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Hi Julie my name is also Julie and Im 41 with three children as well. I just had to respond.. found it comical that we are close in age and have the same amount of children.. mine are 19, 16, 14. two boys one girl. I have 3 more supervised dietician visits and then Im on my way.. keep me posted on how things are with u.. Julie M in Wisconsin

I am just angry because most of you believe that health care standards are same in other countries. Doctors and health personel are well educated, courteous, helpfull. Just no. Here in Romania, Health care system is under state control, and free, but docs are just like ordinary government employees. Just like a post office clerk. They do not get post education. State health care is free, but you have to wait in lines to get basic care. Basically, state health care system is in ruins. Staff and doctors are in general undereducated, old , underpaid, the hospitals and equipments are old, and dirty.Corruption is going everywhere. Good doctors and health care personel move to other european countries. My doc is the chief of the surgery unit, but he does not have an office of his own. We always talk in corridors,there are maybe 10 doctors packed up in one single room. They are like an ordinary government employee. How can you expect good health care from them. I have done the surgery there, because the doc is the most experienced in this field in Romania.He has done over200 lapbands. but his staff is terrible, and unprofessional. No pre-post information. You are mostly on your own. He gets his big money from patients (he is a public employee) after the surgery, five hundred dollars in packet, never wants to get bothered after that. So I had to keep up with his ego. He just doent like too many fills. He told me I should come after 6 months, how can I argue with him. I should wait another 6 months for the next fill, for a super sized VG band. This is unethical, unprofessional, and irresponsible behaviour on his part. I am pretty sure he use the same needle for many fills, because the state doesnt pay for the huber needle, they do not have a budget for that. He just asked extra money for that. I know there are some private clinics doing the same procedure, but I do not believe the docs are as well experienced. The hospital had the fluoro unit,thanks god, I could check the health of the system. I have seen the contrast agent (omnipaque) flowing, through the tube to the band. I was really happy because I was also worried that when I did my own fill, I could puncture my port because I used some force to inject that I needn't to, and used a core needle. Anyway, next time I will bother him a lot so that he will accept another fill, I hope so. Money might talk.:mad: Dorin

Twas the night before surgery, and all through the house. Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse, or my dog, or my husband.......... Well it's 10:15 p.m. and my husband is watching a dvd, my dog is sleeping in her bed and i just finished taking my shower with my antibacterial soap given to me by the hospital. I'm getting sleepy because I took the sleep aid prescribed by my doctor, just in case I am too excited to close my eyes...........it's working.......... I told my immediate family yesterday about my surgery scheduled for tomorrow........at first I didnt want to because i wasn't sure about the reaction I would get. My two sisters are very supportive and so is my dad.......he said "that's great. You will look like you did in high school." haha. My mom wasn't as supportive but I'm sure it's a normal reaction when you hear your child is about to have surgery. She said she would go to the church in the morning to pray for me but tonight she texted me and said she will be there in the morning as she is driving in with one of my sisters. It's so nice to feel the love and support of my family. Now it makes me think I should have told them sooner........but I cant look back......I can only look forward at the start of my new chapter tomorrow. Good night my lap band family...........I will report again when I get home on Wed (if i am up to it).......until then...........xoxo

I agree...Paul is cute!! ~Liz~ 03/10/06 241/172/160 5'7''

This is Day 10 of the pre-op liquid diet. I'm really struggling. I know it will work out for the best, but I'm literally counting days until I can have baby food . My RN daughter is so scared for me. But I keep telling her that she sees only the pathology, not the successes, and I plan to be one of the latter for sure. Twelve days till surgery and then she'll see I'm ok. Of course, she plans on going to the hosp. with me. My other 3 daughters feel just fine about it and every one of them is supportive. Funny thing. Well, not ha-ha, just odd. My husband just had a double hernia operation on Thurs. and he's supposed to go to the dr. for follow-up the same day as my surgery. Gotta call and see how we can work that out. I definitely want him there with me, if at all possible.

I too was banded 5/19. I am currently waiting for my husband to come home and help me shower... Thinking of coming off the percocet and going to motrin.

