Kat817

Perhaps the center this poster works at doing fills does not deal with patients banded in Mexico--however,many do. I have not had any complications from my band, but my insurance paid for my scope test to look at it, and assure me it was still in proper placement, and healthy. I thought it was something I wanted to do after the first year passed---insurance never balked. I have BCBS of TX. My SIL, who was banded the same time I was, in Mexico--thought she had slipped her band during a bout with food poisoning---they checked hers, with different insurance--without issue. She has Cigna. Convenience does dictate it many cases it will be simpler to have surgery in the US. However if you travel several hundred miles to have a more affordable surgery in the states, it is still no guarantee a more local Dr. will handle your aftercare. That is something of vital importance to settle prior to surgery!!! I do not work for my surgeon. I do not work for any medical facility. Nor do I receive anything from any medical facility for stating my experience and/or beliefs of this surgery. I am un biased in the US vs. MX--------the original poster ask specifically for stories from bandsters who were done in Mexico, so I responded. I did not come here to lure her to another Dr.--the OP ask a question, and I answered it. If you are considering Mexico, then this might be a question to take up with your insurance company. But do not forget you do have laws governing insurance to protect you as well. Kat

I set my own hours for years----and before that---I worked from my home----both running a day care center. I am VERY organized in most matters---you must be if you have all those kids in your home every day!!! I had parents who I could have set my watch by!!! Always on time, kids backpacks organized, and prepared lunches. Then I had parents who knew Kat would not let their little ones go hungry---although they somehow, somewhere found time to stop and grab their own coffee and cigarettes....but most fell somewhere in between! That was at drop off. Until I turned it into a business outside my home, every last one of them at one point or another took advantage. They would stop and do their shopping quickly before picking up the kids---yeah with every other working parent in town! Then I got tough. 15 minutes grace, and then $10.00 per quarter hour! They paid once and were suddenly on time! Now I no longer work----I take care of my granddaughter---and find myself RUNNING to make it places on time!!! Payback I am sure!! Kat

Oh good grief!!! Feel better soon!! I too have had the sinus crud---and I broke a tooth on top of mine, and the damned oral surgeons office refuses to call me back!! The only one in town who accepts my insurance of course!!!! Deep breath.....this too shall pass!!!!! Kat

Skip it???? I don't think so!!! Nope!!! Nuh-uh!!! Ain't happenin'!!! LOL--- I can swim----just not wonderfully!!! I can pass the swim the length of the pool things---and even passed it back in PE classes. I have an issue with water in my face!! Silly yes. But splash me in the face and I lose my breath!!! If I am prepared it is fine! Something like this I will be expecting it so it won't be a biggie! I am floating down the river, and someone is going to take my picture so I can show my disbelieving DH and kids!! LOL~~~ besides surely one of my Violets is a certified life guard!! Kat

Tracy we have BCBS of TX insurance. Birthdays are calorie free BTW!!! Suzie this is the Violets thread---nothing....I repeat NOTHING is off topic!!!! Will be back in awhile!!! Kat

Dr. Aceves spoke with my Dr. here in the states I am using for fills---when he found out he was still 6 hours away, he wanted me to find a local Dr. who would be willing to unfill in an emergency. He spoke with both Dr.'s before we proceeded with the surgical plans. It is true----plan your follow up care ----with great care!!! A quality Dr. will help you set this up. Kat

I have the same info in my box of goodies----but the key words in reporting to Inamed, or anyone are the 3 biggies in guideline #1. "IN MOST CASES". That gives them all the leeway they need. If you truly like your Dr. give him a chance to discuss it with you. It IS harder to find a Dr. to treat anothers patient, that much is obvious from here on LBT---people are always looking for a Dr. when they move etc. Try to clear the air face to face. BE NICE! You do not have to kiss her butt---but you are going to get further towards what it sounds like YOU want--being nice than going in with an attitude. And believe me I know how hard that can be!! Then talk to your Dr. if after all that is said and done, you can move on to another Dr. But he did not botch your surgery--the Dr. and the nurse you are happy with-----find out about the accounting staff----try to work towards what you want. I know the situation has angered you---rightfully so....but like my Mom used to tell me----Don't cut off your nose to spite your face. Try to work it through if you want to keep your Dr. Kat

