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Hey Gabby- Wow! 45lbs in 3 months is awesome! Its great that you and your husband are able to do this together. I'd also be interested in knowing th calorie range you aim for. Do you exercise? Melissa

I would suggest that you make an appt with your pcp to get checked out. There are lots of things, including thyroid conditions, that can cause fatigue. Be aware that they have recently lowered the "normal" range for TSH, so if you were borderline before, you might be considered hypo now. I tested high-normal for years before I became hypo, and I feel 100% better since I started taking meds. You may also be at point where you have to exercise to lose weight. In my experience, even before banding, if I eat 1200-1400 cal/day, don't exercise and don't drink enough Water, I won't lose any weight, and I might even gain a few lbs. I think that FitDay really overestimates the calories burned for basal metabolism. Good Luck! Melissa

Hello, I'm from Mora- but I had my surgery with Dr. Billing in Moose Lake. Have you been banded yet? Where are you at in the process? Melissa

Congratulations Kathy! I'm glad everythings going so well for you! Melissa

Hey Joyce, Congratulations on getting your surgery date! I had my surgery about 3 weeks ago and everything went really well. Will your surgery be outpatient or inpatient? I have not had my gallbladder out, but I have heard that the recoveries are similair. I was not hooked up to any tubes when I woke up- except for the IV. My suggestions would be to eat lightly the day before your surgery, and walk as much and as soon as you can. Melissa

Amanda, Good luck at your consultation! It amazing how different the waiting time is for different surgeons. For the first surgeon I contacted, it was a 10-12 wait for the FIRST meeting with the surgeon. I kept looking and found a surgeon who did not have a waiting list and I made an appointment for 2 weeks later. I had my surgery (outpatient) with him about 2 weeks ago, and everything went great. Good Luck! Melissa

Hi Dawn, Its amazing to me how different post-op diets can be. I was banded on Monday, and was told to do 3 days of clear liquids, than 3 weeks of full liquids. Today was my last day of clears and tomorrow I'll start full's. I don't think you've hurt anything by going to full liquids a little early, but I'm no expert! Melissa

Hi Kasie! Congrats on deciding to be banded! Have you contacted any surgeons yet? I think the first step for any of them is to attend one of their informational seminars. Also, you should join the yahoo group MN_Bandsters. There are a few more people in that group- although its still not too active. There is also a database of surgeons. My surgeon is Dr. Billing, located in Moose Lake, MN. I had my first appointment in early November and could have had surgery in late December. Here's some other MN surgeons that might be closer to home (I took this info from the MN-Bandsters yahoo site): Dr. Robert Wetherville 952-993-3180 3900 Park Nicollet Boulevard St. Louis Park, MN 55416 Dr. Sayeed Ikramuddin 612-625-8445 420 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 Dr. Howard McCollister 218-546-8375 Central Lakes Medical Clinic, Crosby, MN Dr. Billings 218-485-5842 Moose Lake MN Dr. Michael L. Schwartz 612-338-1100 920 E 28th St., Minneapolis, MN 55007 I would suggest trying Dr. Wetherville first. Dr. Schwartz and Dr. Ikramuddin both have really long waiting lists. Good Luck! Let me know if there's anything else I can do. Melissa Pre-Band 3-8-04!!

I'm 23 and the tests my surgeon required were an EGD, Manometry and a full physical (including pap, within the last year). I also had to meet with a dietician and have a psych evaluation. For older patients, my surgeon sometimes has them meet with a physical therapist. Melissa

Hi! Congrats on getting your surgery date and getting your insurance to pay for it! My surgery is also scheduled for March 8th, with my pre-op physical on the 3rd 8 months is 32 weeks- at the average 1-2 lbs a week, you should be really close to -40lbs! Where are you having your surgery at? Do you have to do a pre-op diet at all? Good Luck! Melissa

Dr. Peter O'Brien in Sioux Falls is now offering the lap-band- here's his info: Peter O'Brien Sioux Valley Clinic-Surgical Associates Sioux Falls 605-328-3840

Hi Misty- Yep, I'm still here. My surgery that was originally scheduled for December, was delayed while I had some more testing done- finally- all that testing is done and I can get my band! I just recieved a surgery date of March 8th! What type of insurance do you have now? I know that BCBS just recently changed their policy and are now denying all requests for lap-band. :think Luckily, I recieved my approval in December, just before this policy went into effect. I just heard about a surgeon in Sioux Falls, SD- he has just started doing the band. I believe that he said the cost was around $10,000. Thats much less than the $19,000 I was quoted. If you are interested in his name- let me know. Its comparable to the Mexican prices, and much closer to home. Sioux Falls is about 3-4 hrs from Minneapolis and I think that Dr. Billing in Moose Lake will do fills for patients he didn't band. I put a link in the South Dakota support section for a story about the surgeon in Sioux Falls- you might want to check that out. Good Luck, and DON'T give up! Melissa:)

Hi Tina, Yes, I would consider being a surgeon's first lap-band patient depending on the situation. Will this doctor be willing to learn about and provide you with the proper aftercare- or is he going to treat you like another bypass patient? If he does not provide you with good aftercare, will you be able or willing to find out what you need and find a way to get it? I think that the follow-up care is more important than the actual placement of the band. Melissa