DonnaB

I absolutely agree with you - doctors are so keen to make money that they're ignoring their responsibility to the patients they've already taken money from. I'm disgusted by the lack of ethics.

You can't fool us - you threw yourself down those stairs so you'd have a reason to show off your FABULOUS FANNY! I'm jealous - I'd take the bruise if I could also have the fanny! lol Sorry about the fall - YIKES!

Carlene, you're so funny! Wait . . . You WERE trying to be funny, right?

Congratulations coyotegirl! Welcome to bandland! It sounds like your surgery went very smoothly, despite your post-anethesia mini-melt-down! Weird about the catheter thing though. Hmmmm. Glad you're feeling well, best wishes going back to work.

How sad that your sister-in-law isn't supporting your decision. Her support is not necessary to your success, but it would be nice to be able to talk to her about your journey along the way. It sounds like you two are pretty close. Maybe you should ask her outright if she's projecting her weight issues onto you? Either it will make her think - or make her mad. Either way, her opinion, unless backed up with something substantial, shouldn't influence your decision to become healthy. Let us know what happens please.

I'm glad I'm not the only one. I've definitely tasted the difference in my tea. Blech. I LOVE hot tea, and every day I make a cup looking forward to it, right up until I sip it and it doesn't taste right. I was just about to switch to another brand - even though I've always really liked the brand I'm using - in the hope of enjoying the taste again. *sigh* Maybe when I get closer to my goal weight, or stop being in a constant calorie drain, my tea will taste normal to me again. I haven't noticed a differenct in the taste of meat, but I've never been a big meat eater, I just don't like it that much. French fries have always been gross. Don't get me wrong, I stuffed 'em in if they were fresh and hot, but cold fries, barf. Chewing the heck out of them sounds disgusting. I'm glad I haven't tried them since being banded.

It's very common for part or all of a first fill to disappear - no one seems to know why, but it happens a lot. When you get your next fill, tell him ahead of time you want to know exactly what your fill level is. He should be pulling out your entire fill (every time) and then putting it back PLUS adding any new saline. The point of pulling out the fill is to be sure your fill is staying and that you don't have a leak. The only way you'll know your exact fill level is if you tell you you want to know BEFORE he gives the fill. You're paying him good money, he needs to provide you with good service. Good luck.

Hi Bella, Good luck in your decision, I know it can be a difficult one. Just so you'll know, RnY patients do lose weight with very little effort or commitment on their part, but there is a high rate of weight regain, because they were not forced to relearn better eating habits. I know of a couple of people personally who had RnY, lost a lot of weight, and have since regained most of their weight. They continued to make poor food choices and when their body adjusted to their changed anatomy, they regained their weight. They're both very unhappy with their outcomes and must also deal with malabsorption issues for the rest of their lives. On the other hand . . . Lap band isn't a magic bullet. You have to do every thing you did with conventional diets. You have to watch your calories, make consistently good food choices, exercize, etc. The only real difference with the band, is that it helps you to feel full sooner, keep you feeling full longer, and it will limit your ability to binge when you've had enough and (like on previous diets alone) you want to give up. The band won't allow you to give up entirely and the binge is limited. The benefit there is that you have time to get grounded and decide to make the effort again - BEFORE you've regained all the weight (usually plus some) you may have lost. I just want you to know that a band is a tool that will HELP you, but it won't do the work for you. Good luck on your decision and on your weight loss journey.

Cyanide. You asked how to get rid of him. Of course, you'll have to live with the consequences of your choice. Unless you're in Texas and then you'll be in appeals for about 20 years and then die as a consequence of your choice. Other than that, all you can do is support your sister, love her unconditionally, and introduce her to as many nice, single men you can find.

If you do a "search" on LBT for Dr. Rumbaut you will find that not one person has anything negative to say about him. He's an amazing surgeon, a wonderful man, and I would recommend him to anyone. As far as complications go, the average rate of complications with lap band surgery is 1 - 3%. Dr. Rumbaut has a fewer than 1% rate of complication. I have had some problem with reflux - not actual acid backing up but pressure/pain at my sternum. I am taking Nexium now and the problem is completely resolved. If that's the worst of it, I can handle it. Best wishes for your surgery and your weight loss journey.