My port incision---the largest is just left of center, and up high---almost between my ribs--but the port is actually more centered than the incision. My fill pokes end up a good inch and a half away from my scar! I have a low profile port, and it is now where I can feel it pretty clearly!!! And I had one other incision that was about an inch long, where they placed the band, then 3 poke holes used to hold the liver back, and light up the work space they said! All of my incisions were high-------one all the way up between my breasts! The nurse told me that was common with people who still have their gall bladder and appendix--then nothing is in the way for removal of those. My Dr. has never said anything about them. I didn't vote, none of them really fit where mine is in the middle!!! Kat

My fill Dr. does a slightly more aggresive first fill--then he goes to .5cc fills. He discussed it with my SIL and I when we went in, and he showed us a report from Allergan that showed stats on fills and unfills, and explained that it is causing much fewer unfills, and resulting issues. He said his personal unfill rate had seriously dropped.....to be totally honest he gave us a percentage, but at the time it was nothing to me, so I let it go in one ear and out the other! My first fill was as I say more aggressive, so when I went back in and he was only going to give me less than half the first one, I was totally bummed----and let me tell you--that .5cc's made a massive difference!! I have never had another fill, and still have restriction. I am losing weight--albeit slower the closer I get to goal----but I am not gaining! I have actually had people tell me that it is not possible, that as my stomach loses fat, it will be too loose, so apparently I am not losing any fat----but I put on my clothes and stand on my scale, and I know I am! 5cc.'s sounds miniscule, but when it is the right amount, it is enough! I think I would go in face to face as you have been advised, and tell them, that you know every time you turn around they are adding a charge for something, so you need an itemized statement, outlining what the charges will be each time, so you can be prepared. Then discuss it with the Dr. He may be totally unaware! Liking your Dr. is the biggest deal. Now if he is aware and does not care that you are unhappy with their practices--then you might not like him so much and want a change---but for now if you are happy with the Dr. himself, I would not change over the 5cc thing. Kat

That makes sense to me! It truly does! I just kept thinking of the ones I saw in the store, where he could choose the bow and the card etc. as opposed to the florist picking---but this instance I GET IT!! Yea!!!!! Kat

Drowning Terry----drowning is what not to like!!!!! :thumbup: I will however be there floating along with the rest of you---if I am healed--------I am so excited over both of these things now!!! Kat

OK---so if the quality is bad, and they are in general bad--I get it, I just went to the store the other day---must have been the 13th, and they had table after table after table set up full of arrangements!! Beautiful arrangements. So I was having a hard time figuring out the article. Now if you are in an office setting and everyone around you is getting deliveries, I could see wanting one, but for someone like myself at home, I could not see why him bringing me that would mean less than him ordering some sight unseen..... I am not the worlds biggest girly girl, but I am not totally out of touch I didn't think - so I was just wondering!! Personally many years ago we give up the whole cut flowers thing, and for Valentines Day each year we pick out a new Jackson Perkins rose bush for the yard, or something else if I want it. When I order it, they send it when it is safe to plant in our zone! Other than that we shop for something together, more often than not for V-day we take a weekend trip.....easier than coming up with a gift for someone who just goes and buys what they want when they want it--which describes both of us!!! LOL Kat

I hope they can schedule me soon after the appt. This is the same Dr. I checked in with before, and researched, and looked through his before and afters etc. I am going to have my Uncle check once more for me before I schedule anything. I have heard of several local MRSA cases, I want to know none of them are his! My Uncle is a MD so he has ways of checking that I don't----plus he is totally honest with me---sometimes I want something so bad, I tend to gloss things over! Hope this happens soon! Imagine in a month I might be sitting here without this alien belly hanging out with me!! Kat

