DaniKLargo

Has anyone used Dr. Michael Perez or US Bariatrics in Ft. Lauderdale? I'd like to hear your experiences - good or bad. I looked on obesityhelp.com, but there weren't very many recent entries in the patient feedback area. I live in Key West and am looking for a doc in the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale area to perform the procedure. I'll probably self-pay, so any feedback on that would be appreciated also. Thanks - Dani

I'm currently on Tricare Prime, and I have a dilemma. I've read the manual and talked to my PCP - but neither had much info about Lapband. My understanding is that Tricare requires a person to be at least 100 pounds overweight, in addition to the BMI and comorbidity requirements. Now I've found out that the Tricare Prime that covers Key West also requires a 6-month supervised weight loss program before anyone can be approved for wls. I am right at 100 pounds overweight. If I lose any weight at all I will no longer meet the 100-lb requirement. I'm told I can possibly get a waiver, but no guarantees. So instead of wasting 6 months just to be turned down, does anyone know if Tricare Standard has the 6-month requirement? I'd happily pay a co-pay if it would mean less red tape. I'd really appreciate anyone's Tricare advice - particularly Lapband experiences in the Florida area. I know it's a new procedure for Tricare, and any real-world info would be helpful. Thanks - Dani

I have the coughing and slime all the time, not just at night. No liquids coming up. I had a scope and it's not acid reflux. I'm totally unfilled and back at my surgery weight - very discouraged, but I think it's my fault for overeating. I can eat just like I did before I was banded. I'm embarassed to go in to the doctor, but I know I need to. I'm just dreading the skinny yoga nurse telling me to eat less. :w00t: 235/230

I haven't been online in a while, and it's so exciting to see how much everyone has lost. I guess I'm a little behind the curve, but I'm tickled to death with my 20 pounds. I'm getting into clothes I've had buried in my closet for years! I haven't been exercising, since we're on 60-hour weeks at work, so I figure if I can just make it through tax season without gaining any back, I'll be able to start concentrating on losing. I don't know if anyone else has this problem, but I've had 2 fills and I can eat alot. The problem is I don't realize I've had too much until hours later, when I have a lump in my throat that stays with me for days. Sometimes I think I can feel the food in the back of my throat - is that even possible? I can't PB (I've tried) and my throat and chest hurt, but liquids go down fine. I wish I could feel full or at least PB, because I'm afraid I'm going to hurt myself since I don't know when I've had enough. So I think I need to do more small meals instead of the 2 biggies I'm used to, but old habits sure die hard.

I got my fiirst fill last week and after the 2nd day I didn't feel any restriction, so I've gradually gone back to eating normal. Well, I've been sliming since last night, and so miserable! So now I know I have restriction! So I'm going to buy the tiny sppon and fork, and I'm just going to do liquids until the sliming stops. YUCK!!!

Fun exercise idea - I hate to walk, and forget about running, but my husband got me the neatest bicycle for Christmas - it's one of those old-fashioned ones, and it's pink. At first I felt silly riding it, but it's so fun. Yesterday we rode over 3 miles (stopping for lunch midway) and it was so fun, it wasn't like exercise. I was a little sore after, but I'm sure that will change if I can keep this up. As for eating - I can eat anything right now, but I've noticed I'm eating a lot less - maybe half of what I was. Still, I'm looking forward to my fill in January. Looking back, I wish I hadn't told my co-workers about the procedure - one of them saw me eating a cookie and said something snotty. And everyone keeps asking me how much I've lost. Well, happy holidays to everyone!

I've been banded 2 weeks, and I'm starving!!! I'm eating a million little meals a day - soup and shakes, but I'm still hungry. The bad part is I now know I can eat things like chicken mcnuggets and have no problems. And I'm still supposed to be on liquids. I'm trying, but boy I can't wait for my fill - and it's still a month away!

Hi KWHenryKerr - I'll look forward to your post. It will be nice to meet some other people down here who have had it done or are considering it. Dani

I had chicken mcnuggets the other day and they went down fine. How depressing! BUT I only had 6 and no fries - I used to gobble 10 plus a large fry, so I guess that's a plus. Still a month until my first fill. but mostly sticking with liquids and mushies. Only cheating a little, although creamy soups are going to be my downfall. :hungry: I'm starting to crave things I never really even ate before - like sausage and eggs - I think it's a sign I'm not doing so great with the protein? Anyway - congrats to everyone, and hang in there!

