Chicagoboy

When they inflate your body with the gas to perform the lap band does the skin stretch much? Has anyone came out of surgery with stretch marks?

Finally after months of thinking, waiting, testing I am on the schedule May 26th. I'll be slim Jim by Christmas.lol

To be fair I was about 20 lbs less there but make no mistake BMI over 30 is no joke I had heart surgery when I was a kid for a valve repair. For me I can honestly say I'm doing this for my health more than looks. When I became a dad I now understand I have a lot to live for. What a blessing that little boy has been (mom's & dad's understand).

People say I hide my weight well??

Dr. Rosen @ Wish Center in Downers Grove. Self pay about $10,600 Thanks and good luck to you. Cheers!

make your own porno tape with your partner when you reach your goal. lol

Has anyone ever had one? I know what's involved for a straa test but my primary doc want me to have one before my lap band. I have an abnormal EKG since forever due to open heart surgury when I was a kid (6). Repair valve but doc want stress test anyway. boo hoo!!!! I guess it's better to do it just in case I code on the table.lol

Why would you go to Mexico when you can stay in the US for just a couple thousand more. They even accept fills for peopel who were banded in Mexico. http://www.wishcenter.org/

My wife, brother in law, best friend and some cousins are all Doctors they told me the band was the best way to go. It's reversable and adjustable so if I ever needed to have it removed or go thru a major illiness when older the band can be removed. The band will get you closer to your ideal weight than you have ever been before but you must exercise to reach the top. BTW: I'm not banded yet (May 05) but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night...

Forget Mexico go to the WISH Center in Chicago $10,500

I'm looking at May 15-30th to be banded but I wish I could go now. I have my 2nd apt on May 2, 30 days from now and then will be place on the schedule for the band. I did a dumb thing by trying to gain weight before going in for my evaluation to insure I was right for this surgery. I went from 263 up to 280 and really cannot stand being this fat. I wish the 8 weeks of getting ready was not required. I guess I have no excuse for not dieting now just to be ahead of the game.

What about asprin will that go down easy?

Just think what it would have been like to lose weight if you did not have the band? It tells me the band was the best chance for weight loss. Relax let the band help you do the work a year form now you'll be happy enjoy the ride.

BC of Illinois and Florida I heard were the most difficult. Cannot speak of CA but I'm expecting to get turned down I have my check book ready anyway no Ins company is going to get in my way.

BTW: I am not banded yet but late May 05 should be the date.

I so glad to read all the different issues that occure as a result from the band. I now have set better expectations for my recovery and decided that 6 months of adjustment period is better than six months of cancer treatment or heart surgery. I have not had either but without the band life could turn out that way for many of us. Bring it on.

Is there an easy way to crush pills?

New photo 3

CAROLYN ANNETTE WATSON SCHNIEDERJAN Carolyn Annette Watson Schniederjan died suddenly in a tragic accident on Saturday, March 12, 2005, near Mountain Springs. Carolyn was taken away on a beautiful day while she was doing what she loved most - spending the day outdoors, building the home of her dreams with the love of her life, husband of 20 years, Philip Schniederjan. For Phillip, it was love at first sight and Carolyn was his one and only. Together, Philip and Carolyn made their home in Denton. Carolyn was born Carolyn Annette Watson on Sept. 21, 1963. She was the daughter of Sue and Dave Haverkamp of Muenster and the late Charles E. Watson. She is survived by her husband; parents; sister and brother-in-law, Cindy and Ray Bennett and their children, Lucas Thompson and Mandy Thompson; and a great-niece, Avery Thompson. She is also survived by her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Vicki and Elmo Self. Brothers and sisters-in-law include Patrick and Karen Schniederjan of Grand Junction, Colo., Carolyn and Ted Rekerdres of Dallas, Michael and Jeanice Schniederjan of Oklahoma City, Okla., Robert and Jay Ann Schniederjan of Oklahoma City, Okla.; Valery Schniederjan Smith of Gainesville; Cynthia and Jon Grosch of Dhahran, Saudi Arabia; Helen and Charlie Allison of Richardson, Adam and Renee Schniederjan of Muenster, John and Caryn Schniederjan of Plano, Clair and David Holland of Racine, Wics.; and 25 nieces and nephews. Carolyn is remembered for her bright smile and her devotion to Philip. Carolyn was preceded in death by her father, Charles E. Watson; maternal grandparents, W.E. and Doris Watson; and paternal grandparents, C.E. and Lucille Watson. Carolyn enjoyed her work with the Denton Independent School District. She was a private person who enjoyed gardening, organizing and her cherished pets. Services are pending. Arrangements are under the direction of the Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home of Gainesville.

I am so sad to hear this news. I am new here and she was always kind enough to reply to my post. My prayers go out to her family may her love live in your hearts forever. RIP

Update...My nephiew Nolan is home with his mom & dad as of this past Friday. Thank you to everyone who was thinking of him. He is just the greatest little baby I ever met. Mom is having a difficult time accepting what has happened and is somewhat depressed but she is going to pull thru some how. Keep mom in your thought as she is now caring for this little baby who may still need heart surgery to repair the hole. Time will tell but thats all for now. Peace!

Thanks his family think so.

Thanks everyone for your kinds words. I'll will pass this on to my sister and her husband. Nolan will be in the NICU until he gets bigger and from there he may go directly to another hospital for his heart surgery or go home for a month. My sister is doing as good as can be expected for someone who is new to all this. She drives 1 hour to the NICU everyday to see him. Lucky for her I live 5 min from the hospital so she spends a lot of time hanging around here. I will update this thread when soemthing improves. The links some of you have provided were great I read thru much of them. I have enclosed a photo of this little guy for the world to see.

I got there at 9:10 am and left at 3:45 longer than I thought it would be. I'm excited to start the prcocess but they have a 8 week program I must follow before they sign off on my chart and turn me over to the Doc for the LB. I must log all of my eating and exercise for 8 weeks before my next appointment. 6 days a week 45 minutes a day of exercise to build up my heart and lungs for surgery. 6 small food portions per day on a seperate form. I also need to have my promary Doc complete a phsyical and order and complete a sleep study before I go back. My second appointment is early May and if all goes well I will have the LB in May or June if I need to move it out. I expect insurance to turn me down (Blue Cross) since Illinois and Florida I was told are the worst states to get approval from. I have my check book ready regardless. I tipped the scales at a all time high 280 at 6'1 BMI 39. By Christmas I should be down to 240 or less but I expect to drop 10 to 15 before the LP install date.

Soda pop is no longer good to drink once banded? Why not Pizza? I'm curious what other foods are off limits?