SpecialK

I'm planning to be there! Hope to see lots of you. I know the summer is super busy time and the price of gas makes a long commute tough but hang in there everyone!

Juli - I just recently learned that Aetna added OSU's bariatric surgeons onto their covered list of surgeons at Mt. Carmel but for some reason Riverside still isn't on their approved in-network list. I try to tell everyone to check out all their options and it seems that we all like our surgeons around Central Ohio even if some of us aren't as happy with the paperwork/office end of things. What ultimately was important to me was confidence in my surgeon.

I do String Cheese sometimes as something I can snack on while I drive to work. Also on vacation, my cousins from Germany introduced me to a new thing - they took Frosted Mini-Wheat bite size maybe 1/2 cup and we put plain or flavored yogurt over the top and just a little dab of milk, and cut up part of a banana, peach or apple in small pieces - kind of a high fiber and filling breakfast and still let me enjoy some cereal.

We haven't mentioned it in awhile on here so I thought I'd put out another tickler. HeatherA helps administer a Yahoo Health Group for Central Ohio lapbanders. If you want to participate in that, Personal Message HeatherA. She has several posts under the Ohio area and is the band leader (pun intended) for helping schedule our Polaris mall get togethers too. I hope we'll see some new faces at the mall sometime soon. We have a mixed group of those banded and those working toward it.

I don't know if others have found it in their mailbox yet, but Mt. Carmel just sent me a bariatric program evaluation that asks satisfaction about every aspect of the program. Specifically asks about the surgeons, the office staff, the nutritionist, the bariatric nurse coordinator, the bariatric wing staff, etc. Asks if there is some one thing you'd want improved, what is it, what were you most satisfied with and gives you lines to put in open responses. So, for all those who felt we needed to help the program improve, I hope you'll complete the evaluation Mt. Carmel sent and be honest and provide praise as well as where they need to improve. Mine is going in the mail tomorrow! Wondered if they waited until you were past 90 days post surgery to send it. ?? Who else has received one?

Welcome. This website has a wealth of info on it and you'll be glad you found it. I don't know anybody who went to Mt. Carmel self-pay with Dr. Choban or the other 2 surgeons there but we do know a couple ladies who went to Cincinnati to Dr. Curry and another that went to Detroit for self-pay because they could get a package deal for about $12,000. Another lady I've met named Courtenay is seriously checking out going to Mexico for a total package cost I think in the $9000 range. I couldn't afford either of these options so just had to tough it out through the insurance approvals process but I'm so glad I did. Best wishes in your search for info.

BNLisa and Lynnt1215 -- I am back to my Water aerobics class at the local community pool - this one is outside in the summer and the instructor really runs our butts off in class for a solid hour twice a week. For anyone who is intimidated to go to a water aerobics class, never fear, there are plenty of folks (Men and Women) out there who need to lose alot of weight and they are there exercising to try to do just that so GO! You'll enjoy it.

Good luck in your journey investigating lap band. I know Dr. Myers at Riverside Hospital's Fresh Start program is very experienced as are the three doctors at Mt. Carmel, Dr. Price, Dr. Miller and Dr. Choban. They've all done hundreds of the procedures including RNY and Lapbands. I don't hear much about the Sleeve "VBG" in most Columbus threads. We do get together as a groups of patients of all the different lap band programs once a month at the Polaris mall and we meet in the food court and visit as friends for those banded, checking into it, and whatever. Some bring a spouse or friend along the first time if you feel concerned about coming alone the first time which is why we meet in a public place where you can come and go as you'd like. Check out the thread under the Ohio forum thread that is for a July 12th Central Ohio get together. We represent all the different programs in Columbus and even some self-payers that went to Cincinnati or Detroit for surgery.

I also had Dr. Price who did my surgery March 17, 2008. I now have Dr. Miller for follow-up appts and he'll do my third fill. The first 2 fills were done under fluroscopy at Mt. Carmel West and Dr. Miller says he can now do mine in the office, much simpler. Check out the Ohio thread labeled "N E 1 Banded Mt. Carmel Columbus" that's where all the folks banded by Dr. Price, Miller and Choban are concentrated.

