Me3

UGH!! shakes, Jello, Popsicles, Beef Bouillon.... I want something solid! The first three days were hard... then it eased for the past three... now today I want food! LOL I won't... because I know how much the benefits outweigh everything but arrgghh!! Aunt Flo decided to visit too... that is why I spose I want to eat!!! I CAN do this!! FATS! Finally Able to Succeed!

I researched who I was originally referred to; Dr. Michel Murr... here is the page I found on his background ThrombosisClinic.com - Biographies - Michel M. Murr, MD He is an Associate Professor of Surgery at USF (our university here in Tampa), which got me to thinking (since my dad is a professor) and I called TGH and asked. They said that Dr. Murr does some of the high risk surgeries, but for the most part his fellows do the procedures under Dr. Murr's supervision. TGH is also a teaching hospital. Which doesn't make it a bad thing, its just not what I want. You are correct that they are a center for excellence. I was trying to find the page that I had saved that had the rates, but I can't locate it.. I remember it was $250 at the Seminar, $500 for Initial Consultation, then $1000 for psych , nuitritionist and pre-op. They also had fees for filling out paperwork and on and on it went. It wasn't the best choice for ME. I chose Dr. Aguila, he is a total Care lap band certified center and does the surgeries himself. He was a general surgeon first and so he has always been up to his elbows in surgery so to speak! LOL Meet the Surgeon Above is the details on Dr. Aguila's info. Either way,we all make the best decisions for ourselves and no one decision is wrong or right, just different! Hugs, Heather

I live in Tampa, and I think TGH is a great hospital. The lap band program though is about $1700 out of pocket not covered by insurance of any kind and then your packet goes to insurance for approval. The Dr. isn't the one that does the band, his fellows (students) do. They also have the clinic mentality there, so it just wasn't my cup of tea. I am being banded by Dr. Wilfred Aguila at Memorial Hospital in Tampa on April 8th which is a stone's throw from TGH. He has been a general surgeon for decades (does the surgery himself), has struggled with his weight and won the battle and three people on his office staff have had the band. They are so kind and informative and bend over backwards to help you through the process. I have nothing but accolades for them right now! Good luck in your decision in whichever hospital you choose and keep in touch! Hugs! Heather

I have a little bit of a different opinion... days 1,2 and 3 ARE by far the hardest in my opinion, when your body is going through heavy withdrawals from carbs and sugar. It is normal for her wanting what she did, and it was great that you stood up for what she committed to. It is also normal for her to get upset... she IS going through withdrawal and like any drug addict, she is going to have mood swings. They won't last forever!! Hang in there! I have already had my freakout on my DH and we got through it! You will too! Bravo for being the shining knight in your fight WITH your wife for her health and well being!

Hey Mandi! I found day 4-8 great... but then day 9-10 were hard... and now...well I managed to go to Universal Studio's in Orlando (it's a theme park) all day with the kids/grandkids and managed to stay true to my optifast! Ohhh but the smells were inticing!! LOL! Keep it up! WE CAN DO THIS!! Hugs, Heather

I am on day 6 of 14... and the first three days were the hardest... hang in there... day 4 and on isn't as bad! Hmmm and yes I cheated by eating a hard boiled egg. I was light headed and thought it was good nutrition w/some sodium added... that was a mistake... learned my lesson... lol My doc says if you feel weak or lightheaded it is likely from the lack of sodium, since our pre band life of prepackaged, high processed foods was full of sodium; they recommend one bullion cube in a cup of Water a day to help... They also say that you can have an additional one if you start to get a headache and I have found that it really does work with the shakiness I sometimes get and the headache I got day 4 went poof after a mug of beef broth... Hugs, Heather

LOL My Dr's office submitted paperwork in Dec 2009... and then Humana (whom I HATE) their bariatric center made me jump through so many hoops I felt like a poodle! :scared2: They made me go to ADDITIONAL monthly appointments in Jan, Feb and March, before the approval came. They kept the file in "Pending" for almost 4 months. It ticked me and my PCP off to no end. It was ridiculous. My pre existing conditions of Migraine and STROKE were "outside" their little stupid pre approval lists of morbidity's (go figure). I even had the bariatric nurse tell me when I questioned the appointment in March that she was a salaried employee and didn't have time for me. :cursing: I have kept my tongue because I don't want to be un-approved, but I will be lodging a complaint after surgery for all the good that it will do... but I am rather torqued about the way it all unfolded..:cursing: But, I did FINALLY get approval, so I can only bark so loud :thumbup: I tell you this... from approval to surgery has been lightning fast! :thumbup: LOL Hugs, Heather

