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My 1 year appointment check-in is in a week. I was really hoping to be 100 pounds down for that, but I'm going to miss it by about 10 pounds. Sigh. But I can't be too upset, because hey - almost 100 pounds down in one year is AWESOME. I'm still going to do my best to ramp up the Water and tamp down the carbs the rest of the time I have left so I can get closer to a triple digit loss. So far, I'm achieving my water intake, I'm exercising more than ever before and I'm keeping my calories around 1000-1200 with carbs under 75 mg a day. Fingers crossed I can make it to within 5 pounds by next week! I did a quick pouch test and I can hold 6 ounces. I think that's a decent size and should be great for continued success. Two of the many things I've learned that I have to be careful about: 1. Carbs have to stay around 50-75 grams or I will not lose anything. 2. It is really easy to eat over my caloric allotment if I allow myself to pick at food over several hours. I am now eating what I feel is a good portion, and then putting the food completely away so I don't sit there and eat on it over the next hour or two. I'm a bit sad still seeing some folks posting about losing 100 pounds in just a few months... but my body isn't wired that way, and there's not a damned thing I can do about that. I am seeing a slow but steady loss and that is just fine really - slow but moving lower is still progress! SO I still have about 40 pounds to goal. I am not going to be too upset if I don't make it, but I really think it is still possible. Here's hoping anyway!

My experience was overall pleasant with the staff and the hospital. The hospital is about 5 hours drive from the airport and just out skirts of Ludhiana city. The rooms were clean and had TV which had alot of indian programing and I also thing it had some english movie channels. You would arrive a day for surgery and given light meal and some laxatives before you go to bed to clean out your stomach. The surgery usually takes place early in the morning. On my day I was number 4, and I did see the patients come out of the ER in around 90 mins. The surgery is much shorter, the staff just preps you for the doctor to come in and operate. Before I was operated, I spoke to the anesthesiologist and the Dr.Kular and they answered any concerns I might have. I was having the lapband removed on the same day also, and they noticed the lapband had some damage, so it took me 4 hours to come out of the ER. Post op: Other patients (I will discuss mines after) Other patients had small surgery time frames and were kept in ICU till the next day and left on day 3 I believe, I saw about 7 to 8 different patients and all of them doing very well except this lady was feeling nauseous. They were given light Soup to drink and able to eat soft foods on day 3. The hospital has veg juice or Soups. Post Op:Me Since I had the lapband complication, I did not go back to my room for 2 nights, was being monitored in the ICU. The doctor put me on strict liquid diet for 10 days so my esophagus could heel from the lapband damage. The liquid diet was very easy and did not feel hungry at all. I left on day 5 or 6 from the hospital and stayed in India 3 weeks just to make sure everything went smooth and had no leakage. I just had my surgery 5 months ago on 9/22/14 and as of today I have lost over 67 lbs. I started above 305(I weighed 312 on my preop but I think it was all the heavy eating prior to surgery) and now I am around 238. I am hoping to lose another 30 lbs or so. I am able to eat decent size meals, The doctor did give me a bigger pouch, but bypassed 7ft instead of the 6ft due to my body type. I am young and had a athletic build with a big frame, and so far good. Just hoping I don't go below 195...would like to stay in the low 200's at 6ft tall.

Yes I went to Jerusalem and Dr. Almanza was my surgeon. My coordinator's name is Nina and I highly recommend her. She has had the surgery herself, several months ago as well as some cosmetic procedures, so she can answer any and all questions with experience. She also moved from Ca to Tijuana so she could have a place of her own for her patients to stay, where she can take care of you. Her home is by far the most beautiful recovery house, very large, I believe it has 5 bedrooms, with a beautiful backyard patio and fountain, a fireplace as well as a bbq grille, it's a 10 minute drive into town for shopping on Revolution Dr, which the nurse takes you to whenever you want to get out, and I felt very safe staying there. I bought my daughter along with me and we stayed in the same room with 2 twin beds. The price for vsg at Jerusalem is the same, unless you go for plication, then it's $5000. I'm including Nina's web page so you can express your concerns directly to her. She will call you if you want to talk by phone or converse through email. Whatever you feel comfortable doing. I was told from Nina that we have staples, sutures and glue. I have been home and back to work for a week now and I'm doing very well. My primary saw me on Wed and took out my stitches for me, I have no infections and everything looked good. Good luck in your decision. Anything else you'd like to know just ask, I'll try to answer as best I can. http://www.bariatricinmexico.com/index.php

hi cinnamon did you have this done yet? i and schedualed on oct 19 at angeles also getting plication with the green zone i have not seen anyone else who has had this.

