exception of my oldest sister and they were not very kind when I was growing up. With my moms famous saying of "You'd be pretty if you'd just lose some weight". I've been dealing with low self esteem issues as well. I worried about the way I looked and got married for the WRONG reasons, I thought I was lucky that someone wanted to marry me...PS, I'm now divorced for the right reasons. I turned 30 and it was like a light switch had been turned on that said "Hey you've been living half your life worried about what other people think, it's time to start living." So, I did. I'm happy now and I am making the choice to have surgery for health reasons, I'm currently 5'9" tall and weigh 260 wearing a size 16 and I really don't care what other people are thinking about the way I look as long as I am happy. The added benefit of losing the weight and changing the way I look is amazing to think about, although I must admit it does scare me knowing that men will most likely pay a lot more attention than they do now. I've finally come to the conclusion that I'm not going to be able to keep it off without help. I love to exercise but the extra weight has put so much pressure on my bones that I hurt when I do. I had lost about thirty pounds on medifast then tried to get into a work out regimen only to twist a bone in my ankle that had to be removed. A year later it still hurts to walk so I will be working with the physical therapist to create a routine that works for me. Long story I know ....sorry Anyway, good luck to all of us! I look forward to getting to know all of you better. Stacy

CONGRATULATIONS!!! I can almost see your smile from here. Have fun in Vegas, keep up the great work.

I'm being banded July 22nd, by Dr. Pitt. I am going to try to make the support group meeting on Thursday. I went to the one in April before I was approved by my insurance and was amazed at the amount of people there. It was really awesome getting to meet some of the people there that were just a few weeks out of surgery and had such great success, very inspirational. Good luck on the banding!

I noticed you're from Rolla, where are you having your surgery done? I'm in JC and having mine in Columbia by Dr. Pitt I did the medifast diet last year for about a month, the first three days are the worst! If you get headaches try drinking some bullion, the salt will help. Just think it will all be worth it a few months from now when you see the number on the scale. You can do it!