Kaci

My son and mom-in-law both tried Straterra and it didn't do much for them. My son was still taking his Aderall with it because alone it did nothing for him. Even after 2 months and an increased dose we didn't notice any difference in him. So we discontinued it. I wish it had worked for my son. Adderall XR works the best out of all the other meds we tried.

I had surgery on June 4th, 2004. My insurance company is BCBS MA HMO Blue of New England. My paperwork had been turned in on April 28th and I got a call at 8:23 am on April 30th that I was approved and had a surgery date. They are really great to work with. I called several times on the 28th and 29th to see where it was in the process. Their people were wonderful. They checked several things making sure to help me out. They started approving lapband on January 1st 2004. I hope that whoever has this insurance has as easy a time as I did. Kerri

I was given Toradol by IV along with Fentanol for pain. I was sent home with vicodin but I couldn't handle it. Makes me nauseated. Plus the feel of it just sitting there UGH! So, my doc said to try ibuprofen. I took two pieces of a crushed pill and said NOPE! He said to take 6 tsp of liquid ibuprofen. The children's type. I took 3 tsp instead of the 6tsp. I took it 3 times per day. I stopped the vicodin my first night home. I only took the liquid ibuprofen for a week. My surgeon says it does wonders for the band swelling. It really made a huge difference too. One day I could hardly have 2 oz of Water. The next day I was drinking 6 oz then 8 then 16 oz of broth at a time. Everything I read said not to take NSAIDS, but I have heard that some surgeons are saying that isn't the case all the time. I guess people who have major restriction or sylastic rings around their pouches need to be careful that an ibuprofen tab won't sit there and eat at the stomach as it breaks down. If it works on down through the pouch quickly like the liquid does then it isn't really something to worry about. At least that is what I was told. Kerri

Have you tried the Soy Crisps? They come in BBQ flavored, and Sea Salt. They are crunchy, give you protein, and chew down to nothing. They are awesome.

Ouch!!! I have the same kind of blisters from the steristrips. All puffy looking where they were and they itch like crazy. My port scar is kinda like yours too. A little jagged looking, but I am using scar treatment on it now and hope that it will thin out some. Not like I was planning on wearing a bikini anyways though. LOL

Hello all. I am waiting for my consultation in November with Dr. Gazmuri. I am hoping that the insurance will not give me a hard time about wanting the band over the RNY. I have HMO Blue in Mass. Has anyone had success with getting the band from them? I have been doing research for a little while now and I just feel that this is the best option. I need to have this done. I can lose weight, but can I keep it off? Nope, not for very long at least. Portions....ugh!!! I am really glad to find another place that talks about bands and I hope to make some good friends here. Kaci

I just found out that Dr. Gazmuri doesn't do the lapband procedure. Only RNY. ARGH!!!!!! I only called him because I saw from another site that someone had gone to him for the lapband. Now I found out that this person put down the wrong surgery by mistake. I want to scream. I found another doctor, but they said it could be a year before I get the surgery. With Dr. Gazmuri I could have my surgery by March, instead of August. I want the band though and my insurance, although they don't have it excluded so far are covering some people after 1-2 appeals. ARGH!!!!!!!! Has anyone gone to Dr. John Kelly in Worcester , Mass?

Has anyone had any experience with getting approval from BCBS HMO BLUE in Massachusetts? I saw something on another site that said it took 2 appeals, but I am not able to contact that person(no email address.) I am hoping to get approval without any trouble. Kaci