Hi - I'm in Key West - actually a little farther up the Keys, but I work in Key West.

I've tried them all. Phentermine was good, but made me kind of shaky. Meridia I felt no effect. Xenical - it was ugly! Always running to the bathroom and once I had an "accident" in Barnes & Noble. Can't recommend it Boy I miss phen-phen.

I've been pretty hungry too, and I've found 2 things that work pretty well for me. First - egg drop soup. It's kind of thick and has lots of protein, so that keeps me full for a while. And for flavor I put in a ton of tabasco - but I've been doing that with everything. (I'm still on liquids). Also soft boiled eggs hit the spot for me. Smash them up with a little butter - yummy. Again - high protein and warm and gooey.

Hi Chrissie - I have a tattoo also - on my stomach. I'm a little worried what it will look like after I lose weight, and if I get a tummy tuck - what if it gets chopped off? Or worse, only partway. So I'll have a tattoo of like the bottom half of a teddy bear. Or maybe just the ear. Oh I'm cracking myself up, and it hurts to laugh :eek:

Hi everyone! I was banded on the 29th (Wednesday) and I have to say that whoever posted they were out shopping the same day must have been on some awesome drugs! Thankfully I was out of the hospital the same day, but the rest is a haze. And I was pretty much out of it for a few days after. Whoever posted the idea about buying a granny house dress is a genius! My husband thought I was nuts, but it was so comfortable for the ride home (4 hours) and when my husband would stop and make me walk every hour, I was covered up and not self conscious about no bra. The worst part of the surgery for me was when they took my blood for the blood oxygen test. They had to find an artery, so he went in my wrist and wiggled the needle all over the place and I nearly passed out. I'm still really bruised. I've lost 15 pounds, and I think I'm a little dehydrated, but I'm working on that. I'm also back to work today and just a little uncomfortable sitting at my desk. I brought in my protein shakes and yogurt smoothies, and yesterday I got really crazy and had soft-boiled eggs for breakfast. Then when my husband nuked some lasagna for dinner I had a few spoonfuls of the sauce at the bottom - it was heaven! apinksoprano - please don't be discouraged by your online dating experience. I remember when I was 140 pounds and guys would call me fat. I'd get so upset. Then a couple of years ago I was taking a class, and the girl in front of me was maybe a size 3 - and she had brought an ice cream bar to class. And one of the guys next to her told her she shouldn't eat it - she was getting fat. So she got up and threw it away. I was so pissed, and she was hurt - and now I know that when other people put you down - it's a control thing. It's not personal - they're just a-holes. So hang in there. Someday you'll meet someone wonderful who will love you regardless of your size. I did - and I'm never letting him go :-) Dani

Congratulations to everyone. I've heard that the soreness is from them lifting and moving stuff around - like on the video - where they put a stick under the liver and lifted it. Can't be comfy. I guess I'll see for myself soon Apink - I'm in love with the yogurt smoothies too. I really like the Nouriche ones. I was surprised because I've never liked yogurt - but these don't have that nasty aftertaste. My dh is out shopping now - getting the smoothies, protein drinks, bullion, etc. I know he won't be able to stop himself from getting some steaks or something. He was so supportive - doing all the cooking when we were on weight watchers - then I saw him putting a whole stick of butter in the recipe - to make it taste better. No wonder I lost no weight - but somehow he did. Go figure.

The receptionist here at work was eating Taco Bell today and I talked myself into a "last meal." After 2 weeks of protein shakes and yogurt. So I went a little overboard and I feel so sick! :sick What was I thinking??? It really wasn't even that good. I scarfed it so fast I barely tasted it at all.

Well I'm off to Ft. Lauderdale tonight - I have to check in at the hospital at 5:30 am. I was really nervous this morning but reading all the posts has really helped. I'm curious - I've been reading the posts about the gas pains - did everyone's doctor have them take a laxative the night before? I'm curious if this will help with the gas pains? I filled all my prescriptions yesterday. Did anyone else take Darvocet? Did it help? Also, I'm going to be on Pepcid, potassium, sleeping pills, and a suppository for nausea. Is all this normal? Thanks!