Acainab - Yes, there are alot of us who have been banded in Central Ohio, some from Riverside, some OSU and a bunch from Mt. Carmel. Are you in the Columbus area? Check out the Ohio thread labeled "N E 1 Banded Mt. Carmel Columbus" that's where all the folks banded by Dr. Price, Miller and Choban are concentrated.

Michael185 - March 1 Amhancock – March 3 – Dallas, TX Evansmom - March 3 - San Francisco, CA Hitman1644 - March 3 Hungry4help – March 3 - NYC Jkck660 - March 3 Julietj1970 - March 3 - Houston, TX Ladybugsmom - March 3 LD0008 - March 3 Ronwifey – March 3 Sadie11 - March 3 - Denver, CO Terrisioux - March 3 - KS TheMomKid - March 3 Whimsy – March 3 - North Dallas, Texas 2AHealthierMe - March 3 4Myhealth - March 3 - MT Ajoneen – March 4 Bamaforever - March 4 - AL Cocolossel – March 4 Elsie – March 4 LiseSeattle - March 4 - Everett, WA Luvlonis - March 4 Nana811 - March 4 - St. Petersburg, FL Ohiogirl - March 4 - Dayton, OH Regeanaf - March 4 Ssdown - March 4 Texgirly - March 4 Girlie2shooz – March 5 – Reno, NV Hastings - March 5 Kcispy4 – March 5 Mariduke4 - March 5 MichelleinCA – March 5 Mscathyl – March 5 Thebonbon - March 5 - Everett, WA Xray1028 - March 5 Fenton – March 6 - NYU, NYC Anniedub – March 6 Brisbane, Australia FrancesMP – March 6 Hope4Jen - March 6 (rebanded) Msboss08 – March 6 Rosiered - March 6 - NYC Camrynsmommy - March 7 - Houston, TX Egnebs – March 7 – Conroe, TX Ggb64 – March 7 Innertube - March 7th Mexico JessyCA - March 7 - Harrisburg, PA Kerry3 - March 7 KW372008 - March 7 MeltobeFabulous - March 7 - Houston, TX Nikaweez - March 7 - Augusta, GA NewHope4Me - March 7 PaulsWife - March 7 Pippinje - March 7 - Dallas, TX Sapphire904 - March 7 Shaylavee - March 7 Siemers17 - March 7 Texgirl – March 7 – Houston, TX Zetagal - March 7 Kzintak - March 8 Lafsalot - March 8 - Houston, TX EAbadie - March 10 - Slidell, LA Jocarojo - March 10 - Mexico StephieNana – March 10 Sobrien32 - March 10 Chica – March 10 Bigmills - March 11 Dossy - March 11 LeapingLizard - March 11 - OH O2BThinAgain - March 11- Richmond, VA Prekteacher – March 11 Louisa, KY Sanlortut - March 11 Boadicea - March 12 Bossstar - March 12 - LaFayette, LA Ellie619 - March 12 - Mexico ICU_Nurse - March 12 Justbanded - March 12 - Houston, TX Lattedah - March 12 - Reston, VA Mom007 – March 12 - Lewisville, TX NurseNiki – March 12 Columbus, OH Sams46 - March 12 - PA Sharona - March 12 Jennaj221 - March 13 K2K07 - March 13 Littleannie - March 13 MikeBceo - March 13 Momof321 – March 13 RB99JABB - March 13 Robyn12 – March 13 CarlaG - March 14 Gisellehuet - March 14 Lottolose - March 14 - Tuscaloosa, AL Luv10nis - March 14 Nicole_031408 – March 14 – Houston, TX Sdeckhoff – March 14 Wisshi - March 14 AmyMarie679 - March 17 Aus_girl_1289 - March 17 - Mandurah, West Austrailia Butterflylady – March 17 - Fort Worth, TX Gages62 - March 17 - Hershey, PA GregW – March 17 - Columbus, OH Irideaqh - March 17 - OK Lglenn3000 - March 17 Mergatroy - March 17 Mikala365 – March 17 – San Jose, CA My2Parrots - March 17 Nthomas – March 17 NYTrink - March 17 - NY Okitsme – March 17 Ronnfia - March 17 - Fremont, CA Scrappy_Friend – March 17 SharonCrist1955 - March 17 SisterC - March 17 SpecialK - March 17, Columbus,OH Spicegrrrl - March 17 Suecasb – March 17 - Columbus, OH Sweat_Pea_2 – March 17 - Shreveport, La UniqueZeke - March 17 - Beloit, WI WendyS81963 - March 17 - NH Emmersglue - March 18 Harleygirl – March 18 - Salt Lake City, UT Jalilsauntie - March 18 JCT001 - March 18 Jtorie - March 18 Lafsalot - March 18 - Houston, TX Paula08 – March 18 Pipes0000 - March 18th - Toronto Ontario Rkilbury - March 18 - WA Sorlminah - March 18 Stepoffaith – March 18 – El Paso, TX Manda_T - March 18 - OR CBK - March 19 Jdub0414 – March 19 K_podski – March 19 Lbs2go - March 19 - Houston, TX Losingit08 - March 19 Lynnt1215 – March 19 - Newark, DE Nat36 - March 19 Nurselori73 – March 19 - Parkersburg, WV MsHansy – March 19 – San Francisco, CA Rugmanforever – March 19 Tenten - March 19 Teebutterfly - March 19 Busy – March 20 Ginny1 - March 20 Ilandgurl - March 20 - Chattanooga, TN Lauryn - March 20 Lrhishere – March 20 Nava - March 20 - Tel Aviv, Israel Patriciafrance - March 20 Rose_Steavie - March 20 - Austin, TX Sahmof3 – March 20 AZnikki - March 21 - AZ Egomec - March 21 Foolsrushin772 - March 21 Graycie - March 21 HopefulinTx - March 21 Jennifer 44 - March 21 Nlarusch - March 21 - Cleveland, OH Sueangel – March 21 TexasT – March 20 Bratz98363 – March 21 Thin2bme - March 21 -Kansas City Blondbander - March 24 Cleach - March 24 DebbieKy - March 24 Ellise24 - March 24 Enjoylife - March 24 - MD Gee80 - March 24 Jktbnelson – March 24 – Mexico Karenintx – March 24 Lbhar101688 - March 24 MarilynK - March 24 - Nashville, TN Nymc00 - March 24th - NYU PTinUtah - March 27 Renee74 - March 24 - Portage, IN Sammey1 - March 24 Sugarbean - March 24 Beehawk - March 25 NJRichie - March 25 - NJ Tarrn13 - March 25 - Seattle, WA Duke – March 25 Emme - March 25 Evelas5000 – March 25 Hopeinapril - March 25 - Newark, DE Katcap13 - March 25 Kljared – March 25 – Pasadena, CA Khrystah - March 25 Michelle88 – March 25 – Sacramento, CA Miki - March 25 Mmh498 - March 25 Mylah - March 25 - Newfoundland, Canada Soriminah - March 25 - Brisbane, Austrailia StarbuxQueen - March 25 Bill'swife - March 26 - Gallipolis, OH Bluekygirl – March 26 Chubbychecker – March 26 Charity – March 26 Gwyllgi - March 26 - Stevens Point, WI LynnM – March 26 Midwest Carol – March 26 - Springfield, IL Mrodr41 – March 26 Playfairy - March 26 Richcris01 - March 26 Sherry319 - March 26 Stellabella – March 26 Wishin4 – March 26 - Eugene, OR Christina29 - March 26 - Eugene, OR CMJ - March 27 Dragonflygirl - March 27 Ima_sundevil - March 27 - AZ Kettering1973 – March 27 – Cincinnati, OH Lifechange82 - March 27 Lori0307 - March 27 Pkoponen - March 27 Potatie – March 27 Skminnie - March 27 Sunshynne - March 27 TigerMomma - March 27 Alicatcyclist - March 28 Cpintx - March 28 Jencys – March 28 Lori_NC – March 28 – Charlotte, NC Msmommy - March 28 - Mexico P_Nut - March 28 Neveragain - March 28 - Phoenix, AZ Sgtswife – March 28 – Wichita Falls, TX Tntexas - March 28 Yourowndestiney – March 28 P_Nut – March 28 Slikchik10 - March 30 AnnP - March 31 - ARK BrandNewLisa – March 31 - Columbus, OH ErikMesa - March 31 - AZ Hope2bhealthy - March 31 - San Antonio, TX Heidismiles - March 31 H8thew8 - March 31 jbperry21 - March 31 Mojo479 - March 31 Mom2bbb - March 31 - Boston, MA Newbeginnings - March 31 PamD - March 31 - Dallas, TX Raedelicious - March 31 - San Antonio, TX Rachrach - March 31 - Seattle, WA Roster - March 31 - Chicago, IL Sophiekitty - March 31 Spal66 - March 31 - IL Tjveggie - March 31

