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

Today is the first day I felt hungry and it was alittle scary. I haven't gone over my calorie intake for the day, but I ate some ice cream on the beach. (my first bad girl)

I get my first fill Sept 2! That is a month away. I am concerned about the hunger from now til then.

I have only experience a feeling like something was stuck once (early on - too much soup.) Now everything seems to slide right down.

Any suggestions?

HI Everyone-

Looks like everyone is having great progress on the weight loss efforts. I am doing great! I am happy to say that I am no longer shopping in the women's section. I am happily finding clothes that fit in the misses department. Macy's had a great sale this weekend!!

I have a question for those that have flown- I am heading on vacation in a few weeks and I was wondering if anyone felt restriction after your flight? I have heard that it happens. Also, I am going to the Dominican Republic and the flight is about 4 hours long and by the time we get to the resort it will be another 2 hours. I am worried about getting hungry and needing water constantly. I was going to call the airport to see if I can explain my situation and ask if I could pack a cooler of snacks and water. They do allow this for babies. What do you think?

Thanks for your help everyone. I am just a little nervous about heading to another country and having complications. I know that it will all be fine, but it is better to be safe than sorry.

I flew just 3 days after a fill and had no problems at all. No problems getting through security, no problems in the air or afterward. I would recommend taking along a good size water bottle, empty, and then fill it from the airport drinking fountain once you are past security. They won't let you have unopened bottles of water past the security checkpoint.

Bring whatever snacks you'd like, I took a couple protein bars and a cheese stick and I was fine. On my 3 hour layover, I was able to find food options I could eat to get by.

Have a great vacation...I'm already ready to go again!

Today is the first day I felt hungry and it was alittle scary. I haven't gone over my calorie intake for the day, but I ate some ice cream on the beach. (my first bad girl)

I get my first fill Sept 2! That is a month away. I am concerned about the hunger from now til then.

I have only experience a feeling like something was stuck once (early on - too much soup.) Now everything seems to slide right down.

Any suggestions?

Well Lyn, I think what you are getting to is the first pangs of bandster he** but get to Mushies and see how you do once you can chomp your teeth into something. I can tell you that Niki, myself and others were ready to chew a leg off by the time we got to our first fill, then it was better for awhile, then some hunger until 2nd fill, etc.

BTW - I'll be in the office Sept 2 getting what might be my 4th fill-- what time will you be there?

Angie ~ congrats on the date... your is the week before mine, Things seem to be moving faster now and it will be here before we know it.

Everyone~ Hi, I enjoy reading your posts and hearing of your accomplishments, Keep up the good work, you are encouragement to me.

Patty - so excited for you - what time is surgery if you know yet? Lyn and I will be there at the docs office for Fills the day you're having surgery. I'll say a prayer for you but I'm sure you'll do fine as Doc Price did good for me and lots of others!

Special K - I will get my first fill in the radioloy department, right? I have to be there at 1230 in the testing center; for a 1:30 appointment.

Sounds like Dr. Choban has another busy day!

Thanks for he information on the Banster Hell! As guess as long as I know it is normal and nothing is wrong - I will struggle through it. Yikes. I sure liked the full feeling better than this.

Were you still able to loss weight during this time or is it on hold until your fill?

OK, I will grim and bear it.

Thanks Niki! The closer I get to that date the more excited I get.

Patty~ Congrats!!! When is your pre-op testing?

Hi everyone!

Hi ~ Everyone...Do any of you go to the support group meetings? I hope to make it to the next meeting at Polaris mall Aug. 9th... I have never been to one yet.

Angie ~ Pre-op testing is Aug. 7th @ 8:30 and Pre-op Appt. with Dr. Price Aug. 29 @ 3:00

SpecialK ~ Sept. 2nd I have to be there at 6:30 & my surgery is at 8:30, I can always use an extra prayer...Thanks

Going on a short vacation... back next week

Hey Patty~ I have pre-op on the 5th at 8:30. Would have been nice to have a friend to chat with during the process.

Forgive the excitement for posting this in 3 places on the forum but wanted to share with my Mt. Carmel buddies especially since you've been a great support as well as my March 2008 Shrinking Shamrocks group and the whole Columbus group....

I changed my avatar this a.m. to reflect that I'm tooting my own horn for getting to Twoterville as of this a.m.!!!! 299.... who would of guessed I'd proudly proclaim that only to those who really understand how I feel -- won't be sharing the actual number with family and friends who had no idea what my weight was so I don't really feel up to telling them this number at this point. Maybe later...

Second, I updated my ticker and it showed my BMI has dropped below 50! :teeth_smile:

By my doctors office I have crossed the 50 lbs mark, but I have just a teensy bit more to go by my scale and tracking but I'm hopeful I'll celebrate that golden moment this week.

Oh My Gosh, Special K you must be so excited. It doesn't matter what the number - but getting into NEW numbers is so exciting and your achievment is outstanding.

I can feel your excitment through cyber space!

Keep it going.

I am still in Florida. The kids all left, I am staying another week and My husband is flying down. I finally got the nerve to go into the workout facility here. Just as I suspected. Skinny people with cute little outfits.... some day:wink_smile:

Oh well we are getting there huh, special K?

Congrats! Soon my weight lost will match the weight on my driver's license.

Hey K~ Toot away my friend!!!! WOOOOT!! Great job :smile:

Ditto my other thread comments, Kathy! You rock on, Girl!

Lyn, I used your directions and got my ticker tape going, but now I don't know how to get it to NE 1 been banded. I'm not very good at cut and paste. I enjoy reading all the information you and the others put on here. I'm going for my first fill tomorrow and am excited. My weight loss has been very slow, and I find I am hungry before the next meal. You are doing great -- keep up the good work.

Well I have had a weird couple of weeks. I haden't had a fill for about 6wks but only got .5cc in. I was doing fine for about 4 weeks after the fill when I noticed a lot more restriction. I chalked it up to being fluid retension, stress... yadda yadda. Then On Friday I could hardly eat anything that wouldn't get stuck. Progressively got worse over the weekend and started feeling bad heart burn, reflux, hiccupps, coughing...all the bad symptoms. So today I saw Dr. Choban and she wanted to take out all of my 5.5cc. She ended up taking out 3 but found that there was really 6cc in there. I felt immediately better. thank the Lord!! I had lost 14lbs in 5 1/2 weeks. So tonight I'm starving!!! she didn't know why it got tight all of a sudden but if I didn't feel better with the deflation she was going to send me for an upper GI test. I sure am glad I feel better but not too happy i don't have restriction anymore. I wonder where my "sweet spot" is. I did hit the 60 lb weight loss this morning but I don't think it will stay now.:cry_smile:

sorry this post is so long but I need to vent!!!

Congrats special K on your success and hang in there Lyn it takes time to work:redface: