Tulip

Linda, the fastest method is to call your insurance member service and ask them who is in your network. When I did that I found about 4 doctors in the Houston area that were in network. Good luck!

I'm not a doctor, but it doesn't sound like a slip to me. I thought I might have one a few weeks ago, and turned out I had a dilated pouch. My doctor had me stay on liquids for 2 days, then back to soft foods for a weekl. When I went back for follow up, my pouch was fine and the band was fine. When you had an episde like that, don't drink any liquids for several hours. In the morning try small sips and then if that is tolerated, continue on liquids. If you can't take small sips the next day, call your doctor! Good luck.

You are so right. That is exactly what my doctor told me. He is keeping me on a short leash as I reduce my meds. I have to turn in a journal of my readings each month. I also felt very tired and slept more than usual when my meds were too high. Reducing them has helped in that area. This is a great thread. Thanks for all your your responses.

I took 2 meds for blood pressure: one a Water pill and one is Toprol. The water pill was reduced to 3/week after I lost 50 pounds. The Toprol I have dropped from 50mg to 25 mg. My last reading was 108/78. My doctor allows me to reduce the pills only if I monitor my blood pressure at elast 3 times a week, which I have been doing. Good luck. PS I am off ALL cholesterol medicine.

Oh how lucky to be going to Spain. My favorite country for travel of all! I read this thread because I am having problems after a year and a half of banding. Last few days I have problems with solids, eat more than 3 bites and feel awful pain, not like restriction or being stuck. I called my doctor and was told this might be dilation. I am on liquid diet for 2 days and will call them on Friday. I am at my goal weight, so if they have to deflate a little it won't be horrible news. Yet, I don't want any thing worse than that. I have been to Spain twice. Once to northern area (Madrid, Toledo, barcelono) and once to the south (Seville, Arcos). Where are you travelling? Honestly, Spain is my favorite country to visit. They are so nice, eager to please and the food is wonderful! Terry

I'm so glad I found this thread. I have been banded for a year and a half (not a newbie at all), and am at goal - really! My last fill was in Jan 2008, which put me to 2.4 cc. I lost about 20 pounds since that fill and thought everything was fine. About 4 days ago I woke up with a terrible acid feeling in my throat. Yes, I did eat some Fritos the night before, but not too many because I can't. Since then I can drink fluids like Water, Slimfast, even yogurt. But solids hurt - right at the band. This is a different type of pain from being restricted or stuck. I can eat only 3 bites of soft foods and then feel the pain. I called the doctor today and was told this is probably pouch dilation. I was told to stay on strict liquid diet for 2 days, and if not better by Friday (day after tomorrow) come in for deflate. I'm at goal (even a bit less) so I am not terribly concerned about losing some fill. I'm more worried that this is something worse than dilation. I'll keep you posted. I hope to hear how the rest of your situations resolve. Terry

It is possible you have found the sweet spot right away. That wasn't my experience at all, but we all differ in the way we adjust to the band. I didn't find the truly sweet spot until right before my one year bandiversarry. I had 5 small fills over the first 8 months, then a smaller unfill a month later. Finally at 11 month I had must a tad (.2 cc) put in and that seems to be my sweet spot total of 2.6 cc. Now I am almost a year and half out of surgery. I am thankfully still losing, slowly but surely. I'm glad that my losing didn't stop at one year out of surgery. That is what is so good about lapband. Still adjustable. Congratulations on your successes!

Me too, ditto, ditto. I would highly recommend him and his office staff are wonderful to deal with. If I had my surgery tomorrow, I would still choose Dr. Spivak.

I can't speak from personal experience, but I do have 3 friends that had surgery by Dr. Speigel. They used him because of his extensive experience. But the price quoted on this thread is not the best one in Texas. Another doctor in Houston with as many if not more lap band surgeries offers the lap band for $12,900 (includes a year of follow-up and fills). I don't think my friends would have gone with Speigel if they had investigated more about his staff and his fill practice.

