skinnyme52

Hi there, how are you feeling? My thoughts are with you. I will be leaving on the 30th of July and am starting to get nervous. Please let me know how it went for you and how you are feeling. Sandy

Hey Tigerlili, don't get upset. You have done incredibly well and have lost so much so quickly already. Sometimes we just hit a plateau. Hang in there and keep doing what you are doing--sounds like you are making the right choices. Just be patient and things will happen.

April, you are absolutely correct about insurance cos. I pay a fortune each pay period for this crappy insurance that pays for nothing. I work for Morton Plant Hospital and you would think as a hospital employee their would be some compensation to help get us healthy so that we can help others. My husband is also a diabetic and this insurance barely pays anything for his monthly medication and he is on insulin and Metformin. The only reason I keep this insurance is in case of some catastrophic illness. I am scheduled for surgery on July 31st with Dr. Kirshenbaum in Parker, Colorado. I have a brother that lives an hour away from there so that was another consideration for having the surgery there. I will probably go back for the first couple of fills and the use the Fill Centers here in Tampa or St. Pete. I will keep you posted. Sandy

That's funny because we think alike. I also thought the same thing about the dogsledding. Oh, Poooor dogs. I'm an animal lover and couldn't bring myself to inflict such pain on thos poor dogs. We ended up doing the train ride instead. Yeah, next cruise will be much different I guess. Sandy

Hi in Odessa, we are neighbors. I am in Spring Hill and I was originally going to have my surgery with Dr. Grossbard because I believe him to be the best in Florida, but because my insurance wouldn't pay and I had to pay for it myself, I had to look at cheaper options. I decided against Mexico and then found a wonderful surgeon in Colorado who would do it for $9950. I researched him thoroughly and talked to other people who went to him and only heard good things so decided it was much cheaper for me to take the flight to Colorado. After all it is a bit less expensive than the $15,800 that Journeylite charges. I think Journeylite is great if you can afford that or have an insurance that will pay. How are you progressing with your weight loss? Keep in touch. Sandy

That is why I was thinking it was only a half hour away. I remember once my brother took me from his house to the airport in Denver and it was a very short ride. I have never been to Parker. Glad to hear the weather is nice. I hear you about wondering what a cruise will be like post band. You are right though. When you put your bathing suit, it will all be worth it. It's too bad that so much of the cruise is centered around eating. That will be a hard one for me. The last ship I was on had the most beautiful hot tubs both inside and out and I was dying to go in, but refused to walk the deck of the ship in a bathing suit, so I missed out on something I really love, so yes this will be well worth not eating everything in sight. I also wanted to take a helicopter ride that lands you on the glaciers and couldn't do that because if you are over 250 lbs. you have to pay double--too humiliating and I would not subject myself to that, but again--missed out on something fun. I know this is the right thing and am very excited about it. I'll keep you posted. Sandy

Bug57, thanks for the info. I will do some research this week so that I can decide. I really do prefer to have it done with fluoro. That would make me feel better. $1,200 a year though--yikes!!! Do they have any cheaper plans? That's a bit steep. I will shop around though as I did with finding a surgeon that I could afford. Thanks again.

Hi Long2bThin, We didn't discuss when the first fill would be on the phone, but it seems like 6 weeks would be around the right time. How is the weather right now in CO? I can't wait to see it again. Very different from Florida that's for sure. I thought Boulder would be more like a half hour ride from Denver. I guess an hour is more realistic. I have a nice rental car waiting for me and my son will be driving so I don't care. How did you enjoy your Alaska cruise? Ours was wonderful. When I think of all the food I consumed, I wonder if I will ever enjoy a cruise the same way. I know I shouldn't think like that, but I can't help it. Old habits die hard. Well, keep us posted on how you are doing and good luck to you.

I also forgot to ask you what is the cost of a fill at the Fill Center?

I was thinking about using Fill Center, but I saw some negative comments about them and was wondering just how good are they. Isn't there a center in Tampa and wouldn't that be closer for you? Keep me posted.

