sweetsue

When I get banded next month I too plan to keep it a secret from family and friends. I am a stay-at-home mom so I don't have the work issues to deal with. However, a few years ago I dealt with the same thing when I had breast reduction surgery. I told my boss I wished to keep the reason for my short-term-disability and FMLA confidential. End of story. I worked for a health insurance company. I know about HIPAA laws (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) and medical confidentiality is taken very seriously these days. So you are not obligated to tell anyone (not even your boss) anything about your medical business. Co-workers can sit and wonder why is she absent (maybe she went to detox, maybe cosmetic surgery, disease treatment, a sex change, hemoroid surgery, a psychiatric institution???) Let them guess. Who cares what they think. Just tell them you prefer to keep your all your medical matters private and keep your head high. The only people who need to know are human resources - and they must keep this info confidential too. Good luck!

I'm not yet banded, but given that fact that my plan is to keep it a secret from everyone I know, I'm thinking about being at family dinners, dinner parties, restaurants, after I've eat my tiny portion - And I can imagine people will say things like, "what's wrong? why aren't you eating? don't you like the food? have some more!". I quit drinking for alchohalic reasons and I deal with people pushing drinks on me all the time. It's funny how well-intentioned people can be so pushy sometimes with food and drink. I'll guess I'll just say, no thanks, I'm dieting and so I'm cutting down on my portions.

Starbucks provides health benefits to all it's employees, even the part-timers. So that makes me feel a little better if I do sometimes pay a high price for their drinks. Mostly I'm a Dunkin Donuts girl. I am going to have to try that drink recipe. Thanks.

You are my inspiration! You look really hot in that suit. Congratulations! Susan

Thank you to all who replied and for all your great advice. I especially liked the tip from health1st who suggested I chew everything 30 times preop to get used to it and I have been doing this. I'm scheduled to be banded on 9/28. Now when I eat various foods I think to myself, this may be the last time I eat this (celery, pizza, soda, Pasta, etc). Now that I have surgery scheduled, I've been eating a bit recklessly because I know I'm heading for the BIG SHUT-DOWN and my long love affair with food will soon be over. Thanks again everyone. Susan

I had reduction surgery when I was 50 lbs lighter, now I'm at 205 and need to lose 75. I hope everything stretches back to be look somewhat appealing. For best results, don't opt to do the keyhole method, do the newer method with fewer stitches on the top of the breast. Don't remove the bandages or stitches too early. Also, I suggest you wear scar solution silicone bandaids for a long time to help reduce scarring. I had 3lbs lifted off my chest and I didn't find any big difference on the stress or wieght on my back after surgery but was pleased with the results anyways. Good luck! Susan

Hi All, I've been lurking and finding so much valuable information on this website. Gee, how did we ever manage before the internet? So let me introduce myself... I'm a fairly healthy 44 yo w/a bmi 39. I have about 75 lbs to lose. I'm going to self-pay and will get banded by Dr Ortiz in Mexico and he will fix my hiatal hernia too. I am currently looking for a doctor in Connecticut who would be willing to provide me with after-care & fills. I hope to have the procedure done late September 2006 in Tijuana. I've decided to keep this a complete secret from everybody, but my husband. My family will think I'm nuts to go to MX for this and just worry and give me all sorts of grief if they knew. I just hope I will adopt better eating habits after getting the band. I'm fat - so of course I have bad habits. I eat when I'm not hungry. I'll even eat when I'm full. I especially love sweets. I've even eaten frosting right out of the can to get that sugar fix. The hardest thing for me to understand is the banded feeling, and given all our life-long bad habits - how will this work? If I over-eat will the food come back up? Will cheese-cake still go down smoothly? Frosting? I understand I will need to adopt a some self-discipline if I want to see steady weightloss. But I've been a life-long failure as far as will-power and diets go. Hopefully some of you will share your wisdom with me. This is a really awesome website and you are all such wonderful people. So glad to meet all of you! Thanks & sincere regards, Susan

Looking for a fill Dr in Connecticut... I'm considering going to Dr Ortiz in Mexico but want to have a complete plan before I commit to any surgery. Not only fills, but also after-care examinations in the event that I may need it further care or have complications. Your comments are greatly appreciated. Thanks! Susan

Hello, As I learn more by reading all these posts and doing research into lap-band I am giving serious consideration to having it done. I don't think my cigna insurance will cover the procedure because I have a bmi of 39 and no co-morbidities. I'm a 44 yr old female who lives in central Connecticut. Because I'd need to pay for it myself, I'm considering having the procedure done in Mexico. Perhaps with Dr Ortiz, he seems to have a good reputation. Anyone know of any place that would do fills in CT? Also, if there were complications and I needed a medical attention, would I be turned away by local bariatric doctors? It would be re-assuring if I could get some after-care in Connecticut. Can anyone offer me any advice? Thank you! Susan