All of you Inspire me! Thanks so much!

Welcome Janne! I know how anxious I was going through the jump through the hoops for clearances but before you know it, they will submit for insurance, then you'll be anxious for a surgery date, then for your first fill..... and before you know it, you're seeing the scale go down.. Exciting !!

Suecasb -- Great hearing from you. 20 Lbs is wonderful. Keep up the good work.

ThinnerMe (Angie) -- Congratulations on your insurance approval for your surgery! God is Good! Hope you get a date ASAP!!

Okay, I enjoyed the swimming pool so much for exercise and relaxation on vacation and decided I was going to get back to a water aerobics class like I had done years before but had slacked off in the last couple years. Well, its a class in an outdoor pool in Westerville and the lady that teaches the class is a real "drill sargeant" and she said she makes no excuses for working us hard - we are there to exercise not play! Whoa! Hope this helps me to keep on losing!

Heather, I think they would accept the items you've mentioned. If it isn't something they normally stock I'm sure they are seeing families in need of basic items and would give them out to someone in need or get them to an agency that would.

Hi to everyone. Got back from Florida from vacation and was anxious to get on my home scale this a.m. -- I stayed off the scale on vacation because I didn't want to let it run my life.... AND....drum roll now! I lost 4.8 lbs on vacation from where I was on June 13th when I left to today! Go Shrinking Shamrocks Go!! :ohmy::biggrin::biggrin: <--- 4 smilies for 40 lbs! AND second NSV... I was able to buckle a seat belt without an extension on the flights from Columbus to Charlotte, NC on an Embraer jet that only had 2 seats on each side but I needed about 4" of the extension belt still (darn!) on the 737 jet that went from Charlotte to Florida. Can't wait until I can buckle the airplane seat belt regardless of which plane I fly on but that was such a nice feeling. I've updated my ticker and officially crossed the 40 lbs lost milestone as of today. About 3.5 months since surgery 3/17/08 to lose 40 lbs is fantastic for me. P.S. Yes, I too now know what sliming and productive burping is. Nothing terrible but I definitely have a different level of restriction with this 2nd fill and if I push it and eat a few bites past my limit, I have that pressure sensation, want to get rid of it, and have excused myself once in a restaurant to be sure I was okay. I know now to just leave the food on the plate and let it to away and try not to feel guilty that my family or friend paid for a dinner and I can only eat maybe 1/3 of it. That's what got me, trying to eat a Thai dinner of chicken and vegetables, I didn't even look at the cup of white rice that came with the meal, and I just had to let 2/3 of it go to waste. I had warned them I couldn't eat much so they knew it wasn't that I didn't like the restaurant's food they chose to go to but I just was full. I really missed checking into the forum but it was a good vacation and now its good to be back to sleeping in my own bed and with my own pillow!