At $12,000 for the surgery and all pre-op tests, I think you should have your surgery with the doctor you've already chosen. I'm saying this as someone who had surgery in Mexico. Don't get me wrong, I love my surgeon and would recommend him to anyone, but $12,000 and the convenience of having your surgeon nearby is absolutely THE WAY TO GO. Besides, if you're having resistence from your family about the surgery, try telling them you're having it in Mexico! Our preconceived notion of Mexico and how things are done there come rushing to the forefront when you talk about healthcare there. I'm a little confused about the money you're having your parents hold for you. First of all, by having them hold your money so you won't spend it, shows that you're out of control and, in fact, have entirely given up control to them. You are an adult, and you have to start acting like one. If they don't want you to have the surgery, what's going to happen when it's time to get the surgery money from them. Just because it's your money doesn't mean you won't have a hard time getting back from them. Have you looked into a bank loan by yourself? You might be surprised by the result. There are companies than do exclusively medical loans. Another option might be a low or no-interest credit card. I get offers in the mail almost every day - most of them pre-approved. I understand your frustration about your situation - I had surgery in Mexico because I couldn't wait around and jump through the insurance hoops for a year. Best wishes on your journey - no matter how long it takes.

Wow - serious panty twist going on - and I'm not talking about the cartoon.

Unless I misunderstood the pharmacist, 1000 mcg (micrograms) equals 10 mg (millagrams). The highest potency of Biotin I have found is at GNC and is 2300 mcg per capsule. What I'd like to know, and what no one seems to be able to answer, is how much Biotin is the recommended daily allowance?

I don't think you're been bad per se, but you do need to make sure you're getting in nutritious food first. You can't replace 1000 calories per day of various healthy protein, carbohydrates, and (yes) fats, with 1000 calories of sf pudding! LOL OK, that's a bit extreme, but you get the idea. After you've moved on to solid food, you should plan and track your food carefully, and use the pudding to curb a sweet tooth or as a reward when your daily diet permits, rather than as a daily staple.

I'm so sorry this has happened! If they won't refund ALL the money you've spent to date, you should look into hiring a lawyer. I'm not sue-happy but you've spent a lot of money. What if you were buying a house? You give a deposit, you choose your tile, carpet, cabinetry, and then the builder decides they don't want to make houses anymore. AND they keep your money? NO WAY. I'd be furious and screaming! Good luck, let us know what happens.

Penni, I wholehearted accept your apology. I did when you made it the first time and I still do. You are human and humans make mistakes, but I don't think you would have made this mistake on your own. Charisma is an amazing gift. Sadly, the recipient of that gift in this case is a severely flawed human being who is careless of the destructive power that that gift can wield. You're giving up your position on LBT as a sacrifice to bad judgement in a careless moment, but HOW MANY MOMENTS have you given hope, guidance, friendship, advise, empathy, and acceptance to (sometimes) complete strangers? Doesn't the good outweigh the bad? I think so. I choose to see this loss of an excellent moderator as one more victim of a careless, damaged, lost soul. It's very sad now matter how you look at it. Penni, please don't stay gone forever. There will always be people here who care for you and need your experience and advise.

Pepcid didn't help my pain, so my advise is to try either Nexium or Protonix. Nexium is keeping my esophogus comfortable. Obviously if Pepcid works for you, use that - it'll be a lot cheaper! But don't wait too long, if it's not helping within 5 - 7 days, go for the RX.

It's not lack of protein. If you read through all the threads about hair loss, you'll see TONS of evidence to support this. I get between 85 and 120 grams of protein per day. I initially thought I was getting more than this but I've been watching it VERY carefully and now I'm SURE of how much protein I get. It's plenty. Even pre band I was careful to get enough protein, I just wasn't as careful about recording it. (Thank you FitDay.) I also take a liquid vitamin, biotin, and vitamin E every day. It's not about protein intake.

I've lost about 30% of my hair - I am 6 months out from surgery. It's pretty depressing.

What are you eating? Are you getting a variety of foods? Another possibility, you may have a bug of some kind. If you're having that much of a problem, it might be time to call your doctor.

It doesn't sound good, but Campbells Bean with Bacon soup is VERY satisfying and tasty. Good luck.

Nobody ever said we wanted you dead Lisa. But at the rate you're going you're going to accomplish it on your own.

Definitely get a lawyer and get an agreement in writing. Your verbal agreement won't mean anything if he disappears and leaves you to foot ALL the bills. This is his child too. Another thing you should think about is insurance. Your child may not be covered by his insurance unless you have a legally binding agreement. Get a lawyer. This is not the time to live and let live OR to trust in someone's best intentions.

72 hours from the time of fill = 3 days.

Poodles - Dr. Jayaseelan in Dallas does fills on Saturdays, but I don't recommend it. If you end up too tight you have to suffer through the weekend (happened to me) to get an unfill or pay big bucks to have an unfill in an emergency room.