Vera

Its nice to see more recognition and news stories for the band. Oprah' here we come.

Felicia Welcome to the forum. Congratulations!

Donali You hit it right on the head. (ps Happy Birthday) Jennye Do be carefull if you drink/sip with your meals. That has caused me more trouble of tring to keep food down. Having a cup of tea right before meals helps me alot. Lately with me its 3-5 bites of food, rest(a few small burps not BPs) then a few more bites. Overall I stop eating in 15 minutes. I DO feel the food going down, before my last fill I didn't have that feeling. You are restricted!

I too was SELF-pay Paid exactly what I was quoted. I didn't even give them a deposit. I did however sign a statement prior to surgery claiming if anything were to go wrong additional cost could occur, but that it rarely happens. I know if I have a matter of life or death, my insurance (BC PPO) will cover me anywhere in the world. Of course for the cost they think the service is worth.

Becky 36 LBs is Great Sometimes it takes a few weeks to hit/get cha, Wait.... try some foods like chicken.. Fish .. My fav Cottage Cheese keep the energy and protien up. Its your first fill .. Learn to anticipate restriction, March is just around the corner. PS I'v been poked a lot, I laughed too.

Barb I have the same band as you. What Donali is saying Is So true What we eat Makes the biggest dif....Even the medicatation a person takes can cause the stomach to swell. We have to look at the whole pic.. I f there are other medical reasons for not losseing weight and veiwing the band as a tool....

OMG Thats Great:D Its fabulous BaBs Band Babe ...LOL

WOOOW DUDE

WOW:D I'm so happy for you.

Ok Here I am Cooking for the kids..1 likes vegis, yogurt, good stuff, the 2 year old will easily eat twice as much as me! The other (6 year old girl) practily barfs when she sees anything green.. how do you all do it.(without putting cheese on everything) Cook for the kids the Man, and Me?? Well I try and keep it nutritional;.Alot of Salad and Fruit . Yesterday I made my easy throw the baby back ribs on the BBQ for 5 minutes on each side then put them in a cooking bag/foil for a hour in the oven, oh so good ribs.. Only ate 2 and yes..Forgot how to eat as a banded person.. I happen to get some rib lodged, you know where... for about 2 hours... PBeddd 3 times!! scared that was reality. I haven't PBed for weeks So I'v got a fridge full of everybody and alot of cottage chesse for Me. My band is working. life banded is good!!! I thought I would mention choose you foods wisely Another report....I still post em..... Having a time with meat... Kelly.. So do I

Way to go Jennye Looking great:D

Hi Susannah I don't know much abot MS but do believe the lap band is the least invasive surgery available. If your sickness is eased by WLS this would be my first concideration. I hope you feel better.

So well said Nette I've felt exactly the same.

Congratulations:D Good luck Welcome to the forum:D

Ditto!

For those that were shelf paid or have an excess of 7.5% med expences (includeing air fare/gas/prescriptions..out of pocket expences) of there adjusted total income. This is a reminder ... while doing your taxes. I'm getting back $2,400.00+$ additional for my Band placement.(both fed/state combined) :cool:even though I did it in MX. :confused:

Hi Connie Welcome to the Forum and congratulations on pre-approval. Your decision for a longer life and better health is worth the chance. As far as post-op diets, doctors very in thier instructions. Most are clear liquids for a week, full liquids the next week then soft foods. Overall water and protien will be your most concern. Follow your doctors instructions. I have a 2 year old son and a 6 year old daughter, I flew to Mexico by-myself and was there 3 days total when I had my band placed(sugery). Personally my kids don't travel well, I wouldn't have taken them anyway even if I were to have it done in the US. One night in the Hospital is typical. Good Luck and congratulations:D

:confused: August 14, 2003 changed by life! I Hit my first goal, Drum-roll please....199 I'm officially under 200, Down 45 in 6 months... and about 50 to go. The best part is I fit into a pair of size 14 stretch hip-hugger jeans. (no waist-band helps) I am so jazzed. I personally want to THANK all the people on this Forum for all the support, advice and care you've shown me. Without this web-site I would have been lost, all the information has been so helpful. "I'm in One-derland" Congratulations to all of us:cool:

Congratulations Renata This was copied from Leo's post from 8/03 I found it helpfull for me. POST OPERATIVE CHEST AND SHOULDER PAIN What you are feeling is the CO2 gas they use to "pump you up" to see your innards through the camera used in laproscopic and in some cases gastroplasty surgery. This inflation technique lifts and separates your organs and muscles so that they can see what they are doing during surgery. Some things that have been found to help. 1. Walking - Stay active. Don't sit like a lump, even though that is all you want to do because everything hurts, move. Walking will "massage" your insides and help break up that gas and get it moving on out. A short walk (even to the mailbox and back) a few times a day is a good start. More is better, but don't knock yourself out. Keep it to a simple and easy stroll for the first week. 2. Heat - A heating pad will help soothe the gas pain. Move it around as you need to. Shoulder, then back, then tummy, then shoulder again, etc.... 3. Gas-X - A true lifesaver!!!! You can buy chewable tablets or gel caps (they are quite tiny). As some say.. Taking them should almost be mandatory, along with antibiotics and anti-inflamatories. 4. Positioning your body . As soon as you are able, get on all fours, doggy style. Take a deep breath and hold for a few moments. As you exhale, move your bottom backwards, extending your arms out in front, and bear down. This position will push the gas right out of you. Noisily, but effectively. Embarrassing? Yes, worth doing? Absolutely!! 5. Breathing Techniques - Take a deep breath (as deep as you can w/o *too* much pain) and hold it. This will help squish/break up some of the larger bubbles. Some find this easier to do while lying in the recliner watching TV. 6. Massage in general. Sit backward in a high backed dining room chair and have someone sit behind you and gently tap and rub your shoulders, back and sides. This may help you to start burping (A few good rippers help! If you have someone to burp you, don't be afraid of the pain of him or her touching you. Let them do it.. It doesn’t hurt and is a great release. 7. Massage; Part 2 - If you don't have someone to burp you, think hard about investing (or borrowing) one of those chair pad massagers.. After a night of TV watching while lying on that thing in the recliner (turn it on for 10-15 mins, off for 5, on again, off again), These hints with a bit of time (7-10 days) and the gas should be gone. :confused:

Grant Insurance didn't pay for my Lap band placement surgery, I paid cash.

Hey Grant I was breaking ice... a week ago, It was just explained to me if the outdoor temp is 32 the water temp is about 58. I'm keeping my pie hole shut. Sorry But I'm only 29 years old....

Grant I appreciate McKeen, most doctors make you wait 6 weeks for your fist fill. Before my band was placed I went though food withdrawals, facing that I will no longer be able to eat some foods ever again. By my 4th week I could eat almost anything. I wish I would have know him then, the doctor that did my first fill at 6 weeks post op didn't think I needed a fill but I insisted. McKeen listens to his patients. Grant you are doing great.

:confused: I woke up at 4 in the morning and it dawned on me "Darling Husband" Oops

OH no I think its Daughter?? if it's not I'm really behind in compu' literacy LOL Hi Kelly Havent'y read ya lately..XOX

:confused: Nice2BNice2 Hello Welcome, Read our Journey's ... mostly positive!