Shesha

It was going to be on March 5th, but work would not let me take two days off during the 1st 10 business days of the month - (just a ton to do with reports and stuff) So, 3/16 was the first date that worked for everyone. Yes, Dr. K recommends a fill at 4 weeks, but Inamed, and a lot of other Dr.'s say 6, so I decided the longer I waited the better.

We stayed at the Best Western Gateway Inn and Suites right near Dr. K's office in Aurora. The room was very reasonable, like $60.00 a night. I told them I was having surgery and they gave me a handicapped room on the first floor. It was very convienent. The rooms and hotel were clean. What was nice is that each room had a pretty decent sized mini fridge and microwave in it. I could put my jello, broth and stuff in the fridge, or heat up my broth in the micro. Since we also had my daughter along, we were able to put a gallon of milk for her in the fridge too. The hotel had a pool and a whirlpool. My husband and daughter enjoyed it. They also had free continental breakfast in the morning (with a waffle maker - not for you, but your traveling companions ) On weeknights, they also had a mini happy hour. Free cans of beer on ice, some wine (wasn't very good, but free) and chips and salsa. My husband had a beer or two each night, so he was happy. They also had a computer you could use for free. I used it to post on lapbandtalk, and to check in for our flight home. There are a lot of nice, casual restaurants around there too.. Macaroni Grill, TGIFriday's, Chilli's, Joe's Crab Shack,a brew pub, a mall and a Super Target. All looked like a fairly new development.

Congratulations! I am so proud of you. I remember how discouraged you were when you found out about the financing issue, and now you HAVE YOUR BAND!!! YAY!!!!! :)

According to www.understandcobra.com Qualifying events are those events that would cause someone to lose health coverage and the type of qualify event will define who the qualified beneficiaries are and how long the health plan will have to offer coverage. If one of those events occurs below (such as reduction of hours) doesn’t result in the loss of health coverage, then technically it’s not a qualifying event (but at that point the distinction wouldn’t matter because the employee wouldn’t need COBRA since he or she would still be covered by his or her employer’s health plan). As an employee, there are two types of qualifying events where COBRA would apply: Termination (of employment) for any reason except gross misconduct. Reduction in work hours. As the spouse of an employee, there are five types of qualifying events where COBRA would apply: Termination of the covered employee’s employment for any reason except gross misconduct. Reduction work hours by the covered employee. Covered employee becoming covered by Medicare. Divoce or legal separation. Death of covered employee. As the dependent children of an employee, there is only one qualify event where COBRA would apply: Loss of dependent child status.

Hi All! I agree with Kristin and Mark. Dr. K is great. And, as Dr. K said to me, "You are getting a deluxe service here, Sheila." There was nothing low rate about any of the experience but the price.I would do it all again in a second. I am glad I chose him.

It depends on the surgeon and what they find when they are inside... hiatial hernia that needs to be repaired, extra fat..etc... Some can do the surgery in a little as 45 minutes, others take up to 2 hours. Mine took about an hour. Your surgeon will be able to tell you what his "time" is. Hope this helps! You'll need to add recovery time to that too. It'll take you around an hour or so to come out of anthesia.

I am going to Dr. K for my first fill in March. After that, I plan to go to Madison. Flying to Denver isn't real feasible (especially from Wausau - way to much $$)!

Hey, haven't heard from you in a while. Do you have a band date yet? How is the preop diet going?

Glad to hear from you!! Wow! What a bummer. So, you're just overwieght, no co-morbidities? (personal appearance) Well, our insurance specifically exclude weight loss surgery, so I was self pay. I went to Dr. K in Denver. $9,950.00 for everything!! He's really great and growing quite the (good) reputation. It might be worth it to just say "screw you" to insurance, warm up that credit card and call Dr. K. By the time you MIGHT get insurance to approve it, you could be banded and down 80 lbs by going to Dr. K. His website address is in my signature. See the "considering Dr. Kirshenbaum" thread under Dr's and Hospitals for a ton more infomation. Let me know if you have any quesitons!

Skyeblu!! Congrats on getting your band! Sound like you had the same experience I did - got the band and was ready to hit 'er - very short recovery! Keep us posted on your progress! Marjon - Wow, you still have restriction! I wish I did. I am glad to hear things are going well for you, besides the PBing. I am sure you'll find a happy medium. Have you talked to Dr. K about it at all again? Do you think you have a cycle of PBing/swelling or something going on?? Otherwise, how is everything else? Are you enjoying your weight loss? It looks like you are doing very well! Drewslou - How is the leg doing?? Are you back at Derby practice yet?? I am doing well. It looks like my perserverence has paid off. My weightloss stall has ended for now. I was down 2 more lbs this morning. I have been logging my food intake on Fitday.com religiously since starting mushies (I haven't missed a day yet) It's amazing how calories can sneak up on you, even when you are banded and watching yourself! It's been a little warmer here the last couple of days. In the 30's. After being below zero for almost 3 straight weeks, it feels like spring. Hubby and I have been walking together during our lunches. It's been so nice to get outside, and spend time with my buddy! (we both work downtown- our offices are litterally joined by a parking garage and two skyways - much to hubby's dismay... tee hee!)

I, too, had a sense of regret after I got my band. It was so weird to think it was actually inside me. Now, almost a month later I feel so happy it's there, just waiting for a fill to help me start my weight loss journey. It's my little friend. Although I didn't cry after being banded, I cried and cried hysterically after I had my baby. It was supposed to be such a happy day, and I was a mess!! Nothing I did would stop the crying. The nurses told me it was the hormones plus my body had been though so much and I was physically so tired, that's what happens. Surgery is kind of the same thing, and anthesia doesn't help matters either. In a few weeks, you will feel better than you did before the surgery! Healed up and lighter!

