soonergirl

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=760 bgColor=#ffffff border=0 valign="top"><TBODY><TR><TD width=10></TD><TD vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=15>I remembered seeing this testimonial when I was researching the band - It is on the website www.obesitycontrolcenter.com which is the office of De. Ariel Ortiz. I have attached Cassie's story about her experience as a teenager with the band. She also offers to support any teen through email that might need her support. you might want to contact Dr. Ortiz's office to see if she is still willing to do that.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodytextbluelg> Teenage Lap Band Patient, Cassie </TD></TR><TR><TD height=15></TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodytextgrey vAlign=top> My name is Cassie and I had my surgery March 17, 2004. I was only 13 years old. At surgery I weigd 218 pounds and now I am 155 at 5''7". First I want to say, " I AM SO HAPPY”. My life seemed to be on hold because of my weight. I did all kinds of sports and the weight still kept coming. I tried dieting and went to the nutritionist and it still didn't help. I was gaining weight very fast every month. I became more and more depressed with every unsuccessful diet. My mom did some research and found Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Martinez at the Obesity Control Center. She explained everything to me and let the final decision be up to me. I was scared but at the same time ready and wanted my life to change. To be like the other kids and enjoy sports once again and the cute clothes. I had my surgery and the very same day I was up out of bed walking. The next day I left for home. I am back into sports and many school activities and not to mention my grades are great and I have lots of fun friends. If any teen would like to talk about the surgery or just need support I would be happy to chat with you by email. Thanks for my life back, Cassie I don't know if this will help, but I know as a teenager, she will probably need all of the support options she can get. Kudos to her! </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Yes, There are many people on here that have been banded well below 40 BMI. That doesn't mean that everyone's insurance paid for it (every insurance is different, so you just can't generalize on that subject!!) Many self-pay chose to go to MX because of cost - when I was looking at this early on, I assumed that I would have to go to MX because of my low BMI. I found many good physicians in the us that will also put a lapband on a low bmi patient! Just more costly here in the US.

Although I am sure that every Dr. is different, none of the Dr.s that I talked to about getting pregnant said that you need to wait any certain amount of time. Their biggest consideration is whether or not you are at or close to your goal weight. There are a number of us on here that have chosen the band partly because it was highly recommended to assist in fertility issues that may be related to weight (like PCOS). If you do get pregnant or want to get pregnant before you have lost ALL of your weight, they may be Ok with that too. My surgeon has said that he may have me journal my food intake and work with my Obgyn to make sure that I would be getting enough calories and Vitamins for me and baby. He also indicated that many times this can be accomplished without always taking out all of the fill. Again, they monitor everyone and determine an individual approach at my Dr. There are some great threads on pregnancy out there if you do a search. A few girls have shared their experience. I would just make sure to discuss it with your Dr. during your appointment.

My Dr. told me that the other option in severe cases of vomiting - like a bad bug, they can remove your fill as well??

Sounds like overall, everyone if doing great! Good to hear! Well, there are three more of us left for the month. babyphat tomorrow and bondgirl and I are on Thursday!!!

I think that really depends on your surgeon and your insurance - if you are trying to claim this on insurance. It will depend on the insurance approval process - there are a number of posts under the insurance topic on this. I was self-pay and got a date within two weeks once I was ready. I had an initial visit taht will give you a chance to learn more about the band, ask questions ect. Then I went in for a pre-op with the Doctor, he asked a lot of questions and as did I of him. Then once I was approved, I was given my delicious pre-op shake mix - with Dr. Powell, this is the two week pre-op. My date was set and here I am. Self-pay you will get a date much quicker, because there is not an insurance approval process. Hope this helps! Good Luck!

Hi! I am being banded on Thursday morning at Richardson Surgery Center by Dr. Powell.

Well, by this time, most of you have already gone for it! Please post some updates to let us all know how you are doing! For those of us going in this week - good luck!

The nuvaring is a flexible plastic ring (kind of looks like the outside rim of a rolled up condom, but a little larger). It slow releases a very low dose form of BC into your blood stream. It is a different mix than you would get in the pill. For me it was great, because you don't have the emotional side effects, reduced cramps and for me, drastically reduces the amount and length of my period. The ring is pinched together and inserted vaginally. Once it is there, it softly "springs itself into place". You leave it there for a period of three weeks and then remove it for one week to have your period. Another nice feature, is that you can leave it there for up to 4 weeks to have your period on your schedule in case you are on vacation or something. No- you don't feel it, it is easy to retrieve and you can remove it for up to three hours at a time for sexual activity. (Although you don't have to and wouldn't notice if you didn't) OK, sorry for some this is TMI, but I have been telling all of my friends about this wonderful invention since I started. Hope this helped and please just let me know if you have any other questions about it!

