Sooz

Not banded yet, but I never considered bypass. I have considered gastric sleeve (VGS), though. It seemed as though it might work better in my case, as I have dentures and I don't think "chewing food to paste" is as critical with the sleeve. Still leery of having my stomach stapled and cut though, even though intestines aren't cut and pasted.

From what I have read it seems a common practice for surgeons to bill separately for hiatal hernia repair. I was told if I was found to have one I would be charged an extra 3800. and it would be billed separately. I have bad reflux so was pretty sure I had one, and sure enough the endoscopy proved it. I am self-pay for the band, but hopefully my insurance will cover the hernia.

If you haven't had a gynecological exam lately it's not a bad idea to cover your bases. I have self-diagnosed everything that is wrong with me physically to being overweight, only to find out during the pre-req tests that I actually have some issues unrelated. I've whined about all the procedures my surgeon required, only to have it hit home how neglectful I have been of my health, especially "female issues" over the years.

Ryan, I imagine by now the surgery is history, and you are banded and on your way to a new, healthy lifestyle. Good luck and God bless!

Thank you everyone, for the well wishes. I'm a bit freaked out by the cyst diagnosis, but have a gyn appt Thursday and will know more. Just like approvals and surgery dates, etc, the waiting is the hardest part!

For months I have been scared of surgery because of post-op gas pain stories. I have been suffering with what I thought were gas pains for a long time now, and was afraid the surgery would make it that much worse. Yesterday I spent most of the day in agony before driving myself to the ER. It turns out my gas pain is a huge ovarian cyst and I am supposed to make arrangements asap for surgery. So, no lapband for me this month, but hopefully will be feeling stronger and healthier after this.

Ok, I had to ask.. Did anyone eat commercial baby food in the mushy or soft food phases post-op?

WTG girl! I can't wait for the day I don't have to kneel and dig through the back of the bottom rack for the "full figure" bras! I want a couple of those cute matching sets myself... some day!

My doctor is a no potatoes or cereal kind of guy. Do you puree tuna and egg salad? What I was thinking was just using baby food meat to add Protein to stuff like refried Beans, or whatever.

I think when I have to start my clear liquid diet I will stock up on a bunch of different flavor soups and strain them. I know just from the 3-day fast for my endoscopy and colonoscopy how quickly the tastebuds get sick of plain old broth. My first cup tasted so delicious, but by the 3rd day forget it.

I bought an immersion blender last night that comes with a couple of snap on cups. Maybe that will work for tender meat and veggies, though my main thought was quick and easy protein shakes.

Hi Kirsten, How are you? I know what you mean, it's hard to stay away from this forum once you make the decision. Very informative discussions here!

Loving concern is one thing, but someone using controlling manipulation because they think they know what's best for you (actually themselves) is another.

A few weeks ago someone posted that her doctor removed some of the pumped in gas after her procedure. Maybe she misunderstood, because it seems to me if they can actually accomplish doing that, they would do it to everybody.

I was asked a few basic questions and given a gown. I got up on the wheel-y bed and was given one of those toasty warm cotton blankets. That helped! I laid on my side, and within seconds of the happy juice hitting the iv I was out like a light, with no after-effects at all. Well except one. The doctor took advantage of my goofy state and got me to agree to come in the next day for a colostomy due to a blood test showing low Iron. Also, was given several computer pics of my innards which showed a hiatal hernia and slight esophagus erosion and was given an Rx for Prilosec.

If all goes well my date should be mid-September. I just got a call from my surgeons office saying he wants me to have a ct scan of my abdomen now, due to something they saw on the ultrasound, which he suspects might be a hernia in the umbilical region. I don't think I will be able to pay for hiatal hernia, lapband and #3 hernia repair, really need to talk to the surgeon about all this.

that's funny chubbywife, I asked my daughter the same thing recently. "is that woman what I look like from behind?" Last night I posted about ending up with dentures after smashing my face due to a badly timed fainting spell. That was over 20 years ago and I am still surprised by my "new nose" in photos. My head "me" still has my old nose on file!

Hi Everybody, I have been exploring your forum here and now I have doubts about having a lapband put in. I am selfpay, so cost is an important issue. I couldn't consider Mexico for the band because there are no doctors or clinics for 100's of miles who will do fills on "foreign" bands. Since there are no fills or adjustments involved with VSG, Mexico might be an option, though I am not sure about aftercare in my area, for VSG. I am almost finished with a long list of pre-req testing, and my tentative lapband surgery is Sept 6th. What is swaying me is I wear dentures. I am afraid of not being able to chew as thoroughly as required for the band. Plus the cost. My surgical out-of-pocket is 14,500. not including all of the deductibles and % for all of the studies and tests. That includes just 1 follow-up fill. My next trip to the surgeon was supposed to be just to fork over all of the checks for payment, and now I am waffling. I'm so confused.

About 20 years ago I fainted and messed up my mouth nicely. After years of root canal this, cap that, enjoy your partial bridge, will that be cash or charge?, and "maybe you can hang onto them another year or 2". I could barely chew with them anyway, so took the plunge. Uppers and lowers are rough. When I am home alone I take them out as often as not, to eat. Anyway, I have been really worried about this myself. There is something about having all this plastic in my mouth, it's difficult to feel the size of the food. No big deal now, I have always been a fast eater and bad chewer, but I hope I can relearn well enough to chew up solid food thoroughly enough once banded.

I don't know about you Amaris, but I can't chew as well with them. I haven't had them long, so maybe that will improve. In fact, you've given me new hope..lol

Thanks for replying Gary, what an amazing weight loss. Congrats. :blushing:

Tink, my surgeon does the vertical sleeve as well, but I'm pretty sure I can't afford it, because I know it costs more than the lap band. What got me waffling today, was knowing that it's affordable and a lot cheaper than the lapband if I were to go to Mexico. I can't do Mexico for the band because nobody locally will fill "foreign" bands. I'd have to drive 350 miles to the closest fill center. Plus my surgeons fills are $240 w/ a 3 day grace period, if I remember correctly. I'm not sure what type of aftercare is necessary with the vertical sleeve, but no fills, no ports, no pb's make it tempting.