LovingWhatIs

I wanted to share a recent fantastic experience with Dr. Eric Pinnar and his staff, as well as great ongoing care. FYI they are in Reston Advanced Weight Loss Solutions :: Home I had some severe belly button area pain a couple weeks ago and thought it might be my Port. Went to the emergency room. The staff there contacted Eric. He and his AMAZING PA Phil dropped everything they were doing (it was a Saturday and they were involved in family events) and came to the hospital. Eric realized it was my appendix and removed the offending organ (unfortunately the damn thing didn't weight 40 pounds!) Then he dropped everything Sunday Night to help me out with getting an early discharge. He is amazing. And I don't have insurance and he has been remarkable in putting my mind at ease about that, and that we will work it out. Here is what I also love about their practice... They spare NO expense in offering the best technology in the practice. They have an exray machine there to do barium swallows immediately when indicated which is so important and they CHARGE ME NOTHING FOR IT. Nor is there ever a charge for a fill. Also, I had a band slip, the early barium swallow caught it, and they were able to correct it by unfilling, very successfully contrary to what often happens where it is caught long after. Also, they have two FANTASTIC PA's, Phil and Kellie, so I can get an appointment almost any day I need to come in. They also have this cool body picture scanner (looks like a tanning booth), that scans your body silhouette periodically and actually see the progress you are making - this is GREAT especially when we get discouraged. This equipment cost a fortune. Eric is also organizing a bicycling group for us, has a clothing exchange program and all kinds of other stuff. I get that he cares deeply, feeling incredibly supported and never like a pest.

Cirrus - you had me laughing my sides off about the mags in the waiting room. hilarious!

I agree the pictures were a bit weird and over the top. I will give him that feedback. But they DO take insurance. My girlfriend just had it done and her insurance covered most of it. I don't know why you got that information.

I totally agree about how great Dr. Eric Pinnar and his team, are. Here is a recent amazing experience I had with them, as well as why I love the practice and the fantastic ongoing care I have received. I had some severe belly button area pain a couple weeks ago and thought it might be my Port. Went to the emergency room. The staff there contacted Eric. He and his AMAZING PA Phil dropped everything they were doing (it was a Saturday and they were involved in family events) and came to the hospital. Eric realized it was my appendix and removed the offending organ (unfortunately the damn thing didn't weight 40 pounds!) Then he dropped everything Sunday Night to help me out with getting an early discharge. He is amazing. And I don't have insurance and he has been remarkable in putting my mind at ease about that, and that we will work it out. Here is what I also love about their practice... They spare NO expense in offering the best technology in the practice. They have an exray machine there to do barium swallows immediately when indicated which is so important and they CHARGE ME NOTHING FOR IT. Nor is there ever a charge for a fill. Also, I had a band slip, the early barium swallow caught it, and they were able to correct it by unfilling, very successfully contrary to what often happens where it is caught long after. Also, they have two FANTASTIC PA's, Phil and Kellie, so I can get an appointment almost any day I need to come in. They also have this cool body picture scanner (looks like a tanning booth), that scans your body silhouette periodically and actually see the progress you are making - this is GREAT especially when we get discouraged. This equipment cost a fortune. Eric is also organizing a bicycling group for us, has a clothing exchange program and all kinds of other stuff. I get that he cares deeply, feeling incredibly supported and never like a pest. I highly recommend them - Advanced Weight Loss Solutions :: Home

:sad: If your problem with Dr. Eric Pinnar's practice, I totally am not intending to invalidate it with this post - not everyone is a match for every doctor. But I wanted to post this recent FANTASTIC experience I had with Dr. Eric Pinnar and his staff, as well as a continuing great experience with the practice - Advanced Weight Loss Solutions :: Home I had some severe belly button area pain a couple weeks ago and thought it might be my Port. Went to the emergency room. The staff there contacted Eric. He and his AMAZING PA Phil dropped everything they were doing (it was a Saturday and they were involved in family events) and came to the hospital. Eric realized it was my appendix and removed the offending organ (unfortunately the damn thing didn't weight 40 pounds!) Then he dropped everything Sunday Night to help me out with getting an early discharge. He is amazing. And I don't have insurance and he has been remarkable in putting my mind at ease about that, and that we will work it out. Here is what I also love about their practice... They spare NO expense in offering the best technology in the practice. They have an exray machine there to do barium swallows immediately when indicated which is so important and they CHARGE ME NOTHING FOR IT. Nor is there ever a charge for a fill. Also, I had a band slip, the early barium swallow caught it, and they were able to correct it by unfilling, very successfully contrary to what often happens where it is caught long after. Also, they have two FANTASTIC PA's, Phil and Kellie, so I can get an appointment almost any day I need to come in. They also have this cool body picture scanner (looks like a tanning booth), that scans your body silhouette periodically and actually see the progress you are making - this is GREAT especially when we get discouraged. This equipment cost a fortune. Eric is also organizing a bicycling group for us, has a clothing exchange program and all kinds of other stuff. I get that he cares deeply, feeling incredibly supported and never like a pest.

