Fran

I agree with you but I have son who was away for a long time for a heroin addiction. Home now, he has started using alcohol and other drugs so isn't an addiction an addiction? Be well. Fran

I can relate to your addiction. I have a son who is addicted to drugs and I ate myself into oblivion to ease the pain. The cool whip, ice cream, etc. does soothe the hurt but it is only for the moment. We have to have something to soothe us. The food is it. The autism is not easy to deal with, and I have not learned yet that if I eat or do not eat the situation will still be there. One would think after loosing 115 pounds and having plastic surgery, I would stop but now I started again. My son is home from rehab and relapsing so the pain is there. Food helps, but I am trying to realize it is only temporary. I feel your pain. I do early intervention with autistic infants and use ABA methods. I wish there was a cure but the more we try perhaps we will reach our wishes one day. I am in your thoughts and wish you well. Fran

Thank you all for your good wishes-I am glad this had a happy ending. Now, if I can only keep my son clean and away from his disease of addiction with drugs. I ask nothing for myself, just his recovery. It is the most insidious disease around. I feel so helpless. He has had the best in rehab in Pa. and Minnesota where I liquidated every nickel I had from IRA's and a retirement fund. He is home now and struggling. The worry is constant. It does not stop. Be well all. Fran

Was just notified that the hospital bill was paid for the tt so that means the surgeon will be too. Thank you all for your concern. What a load off my chest, heart and tummy!! Be well. Fran

I wish you the best and a speedy recovery. Be well. Fran

I also had Dr. Kwon on August 30th. 2006. Three weeks ago I had Dr.WInski, but I am not loosing any weight. Also, when does the swelling go down. Did you like Dr.Winski? He is very quiet. Be well. Fran

I can totally relate. I do not think of myself as the new me yet after loosing 115 pounds and going from a size 24 to a size 12. I think in our minds we are so used to loosing and then regaining the weight that we are paranoid to allow ourselves the luxury of thinking thin. It is a whole new person we have created and we have to take time to rekindle a relationship. I wish you well and you have had much success. Fran

The best of luck to you for a good surgery and recovery. Be well. Fran

Do not feel bad. I am almost two years after banding and the other day I was dying for some ham and turkey from the deli. I chewed it well and wow-was I sick. PB and all the rest. I do not know the answer, but it is a common problem. Be well. Fran

Perhaps I am insane, but I was banded on a Wed. and went back to work the following Monday. It depends upon the person, but the recovery is not bad at all. Be well. Fran

It is not the insurance number, but the type of surgery. I spoke to the woman in the doctors office today, and she said that she was told it was authorized. Let her fight it out with them. I would never have gone ahead with this now if I was self pay as I have a son who is recently home from rehab and he has cost me a fortune. I hope the hospital stay does not get rejected. If the hospital stay gets paid, then I had a true TT (Tough Titties) to whomever made the mistake. Be well. Fran

Let me tell you how right you are. Tough sh-t is mild in comparison to what they can do. I am just worried that the hospital stay will not be covered and that can add up to $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. Will keep all posted. Thanks and be well. Fran

I got the letter on Sat. and have to wait until tomorrow (Monday) to call. I hope and pray that some person mixed up a code or something like that. Perhaps it should have said reconstructive surgery and not plastic. Will let all know what happens. Thank you and be well.

Matzoh balls work well for me. Just make sure they are soft. UMMM! Be well. Fran

This will be my second banded pesach. It is not that hard, but I do not eat matzoh and miss it. A lot of hard boiled eggs, and hummus and lox and fish. Gefitle fish is a good choice. I do a shake for breakfast usually in the car so who cares if it is not kosher. The EAS carb solutions work for me. Also, potted chicken legs are okay if I eat them with applesauce. A zeisen pesach. Fran

I also used Dr.Kwon and had lap band surgery on 08/06. Two weeks ago Dr.Winski did my TT. I am not loosing any weight and am worried. Did you like Dr. WInski, and did he do anymore surgery for you? Thanks and be well. Fran

Please, I usually do not rant and rave but I am besides myself with worry. The surgeons office had called and told me I was approved for a TT and I had it done March 26th. Now I get a letter from my insurance carrier (GHI) which says they do NOT pay for plastice surgery. I am besides myself with worry over this, and hope at least the hospitalization is covered but how can it be if the surgery is being denied. HELP!! Be well. Frantic Fran

You look wonderful. Congratulations. I just had mine done and hope the result is as good as yours. Be well. Fran

I had the surgery from one hip to the other in the front. I do not know if he did lipo as I did not know to ask him. He is a good surgeon, but is not very talkative or friendly. I am rather quiet and do not like to puch myself upon people of this nature. I lost 115 pounds and now weigh 174. I wish to loose more. Thank you and be well. Fran

Thank you for your help. It is true, do not worry so much about the scale. I looked at my before pictures-uch-the stomach was so gross.Be well. Fran

Thank you for your words of inspiration. It makes sense what you say, but oh, the disappointment on the scale. I thought for sure it would go down as they cut out 5 pounds. Patience, patience. We will all do well. Be well. Fran

I think you look great. You are pretty before the loss, but beautiful now. Keep up the good work. Be well. Fran

Thank you for all the information. Did your weight fluctuate after the surgery? I am so upset as I am watching what I eat and not loosing. TT was on March 26th. Thank you and be well. Fran

Hi All, I had my TT on March 26th. and feel great. It was not bad at all. My question to you is this: I keep going on the scale and it goes up and down daily. The surgeon said the lab weighed 5 pounds of skin taken off-how come I did not loose that much at least? I am really, really careful about what I eat. Be well. Fran

Now that I have had my TT I can see way down yonder. It looks like a camels foot. There is also vacany where the hair used to be. Kind of looks like I need an upsweep like the balding guys do. Poor little thing, used to be firm and tight-just like its mother. Fran