kgloverii

The best place to buy Miralax is at the warehouse clubs. They have a 60 day supply (while lasts me about 120) for $27.74 at Costco, and they currently have a $6 off coupon there too... That makes it affordable.

Just make sure if you are using them, you have been denied for something other than WLS being an exclusion on your policy. If you have an exclusion on your policy for WLS, that is REALLY cut and dried and nothing a lawyer can help you with. You can appeal that until you're blue in the face and all you will have is a lot of wasted time.

Go to the FAQ section for newbies.... you will get a good description of the Lap-Band procedure and all of the things that go along with it, including fills.

Ortiz is also a goods option. Any of the above-mentioned doctors are perfectly competent. All of the above doctors are very highly regarded and you will be in good hands.

Gastric bypass is a MUCH more invasive surgery than Lap-Band and some docs in MX have been doing it for much longer than American doctors. You must do your research though, and not pick some guy because of price... A really low price means they are cutting corners somewhere, and cutting corners somewhere is NOT something you want to do with your health...

I have the Salter Vision... It is digital and I LOVE it. It is always right on the moolah.

I think you should DEFINITELY make the appt for Sunday. I completely understand wanting to maintain a tight band, because I do, as well, however my perspective is that you are a BIT too tight anyway. You're relying too much on nutrition from some Slim-fast shakes and that is 'fake nutrition' and 'fake vitamins' vs. real nutrition from real sources, JMHO. I got too the tight point that you were at and that tightness out of control... I ended up having to have an emergency unfill, and my doc was very concerned I had a slip. I'd go on Sunday and get a tiny bit taken out. It will definetely be in your best interest.

Miralax... Non-addictive, safe to use everyday, forever. A lot of people use regular laxatives, but those are unsafe for long-term use and may create dependency. Miralax does not create that dependency. I mix it in with my morning coffee (or hot drink if you're not allowed coffee) it has no taste or thickening properties... Highly recommend.

This is not for the faint of heart... and it is definitely a move for after you've lost some of your weight... I do this move in the AM when I wake up. I slide myself backwards off the side of the couch till I am head down and put myself into a headstand. My legs go all the way up, and then I point them forward as pictured here. I will hold this move for a couple minutes, and can feel my muscles loosen through my legs and back. I also do this move if I have back pain from being stuck. I'll start by having my back curved over the back of the couch and hold the curve. You can feel the loosening of the muscles and food. Then I'll complete the move as above... Just wanted to share, cause it is a GREAT way I start my morning and I always feel super refreshed... And DON'T LAUGH at my awkwardness! :biggrin:

Post-op, before you are properly restricted, you will probably be able to eat your Subway without issue. Depending on how restricted you choose to be, you may or may not choose to continue to eat them as you continue on your journey. I prefer a tighter band. Therefore, bread is NOT my friend. But that is OK to me and I don't miss the Subway. I would miss my size 6 jeans far more. If I want Subway, I can get a sub made as a salad for the taste. But it would go to waste cause I don't eat much. I prefer the $2 Sammies from Quizno's. I eat the insides and one bite of the pita and am perfectly satisfied.

Ummm.. mine hung a little low too, but a push up bra with a little foam fixes everything. I also had two girls who nursed, so I understand, completely. Everyone is different... but mine are not really that bad. A bra fixes any sag you have... :thumbup:

Woo hoo! CONGRATS!!!

I got into a car accident and my band got SUPER tight. Don't know if it was the stress, or what. The upper GI came out FINE, but it definitely got crazy tight. And unfill fixed it for me.

If your head is still wanting more, you're not quite to the sweet spot YET. I knew it, when I was because my brain literally was REWIRED. Seriously. I STOPPED thinking about food and grazing, I started 'thinking like a normal person' and literally had a breakdown over it, cause I was so happy. A tiny fill might get you to that point. My philosophy is to WORK THE BAND.

I thought that too, so that is why I originally stayed out of the thread. I said, "We have a real nutjob here... there is no helping this one..." LOL but if they are like Cheetos, dear... They are divine. They are total slider, but I do indulge occasionally... in moderation. And the flamin Cheetos... God's gift to junk food!

Try hot liquids to see if it will loosen it. You might just be way too tight. If you aren't loosened by mid-day, I'd be high-tailing it to my doc for an unfill.

Becky, My saying is "The Band is a fickle, fickle thing." Embrace its fickleness cause you will be dealing with this for the REST OF YOUR LIFE. What makes it fickle? Stress, hormones, dehydration, Water retention, stomach inflammation, weather, altitude changes, humidity changes, and... it has a mind of its own. Honestly. Some days my band is weird just because IT CAN BE. LOL. That is a veteran's insight. I wish I had a magic answer for you, but that is as good as it gets!

