Dody

You are beautiful DeCarla. You have a lot going for you. I'm so glad you had a great time and won that award. What an awesome feeling that must have been.

I've never heard of non-adjustable banding. The purpose of the band is to get fills put in it to decrease the size of the pouch. Usually when the lap band is put on it isn't filled until a few weeks later (depends on the doctors). Where did you hear about a band that didn't have to be adjusted? I've heard of people that didn't require fills, but never a band that wasn't adjustable. I don't think there is any such animal yet designed....what was your source. I'm sorry I don't know this doctor but perhaps someone else on here knows something about him. I'm on the other side of the country. Best wishes and place let me know where you heard about this band?

I have cable too and the same thing is happening. Glad I'm not alone. Frustrating to say the least.

Leener, so sorry you are having these problems. I have had to wait 3 mo to clear up an ulcer before they would even consider surgery. Did you have an upper GI before banding? You poor thing. I didn't even know you could swallow Prevecid capsules this soon after banding. I have a lot to learn. Sure hope you feel better soon. Is someone with you? I sure hope so. It's hard to be alone and hurting. Get better soon.

God Bless and Good Vibes going your way for Emily. I hope everything will be just fine for you and your family. I know what it's like to have someone in the hospital like that. When my daughter was 15 she was in a horrible automobile accident in which her boyfriend was killed and she was in intensive care for 2 mo. It is exhausting for everyone involved. God will watch over you all.

I had a major heart attack and bypass surgery. That is the only response I'm giving. It is pure, unadulterated speed and I'm glad they took it off the market. I should have known better than to have taken the risk.

If you were banded in Alabama and live there, doesn't the dr. who banded you take care of fills as well as surgery? I'm just curious why you are looking for a fill dr. Wow, that is one thing you should have lined up before your surgery I would think. I would run a google check on lap band doctors in that area and see what you come up with, call them, and see if they will do fills for another dr. Some will and a lot won't. Good luck.

Does anyone else have pain in their feet when walking? I didn't used to have painful feet until I gained weight. They simply hurt from top to bottom when I'm walking and if I get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom I have all I can do just to get them to move very painfully. I don't hear many people mention their feet, so perhaps this isn't a major problem for lots of you. I went to Walmart today to get groceries and I have the sorest dogone feet you can even imagine. I didn't think I was going to get all my groceries in the house. Anyone else have problems??? I've seen foot doctors in the past and had shots in them that really didn't last long. I have a neuroma in the sole of one foot, but that has been there a long time (surgically removed twice and came back), but my feet hurt ALL over and I mean from top to bottom. Is is weight? Do you think the lap banding will cure the problem? I always wear really good walking shoes, but nothing helps. My poor dog hasen't had a good walk in so long he forgets what it's like and I feel so guilty but I just can't go around the block with him. My heart dr. asks me how I am when I see him and I just tell him my feet hurt...he just laughs and says "not my speciality". Aside from my feet I don't suffer from any other problems that seem to disable me.

Welcome to LBT. What part of Tennessee are you from. I'm going to have my surgery done in Tennessee within a couple of months (I hope). I'm going there pretty soon to stay with my daughter and son-in-law.

New Balance probably makes the best walking shoe on the market. It was highly recommended to me by 3 different doctors who deal with foot problems. It definitely gives you more toe room, which I need. I also love my Crocs (and they were defined as butt ugly by one poster, and they are) but they are comfort to the max. A lot of nurses and professionals that are on their feet all day are wearing crocs...and talk about toe room. You look a little like Sasquatch with the shape of the shoes, but who cares if you are comfortable. They are really becoming a big thing, but beware of immitations. They are just not comfortable. You can order Crocs or take a look at them at Zappos.com. I have just about every color in both metros and sandals. You might want to give them a try. They are just a little like walking on a pillow..........ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. I have sore feet anyway and nothing will prevent that if I have to be on them for any length of time, but the Crocs sure help to some extent. Yesterday was a bad day for the old "dogs". I had to do Walmart and nothing prepares me for that. Worse yet I wore a pair of Ryka's, which are also excellent, but were new. Not a good time to try out a new shoe. Still shuffling around today with pain.

I imagine you are having those dreaded gas pains you have to just walk off. I've heard they go away pretty quickly. Thanks for clearing up the Christophen Walken story. Everytime I see your post I think...I know that guy, and then I remembered where I knew the name from. I remember it even more clearly now.

I don't have an answer to your question (wish I did), but rather a question of my own. Isn't Christopher Walken the actor that was on board the boat with Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood the night she drowned? Wasn't he her co-star at that time in something? Poor Natalie, there was so much more to that story than will ever be known of that I'm sure. Hope you do well in your recovery.

On a trip home from seeing my daughter (and I was much thinner 4 years ago) I sat next to a man that probably weighed a good 375 lbs. I have to admit I was crowded, but would hate to see anyone have to buy two seats. They gave this man 2 seat belt extenders and it worked. The airline may work with you on this. At the time I wasn't real happy because my fast was crushed against the window a good bit of the time, but I also understood his circumstances and how much seating costs in the first place. I have no experience with a scooter, but because of my feet I always have a wheelchair waiting everywhere I have a stopover and at my destination. The airline does this free of charge if you ask. You probably would have to store the scooter underneath in an aircraft anyway, as I think it would be much too big for carry on and overhead storage. Were you actually planning on taking the scooter on the plane in the overhead storage? It seems impossible. Why not just order a wheelchair for your trip and store your scooter till you arrive at your destination. Airlines go out of their way to meet travelers wishes and needs. Good luck to you.

