spldgrl

Paid cash just last week. The hospital and anathesiologist (where is sp chk when you need it) offered a 35% deducation for cash that total for both was $12,500. Dr. Henessey was $2300. includes all pre and post for 3 moths from surgery date. fills included during that 3 months. total was $14,800. The hospital and dr. were WONDERFUL and I would do any procedure with both. My hubby even got to sleep and eat at the hospital no charge. The bed was a murphy bed so not the most comfy but hey, better than $75 for a hotel room. I know 2 ladies that went to mexico, it saved then about 5000. however they are paying more for after care when mine is included. not to mention I had 2 prescriptions after release that dr called in with no problems. Just wonder, what do you do once your home, and dr is in mexico? anyway, Theres the price, and the experience was wonderful. Good Luck finding the right Doc for you.

how do I get protien when I am drinking liquids only. water, milk today, s/f popcicles, and broth? what else can I add. Maybe that will give me some energy and feel full. Thanks

Debby You make me laugh, no only did I too think I was going to work, I was going 150 mi out of town to a conference on day 3 post op! NOT!! Being stubborn, I thought I could work it out. even called the presenter to ask about getting up and down during. My boss caught wind and blew that right out. so now I am home and feeling sooo much better. She sent me flowers and said rest up cause now I owe her! Yeeks. I work in a wonderful place. hopw yours is being supportive too. You said you had tomatoe soup. is this a clear liquid? One of the entrance sites is sorta infected, dr prescribed keflex liquid,(taste good too) it is somewhat thick and it goes down, would soup same consistancy be ok ya think? so far only water and s/f popcicles. I am first lap band for dr. and he said 2 weeks liquid, this was told by Dr. Snow in Texas, anyone heard of him? Sorry to blabber, lots of luck

Speaking from experience, moving is hard on everyone, we moved 5 times in 2 years. YUCK! Although my children were older, 13,15,16 I think it was harder than at younger ages, they adjusted fine. actually mom had the hardest time. You are going back home, you will know people and they will know your family. that will make the children "fit in" easier. The funniest thing we did was let each kid pick their own new bedroom, the final move only. They got to start from paint to bedding, yes, I bit my lip alot.Now when we talk about it, they say that being a part of the excitement and getting something "new" out of it made it exciting for them. Unfortunatly we moved into a mortgage so the best part for you is a dream come true. they wont get it now, but extra cash less stress, wow mom will be soooo happy they will see it so don't stress. The last move, a very good friend said to me " It's what YOU make of it that determines the outcome." Again NO MORTGAGE how many of us would move in with you! Good luck and think positive! NO MORTGAGE!!!

Nick and Angel2 I was banded monday also. Somehing new every day. can't wait for the gas and stretching to go away. how long? Good luck in a fast recovery.

so Trish, have you had a bm? personal question, but I am dying. I think this would make me feel soooo much more able to relax. Any suggestions? Tried to walk just got tired amd sore. Thanks

Just ate my first popcycle. Gooood nausous from no substance. my doc said only clear liquids. well what the heck is supposed to stop the light headedness and dizziness. pretty sure its from no protien. Did 8 days pre op but had protien drink 2 times daily. this is worse, when will it get better????

Trish your back!! I hope all went well for you! Are you still in pain? How was the drive home? I got banded on Monday. stayed in hospital until Tues 11am wanted to go home so bad, now wish I was back. My bed is hard to get in, and I am starving!!! only liquids for 7 days? how do I get any nutrition? The hunger PAINS is the only pain I have. Please tell me whats going on with you to see if day 3 is supposed to be this way. I am very light headed. Glad your back ready to hear your experience and make sure I'm "normal" well ok that might be stretching it my firends would say. who else would do this then freak out cause it's done.

just home. surgery went well, first for this dr. and for this surgical center. Very awsome. I was only patient all day and night. first rate care. not much pain, just gas. cant have anything chewable and I bought gas x chew tabs. hubby at store looking for liquid and getting rx filled. liquid lortab. Did lortab keep anyone else awake? Other than gas feel good. first time ever felt swallowing and into stomach. wierd feeling. Liquids for another week, and then appt. on Tues to see if loving to thicker liquids. Good luck upcoming bandsters. hope your banding happens as well as mine. Thanks for all the advice.

Today is the day. Getting really nervous and anxious to be done or should I say to start. I have to be at the hosipital at 1:30. Wish me luck!

Getting banded May 2 - Great Falls Montana Dr. Hennessey 2 days left - YEAH!

YEAH TRISH!!! Your new life awaits you CONGRATS!!

I am on day 5 of liquids, and it is getting easier. only 3 more to go! I find it easiest if I continue to sip all day. flavor Water no cal or carbonation. anything. I was excited this afternoon at a working lunch I was able to order beef broth!! sounds as good as it was. Just try to keep occupied. I have to everything I can think of, hang curtains, change bedroom deco. you name it. tomarrow I shop! maybe for some skinny clothes. Just keep busy and stay away from others eating. Tonight I literally cried for food. had to get out of the house. do the countdown. sipping water is the best it keeps you full satisified. Keep in mind that the better you are, the more shrinkage of your liver, the easier the surgery will go. Best of Luck>>

For those of you getting ready to be banded first part of May, how is the liquid 7 days going? I'm getting banded on the 2nd at 2pm and the liquid is killing me. I figure atleast after surgery I will be able to drink liquid with some flavor instead of this water, water, protien shake,(yuck!) and water. (No more than 10 calories additional in water.) My liver fat better shrink to zip! Good luck, and think positive! Positive self talk is the key to all success in life, think you can and you can and will!!

