tampa terri

My surgery was done by Dr.John Dietrick. The support meetings are held at his office location on Bruce B Downs Blvd next to University Community Hospital. The next one is at 6:00 PM on April 20.

Welcome! I live in the North Tampa area. My surgeon's office offers support group meetings. They are a great source of encouragement and friendship.

I have worked in the medical insurance billing field for approximately 24 yrs and really debated about voicing my opinion, but here goes... I have seen numerous sides of this issue, but honestly do not believe this bill is going to resolve the issues it is promising. I have yet to see a govt program that is managed properly. Medicare, Medicaid and even Tricare are full of limits and loopholes most people have no knowledge of until services are denied. Many people covered even by commercial policies have no clue about the benefits provided by their employers or even if their plan, the govt plans included, requires authorizations to receive care. Weekly, I deal with patients that are denied Medicaid they could get simply because they don't want to present proper documentation or followup so their children can be covered by Medicaid or other govt agencies. Many people using the ER do not qualify as true emergencies. We've heard people admit it is easier to go to the ER than to wait for a Dr appointment. It will be cheaper for many people to pay the govt penalty/fine of not getting insurance than to pay monthly premiums throughout the year. They will wait to buy insurance until they have a real issue, then the rest of us will have to absorb the insurance increase to cover the higher costs passed on by the insurance. No matter what coverage is offered, you will always have those that choose to do nothing for themselves.Without a doubt, reform is needed in many areas of healthcare and I would never want to see anyone not receive needed care, but unfortunatley this bill will not be the solution many hope it to be.

I've had eyebrows and eyeliner done a few times. It's been awesome! As with any tatoos, it starts to fade over time and should be touched up every year or so to keep it looking fresh. It's wonderful not to have everything wash off when you go swimming, sweat at the gym or simply wear off during the day. The esthetician used a numbing solution so the discomfort was very minimal. Eyes were a little puffy the next day, but nothing major. I'll definitely have it done again when it's time.

Though you may both have plans through the same insurance,it's true that benefits are based on the amount of coverage the employer wants to pay for. Unfortunately, if there is no coverage in the policy for bariatric surgery, even an appeal for medical necessity is not going to get it reconsidered. She should check with her employer or read her benefits book to make sure it is truly not a covered benefit. Many times an insurance will give incorrect information over the phone until you question them or can prove them wrong. Good Luck!

So sorry you were made to feel bad. I was rigid in following the post op diet and was stunned when I went for my 1 month post op appointment. I actually gained 4 lbs. My clothes felt looser and I had been walking more than I had in years, but the scale was up 4 lbs. My doctor's office told me not to feel bad, that the first couple months are for healing, not loosing weight. Many of us already have self esteem issues regarding our weight and it is inexcusable for your doctor to treat you like that. I hope you can find a doctor with better manners. Good Luck!

I had to smile at your queston-I asked the same thing! My Dr said it is to be one cup pre-chewed.

I cannot imagine the anguish you have had to endure. You are an amazingly strong woman. Your family is so very lucky to have you. While I have not experienced the trauma of domestic violence, I can tell you that as the weight comes off you will become more self-confident and feel stronger both physically and emotionally. Never doubt that you deserve to have a wonderful and healthy life. Use your family's love and support to help you achieve your goals. I wish you all the best!

Hi Roxy, Congratulations on losing 54 lbs! I was also banded on Dec 15 and also get frustrated when I would hit a plateau. My doctor recommended that I increase my Protein. Due the humidity here in Florida, a couple friends from work and I have started walking up & down the 4 flights of stairs in our building. We go up & down 4 times in the morning and then again in mid-afternoon. We started out with just one flight & have worked ourselves up to 4 after about 2 months. I won't say that I love doing it, but we can do it during our 15 minute breaks and I am proud of the results. People that teased us about doing it when we started are now saying they wished they'd joined us in the beginning. Also don't be so hard on yourself about how long it's taking to lose the weight. Of course it was easier when we were younger, but that's OK. Obviously the quick diets didn't work for us long term regardless of our being younger then. Keep telling yourself that this time it's for keeps! Be patient and praise yourself for every pound you lose. You can do this.

nmalek, Don't be so hard on yourself. Remember that the first couple months after surgery are for healing. We didn't put on the weight overnight, so even with the band it's not going to all come off overnight no matter how badly we want it to. I too was under the impression that once I had the band the weight would start magically falling off without alot of effort on my part. Not to preach, but we need to remember to be patient and that we still need to make sacrifices to obtain our goal. The restriction you will eventually have just makes it easier. Like others have posted, the band is only a tool. It will get easier for you and you will be happy with the results. Hang in there!

I really like the Atkins Advantage protein drinks. I drink them over crushed ice & it's almost like a thin milkshake. There is no smell or bad aftertaste.

When you want to eat more & can eat more because you don't have the proper restriction yet, that's the "Bandster Hell" people write about. Even with the band, that hurdle is just like with any other diet we've all been on, but it is temporary. Just think about all you've gone through to get to this point. You can do this!

I know just what you mean! Sometimes I felt like those cartoons that showed an angel on one shoulder telling a character to do a good thing while a demon on the other shoulder would encourage the character to do bad. The mental hurdles are hard to conquer, but seem to be getting easier.

Don't be discouraged-you're doing great! Some people even gain weight during the post-op period. I also lost inches first, but was happy to take whatever nonscale victories I could get. The scale may move slowly at first or not at all for weeks at a time, but stick with it. It's not always easy, but I am 6 months post-op and believe this is the best thing I've ever done for myself. Good luck!

The same thing happened to me this week. I'd finally gotten to the elusive sweet spot, was losing weight at a steady pace and feeling great. Suddenly, I couldn't eat more than 3 bites of anything or even get down sips of water. I thought the problem might resolve itself, but it didn't. I hated the thought of an unfill, but knew it wasn't worth the risk of possible complications. Luckily because I got to the Dr quickly I didn't have to be completely unfilled. No one could tell me what triggered the tightness.

I completely relate to your frustration. Once I had my surgery I didn't understand how I could still want to eat as much and as often as I did. I wanted to get to the restriction "sweet spot" so badly that I had fills too quickly then suffered with esphogeal dilation. I had to be unfilled and wait several weeks before I was healed enough to begin the fills again. I needed to learn the difference between living to eat and eating to live. The psychological aspect of overeating will be a struggle for me for a long time but the Band does make easier. I wish you well and hope things get easier for you. Good Luck!

When I was having issues after eating, I tried to wait it out, but it got worse. My Dr said it is important to let him know ASAP because the tightening will usually get worse and can cause complications if not addressed right away.

I had the exact same problem and my Dr said any time there was pain associated with eating it generally meant that it was related to the band. He said I would feel immediate relief from a slight unfill & thankfully I did. He said that the back pain was caused by esphogeal dilation. I did not have to go back to the liquid diet after the unfill, but was very cautious for a few days for fear the pain would return. It did not.

Hi! I live in Tampa and was banded on 12/15/08 by Dr. John Dietrick at University Community Hospital. He and his staff are wonderful and very helpful. Hope this info helps you. Good Luck!