Hi to everyone. Got back from Florida from vacation and was anxious to get on my home scale this a.m. -- I stayed off the scale on vacation because I didn't want to let it run my life.... AND....drum roll now! I lost 4.8 lbs on vacation from where I was on June 13th when I left to today! Go Shrinking Shamrocks Go!! AND second NSV... I was able to buckle a seat belt without an extension on the flights from Columbus to Charlotte, NC on an Embraer jet that only had 2 seats on each side but I needed about 4" of the extension belt still (darn!) on the 737 jet that went from Charlotte to Florida. Can't wait until I can buckle the airplane seat belt regardless of which plane I fly on but that was such a nice feeling. I've updated my ticker and officially crossed the 40 lbs lost milestone as of today. About 3.5 months since surgery 3/17/08 to lose 40 lbs is fantastic for me. I'm off to church to sing praises and thank God for all he has done for me through this surgery and the friends I have met due to this journey. P.S. Yes, I too now know what sliming and productive burping is. Nothing terrible but I definitely have a different level of restriction with this 2nd fill and if I push it and eat a few bites past my limit, I have that pressure sensation, want to get rid of it, and have excused myself once in a restaurant to be sure I was okay. I know now to just leave the food on the plate and let it to away and try not to feel guilty that my family or friend paid for a dinner and I can only eat maybe 1/3 of it. That's what got me, trying to eat a Thai dinner of chicken and vegetables, I didn't even look at the cup of white rice that came with the meal, and I just had to let 2/3 of it go to waste. I had warned them I couldn't eat much so they knew it wasn't that I didn't like the restaurant's food they chose to go to but I just was full. Okay, off and running for the day! God Bless to all!

Hi to everyone. Got back from Florida from vacation and was anxious to get on my home scale this a.m. -- I stayed off the scale on vacation because I didn't want to let it run my life.... AND....drum roll now! I lost 4.8 lbs on vacation from where I was on June 13th when I left to today! Go Shrinking Shamrocks Go!! :smile: AND second NSV... I was able to buckle a seat belt without an extension on the flights from Columbus to Charlotte, NC on an Embraer jet that only had 2 seats on each side but I needed about 4" of the extension belt still (darn!) on the 737 jet that went from Charlotte to Florida. Can't wait until I can buckle the airplane seat belt regardless of which plane I fly on but that was such a nice feeling. I've updated my ticker and officially crossed the 40 lbs lost milestone as of today. About 3.5 months since surgery 3/17/08 to lose 40 lbs is fantastic for me. I've already bought my 40 lbs of sugar to take and donate to the food pantry to celebrate. I was telling my sister and niece in Florida about the donation idea and they thought is was really great and couldn't imagine what it would feel like to carry 4 of the 10lb bags of sugar around 24 hours every day. They said I should really be proud of myself. AND I AM!! :ohmy::biggrin::biggrin: <--- 4 Smilies for 40 lbs!

I'd recommend you go to the GENERAL LAPBAND SUPPORT forum thread and post some questions on Mexico, etc. as there are a bunch of bandsters out there who can reassure you. Best wishes.

Loved the humor on your posting here! I can't wait until I join you in the Twoterville numbers! running a few behind ya! so you better work hard to keep on going down! Dr. Miller did my 2nd fill this week at MCW and it was a piece of cake, in and out in just a couple minutes really. If you haven't checked in on the Ohio forum in awhile, come on over!:frown:

Heather -- look at you go girl! 64 lbs on your ticker today! Congratulations!

So far my first 2 fills have been easy. Both done at MCW with fluro but now that they did the 2nd one and found my port easy to feel through the skin, they said I can have my future fills in the doctors office. That should help with some logistics. I had a little bruising with each one but nothing I worried about at all. You should be getting close to fill #1 at 6 weeks out from surgery. Good luck! P.S. I got my fills done at 1pm on my lunch hour and went right back to work if that tells you how simple things were.

Welcome to the site Kelley! This is a great forum and so glad to hear you're doing well with your lapband. I'm at about 3 months now and also doing great.