Ok Banded pro's this is my first time posting , I would like to know if n e 1 has been banded in columbus, ohio at the Mt. Carmel hospital and if so how was your experience? I have just sent in my first set of paper work to be approve by their Dr. Also they are charging $300.00 for administrator fee (paper pushing to the Ins.), not to mention I will have to spend another $200.00 for their nutritionist and this $500.00 is not covered by my insurance:faint: . Are fee's normal? I was just wondering because I feel as much as the surgery cost, these things should be included! N E help would be nice

:update:

I think I got some good news today. I had my follow up at the sleep center and was told that I do have sleep apnea! I am hoping that now I will be approved for the surgery!! I'm not out of the club yet!!

Sue--so that piece of bad news was really good news!!! great. i told you not to lose hope.

i was never diagnosed with sleep apnea but i snored a lot. but on the trip last week my BF and i had to sleep together(which we usually dont do) and he said i wasnt snoring!!! looks like we can sleep together from now on!!!

i have to call chobans office and ask if when i go in on the 1st if i will get a fill that day or just schedule one. the last time i was there i didnt want one but for some reason i got the impression i wouldnt have gotten one then anyway.

but this time i need one. the last couple days i have been back to my old ways of eating "mass quantities"

i am afraid to weigh myself. i will just stick to my 241.5.

i dont want to see the scale go back up.

i am at work right now and am afraid to admit i just ate a whole bag of candy corn that i brought in for the candy dispenser. I just have no self control!!

Deb, Do you still have to chew, chew, chew everything that you eat? Do you ever get anything stuck or PB or any of these other things that some people have a problem with? Are you always aware that the band is there or do you just forget about it most of the time? You can tell I have my hopes up again....I'm just full of questions!

BACK AWAY FROM THAT CANDY CORN!!!:bandit

Hello,Where is everyone at? I miss you guys:cry

Sue--yes, i have to be very careful to chew meat. meat is the only thing that gives me a problem. if i mix it up with lots of vegetables it is better. or if it is in soup that is okay.

meat is the only thing that has gotten stuck and it has passed in a few minutes. i did get sick once from eating too much. but that was only once. and it was kind of like i had a stomach ache. that was the only time i ever PBed, too.

i really never forget that i have the band. but i am always glad that it is there. it is like my security blanket, now.

I go see choban tomorrow. i am wondering if these things will change when i get another fill. that kind of scares me, because up to now things have been great.

but i have only lost 5 pounds this month so i need some more stricture. i would like to have lost a hundred pounds by my birthday in april. we will see.

Hey Lady Q! where have you been? We missed you! How is everything going?

Deb, keep us posted on your fills. Do they hurt? How do you feel after having one? Do they numb you before a fill? Almost 60 lbs lost! I think thats great!

TM.....where are you???

yes, she numbs you around the port. so you feel that shot but then you dont feel anything when she actually does the fill.

it was pretty easy. easier than that first fill that they do with the flouroscopy. that one is harder because you are standing up. this one is done while you lay down.

they make you drink a glass of water before you leave. so all those horror stories you read about people getting home and cant even hold down water are not repeated here at at mt carmel. i had soup for dinner and have felt nice and full all night.

now i am looking forward to getting back on the weight loss express!!!!

Who actually does the fill? Dr. Choben? Sounds like Mt. Carmel offers pretty good after care.

yes, dr choban did mine. there is a nurse that does them, too.

Hey Ladies!!! I have been so busy with work and dealing with some health issues that I haven't had time to post in along time, but I think about you guys all the time....

Lady...I am so sorry to hear about your Brother-N-Law. I will keep your family in my prayers.

Sue....Bad news is good news!!!! I got my C-Pap machine about 2 1/2 months ago and I don't think I could live without it now. I actually feel like I am getting real sleep now. You and I will be in band land in no time.

Debbie....I'm glad to hear things are moving in the right direction for you. I wish I could have been with you at the QVC store.... I buy tons of jewlery from them. Where is that store?? I am feeling a road trip coming on.

I promise I will try to find more time to check in with everyone. I really do miss you guys.

there are two qvc stores. one in west chester, pa which is near philadelphia. the other is in the mall of america in minnesota. my friend said there is also an outlet in lancaster, pa where they sell all the returned stuff. that is where i want to go next.

this is my favorite time of year to watch qvc because they have all the neat gift ideas on. the only problem is i just keep buying stuff for ME!!

my hair is falling out!!! yikes

that is the good thing about this forum. after reading other posts it turns out that many people start losing it 4 months after surgery. so i am right on schedule. unfortunately.

my hair has always been on the thin side. i have to wash it every day and the drain is clogged every day. my trash can is full of hair wads. it is really scaring me because my poor mom has been bald all her life.

they say it starts to grow back around 6 months. i hope so.

but in the mean time, i may make a visit to a local wig shoppe.

Lady---you are about 4 months out--have you noticed any hair loss?

How is every body doing?

Debbie no my hair has not start falling out, I PRAY that mine don't start to fall out I will cry like a baby:Cry:!! I didn't have any problems the last time I had surgery to have my tubes tied so hope my body doesn't react this time!!!! I go get my next fill Thursday.