ParrotheadCathy

I paid $5,000 in cash and financed $10,000 through Care Credit. Capital One also has surgical financing. With Care Credit, you can spread the payments over as much as 7 years (which I suggest because it is the lowest monthly payment and you can always pay more without being committed monthly to a larger payment). When I applied for Care Credit, it asked me the price of my procedure and I put the whole amount even though I planned to pay the $5,000 up front. Check with your surgeon's office and see what financing they work with. They can help you with that too!

Jim, a heating pad can help with the soreness and, too, with alleviating trapped gas that you may experience. And, thankfully, the soreness goes away rather quickly. You're swollen from the surgery and band placement and that will help make you feel full, too. It all works together!

Laurie, from everything I read, there is a 10% chance of complications including death and malnutrition associated with gastric bypass. The complication rate for lap band is .01% and usually relates to reactions to anesthesia or band slippage. For me, there was no comparison between the two. I had the surgery on Tuesday morning and went back to work on Friday morning (worked the whole day, too). That would not have been possible with bypass surgery. Got specific fears? Ask away!

There's a lot of valuable information on forums like this. Alot of people talk about the changes they've made, how they are using the lap band as a tool to help them make changes. Got a question? Somebody here has already been there and will answer it. The changes that bothered me so before surgery were no more carbonation and not drinking immediately before, during and after a meal. Guess what? I don't miss those Diet Cokes AT ALL. And if you eat as instructed -- small bites, chew well -- you won't miss the liquids with a meal either. So ask away! And let the experienced folks ease your mind!

It's most likely just normal fluctuation....something you eventually encounter if you weigh yourself every day. Hormones, a little more salt in something you ate, maybe a little less activity...and there you go! It just happens sometimes. Continue to eat properly, drink your fluids and it will go away as quickly as it came. REMEMBER: It takes 3,500 extra calories above what it takes to maintain your weight to gain a pount. You certainly didn't eat more than 10,000 calories EXTRA yesterday. It happened to me to during the 4 weeks after surgery. I gained 3, lost 3, gained 2, lost 2. Had my first fill. Haven't gained any but haven't lost any either.

Blood when you blow your nose could be nothing more than dry air. If it's not warm yet where you live, the furnace could be responsible. Buy some Na-Sal (normal saline in a spray bottle for nasal use). Also comes in various store-brand names. That will moisturize the tissues in your nose and will likely stop the problem!

2 pounds up could be nothing more than normal fluctuation. Remember that women, much more so than men, have weight fluctuations due to a variety of reasons including hormone changes. Drink your water. Exercise. For the band to work for you, you can't sit around and wait for it, though. Get outside. Take a walk everyday. Build up how far you can go by slowly adding distance. It's spring which should be another incentive to get outside and enjoy the milder weather. Remember, your band is a tool to provide you with portion control. It's not a magic spell.