untfluter

I am in S. Florida... who did your surgery? I am nearly 3 yrs out...

I would ask your surgeon what his policy is because they all have their own programs. My surgeon said no alcohol for a year, which I stuck to.

I really like the Pure Protein bars but I also really like the Detour Lean Muscle bars.... the numbers on both of these are very good...

I saw that too.. I was freaking mad about it too... My first thought was, your band is not adjusted properly and then my next thought was that she didn't eat right... and the fact that she seemed embarrassed to have had the lap band done... I am proud that I did this... and you were right, she made ALLLL kind of excuses and took no responsibility for how she ate with the band, she blamed the band saying it didn't work for her....I was really pissed at her....and the way she made it seem like the band wouldn't work for anyone....

My insurance did not cover it either... It is my understanding that every insurance company covers it, it is just a matter of whether or not your employer chose to have it as part of your coverage. My CEO told me that we were not even given the option of choosing it as part of our coverage, I am sure it has to do w/the size of our group and coverage limits. I am almost 3 yrs out, and I was fortunate that I had enough money in my 401K that I was able to take a hardship withdrawal for medical purposes in order to pay for my surgery. I don't regret taking the money for a minute, it was an investment in my life. I can rebuild my 401K but my life is not replaceable. Good luck!!

I was banded 26 months ago by Dr. Paul Wizman in Margate... He is AMAZING.... i have had a great experience and I am down 133lbs so far....

I had several NSV over the Memorial Day weekend.. I flew up to MD to visit friends. For the first time in I can't remember HOW many years.. I did not need a seatbelt extender... AND... I was able to use the bathroom on the plane.... I truly can't remember how many years it has been since I could do that... I was so excited when I got the seatbelt buckled I actually did a little jig in my seat... and it was a VERY full flight and there were lots of people in the aisle.. needless to say, I got a few strange looks.. LOL

My surgeon said that the size of your fat pad over your stomach will affect how much fill it takes to feel restriction... the bigger the fat pad, the less it would take, but as you lose weight, the fat pad will get smaller and the band will loosen up.

If you are gonna use something over the counter, use acetaminophen. My surgeon says no NSAIDS, which ibuprofen is... he said that NSAIDS are bad for the stomach lining and can harm the area around the band.. but... that being said, I would check with your surgeon and see what He says about NSAIDS.

I didn't/don't have any pain.. I had some discomfort but I thought it was from some constipation...which by the way, is a symptom of an incisional hernia... LOL so I don't know if the discomfort was from some gas/constipation or from the hernia... but if you are having pains, I would definitely get it checked... it is a common thing that happens when you have had abdominal surgery and it can happen years later or right away...

Well, I have my first real complication 10 months in. I went to my surgeon yesterday for a fill and much to my surprise, he found a hernia. Needless to say I didn't get a fill. My port is right by my hernia and my intestines are in the hernia, so he didn't want to take a chance on missing the port and hitting my intestines and causing a whole other set of issues. So now we have to do a hernia repair and he is going to move my port since it is right by the hernia. Has any one else had this issue? I am not concerned, I trust my surgeon 110%. I was surprised because things have been going so smoothly since my banding in May 2009.

My surgeon is in Margate and he WILL take patients of other surgeons. His name is Dr. Paul Wizman and you can reach him at 954-969-1355. He's a great guy and a great surgeon....I know several people that had their surgery done by other surgeons and they go to him for after care... I do know about Dr. Bass, a friend of mine was banded by him and I met him personally last year at the S. Florida Walk from Obesity... he's a nice guy, but not knowing his practice, I don't know if he takes other surgeons patients.. a lot won't.. good luck!!

You probably should check w/your surgeon.. I am on depo provera and I was told if you were on birth control, I had to stop like 30 days before my surgery.. I was due for my next shot close to my surgery date so I didn't take my shot... DEFINATELY check w/your surgeon.. the reason they want you off all birth control is because of the clotting danger that comes w/birth control plus the clotting danger w/surgery.....

I have my protein shake every morning for breakfast... ever since my fill in like August I have been too tight in the morning to eat.. but I control the calories because I use Pure Protein shake mix, it is Whey and has 25 gr of protein and I mix it w/Skim milk, another 9 grams of protein, some ice and some low fat peanut butter, more protein... and that holds me for several hours....

I was self pay.. when I go to see my surgeon, if I get a fill, I pay $150... if I go and he doesn't do a fill, I pay nothing... if I have to go back for a slight unfill after a fill, I have gone back twice, the first time was a week later, the 2nd time the next night... I was NEVER charged for a unfill...have I mentioned that I LOVE my surgeon?? LOL