JulyBandster

The lawyer I used has the band himself - I only dealt with him online! Never met him face to face. I can't remember his name, but his website was bandedlawyer.com..........that's how I got in touch with him to begin with. Good luck!

Anyone else on this drug? What side effects have you experienced? I've been on for a month now - had everything from jittery feelings, lack of appetite (that one is ok!), shaky hands, racing heart, even hives and welts which went away quickly during the third week........ Has this drug worked for you? How could you tell? Thanks for your responses.

Anyone here have an IUD? I've been on birth control for the past 20 years, and have had lots of trouble with bleeding - up to 3 weeks each month lately - past 5 years or so. I have PCOS too - on metformin and currently on yasmin birth control to try to control it, but not a lot of luck. Anyway, after a recent visit to a brand new gynecologist (new and very very young!) she thinks I should get off the pill and try the IUD - will help, I guess, with all the bleeding. A last ditch effort before talking about a hysterectomy. I'm a little nervous about the pain from the insertion......anyone have any comments on this? I'd appreciate it! Amy

I did call my doctor - said that if the itching/hives only appeared once, and went away quickly it is ok to continue taking it. She said that is a side effect some people experience on the med. I confirmed this with the pharmacist. Thanks for all the ideas/suggestions!

Hi Gina - just wanted to let you know that I also was denied for investigational purposes - by Anthem Blue Cross/Shield of CT. They are very known for doing that the first time out.......I hired a lawyer for under $500 and he did an appeal in about 3 weeks - and I was approved! So all is not lost. The lawyer that helped me was steve kalman and he has the band himself. He doesn't live near me - lives in PA, I think - but I learned of him from another bandster who had been in my situation. I emailed him my info then we went back and forth - he decided if he had a chance or not...then got on it! I'm thrilled - anyway - his email/website is bandedlawyer.com.............good luck!

I posted earlier in the summer about how my husband left me, deciding that after 20 years he no longer wishes to be married....well, I'm trying to move forward, and would love to have a dog! Problem: I'm a teacher, leaving around 7:30 each morning, returning around 3:45ish. Is that too long to leave a dog? I would LOVE to get a golden retriever puppy, but am thinking that wouldn't work. I am looking at rescue shelters, but not sure of a breed - mutts work too. I'm looking for people's suggestions! I am more than willing to do a big walk each day and each afternoon when I get home........I have no children, so this would be a "doted" on dog, lol...what do you think? Can I try a puppy? I have read about crating, and training and all that - what do you think? I have a large yard, but it is not fenced - dog would be an inside dog most of the time, unless on a leash.

A second vote for Easy Spirit shoes! I have to have shoes that are not flat - no birkies for me, that's for sure - I have to have high arches and strong soles - rubber if possible......I literally buy easy spirit sandals in bulk - I go in and buy all colors each season, and buy them AGAIN when they go on sale end of summertime..........THAT's how much I love Easy Spriit! Lots of old lady shoes, but some "younger" ones too - I swear by them!

Hi Melissa - yes, the recliner was my best friend for far too long, lol! I was sleeping in it until the 5th or 6th day - then, I could head into the bedroom, and with considerable assistance, could lay on my back. (Only lasted a few hours in this position, needed help to get back to my recliner to finish sleeping!) Yep, it stinks, but it was normal for me! I kept taking my pain pills so I slept in that recliner too - don't stop the pills, if you can help it. I wasn't sleeping on my side and in the bed for about 10 days! Good luck -

My doctor is in Dr. Fiallo's office - I use Dr. Haag. I really like him a lot. He is fairly easy to get into for fill appts too, which is good!