About 10 inches under my port scar I keep getting a stabbling pain, then it feels like a burning sensation. It is very painful and I immediately have to try to straighten up to relieve the pain. This has been going on for 3 days now. I am 11 days PO. Does anyone know what this is? could i have nerve damage? It is quite bothersome and hurts when I am sitting or bend a certain way. It also happens first thing in the morning when I wake up and try to get out of bed. Today it happened when I was driving and I almost had to pull over.

Date Printed: January 5, 2007: 10:48 PM Supplemental Letter for January 9, 2007 January 3, 2007 Dear Review Panel: Presented to you for review is my case for a gastric procedure known as a laproscopic banding procedure or "Lap-Band". In a lower review, BCBSFL did not dispute that I meet the criteria for the Lap-Band procedure. There is no dispute that I would benefit from weight loss surgery and there is no dispute that losing weight would be beneficial to my health. At issue is the coverage of this surgery and the exception I am requesting for this exclusion. Ironically, I received a phone call a few weeks ago from BCBSFL's new Diagnostics Program that offers support to wellness. Through this program, I gained beneficial information in the form of a booklet, catalog and DVD on the very weight loss surgery I am requesting. There is evidence in my medical records that I have tried for years multiple weight loss regimens and used pharmacotherapy for obesity under the supervision of my physician, Dr. Alan Sichelman. For my mental state, it is documented by my therapist, Jane Fenby, that I have a full understanding of what this procedure entails and that it will be a lifetime commitment on my part. There is no indication that I am unstable, misinformed with perceptions of unrealistic expectations; Rather so, that I have pursued this avenue under the direction of my primary care physician and other medical personnel, with cooperation, information and education; That I am laying the course for my surgical event and post surgical life by the compass of these individuals and their combined medical expertise demonstrates I am an individual who very much wishes to be healed. Unquestionably, I am ill and feel I am fighting for my life. As a result of my severe morbid obesity, I suffer from sleep apnea, diabetes, depression, back problems, joint pain, hypertension, migraines, Pictures will show my condition and the severity of my obesity. It is true that my life is endangered. This procedure will prevent the worsening of my condition, alleviate present harmful medical conditions and perhaps cure them. It is the conclusion of my physican(s) and myself that I am in need of this operation. Please authorize my surgery. Additional: As providers of health care coverage, Blue Cross and Blue Shield has historically authorized weight loss surgery. Currently, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina cut in half hospital re-admissions "by the twelve surgeons in North Carolina that are designated as centers of excellence for bariatric (obesity) surgery." Additionally, BCBSNC was one of the first insurers in the nation to officially recognize centers of excellence for bariatric surgery. Illinois also follows this model as well as South Dakota, Iowa, Michigan and several other states. In recent publications in the Tampa Bay area, BCBSFL appears to be using bariatric surgery denials as a financial decision rather than one in the best interest of patient care. I must express my concern that with sufficient evidence from their medical providers and informed decisions with which they move forward, it is very troubling that patient/physician decisions of health necessity are disrupted, ignored and denied, superceded by a focus on cost. It is hoped that Florida will soon follow the successful excellence practice as established by Blue Cross and Blue Shield in other states. Patricia Reeves

I was sleeved on February 19 and there are a few foods that I have issues with one is pork chops and another is french fries. Everyone is different. My tastes have changed somewhat. My wife gets frustrated at me because she does not know what to cook any more. It is not because I can not eat those foods, but some things just do not sound good to me in my head. I have had some pasta and tolerated that fine. I have had rice in a small portion and had no issues.

