greytz

I don't live there now but I did live in Kingsport and Johnson City and my in-laws still live in Kingsport. I miss the mountains so much. I live in Fla now and I love it but not as much as the mountains. I was banded here in Florida on 06-17-09 and I will have my first fill on 07-07-09. I lost 7lbs. pre-op and 10lbs. post-op so far. Hope you have a good experience and looks like you found some people there to talk to. Good Luck.

Hi everyone, I too was banded on 06-17-09. I have my first fill on 07-07-09. I have the same shoulder pain. It comes and goes. Don't get too down. We are all in this together. I went in at 232lbs and I am down to 222lbs. My highest weight was the month before surgery at 238lbs. so I am working on it. It is very frustrating in the beginning because you don't have a fill and what you eat or drink just passes through. The important thing is drink. Did you get the protein mix? It really helps. I chew my vitamin and have the protein shake first thing in the morning and that curbs the hunger and gives the protein which burns the fat. I keep busy until lunch. At lunch, I drink a protein shake and usually diet cranberry (ocean spray). Then at dinner, I eat really, really mushy tuna. I can usually only eat a teaspoon or two and I am full. There are a lot of great things on this site you can get from folks who are in various stages of the procedure. Good Luck and keep writing.

I took a long time to decide what to do. I am retired now but when I was working, it was the "thing" to have gastric bypass. So many of my coworkers were doing it that I couldn't believe it. The thing about it was they cut your stomach away and if you ever need diagnostic testing, it is very difficult to find anything in that area that has been cut away. To scary for me. When the band talk began, I started paying attention. I attended numerous seminars and ultimately when I had chosen a surgeon checked up with Better Business Bureau, AMA, etc. Then I called the office several times to see how I was treated. When I was satisfied with all of that, I went to my family and the very few people I had decided to be my support. The thing I liked most about the band is that if god forbid something should happen, it is reversible and not permanent. However, I didn't go through all of this to have it reversed. I made a lifelong committment. Granted I am older than most of you, but I will hopefully live to be even older than that by getting healthy. Good Luck and your reasons are your own as the commercial says. Only you can decide if it is right for you. Your committment, Your body.

Definintely don't worry at this point. I am the same as all of you. I was banded on 06-17-09 and have my first fill on 07-07-09. I have lost 10lbs but I think a lot of it was water retention. There is no restriction on your band yet so it shouldn't have slipped. Everything is still going through the same channels as it was because you haven't had a fill yet. They have to give your body time to recover completely before restricting it. I was in the early stages of BMI 34 and luckily got banded before the weight got worse so my surgeon said I would lose a little slower than some that have more weight to lose. The most important thing is not to eat things that make you feel gasy at this point. And don't think about it so much. That is probably making things worse for you. I try to do things during the day and keep my mind off of it. I plan my meals and look forward to them but I find most of the time I don't eat very much once I sit down to eat even though I haven't had a fill yet. Hang in there and don't give up.

I had my surgery on 06-17-09 and believe me I was scared in the beginning. I have a heart condition and other things that set my teeth on edge thinking about general anesthesia again. Not to mention the fact this is a lifelong committment. I chose my surgeon very carefully and I have been so happy with my choice. I will have my first fill on 07-07-09 and I can't wait. It just takes a couple of days to recover. I got stomach flu right out of the hospital so that wasn't fun but I am back to normal now and lost 10lbs. WDW Luver is right. You should be scared. It is reversible but not easily. It is something you must make up your mind to do and continue to do throughout your life. It is not an easy decision. I hope you have a strong support system that will help you. I chose my mother, two good friends, my sister in law and my husband (number one of course) as my support group. I didn't tell the world just them. They have been great. Good Luck to all of you who are awaiting the surgery. So far, I wouldn't have it any other way.

I agree with both answers. I went to several seminars before I chose my surgeon. I chose a female surgeon because I looked her straight in the eye and she was very responsive to me. She stayed after the seminar and talked to everyone as long as they wanted and answered all my questions. I called her office numerous times BEFORE I had the surgery to ask questions. I wanted to see how they reacted to my calls and questions. It is usually a good indication of how they will be after. They were always responsive and wonderful and still are. I was banded on 06-17-09 and I will have my first fill on 07-07-09. I have lost 10lbs to date even without a fill. It was not any easy experience but it is all about attitude and how bad you really want to lose. I got stomach flu when I left the hospital so it was really ugly for a couple of days but I am back to myself now and like anything it will be a challenge but one I intend to win. Good Luck and find a good surgeon.

I was banded on 06-17-09 and I don't have a fill yet but I have already begun to lose. 10lbs so far. I can't tell you what a great feeling it is just to lose anything at all. I was on oral steriods for a skin condition for two straight years and also developed thyroid disease about five years ago. I was thin my entire life until then. It was heartbreaking to watch myself get fat and not be able to do anything about it. Now, I don't have to take the steriods any longer and my thyroid is under control and with the band I feel like I have a chance to be normal again. I can't wait for each day now. I am so looking forward to a continued effort. I can't say enough about how great my surgeon and her staff have been. It doesn't matter when I call or what I have to say or ask they have been fantastic. I think that is going to be a large part of my success. Good Luck to you.

I agree with medical malpractice. Go to an attorney darlin' and let them run with it.

Brenda, Try your insurance company again and find a new doctor that will help you. I used to work for an insurance company so I know that if the doctor does and says the right things the insurance company will usually pick up some percentage of it. They have a stake in your health believe me. Since they have already denied you a couple of times you will need to use the appeal division of the Insuance Company but you need to find people that are willing to support you and help you through this process. Start looking and find a doctor that is in the know and can help you with the insurance. Look in your area for seminars for Lapbands and go to all of them until you find someone that knows how to help you get the the financing you need. You should not let it keep you from getting healthy.:thumbup:

Dear Vino, I had my band inserted on 06-17-09 so I feel your pain. I was so sick of Soups and liquids I could hardly look at them. I am now eating mushies but very very carefully and paying attention to ensure I am getting rid of it if you know what I mean. I have not had any problems doing that. The only things I have tried is what my doctor suggested which was really really mushied up tuna and pureed Beans. I love miracle whip so first I use all white albacore canned tuna in Water and drain the tuna a little. Then I use a chopper and chop it up really really fine and put in miracle whip and make it as liquid as possible. I am only able to eat about a tablespoon but it is enough and it satisfies that craving for something meat. I was at 232lbs going in and I am currently at 224lbs. so I am steadily losing. The important thing is to keep up with the Protein shakes the doctor gives you. I use totally skim milk with the little measuring thing that comes with it. Eight ounces (I measure). I drink that in the morning and chew my Vitamin. Then for lunch, I eat tuna and drink usually water or no calorie something (I like diet ocean spray cranberry) but there are lots of choices out there. I also do things during the day that I have been putting off to keep my mind off of eating. You will be filled about the same time I am so let me know how you are doing. I will be filled on 07-07-09 for the first time and will let you know how it goes for me. Keep in touch and good luck. Greytz :thumbup: