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Great for you Weas! I see a lotta people out here that are upset because they aren't losing as fast as they think they should. But as life-time dieters we need to remember that it is not just what we are losing, but what we are not gaining! I would be thrilled to be down 80 in a year. I would be even more thrilled to know I hadn't gained 20, 30, 40 or 5o in that same amount of time. Happy bandiversary to you! And I'd lift 80 drinks in your honor if they wouldn't make me absolutely miserable! :eek:

I don't use Dr. Irani, but Dr. Dr Garcia in his office and I have talked to Dr. Irani when I had problems and he was on call. Both of them are great guys with excellent patient rapport and highly reputed skills. They have a third partner, Dr. Naiak, but I have heard he is more of a "Jillian" when it comes to keeping you on track with your wieght loss...Dr. Garcia is more of a Bob. Just so you know....prices in medicine (especially outside of insurance) are negotiable. Remember, the insurance company pays only a fraction of "charges" and they have to hassle with them. If you go in, say you are paying yourself and will hassle with the insurance yourself, ask them for a discount. I got my cost down from $5k to $4k, no cost if I needed a hernia repair and three free fills. All I did was ask! Good Luck

I know I'm a late-comer to this thread, but wanted to put my two cents in if you are still looking and researching. As a cash pay, I thought about going out of town...beleive me, cash is welcome anywhere. But I ended up right in little ol' Bakersfield. With John Garcia of Bakersfield Surigcal Associates. He does seminars at both Mercy Southwest and San Joaquin (which I beleive has the better overall program.) He came highly recommended from a friend who had him and my husband and I just loved him...practical, a real person you can talk to and always takes the time to answer all your questions. If you prefer a more "distinguished" surgeon, Dr. Hormuz Irani, who started the group, is also very caring and great with patients....he's been doing this since God was a boy, so his skills are supreme. Hope that helps! Cristy

Hey Dani - I'm from Bakersfield...banded on March 31. I'm still having all the first week issues, bu each day gets better..Where dd you have your surgery and which surgeon? What has your experience been like? I'd love to get more Bakersfield folks on here so we can chat and eventually meet...the hospital support groups just don't happen frequently enough to meet my needs!

Hi. I am bipolar type 2 and cymbalta is just one of mant meds I take. I started out by opening capsules and swallowing the foul stuff inside. But in the last day or so, I am going back to swallowing my smaller pills. I've had no problems and I'm 5 days post surgery. The warm water things sounds like a good idea.

Hi all - I'm bipolar 2 also and take several medications. My insurance doesn't cover lapband, only gastric bypass, so I had to pay cash. I find that makes the programs much more flexible. But, to my point...I made a stink that my own psychiatrist do the evaluation since he is a bipolar specialist and since we have been together for over a year (I also pay cash for him, since my insurance wants me to use their psychiatrists, which have only f#@%ed me up over the years.) The lap band program people were more than happy to accept a detailed letter from him. You may want to try that tact. But getting there is just half the battle for us...then you have to figure out working with your medication if you are on it...that's a whole new challenge.

Ladies - I'm 43 and severely bipolar. I take cymbalta, lamictal, depakote and ambien to sleep. I've been hospitalized twice for it. Ijust had surgery on 3.31.09 (with the approval of my psychiatrist) so I'm not an oldie but need someone who understands bipolar, its relationship to food (a real strong one) and the challenge of managing multiple medications with restriction. I'd like to be a part of what ever develops here. Thanks.

Tish - I think it depends on what works for you. I got my band on 3/31 and have had trouble sleeping since day one. A banded friend of mine said to try the right side with the port up and a pillow under the tummy to support it. I pulled out my old pregnancy pillow. That helps, but I have to wiggle around a bit to get the right position. But I still get reflux, so today I bought a wedge pillow which just elevates my head and shoulders a bit to keep everything flowing down. At least now I have two options, because nothing seems to last me all night! Hope that helps!

Ladies - I'm also a March 31 bander and I won't mince words...I've been miserable. The first two days were unbearable so I saw my surgeon and lo and behold, the band had 3 ccs of Fluid in it...the dark test fluid they are supposed to take out before closing you up. Once he took that out (he said it was the earliest adjustment he had ever done--duh) I felt much better for a while. But i'm still having trouble getting my liquids down without lots of gassiness...needless to say, burps are a girls best friend. Protein shakes make me absolutely ill. Any help, ideas or suggestions??? Cristy Decision weight - 265 Presurgery - 255 Current - 238 Goal - 150 :thumbup:

Hey - looks like I came late to the party, but I'm also a 3/31 bander. Still having a lot of trouble with gassiness, reflux etc. I actually had to have an "unfill" two days after surgery...they had accidentally left the test Fluid in and I had 3 cc in a 4 cc band...ouch! I'm doing a bit better now, but I'm still on a emotional roller coaster with discomfort, inability to sleep and overall gassiness. I want this to work so bad, but don't know if I'm up for this the wa it is now. Anyone else feeling this way?? :thumbup: