eyevory

My surgery was before the changes in the credit market. But, for what it is worth: I was self-pay. I used care credit. My total cost was about $14,000.00. I asked a lot of questions at the hospital and asked to be released at 23 hours so I was not charged for an overnight. I think I checked in for surgery at 7 am, stayed that night, and then they "checked me out" at 6:30 a.m. but let me stay until 10 am or so until my doctor made his rounds. My doctor was at the Wish Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, but it closed a few years ago

I am 6 years post-surgery, but have had 3 years of unfilled time in the middle due to pregnancies. I also lost my doctor, then I moved to another state. I am currently filled, have lost almost 100 pounds total, but struggling and have another 100 to lose. Have acid reflux and am worried I have a slippage or stretched pouch. I am looking for a new doctor in Ann Arbor (where I live) or Dearborn (where I work) or somewhere in between. Someone who makes face-to-face appointments. Please post any reccomendations, or thoughts about Dr. Jonathan Fink in Ann Arbor or Dr. Daniel Bacal in Dearborn I would also be interested in support groups, meeting for coffee, etc. with other bandsters. Thanks!

I have seen Dr. Andre Nunn in Ypsilanti for fills 3 times. I am really disappointed though. I have never actually met the man. The appointments are scheduled with a nurse who does everything herself, including the fills. I don't feel like she really answers my questions. I feel like I am put into the patient machine and am "one of the fat patients" and not a real person. They do have weekly support groups at that office though. I haven't tried them, but they may be what you are looking for. I am considering an appointment with Dr. Jonathan Finks at the U of M in Ann Arbor to see if that works out better for me.

Carrie, I am in Saline and noticed you said you had your band done at the U of M. Do they have a support group there? I recently relocated to Michigan and need to connect with some bandsters.

It is a clearance, it says it is 95% off!

I love Luna bars and the 1 oz ones are great for bandsters. Good Protein and Vitamins and yummy. I can't believe this deal on amazon... [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Variety-Chocolate-Caramel-Brownie-1-Ounce/dp/B0019MSTO2/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1220580616&sr=8-1]Amazon.com: Luna Minis, variety pack (Nuts Over chocolate, S'mores, & Caramel Nut Brownie), 1-Ounce Bars (Pack of 36): Health & Personal Care[/ame] It's certainly "bulk" buying but good deal if you need a work or school or purse snack. I keep them in my car too so I can have a small snack if I need.

Sidenote: ugh, this website just ate my thoughtful response. Let's see if I can recreate : Yes, I believe you can get a fill if you are pregnant. In fact, you can just leave it filled if you aren't having issues. My doctor said there was no need to unfill for pregnancy or breastfeeding unless I wanted to unfill for some other reason. I had mine unfilled for each pregnancy because I was sick and didn't want to deal with it. Yes you will eat more than you were so you may gain weight. Just be reasonable and try to eat veggies and drink your Water, like you should be for the baby anyway. Maybe try the gestational diabetes diet if you are gaining too much. You can lose it after the baby comes, try not to stress it.

I can feel the port if I want to, but it's definitely not in the way if I want to lay down.

For fills, I always lay on the table and feel around with my hand to find the port myself to give the doctor some guidance. I joke about having a target tattoo, lol. He usually does a numbing shot. Then, I do a crunch (lift shoulders off table) and he finds port and sticks it. When I have had trouble, he put a pillow under my back to arch my back. Once he hit the side of the port and bent the needle, but I don't think it was a big deal, I trusted that surgeon. I think it is supposed to get easier when there is less flab in the way!

what is "sliming?"

SHM, I agree! Thanks for your post. I love these forums! :biggrin:

After a few months, I don't see how smoke could effect a bandster any differently. HOWEVER, I would be very careful about substituting other comfort for the food you used to eat. Especially in this early stage. The lap band is only a physical tool, you need to be aware of your psychological food issues and grow in this process or you will be back at square one. If you want to smoke (or drink or use prescription drugs) because you are itching to soothe yourself with food, I would not do it. Let yourself feel every step of this process and be open to what comes up. But if it's just a social one time thing I don't think it's a big deal.

Wow, such a range of costs! I was a self-pay for surgery and have always been self-pay for fills. I am looking for a fill doctor (in Ann Arbor, Michigan area) and the only place I can get a quote from (Dr. Nunn) told me $300 for first one and $150 each additional. OUCH! I hope at that cost he will give me the amount of fill I want and not play the .5-cc-at-a-time game.