Long2BFree

I would start by talking to a doctor who does banding. I bet your insurance rates would be very high. Sorry I can't really offer much in the way of advice.

I'm not sure exactly what it is, but I have a co-worker who smoked like a train.... it was so much that I could smell him in my office building even before I could see him. He had to go in for an operation and I was surprised to see him on the day he was supposed to be having it. He told me that one of his tests came back negative and it had been canceled. All I know is that whatever it was caused him to stop smoking cold turkey and he hasn't touched one since. It must've scared him quite badly. He did end up have a successful surgery.

Bandme08, Awww, he sounds very nice.

I'm sorry you having to deal with what you are going through right now. Make sure you are up front with your surgeon as he might need to postpone your surgery. My surgeon won't do the procedure until someone has stopped smoking for three months. Have you asked for a patch or pills to help you with the cravings?

My doctor and nutritionist want people to shoot for a 1-2 lbs loss per week. Losing slower helps your body adjust to the changes, you are less likely to have gallbladder problems and your skin is more like to adjust too. As long as you are losing and not gaining you are doing well.

That is my only fear about surgery, but you just have to put faith in your doctors.

Congrats on getting banded. Actually what you are experiencing is like what many others have described here so you are not being a wuss. Most seem to be feeling better in about a week. Hang in there.

Let him know that you are doing it for your health so you will be around long enough to enjoy time with him and also remind him to trust you enough to prove him wrong. Be prepared because he might end up trying to sabotage your efforts.

No one is going to laugh at you because you've never been in the hospital. It's normal to be scared of the unknown. The hospital really isn't that scare and mose people who work there are very sensitive and caring. If you have to re-register you might be able to ask for a small tour so you will be somewhat familiar with your surroundings. Do you have a friend who will be going with you to the hospital? You might have to find a new group of friends who like to do other things besides eat and drink. Maybe you can start something. I'm sure you will do great! Hang in there.

The band is a tool not a miracle that will automatically make you lose weight. You have to follow a plan and stick with it to make it work. Two of my cousins have been banded and have lost and kept off their weight for 4 years so I know it works. There are also several people on this board who have been successful.

My cousin got banded 4 years ago and told me to feel her port. I really had to push hard in order to feel it. It just felt like something hard.

I haven't been banded yet but have had four other abdominal surgeries and can tell you from those that its not uncommon to have sharp pains after surgery. In fact, I've felt them up to a year afterwards when bending a certain way. The numbness is also normal and takes about a year to go away.

Have you consulted a cardiologist to find out what they would say if you stopped an aspirin regimen? If you are self medicating (I'm not saying you are) it's not always the best. It seems like if you drop a lot of weight then you won't be as high of a risk for heart attacks. BTW, heart disease runs my family history and my doctor doesn't have me on aspirin.

I think parents are allowed to carry formula for babies so I would think that asking your doctor for a prescription type note might be worth a try. I saw one lady who was allowed to carry some type of liquid on a plane with the proper documentation so it can be done. I would start by contacting your local Homeland Security office at the airport and ask what you need to do.

Sally, it's great to hear that you are doing so well and have such a positive attitude! I'm sure it won't be long before you are no longer shopping in plus size stores.

I'm a little confused...I don't think Carnation Instant Breakfast is a clear liquid. If you are allowed one such type drink then I would recommend trying to get a protein drink that is higher in protein. I find they stick with me a little bit longer. Isopure is also loaded with protein and is clear. It's not the best tasting but poured over ice it could be tolerable.

It made me uncomforable to watch too. I've seen other clips where the doctor didn't have to 'dig' in order to get to it. The needle also looked different.

IRC, I hope you are feeling better and post soon so we know how you are doing.

If you doctor provides good enough information the insurance should have no problem paying for it. Sleep apnea in some people is very severe and can even cause death if people don't get the proper treatment if they need it.

It sounds like you are doing well. Thanks for letting us know how you are doing and enjoy the rest before you get home.

My doc too says carbonation can stretch the pouch out. I liked the info about the band being too tight and the sensations one will get. Good info.

It's very sad that people judge us on our appearance and not who we really are. It's really their loss when they are so shallow and can't see beyound a few pounds; they are really missing out knowing some wonderful people. Nicole, keep your head high! Remember your family and friends love you no matter what. BTW, things get better once you are out of high school. Like some people say, 'I can lose weight but you can't fix stupid'.

This is a very good question that I hope many get the answer to before deciding to go out of the country. I've read too many times that the doctors won't touch people who have had the surgery done elsewhere.

I'm sorry you are so upset and had such a rough time. Is this place a training school? If so, I can see why you might have seen so many people. Perhaps you can ask for a business manager to find out why there are so many descrepancies from what you were told at the seminar. Check and see what your insurance's requirements are for covering the surgery. I know my insurance will only cover the surgery if a patient is 100 pounds overweight with co-morbilities or 200 pounds overweight. I think many policies are also written this way. As far as losing 5 pounds, I believe many doctors ask for a certain amount of weightloss. I have to lose 5% of my weight and know other doctors require the same. When they mentioned you probably wouldn't have the surgery until the summer that really isn't that far away. June is only 6 weeks away. Before you have the surgery, you will be going through tests to get ready for the surgery to make sure it is safe for you to have. This is a major lifelong change that you will be going through and they need to make sure you are ready.

Itchy is normal and annoying if anything. Don't let your pain get too out of hand or you will be miserable and your body will have a hard time getting rest if you are fighting it too much. Can you take something other than meds that make you nauseated like Tylenol? If you don't mind me asking, what are the shots for?