:sad: Another great resource that resulted from Dr. Pinnar was a free consultation and evaluation with Sequoia. I also wanted to share this about my experience with Dr. Eric Pinnar and staff (Advanced Weight Loss Solutions :: Home) I had some severe belly button area pain a couple weeks ago and thought it might be my Port. Went to the emergency room. The staff there contacted Eric. He and his AMAZING PA Phil dropped everything they were doing (it was a Saturday and they were involved in family events) and came to the hospital. Eric realized it was my appendix and removed the offending organ (unfortunately the damn thing didn't weight 40 pounds!) Then he dropped everything Sunday Night to help me out with getting an early discharge. He is amazing. And I don't have insurance and he has been remarkable in putting my mind at ease about that, and that we will work it out. Here is what I also love about their practice... They spare NO expense in offering the best technology in the practice. They have an exray machine there to do barium swallows immediately when indicated which is so important and they CHARGE ME NOTHING FOR IT. Nor is there ever a charge for a fill. Also, I had a band slip, the early barium swallow caught it, and they were able to correct it by unfilling, very successfully contrary to what often happens where it is caught long after. Also, they have two FANTASTIC PA's, Phil and Kellie, so I can get an appointment almost any day I need to come in. They also have this cool body picture scanner (looks like a tanning booth), that scans your body silhouette periodically and actually see the progress you are making - this is GREAT especially when we get discouraged. This equipment cost a fortune. Eric is also organizing a bicycling group for us, has a clothing exchange program and all kinds of other stuff. I get that he cares deeply, feeling incredibly supported and never like a pest.

Since there are posts here about both Dr. Eric Pinnar and Robert Pinnar (related but different practices) I want to post something about how great Dr. Eric Pinnar and his staff are, and my recent experience: I had some severe belly button area pain a couple weeks ago and thought it might be my Port. Went to the emergency room. The staff there contacted Eric. He and his AMAZING PA Phil dropped everything they were doing (it was a Saturday and they were involved in family events) and came to the hospital. Eric realized it was my appendix and removed the offending organ (unfortunately the damn thing didn't weight 40 pounds!) Then he dropped everything Sunday Night to help me out with getting an early discharge. He is amazing. And I don't have insurance and he has been remarkable in putting my mind at ease about that, and that we will work it out. Here is what I also love about their practice... They spare NO expense in offering the best technology in the practice. They have an exray machine there to do barium swallows immediately when indicated which is so important and they CHARGE ME NOTHING FOR IT. Nor is there ever a charge for a fill. Also, I had a band slip, the early barium swallow caught it, and they were able to correct it by unfilling, very successfully contrary to what often happens where it is caught long after. Also, they have two FANTASTIC PA's, Phil and Kellie, so I can get an appointment almost any day I need to come in. They also have this cool body picture scanner (looks like a tanning booth), that scans your body silhouette periodically and actually see the progress you are making - this is GREAT especially when we get discouraged. This equipment cost a fortune. Eric is also organizing a bicycling group for us, has a clothing exchange program and all kinds of other stuff. I get that he cares deeply, feeling incredibly supported and never like a pest. Highly recommend: Advanced Weight Loss Solutions :: Home

Dr. Pleatman, My band slipped and we did an unfill and it went back and we have gradually refilled it over the last 2 months. I get a swallow every time (they have the machine in teh office) and it has not slipped back yet. I cannot have another operation at the mo. Are there some things I can focus on to not have it re-slip even without surgery? I would imagine not overeating is one and definately not vomiting... anything else you would suggest? Oh and I had NO SYMPTOMS of a slippage other than I could eat a lot more. No pain, nothing like that. I had just mildly vomited in October and then had my regular barium swallow in January and they found it....

So many have had questions about gaining or losing during the "healing" period after surgery (for purposes of this, let us say it is about six weeks). Some gain during the soft food period and after. This is so normal, according to my doctor. It is a time of healing and many of us, after the swelling, experience a return to the same ability to eat as post-surgery - until we start to get fills. What was TRUE FOR YOU? Post is here and VOTE! IT'S MULTIPLE CHOICE - CHOOSE ALL THAT APPLY

So this poll asks the question: How many fills did you have before you first experienced good, healthy restriction, and as a result you could eat 1/2 - 3/4 cup and/or were losing 2-3 pounds without excessive hunger. LOVE TO ALL!

Crab meat Rocks! Yeah, I started a thread a few weeks ago about it. I was shocked and happy to discover what a perfect food it was. I have to get some Fluid out of my band before I can eat it again. Out of the blue, it got too tight. I suspect it was because I went up in a small plane, my ears were popping like crazy and my band hurt. Been tight ever since. Someone told me that is impossible that a flight caused a tight band, that the cabins are pressurized, but if it doesn't flucuate somewhat, why would my ears pop? I have also heard some say it happened to them. Who knows. ANYHOO! Crabmeat. Yummy. I have been putting it in Soup for now and then I can get it down. LOVE 2 YOU ALL!