I read in a magazine that one of the biggest Valentines mistakes a man could make was buying Supermarket roses for his sweetie. Why? What is the difference? I ask because Tina you mentioned your DH got them from a street vendor. I am not being malicious here-I seriously don't "get" the difference. Is it the lack of delivery? A rose is a rose otherwise I would think. Now I am beginning to think I am the half of our pair without the romance bone!!!!! Kat

The less you weigh, the less calories you burn, just being you. Have you increased your movement to counteract that? Do you get steady, regular exercise of any kind? Kat

I am really glad your scale decided to cooperate!!! If you feel like it is stuck again, I would seriously suggest getting a blood work up done. I am not in any way, shape, or form suggesting you starve yourself anymore than a diabetic would! I was just thinking maybe you were having similar issues---and if you were some of your food choices would be better altered. If you are not having any issues that way---then there is nothing lost! My DH is from a family full of diabetics--so we all try to find things we can fix--treats....and all---that are not high on the GI. Unfortunately for them, this includes many carbs. What would be a perfectly normal amount for myself, is not for them. So I just wondered if that was something you had ever had checked out, since your waist is not losing as quickly. I am built the same way--mine however checked out fine----just family genetics! PS here I come!!! Good Luck, hope your scale keeps up the downward trend! Kat

Yes lovestodecorate, the band is just a tool, and if you have been anywhere near this site--you will have read that hundreds of times. It IS a tool. A shovel is a tool, but it makes digging a hole a helluva lot easier--and my band made losing weight a helluva lot easier!!! When you achieve some restriction without being too tight----best done with a slow steady approach--it is not a race---then the band helps to alleviate your hunger. When you are not entering the kitchen starving all the time it allows you to make wiser decisions. Yes there are surgeries where you lose weight, and you do not have to do any of the work...look at the stats for regaining weight though! You DO have to learn to eat differently! The band as a tool helped and continues to help me with those lessons! With the bands help in restriction, I have reduced my portions. I have never been one that is comfortable with serious, tight restriction. I eat well over a 1/4 or 1/2 cup of food per meal. But I have learned what to eat for healths sake--not just for weight loss! With the bands help I have weaned myself off of so many starches and sweets. I have no eliminated them and have no intention of doing so--I am learning how I want to eat for the rest of my life! The point being with 100 pounds gone I likely have a longer rest of my life to be eating! I began my band without exercising. I lost probably the first 50 pounds without exercise. Then I did not begin because I needed it to lose----it helped seriously though! I began because I was feeling GOOD! I had energy, and I no longer felt like everyone was staring if I went out walking, or into our local Curves. I do not spend hours a day exercising now-----but I try to spend enough to keep my heart healthy----and the weight loss follows. We ALL wanted to lose weight here. But you do have to seriously make a decision to get healthy! And for ones like you bearcatgirl---it might be a slower process, as you have less fat and more muscle---but the goal is to get healthy! If you are already well muscled then you are already healthier. If you are not carrying a lot of your weight in your curves--then they will likely stay. I began this process in a 48 DDD bra....and am now in a 38DD--still plenty of curves. Depends on the make up of your curves currently as to how you will lose them or not. I too was a self pay so this was not a decision I made lightly. I was on several prescriptions each day for blood pressure, and blood sugar, and cholesterol----and now I do not take a single prescription medicine! My blood pressure is normal, my blood sugar, and my triglycerides are normal, and my cholesterol has dropped so far my Dr. is in shock! It is even now normal---and he wants it yet lower (?!) Surgery was a serious step. It cost a lot of money, and it has taken me working with the band and my Dr.'s to have the success I have had. I did not sit back and it just happen. But I have gained soooooo much! I have my life back! I have control! I am not embarassed by myself anymore! I am not afraid to meet my DH's co workers! I run and play with my grandkids! I go to public swimming pools! I cross my legs! The list could go on for pages!!! It is not easy, and no one can make the decision for you----but it is NOT destined to fail! Good Luck in making a well informed, well thought out decision concerning your life, and your health. Kat

