marsha

Hi Everyone, I'm Marsha from South Florida. I'm a RN, I'm 40 years old, married, I have a 15 year old son and a 13 year old daughter. Just one pet, a rabbit named Tiger! (she's getting old, we've had her for 8 years now)! I'm down 30 pounds in 3 months (I've been stuck for the last 3 weeks) and I'm considering going for another fill. I was in a size 22 prior to banding and am now down to an 18! YEAH! I love my band!

Lisa, I hope this isn't too foward of me (if it is just tell me so) but I'm curious what Dr. Kuri is charging you to fix this. I'm sooooooo glad you got some help and I think the sooner, the better! Marsha

Alexandra, You look Fabulous and you inspire me!!!!!!! THank you for all you do for the people on this board! Marsha PS: I'm a member of the mellon brigade. When I'm at goal, I'll be getting a reduction (I'd be glad to share with the boobless! LOL:D

Qualifications vary with insurance companies so it's best to check with your company ofcourse. But in general, most will pay for surgery if your BMI is over 40 (providing there isn't an exclusion for bariatric surgery in your policy). Most will pay if your BMI is between 35 and 40 if you have 2 co-morbidities ( other ailments that are related to obesity like diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, etc). Some insurances will not pay for lapband because they say it's experimental and Inamed will assist you with an appeal if they deny due to "experimental status". Hope this helps.

Kimberly, I put several rolls of quarters in my pockets when I first went to a US doctor and I didn't take off my shoes when I stepped on the scale either! I was denied coverage anyway (because it was lapband, not because of my bmi) so I went to Mexico where they didn't seem to mind that my bmi was under 40!

DeLara, I had a seroma the size of a quarter under my port incision. It took several weeks but it eventually went away on it's own!:cool: Marsha

Linda, I am an RN. I told them at work my husband had to go to San Diego on business and I was tagging along! I couldn't tell them the truth because they would have thought I was nuts for going to Mexico. I thought of telling them I was having a hernia repair but they would have wanted to come see me in the hospital!!! Being a health care worker sure does limit what you can say! I wanted to tell my best friend but she also wouldn't have understood the Mexico thing. She's overweight too and I really want to tell her about the band so she has some hope too, but now if I tell her, she'll be mad at me for not telling her sooner! Well, just my 2 cents! GOOD LUCK on your decision who to tell it isn't easy! Take Care, Marsha

Hi Linda, I told only my husband and mother prior to my surgery. I did not tell my teenagers (or my x husband). I told the kids I was going out of town for work (I went to Mexico with another person who was being banded so my husband could stay with the kids). They did notice that I was drinking only liquids after I got back so I told them I was trying a new diet. I didn't want to deal with all the negativity (especially about going to Mexico for the surgery) and I didn't want to have to explain all about the band to each family member! Since banding, my mother told my sister (after I asked her not to). No one has noticed my weight loss but when they do, I'll just tell them I'm eating less and exersizing! Oh, did I mention "I LOVE MY BAND"! Marsha

Hi Linda, My bmi was 35. My insurance refused to pay no matter what my bmi was so, off to Mexico I went. Dr. Pedro Kuri did my surgery in Tijuana. I was banded March 5th and I've lost almost 30 lbs. I expect it to take me 1 1/2 to 2 years to reach goal (I'm trying to be realistic) but if it comes sooner, that's great! I have been unable to find a local fill doctor and so I travel back to Tijuana to Dr. Kuri for my fills. (I'm still looking though). I planned on the repeat visits financially when I started this journey. My biggest concern is finding someone to see me if I have complications down the road. BTW, Lisa who is your local fill doctor? I'm not in Jacksonville but very willing to travel north. Good luck with your decision. Marsha:D

Congrats Shelly. You must feel Great! :banana :Bunny :banana :Bunny :banana :Bunny Marsha:D

