KariK

Ya its funny how the body can displace pain. Ppl with heart disease can have the only symptom be headaches too. For some reason the body can choose where to tell you something. Wether it be your shoulder, your head, your arm, or any other part of you.

I would call your insurance company and ask them what the criteria is. It may be that you had to have been under a doctor supervised diet, or used prescription diet pills. Or have been under the guidance of a dietician. You'll only know what your insurance company's criteria is if you call them.

Ended up going to the ER tonight. I just couldn't take it anymore. Bad case of strep throat. They gave me a hefty dose of antibiotic via a shot. Ughhh I cant wait until it starts working. This is worse pain than my c-section or my lap band surgery, I swear to god. I can't handle it!!! The doc was going to give me some strong pain meds but im nursing so I had to pass. I wish I woulda just taken the stuff. If someone was standing next to me and offered me morphine or heroine lol Id be sooo tempted.

Good idea La Madam! This is such a helpful thread for us newbies. Everyone should read it from start to finish!

Aww April you are such a sweetheart. Best of luck hun, you'll do great.

Well I just got back from the ER, I have a very bad case of the strep throat. One shot in the butt later and in two days im supposed to feel better. The doc offered to give me some strong pills for pain but im nursing so I had to pass.. bummer. I think my c-section plus my band surgery hurt less than my throat hurts now. Ughh. On a brighter note, I can't eat, so at least im not gaining... although it really sucks to feel horrible hunger pains and not be able to do anything about it. Geez even my brighter notes aren't all that jazzy. Sorry just wanted to let you guys know. Ohhh and don't let me forget, im a total crab right now. So all my posts for the last couple days don't count if I came off bitterchy (minus the ter). Thanks for listening. Love, Me.

I think thats a great question to ask both doctors. What percentage of their band patients experience erosion. And then compare it with the national average. My guess is that both doctors have a lower percentage than other doctors nationally. But if not, perhaps erosion has a lot to do with wether or not ppl stick to eating 6 oz. meals? Does anyone know what causes erosion? I guess I could look it up lol but .. im feeling too lazy. If I look it up later I'll post what I find out.

:sick Ughhh im so sick this sux. Im worried im going to get dehydrated, I can't even drink water my throat hurts so bad. My stomach is growling and Im so hungry but I can't swallow. Ugh I want to lose weight but not this way.:sick

:sick Ughhh im so sick this sux. Im worried im going to get dehydrated, I can't even drink water my throat hurts so bad. My stomach is growling and Im so hungry but I can't swallow. Ugh I want to lose weight but not this way.:sick

Make sure they send you all of your file. Get all of your paper work as of this date. Labs, results, etc. If you have to go to Texas, it will be ok. It might cost you more but it will be ok. I was self pay also and I live near your state. I flew to TX and Im glad I did, I had a great outcome. No complications whatsoever. I had all of my pre-surgery stuff done at home and then brought it with me to TX. I didn't have to have anything re-done. The doctor I went to's website is www.felixspiegelmd.com check it out. I was able to have my surgery within 2 weeks of choosing him. Best of luck! I feel so bad for you for what you are going through! What a bummer.

The seminar was free for me. Hm maybe they have too many coming to their seminars now?? I don't know. I went to seminar two weeks prior to my surgery which was on 7/28/06. I just checked Dr. Spiegels website www.felixspiegelmd.com and it says seminars are free.

Sorry to hear that Kelly. What he is now saying is that from December 2005 he has no slippage. He says he has perfected the technique now that he does not think its possible for it to slip.

I disagree with you dashi, I don't think anyone will 'know' she had surgery. Unless of course they are psychic. The only way anyone will know is if she chooses to tell ppl. I've said this on another thread and I'll say it here too. Having healthy boundaries, realizing that you aren't obligated to share every aspect of your life, is a good thing. You have a right to privacy. I especially feel strongly about this in any medical circumstance. It does not make you a liar if you choose to keep your medical business to yourself. And you should not feel guilty for choosing to do so. IMHO.

