piercedqt78

I had a lap band implanted when I lived in Chicago, fast forward 7 years, and I had moved to Florida, I needed to have my band checked, I was having reflux and my band was empty. I called about 6 surgeons in the Jacksonville area, and the best "program fee" I found was still $1000, with most charging $1500. I was told that since they didn't do my surgery my fees were higher. Basically she explained that was how they make up for people going to self pay centers, or out of the country and then coming to them for followup. The surgeon became a surgeon to do surgery not to do followups for other surgeons. I explained that not only had a used a US surgeon, covered by insurance, but that my surgeon had moved away from Chicago before I did. What if I had paid a huge program fee in Chicago, and then they all wanted me to pay them at least $1000, some were as much as $2500. I would understand if they were having to fight my insurance, or having to do pre/post op classes, but I was just looking for someone to check me for a slip. I ended up needed my band removed, and I was revised to the sleeve, but because I was originally brought in as a general surgical consult (after a GI doc told me it was 99% band related) I didn't have a fee, and I was approved after one phone call for my revision.

How far out before you tried the ranch powder? I was told as long as it didn't add texture I could have it, I could even add a squeeze of ranch dressing to my cottage cheese, or to my finely chopped chicken salad. (I used homemade ranch made with plain greek yogurt in place of mayo) I also do jerky (after 6 months) and I love hard boiled eggs. I boil about 12 eggs on sunday evening and store them in the fridge, I grab one egg and a string cheese. I have pet sugar gliders, and they eat them too, so they are never wasted. I also use them to give my dog her medicine. We go through a few dozen eggs a week at my house, I buy them from a local farm, and they are amazing. I usually eat all of the white, and maybe 1/4 of the yolk. The sugar gliders get the rest of the yolk as a treat, or it gets split between my 3 dogs. I plan on making pickled eggs this summer, it's been a tradition in my family for generations, and they are soooo good. I also keep a pack of low sodium turkey bacon cooked and in snack sized bags in the fridge, 2 slices to a bag. I cook it in the oven on a cooling rack over a rimmed cookie sheet, it cooks nice and crisp, and perfectly flat. Also it doesn't shrink so 2 slices is a perfect go to with a stick of string cheese. I don't eat pork, but my family does, and I make their bacon the same way, except because it makes such a mess, I do 3 or 6 pounds at a time, and then wrap it in wax paper, and freeze it in quart freezer bags. When they want bacon, they just take it out and pop it in the microwave for 20-40 seconds and they have perfect bacon. I also use it in recipes, and to top salads and Soups for them. Last but not least, I keep imitation crab in the fridge, it's higher in calories, but it's better than grabbing chips or crackers. I'm also hooked on apples with peanut or cashew butter on them. Yum!

At least they will hydrate you with iv fluids in pre/post op, and you should have better pain management from the hospital. Try to relax and think positive thoughts. I have had more surgeries that I care to admit and will say that if you go under positive you tend to wake up more peacefully, but if you go under nervous or paniced you tend to wake more agitated.

Next week is my 1 year post-op and after a warm shower my scars are still fairly dark, but I'm really super pale. I was/am willing to tell anyone about my surgery. But if I had to hide it I would go with the gall bladder or hernia route, if they take the gall bladder, (some surgeons do) then just say that, if not hernia. Both would cause the same type of scars, and a gradual return to a normal diet. Some doctors have a 6-8 week post-op diet, how will you explain that everything you are eating must be soft, not drinking with meals and the tiny portions? I know that even when I was doing extreme dieting I ate at least 3 times what I was able to eat in the first several months post-op. You might be able to explain, the scars, and the type of food, but if we eat out even now a year later most of the time it looks like I haven't even touched my food.

Woot!! Awesome for you!!!!

My name is Mandy I have been in contact with Alex and I will be working with the Jacksonville chapter for local support meetings. We are working to have the first meeting in June. Please feel free to give me your best times/days so I can try to make this is accessible as possible. I will be talking to St. Vincent's Riverside today about using their meeting room. Also let me know if there are any particular guest speakers you would like to see. I'm thinking about a healthy cooking demo, maybe some plastic surgery seminars, I have someone that can help you pick out the correct workout/running shoes and he will offer discounts at his sales location. Any other requests? I figure I will talk to the local hospitals and see if they will allow us to host in their conference rooms, and we can either rotate areas or if there is a good central area we can make it a set monthly location.

What an amazingly strong woman you are. I'm in awe. That is why it's so unfair for others to judge based on what they see. I've met so many fabulous folks on this site and we all talk about our challenges and struggles and not giving in to them yet others see us as fat and lazy. It just makes me mad... Oh and your auto immune disorder....same here. All this time, I was told to lose the weight and my knees would feel better. Well...I lost the weight and got worse. Finally I went to the surgeon who was convinced I had hip trouble, not knee trouble and oh boy was he right. Turns out I have osteo-necrosis which is compromised blood flow resulting in dead bone. It's likely a combination of some auto-immune disease that they are still trying to identify along with genetic pre-disposition. So much for being heavy. Yes...I'm better and healthier at this weight. I'm not sorry I had the band...not sorry at all. But same as you, this was not all obesity related. Though all of my doctor are very supportive of my getting WLS. Your doctor is just showing how ignorant he/she is by telling you to do it the old fashioned way. No sorry...it's not ignorant. It's stupid. Good luck to you. We are here to support you. Part of my problem is I have always tried to be the strong one, and instead of saying I'm hurting, or I'm sad I would just eat. You know the old joke about having a child inside screaming to get out, but you can shut it up with Cookies? Sadly that was my reality. My sleeve really truly saved my life. I'm blessed with an amazing general physician, an excellent bariatric team, and a supportive family. I don't know what I would have done without that trifecta. When I was using my old doctor (the one that didn't support the sleeve idea) I really felt as if I would die if I didn't make a change. I started seeing a new doctor, she not only suggested the sleeve, but sent me to the surgeon that I ended up using. And they keep very close tabs on my labs, both offices share any results with the other. It's nice to have a doctor on my side, that actually cares about my health. It's funny my mom also sees the same dr, and I was in the office last week with her, she was getting cleared to have a minor knee surgery, and my dr that I haven't seen since early feb noticed my haircut right away. My own daughter took several hours to notice it, and my sister has yet to realize it was cut. LOL, but my dr noticed, and complimented on it right away. She also said it hides my hairloss very very well. It's nice to have her know my first name without a chart in hand, and she remembers my medical issues. She even remembered to ask me about my shoulder/knee pain. My mom and I have different last names, so I know that didn't give my name away, like I said she knew my first name off the top of her head. It's a really big practice, and I've only been there 1 year.

I was just told to avoid soy milk, it is being linked to breast cancer, instead my dr said use almond milk, or rice milk. They may be a bit higher in fat or calories depending on which you choose, but they are safer.

Peanut Butter and bananas/carrots/apples? smoothies made with Protein shake and fruit or yogurt? I don't do cottage cheese, but know a lot of sleevers love it. Also what about meat substitutes? Morning star makes some great meat free sausages, and "burger patties" they are soy, but loaded with protein. Is there any meat you can do? Can you do chicken salad? What about shaved ham/beef/turkey like from the deli? I take shredded turkey or beef and a jar of premade gravy and warm them up together, then serve them with mock mashed potatoes. (pureed cauliflower), I use some greek cream cheese in the mock potatoes for that creamy consistency and to make them richer.

I want to do this too, but I want to do vintage pin-up for my theme. I have several large tattoos and want them to be the focal points. That is what caught my hubby's eye when we first met, so I figure that is the one thing that is the same today. I have always loved Bettie Page, my daughter's middle name is Paige as a tribute, and I have several of her photos that I want to recreate. Now that I'm smaller than she was it will be easy to do, I just need to find the right photographer.

Here is my list: 1. I'm a stress eater with a child with special medical needs (rare bleeding disorder) 2. I had thyroid issues in my teens and that started my weight gain, this resolved with pregnancy, but the weight remained. 3. I did too many yoyo diets, and wanted to be Barbie when I was in high school, with thyroid issues that never works. 4. I have an autoimmune disease that causes soft tissue damage, I have had 2 knee replacements, 3 (getting ready for #4) rotator cuff repairs. And can't workout without doing major damage to my joints. 5. I spent 17 years living in Chicago, and the cold weather caused me so much pain I was a hermit for 7 months a year, just packing on the pounds. 6. I was raped when I was 16 by my former step father, and didn't tell anyone until I was in my 20's. I think I ate to silence the scared hurt little girl that was inside my head. food didn't keep me safe, but my mom always equaled food to love, that's why under my user name it says "Food in NOT love". I learned with counseling that feeding people, and overeating myself didn't fill the void in my life, or make me feel any more loved. That was a HUGE step for me. 7. Genetics just about everyone in my family is obese. My grandfather was over 400 pounds, my mom is the oldest of 10 kids, all but 3 are morbidly obese, and those 3 are still overweight, one has a lap band and is getting healthy, the rest seem happy just the way they are. *I was just diagnosed with the auto immune disorder, in the past my pain, joint damage and soft tissue injuries were ALWAYS blamed on my weight. When I lost the weight and still had issues my new doctor started looking for answers. She said weight doesn't cause rotator cuff tears, and that I shouldn't have been dismissed because of my weight. I started seeing a new doctor when my previous md was not on board with my being revised from band to sleeve. She said just remove the band and do it the old fashioned way.