You are almost there!!! But....get used to the requirement of patience!!! It seems it is always something we are working for---to get to Onederland---then to lose a set amount of weight. Right now I have been sitting by my phone waiting for them to call with my PS referral---and they did----the appointment is not until March! So if you have any patience to spare-----send it my way!!! You will get there--you have the most of it behind you now!!! Kat

Insurance approved the pannectomy---and the PS surgeons office can request more if they find it necessary----my appointment is March 3rd at 9:30!!! WooooHooooo!!!! Kat ps....love the hair Tracy!

You have been given excellent advice---all very serious and from the heart. Mine is a bit more light hearted. I learned this from a good friend...watched it in action, and it made me laugh! When someone in a store or in traffic does something that makes her irritated, she gets this "look" half frown, wide eyed, kind of confused, but like she is trying to hold in a laugh---and gives them this look. When she did it the first time to a rude shoe saleswoman, I ask her what was wrong with her--you looked at her like she had a booger hanging out of her nose or something! She said yep, and for the next few minutes she will wonder why I thought she looked wierd! She said if she makes them question themselves it gives them both time to cool down, and she knows something they don't! Sounds strange--but I have seen it in action! Teri (my friend) calms down just to do the "look"....and it totally takes the wind out of their sails, they start checking their face, and their clothes, and their hair! And she walks off often laughing! I have tried it, with a definite amount of success. I unfortunately have a harder time hanging on to my temper long enough to pull it off. Kat

I am so sorry you had such a rough go of it! I also agree that it is very kind of you not to be casting blame at the Dr. Did they let you see the band they removed to assure you there were no defects in the band causing the perforations? I totally understand what you are saying about some people abusing the band!! I am not sure whether it is the ones who have no slow down, insurance picks right up, and they get banded without a struggle at all, or whether the ones who fight the fight and finally get it only to abuse it confuse me more!? I wish you a speedy, full recovery! Kat

I am not following what happened between starving for 16 months of being banded, and your first statement of being able to eat bread or anything and not feeling restricted. You keep saying you have not eaten a normal meal in 16 months, but opened with saying you had no restriction...help me understand---what the time line is... *For how long were you able to eat normal amounts? *What are you considering a normal amount? *What foods were you eating once you were able to eat something besides chocolate and cheese and crackers? *Did anyone ever say why your port was hard to access? *Are these fills always done blind? *How many fills had you had before? You must eat-----and eating a healthy diet will result in a healthy weight loss! Small steady incremental fills do more for that than sudden aggresive fills that leave you swollen and unable to take in hard Protein again. Have either of you...marillon, or nanaof5 had any kind of scope or fluoroscopy of your band? Sounds to me like it is time to sit down with a Dr. with no fill needle in hand and get a grip on this band, before it erodes your stomach, or causes problems. We all have to work with it---------US, the Dr. and the band combined can do wonders, but each of us has to hold up our end or it won't work at all! Good Luck! Kat