Yeah!! I'm so excited, just learned that my insurance approved me on Thursday!! I must say it was a VERY QUICK process for me. I attended the information session on April 6, Met with the Psych Dr on May 10, attended a mandatory support group May 11; Had my last PCP visit May 20 (insurance required 3 documented visits within a 12 month period). I faxed all my paperwork from my PCP's office Friday May 20 to the surgeon's office... and Thursday May 26 was approved. 7 weeks and 1 day! I was a bit confused when I rec'd the call from the Case Manager from my insurance company yesterday asking me all these questions, going over my health history and what to expect during and after surgery. She was acutally the one that told me that I was approved!!! Will be getting my surgery date on Tues when the office reopens. I think what really helped me to get approved so quickly was going over the information package that I rec'd after I attended the information session. I made my PCP Dr appointments the day after the information session- I begged the office to squeeze me in at the end of the day because I needed a visit for the month- they did April 29 last appointment. I also scheduled an appointment for 3 weeks later. And I used my appointment from last year as the 1st documented visit. So that was my 3 visits. I will send the Dr's office bagels. They REALLY worked with me. My PCP actually dictated& printed my last visit while i was still there so that i could have it faxed over. She usually does not dictate until 2- 3 week later!! She knew I needed is like yesterday! I was hoping for end of June date but will take what I can get a this point! I'm on my way to BANDSTER LAND!!! YEAH!!! Wish me Luck!

Just wondering who all has been banded by Dr. Stowers. He banded me on 9/19! I think he was/is great! Just curious of his other patients and maybe their success thus far.

I am a 34 yr female that just had a stomach stapling replaced with a VSG, after having problems with the stapling. I am still having problems with the VSG and most likely going to have a stint put in to stretch the opening. I have lost 40 lbs in 10 wks. I only needed to loose 60 lbs to start with. I am also having alot of hair loss. Over all I am happy I made the change. :thumbup1: My surgeon is Dr Vadim Sherman from Baylor College of Medicine @ St Lukes Hospital. He is wonderful. Has a great bedside manor, his team visits you frequently in the hospital and they all take the time to listen to you needs and concerns. I have never felt rushed. Although he is young, do not let that intimdate you. I have Multiple Sclerosis and searched 40 something Dr.s till I found him. He is willing to do surgery on high risk patients.

I was banded on 5/24, I have had 1 fill and I am due for the second on 10/9. My problem is the scale has not moved in about three weeks. And I have only losy 20 lbs since my last fill. I am getting discouraged. I have not cheated, not once. Any advice????????:help:

Okay, I am at such a loss!!!! I stalled out around 7/15/12 for about 2 weeks then around the 30th I lost 5 lbs then got down another 4lbs. In the last week I have gone UP 4 lbs. so in a month's time I have only lost 3lbs. I know it is around TOM and I started working out this past Monday, but anyone have any ideas on YYYYYY this is happening. I am getting anywhere from 800 to 1000 calories a day and about 40-60 grams of carbs. 60+ on protein and 8-10 glasses of liquid (water w/crystal light or unsweet tea w/sweet n low). I am sooo frustrated please any advice would help, I am crying almost daily.

Ahhh the Bliss of being in the Land of the banded. Heyyyy! Mornin' Yawnin'! ALL DONE YAAAY!!! Everything went pretty well yesterday. We got to hospital early at around 10:45 they took me right away and got started with all the preliminary questionings to make sure chart information was correct. I was shocked to find that they had me listed as a Diabetic and required an Accucheck reading on me even though I protested that I wasn't they said that my Pre Surgical Testing determined that I was so borderline to treat me as though I was. The worst part actually only real bad part is that they couldn't find a vein for IV administration, they had to try 4 times before they finally got it!!! Yikes that got me really frustrated! Oh yeah and the fact that I had to wait from 11am until 3pm to be finally sent down to the operating room, and yall know me and my short patience. Thankfully my girls were with me and kept me entertained. We laughed the whole time. Then when finally my time came and I was being wheeled into the surgical unit I met all the surgical staff and everyone there were really really nice, then Doc Brathwaite came in I joked around with him a little asking if he had eaten lunch and he said NO but he'd be alright and I told him we bought him a Subway Sandwich FOOTLONG and to take a few bites... he laughed and said he was VEGAN! lol. Best part...when they were finally rolling me into Operating Room they were playing Alicia Keys song that is my favorite "If you ask me I'm Ready" I almost started crying..Happy Tears and was telling the girls wheeeling me down how this song was like my Anthem in this whole process, so the one girl was like we will play it for you in the OR and I was cool. (Side note - my niece Jasmine just put the music channel on and its playing now) lol. Anyway I really wasn't expecting them to do it but sure enough when they put my anesthesia gas mask on the song was playing and I was clicking my fingers to it and then I was in recovery. When I woke up in recovery clock said 5pm couldn't talk for a while, words were in my head to say something but all I could do was nod when asked a question. They told me everything went well and I would be in the Step Up Stage shortly which included walking and drinking 30cc's of Water. At 5:15 I was able to talk and asked if I could walk and they told me I need to be out of anesthesia at least an hour and I still told them I was ready and they let me walk at 5:30. I walked so far with the aid my recovery nurse came looking for us. lol. Drank some water, that was really weird felt like I ate a full course meal and hurt a bit going down. I finally was sent to the ambulatory surgical unit at 6pm for my step down to be released. There I walked quite a bit down there. I was reunited with my girls and they met me down there with my clothes and I was out of there by 7pmish and home at 8pm. Couldn't sleep and stayed up until 12:45am. I walked every commercial and my niece has been excellent rubbing and patting my back for the gas to come up, which hasn't happened yet axiously waiting for the first release which is said to be glorious! So there you have it! Took a percocet and slept sitting up pretty compfortable and am up and ready to go for a walk up the block but my friend that is an RN said to take it easy today and just walk around the house as I have been doing. Love you guys and ttyl Diva.

