uniqueone

Derick, Joan Baez is my favorite folk singer/songwriter from that era. Sallie

Way to Go!!!!

Congratulations to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Claramae, how about "Whiskey River", "The Party's Over", "Pancho and Lefty" and "Seven Spanish Angels"?:clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2: I saw George Strait in person and he sounded as good as he does recorded. Great concert!!! I was raised on country music and love the sound from the 70's especially. However, my all time favorite female singer is Diana Ross.

Yeah, DON'T EAT BREAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I, too, know a lady who has lupus and she has the band as well. She got it after she had been diagnosed with lupus, which she has had for many years, to help her lose weight. She started out at 400 lbs.+ and now weighs 250. She's had the band for about a year and a half and feels better than she has since before she found out she had lupus. Hope this helps and good luck!

Thanks, Guys!!

I agree with Jack. If you "shop" around you will be able to find a doctor who is informed about the two procedures. The potential risks alone should be enough to justify the band over the bypass if the doc knows what he's doing. My surgery was done through a bariatric center that performs both procedures. The doctors there would have definitely explained to the insurance company why I needed the lap-band over the bypass. Good Luck!! Like the other poster said, you are indeed lucky your insurance company will pay. Now..hunt around and get what you want. It might take some time, but, you'll do it!!!!!!!!!!!! Hang in there!!!!

Just wanted to add that having your baby will be challenging enough without the added strain of someone not taking your illness seriously. I, too, wish you the best of luck.

Regarding the bipolar meds...On May 19, 2007 you wrote, "my mother checks my medicine to see if I've taken it and if I have then all hell breaks lose at my house. So therefore it's pointless because she is going to depress me anyway." I'm not sure it would be responsible to have your mother watch your baby if this is her attitude towards your illness and her blatant disregard for the fact that you are an adult and can take any prescribed medication you want, by law. Just a thought....

Andrew, I don't know a thing about Vegas malls, but, I just wanted to tell you, GREAT WEIGHT LOSS!!!! What an inspiration you are!

I, like Wasabubblebutt, had hernia repair during the lap band procedure and I had not one gas pain.

My doctor said the same thing as Wantobeme. I was ready for solids as soon as he said I could have them if I could tolerate 'em. Believe me, I was ready because I was on a liquid diet preop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jonathan, GREAT WEIGHT LOSS! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!! Sallie

alexandra, is your band an Inamed and how many cc's or whatever will it hold??????? Thanks. Sallie

Congratulations on your surgery! Didn't your doctor give you explicit post op instructions to follow? I ask because if you read the boards, it seems like doctors differ greatly in what they want you to do before and after surgery. Even the medical professionals that post to the board will tell you to follow your own doctor's direction.

Some people have trouble and some don't. Multivitamins, calcium and Tylenol all come in liquid form; Multis and calcium come in chewable form as well.

Oh, it will be here before you know it!! Congratulations!!! Are you on a pre-op diet now?

Michellyoh, I have seen that new cymbalta advertised and have wanted to talk to someone who is taking it. I have been on wellbutrin for a about fifteen years and it's not quite cutting the mustard any longer. Tell me more!

Findingme, tell us more about your surgery. Have you not lost any weight? Did you ever get any fills? Did you exercise? I'm so interested in your answers to these specific questions because I'm a new band patient and have always been concerned about long-term achievement. I'm so sorry things haven't worked out for you but talk to us and let us know exactly what has happened. If you've already done so on another thread, I apologize but I haven't been a member that long of the forum. Thanks so much.

I take OS CAL chewable, light lemon chiffon tablets. They have zero calories and are reasonably priced. Because they aren't those big, honkin' pills I used to take, I find I take them regularly. They taste good too. Even before surgery, I HATED swallowing those big pills. I have to tell you though...as happy as I am with mine, the chewies sound good too. Since I'm at Wal Mart ALL the time, I might pick up a pack of those to take a couple times a week instead of the OS CAL.

I agree. I don't think it will matter one bit either. Good luck on your pre-op diet and, most of all, have a good, safe surgery!!!

Wow, Chris you have done spectactularly!!!!! You're an inspiration to me!!!!

Hi, everyone. I haven't posted on this thread for a long, long time and I am glad to be here again. I was banded on 05-02-07 and have lost about 32 pounds from my highest weight which was pre-surgery and as a result of the pre-op diet. I have to count that for my own piece of mind! I have gotten one fill which was 1 cc and it didn't really help that much except I have pb'd a couple of times and have gotten stuck twice. I'm telling you this...I won't be eating any kind of bread for a long, long, long time! I tried whole wheat after the fill and thought I was going to DIE! I have to really watch my bite sizes. I am so used to eating large bites and eating them fast. The band has cured me of this!! I still, however, forget sometimes. I'm getting another fill on 07-27 and hope they give me more than 1 cc. I have 140 more pounds to lose and am so weighting for the more restriction. I do have a question for you guys. Those of you that have had lower weights to start with and have lost, do you have more energy than from before? I still seem to be tired most of the time. I am trying to walk but like I said I have zero energy at this time. Congratulations for you all doing so well. Don't get me wrong. I don't think I'm doing that poorly. I just want to be able to move around for a couple of hours before I want to take a nap. I know some of the medication I take contributes to the tiredness but still......... Anyway, thanks for listening.

I totally agree, L8tbloomr. Because of the need for a change of thinking and behavior by the citizens, not just Congress, the White House, etc., I'm not sure what the realistic solution is....especially a short term one.