Randi

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Well, it sounds like you're working it at your own pace. Did you feel okay (not too sore) the first day or two after the initial workout?

Mornin' Bandsters, I want to find out if anyone has ever tried or personally know someone who has tried a product called Colonix, a natural colon cleanser. One of the differerences I've noticed between the liquid phase and the solid food phase, is that some of my ailments have returned. I've been having increased tissue swelling, arthritic joint pain, and allergy symptons even though I haven't regained any of the weight lost. So, I said to myself, "Self, the only thing that has changed is your food intake." Instantly, I remembered one of my Mom's close friends mentioning colon cleansing to me a few years ago, but I kinda took with a grain of salt. Needless to say, I'm now interested. Anyways, I started doing some Internet research on the colon and learned that the colon, or rather years of built up waste and toxins in the colon, can cause a host of problems such as fatigue and low energy, bloating, excess weight, food allergies, headaches, skin problems, rashes and the list goes on. And, of course, this Colonix is supposed to rid your body of built up waste. So, if you have any information you can share either about colon cleansing or the Colonix product, I would definitely appreciate it. Since this might be a sensitive subject for some, you can send me a private message if you would prefer.

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Tom, I'm ROFLMAO. As a side note, I would be VERY leary of a trainer who started me off with an exercise program that intense and knew I hadn't been working out. I would say try to do 20 to 30 minutes on a treadmill at a comfortable speed for you and then call it a day. If you opt for the elliptical, use the manual setting so you can control the intensity of the workout.

Hi, Pink, We were banded the same day and I've already had several fills and even an unfill since that time. Since you're gaining instead of losing, I'd definitely say call and schedule another fill.

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Here's a thread with some goal ideas in it: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/do-you-have-t20217.html

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Don't Offer Kindness Very Affectionately DRINK

Pencil . . . and word find Rollerskate or Iceskate?

Size8, I beg to differ. If you work for Dr. Spiegal, you have direct access to him. Therefore, the level of care you would receive would differ from that of one of his regular patients who can only see him by appointment. Even if the surgeon only asks you in passing how you're doing your level of care is greater. Also, he may be available to his staff 24/7, but a patient has to get through the "gatekeepers" in order to get to the surgeon. Again, not the same thing as having direct access. One last thing . . . TexasCutie is entitled to her opinion and should not have to "rethink" what she said. However, If you are one of Spiegal's staff members, you should rethink the overall impression you are conveying on this board about the surgeon and his staff.

Eficka, Europe and Mexico have been doing the lapband much longer than the U.S. So, those countries will actually implant the lapband as a preventitive procedure.

Telly, I'm considering purchasing a Bowflex. I've wanted one forever, but too afraid to make the investment for fear I wouldn't like using it and it would end up being a VERY EXPENSIVE CLOTHES HANGER. Which one do you have and how long have you been using it?

When I was researching lapbanding, considerations for me were the possibility of having to convert to another procedure or future health conditions requiring me to make adjustments in my intake of certain foods. I found the only procedure which really offered that flexibility was the lapband. All the other procedures seemed to involve some type of intestinal rerouting or stomach removal without any future adjustability, in essence -- what you get is what you get. So, whatever your choice, don't forget to think futuristically about your health and the possibility of health changes due to diseases/disorders that may run in your family (i.e. cancer, ulcers, Iron deficiency, reflux, etc.) Personally, I would go with the lapband first and keep the VG as the backup conversion procedure. In fact, that is my EXACT plan should a conversion ever become necessary.

I live near San Antonio, Texas and self-paid for the procedure. My thoughts were that if I had to self-pay for the procedure, then I would choose based on qualifications and experience, not just for convenience. At one point, I was considering lapband surgeons in Houston. So, I researched both Spivak and Spiegel -- I looked at their websites and read posts on the LBT and OH websites. Based on all the information I was able to gather, Spivak would have been my choice had I chosen a surgeon in Houston.

I self-paid for the lapband because my medical coverage through the military and my employer's insurance excluded the procedure. Since that time, my husband was picked up for civil service with the Air Force and we have an opportunity to at least get some insurance that will cover any unforseen future lapband expenses. If you're a civil service employee who had the lapband procedure covered through your civil service medical insurance plan, would you please share who your insurance carrier is? I'm hoping that I'll be able to locate and research the carrier quickly so my husband can initiate coverage.

Dr. C, Can an aggressive fill schedule lead to erosion if fluoroscopy is used at each and every fill event? I've had four fills since 20 November and would have had one on the 3 January, but I'm already at 2.8cc in a 4cc band. So, I skipped the last fill.

Believe me, the actual procedure is the surgeon's bread and butter. So, it's highly unlikely you would be held up from having the lapband surgery by their office. What is more likely is the surgeon's office is now offering the supervised diet and exercise program to meet your insurance carrier's requirement and to ensure their office retains you as a client. Call your insurance carrier and ask specifically what the requirements are for CPT Code 43770. I think you'll find that is where the official word of the six-month supervised diet and exercise program came from. The surgeon's office is just the messenger of your insurance benefits and entitlements. You'll also find that should you decide to self-pay for the procedure and have all your pe-operative requirements completed, you'll have a surgery date so quick it will make your head spin.

Audree, You are working that pre-op diet. You go, Girl! Supplements: My surgeon requires I take 1500 mg of chewable or liquid Calcium Citrate; Chewable Flinstone Complete twice a day or any chewable multi-vitamin two times a day and 18mg of Iron twice a day. THE CATCH: The Calcium Citrate has to be taken at least two hours after the Iron or your body won't absorb it.

1. Have more get togethers with friends. 2. Take my daughter to Mississippi meet her great grandparents. 3. Complete at least one class I think I would enjoy (spanish, sign language, cooking, sewing or acting). 4. Evaluate my career goals and pinpoint a direction. 5. Research starting my own business. 6. Play with my daughter more. 7. Plan min-trips for long weekends. 8. Work up to exercising 5 to 6 days per week.

Audree, From your post, you're doing great on the pre-op diet! I wasn't required to do a pre-op diet either, but I was able to take off about 5 pounds prior to surgery. But, my surgeon said, "You don't have to lose any weight, but don't gain anymore weight either." I was definitely stressed about having to make it through two of the biggest holidays of the year and not gain any weight. So, imagine my relief when I was given a surgery date for 20 November (Thanksgiving Week). To say I was "thankful" would be an understatement.

I'm assuming your surgeon has requested that you lose a certain amount of weight pre-op, and the dietician is having you do the shake and frozen meals to control your caloric intake to reach your pre-op weight loss goal. So, anything you can implement at this stage, i.e. following bandster drinking rules, will be beneficial later. The bottom line . . . if you try it and it's helpful in keeping you from being physically hungry (I'm not talking about head hunger because THAT'S a completely different animal), then it's just one more tool in your arsenal to make it through the pre-op diet.