Well, for what it is worth - here is my opinion. I don't think anyone can say whether or not antidepressants are for a particular person or not - some will never need them, some for a short time, some for a lifetime. Some people that need them, will need to try a lot of different "recipes" to find the one that is right for them. I have friends and family that will take them for the rest of their lives - and THAT IS OK! - If it works for them and if it works for you - good that you found what makes you feel better. My story with antidepressants is similar to I'll Succeed's - I had situational depression from a bad relationship ending - and my Dr. perscribed effexor (BTW - the actuall med is irrelevant, because they will be different for everyone) - I started feeling worse. I called my PCP, and he told me to double my dose - Getting Even worse and without even seeing me, he upped it again. I was also VERY BAD!!! suicidal thoughts - One of my friends scooped me up and took me to a inpatient overnight stay - Within 24-48 hours I had all of the meds out of my system and WAS FINE! 3 months later, under a much more watchful eye of a psychiatrist - I tried paxil, within 2 days, same downward spiral. However we found that Wellbutrin worked fine for me. No problems at all. No I don't take anything and haven't for a few years. But - dont think that all of these drugs are the same. Some may work for you while others may not. maybe none at all is best. But make sure that you see a psyciatrist who understands how these meds work and not your PCP! Most importantly - get out of bed, go for walks, DO NOT PULL ALL OF THE CURTAINS SHUT!!, let some light in! and keep posting here and finding the support you need. You will find a solution, maybe just time, but this will pass!! Good luck and hope to hear you are doing well soon!!

AAHHHHH - not a fun experience at all!!!! I am so scared now - Thai food is my absolute favorite thing ever. have you ever eaten it without problems? I am sorry that happened!

I went in for a consult yesterday, and the Dr. said that he recommends no bread, not even on a sandwhich - ever. Has anyone else been told this, is it common. It kind of seemed from some of the other threads, that many of you eat bread. Please give me your input on this matter. Thanks!

You should have been given an "insurance certificate of coverage". In this, it will outline all of your benefits as covered by your plan. Skip everything and go straight to limitations and exclusions (every policy has them). WLS should be listed under this section if they do not cover it, or if there are any specific stipulations around it. I have told so many people this in other posts - but remember, that in many cases - the choice as to whether or not to cover WLS as a part of your policy is your employer not the insurance company. If you can't find you COC - you should be able to get a new copy of it from your employer.

Delarla - Is it really possible that you could be an aunt OR an UNCLE?? Sorry, just had to do it.

Delarla - you actually should not skip periods unless you are on a medication that causes this to occur. Commonly depo, nuvaring and some BC will cause you to have very light periods and sometimes not have them monthly. Not having a period (commonly occurs with PCOS), can actually increase your chances of cervical and other female cancers. I have PCOS and am HORRIBLE at remembering to take a pill everyday - thus another reason I chose the Nuvaring. WILLBETHIN - yes you can take BC - I have just chosen a method (nuvaring) that does not require pills and lightens your period and cramps.

You know what is weird, that I really don't like bread that much. Oh, don't get me wrong, I'll eat it, but if I had to pick between bread and broccoli, I would eat broccoli - I know - what am I worried about????? Sandwiches - I love pannini sandwiches. I have been happy to hear most of you say that toasted bread is much easier for most of you. Your so right though Pam - nothing does taste as good as being thin feels!

Good Luck Pam!! - I am exactly one week after you with dr. Powell as well. Please post on your progress and experience!!

I am to be banded a week from tomorrow - whooohooo! My question is, besides your diet, how quickly did everyone recover enough to resume fairly normal activies? My banding is on Thursday- so I will have Thursday-Monday(the 4th) to recover wtihout any acitivies or responsibilities. I am trying to set my appointements for the next few weeks for my work, as I travel quite a bit - and it dawned on my that I might not feel like driving 2-3- hours and doing meetings that soon - or will I? I am usually pretty good with pain, the biggest worry is I get nausia from going under. Although I LOVE to act like a big wimp sometimes because of how amazing my husband treats me when I am "not doing so good", I am actually pretty tough. I want to get back to work ASAP, but I want to be realistic too. Please let me know what you think! Also - thanks for this site and all of the people on it. It has made this journey soooo much easier so far, and I can't imagine how helpful it will be after next week!

one of the reasons that I am getting the band, is that my OBGYN is pretty sure that my PSOS is really hurting my ability to lose wieght and that I really need to get my weight off to have an easier time getting pregnant naturally and having a successful pregnancy with a lower chance of miscarriage. (a number of people with PSOS/polycystic ovarian syndrom, have slowed metabolisms, out of balence hormones, a more difficult time conceiving and a higher risk of miscarriage, all of which decrease with the ability to maintain a lower and more healthy weight) I plan on getting pregnant in 1-2 years as well, depending on how long it takes me to get my weight off. well, I guess there are probably a few other factors as well. I have read in some places that it is sometime refered to as the fertility band.

Debbie, I am scheduled for June 30th! Also - you should be able to eat seafood this summer. My Dr. recommends it as one of the first solid foods to try. He suggested foods that swim - fly - walk. One month of protiens that swim, then the next month work in things that fly, poultry and then walk the third month, beef and pork. I love crab and shrimp!!! oh, and lobster!!! There is a thread for June bandings, make sure you sign up if you haven't already. good luck!

I don't know if you are on any form of BC, but I used to have BIG TIME problems with PMS and cramps - I changed to the Nuvaring and now my monthly episode is almost non-existant. No more cramps and barely any period. If you are on BC - I would highly recommend the nuvaring!! (no taking pills everyday either!)

During the FDA testing, there were two people that died during the study - BUT they both died after having their bands removed (one of a drug overdose and one because of Gastric Bypass done after their band was removed) So - neither were related to the band. In the European testing, one women died. It is reported that it was due to her severely overeating after the band placement and not seeking care when she began showing signs of complications from overeating. These were the only references that I could find on the internet. Officially the risk of death is listed as 1/2000 vs. 1/100-1/200 with gastric bypass. As it was explained to me - this risk is similar to any other surgery of this minimal complexity.

At risk of sounding like a real lush - I wanted to share this information I got today. I like many others on the site thinking about the lap-band love beer and enjoy the weekly happy hour: I actually had a pretty lengthy discussion today with a Dr. in Dallas about the beer subject, because I too love beer and was really fearing leaving it behind forever. He said to poor the beer in a glass, let it sit in the fridge and let it lose most of the carbination. He also suggested adding a lime to distract a little from it being flat. He suggested to give it a dry run, but didn't see a problem with it if you let it go flat. (He also indicated that a lot of patients lose their taste for it) He also said that another one that he might not have a problem with me trying is sugar free Red Bull and Vodka. He said it would help to let the Red Bull sit for a while to "rest". His best suggestion was to switch to a room temperature wine - this is a drink that people tend to drink at a slower pace. I know that a lot of the postings that I had read on hear about drinking suggested moderation - I agree, but I really wanted to have a heart to heart with the reality of this subject before I made my decision. I am sure that many of you that are banded might have already shared this, but he said that the biggest concern that he had for alcohol as it relates to being banded, is that "instead of polishing off a bottle of wine to get drunk, you shouldn't need more than a few glasses". - He then admitted that he and his wife still enjoy a nice night out away from their 5 kids - so he could relate Don't mistake that he encouraged any of this - his official recommendation was still to KEEP IT TO A MINIMUM. I was so excited to have a Dr. that was really comfortable being open with me about this subject. Please share any additional real life information that might help a band-er-to-be. I look forward to your input about actually living with any of this advice!!

I have been trying to get used to the bandster way of living and have been drinking mostly a German Riesling. yummy, I had a beer last night and honestly didn't hardly miss it!!

I have had a few more conversations with my Dr since my last post - being less than two weeks out, I am obviously going through the paraniod phase. the number one concern that they have - is drinking in excess to the point of vomiting - which is really bad for your band because of the potential for slipage. now that brings back some college memories (no really, it's been since college, I swear) The other that is a little more remote is gastritis. I don't know much about this, but he assured me that drinking in moderation and occassionally not so much moderation should not create any other problems. The carbonation concern is that too much gas build up in your lower stomach below your band, could cause your band to slip upwards. Well, tonight is officially my last weekend to go out and drink with no restraints - might not be posting for a few days. Wow, I can already smell the regret in the air :knockedou :knockedou :sick