Susan, you rock!! The other day my hubby and I were watching TV and something about cheating was on, he goes 'Wouldn't you be just bummed if I cheated?' And then I replied 'Yep, it would really suck to have to spend the rest of my life in jail for murder.' We have a wonderful marriage so I don't think I'll see the inside of a prison cell anytime soon lol.

I wouldn't call it a cattle call personally, but I can see how some ppl could interpret it that way. I think they say cattle call because he does not take the time to visit or be 'friends' with his patients. He's more of a down to business kind of person.. at least thats my interpretation. When I had my consultation with him, I was impressed by his intelligence. And when I first heard him talking at his seminar he has a quick sense of humor, which again I find to show intelligence. I would say go to both doctor's seminars, the seminars are free. I've never met Dr. Spivak, but from everything I've read about him on this site he sounds like a fantastic surgeon. Do I wish I had went to him? Nope, Im really happy with my results, I wouldn't change a thing. Personally I don't think you can make a bad choice between these two. Also ask both doctor's offices or the doctors personally what their complication rates are. Dr. Speigel is now claiming that he guarantees his patients will have no slippage of the band. He feels he has perfected the placement and attachment of it. Maybe Dr. Spivak guarantees the same thing? Ask ask ask, ask a million questions! I questioned Dr. Speigel a BUNCH at seminar lol. Don't be afraid to do that.

Hi white rabbie, I take 1000 mcg, I don't know how that correlates with mg? Anyone a chemist or a pharmacist or whatever you have to be to know the differance between mcg and mg? lol I barely passed HS chemistry.

Having healthy boundaries and realizing that you have the right to your medical privacy is a good thing. Thank you for clarifying your statement Carlene, I appreciate that. Noone should ever have to feel like a 'liar' for choosing to keep some things personal and confidential. Especially when it comes to a medical decision.

I used Speigel, I've had a great experience and would recommend him to anyone. I payed out of pocket, decided not to wait for my insurance. The surgery itself cost me 15000, the semiar/consultation was 200, and I had other expenses such as airfare. My scars are so tiny, and I can't feel my port one bit. I had no bra issues and I think that because he's perfected where to put the port. He's done about 5000 lap band procedures. He knows what he is doing that is for sure.

blah blah blah

I don't think being a private person and keeping your medical choices confidential makes you a liar. I think thats a rude thing to say.

:sick Not even going to journal today, feel like crap, eating nothing good or healthy, no exercise. My head is pounding, throat is aching, ear is hurting, everything else hurts too. I better feel better soon.:sick

:sick Not even going to journal today, feel like crap, eating nothing good or healthy, no exercise. My head is pounding, throat is aching, ear is hurting, everything else hurts too. I better feel better soon.:sick

You'll be able to hide it just fine. I have told noone and we have get togethers all the time in my family. I just say im trying to eat less calories. People are more interested in their own mass consumption than they are of your lack there of. Seriously noone will know. Chew chew chew. And I've told ppl I've quit eating bread, that really helps. Im really glad that noone knows, it would drive me nuts to have ppl watching what I eat all the time and questioning me to death about it. But hey thats just me.

Mine happened really fast too, I contacted the surgy center and within 2 weeks I was banded. lol. I had been thinking about doing it for a long time but from the point of contacting the doctor, going to seminar and having it done it was 2 weeks! No regrets here, I almost chickened out though. But im really glad I didn't.

:sick Ugh, Im sick today. Sore throat, headache, earrache, chills, fever.. yuck. I didn't eat on any type of schedule, just ate when my meds were keeping the pain at bay. Breakfast: Atkins + Unjury Lunch: Nothing Supper: Salmon spread, kashi crackers. Snacks: a coupls SF puddings, they made my throat feel better for a bit. Vitamins.. ugh I forgot, illl go taks some right now. water: I don't know. Exercise.. ya right.:sick