Infaith

Thanks all! Michelle-a big YES to going back to Dr. Ortiz. I did check out other options, but I trust him and he knows my background.

Jack-I know your words of encouragement were directed to Colleen. but they really hit home for me too. Thanks! Trying to get up the courage to call for my appointment to be rebanded. Not sure what is holding me back 'cause I miss my band. Thanks again.

Just too cute!

How funny! At first glance, it looks like my little dachshund Angel dressed up.

WHOOOOOWHEEEEE Crystal! You go girl!

Love, thoughts, hugs and prayers to you Francesca!

Welcome Paul! So glad you decided to join us.

Hello all, Most of you know my story, but for those who don't. Last year I refinanced my house to pay off bills and have money to pay for my lapband. I was banded December 21, 2004. Was thrilled with it, but had a little trouble because I seemed to be too tight a lot of the time. Then caught a nasty stomach virus that had me throwing up violently and it shoved my band down around the middle of my stomach. Had to make a trip to my wonderful doctor in Mexico and he ended up having to remove it (port and all). He said if I wish to get rebanded I would have to wait about 6 months. Well...that was 3 months ago and I miss my band terribly. Anyway, I am planning to be rebanded hopefully at the end of January 2006. I've even taken out another loan and am stashing it away in preparation. Going more in debt scares me and I wonder if I'm doing the right thing. But then again...my band was the one thing I've done for myself ever. It gave me control, hope and I felt good about the direction I was going. Now, I find myself out of control (eating and weight gain) and feeling panicky. But I'm also afraid I'll have problems again although my plan is to take fills very cautiously and slow. Thoughts and suggestions anyone? Thank you!

Thank you Desertmom for your thoughts and concerns. The reason I got my band in the first place is I've tried the personal trainer, supportive groups and therapy and numerous other ways for 20 years now and I've just gotten bigger. For the most part, my band-life was pretty good. My doctors said I had a picture perfect surgery and recovery. I did pretty well until I caught that stomach virus. I know it wasn't just my band because my aunt came to tell me why she hadn't been at work (we work at the same place) and how sick she was (throwing up violently for days and couldn't even keep Water down and she's not banded!) I'm sorry you're having so many problems. I hope things improve for you in all areas of your life, but especially your health because that's what we're here for, right? Take care.

Paula-When he removed my band, my stomach was purple and would have been perforated if I had waited one more day. He wanted me to heal completely first and start out healthy. Thank you for all your thoughts and feelings on this.

Megan....INSPIRATIONAL! Best wishes and Congratulations!

Michelle-does your brother know you're advertising him? :laugh lol Hmmm....I live in Oregon....

Maggie-If you check out bbw dating on a search you will find many dating online services. I dated a guy from bbwdatefinder.com at one time. There are many of these services and there are guys who expect and want to meet big beautiful women. I tried eHarmony, but had the same problems there as I did on all the others. Once they find out how big you are, they drop you like a hot potato.

I could be wrong, but I've always understood Oprah was against weight loss surgery as is her buddy Dr. Phil.

Cute guy Lisa.....

I was banded on December 21st. Some people felt sorry for me that I couldn't join in the hogfest of eating, but I was very happy. For once my eating was in total control! Hopefully I'll be rebanded sometime before this Christmas too! Best wishes to you.

Lisa...not that it matters when we're talking thousands of dollars, but my band removal (and my port) was $3500 with Dr. Ortiz. Unless that's because he put my band in? I hope you can get this resolved soon Lisa!! Take care. I don't know if every place is different or not, but when Dr. Ortiz wanted to see my x-rays when I got sick (my violent throwing up from a stomach virus caused my band to slip badly)...the imaging center would not email them to him because of the privacy laws. They suggested I pick up a cd from them with the x-rays on them and FedEx it to him! I suppose that's what they are required to say. But because he needed to see them so quickly, we did get the cd and then we personally emailed the pics to him. I really don't care if somebody on the internet saw my x-rays! I asked my primary doctor today what she thought of me getting rebanded. She thought it was a good idea since it seemed to work so well for me. I told her I would be more careful and not get filled too tight this time and I would be going back to TJ to get my fills with Dr. Martinez (works with Dr. Ortiz). She agreed saying her patients that have lapbands have had more problems when they got their fills here (I'm assuming she means here in Oregon, but maybe she meant the U.S.). Interesting..... I can't wait to get rebanded!!!

OMGosh!!! This has become one of the funniest entertaining threads we've had for awhile. I'm sitting here crying I'm laughing so hard! I have no clue what they are either, but now inquiring minds want to know! Hey Vines....do you know?

You are SO right Hunzi! My mom even agrees....WHEN are these doctors (that argue against the lapband, but are okay with bypass) and these insurance companies going to realize how much safer this is! Yes, I had to get my band removed because of a nasty stomach virus that made me throw up so violently for todays that my band slipped. But that's just it, it could be removed so I could heal. I met a gal who had the bypass and she was happy with it, but had 2 surgerys since...one for blockage and one for perforations. Her insides will never be the same. You wonder how many other times she'll have to have surgery to patch her up. She was fascinated by the lapband procedure and asked all about it. Maybe someday people will wake up.....

My sister bought me a "trial size" which lasts for quite a long time. It had my color (fairly light), warmth and the mineral veil, one brush and a video. I can't wear makeup at work as I work in a class 1 fab so I only wear it like 1-2 days a week, but I really like it.

If you do Lisa...let me know! I'm trying to win a lottery (even a small one) so I can get rebanded!

I realize that it's not the insurance company, but the employer that is the last word on what is covered, but has anybody here had PacificCare PPO and what was your experience? I started with a new employer in April and haven't explored my options...plus mine would be for a rebanding. Not sure if that makes a difference or not because everything is gone except for some tiny little scars. I was told I could get rebanded in 4-6 months. Not quite there yet, but wondering. I really miss my band.

Thanks for the info Penni. I did contact Legacy Good Samaritan in Portland and all they had to say was from their general information, Pacificare PPO did not pay for banding (duh....I can ready my "general benefits package"). Guess I'll call, but I'm not feeling real confident about them paying right now. Thanks again.

Has anybody here been rebanded? Would your insurance pay for it? My previous employer's insurance would not so I went to Mexico. My band removal WAS NOT my Mexico doctor's fault. I got a horrible stomach virus that caused me to throw up violently for days and that made my band slip down to the middle of my stomach and it had to be removed. So now I'm at a different job with different insurance-PacificCare PPO. Even though Dr. Ortiz will cut the price back it would still be $6800 and that doesn't count my airfare (which I can get cheap thanks to my airline attendant sister) and my hotel, I can't afford it at least right now. Figured I would contact Dr. Patterson and Dr. Hong at Legacy in Portland, OR and see what my options are there. If I can get the team at Legacy to help me get insurance to pay for it, I will go there. I love Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Martinez and if I had the money, I'd go there in a heartbeat. But right now that's not an option. Anybody have an info to share? Thanks!

Thank you Crystal...I've been lurking, but not feeling like I quite fit in anymore without my band. I really do want to get rebanded, just not sure how I'm going to swing this. I emailed Legacy Good Samaritan in Portland and now I'll patiently (lol) wait for a reply on their policy of rebanding.