Victoriana

I've read that some people have named thier bands, I want to also but I need inspiration. Everything I think of sounds like a movie, ie Godfather, Rocky etc. What do you guys call yours? I feel like Im naming a kid or something.

It seems like I better wait before I name mine as I have not had a fill yet and aparently these things can get nasty sometimes. I have noticed that Ive lost my appetite for Choclate and Im mortified. I used to think that it was a food group all by itself and now Im not so fastenated. I didnt expect that so I want to wait till a get a fill as I dont know if mine will be bipoar babe or Jack the Ripper (no offense Jack OK?) maybe something like Pistol Pete...I dont know. I like sil acon Ha, good job, Pandora ya thats good too.

Mollyjolly, The correct Starbucks I believe is on the North side of Bell Square, next to Sees Candy and west of Cost Plus Imports. Its on the North side of N.E. 8th St. Im not sure where the one is that your are referring to, I don't go to Bell Square that often. I really appreciate metting with everyone live and in living color. I love to laugh, I hope to be able to contain myself so as not to embarrass everyone. This is the season for Joy! Dont worry though, Im not like a WOOO HOOO morning person so I should be fine.

Mollyjolly, The correct Starbucks I believe is on the North side of Bell Square, next to Sees Candy and west of Cost Plus Imports. Its on the North side of N.E. 8th St. Im not sure where the one is that your are referring to, I don't go to Bell Square that often. I really appreciate metting with everyone live and in living color. I love to laugh, I hope to be able to contain myself so as not to embarrass everyone. This is the season for Joy! Dont worry though, Im not like a WOOO HOOO morning person so I should be fine.

Thanks firewheel, I like the initials. Sounds like a painfull lady! I probably wouldnt have any knuckles left,( I talked too much)!

WoooHooo! Your an inspiration to us newbies!

Oncewhen I was under extream stress I developed a spasm in my esophogus and needed a muscle relaxer for about a month. I did feel like I couldnt swallow. It sort of felt tight but more like I could not finish the swallow process, like the last half didnt work. Are you under a lot of stress?

I had a sore tummy and gas pains, The sholder pain came about 1 week later for me somehow. I had a Rx to get filled on the way home. it was liquid something. I sleept like crazy the first week and I didnt have my head on straight, sort of confused, I attribute that to the meds. It did take me a lot longer to get ready to go out as bending over was not good.(I have to dry my hair like that) A week out I would tire easy and require naps, probably from not eating as much. I was banded on 11-28-05, eleven days ago.

Thank you for your post. I hope you dont get the idea that we are anti anything but the band, we are mostly pro band. I appreciate knowing that there is another option after banding and that none of us can take for granted that we are truly blessed to have the choice. I was very glad to hear that you do not have the dumping problem. I supliment even though Im banded, but I have always used supliments anyway. I appreciate your courage for pressing through for victory over weight. I just might need to do this in the future so Thanks again.

I took a second mortgage for part of my payment. Insurance didnt cover as much as I wished

The overall mortality rate for both stapling and bypassing was to high for me. The people I know with bypasses have begun to gain thier weight back after 5 years. I also dont like the malabsorbsion problems. That is the most serious long term problem between the two. The skin has a chance to compact better with the band, I like wings that flap on angels, birds and bugs, not on me.

Im happy to hear your doing better and better, continue to take good care of yourself, Iwish you all the best moving forward.

I felt like part of my life was ending. Yet happy about it and intrepid. Could this be real? Isn't it a little drastic? Did I pray about this with an open mind or did I answer my own prayers with wishfull thinking? Can I rewind a little? I began to eat like there was no tomorrow. Like I never did before, there was this shadow of justification that it was my last meal before execution. I think it is absolutly normal to have mixed emotions. The week I was approved I was giddy really silly and euphoric then 2 days prior (to banding) my mood shifted to sort of a quiet somberness. I closet ate M&M's etc. Then the morning of, it was so matter of fact. My brilliant husband was there cheering me on, He wants me around for old age. It was definately the right choice. You are not alone!

I think there is something really wrong here. Did anyone ever have you sign anything? I dont think you are legally bound. I have never heard of such an outrageous fee for any changes that aren't already scheduled. I think someone in the office is putting thier hands into the cash drawer. If you wern't informed about this before, and havent signed anything, sounds like smoke and mirrors here. Do you think they would change their toon if they knew that an international message board has been airing thier dirty laundry?

When traveling to the islands or anywhere for that matter, If you arent a regular visitor you may have an experience with runs or food sickness that makes you vomit. I would wait till after surgery so as not to risk these things. The water change can do this or eating fresh local salad. Even if you eat in clean looking restasuranuts you can run into trouble as you cant see bacteria. I think you would want to start off on the right foot and not risk it, let your new band settle in and heal properly. You wouldn want to be stuck in your hotel room driving the porciline buss. My hubby in Cancun... never mind, it isnt a very pretty picture.