Hi Bug57, I'm not worried about having the surgery. The thing that scares me are the fills. I have been reading some horror stories about being over fillled. I am going to Colorado from Spring Hill to have my first couple of fills and I think I will hang around for a few days after each fill so that I am not sick from an over fill. Isn't there a way for them to know if it's too much? I have heard that some drs. use fluoro to see it as it fills. I really am scared about this aspect and not so much about the surgery. I really don't want to feel sick all the time. Just want to gain some control over my compulsive overeating. What is your feeling about fills and who does yours here in Florida? Sandy

It truly is a small world. If you're ever down this way visiting, give me a shout and we can swap stories. I will be in Colorado only for 2 more days after surgery. I have a brother in Boulder, CO which is really close to Parker, but I probably won't get to visit with him on this trip and probably won't feel like either. Maybe when I go back for my first fill I will stay longer and try to see him. I just love Colorado, but couldn't stay very long this time because my son is coming with me and he has to be back to work on Monday. My hubby couldn't get any more time off from work because we just came back from a 2 week cruise to Alaska. I'll keep ya posted. Sandy

Tally, I really enjoyed talking with him. He is very easy to talk to and answers any questions you might have very thoroughly. He is also very funny. He put me at ease right away and I really feel good about having him for my surgeon. I live in Spring Hill which is about 1 hour north of Tampa and quite a ride from Tallahassee. My surgery is July 31st and I am very excited. I will let you know how things go. Good luck to you. Sandy

I know what you mean. I have been having a heck of a time manuevering around this website. Not very user friendly and I do have computer experience. Hope to stay in touch. Sandy

Sounds good. I'd love to e-mail back and forth with other Floridians and maybe we can get the Florida thead going again. Sandy

Hi Patty, I have talked to Natalie already and she was very helpful. Also had my consult with Paula. On this coming Wednesday I have a phone consult with Dr. K. I am looking forward to talking with him. I will let you know what I think. I am very excited about going to Colorado. I haven't been there in about 5 years. I think it will be well worth it. You are right about the investment. Fills here in Florida are around $250 and I sure can get a plane ticket for that price. Thanks for your encouragement and good word on Dr. K. It's always comforting to talk to someone who can give a good recommendation of the Dr. who is going to be doing your surgery. All I have heard from others are good things and that really puts me at ease. I'll keep in touch. Sandy

Hi there, I am traveling from Florida on July 31st to be banded by Dr. Kirshenbaum. I have gone to other info sessions here in Florida so I did have my questions answered before calling his office. After talking with many people on this site, I have heard nothing but good things about him. I even talked with a previous patient of his that works at the Parker Surgery Center where the procedures are done and she assures me that it is all brand new and really nice and that Dr. K. is very caring about his patients. I have a phone consult with him on this coming Wednesday 7/9 and I will let you know what I think. Sandy

Patty, I know the doctor you are referring too because I had looked into Journeylite, but they want $15,800 for the surgery. I needed to look for a cheaper alternative and Dr. Kirshenbaum was the answer. I know that there are those Fill Centers in Tampa and St. Pete, but someone posted that they have not heard good things about them. That is where I was planning to go for my fills, but maybe I will just save up and make the trip back to CO. for the fills. If anyone else out there has any other info about fills in the Florida area please feel free to share. Patty, thanks for the info. Will keep ya posted!

Patty, was it hard to find a doctor for aftercare and fills in Florida? I live on the West Coast of Florida near Tampa.

You have done marvelous on your journey. Congratulations!!! I don't mind traveling from Florida to Colorado because the price was right and I have Family in Colorado and now to hear that Dr. K is so good is icing on the cake.

Thanks for the encouraging info Dee. I appreciate your opinion since you work there you must know the place pretty well.

Hi there, I felt the same way as you when I found Dr. K. I was all set to go to Mexico because here in Florida the cost is $15,800 and that was pretty steep for me so I had to look for an alternative. Dr. K's office staff has been so very nice and I have had my consult with the nutritionist already. She is also very nice so I am very nervous and excited at the same time. Let's keep in touch and share stories.

I haven't started the shakes yet. I start on the 20th and was wondering which is better Optifast or Bariatric Advantage. I guess I'll have to find out how many times a day I should take it.

Hi Dee, I am traveling from Florida to have Dr. Kirshenbaum perform my lapband surgery on July 31st. Glad to hear that you liked him. I haven't met him yet, but have a phone appoinment for consult on this coming Wednesday. What else can you tell me about him and his office and about Parker Hospital. Any info would be greatly appreciated. I am very excited about surgery, but don't know too much about Dr. Kirshenbaum. Look forward to hearing from you. Sandy

I am looking forward to coming down to CO. I have a brother in Boulder and I was lucky to find an affordable surgeon in Denver. They are so much more expensive in Florida and I am self-pay so had to look for a bargain as well as an experienced surgeon. I have been to CO before and love it. Hope I'm not too sick to enjoy it. Thanks for the support.