Hello all, I got an email from Lap Band talk about not being here for a while, so I thought I'd check in with the thread. Glad to see posts here. Congratulations Tracy. Snow??? I've been busy working on my vegetable garden, and already have tomatoes, peppers, squash and zuccini picked. What a difference living here in Texas. Doing fine with my band, and about 5 pounds to go to get to health BMI. I have a few friends that are serious about getting a band now. Sorry to be MIA for so long,

I have that white coat syndrom too. It usually happened to me because I had to get on the scale... but that isn't the cuase anymore- Ha! No really my blood pressure is nothing to laugh at, sometimes high, sometimes normal. I'm glad yours came back down to normal.

Hello everyone, I haven’t been on my computer so much lately. Tax time is a very busy time of year for me. However, I did want to check back in and say hey. I received very good news today during my routine visit with my cardiologist. My blood pressure has been consistently normal for 3 months, my cholesterol levels are good and my lever function tests are all normal. He is taking me off my cholesterol medicine, but will recheck in a month without the meds to make sure I am still maintaining good levels. Lynn, your experience sounds so similar to mine. Dr. Spivak is my doctor and I once had a slight unfill after being way too tight for 2 months. After the unfill back to 2.2cc I was still somewhat restricted but not really enough to call it my sweet spot. I went back and had .2cc added to get to a total of 2.4 and “dare I say” it does feel right! Your description of the sweet spot is exactly how I feel now. One thing that is apparent is that if I feel full, I stop and I must not sip any liquids for at least 30 minutes. I used to think a little sip would help get unstuck, but now I know better. Lisa – happy bandiversary a little late. I hope you can figure out the way to post pictures, I’d love to see them. 90 pounds lost is awesome Debbie – I think you are right about stress. I think it makes a big difference in my restriction too. Tonya – that is a great idea about not eating after 7:00pm. The nights are the times when I can eat the most, and I would lose more if I could eliminate all eating after 7:00. How are is your vision. Lasik is such an improvement over the previous surgeries to correct vision. I had an RK back in 1985. I’m still glad I did it and passed my driver’s license test this week without any correction. Oh, I forgot to mention the twinges by my port. My doctor told me that is common after weight loss. My port has not flipped, but that is sometimes the start of movement. I hope I’m at the right fill now. All the rest of my fills will be self-pay. BabyGotBack – glad to see you back here. I have been taking my quickslim and I do think it helps with appetite control. I have lost another 5 pounds! Yea. I also had a stomach virus and didn’t feel like eating at all during that time. I hope your get some “me” time to unwind and do some fun things. Sula, I don’t understand your doctor’s comments about being near the end of what he can do. I have the 4cc band, but I would think you could have more in your 10. If you don’t have enough restriction, well, you just don’t. Can’t they add more? Cindi – I’m glad you are back and that you don’t have a dilated pouch. Your efforts will be rewarded I’m sure. Plateaus are so hard to work through. Enjoy your R&R Thanks to all of you for your inspiration and encouragement. Coming here to read about our struggles and victories helps me tremendously.

What have you learned as we appoach our one year bandiversary... I still want to keep losing weight. My one year anniversary will come on January 8. I have lost 48 pounds and am so happy (doing the happy dance, can you see?) that I had this surgery. I wish I had done it sooner. I have learned... I still have to make choices about my foods, but I can't eat as much at one time - no way! My restriction most likely depends on the time of day, but some days my band is fickle. A fill will generate a jumpstart in weight loss, and then a stall. My weight loss is better if I make an effort at exercising. I don't always do that but I know I need to. I can NOT eat tamales, scrambled eggs or dried out chicken leftovers. The closer I get to goal, the slower the weight loss. What have the rest of you learned that I forgot to mention? Terry

Honestly??? My daughter had thyroid surgery with Dr. Marvin several years ago (when that was his speciality) and he was really good to deal with. He is strickly a surgeon, but did not offer any after care when her thyroid hormones were too low. He did refer her back to primary care physician, which I guess was appropriate. One thing that was a negative. He obtained an assistant surgeon that was not in our network, and we had no idea until after surgery, when my insurance took the assistant's bills as out of network. His office was a bit disorganized and sent bills that we did not owe. I realize that was thyroid surgery, but I would be concerned about his staff and follow up. Check all that out. As far as his surgeon skills, he was good. Good luck with this decision. His staff and billing department may have improved since 4 years ago.