April 8th at 10:30 am foe me! I am on day 6 of 14 of the Optifast... and the first three days were a bear... but the last three were reasonable... Aunt Flo showed up this morning so I am HUNGRY today... but I'm behaving! I have no idea how I am going to manage disney world on Thursday but I'll be darned if i'd dissapoint my step graddaughter! Hugs, Heather

Many of the health food stores have liquid multivitamins... that would solve that issue... just a thought.

So, I'm jumping through hoops with the insurance. Have guaranteed approval once I complete PCP appointment Feb 4... may have to go March 4th but waiting to see on that front to complete the pre-requisites. My surgery will either be the end of February or 2nd week in March depending on the approval date. With eating lately, I have this mentality that this is the last time I can eat like this, or have this food or that... and I have jumped to 257 pounds... I am 5'9". :thumbup::thumbup: I HATE waiting. I feel like I want to get this started and I find myself wanting to sleep the day away when I'm not at work etc... I know this is foolish anxiety, but am I the only one that thinks like this? ::sigh:: Hugs, Heather P.S. I know part of this too is a friend of mine who is nearly 400 pounds, who has deep psychological issues, is having some major life stressors at the moment that she dumps on me a lot to talk. I just feel so heavy, it's ridiculous. I know I need to try and ease the effect she has on me, but it's difficult to watch someone you care about self destructing; especially when your trying so hard yourself to make positive life changes.

Howdie! Anyone getting banded in February? My date has been set for Feb 28th, 2010. My insurance is pending waiting on my 2 final appointments to fulfill the 6 month PCP assisted weight loss. Those 2 appointments have been set up for Jan and Feb 4th. Humana said that Feb 5th, when they receive the paperwork they will approve it! YES! So, anyone that is being banded in February, I would love to buddy up and go on this journey together! Much Love and best Wishes, Heather

I'm so excited that we're all doing this together! Had my 5 month appointment on Jan 4th and all went well.. now onto Feb 4th and hoping for a Feb 28th surgery date! YAY! Hugs, Heather

#1. Surgery date? Feb 28th, 2010 #2. State you live in? Florida #3. Doctor/Surgery Center? Dr. Wilfred Aguila #4. Insurance or self pay? Insurance- Humana #5. Age and height 33;5ft 9in #6. Current weight and goal weight?246/150 #7. What was your deciding factor for having this surgery? Wanting to have a baby; had a stroke in July 09; wanting to be around when my sgtep-grandkids grow up and get married; want migraines to lessen; want to be healthy; want to burn my fat sucker (girdle); want to be able to shop somewhere else then lane Bryant's, Catherine's etc. #7. Do you have the support of family and friends? Yes and Yes #8. Concerns and questions? My major concern is getting the hospital to recognize and act the night after surgery and be ready to put me out of my misery should I get a migraine which I have had that happen the last 2 times I've had surgery. .......................and anything else you would like to add! I can't wait to get this party started! lol... the wait is the worst!

I would agree with the previous posters.... When I went in last month, I just answered what was asked and didn't "offer" anymore. I know a lot about the procedure and he asked me questions about it and I answered them, adding nothing. I was there about 30 min. It was a friendly conversation. I didn't say a word when he gave his opinion on food plans and such, weather I agreed or disagreed. Short and sweet and to the point. I also found it amusing the psycologist was a man, he looked like the short, heavyset, furry friend from Borat. That made me laugh... here he was telling ME how to get it right... just seemed.. hypocritical... LOL!

