FFP

I was banded by Dr. Schwack in December. He's great. I originally called to see Fielding but didn't want to wait so I went to Schwack's presentation and signed up the next day.

I was banded by Dr. Schwack, who is an excellent doctor and a simply adorable guy. Even my husband liked him! I highly recommend him to everyone.

I am a very private person. I told my boss because I needed to take some time off but I didn't even tell HR what procedure I was having. I told 2 friends, both of whom I wish would have the surgery. I told my husband and my 21 year old daughter, but only because she was nagging about my eating when I was on the 2 week pre-op diet. My sons all think I had a hernia operation. Actually, my surgeon repaired my hiatal hernia when he put in the lap band. It's been almost 9 weeks since I was banded and I've lost about 27 pounds. Funny, none of my friends has said a word so I guess I must have been really fat if nobody notices that much weight loss - LOL! When and if they do notice, I plan to say that I am dieting but do not plan to disclose the surgery.

I must be the only person in the world who hates Peanut Butter. My daughter tells the story of how she went on a play date when she was about 6 and came home raving about this amazing new food she'd been given there - PB. She couldn't believe I'd never heard of it! I really can't stand the smell. My daughter on the other hand has written a song about her love of PB. She doesn't eat it in front of me. My weakness is Hint of Lime chips with homemade salsa. I haven't had any since before banding. My doctor says I can eventually eat a few at a time.

I'm having my first fill tomorrow. I planned it so that I can go straight to work - will I be able to do that? I've lost 19 pounds altogether so far since my banding on 12/26/12 and hope the fill will help me keep it up. I feel some restriction but think that I am eating more - though nowhere near what I used to - so I am ready for a fill.

I'm almost 3 weeks post-surgery and haven't had a fill yet. My doctor said to stop drinking 5 minutes before eating and wait 20 minutes after to drink. I don't know if this will change when I fill. I do feel full and not hungry. Sometimes, my stomach will growl and I'll think that I should eat but often I just work through it (literally, I don't get up from my desk). I don't know that I'm chewing long enough. I did eat too much of my husband's amazing home made pizza last week and I threw up. I never want that feeling again. I felt fullish in my band but I wanted that second slice. Never again. Last night, I ate one small slice of it and 12 hours later, I am first getting hungry and will go have my Breakfast. I have lost about 18 poungs from the time I went on my pre-op diet till today and hope to continue losing.

Insurance covered the 50,000 unit once a week Vitamin D prescribed for me, my daughter and my teenaged son, as we were all deficient. Wearing sunscreen which we do (my son is very fair and I make him wear it or a hat most times) blocks vit D and can result in deficiency. Since banding, I have been taking Centrum chewables in orange flavor. I wish I'd found them earlier. I also use Kirkland (Costco) calcium chews which have Vit D but I don't really like the flavor so I may order lemon from Bariatric source. My D was low but not as bad as to need the prescription level. The good thing about them is that it's once a week for the 50,000 unit so I mark it on the calendar and check it off each week. I guess I'll have blood work six months out and reassess at that time.

This was always one of my problems with dieting. As soon as people noticed and commented about my weight loss, I would feel shamed and gain it all back and then some. Now that I am banded, I will not have the ability to gain the weight back as I did before. I got my band the day after Christmas and am down about 14 pounds from my high. I was borderline to get the surgery so I deliberately fattened myself up before my initial consultation to improve my chances. So far, nobody has noticed or commented. The only people who I had the band done are my husband and daughter, my boss and two heavy set girlfriends, neither of whom I have seen since the surgery. I plan to tell people that I have gone back to Weight Watchers if they are rude enough to ask because it's really none of anyone's business.

Gowalking - Ren actually wasn't my surgeon and I've never met her. I put her name because she is from the same practice. I used Brad Schwack, but he's not listed as a choice. He's got a very nice personality and is trust inspiring despite being only in his mid-30's. I would recommend him highly to anybody. He has both people and medical skills. I hope your procedure goes well. I went home about 6 1/2 hours after I arrived at the hospital even though they thought I might have to stay overnight. If I lived alone, I'd probably have stayed.

If you don't have insurance, it might be that going through the ER is a way they can guarantee to try to get reimbursement.

I was banded through NYU on 12/26. I live in suburbs but work in the city. My biggest fear is getting jostled on the LIRR when I go home in the evening. I have had no issues walking from Penn to my office or from NYU to my office, but LIRR - that's tough. Also, I really appreciated having my family around after the surgery. My husband and daughter know I had LBS but my sons think I had a "lady procedure." I really didn't get out of bed for 2 days. Good luck.

Me, too! I had one half of a packet of plain oatmeal, nuked in Water with fat-free half and half and splenda added. I used to eat TWO packets at one time! I might even save money on this diet. For lunch, I hardboiled two eggs and fork-mashed them with Walden Farm low fat, no calorie Honey Dijon dressing and a little bit of pepper. I was full after the equivalent of one egg. I am planning to have the rest of my eggs later and, if I am still hungry, a cup of plain Greek yogurt with Splenda and cinammon. Also, a muscle milk light Protein drink, which I dilute with the FF half and half and add a little vanilla into. What else are you planning beyond oatmeal?

I think that you should call the doctor's office. There should be someone available to answer your questions.

I had 2 sections as well and the recovery is different. My first section was done by laser and I was driving and taking my newborn with my 1, 4 and 5 year olds to the park and doing a bris within 5 days of delivery. My second section was a near death experience so I had to rest more even though I wasn't in pain. With lapband, I am 6 days post and still have shoulder pain. I am going back to work Thursday. My incisions are still sore and I have some gas pains but I also had a hiatal hernia repair.

I had heard that certain medical expenses might be excluded from the penalty but you should talk to an accountant or tax professional before doing this. Have you considered taking all or part of the money from your 401 (k) as a loan instead of an outright withdrawal? That way, you don't pay the tax on early withdrawal and you don't pay the penalty. The loan is repaid from your salary so you are paying yourelf the interest and these loans don't appear on your credit report. The only downside is that if you leave your job, y0u have to pay back the outstanding amount within 60 days or you are charged the penalty and interest. This may be a better choice financially. Good luck.