I know that some people are required to do a pre-op diet, but it seems like everybody is losing weight before they have the surgery and Im confused as to why. Am I the only person that feels the need to eat everything in the world that I may never be able to eat or not like anymore after the surgery? I know the surgery is not a quick fix and I have to get my eating habits under control and all that, so it is like I am having a final farewell to food that I actually enjoy, as I feel it will no longer have a place in my new life, or my tiny sleeve. Did anybody else go through this? I had lost a bunch of weight because I was on medifast but the idea of eating that to the day of my surgery was unbearable, especially given the number of people that cant eat bread and rice. Obviously since I have stopped that I have gained weight (about 10 lbs) and I have started drinking again but I have decided to quit that because Id rather eat the calories and for some reason drinking has not been nearly as enjoyable post medifast. Anybody else on a bit of a binge preparing for their surgery?

hello valerie Thank You for the words of encouragemet i needed them .Sorry It took me so long to get back to you . But my son-law is having back surgery . How is it all going 10 days post off ? Are you glad you did it? Are you very sore and is it hard to eat ? Hope alls well sue

Hello everyone! This is my first post. I was banded on 4/23/10 in Mexico with dr. verboonen. It was a great experience all around and I had an awesome vacation prior to the surgery. Anyway if it weren't for the holes in my skin I would really have no idea I had done anything at all. My band is empty and I am going to need a fill as soon as they will let me. If anyone has any recommendations on where I can get a fill in the Kansas City area please let me know. Regards. Windus

You're doing amazingly well. I also wish I could run even 10 mins! Your brain will catch up. I know exactly how you feel-- you look at a picture and think, I'm still fat! Ugh. Partly for me it was cause I was in such denial about how big I was pre-op. I feel like idoes get better (I'm 18 months out now) you are not alone! Hang in there !

I could've wrote this! I don't know how I'm coping, not well really. I have anxiety normally so this is putting it off the charts. I'm scheduled for 10/3 and I'm freaking out. But the more I read here the better I feel. Lots of people have great outcomes and I want that for me too. We will do ok, I figure as long as the pain meds keep my pain manageable and keep my nausea under control I'll be ok. I'm not quite as worried about the eating part after. I just want to survive the surgery. When is your date?

Wow, Judygrim - a size 10? That's awesome! And it's so good of you ladies to write and help keep my spirits up :-) Knowing I'm not the only one with all the allergies is amazing - isn't it fun to have people say, "Are you really allergic to that or do you just not like it?" like you're a recalcitrant 6 year old? I'm still mostly eating the meat, but I can skip the carbs without buying two Entrees :-D Lynkaosgood, a "series of unfortunate events" is probably the perfect title :-) Even I haven't been attacked by a dog - just, you know, horses, roosters, camels, um, and a capybara got a little frisky with me once. It just sounds so incredible when you link it all together. But seriously, thank you all so much! Winter in Seattle has arrived - and the six other weeks of the year are just not enough to make up for all the damp and gloom. So I truly appreciate the commiseration. And recreatingcate, your titanium leg sounds awesome! I have a friend with new bionic boot/walking assist devices, but not the leg. She might have a titanium hip, though, now that I think about it. Don't give up on that bikini worthy backside, though! If we've lived through all of these ridiculously improbable events, a sunny beach in the Med could totally happen! (She says, as a person who has never even managed to rock a one piece. And would probably get kidnapped by pirates or chased by a tsunami a half minute after setting out.)

Yes make sure you have a supply of sugar free Popsicles. I am 10 days post op and so glad my co worker thought of this for me (no big deal to me at the time). Also be sure to have a variety of clear soup bases ready, you will get bored and grossed out on the same ones over and over. Get different flavored gelatin too. Have your different creamy soups ready too...my stage right now. I was sleeved 4/30 @ Memorial Herman DT

You should be fine I also have an accounting job. I had my surgery on a Monday and I returned to work the following Monday. I was pretty tired and I left 2 hours early but by today, I am feeling great and working the whole day. Today is my Day 10, and that is when you would be returning, so I think that will be plenty of time for you Also, almost all of my pain is gone. I still have a little tenderness around the incision sites, it's just that i get SOO tired. Literally I can walk up a flight of stairs and I feel like I need a nap. lol. So it's really just the fatigue that you'll have to deal with.