You will not have ANY restriction post-op. This is normal. Once healed, you will have a regular appetite. This time is referred to as Bandster Hell. you need to count calories and stay around 1200 per day until you get the right restriction and can make your band start working for you.

There are some guys who do the band out of Emmanuel Medical Center for your price, but they are less than fully competent, as far as statistics and certifications are concerned. And for that price, you will probably NOT receive an FDA approved band, but rather a French or Swedish band, which will complicate your aftercare significantly. Also, you must research where you will be getting aftercare post-surgery and the cost involved. If the cost is that much of a factor, how are you going to afford fills? You must expect at least 4 fills until you get proper restriction, and that does not include unfills or other follow-up you will undoubtedly need post-op. These are all considerations you should be taking into account. Hope that helps.

I lost my boobies. Went from a 40DD to a 36C. But I don't regret it, for a MINUTE! Love my deflated boobies with the good bra!

Beth, I am coming at this from a couple perspectives. First, my DH is a FREAKING RAIL that can eat a HORSE and manage to maintain his 145 pounds on his 6'5" figure (if that's what you like to call it). His relationship with food is: if it stops moving, he will eat it, and he HAS TO EAT IT because he's hungry all the time. We go out to dinner, and he's going through the drive-through after dinner cause he's still hungry. This relationship with food he has, was perfect for me pre-band because I was hungry all of the time too. But, when I ate that extra dessert, it instantly became glued to my fat thighs. My relationship with food has changed dramatically. I don't think about it much, and when I do, I think I want the GOOD stuff. I am very picky about what I eat now. I want the good stuff. When we go out, I want to eat GOOD food, not waste my tiny stomach on a $1 burger. We eat better now. I plan the foods, I cook, I pick where we go. DH figures he's along for the ride, and as long as he's eating, he doesn't care. He brings home the crap food. The danishes, the cupcakes, etc. I am to the sweet spot now, and that doesn't tempt me. He thinks I look hot and knows he could put a costco carrot cake in front of me (the best cake in the WORLD, and it has all of the major food groups too!), and it does not bother me. I'll take a nibble, but he'd better find a big group of people to eat it, or else it will go to waste. I exercise, he doesn't. I don't care. Whatever. I figure as PP's have said, he'll come around. He likes to hang out with me, and doesn't want to be left at home alone. The second perspective I have, is from a couple whom I am very close to. The woman is having gastric bypass, and the man is not. They are both VERY overweight. She has not demonstrated compliance with her pre-op diet and has gained. This has put her surgery on hold. This is very worrisome for the man, who wants her to succeed, but wants to see long term viability for the surgery. She plays stupid and says she doesn't know HOW she gained the weight. Then, he requests for her to wait 2 months to have her surgery so that he can take the appropriate time off work to care for her and their children and she thinks he is being selfish for making her wait. He is trying to be supportive to her, but she's getting all diva on him, blaming him for lack of support. Their whole relationship is based on FOOD right now. I am SCARED for their relationship, and to see what happens when she does have this surgery. I mean, he's still going to have his food issues, and she's going to have different food issues. It is a big mess for them, I can feel it. The whole dynamic of the relationship will change. And I am not sure it will be for the better. Now, I told you these stories NOT so that you draw parallels to your situation from these. I was giving you background so you can see where I get MY perspective from. Your husband is going to take time to get where he needs to be. And his relationship with food is different. And it will continue to be. So, realize this is going to play a part in the relationship and always will. Your relationship will have to be redefined. Work on finding something else to bond over that is not food or diet or health related. And, if he wants to go out to dinner, go.... and have fun. Just enjoy the control the band gives you. I am a total foodie, even MORESO after the band. I LOVE GOOD FOOD. And I love going out to eat. I just make different choices now, and always have a doggie bag to take home. You're still new in this journey. Keep the lines of communication with your husband open, and know that a lot of things will work themselves out. You are in the process of changing, not just on the outside, but on the inside too. So while you're changing, he's going to have to refigure out the new you, over and over. Just be patient. :smile:

Tyler, also try the downward dog position. It is a yoga move. Start on your knees and go up into the position and hold for a minute or so. Then if you do not feel relief, try it one more time. If worst comes to worst, a hot shower sometimes loosens my back muscles so that the horrible pain goes away. I let the hot water run on my back, and on my stomach (where the band is) and sometimes that heat releases a bit of pressure. HTH!

Jaime, My heart is with you in this difficult time. I am terribly sorry for your loss. Sending you many prayers for peace during this time of mourning.

The only way I used to be able to 'cheat' was by drinking. I could FEEL the food wash through the band. But I am tight enough now that drinking and eating simultaneously is like voluntarily placing myself in Hell. so, I choose to not cheat. :thumbup: