Shaun

Just wondering if anyone can help. im in the hospital (visiting) w my MIL. We were both banded 9 months ago. She has been having dizzy spells for a couple weeks. She has low blood pressure when she stands up. her blood pressure was 70/35 when arriving at the hospital. They have admitted her and cant seem to find out whats wrong. They arent thinking this is band related. I read a few threads of people with same issue, but the other threads they had high blood pressure. She doesnt have a history of high blood pressure and isnt on any bp meds. Also her white blood cell count is high (19,000). They have given her 4 rounds of IV antibiotics and her white blood cell count is still the same. also her blood pressure is fine while laying down, only drops when standing. Does anyone know anything about this?

i was banded in nov 08, at the time my son was 6 months old. when i arrived home from surgery, i pumped and dumped one time, to get the anaesthesia out, and then was nursing him a few hours later. i have had my fills just the same as everyone else. i now have 7.1cc in my 10cc band. no problems here, still nursing at 11 months old. any ?'s, dont hesitate.

Hi V-Dallas! You are such a BIG LOSER! You go girl!! I am doing great. Ive had four fills now for a total of 7.1 in my 10cc band. ive lost 40 pounds in the 4 months since my surgery. ive noticed i lose all the weight within the first 2 weeks after a fill, then no loss for the next 2 till the next fill. Right now i am not able to make the support groups due to work schedule conflicts, but i am working on that, and hope to be able to make it there soon. Keep me posted on your progress. Shaun

hey V-Dallas, Ive had a hard week. I went in for my 4th fill last Tues .5cc for a total of 7.1cc in my 10cc band. I was SOOOOOO tight, it was miserable, vomiting every day. Then finally yesterday some relief. I feel so much better, no more vomiting. I am still very restricted, but can eat now, thank god! Its been 3.5 months & I've lost 34 pounds. Sometimes it just seems like it is so slow, that i dont think i'm losing, till i look at the big picture. How are you?

They do not require you to buy the optifast, only suggest it.

hey koinoi, I was banded 11-21-08 by dr castro. I also went through TLC edge. For my pre op diet I had to do 10 days of optifast liquid diet. For the pre op test, tlc edge will set it all up, go to to the dr and they do blood work up and ekg. then you have to get a psychological statement. you can get this from a licesed counsler. for thier $9,990 this includes EVERYTHING except optifast ($300) and psych eval. You can shop around for prices for that. I paid $125 for mine in Kaufman.

The $9990 includes everything except the shakes and psych. The optifast drinks are $81 a case. I was encouraged to get 3 for a total of $243. That was too many shakes. Two cases would have been plenty. You can call around to licensed counselors to get the best deal. In Kaufman, the best price I found was $125.

Hello, I went through TLC Edge, and was banded by Dr Castro. I agree with V-Dallas. My experience was great with Dr Castro and TLC Edge, but if i had to do it over again, I would leave TLC Edge out of the picture and go strictly through Dr Castro. I called TLC Edge on 11-6-08, and was banded on 11-21-08. I was also self pay. It all happened very fast. The first thing I did was call and tell them (TLC Edge) I wanted to "fast track". That same afternoon I met with Mary Bell from TLC Edge for the consult. While there for the consult I also met with the dietician, ordered my shakes, set the date for surgery, set up appointment for lab's and pre-op visit. Then I looked in my local phone book for a licensed counselor, made an appointment for that. Then I was on my way. I was banded 15 days later. Now i'm 6 weeks post-op (20 pounds lighter) and have NO regrets! Any ?'s, don't hesitate to ask. or PM me.

This liquid pre op diet is killing me! its so much harder than i expected. Surgery is on the 21st. I just cant wait!

Im Soooooooooooo excited. Im self paying surgery with Dr Castro (TLC Edge in plano) on Nov 21st. I just cant wait. I start liquid diet on Monday.

how much is the psych, and protein shakes?