Thanks for sharing the photos! You look great and ready for a binkini! Your arms are so small, and I'm proud of you for going through with this. Was the pain worht the surgery. I would love to have those skinny arms that you have. Terry

Julie, Thanks for sharing your journey and giving the rest of us so much encouragement. Your photos are awesome (even away from your personal software). Where are the drains? I didn't see them. I always thought that keeping moving was good for post op. Now I'm confused. Is this the end of of the PS journey for you? I can't see where you might possibly need any more. Your arms, tummy, the girls (what are their names?) and your whole boddy looks really good. If you still have swelling, that must be minor. Congrats on the successful surgeries. Terry

Your arms look really good, and I don't think anyone will see the scars unless you purposely show them. I guess the twinges of pain are a sign of healing? I'm glad you had your mom to help you. Allow yourself to be pampered. Do you know when the show will be on television? What is the name of the show?

I'm so glad to hear from you. You look really good to me, and your arms are so thin. I can tell your fingers look puffy from the fluids, but that will go away. Let your mom help in everyway you need. I'm glad the darvocet is taking care of pain. Keep us posted. I've been thinking of you.

Tonya, thanks for the reminders of all the good things that have happened because of my lap band. You are so right about those New Years resolutions, and I do feel like I will never be morbidly obese again. I accept the kick in the behind and will take it with movitation. thanks Lynn and sula, the paper (Brazosport Facts) did not list the cause of death. My husband heard about her death when he was at work through some of her friends that work at the same company. You are right though, the reaction to anesthesia could have occured with any surgery. Thank you for lifting me up today. I feel better. Hey Enterprise, are you feeling okay?

I just wanted to drop to see if there is any news from Enterprise today after her surgery. I have been in a very long plateau, and just can't seem to get the scale moving. I should be pleased that I stayed the same through Thanksgiving, but.... I have not been motivated to get moving and stick with my gym routine. I think I need a kick in the rear. Today's local newspaper had an obituary for a 33 year old beautiful lady that died yesterday. My husband called to let me know that she died in Houston during lap band surgery. I did not know her but this is very upsetting! It wasn't the lapband, but an allergic reaction to general anesthesia. I am waiting to find out who her surgeon was. Maybe I shouldn't post now while I am in a slump, but then again you all are so good at giving encouragement (and a kick in the rear when needed).

Enterprise, didn't know your surgery was this soon! I'll be thinking of you and looking for news from you. Try your best to get some sleep, and let us know how you are doing. The outcome will be well worth it!

Happy Thanksgiving to all. Tonya, I just now read about your fill, and hope you can get a small unfill sooner rather than later. I was too tight and tried to wait it out and was miserable the whole time. IThe small deflate went back to my previous fill level and I felt much better immediately. Still some restriction, but able to eat normal foods. Enterprise, doesn't this weather feel wonderful. Enjoy your mashed potatoes. Do you have a date for your surgery? Renee, congratulations on Onderland! That is fantastic! Sula, hope you are feeling better. I can relate to the trying to stay warm. I will probably wear a sweater this winter for the first time in many years. I didn't want to have a house full of leftovers this Thanksgiving, so we are taking our daughters and going to San Luis hotel in Galveston for our meal. They have a special Thanksgiving buffet spread. At least if I overeat once, I won't have the food here at the house to repeat overeating.

Hi Lynn, Did you have a total unfill? I went in a little over a week ago for a slight unfill (from 2.6 to 2.0) and that made all the difference for me. I followed the unfill with 2 days of liquids/soft foods. Now back to regular food and I still feel a little restriction, but do not get sick (slime or PB) almost every day like before. I am still learning work on good band habits. I need to use my band as a tool, and let it help me in this weight loss process. BTW, you couldn't have gained 2 pounds in one day. Must be fluid weight. Keep us posted.

Congratulations on having the surgery with no surgeon fee! Yipee. Celebrate and start getting excited for the next step - just one more improvement! Keep us posted and updated. I'll keep you in my prayers, even though I know that everything will turn out wonderful. You will be in good hands.

Enterprise, did you go see the doctor today? I am hoping for an update. I can't imagine walking that many miles - you should feel proud of all you have accomplished. Tulip