Becky: Wont you be sooo happy when your banded? I'm on my 5th day of liquids, mt stomach is growling so loud everyone can hear it. It's amazing how a good dr. can make you feel better and ready to go. Good luck!! Let us know how you are afterwards, I'm going in on the 2nd and will need to know what to expect!

Hey Trish what about a good smut book. keep your mind occupied? Wish you lived closer ,I have you deal with my teenage kids to get your mind occupied. hey good idea, we can all send our kids to you!! ok in thought! I keep telling them to be nice I'm on a liquid diet!! they just laugh and ask if ice is on for dinner. crazy kids! Ok still think the smut book is a good idea? Danielle Steel maybe?

Dr. Hennessey here in Lewistown MT will do fills for patients with bands from mexico. don't know if this helps any, having lived in phoenix all my life (except last 4 years) just know that is how it is. anyway dr. hennessey is awsome. he cares about the patient and their success. if you want more info let me know. maybe flight into Greatfalls is better price.

Trish: Are you hanging in there still? I started liquids today. Was really nervous after talking to the surgery nurse too, and then I met the doc in the parking lot on his way to lunch when I was picking up a friend. That put my mind to rest. He makes me feel so confident in my decision and his ability. Maybe when you get there and speak with your doc your stress will subside. I'm reading your thread every day it assures me I'm not alone, as I am sure the banded experiences are helping you. Hey, maybe the hospital or hotel will have internet you can check in there too. Good Luck !!! Be excited skinny girls here we come!!

Well, I'm hatin it but have to move to the May list. Specialist who is going to be on during the surgery had to rescedule for May 2 or 3. I cried! Dr. hennessey said he would try for the afternoon of the 2 or 6am on the 3rd. I didn't want to wait any longer. I'm scheduled to travel (driving) 120 mi. on the 4th around 6 pm for a training meeting on the 5,6,&7. Then out of state every week for 4 days until June. So it's now or wait till June. I'm alittle nervous about not being at home, but gotta do what I gotta do. RIGHT?? Is there any major worries I should address prior? Doc says I should do fine. High pain tolerence and it is sitting at workshop and then hotel at 4 pm to rest. How was the comfort in flight back from Mexico after surger? how soon after did you fly? I will have 2 full days to rest before having to be in class. Am I crazy?

Trish, we can do this together! same emotions, and banding on the same day. It is good to know I'm not alone in those feelings. We will look back on this in a few months and laugh at how crazy we were! Last day for food for awhile is Tuesday. Having a party with friends from work. Then drink, drink, drink. Keep in touch Trish and we can support each other!!! YOU GO SISTA!

I'm counting down the last 2 days before liquids. My parents are in the process of moving to our small town, mom is a stoke patient and dad needs help. Mom was scheduled for gastric when she stroked. Being with her gives me power in my banding decision. Just dont know about the drama during the liquid stage. Any suggestions on sympathy liquids? possibly to make the time seem not soooo long?

It's hard to believe we've waited so long to make this change, and know were gonna be wearing those cute clothes in the "normal" sizes yet it is still scarry. YOU"LL BE GREAT!! just keep picturing those thin thighs.

Got my date for sure, April 28th !!! I am ready to go, it's the 9 day liquid that is scarry. I have a lot of support at work, that's the hard place. I tell everyone their drinking with me. I'm sure I won't be too nice those 9 days.

Research is the key! I just got my date, did the whole "interview" process to make sure this doc is the one I want operating on me. I told him I had a few questions he said "shoot" then I pulled out my 3 pages of typed notes! He was shocked and said he was very impressed. I knew everything he was talking about and how I expected the band to work for me. I also wanted to make sure that the info I did know was what he was telling me. I am so thankful I did the research, I feel comfortable with the surgery and with the doc because he had the "right" answers for my questions. Thanks to this site!!

I'm having alot of the same issues, sure nice to hear I am not the only one. I have made a great list of questions for Dr. Hennessey on Tuesday. Thought I could do the insurance required 90 days of meridia, but I'm just done, why take another diet pill to loose then gain all plus more back. I am just paying cash to get things rolling. Didn't quite think it would go this fast. As soon as CASH was said, the banding date was set. Depending on how many fall off the wait list between now and Tuesday will tell if I go in on the 20th or 21st. I have no idea about the liquid diet, that is going to be the hardest for me before and after. What about traveling. I am scheduled to be out of town for work the first 3 weeks in May. only 3 days of the week, but I'm worried about that too. I guess we can worry about everything, I am. I am looking forward to figuring out this site, I will not have alot of support here, not too many people know, and husband doesn't know what to think.