Fran

I put tilapia on the forman grill with a little pam and some garlic powder and it is wonderful. Chilean sea bass is great too but can be pricey. Fran

I was denied coverage because I used a doctor at first in New Jersey-Dr. Davis and his secretary did not know what she was doing. She just batch fed papers to GHI without waiting for the full set, and they used it as a segway to deny me. Then she did the same thing with United Health Care. I then went to a wonderful surgeon upstate where I live and self paid. The Lindstroms seemed genuine and said I have a good case, or they would not have taken it. You just have to have faith in people. Thanks for your concern.Fran

I am the mother of a 23 year old drug addicted son. He has just returned from 9 months at a famous rehab facility that cost me my life savings. What would $300.00 dollars do for him, after the effect of what he bought with it wore off ,but more importantly what would the effect be if he could not have children in the future well after the $300.00 was used? He struggles daily as I do with my lap band, and we compare notes. He is determined to be remain clean, and my only wish for my life and his is that he continues to do so. I am a college educated woman with two advanced degrees. His dad is a college educated man, and his sister just completed her masters degree. She would not take a tylenol for severe menstrual pain. The money for sterilization would only be a carrot in front of a rabbit, and the life long effects of the sterilization would be horrific. Sometimes people with life long genetically passed on illnesses make decisions to have children-should we pay them not to? Such decisions are very personal, and drug addicts, people who drink, and those who gamble should first be rehabilitated so they can make clear, concise life long decisions. Each person is as different as their addiction. My addiction was ice cream-should I have been paid for not eating it anymore?

I too have just hired Walter Lindstrom after his being recommended by someone who he helped. I am so upset at the post concerning his help, and do not want to loose more money. I paid $22,200 to be banded last August, after being turned down by GHI and United HealthCare in NYC. The attorney seemed so good and his website is impressive, but I am not sure now. Anyone with positive experience with him and / or his wife, please let me know. I cannot stop thinking about this. Bless all of you for your continued support and inspiration. We are a lucky group of people. I have been a devoted reader but clouded due to a son's severe drug problem, and my using my life savings to help him. I am sorry to vent, but need your support. Be well. Fran

Hi All, I was banded on August 31,2006 in Port Jervis by Dr. Kwon. To date I have lost 65 pounds. I had a bad attack that I thought was something getting stuck, but it turned out I needed emergency gall bladder removal. Is this common with the band? Thanks and good luck to all. Fran

call me DUMB but what is twoterville?

288 August 30,2006. November 29,2006, 235-down 53 pounds but having bad pb's at night. Love my band, but have to work with it everyday. Bless you all for your honesty and help. Be well, be good. Fran

Hi, I enjoy this forum and now have a question. I cannot seem to eat chicken and no matter what I do it comes back to me. In addition I am having trouble at the night time meal, and I do not know why. I went to the doctor today for the monthly checkup, and they said nothing is wrong and if the band moved I would know. I have tried not drinking before eating, eating small bites but no good. Sometimes fish stays down. No other problem during the day. I was banded on August 30, 2006 and have had two fills to total 1.25CC if that makes sense. Thanks for any repsonse. Fran

I was banded on August 30, 2006 in Port Jervis with Dr. Kwon. I was a self pay. I have lost 50 pounds to date and have heart burn.

I was banded on August 30, 2006 and I am down 51 pounds. This is not easy and I have many, many questions. Fran

Hi, I was a self-pay too and it cost me 21,200 which includes a year of fills and visits. I thought a lot about this, and lost a lot of sleep. My husband and children would not even think about talking to me about this. My mother did not know until after the surgery. I felt that for all the years I worked, cooked, cleaned and denied myself things so my family could have I was worth the money. In addition if I kept eating and got sick, how much would that cost? Please realize that money is only as good as the things it can do for you and this is a great thing. Be sure you want it and if you do go for it. You can always sue an insurance company afterwards for the money. I wish you well. Fran

Hi, I was banded in Port Jervis by Dr. Kwon on August 31, 2006. Have you ever heard of him? Fran

I am a retired special education teacher who does early intervention home visits with developmentally delay/deaf/autistic infants from birth to three years of age.

I would not make a big deal out of this, as you will be needing this doctor and his staff. All I would do is say "oops I forgot the needle" everytime you go-perhaps they will get the message. Fran

You should be so proud because I am and I do not even know you. Way to go-you give others strength. Stay well. Fran:clap2:

You lost 55 pounds since 10/06 and you are questioning the band>? You are wonderful and seem to be doing all the right things. If the band is working, do not fill it as the consequences are messy with pb'ing and the need to remove some liquid. You are wonderful. Be well. Fran:clap2:

I love EAS carb advantage available at Walmart for $4.97 for four drinks. They look like little beer cans. I buy the chocolate fudge, the vanilla and the strawberry cream. All are good and very portable for the car, etc. I know they are expensive, but so are chocolate and chips which I used to buy. Health and happiness. Fran

Plain old Lipton Decaf is delicious. Loads of luck. Fran

I was told not to use any creamed soups. I buy vegetable broth or low sodium chicken broth and add tofu(tastes good), and vegetables and cook it for a long time. Then I add Mrs. Dash and I have a delicious and healthy soup. Enjoy!!

Chicken, no matter what color or how it is prepared gets stuck. I was told no pasta, rice, bread, crackers, pizza, hamburger or pork. Fish works well and I eat a lot of veggies. I feel like I am growing fins. Fran

Hi, Constipation was a problem for me too after surgery, but once I started to eat salads and vegetables it was okay. Also, if you are doing protein shakes, they are very constipating. Good luck. Fran

Perhaps it was the pizza-I was told no to pizza. I also throw up sometimes but only when I do not chew well enough or eat too much. If it continues, please seek medical help.

Hi, I was banded on Aug.30,2006 and have lost 41.5 pounds. Today I went for my second fill after only loosing 1/2 pound for the past two weeks. This is not easy, and I am not full after a fill. How should one feel after having a fill? Also, does the weight taper off. It was easier right after the surgery. I am having a problem knowing if this "hunger" is mental or not. I crave food, not sweets and am used to eating a lot. I love to cook and bake. Warmest regards to all and thanks for this site. Fran

I feel for you. The weight slows down and it does not seem to correlate to how much or what you are eating. This is not easy. What I have resigned myself to doing is to make believe that every day is my first with the band. I too am throwing up and it is disgusting. Perhaps you can talk to your surgeon or someone in his office. A support group? Although easy to say, try to hang in there. Try to get some protein in your system to jump start it. Be well. Fran

I had my surgery on August 30t, 2006 and I would do it again but just remember it is only a tool. I am very much into food with cooking and baking, and this is a struggle. I am still adjusting to the band, and trying to figure out hunger from desire for food. I hope to come to terms with this concept, but I would do it again. Good luck to you.