showboatgirl

I paid $16,500 for the surgery. But, I also got stuck for $2700 for the cardiac stress test. My primary care physician used the words bariatric surgery and my insurance denied the claim--TWICE! So, all together--about $20,000. But, I have lost 46 pounds since Aug. 29th. Without the surgery, I would have just gained more weight.

You are doing great! We need to stay healthy while we lose weight.

My sister and I got our bands 8/29/05. She has lost 35 pounds and I have lost 28 pounds in eight weeks. We will be going to our doctor next week. We have not had a fill yet. We both think that we are still losing and we don't need a fill. Our philosophy is "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." What do you veteran bandsters think? Should we get a fill? Thanks

Thank you for your input. I think I will wait until the weight loss slows down. It is good to have people to talk to because my sister and I are the only people in our small town who have had lap band surgery. Thanks

I was banded Aug. 29th. I have lost 28 pounds so far. I haven't had a fill yet. I feel much better. I haven not had arthrits medicine since my surgery. I haven't had trouble with any food so far. The amazing thing for me is that I don't have the urge to snack all the time. I am starting to like my band.

Another rude question--"How much did the surgery cost?" It took me by surprise a few times, but now I am going to say, "It cost as much as a small car." People are so nosey!

My sister is 4 years younger than I am. She weighs a little more than I do. She decided to have WLS when she was diagnosed with diabetes. She already had sleep apnea, so her weight was causing her serious problems. I don't have any of these problems yet, but it was a matter of time. She was going to have gastric bypass--but I started reading about the gastric band. Her doctor recommended the band also. We began our journey in May and finally had surgery August 29th. She has lost 27 pounds and I have lost 23. We haven't had a fill yet. We did everything together--we even go into the doctor's examination room together. We are our own support group. By talking to each other, we don't bore everyone else with lapband talk. I admit that I would have been jealous if she had the band and I didn't. We like to travel together. I always said that we were "TWO TONS OF FUN." Hopefully, we will still be a lot of fun when we are normal size. As far as encouraging your twin to have surgery, I think she will see how great you are doing and will decide to do it. I personally would not tell anyone to have this surgery because it was a rough 10 days for me postop. I am starting to like my band--especially when the pounds drop off.

I know how you feel because I was banded Aug 29th. I wasn't expecting to be so depressed following the surgery. But the depression only lasted for a few days. When I left the hospital, I was allowed full liquids--broth, jello, pudding, protein shakes. The most pain that I experienced was in getting in and out of bed. By the 10th day, I started feeling like my old self. It is almost 5 weeks for me and I feel find. I have lost 23 pounds and am beginning to like my band.

I''m still working on the Ticker. Will try one more time. By the way, congratulations to all August Losers!

I am trying to get my ticker to work. I will try again.

I went to the doctor yesterday (Oct 4, 2005). I lost 21 pounds. I didn't want a fill yet because I am still losing. I will go back in a month and will probably get a fill then. Isn't it great to be losing weight? I can't say that I love my band yet--but I am starting to like it a lot. I feel great!

I paid $16,500 in West Virginia. That covered one night in the hospital. My fills are included for the first year.

I had the same type discomfort today when I went to walk at the gym. I cut my walk short--but will try again tomorrow.

My sis and I had surgery 2 weeks ago. We decided today that our faces are looking prettier--not so round and puffy. I guess my thinner face makes me feel sexy.

My prayers are with you.

Dr Nease did our surgery Aug. 29, 2005. I think he is a very good surgeon. If I ever need any kind of surgery, I will go to him. 2 weeks post-op. Lost 15 pounds so far.

My prayers are with you.

Looks like you had a lot of fun. My sister and I would like to attend the Vegas Bash next year. We just had surgery 8/29--we were a little incapacitated this year. We love Vegas--we go once a year.

Getting in and out of bed was painful for me for about 9 days after surgery. But the last 2 days have improved. By the way, Walmart has a great little blender for mixing protein shakes. It only cost about $12 and it is just right for a single shake. My sister and I think the blender is one of the handiest things that we each bought before surgery. We also bought sugar free pudding, ice pops, jello. You don't feel like going out shopping for a few days postop.

My sister and I had surgery 8/29. We asked our doctor at our 1 week post op if we could start a few mushies. He said that it would be ok if we didn't overdo it. We have had baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, pintos and cheese (Taco Bell), potato soup--everything chewed thoroughly. We haven't had any problems with these foods. But, she tried an egg today and it made her chest hurt. I agree with you that the full liquid diet is rough. I don't think I could have lasted as long as you have.

My sister and I had surgery 8/29. We both have experienced discomfort especially in the port area. This morning, I had to take pain medicine after I got out of bed because of the pain. After 1 week, I lost 8 pounds and she lost 9.5 pounds. We seem to be losing every day. This is our 10th day since surgery and we are both feeling much better. I am retired, so I have really taken it easy--I want to give my body time to heal. We convinced our surgeon to let us start mushies this week. I have enjoyed baked potato, potato soup, pintos and cheese (Taco Bell). I am having trouble with chewable vitamins, calcium (tums, calcium losenges) and am just tolerating the protein shakes. I got some calcium chewing gum today that I will try. What kind of vitamins, calcium, and protein do you take? Sandy

I think this was a wonderful link. I go for my pre op surgical consult tomorrow, Aug. 26th. I am going to tell Dr. Nease about the broadcast. I think seeing the procedure has made me feel better about my surgery on Monday, Aug. 29th. I am still scared, but the surgery doesn't seem to be that complicated. Sometimes, I think that I research things too much--but this is the most informative website that I have found. Thank you for telling us about it.

I would like to chat. Name the day and time. I'll try to be there.

My pre-op visit is Friday and my surgery will be on Monday, Aug. 29th. I am so scared. My sister is also having the surgery and she is very calm about it. My son asked me if I was really going through with it. That didn't make me feel very confident. I'm a nervous wreck, but I really want to lose this weight. It is good that my little sis and I are going through this together. We encourage each other. All of us August people will be in BandLand by Sept 1.

My sister and I are getting our lap band on Monday, August 29th. I have been trying to keep busy so I won't think about it. I am worried about complications. We are both self pay and we sure don't want to fail.