Fairy, It doesn't seem to me that acknowledging that there is a genetic component to alcoholism, which is not a theory but a medically excepted fact that the marker had been identified, is blaming it on anyone. You don't sound at all like you are saying that. No one says to diabetics who acknowledge that it runs in their family, that they are blaming others. I love that you share your history here, many of us can relate, so I send you support to keep on sharing what is true for you and let the armchair psychiatrists preach to someone else... LOVE TO YOU! Lisa

You sound like a great teacher! I love your sense of humor and comfort with yourself. It really comes through in your post - and you gave me a huge laugh! thanks....

Jfran you look amazing! I got my band last Sept. and had those noises. I just realized from this thread that I haven't had them in weeks! I guess it goes away for some of us. It started as soon as I had "restriction". That was 2 months ago, and the sounds have stopped. wee hee!

Once again, I have been telling everyone I am 47. My husband reminded me I am 46. Don't you love how the 40's are so less, well, self-conscious? I have to say I come from such different motives on losing weight than I would have had I banded in my younger years. Now it is more about being able to carry in groceries without ADVIL than it is having some stranger think I am pretty. So much freedom in that! (tho I still love looking at my body get smaller, by golly). All in All, I am loving getting older - my focus seems less on "what do I need and how do I look", and more about, "what do you need and How can I help?" Feels nice. I was getting very sick of ME! LOL. How are you liking being older? Would you go back to being in your 20's? Has what is important to you changed?

I have about a week long sweet-tooth response only after taking narcotics. If you took them for pain, maybe that added to it. I love the fat free pudding for a fix, or ff yougurt with a scoop of Unjury unflavored protein in it. It makes it creamy, delicious and adds 20 grams of protein!

Hey Tina! I am in Virginia (grew up in Bethesda). Nice to connect with another "local". I watched clips from the expo on the news. It sounds like a great event... it seems to get better every year. Love to see the pics and tips!

"Waiting is the hardest Part" Love the title for your post. Put me in a Tom Petty Reverie.... I shortened the process by paying for it myself. It has helped me to appreciate it a lot, but I don't think that means that if you do it thru insurance you appreciate it less. I am just so impatient! Oh, no problems with instant gratification here! hah hah. GOOD LUCK!

Love to! I sent you an email about a CD and stuff I can send you. It's all free. www.thework.com has a bunch of free tools for doing the work, too.

Nice to hear from you , Tex! Yeah, I can relate. I have lost sizes, feel great and all the rest. I just need a little out of the band so I can get off soft foods and have more choices. I am realizing how even slight overfilling is not good. So glad to find u and this thread. I think we will be glad on the slow in the end...! I have the APband. Have no idea how much is in it. I think 6cc?

I love the open talk about our addictions. I have been in recovery for years prior to my banding last fall. I am glad, as I had to really work on the "head" stuff first. And the 4th step has nothing to do with amends - that is the 8th and 9th step for newbies. The 4th step is making a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. I LOVE THIS STEP. Following the Big books suggestions of areas to address, I used "THE WORK OF BYRON KATIE" and worked on resentments, money, sex, and more... I worked this step before without using "The Work' and relapsed and relapsed. It is not a tool for everyone, but even our local VA Hospital treatment center uses it to work the steps of AA with their addiction patients. Boy, there is no question for me that "taking away" that last "medication" - food - helped me to bump up against the character defects (which is simply confusion in my experience) that were left and being "eaten" instead of looked at. It is really a gift, but I would not have been able to do this before working a SOLID 4th Step. I use the 10th step as a daily inventory, and to work any resentments that have risen on a daily basis, NO MATTER HOW SMALL, and use "The Work" to see "the truth" about it and it disolves into love. And then there are days I want to eat the house, think that an IV of Xanax would be great, and yell at people in traffic. And so it goes, and what a wonderful journey. :smile:LOVE TO ALL OF YOU, SOBER OR NOT. I LOVE BEING CONNECTED TO YOU HERE!

I just joined this thread, too. Boy it really is helpful. I started at BMI 39 and was Banded on Sept. 11, 2007. I am a little overfilled, so gonna have a tiny bit taken out, but still losing. I was baffled at first, too, seeing people drop 50 pounds right away, and it is great hearing other lower BMIs describe gradual weight loss. Thanks for letting me in! Lisa

Thanks for all your lists! Wonderful!!! This subject, it really helped me think, is this something I really want to do or is it me just seeking approval and appreciation again, or is my soul really calling to this? Scratched a LOT of stuff off as a result, hahahaha. Here are my 3. 1. Snorkel naked with my beautiful husband in deserted warm crystal blue waters. {remaining post censored!} 2. sleep under the stars at the Temple at Delphi in Greece in complete silence. 3. Live for awhile, with nothing, in the Peruvian Rain Forest with an old, wise Curandero and learn his ancient arts - and spend some time alone in the canopy, watching.

oh, posted before I saw your post. 5 hours is better than an airplane. I had a 38 BMI and they did mine. Co-morbidity was Cholesterol (like who doesn' have either high chol. or BP - usually one of those is all it takes.. I am sorta surprised, you being self pay)