Hi Everyone, On May 13th I had my first fill. Here's what has happened since: May 13: I could drink liquids just as before the fill. May 14: Drinking caused some discomfort. I slowed my drinking down to small sips of warm liquids and was ok. May 15 and 16: I tried some soft foods but it caused pain so I went back to liquids. May 17,18 : I could eat mushies in the evening, but could only drink warm liquids very slowly in the am. May 19th: In the evening, I tried a cracker. I chewed the heck out of it. It got stuck for 20 minutes. I slimed...but I never pb'd. Then, the pain went away and the cracker went down. May 20th and 21: All of a sudden, I can eat anything...any amount...just like before my fill. Last night, I had chicken and bread with no problem! I had started to consider a slight unfill...now I think I need another fill... Did I hurt my band? Have I sprung a leak? Has this happened to anyone else? Any advice, suggestions, experience, comments appreciated! Marsha

Thanks Donali! I always value your advice and you've made me feel a little better! I was hoping that maybe the tightness was due to swelling. Actually, I was getting used to it and was thinking it might be very close to perfect fill (why would I think I'd be the one with a perfect first fill?) I just got concerned when I lost the restriction completely over the last 2 days. BTW, I noticed how very close you are to the century mark! :D :D CONGRADULATIONS! Thanks again, Marsha

roflmao:D Marsha

Oh Bright, You look so Amazing! So, what size flip-flop are you wearing now? Marsha

I had surgery in Mexico by Dr. Kuri. The cost is $8500 for the standard package and I think it's $10,000 for the deluxe package. The only difference is the hospital. I'm an RN. I choose the standard package and I got wonderful care! I'm very happy with my choice to get the band! I feel like a different person already and I'm no where near my goal. It will change your life! :-)

Oh Babs, I totally agree with you on the Dr. Phill issue! He has an ongoing "weight loss challenge" with a group of obese people on his show. From time to time, they check in with the show and if they aren't loosing enough weight, they get voted off the show (like in survivor)! As if they don't feel like enough of a failure he has to add to it by rejecting them!!!!!!!!:cool: :cry :cool: I just want to go get them and introduce them to the band so they'll have hope again! Marsha

For me it's eating slow. I HATE that when I go out to dinner with my husband that he is finished eating so quickly (he's a skinny guy and a fast eater which I never noticed until I got banded). Now, he just sits and watches me eat my 6 bites! Last time we went to a restaurant, I had only taken a few bites when he was done with his meal and the waiter was handing him the check!!! :mad: Now, I'd rather order the food and bring it home to eat so I don't feel so rushed. Marsha

It is much cheaper in Mexico. My surgery was $7500 and I could not have had better care if I was in the US. Marsha

I have IR and I take Glucophage also known as metformin. Btw I started taking it prior to getting my band and I lost 25 lbs within a couple of months. It worked great for me. The pill is large so now I have to break it in half to get it through my band. Hope this helps! Marsha

It seems like several people have had flipped ports. My question is...How does a port flip? I thought they were sutured down. Do the surtures tear? Or, maybe some doctors don't suture the ports? I'm just curious how this happens. Thanks, Marsha:confused:

Hi everyone, Well, I'm back from my little visit with Dr. Kuri! That's right, I'm officially one of you!!!!!!! YEAH. Now, of course I have questions. I know the gurgling is normal. I'm not hungry but it hurts when I drink. I'm taking slow small sips. I'm assuming this is from the swelling....Is that right? I'm already down 8 lbs! WooHoo! Marsha

Thanks! I figured it was normal but just needed a little reassurance. I definately have little aches and pains that come and go all over. I'm getting enough fluid so I figure it's ok. Thanks for the help! Marsha

Hi All, Well, this is it... Jae (Jaejgirl) and I will be leaving on Thursday (only 2 days to go) for San Diego! I cant wait to meet Dr. Kuri. My new life starts this Friday! It's been a long trek to get here but now it's here! I'm so glad to have met Jae here (on this forum) and that I have a traveling/surgery buddy! I wanted to thank all of you for your support and information while I was researching the band (and ofcourse for listening to me vent when I was upset with the process). I hope someday I'll be able to help a newbie! I'll let you know how it went when we get back! Marsha

Teri, You can come visit me in sunny south florida when I get back from Tijuana (I leave for my banding journey on Thursday)! Sun will always do you good! Only problem, I have a 15 year old son! Take care of yourself, Marsha

I hope she'll let us know where to find the ads! I can't wait to see them! Marsha