Here is what they sent me: Dear Mandy, Thank you for taking the first step to learn more about the BioEnterics® LAP-BAND® System. A decision to have surgery is not to be taken lightly. Learning about the LAP-BAND System procedure may be the most important step you take to improve your health. Speaking with a surgeon today will empower and educate you in your decision to transform your life using this less invasive and adjustable treatment for morbid obesity. In response to your request, we have included several names of certified LAP-BAND System surgeons who perform this procedure in your area: Dr. Gerald Cahill , 2850 W 95th St, Suite 206, ,Evergreen Park, IL 60805. Tel: (708)422 5658. (Distance: 4.0) [/url] Dr. John Alverdy , 5841 S. Maryland, , ,CHICAGO, IL 60637. Tel: (773)834-2710. (Distance: 10.0) Dr. Vivek N. Prachand , 5841 S Maryland Ave, MC 5036, ,Chicago, IL 60637. Tel: (773)834-8360. (Distance: 10.0) Dr. Jonathan Myers , 2160 South 1st Ave, , ,MAYWOOD, IL 60153. Tel: (708)327-2447. (Distance: 12.0) Dr. Sharifi Sarker , 2160 South First Ave, , ,MAYWOOD, IL 60153. Tel: (708)327-2447. (Distance: 12.0) Dr. Vafa Shayani , 2160 South First Ave, , ,MAYWOOD, IL 60153. Tel: (708)327-2447. (Distance: 12.0) Dr. Kathyrn Bass , 1901 Harrison St #3350, , ,CHICAGO, IL 60612. Tel: (312)864-3247. (Distance: 13.0) Dr. Michael Baptista , 840 South Wood St MC 958, , ,CHICAGO, IL 60612. Tel: (312)355-1493. (Distance: 13.0) Dr. Burnetta Herron , 2801 Finley Rd #220, , ,DOWNERS GROVE, IL 60515. Tel: (630)627-7800. (Distance: 14.0) Dr. Chris Salvino , 2801 Finley Rd #220, , ,DOWNERS GROVE, IL 60515. Tel: (630)627-7800. (Distance: 14.0) Dr. Michael Iwanicki , 2801 Finley Rd #220, , ,DOWNERS GROVE, IL 60515. Tel: (630)627-7800. (Distance: 14.0) Dr. Alex Nagle , 251 E. Huron St., Galter 3-150, ,Chicago, IL 60611. Tel: (312)695-7070. (Distance: 15.0) Dr. Eric S Hungness , 10-105 Galter, 201 E Huron St, ,CHICAGO, IL 60611. Tel: (312)695-0209. (Distance: 15.0) Dr. Jay B Prystowsky , 201 E. Huron St / Galter 10-105, , ,CHICAGO, IL 60611. Tel: (312)695-7070. (Distance: 15.0) Dr. Santiago Horgan , 840 S Wood, 4th floor, Room 435E, ,Chicago, IL 60610. Tel: (312)355-1493. (Distance: 15.0) Dr. Woddy Denham , Department of Surgery, FeinBerg School of Medicine, 201 E. Huron,Chicago, IL 60611. Tel: (847)570-1003. (Distance: 15.0) Dr. Brian Lahmann , 1300 Copperfield Ave, , ,JOLIET, IL 60432. Tel: (815)723-8571. (Distance: 19.0) Dr. Christopher Joyce , 1300 Copperfield Ave, , ,Joliet, IL 60432. Tel: (815)723-8571. (Distance: 19.0) Dr. Andrew Agos , 800 Austin Ave, Suite 363 east, ,EVANSTON, IL 60202. Tel: (847)864-8887. (Distance: 23.0) Dr. Anthony Raspanti , 800 Austin Ave, Suite 363 east, ,EVANSTON, IL 60202. Tel: (847)864-8887. (Distance: 23.0) Dr. David Woodard , 511 Thornhill, , ,Carol Stream, IL 60188. Tel: (630)665-2101. (Distance: 24.0) Dr. Arsenio Favor , 1479 East 84th Place, , ,MERRILLVILLE, IN 46410. Tel: (219)738-2828. (Distance: 