leatha_g

You could always come, go with..

lol. I've been asking myself the same thing. For now, probably just jeans, etc. Later on, who knows?

I used Dr. Veninga in Carrollton. Great guy! Dr Cribbins in Plano is very good, but I think has a waiting list pretty long. I'm not sure of anyone's rates. Dr. Benavides is well sought after, but the place he actually does surgery isn't contracted with any insurance. No real hospital facilities in the event something went wrong. Dr. Hamn is good, I hear. Dr. Provost at UTSW is excellent - another long waiting list, I think. There are bunches in the area.

Welcome Tina! We're practically neighbors! As for cost, depending on where you go and who you choose. I've heard anywhere from $7000 to $30000. Will you have insurance coverage or be self-pay? We have both types of bandsters here. Some banded right here in the USA and some banded in Mexico and abroad. We're glad to have ya! Please be our guest and browse the sections in this forum. There is lots of information on every one of these pages! Again, Welcome! Leatha

I know you're very busy this month, Janie, but I haven't forgotten you. We need to get our heads together and decide when would be a good time to get together. Everyone in agreement, say Ay.. Leatha

Well, welcome! Please feel free to browse all the different sections on this forum. They are full of lots of wisdom and encouragement! Any specific questions you have? This is definitely the place to ask. Where are you in your journey? Just beginning to gather info? Got a doc yet? Where do you live?

Nancy, I'm having the same issue. I think it's cause I'm just more "Plush".

Flying here. Arriving 9am Friday. Departing 6pm Sunday.

Sounds like quite a few of us will be arriving 9am-ish. Cool.

Sounds okay to me, unless you want to sub some of the saucy/pasta-ey stuff for chicken marsala or something a bit lighter (imagine, me, saying that...??) How about transportation? Who all will have vehicles? And I can't remember, will we need to get a taxi/shuttle to the hotel upon arrival? How many of us are arriving early? Like 9am?

I do believe Babs in Tx will be sharing our room also, unless she decides to stay elsewhere.

Welcome Lainie(I love that name)!! Congratulations on getting started!! Feel free to browse all the posts here, there is a wealth of information here to be had! Good luck with your doc visit!!

I'm not too big on breakfast either. But, I have started doing something that will help ensure that I get the protein I need and is still healthy for me. I take my big mug (like I got in the hospital) put a scoop of Nectar Whey Protein it, then fill it up with water. 32 oz instead of the suggested 8 oz on the Nectar container. This way, the protein isn't overwhelming to me, but I'm getting it and the water that I need. It's really no different than drinking propel or crystal light, etc except that it's got protein too. I think there is 23grams in one scoop. So I'm fixing that on my way out the door in the morning. Drinking on it til noon and it's keeping me from getting too hungry, plus I'm getting my water and my protein. Kinda cool. Leatha

Great to hear you're home and doing well, Andrea!! So glad you had a great experience. Dr. Rumbaut is much revered !! I hear he's a keeper! Good luck! Keep us posted!

I've heard only good things about Dr. Cirangle. I used Dr. Wetter. Good surgeon, sucky office. I think he's too busy. I lived in Santa Rosa too. Back home in Texas now. I was banded May 29, 2003, had a one week visit, 6 week visit, 3 fills the first year. Then, a total unfill and a re-banding June/July the following year.

I did it! Ohboy, ohboy, ohboy. Flight reservation Fri, Oct 8, 2004 Departs 8:00am, Arrives 8:53am America West 866 Dallas/Fort Worth, TX to Las Vegas, NV Sun, Oct 10, 2004 Departs 6:00pm, Arrives 10:38pm America West 399 Las Vegas, NV to Dallas/Fort Worth, TX

Nope, but if it's something that comes on directly after a fill. I'd be suspicious of it. Or, if you're waking up in the night with aspiration. This is deadly serious business.

Yep. Amazing how the weight changes us in years. Sad, huh? You look great!

http://www.inamed.com/products/obesity/us/patient/lapband/information.html#booklet here's the link to the inamed patient handbook. it has post op care and diet instructions in it. i'm with the other ladies, the first 6 weeks is meant for healing, generally consisting of liquid diets moving into mushy/soft later down the road. good luck!

I'm having some issues with this too and I seriously think my band is having some effect on my middle section. I'm 5'0, 183-186lbs. xl-1x in tops 1x is a bit big. pants 16-18 all petite. i haven't lost a thing in bra size, but i knew i wouldn't. all of my weight seems to have come off my behind, thighs and upper mid section. i've never had shoulders so i can even get into some 14's if they come from somewhere like the avenue.

Wow. That's tough. I used to have a problem with driving distances, myself. Amazing what drugs and a little therapy can do. I never flew until I was 38, either. Not because of fear, I was just too poor and never had a reason to. My current job flew me for my first time ever for my job interview. Then, I took a traveling job with them. I've been flying ever since, sometimes 2-4 times a week. There have been times that I had some fear in the beginning, but I'm pretty okay with it now. I've also driven alone all over the country and in separate trips, I've driven the whole width of the country. From the east (philly) to dallas after 9-11, then from California back to Texas this past November after moving out there 15 months earlier. Funny, how we can change and overcome these debilitating fears and insecurities. I'll drive anywhere if I have a roadworthy vehicle and good tunes and the time it takes to do it. ******************************************* Kyleigh, I've been watching Expedia.com, cheaptickets.com, orbitz and travelocity.com.

Nice bikes, Betty! You don't know any good single Harley guys do ya? lol My brother and his wife ride too. He has an Ultra Glide and one of my mini goals/NSV's was to get on his bike with him, which I did back in June. My sister in law has her own bike too. She thinks I need one, which I would love, but since I take coumadin, probably not the best idea. Thanks for the pics!! It's so nice to put a face to these words that we become so attached to. Pretty lady.

I am going. I think. I waited too long to get tickets with my miles and am trying to get tickets that agree with my time schedule. You're looking at anywhere from $200 and up, however, the seats are limited, as are the flight times. I'll be leaving from DFW

You have a lot of homework to do before October 6. I would suggest you read all the forums you can for these kinds of answers. There is a whole lot to having this surgery and living with your band that you really need to arm yourself with. Constipation - it will come after you begin solids. I recommend some Fiber tablets or high fiber cereals or both. Before that, diarrhea usually visits shortly after you return home due to your liquid diet (which you will be on from 2-4 weeks) and the barium you have to drink before you leave the hospital. Sex - I haven't had any in a year, and I don't want to talk about it. :think lol. but, I hear it's business as usual according to your pain levels. Yes, it's normal to have some hair loss somewhere down the road around 4-7 months after surgery. They say this is inevitable due to the anesthesia, Protein and hormone levels due to weight loss. Who knows the real answer. I say all of the above. I still swallow whole pills every night, but I have been restricted too tight where I had to resort to crushing or liquid mixtures. These are things to discuss with your doctor, for sure. Yes, your stomach will swell. The first 2-4 days is the toughest but some folks go back to work after 3 days. I say give it at least a week and you'll feel much better. 2 if you have it. Please keep reading, there is no way we can give you everything you need to know all at once. This is a very serious step you are taking and you need to be armed with all the knowledge you can so you don't have any surprises. I wish you luck!

LOL, darn, I hadn't thought of that .. maybe i'll run find me some cotton candy...