My husband walked out 3 weeks ago with no warning. Well, I guess I'd have to say I had no idea, but there might have been warning signs. He said he is no longer in love with me and wants another chance since we are both 40......I turn 40 on Monday, actually.........anyway, I am devastated. I am seeing a marriage counselor to help me through this, but can't stop crying......I am not going out because it is so hard to say to people what has happened. My husband was a popular guy that others always ask about. I can't seem to say "He's moved out" or something to that effect without starting to cry. I am in such shock. If you have been through this, how did you make it through? I guess we're lucky not to have children, but we've been together for 20 years. This is just so awful. We have a family cruise to Hawaii in a month, and he is not going. I will. But it will be difficult to be alone. When does it get easier? Thanks, Amy

That was a cute song - I enjoyed it! Thanks for sending the link. I'll have to remember those words, eh?

I get these shoulder pains too - my doctor has no idea why I get them - he says only one other patient complains of it - lucky us, huh? A few things I've noticed: it gets especially bad if I wait to eat. Meaning, I start feeling hungry around 11:30, but don't eat right away. I will definitely get the shoulder pain if I don't eat quickly! Same thing if I overeat - definite pain. Sometimes I believe it is gas pain, and this is something my husband noticed first: I bent over to pick something off the floor while in the middle of the pain and I burped - which instantly made me feel much better. Makes no sense, but there it is! Also, when especially bad, I lie on my left side and feel some relief. Again, no explanations as to why it works, but it seems to. Good luck!

I had my period for my surgery too. I considered wearing a tampon, figuring who would know or care, since they don't use catheters for such a short surgery..........well, the night before my surgery I was online and someone asked this same question - and she shared a story I have never forgotten.........she wore a tampon into surgery and didn't tell anyone. Hours later, in the recovery room, she realized she was wearing the mesh panties with the lovely GInormous pad - where the heck was the tampon? They TOOK IT OUT! OMG...........:omg: That's all I needed to hear, and I decided not to chance it! The morning of the surgery, I told the nurse - she walked over to a shelf and grabbed the panties and the pad and told me to suit up in the bathroom! That was it. It happens all the time. Don't sweat it.

Wow - thanks for the replies everyone! I do not want children, so that's not an issue. Sarah, I think my doctor was referring to the Mirena, which DOES have hormones, from what little I understand, lol. I am such a weenie about pain. Didn't stop me from getting the band, knowing I'd have a needle in the belly on a regular basis - but I'm terrified of that "female" kind of pain. Just had an endometrial biopsy - that was NOT fun. Just a little curious about the pain with the insertion of the IUD. Thanks, all. Your replies are much appreciated. Amy

From what I read above, this is a Lapband Talk Lounge, described as: Lap-Band Talk Lounge Forum for general conversation, share interests, have a laugh or discuss anything not specifically related to banding or the Lap-Band. The IUD is "not specifically related to banding" --- which is why I chose the Lounge to post my question on. Amy

I am 10 months post op, and STILL have left shoulder pain! Like you, I had no shoulder pain immediately after surgery. Thought I was "lucky" and thanked my lucky stars. But it gradually crept up on me. My doctor is perplexed, and cannot give a reason. A few things I've noticed: it rarely happens on weekends. Why? Cause I nibble more often, meaning my pouch is rarely completely empty. I mainly get it at school (I'm a teacher) right before lunch time - At this point, I've gone 5 hours without eating, and "my shoulder" isn't happy. (I know it is referred diaghram pain). If I lay on my left shoulder, I can feel major "movement" of the pain. Sounds and gurgles - and yes, ultimately it leaves. Makes me feel so much better, but only briefly. I have accepted it. Not sure what else I can do. Certainly can be frustrating. Another "how-is-this-related" problem I'm having is that sometimes it gets better after a fill. WHY would this be? I can't explain it. Frustrating. I'll live with it.

Here are a couple websites that might help you understand more about the law. Did you know that it is a law that any parent can demand a public school do a complete educational evaluation of your child at any time? If you put it in writing, the clock starts ticking from that moment on, and the school system has a set amount of time in which to complete the evaluation and get the results to you.....you can imagine that most school systems don't want this advertised, but it is the law in every state........You might want to start there, then bring up 504 plans if nothing else is found. The 504 can be the blanket that keeps your son's head above Water if no other disability is found. http://www.helpforadd.com/rights.htm http://www.help4adhd.org/faqs.cfm http://www.504idea.org/504resources.html http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/sec504.index.htm Hope these help you out............

I teach fifth grade - maybe a teacher's insight might help? Did you know that your son probably qualifies for a special 504 plan? This is a little-known part of the special education law for kids who don't qualify any other way.........while it doesn't give a great deal of assistance, it does provide some modifications to your son to make his life easier in school. Things that might be helpful are: extra text books (so one can be kept in school and one kept at home....gets rid of the nightly stress of forgotten books...) limits to the amount of homework with no penalty, preferential seating in each class, teachers checking in with him about his work daily, lots of visual cues (or verbal....whatever is needed), homework assignment book signed by each of his teachers each day, a check in and check out system (a teacher makes sure he has all homework and books to begin his day, and does the same thing before he goes home...) Not sure if this would help you or not, but I work with a lot of ADHD kids, and many parents aren't aware that a 504 plan can help provide modifications.....again, won't provide him with special services per se, but modifications that can make both your lives so much easier. Let me know if you want more information.

I have PCOS - I have the irregular bleeding part - can you say nonstop?? I am not *lucky* enough to have the non bleeding symptom of PCOS! I have been diagnosed with insulin resistance too, which is often part of the syndrome. This is what makes it so hard to lose weight! I am on Yasmin birth control pills, and recently stopped metformin due to extreme exhaustion......been on it for 5 years now, with no real change that I can see. We'll see what happens off of it. May not last. Not interested at all in conceiving.....hubby and I are happy "as is."

I took a 60 minute spinning class this morning - then took an awesome 2 hours nap in the afternoon! Feeling great.........but needed that nap........ Amy

I'm a teacher, so I will spend the first few weeks unwinding from the kids! Hubby and I go to our condo in Florida for 2 weeks over 4th of July...... I am scoring portfolios for beginning teachers in CT for 10 days this summer. In August, we are doing a family trip/cruise to Hawaii! Back to school in late August...........

You can check out seat size on seatguru.com............hey show the best seats on the plane, the worst......pretty neat!

No preop diet for me, except for no drinking anything, including Water, after midnight before surgery day. But that depends on your starting weight - if you are larger, you might need to shrink your liver - he will advise you. About things you need before surgery: water, flavored water, Jello, Soups, chicken broth you like, a pillow for the hospital room and the ride home (I am so glad I brought one - I had to spend the night as my surgery was 11:30 am, and I was slow to wake up........I had to get up often during the night to pee, and having a pillow to hold onto while trying to swing my legs over the bed was helpful. Also, helped on the bumpy ride home from the hospital.) Chapstick was good to have.......other than that, you won't need anything....you stay in a hospital johnny the entire time you are there........they give you slipper/sox, and even pads with mesh undies if you have your period! Also I slept the first few nights in my recliner, and was so glad to have it.........A cane to push on while trying to get out of the chair was good too. (And to lean out while trying to get out of bed too!) I liked putting a heating pad on my tummy once I was home.........soothing, and seemed to ease the pain. I slept short amounts of time throughout the day and night.....Lots of different sized pillows to prop your head up while finding a good position to sleep in was good too! Boy, I keep coming up with ideas, haha! Let me know if you wonder about anything else.........Amy

Wishing you lots of luck on your special day, Rosa! I love Dr. Haag......you are in good hands. Amy

When we were kids, there was this funny song - a dirty camp song? - not sure where it came from, but it strung a whole bunch of curse words together............eat..bite....fuck....suck...gobble...nibble...chew...and continues along in this vein.......ya say them all in a sing-song kind of way. Hubby tells me that the comedian John Valby sang it.........I'll sing that when I get in the car after working with the 10 year olds all day, lol!