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Tell your doctor that you will be paying cash. My surgery was covered by insurance, but I understand that many surgeons have different fees for those paying cash. Same thing for the charge for fills - some do them free for a period for cash patients. Your loan may not have to be as much as you think.

I am a (forced) retiree from a large computer company. I managed 300 pages of their web site for several years.

I have been using a Healtometer digital scale for about 6-7 years. It is very consistent in the readings (i.e., if I step off, let it reset and step back on, I get the same # each time.) Here is the model I have: Health o meter - Dial scales, Digital Scales, Monitoring Scales, Professional Scales, Thermometers, Blood Pressure Monitors, How Scales Work, Health Products, Health Links, Health o meter Kids! I took a quick look at the web sites for Wal-Mart and Target and they both had a selection of scales from this manufacturer at reasonable prices.

For all the reasons mentioned above, you should continue to try to get used to the mask and machine. Once you find the right setup, you will be surprised at how much more energy you have once you are getting a good night's sleep. Makes it much easier to do the required exercise we need to do in order to have the band work for us. Surfbored

Thanks for this information. I was wondering why I had a runny nose yesterday - didn't feel like a cold. But it was my first day off liquids, and I was feeling my way on how much to eat at one time. This explains it. Surfbored

The first weekend after surgery, I didn't feel well enough to attend Mass. By the following weekend I was only 2 days away from my 2-week follow-up with the surgeon, and anticipated being moved to mushies, so I did take the host. I kept it in my mouth a little longer than I usually do, to make sure it was soft before I swallowed. It went down easily and caused no problems. I also relied on my faith to believe that the Lord would not let me have a problem with doing this. To my surprise, on Tuesday my doctor said I was doing well enough to skip the mushies, and move right to soft food! Thanks for asking. To everyone else who might be worrying about this, please know that this is my experience, and your mileage may vary. Surfbored

I weigh on my home scale each morning. I only see my doctor about every 3 months - too long to wait to see if something I am doing, or not doing - isn't working. Also, weighing at home I can be more consistent in terms of what I am wearing (nothing) and the time of day, etc. My doctor's scale always shows a few pounds more. But the relative loss is the same. So, I use the home scale for more consistent feedback. Surfbored

I expect the papers from the hospital are generalized instructions for all releases. My doctor told me I could drive as soon as I wasn't taking the pain medication. I would recommend calling your doctor, even if it means delaying your return to work by a day (or a 1/2 day). That is still better than waiting 2 weeks. surfbored

Check this site for an extensive list of medical consequences of sleep apmea: http://www.apneos.com/consequences.html#assoc I was amazed how much more energy I had once I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and started using a CPAP machine. Just like the band, there were some lifestyle changes initially, but over time people adapt to them. Here is another good site for getting information about sleep apnea, machines, masks, etc. www.cpaptalk.com CPAP and Sleep Apnea Discussion Forum Very friendly people helping people over there - very similar to this board. Surfbored

Day 1: Water and ice chips Days 2 - 5: Clear liquid Days 6 - 14: Full liquid diet Week 3 - 4: pureed foods Week 5 - 6: Soft, low-Fiber foods Post 6-weeks: Regual foods

Marieze, I was diagnosed with sleep Apnea in early 2006 - before I had considered Lap Band surgery. Eveyone hates the sleep study - it is so hard to sleep with all those wires attached, and someone watching you by camera. But undiagonsed apnea can kill you. Its worth it. I was only banded last week, so can't tell you if weight loss will get rid of the apnea. Also, my apnea is caused as much by paralyzed vocal folds as weight, so even when I lose weight I might still need the CPAP machine. One web site you should check out is CPAP Machines and CPAP Masks for the Treatment of Sleep Apnea. There is also a related site at www.cpaptalk.com CPAP and Sleep Apnea Discussion Forum run just like this message board - users helping users. This site does not accept insurance, but will put the proper codes on your invoice so you can submit it to your insurance company. Many have found that the prices on this site, even if insurance won't pay, is less than the deductible charged by many DMEs (Durable Medical Equipment). There is some variety in the machines, based on whether you plan to do a lot of traveling with it or not, and even more choices of masks - full-face, nasal, pillows, etc. There are also some accessories that can be helpful, such as hose covers that reduce or eliminate moisture in the hose and mask caused by room temperatures. The cpaptalk site is full of very helpful people, and I am sure they will welcome you there. NOTE: I have no connection with either of these sites, except to be a happy customer. Surfbored

Cerrin, What a great idea! Folded, those bags will easily fit in a pocket or purse, they are thick enough to hold whatever may come (foil-lined, they are not see-through like Zip-Loc bags, and they have tabs at the top to seal them up. My fat container (that uses these bag) is called The Fat Trapper. Here is a link to a page where you can see what the refill bags are like: Fat Trapper Refill Bags Surfbored