YAY! Congratulations on your approval! :tt1::tt1: That's awesome! Just think of the pre-op as the gateway to success! We've dealt with such hell, surely we can make it two weeks! I will be with you all the way! I KNOW you can do it! My nurse practitioner was telling me to freeze some of my shakes and make it like ice cream, and you can add clear unflavored Gelatin for a custard like dessert... All while on the two week wait! I think it will help me get through the psychological part of the shakes! I have similar worries about excess skin, but I've been told by many that as long as I keep walking, and exercize mildly, the excess should be at a minimum... besides.. that's what they make duct tape and super glue ... and spanx for right?? LOL! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: Much love, Heather

From my 2 years of research, you do have a smaller stoma opening after surgery even if your band is unfilled. So, please be careful and follow your dr's advise... Bandster Hell is called this for a reason... we have all dealt with fat hell for long enough...think before you gorge using the thought, well there's no restriction, so I can eat the entire cow so to speak. Good luck! Many wishes of success, Heather

So, I sent in everything.. had my nutritionist and psych appointment and passed with flying colors. So the office calls me yesterday and asks me if I have any more medical records to turn in. I was like um.. no.. didn't you get enough... 8 years worth! She told me that it wasn't a strong packet to turn into the insurance company. I was like WTF?!? She said that there was a lapse from July to October of this year... no kidding I told her.. I wasn't able to continue the medication assisted stuff to lose weight because I had a stroke. She said that I should have the primary doctor write a letter explaining that and for him to reiterate that it is medically necessary to get the lap band or else I needed to consider the 6 months pre plan with their office before she submits the paperwork. I am really freaking out! I have an appointment with my primary on Tuesday morning, but I am freaked out at the prospect of having to wait another 6 months! Everything was going so smoothly!! UGH!!! The other thought that crosses my mind is that if I lose weight on another 6 month stint.. will they deny me because I'm able to lose weight on my own?? I know I can, but I can't keep it off...:w00t::cursing::frown::cursing: So, Im in a catch 22... if I do the 6 month thing again, i'll have to play the game and not lose too much.... that's the last thing I want to do. I want to lose weight permanently! I HATE insurance companies... it's their job and my life... hardly a fair matching! UGH!!:smile::cursing::laugh::laugh::scared2::tt2::scared2::rolleyes2::thumbdown::w00t::thumbdown:

WOOT! Got my date today! Thursday January 14th!! Backup date set for January 28th (in case any issues with insurance) YAY!!!! So, that means pre-op diet starts 1/1/10!! Happy New Year!! YES!!:w00t::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Hi everyone! I just had my psych consult today... found out how nuts I really am! I passed with flying colors! Now, the packet goes off to the insurance company! I am well on my way! Right on target for a January Banding!! YAY!! Hugs, Heather 1.What is your current and goal weight? Current 249/Goal 150-170. 2.What is your surgery date? Target Date January 2010 3.What is your age? 33 4.Where do you live? Tampa, FL 5.Where are you having surgery? Memorial Hospital of Tampa 6.Who is your Doctor?? Dr. Wilfred Aguila 7.Insurance or self-pay? Insurance 8.What was you "deciding factor" for having this surgery? Small Ischemic stroke in July 09 partly due to high cholesterol. :tongue::smile::wub::wub::mad:

My name is Heather. I am 33 years old and have decided to have the LAP-BAND® procedure after a very frightening diagnosis of an ischemic stroke in the early part of summer. While the only effect of the stroke is a weakened left eye muscle, it scared me straight. I also have a co-morbidity's of high cholesterol (possibly high BP), migraines and some mild depression in the past. I am 5ft 9in. I have been on every diet imaginable and well we all know the outcome... Wonderful losses at first, then big gains! Woohoo!! NOT! Anyway, I am currently 249.6 pounds (10/26/09) and hell bent and determined never to make the 250 mark! (Pipe dream, I know!) I had my first appointment with Dr. Wilfred Aguila in Tampa, Florida on (10/26/09) and have my psych evaluation December 1st to find out how crazy I really am! I met with the nutritionist on Nov 12th, and then the packet of information goes off to my insurance company, (Humana). Then my surgery date.. target date is 1st or 2nd week in January 2010. I am excited and really ready to take care of ME!!! but I can't do it alone! ME3.... ME, My doctors, and YOU! :thumbup: Very much love and wishes of success to all. Heather