Dr. Kirshenbaum in Denver did my surgery. He only charges $9950.00 so people have an option in the states that is comparable to the cheaper cost in Mexico. He was fantastic! Let me know if you have any questions.

I had my surgery with Dr. Kirshenbaum in Denver. Only $9,950.00 - no extra fees. You do have to pay for travel if you don't live in Denver, but I got airfare for $199.00 round trip (and I live in the middle of no where - normally it's at least $250.00 to fly anywhere) and I stayed at a really nice hotel right near Dr. K for $60.00 a night. $6,600.00 is almost enough! See if you can cut out a few of those "minor but they add up" expenses.. the can of soda you buy at break time, a cup of coffee you buy on the way into work, try packing your lunch, disconnect the cable tv... whatever and save those pennies. You'll have the rest in no time. The sacrifice is worth it!

Here's what it says on girlscouts.org http://www.girlscouts.org/program/gs_cookies/faqs.asp#money_where Frequently Asked Questions Girl Scout Cookies® Cookie Revenue [/url]Q: When I buy Girl Scout Cookies, where does the money go? A: With every purchase, approximately 70% of the proceeds stays in the local Girl Scout council to provide a portion of the resources needed to support Girl Scouting in that area, including a portion that goes directly to the troop/group selling the cookies. The balance goes directly to the baker to pay for the cookies. Return to Top Q: How does the cookie revenue benefit girls? A: All of the revenue—every penny after paying the baker—earned from cookie activities stays with the local Girl Scout council that sponsors the sale, including a portion that goes directly to the troop/group selling cookies. Councils use their cookie revenue to supply essential services to troops, groups, and individual girls, such as providing program resources and communication support, training adult volunteers, and conducting special events. The Girl Scout council's volunteer board of directors: Chooses the baker. Determines the price per box. Decides how this revenue will be used to provide vital services—such as leader recruitment and training and operation of camps and service centers—and other indirect expenses. Decides how much money will be returned to troops/groups selling cookies for their projects and activities.

Those two weeks will fly by. I, too was a little scared and aprehensive. I just kept thinking of all the positve changes in my life this band could make and that kept me going! I really had a great banding experience. Everyone is different, but I had very little pain, if any. It was more of a discomfort in your abs, kind of like doing a bunch of crunches. I only really felt it when I rolled around in bed, or tried to stand up. That only lasted a day or two. Otherwise, it was pretty much business as usual. I was also just very aware of my incisions for a few days, 'cause the bandages kind of rubbed against your clothes.

Hello fellow Wisconsinites!! Yay on a Badger win today!! Here's to a lighter and successful year for all of us!

I haven't been back yet. I will go for my first fill in March, and then probably be done with Dr. K. I have established myself as a patient of a local surgeon for follow-up care and fills.

So... do we have a band date yet, Chubbola? How did the psych appointment go, if you don't mind me asking?

Hi LuAnn! I got my band in CO, but I will be getting my fills with Dr. Sunby at Dean Care. Gil seems very nice, but I really haven't talked to anyone else in the office. How do you like the people? Did you go to a seminar with them? What did you think? You must like them because you are getting banded by them, but I am jsut curious to hear your opinion on the staff/facilities/Dr's. Thanks!

Welcome! I've had my band almost 3 weeks now. So far, so good! Where are you getting banded? Who is your surgeon?

Try papaya enzymes. You can get them at wal-mart, a healthfood store or GNC. Others on the forum have used it and it worked for them.

Hi All!! I am jealous I missed out on the conversation earlier today! Marjon - I am glad to hear the papaya enzymes work. I almost bought some and didn't. I figured I wouldn't need them until I was filled, which turns out to be the case. I'll get some closer to my fill date for sure. Never know when you'll need it! One lady on the board had 'em dissolve a piece of carrot that got stuck! Another thing I saw on here was Aloe Vera juice for something.. I can't remember... I'll have to search. Skyblu and Machele! - Your band dates will be here before you know it. I still can't believe I have mine. I remember the day after surgery, looking at my incisions in disbelief that I actually had a band inside me. I was so happy, yet dumbfounded at the same time! Drewslou - How's your leg doing??? I am sure you are frustrated. There is nothing worse than a bum wheel! I ruptured my achilles tendon a few years ago! I was down for 6 weeks after surgery with a cast. My Dr. even wrote me out of work! It happened in April and I was finally done with physical therapy in October. UGH!! It was the worst. I can remember sitting on the floor after my cast came off, trying to move my toes forward (like stepping on the gas pedal) and I couldn't! I may as well been trying to wiggle my ears. It was the same feeling! VA Bandster!! - Glad to hear you are doing well! How did things go after your first fill?? Did you have restriction very long? I am sure you are excited to get this second one and hopefully find a sweet spot! Later! Sheila

Chrispy, I agree wtih Joan. Please give him another chance! He sounds really nice. My husband was the worse dresser ever before he met me! Now he is Mr. GQ... 6'4, 220 and looks mighty fine in the clothes I buy him.. yum! So glad I looked past the wrangler jeans and tennie shoes! UGH!!!!!!

Oh, not too far away then! I used to drive through the Dells a lot. I am originally from the Eau Claire area and used to live in Chicago. We'd drive I-94 home and back all the time! Yeah, I read the January Bandsters thread and we're all going through the same thing... "how can you eat so little calories and not lose weight??" People are getting depressed and everything! I guess that's why they call this period "bandster hell!" I know the weight will come off, just have to heal up sufficiently first and be patient!

Congrats Machele on getting your band date. I will be there on 3/16 getting my first fill! I didn't think he banded patients on a Friday. They told me Tues, Wed, and Thurs. He must have changed his schedule to accomodate for the influx of bands he seems to be doing lately.