Dear fiveholtz, I am so sorry you hd to listen to the dribble of those "church gals". Going to church doesnt make you a christian any more than standing in a garage makes me an automobile. I learned through my faith that I was precious. My heavenly father actually sings over me. He had plans for me since before the foundations of the world were laid. He does more for me that I could ever do formyself. You must realize that your life is precious, just look at your children. I became morbidly obese in spite of a healty self image, I just didnt see myself, my body image was and still is distorted. I want to be healthy, I was banded very recently. I dont know what place you are in, Banded, not banded etc. but the first step for me was to realize just how unhealty I really am. When I consulted the Northwest Weightloss Surgery center they had me go through a Phych eval, sleep study, nutritional consultation, and a visit to my pcp and cardiologist. I learned a great deal about myself and my health, ie needing a c-pap machine etc. I felt good just because I started to take care of myself. The banding is the tool that will enable me to become more healthy. The other thing I kept hearing people say was "take care of yourself first, then you can better care for the others in your life" and now I believe them. I dont know where you are as far as faith is concerned, I visit a websight regularly to remind myself of how loved I really am. It brings me to tears of Joy everytime. If you dont mind my sharing with you Its called http://www.fathersloveletter.com/ and click on the watch button. Remember you are loved.

P.S. I would also ask them if they are ready to take responsibility for any future health issues or even death since you have had a Dr. request this procedure for you and They denied it.

Im glad you are not intimadated by them after your insurance primiums pay thier payroll, They work for you when you look at it this way. I would call the insurance commissioner of you state and ask them how to handle an Insurance Co. that doesnt follow due procedure, You might get approved because they broke the law for not following documented procedures. Very biased and illegal. They may have just opened the door completely foryou on just this one issue.

I had to have copies for each visit to my Dr. showing weight and chart notes for at least six months prior to approval. Some Dr. prescribe weightwatchers, some zone,some atkins etc. I also provided reciepts (Just for added push) of the same months that I went to Curves. Some insurances are real sticklers. I had Great West.(Health One Plus).

Could the fact that you were a little nervous influenced your tummy? Relax, I think that if he doesnt stay interested then he was the one who losses out, Right? You sound sweet, and maybe your next date can be a do something date not a sit at a table date. Who wouldnt want to date a woman who is taking very good care of herself! Your belief in yourself makes you the good catch!

O by the way, there is a link on that website that directs you to the Today Show program that aired recently, very informative.

Dear Velvet Kiss, I think the clinic I used is outatanding. I do know that the total charge is 18,500 as of today(I heard this in the office). Please review thier websight at www.thelapband.com for more of thier info, These 2 DR.s are proctors and This charge covers the first full year of follow up fills and unfills. The clinic has many staff workers there that hve been banded by Dr. Watkins and Dr.Montgomery and I think that speaks volumns about thier professionallism. We are just a little north of Oregon, Everett WA.

I still have pain meds at least once a day so far,,,Here is what I did today. I rushed out this morning late as I didnt know that getting ready nstuff would take as long as it did. I rushed to Starbucks!! I started looking intently into most gals eyes and they were all polite and smiled,,,I couldnt see one person that looked like anyones pictures so I sat down and sipped slowly my coffee. I began to wonder how so many gals could miss such a nice morning coffee clutch. Then a strange feellling crossed my mind, Did I have my dates wrong? Check the Daytimer..Yup Im not early or late Just by about a couple of weeks!!! Gadfrey whats up with this? Did a get a brain band as well? Did starvation do this to me? I dunno all I know is that I had a nice late, went to Sees candy for stocking stuffers(honest) and then went to my first post of visit. It went well, so now I wlll see everyone one the 21st! .. Be kind to me okay?

DiSanders, I agree that you had a tube too its sop. he he Drink lots of water, it will help move the residue of anesthesia out of your lungs, its necessary and dont be surprised if there any old blood in your spitum. Breath deeply as you can every once in a while and be prepared for that to stimulate a cough. Were you sent home with a breathing apparatus that measures your out or in flow? I got mine before surgery and was instructed how to use it.

I have just prayed for your brother, Jesus knows who he is, Father God, in the name of Jesus I ask for a creation miracle ot occur in his ear, create clean new cells and new hearing system. Please glorify you son in this healing, If our needs dont include You, then we wouldnt have a miracle. We ask for this gift at Christmastime the true giver of all gifts. We want the whole world to know of your Divine power and mercy. We thank you that you are a great God of compassion and love, and thank you that we can come to your throne bearing our burdens and leave them there. I the Mighty name Jesus, Amen.