Katgirl

Hi, Kareyn. I sent in all of my receipts: from Leung's office, the hospital stay, etc. and I rec'd. a couple thousand back. Just send in all of your receipts serparately cuz they won't cover the band itself. Have Evelyn break everything down for you. Also, Kareyn. If you don't stay in the hospital (I personally needed the overnight stay, but some don't) you can claim approx. $1500 back from the hospital.

what have you got against fish? ......*grin*

In Canada $13,000 - bottom dollar. Not a long wait time either; about 3 months between first visit and surgery.

I would love this thread.

I think this is a dangerous post. Surely this will upset someone enough that they will be too afraid to post with their questions. Some people (for whatever reasons) have bad grammar. Pass on a post if it bothers you that much.

Hi, there. You are definately in my prayers. You really need to remove yourself permanently from that situation (pray and ask for guidance) and focus on yourself and your new lapband. This should be a time for you to be excited about a brand new start. Don't be discouraged. Kat

Blue Cross covered portion of everything except lapband itself. I also claimed everything on my income tax and rec'd. a portion back. Oops, I just realized, I am in Canada

I don't think it's fair to judge. People may feel it is safer having a baby in a carrier rather than holding in your arms, especially when distracted doing other things, ie. grocery shopping. I'm sure there is lots of cuddling going on at home, etc. Also, it is near impossible to be a stay at home parent now with the cost of living and mortgages, etc. How did you manage to stay home with your children 24/7 that allows you to judge others that need to go to work? The only way I know someone can stay home is if they are "rich" or on some kind of government subsidy that is paid for by people that "go to work". My 2 cents

I never had to take meds before but now have to take prevacid and eat tums all day long. I thought we were not supposed to eat tums after banding? :biggrin:

Just don't eat after 6 pm and nothing to drink after 6:30 or so and voila. That's a good thing too, I think. I like being cut off at a certain time. If you do eat later (ie. going for dinner or on the weekend) then simply go to bed a little later (have about 4 hours no food before bed) or sleep with your head propped up. Good luck. kat:rolleyes2:

What a little angel

I have good skin! I have lost over 100 pounds and I don't really think I'll need a tummy tuck. So, you are right, everyone is different. Kat

These people are not your friends, Meghan; plain and simple.

Help! I have lost probably 4:cry 0% of my hair since my surgery in October; it's really dry too. I talked to a pharmasist to see what I could take - she said nothing, really. Will my hair come back? What are your experiences? I truly have alot of balding patches now. Thanks in advance. On another note, I am thrilled with my weightloss - 92 lbs. so far. Kat.

Have you had your thyroid checked, Ginger? If you have an underactive thyroid it can make for a difficult time losing weight. Kat.

Don't feel too down on yourself about the preop! I know that I would not have been successful with the preop diet either. Luckily, I did NOT have to do the preop diet; not all docs make this a requirement. Obviously, you did not have enough fill - of course you can continue to eat if you don't have enough fill. Not being successful with the band is a minority as far as I am concerned. This band has saved my life and I was like you: craving the burgers, etc. I have enought fill that it is IMPOSSIBLE to eat as you have mentioned you were, in your post. Good luck, Kat.

I think it is okay to wait a wee bit before going in for an un-fill; my doc told me that we are swollen and tight after a fill - it's normal. I was really, super tight my last fill (could do liquids only), but after a week or so, I started to gradually loosen up. Now, I feel pretty perfect (took about a month). I only eat about 1/2 teacup of food at each meal and I'm full, but that's what the doc said would be my life - just enough to sustain. I can eat anything (thus far) in very small amounts. In answer to your question, I ate alot of healthy Soups during this "liquid" time; cream of broccoli, etc. Any kind of Soup with veggies and even meat in it can be put in the blender and eaten. You could also try a Protein shake in the morning with Vitamins blended in - I did! Cheers! Kat.

I am able to eat bread, rice and Pasta in very, very small amounts ie. a sandwich for me would be a little less than a quarter (no crust); pasta would be about 1/4 cup. Rice I don't really bother with cuz I can only eat about 1/8 cup and nothing else - so not worth it (I rarely eat potatoe for the same reason). If I do have these things, I make sure I have some veggies mixed in, even in the pasta. This is exactly what I was looking for in the band - being able to eat anything, but in really small amounts (aren't we all). Good luck!

As long as you haven't just eaten a meal, liquids go through easy, Sasha. That's why they say to be careful of high calorie drinks like juice and wine. Kat.

I drink tons of water (and other things)! I always stop drinking about 1/2 hour before a meal though. Kat.

I went and got Prenatal Vitamins; the Pharmacist thought this was a really good idea! Thanks again! Kat

Should I be aware of anything re: band? I have a 5 1/2 hour flight from Canada. Thanks in advance. Kat.

Hi, Tami. We also are leaving on the 18th for cancun. We are staying at the Royal Solaris. Have fun....arrriba! Kat. Oh, in answer to Bubble's questions: my Dr. is Leung in Surrey, BC....

Good Morning, Ladies & Gents. Well, as I mentioned, I had my first fill on Tuesday. I'm not really sure how I am supposed to feel though? Example: I take a drink of water and can feel it going down, & when it hits my stoma (spell?) it sort of makes a little burpy sound and it's gone & I feel fine. I know I have to change my way of thinking too - that I will not feel that horrible fullness I used to feel while eating, before being banded. What examples can you give me of your daily diets on the mushy stage please. Dr. Leung mentioned soft chicken; soft vegies (he was kind of vague; and who better to ask than y'all), but what else? What about breakfast and lunch? I could stay on this thick pureed soup for a long time, cuz I am so afraid to stop losing; however, I know this is unrealistic cuz the solid food is what will make me full. I know there are soups on here, but I would like soft/solid food daily menus. Thanks in advance. I am so glad you are all out there!!!! Kat. ps now I know what people meant when they said they were learning how to use their band, cuz I feel like that right now; I am fairly confused...guess it's trial and error.:nervous

Okay, Gang. I went for my 2nd fill today. I wanted to feel a little more restriction; looking for that sweet spot. Well, bit of a nightmare! Dr. couldn't get the needle "in the middle" of port and so pain this time. Anyhow, the doc was very nice about it, but I'm wondering why at one point (when he thought he had the needle in) I suddenly felt very dizzy (enough to almost pass out!) and thought I was going to throw up. He took all of the fill out and then put more in. Anyone else experience this? Any thoughts? If anyone has found their "sweet spot", can you explain to us what it feels like to you? I would love to hear about this. Kat.