Archermom, I've tried having my feet taped, also paid a fortune for orthodic inserts, nothing has helped. I'm wearing New Balance shoes which were recommended by my dr. I do have plantar faschiitis for sure and I know it, but it seems incurable. I also have a neuroma in the ball of my foot and my heels are killing me. I've had a number of injections that only work for a few days. I've tried everything possible, but just wanted to see if anyone else suffered with sore feet. I'm convinced with some weight off I'll feel better. I also might not be so short of breath if I take some weight off. I was worried it was my heart, but it isn't. I think my cardiologist was just too kind to say "you're too chubby". He is so thrilled I don't smoke anymore that he would prefer I be fat...what a trade-off.

Welcome to the forum with the coolest and nicest people anywhere around. Sounds like you are doing great and 20 lbs. seems awesome to me. I hope to get to join the banded bunch in a mo. or so, but meanwhile I just kind of hang around and take it all in and let it all out.

Not that I would ever wish anyone this horrible foot pain, but I can see I'm not alone and that in itself is one of the reasons I come here....so I can learn and ask. I guess I knew it was the weight I had gained, but just didn't want to face up to it. I've been checked out for other problems, but my foot dr. has never kindly said "it is the weight". I'm so sorry for all of you that go through this. I can't wait to be on the way to a healthier life and these feet are one of the major reasons I wanted the lap banding. Apparently I sure can't do it on my own because at Walmart these darned Peanut Butter eggs kept trying to find their way into my cart....had to beat them off My weakness is chocolate. It will always make me feel better, but I think in this case it has added to my pain. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with me. I didn't want to take one of those cart things because I always feel that really, really handicapped people should be in them....like people on walkers and amputees. Besides I would get no excercise if I give in to these demons and stay off my feet. I may never get up again. Thanks all.

After my depression and stress of yesterday finding out my surgery was postponed because of Medicare's new rules I decided to pay for it myself. I really didn't feel I should have too, because I am covered, but such is life. Just when I had resigned myself to the fact I'm doing this for me and paying for it, my daughter calls with the news that she has contacted Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville (which is a Center Of Excellence) and arranged a seminar and meeting with a lap-banding surgeon on Apr. 25 and 26 for me...seminar on the 25. What a kid...she knows all the right people, but then she is a nurse herself. They accept Medicare and I have all my paperwork so they called me today and said "come on down". I'm so thrilled just thinking Vanderbilt...like this is state of the art and more. God always comes through in some way, shape or form if you pray enough, and no one will ever tell me any different. Last night I just handed the whole mess to him and told him it's in your hands now, and today a wonderful phone call from a great hospital (one of the top 10 in the world) and once again my hopes are up. I can afford the surgery, but I could also do so much for my kids with the money if I didn't have to pay for it. One of my daughter's badly needs a second car and I'd love to get her one. Fortunately, she isn't proud she will gladly accept it. I would love to put more in my grandkid's college funds and lots of other things. I felt very selfish paying for a surgery for myself when there was so much else I could do with the money. God works in mysterious ways. You just need to have faith that he will come through for you. Today is much brighter. Dody

I was told to bring any medications I take before bedtime and take them as I normally would. What would be the point in running a test without them, when I would be using them at home. They also told me to feel free to take my Xanax. No one ever mentioned my test results would not come out right, and in fact I'm on 14 cm of C-pap and doing great on it. I wouldn't be without it. Someone has you misinformed. You should take your normal meds.

Although Lamisil is labeled as an anti-fungal and good for things like athletete's feet it is excellent for skin rashes and yeast rashes also. It also takes all the itching away, which I've never found Benadryl to do.

When I went for my sleep study there was a young woman in the next room. She had brought her hubby with her as she was scared. They brought in a cot and let him sleep in there with her. I'm sure that made her feel much better. Saw her the next morning in the elevator and she said she had slept wonderfully. That made two of us. Not sure, but I never had these oxygen prongs in my nose at any time....all hospitals must do it a little differently. If you are truly worried ask if you can bring a family member or your hubby or significant other. You have to make sure that you are tired and no nap that day and will fall asleep though...or the nurses will probably make them leave. Good luck to you. Hospital do must everything to accommodate people these days. There is absolutely nothing to be afraid of.

This new ruling by Medicare is just one roadblock, but we can and will get around it with perseverence and God's help. Stay strong and find that hospital. There are many of them. It's just a matter of if they take Medicare or not. Good luck to you.

I should be a commercial for Lamisil. I think it is the best thing for rashes and itching since sliced bread. You can get over the counter prescription strength, and I will vouch IT IS AWESOME. It is one thing I am NEVER without in the house. This is a cream. I worry a little about Benadryl...I think it's over-rated and it also can make a person tired, unlike Lamisil which will get rid of the itch and clear it up altogether. Give it a try.

Hey Susan we probably went to the same counselor, because I went over in Meridian....corner of Eagle Road and I think Franklin I think. I've already forgotten the guy's name, but I took a lot of computer tests....yawn. I guess I said and did all the right things because he wrote my physican a glowing letter recommending me for the surgery. He was a nice guy. We talked about kids, dogs, you name it. He made me feel right at home. I was leary of going, but I truly liked the guy, especially since he passed me

They are supposed to be listed at Obesity.com, but I got my info from my daughter who is in Tennessee. There is going to be a huge shortage of lap banding for Medicare patients with this new rule. If you don't get into a state of the art hospital Medicare won't pay a dime. If Obesity.com doesn't list them I would run a google on Center of Excellence or State of Excellence Hospitals and see what I came up with. I'm just lucky I have a very persistent daughter.

Susan wouldn't let me piggy back on her I should have asked you. Packing me around would surely drop the pounds. Thanks for the well wishes.