26.0) Dr. Daniel Bacal , 9239 Broadway, , ,Merrillvale, IN 46410. Tel: (219)756-4900. (Distance: 26.0) Dr. Paul Stanish , 9239 Broadway, , ,Merrillville, IN 46410. Tel: (219)756-4900. (Distance: 26.0) Dr. James Kane , 1614 W Central Rd #105, , ,ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL 60005. Tel: (847)255-9697. (Distance: 27.0) Dr. Jonathan Wallace , 1614 W Central Rd #105, , ,ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL 60005. Tel: (847)255-9697. (Distance: 27.0) Dr. Paul Guske , 1614 W Central Rd #105, , ,ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL 60005. Tel: (847)255-9697. (Distance: 27.0) Dr. Peter Rantis , 1614 W Central Rd, # 105, ,ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL 60005. Tel: (847)255-9697. (Distance: 27.0) Dr. Stuart Verseman , 1614 W Central Rd, #105, , ,Arlington Heights, IL 60005. Tel: (847)255-9697. (Distance: 27.0) Dr. Mark Kadowaki , 890 Garfield Ave. Suite 203, , ,Libertyville, IL 60048. Tel: (847)367-1800. (Distance: 41.0) Dr. Scott Otto , 890 Garfield Ave #203, , ,LIBERTYVILLE, IL 60048. Tel: (847)367-1800. (Distance: 41.0) Dr. Amir Heydari , 690 E Terra Cotta #A, , ,CRYSTAL LAKE, IL 60014. Tel: (815)455-2752. (Distance: 46.0) Dr. Danny Sardon , 1501 Walbash St, , ,MICHIGAN CITY, IN 46360. Tel: (219)872-7555. (Distance: 47.0) Dr. Laurence Gibson , 1425 N Hunt Club Rd #103, , ,GURNEE, IL 60031. Tel: (847)856-2525. (Distance: 47.0) Dr. Roger H Mailefer , 217 Franklin St, , ,DEKALB, IL 60115. Tel: (815)758-8671. (Distance: 52.0) Dr. Brian Boe , 1625 S State St, , ,BELVIDERE, IL 61008. Tel: (818)544-1360. (Distance: 68.0) Dr. Charles Stone , 303 S Main St, , ,MISHAWAKA, IN 46544. Tel: (574)855-3888. (Distance: 84.0) Dr. Denise Murphy , 2012, S. Main St #B, ,MISHAWAKA, IN 46544. Tel: (574)535-9100. (Distance: 84.0) Dr. Winston C. Gerig , 303 S Main St, , ,MISHAWAKA, IN 46544. Tel: (574)255-3888. (Distance: 84.0) Dr. Winston Greig , 303 Main St., , ,MISHAWAKA, IN 46544. Tel: (574)255-3888. (Distance: 84.0) Dr. Carlos C Tan , 2745 W Layton Ave #806, , ,MILWAUKEE, WI 53221. Tel: (414)281-9665. (Distance: 86.0) Dr. Eric Valladares , 2745 W Layton, , ,MILWAUKEE, WI 53221. Tel: (414)281-9665. (Distance: 86.0) Dr. Thomas Chua , 2745 W Layton, , ,Milwaukee, WI 53221. Tel: (414)281-9665. (Distance: 86.0) Dr. David Engstrand , 22370 Bluemound Rd #102, , ,Waukesha, WI 53186. Tel: (262)522-8300. (Distance: 93.0) Dr. James Burhop , 22370 Bluemound Rd #102, , ,Waukesha, WI 53186. Tel: (262)522-8300. (Distance: 93.0) Dr. Manfred Chiang , 22370 Bluemound Rd #102, , ,Waukesha, WI 53186. Tel: (262)522-8300. (Distance: 93.0) Dr. Steven Hoekstra , 303 Nappanee, , ,Elkhart, IN 46514. Tel: (574)296-3308. (Distance: 93.0) The LAP-BAND System offers the opportunity to live the healthier, happier life you always wanted and deserve. To see if the LAP-BAND System is right foryou, call for an appointment with one of the surgeons above, today. Be well- The INAMED Health Team

My husband and I are getting the sleeve. My husband is a diabetic and he takes fast acting 10 units 3x and slow acting insulin at bed time and also metformin 1000mgs 2x daily. He weighs 277 and is 26 years old. Has anyone had to take meds like this before surgery and if so are you still on any med after surgery

Look for great changes to come your way. I got sleeved on 10/11 so I know just how you are feeling.

If you're doing the sleeve and your work isn't super exertion like construction work or something, I'd say 2 weeks. You'll feel better right away, maybe a little tired, and you can't lift more than 10 pounds for 6 weeks, but otherwise you can probably return to work within 2 weeks.

Just wanted to check in. I'm almost three weeks post op and down 50 lbs from preop diet. I'm doing great, starting to eat more "normal" types of food. I feel great! I just wanted to thank everyone on this forum for all the support as I began this journey. I was very nervous and hasn't been bad at all. Those last few days before surgery, reading people's stories on this forum got me through. So glad I did this.

I wanted to write a review about my hospital experience. I had my surgery October 24, 2013 by Dr. Charles Huddleston. Every appointment I had with him, before surgery, was informative, helpful, and considerate. He was extremely willing to talk about the different surgical procedures with both my mum and I. He was never rude and he never belittled my weight problems. On the day of surgery, I got to see him an some of the team. I was able to voice all my surgery concerns with the team, and had reassurance. After surgery, I was told he did visit me after I got settled in my room. (( I don't remember him visiting, due to the surgery meds. )) Later that day, he visited me again, when I was more awake. Again, he told me follow up care, he told me how surgery went, etc. He then told me he would see me tomorrow morning. Sure enough, the next day I got to see him. Later on the second day, I got to see him again I saw my Dr. Huddleston a total of four times, in two days. He's very concerned for making sure his patients feel safe and secure. He doesn't want you to feel out of the loop. In all honesty, I rate my entire experience with him as a whole 10/10. If you're wanting a bariatric surgery, I urge you to make a consultation appointment with him!!

I gotta go on Amazon. I pay 9-10 at Wal-Mart. I'm in Alaska so we pay a couple dollars more for just about everything.

Uh ... ten pounds weight loss a month is not untypical of "lighter weight" WLS patients. Several months pre-op I weighed 235 pounds. On the day of surgery I weighed 216 pounds and lost around 10 pounds a month the first 4 months. Then the monthly weight losses slowed down. Still, I still hit my target weight of 150 at 8.5 months post-op. In the next 6 months I lost 12 more pounds. I'm now maintaining at 138 pounds.

How soon can you drive after the surgery? Im having my surgery in Huntington, WV which is an 8 hours drive from home. My surgeon is making me stay 2 extra nights due to me not living within 100 miles. I go in on April 18 and surgery is the 19. I will leave on 23. Unfortunately, the person that volunteered to go with me doesn't drive. Will I be able to make that drive home? Please help!

Since they are 4 I would definitely keep it short and simple. "Mommy is having surgery on her tummy. The new tummy will be small, and I won't be able to eat very much for a while. Mommy isn't sick, or hurt, but this surgery will improve my health. I might feel tired after the surgery for about a week or so but then I will be feeling better and back to playing with you like normal." We talked to our girls about the weight loss aspect of it simply because they were older. (like 8 & 10 at the time, plus mommy & daddy had sugery...not at the same time but we are both sleeved) so they understand what it was about. It was still a bit scary for them and they had a lot of questions. I didn't tell them about surgery until about a month before my actual surgery date, I didn't need them worrying for 6 months about what was coming. We also covered the privacy issue, that this was something that we were doing but that we didn't necessarily want them to talk about it with the whole world. They did pretty good, and of course now that we have lost almost 130lbs between the both of us, they say things like "we can hug all the way around you" and little stuff that is encouraging. But for the most part I would keep it short and simple and just answer their questions as the come up.