barbara465

If nothing changes I will be getting my surgery June 13th. DH and I are going on a cruise and coming back June 3rd. Although my doctor doesn't require it, I am going on a protein liquid diet to get ready. I want to jump start the process, and after all the food on the cruise, I will need it.

Try Match.com. I had great results there and for the older ones try seniorfriendfinder. I believe the technology can help us find those that we wouldn't necessarily have found using "traditional" methods. I believe my DH was sent to me. I waited a long time to find him, but knew almost instantly that he was special. It was our time in life. If we had met earlier we probably would not have been right for each other. When you are open and receptive and comfortable with yourself, good things happen. Live your life to the fullest, and if you are fortunate enough to find someone to share it with, all the better.

I can't believe she went with McDreamy and yet I can't believe he hasn't left his wife for her. Killing Denny was so sad. I think Izzie is gone. How could she survive the confession. Interns are lost at a rapid rate in real life, so why not fiction? I had my hands busy with my new cell phone so I couldn't eat. Good thing as I was getting frustrated with all that was going on. Can't wait for the new season!

Megan, Maybe Chinese food is one of your triggers? Stay away from it and see if you survive better with the hunger. I know when I eat carbs I eat everything. Just a thought. You have come so far and you are now allowing your cravings to take control. Its scary for us all to think that the bandster life doesn't become automatic over time. Hang in there.

My doctor told me the larger band has problems with fills. The band itself has pockets built into inside, like sections. Each section fills with saline, but sometimes it gets "trapped" in there. When doing a fill they remove what's in there. Sometimes all of it does not come out and the doctor has to "guess" if it leaked or if its trapped. He explained this to me and told me I wouldn't need the larger band. I would get another opinion. $600 is not the average cost here for fills, the most I've seen is $275 under floro. You might have to be rebanded with a smaller band, or more saline added to give you restriction. Good luck

When I divorced my first husband with a child age 6 I decided I needed to work on me. I got my education, advanced in my career, educated my son, and then woke up. I woke up to the fact that I was in my fifties and was alone. I was comfortable with who I was, proud of all that I had accomplished, but still found something missing. I went online and started dating. I can't say that I met any losers, but I did have some interesting dates. I screened them pretty well before meeting and knew lots about them. New Year's eve 2003 I agreed to meet a man I had been talking to for a while. It was an afternoon meeting, casual. I looked into his eyes and must admit I fell hard. I married that man in August 2004. He's not perfect, but we are perfect for each other. He had never dated a plus size woman, but he was accepting. He didn't understand all of the ramifications, but tried. Only after I accepted that I have nothing more to prove as a large woman did I decide to lose the weight. Like others have said, I want more years with this wonderful man. I want my health. Don't look for perfect, look for someone who is perfect for you. There is a difference. Good luck and don't give up. Don't put your life on hold until you are "thin". Life goes on, no matter what size we are.

As of 6/1 Spiegel will not be In Network. UHC gave me some names. They are: Parendra Banker (Humble), Tohomas Speinvach, Barry Sachs. I also asked about Garth Davis. Now, I haven't heard of any of these doctors so I didn't like the choices. I contacted Dr. Matthew St. Laurent and worked a deal with him that is far better than Dr. Spiegel. Under Dr. Spiegel it was going to cost me almost $8,000 out of pocket. I am getting the surgery at the same center Spiegel uses and my out of pocket is $3,300. That is less than what it was going to cost me when Spiegel was In Network. You can call UHC and they will give you a list of surgeons in your area of Houston. However, I wanted to go to someone that has patients on here. I really like Dr. St. Laurent. His office and staff and program is so different from Dr. Spiegel.

Good luck and hope you have a good trip home. Remember to get up every 60 minutes to stretch and sip your water. You will be feeling great in just a few days.

Glad to hear of your approval! I also have UNC and have found them quite helpful. It would have been a shame to gain weight to lose weight. :Banane13:

I am such a firm believer that things happen for a reason. If it is meant to be it will happen. If for some reason you don't get this, maybe just maybe you are now open for something you hadn't even considered. Now that you see how you could telecommute and make a contribution, you just might find another opportunity that is better. Hang in there. Our priorities are not necessarily theirs. They may be busy on other matters and the delay or no word has nothing what so ever to do with your request. :Banane13: Good luck. Good things are coming your way.

