mypov

Thank you all. I will be very clear and make absolutely sure that EVERYone knows of my concern. I will also make sure my husband and mother (who will be there by my side in recovery) know of the issues and make sure they are making sure people are attending to me while in recovery. I know it would be best if I was tested, but I honestly have no way to pay for it right now- and I would think they should still take those precautions either way. As far as the narcotics, what kind is generally used and for how long? I wonder if anyone gets by post-op on tylenol alone or something?

Thanks for the info maudeispam, I will tell my surgeon thats what I want. I definitely want to play it safe!

AngelaT, I am getting it done about an 1 1/2 hr drive from home. I considered Mexico but the travel expenses, child care while gone and/or time off work for hubby to help out everytime I went for a fill would be too much. There is only one dr. locally who would do a fill for people banded out of state and his prices are ridiculous. So financially this is the best deal for me...especially given all that's included the first year. Thanks for the thought though! I appreciate it!

Hi all, I have a few days off from college and its giving me time to think. Thinking for me=worrying.:paranoid Here's the deal- I am doing self pay for surgery. I am financing the exact amount and paying it back at $500/month for 2 years. I hope to pay it off a little sooner with our tax returns. $500/month is a lot for our family, basically everything we have above our monthly needs. The amount I pay covers everything, including fills and any complications for the first year. Right now my husband and I have no health insurance as its simply too costly through his work and of course, due to my health problems I can't get approved through individual means. I need to lose weight as my health is declining fast- but basically I need everything to go as planned as I can't afford anything extra, especially after this first year. I know there is a risk of problems but with the health problems I'm already having, I am guaranteed to have problems if I remain at this weight......I guess I'm just looking for a little reassurance that I'm doing the right thing.....Any thoughts?

Thanks so much for all the replies! I guess I didn't factor in the ways we'd be saving money.....I also realized that after I lose weight I will be able to buy individual insurance which will also save us money. I guess I was just worried about going into this knowing I don't have many "just in case" money reserves....least since I'm a student we're not losing any pay during this whole thing since we live off hubby's job alone right now. Thanks everyone for the encouragement!

I too have had success with weight watchers in the past, but of course, if you quit using the program, you quit losing the weight- I always tapered off and found more than I lost eventually. I would like to have a structured plan like weight watchers after being banded- but the local chapter here is EXTREMELY anti-WLS. They've done "lessons" on it and everything, tell you all about how unhealthy it is blah blah blah. Not to mention the two elderly ladies who run it have been there for like 15 years and ALWAYS remember you so anonymity is impossible in my town So I have some concerns. First- If i'm extremely successful with weight loss because of the band and they don't know about my band, I will feel a little ....hmm...sneaky? I guess you could say. The other thing I wonder about is that you start with higher points and move to lesser as you lost weight so you in theory don't slow your metabolism and have gradual but steady weight loss. But even at the lower point levels there MAY be times when I couldn't get UP to the amount of points they want you to have in a day unless I ate really unhealthy foods. So i don't know that I'd really be following it at all.... Anyway just MY concerns :grouphug:

Hi! I originally was going to finance through carecredit at carecredit.com. They do financing for medical procedures. The rates are quite reasonable. There are options from 3 months financing or all the way up to 5 years if I remember correctly. I ended up getting only approved for 1/2 the amount because of my credit history. So now I'm doing financing through my parents. 0% interest for 2 years and reasonable grace period of 15 day lol. No seriously I had to sign a contract with them! Anyway, I would look into carecredit along with the other things people suggest. Good luck!!

Anyone have or had Acanthosis nigricans? That's the technical name for the dark velvety patches/areas of skin you can get when you have insulin problems and/or are overweight. My biggest problem area is in a line on the back of my neck and it looks like my neck is dirty all the time. Unfortunately you can't just wash it away though....I am really hoping this issue is reversible.....anyone know?

Ok so I'm getting the band in a few months. I guess my main concern is that my doc recommends eating 3 small meals a day and no snacking in between. However, whenever I go awhile without food, I start feeling really sick- lightheaded, dizzy, clammy, weak-- and then I my stomach feels like it drops and I dry heave (TMI, I know). I'm really worried that I will have that problem if I'm not eating much after the banding and I've read alot about how throwing up can cause the band to slip. Should I be worried? Or will I usually still have something in my stomach to keep me from having what I assume is the effects of low blood sugar(which actually my dr. said can't be right since I have insulin resistance and high blood sugar). Anyone know? THanks!!

Thanks, that really helps alot. I think mb i will have to spread it out a little more than just 3 meals a day, if i have problems anyway. I'm soooooo excited but of course a little nervous too!!

Hey all you banded experts! I have almost 3 months ahead before my scheduled surgery because I had to do it between college semesters. I am sitting here twittling(sp?) my thumbs and wondering what I can be doing now to prepare physically and emotionally for the surgery. I have just started seeing a therapist because from my past experiences with weight loss I do know that as each pound came off, I felt more and more vulnerable and I think Ive subconciously sabatoged each past effort. I also KNOW I have low self esteem. I also am wondering what physical preparation I need to make. What items should I have on hand (a blender? Protein powders?) by the time surgery day rolls around. How do I prepare my family members for the "new" me....especially hubby. He's a bit overweight as well and I'll admit I'm his partner in bingeing sometimes. I want the lap band to be a new life for me and my family- I want to succeed!!!! So where do I start and what do I do to prepare????? THANKS ALL!!

THanks Mysherrijo for the thread on what items to have! I'm going to have to make a list :confused: Anyone else have advice? What did you do or WISH you had done emotionally/physically to prepare for the lap band? How do I prepare my family for the fact that I'm going to change?

Hello All, This is my first time posting though I've been a lurker for months. I am planning to be banded in January, so still a little ways off. I have been diagnosed with Insulin Resistance and PCOS for 5 years now. I take 500mg 2x daily for the Insulin Resistance and while initially I lost 20 lbs with the meds it has since come back plus some. Its barely keeping the Diabetes away at this point, my blood sugar levels are just barely in the safe zone. Anyway I've always been told that its really hard to lose weight with these conditions and whether or not its been the power of that suggestion I have certainly had trouble doing anything but gaining over the last several years. So, I'm really nervous that I will be that one the band fails for. Anyone had success despite a diagnosis of IR or PCOS? Thanks in Advance!