In many ways the "getting to know you" phase that we have been in is the best way possible for doing that I think. It has allowed us all to reveal ourselves in small bits as we feel comfortable doing so...we have slowly brought our families out, and the issues some of them are dealing with. If we had been neighbors getting to know one another over the last year, chances are we would have went shopping--and discussed what we found in the stores---but would likely have then not mentioned how afraid we were that we might not be able to maintain the weight loss. We could have gone to a movie together--but you cannot talk in a movie so we would have learned nothing about one another but how we like our popcorn! Communication is key in developing good relationships. Rick and I went to school together from 4th grade to graduation. Both of us married soon after graduation. Divorced. Ran into one another, and as wierd as it was ---fireworks---not mere sparks!! But life had other plans---he was heading to Denver to college, and I could not go---Manda had her entire family here, including her Dad, and she had to be my #1 priority. So we went our separate ways. Every man I laid eyes on from then on got compared to Rick. Eventually trying to get past the heart ache---I remarried after knowing Jimmy for less than a month. Big mistake---HUGE mistake. Almost cost me my life! Finally made it out of that, have told you that story. Lived an almost hermit like life for awhile, I went nowhere, did my job, loved the kids, and tolerated the parents. One night I come in from work and saw where Rick's Mom had called me like 8 times. I was afraid something happen to his Granny (his family and I remained close). I called back to find out it was Rick calling. My heart stopped! We were on the phone that night for 6 hours. And he was only 4 miles away! He called the next day when he got back to Denver. 2 days later I got a letter from him. And thus it began. We spoke on the phone EVERY day at least once. And this was pre cell phone days---our phone bills were atrocious! And we wrote letters EVERY day! I got to where I dreaded Sunday and Tuesday. It took 2 days for a letter to get to me, so of course no mail on Sunday, meant none went out, so I got none on Tuesday either---but 2 on Wednesday!! Well we talked about most things going on with us and our kids....so when it come time to write a letter----you dug for things to write, so we got to where we would ask off the wall questions---often times hidden tests!! Just seeing how the other would respond. We discussed everything under the sun! From feelings we had as kids to how we recycled! You name it! Just like us---we could not go to a movie or out to dinner, or hop in bed--our only connection was communication. We saw each other 2 weekends a month. First weekend of the month he come here, third of the month I went there. We did this for over 2 years! We built a solid foundation. I know in every cell of my body he is a good man, with a good heart ( more so physically in the last few years!!) So yes---our Shrinking Violets are much more than a weight loss support group at this time. It has evolved into friendships----ones I truly think will be better off for the fact we have learned to communicate and support one another through the highs and lows over the last year. When I count my blessings-------y'all are right there----and I do not think of "how" you look when I do it! When Rick and I went our separate ways in the beginning, I weighed maybe 130 pounds. When he walked up my drive the first time years later I had gained well over a hundred and fifty pounds----but his eyes never left mine....and he never said a negative word about it! You are friends in my heart--so getting to goal, or even if one of us should choose to give up----it would make no difference! Tracy is right...it is BIG! Kat

Oh Sally Jo! I am so sorry to hear about your niece and the mistakes made with the families generous donation. Girl I am sending lots of prayers and hugs your way. I still have your DD on our prayer chain---we will continue to pray for her and your family, as you also now recover from your nieces untimely death. My heart goes out to you!!! Kat

I don't know what you should Expect.....but....you should research as much as possible, attend the seminar, and be prepared with lots of questions!!! Get knowledgable about the band! Now what can the band do for you? It can help give your control back! It helps with the actual hunger when you get to a good restriction. It helps with portion control. So when these 2 things work together, the weight comes off. When the weight begins dropping your mood lifts, you actually are able and often times want to become active again. The band gave me my life back. I expect it could do the same for you, if you are willing to work with it, work with your Dr.'s and go through some of the highs and lows that it involves. IN my opinion the band has been VERY worth all of the work I have done. I feel like it has taught me important lessons as far as eating goes. I am developing new habits. To begin the process, you first need to check with your insurance and see what is required. That is usually accomplished with a simple phone call. Then attend your seminar. Make a follow up appointment with the Dr, or whichever Dr. you choose (research them!), they will likely schedule several tests dependent upon your insurance requirements----psyche evaluations, sleep studies, X rays, EKG, Blood work--all of these are pretty common. You will spend several weeks getting all of these appointments taken care of. Then your package will be submitted to insurance, and you wait to see if they approve it. If they do ----you schedule surgery. If it is denied, you find out why--and what you can do about it, and resubmit! It is not always a quick and easy process.....but once again, one I found totally worth all the red tape!!! Good Luck!!!! Kat