I believe Dr. Felix Spiegel has an office near there. He is in Houston, but has an office in Beaumont or Port Arthur. I think Port Neches is near there. There are tons of Doctors in Houston so if you can't find one local you can head our way.

What a shock. I can still see Chris's stunned face. Who would have thought he would go and Kat would stay. Taylor has been the top one now for 3-4 weeks and it looks like he may take it all. Elliott made a nice comback, but won't make it for the long haul. We don't need to cry for Kelli as she is shopping deals in Nashville. Seems like all the record producers are standing in line to sign her. I have to believe the same is true for Chris. He will have better deals than if he won.

Look at the various threads. You will find a wealth of information about food, preop and post op lists of foods, etc. Good luck.

I agree with the others - get another opinion. They are operating on people a lot bigger than you. Granted it, the risks are higher, but as you said if you could do it alone you would. Most doctors will put you on a liquid diet several weeks before your surgery to help shrink your liver. You can do that as you know it is temporary and will help you with surgery. This doctor doesn't understand the issues with obsese patients and the quicker you find one that does you will be on a better path. Remember, after care is just as important as the surgery. Good luck

This for me is like when I gave up smoking. I knew I was going to give it up when the cartons I brought back from the Carribbean were gone. I smoked and smoked to the point I was making myself sick. My birthday came before the cigarrets were gone and I thought it was a good time to quit. I did. Cold turkey. I am so ready for this surgery. My husband and I planned this cruise and I didn't want to do anything to spoil it. It is my last hooray with food. As it gets closer to cruise time I feel myself not so in love with food. I am really getting bored with everything and just want to get on with my new life with the band. My mind is set, but the restriction is not here yet. I spend lots of time on the board reading. I want to stay "pluged in" so I don't fall back to old ways. Hang in there and remember - the more you gain the more you have to lose once surgery is over. Better to start cutting back now.

That is a lapband horse in the making! That was cute.

I agree that Katherine will go this week. She will get a contract, with or without the win. The guys were awesome last night and should be in the final 3. Kat hasn't been as good, but she will be better once an agent and coach get a hold of her.

My doctor was explaining that the larger band had sections to it instead of one solid wrap. He noticed that when withdrawing some of the fluid that some could get "trapped" in one of those sections. With that band, he has to "assume" that the missing amount is still in there and hiding. This might not be the answer you were looking for, but that's what he explained to me.

I danced with my sister because I'm cool!

Prayers and thoughts I am sending to you. Having had many, many, colonoscopy procedures, polups removed, etc. I understand your panic. Just remember, this is the most preventable area of concern with early detection of problems. You are doing the right things. Let us know how it goes.

Good luck with the new job and the new goal. Now what's in it for us? I think that after picture better be of you in your swim trunks on some nice beach! Umm, forgot it will be November. OK, a nice tux will do!

Vic, There is so much information on this website and others. I would first suggest you do some internet searches on lapband, etc. so you can get some general information. There is www.obesityhelp.com that describes most of the procedures. Most of us on this site believe in the lapband because it does not surgically change any of our body parts, its reversible if there is an emergency, and its the safest of all of the weight loss surgeries. I would also suggest you attend one of the seminars in your area about lapbands. They will describe the entire process, what the lapband looks like, what fills are (.5, 2.5, etc you referrenced), and what you can expect. The lapband is a tool and you must work with to change your eating habits. The weight loss is slower than with other means, but its a lifelong committment. Hope this helps. Anyone on here will be happy to help answer your questions, but you will find it easier to start looking through some of the threads to get information.

I'll do the jumping for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats.

Welcome. I was going to have mine done by Dr. Spiegel, but now have changed to Dr. St. Laurent. What a difference in approaches. You will find wonderful information on this site and lots of new friends. Hope you get a fast approval and can get started. I still have a month to go, but the approval is completed.

I agree that something else may be going on. I have auto immune problems and no energy. I'm not taking care of a 3 year old and a 11 month old either. I take B12 shots every week (most just get them monthly) and a thyroid pill. Have your primary check you out. Of course, depression also makes one tired. Rule out causes first. I'm hoping the band will help me with my energy levels. It can't hurt to get some of this weight off that's for sure.