I have found that lingerie hides it well and I have enough that my plastic surgeon is helping me fight my insurance to get it covered. A good bra, and a fitted anything with spandex holds everything in nicely. I have been married to the same man for almost 14 years, but he says having me more flexible, no longer tired all the time, and the fact that without going into too many details we are able to do things now that we haven't done since we first got married totally makes up for the skin.

Do you like Beans? Tofu? I make a cheese and refried bean quesadilla, and I top it with chopped avocado. eggs are good, try them chopped and added to a dark greens salad with some low fat cheese, and a yogurt based dressing for added Protein. I eat P3 from oscar mayer they are 2 oz packs with cheese meat and nuts, I know you don't do meat, but maybe make your own little packs with cheese, nuts, boiled eggs. Grab and go makes for easier adherence than eating on the fly.

I use over the counter cold meds that contain guaifenesin (mucinex) or the generic. I also take a daily dose of zinc to help build the immune system.

And my family/friends benefit that I can be DD when we go out. I have a drink early in the evening, then switch to either Water or iced tea. I also saved a TON on my last cruise by not drinking anything at all. Usually on vacation I have a drink with dinner each night, this time I had a coffee or hot tea on the lido deck when everyone else was having a midnight snack (really a second dinner imho), and was totally happy with that substitution.

We have a local gastropub that is always packed and there is usually an hour wait for a table. My husband and I will order a beer flight, I have one he has the other 3 or 4 depending on what we order. I have no problems drinking my small glass of beer, and then an hour or so later having dinner. I will say that the alcohol sneaks up on me, and after only 1 beer, or 1/2 of a vodka cranberry I'm tipsy. I'm like you a few drinks a year at most, but pre-surgery I could handle my liquor with no problem, now lol not so much. I will also let you know that if alcohol hits you like it does me, the tipsy feeling only last 15 or 20 mins. I am totally sober by meal time, and don't have to worry about eating too much due to lower inhibitions. It's a weird buzz, it hits quickly and disappears just as quickly. I'm aware the beer is empty calories, but it's something I enjoy, and it hasn't slowed my weight loss at all.

I was a long term bandster, but I was able to have my revision in a single surgery. I was also told 50/50 in pre-op, and it was on my release form too. I told him to please do what made the most sense, but that either way I wanted a sleeve, same day or 4-6 months later. I woke up and asked for a sip of Water, only to be told sorry newly sleeved tummies are not allowed anything until the swallow test tomorrow. I have never been so relieved to have a dry mouth in my entire life. I spent 2 nights in the hospital, and was discharged around 2pm on day 3. My biggest complaint is that I have a weird phantom port, I swear I can feel it, and there is a lump of scar tissue there, the plastic surgeon says he will remove as much as possible with my tummy tuck, lower body lift. Good luck to you, but remember the doctor is going to do what is best for your health.

I used to be a pear, now I'm an hourglass. I love my sleeve.

I'm at goal, and unfortunately still have a size 22 skin wrapped around my size 2 body. I'm looking into plastics, but for now just cover it up. I was a pear shape, and all of my skin is tummy, lower back, and upper legs, but I hide it well. The plastic surgeon that I had my consult thought I was there for tattoo removal, he was floored when I opened my robe and he saw the excess skin. We will be submitting my paperwork in the next few weeks to see if insurance will help with payment at all. Like the others I wouldn't trade my new life, body, and confidence for anything. Because of a genetic autoimmune disease I have almost no elasticity in my skin, so I didn't bounce back at all in the skin department. But I'm going to take care of that very soon, with or without insurance, with would be better of course. LOL

Yep, don't stress about it . Like others said it's mostly Water weight, and swelling. It will come off before your first post-op appt.

What days/times work best for you? What area are you in? I'm in Orange Park South.

It was my first, and we only did 3 nights. I was only home about 4 days before I was looking to book another longer trip. We are going again in Nov, for 6 nights, and my daughter is bringing her bff.

I had my sleeve done in Jacksonville Florida at St. Vincent's Riverside Hospital with Dr. Uchal. I'm totally happy with my results!

I went on a cruise to the Bahamas when I lost 100 pounds!

I love lands end suits at Sears, not cheap but very well made. And they make a fit for every body type.