Good luck to everyone getting banded this week! I'm sending good thoughts your way!

I start my 2-week pre-op diet tomorrow. It's yogurt and Protein shakes, 3x a day, a high-protein snack (peanut butter, etc) and dinner is 4 oz of protein, veggies, and a whole-grain starch. I really hate yogurt but I actually like the yogurt smoothies, and they'll be easy to have on hand at work. My problem is I don't cook - hate to do anything in the kitchen that I have to clean up after. So this will take some adjusting. Also planning meals - how do I know what I'll feel like eating in 12 hours? food is very emotional for me - what am I in the "mood" for? I could eat until I'm stuffed but if it doesn't hit the spot, I'll keep going until the craving is filled. I hope the band works for me. I was kind of bummed about being on a diet for Thanksgiving, but the nurse at the center told me it wouldn't matter if I cheated the one day. She said they can't tell by looking at the liver - they just know people cheat if they gain weight before the surgery. Not that I'm encouraging anyone to cheat - I'm doing the diet to make the surgery easier, and to have less gas and bloating. But IF I slip, I won't beat myself up, and I hope nobody else does either. "Breathe in, breathe out, move on" (Jimmy Buffet Thanks to everyone posting - and good luck! I'm so excited!

Not necessarily. It depends on your medical history.

Hi Jamie - I don't know about military hospitals, but I know Tricare does not cover the band as of now. My understanding is that since the VA and Tricare for Life cover it, Tricare may be adding coverage in 2007, but of course no way to confirm. Personally I've given up on them and am paying for it myself. Good luck!

Hi everyone - I just wanted to wish everyone the best. I'm so excited, and I'm reading all your posts eagerly. I especially appreciate those who post after banding. My thoughts are with you all.

I'm in Key West - anyone in my area?

My husband always says I snore, and I never believed him, but for the surgery I had a sleep study done 2 weeks ago, and if anyone is curious, this is what they do: I showed up at my Dr.'s office at 9pm (felt kind of strange). The sleep tech was waiting and I had to fill out a bunch of paperwork and questions about my sleep habits. They had a room set up that looked like a little hotel room, with a TV and an infrared camera so they can watch you sleep. I wore sweats to sleep in, and the tech asked if I wanted an Ambien to help me sleep. I'd never had one before but it worked great. I sat in a chair and he started taping those little sensor things on my head and neck, then he GLUED sensors to my scalp. That was the gross part. He put bands around my chest, stomach, and ankles, and one of those things on my finger to measure my blood oxygen level. Then he strapped a sensor across my face between my nose and mouth. All these sensors are attached to long wires, so when I had to use the restroom the tech had to follow me holding the wires. Then he went to the next room and told me over the speaker to moe my eyes a certain way or pretend I was snoring so he could check all the readings. Then, surprisingly I fell asleep really quickly. The next thing I knew it was morning and he took all the sensors off, but I still had gobs of nasty glue in my hair. But it came right out in the shower. The results said I snore and get very little REM sleep (not sure I believe them about the snoring part ) and I have mild-to-moderate sleep apnea. So I went in last night to be fitted for a CPAP. They did all the same wires and stuff, but instead of the sensors over my mouth and nose they put a plastic mask over my nose. It was weird because there's a constant air pressure and at first my ears popped, and when I opened my mouth the air going in my nose came out my mouth and it felt really strange. Finally I learned to keep my mouth shut, but I really couldn't sleep with that thing on my face. I usually move around a lot, and I couldn't with the tubes. Hopefully it will get easier over time. If anyone has any ideas for dealing with sleeping with that thing, I'd appreciate suggestions. Dani

I got my date! November 29, so I'm a November Bandster! Thanks to everyone for posting their experiences, and my thoughts are with you all. After reading your posts I feel more excited than nervous. I'm 5'4", 234 pounds. Going to Dr. Perez at US Bariatrics in Ft. Lauderdale - self-pay. (Tricare sucks) What a crazy process! Endoscopy, colonoscopy, 2 sleep tests, that thing where they put a tube down your nose, blood test, EKGs, stress test, psych eval, I'll be so glad when this is over. I got fit for a CPAP last night - does anyone else have to use one? It was very uncomfortable - any suggestions would be appreciated. Best wishes to everyone!