Hi! I'm a Dec. 19th sleever, too! Feeling so much better. I'm down 9# and couldn't tell by the way my jeans were fitting. I think our abdomens are still a bit swollen. Congrats to you on your 10! Headed to my doc for my post-op visit and then a few errands.

Trish, thanks for the referral to fat pad. I'll look it up. Sounds interesting. I always wondered what happens if you reach close to 10 cc's and need more restriction! Guess that answers it! Jonna, doesn't seems like you are doing anything wrong. Look at your weight loss already! Keep up the good work!

What? Fruit doesn't give you anything valuable? Perhaps canned fruit, but whole fruit gives you Fiber and Vitamins. In fact some even have a tiny bit of protein in them. For example half of a navel orange even has 1 gm of protein. You just have to be aware of the sugar content. Fruits like apple and bananas tend to be really dense with sugar so yes you have to exercise caution. My doctor allowed me to have fruit have fruit once I got to the soft food stage. I typically have it on gym days or high activity days when I know I can burn off the sugar. To the OP: I would recommend staying away from the fast food. That McD's burger is barely meat and really not good for you. Oatmeal is allowed but McD's is not the best quality and full of added sodium and sugar. Buy plain rolled oats and make your own. I use the RTD shakes instead of milk for an added protein punch. As for the fruit. Keep in mind a serving of grapes is 10 grapes. No more than ¼ cup of pineapple because it's high in sugar. Melons are mostly Water so I would go for ½ cup. Just make sure your nutritionist is aware you're adding these things. Try taking your ant-acid med first thing in the morning. I try to start my day with a glass of water so I take 20mgs of omeprazole then. I tend to get acid in the afternoon/evening so I take another 20 around 3 or 4 pm.

am i the only person who has not lost a ton of weight on the liquid diet? i've been following it to a T, and consuming less than 1000 calories a day, and have only lost 5.8 lbs in my first 10 days. i take synthroid for a thyroid issue and have PCOS, but assumed that with the liquids, i'd be seeing bigger losses. i am so afraid that the surgeon will think i've been cheating, or that my liver will be too large. what gives?

I don't know...this is a tough one. I know that once I finally came to the decision that lap banding was what I wanted, I wanted it right then. Every time there was a delay I got all upset. I fortuantly had insurance paying. One thing to consider....are you going to want plastic surgery done later? Maybe if you wait the year, you could "save" the 10 k spent for surgery and maybe finance plastic surgery? I know I want to have a tummy tuck later...i will defiently need it. I might even need an arm/thigh and booby lift (if there is any left to lift that is)...though I want the tummy the MOST. All of that is going to cost more than 10k, and I know it will be YEARS before I can have it all done. If I had of had to pay 10k for the lapband and then that I think it would have been almost impossible.

I went for my 12 week follow up appointment on Friday. My surgeon was called out for surgery, so I met with one of the other surgeons in the office, whom I have met before, so I did not mind. My last follow up appointment was on October 30th (a month and 3 days after surgery) at which point I received a 1.5 cc fill, adding to the 2.5 cc's put in at time of surgery, for a total of 4 cc's in my 10 cc band. My surgeon was certain that I would need another fill by this next appointment (on Friday), however the other surgeon that I met with went on and on about how well I was doing. I have lost 30 pounds since surgery on 9/27/12. He said I have lost 23% of my excess weight in less than 3 months and said in his opinion I do not need a fill. When averaged out over the weeks since surgery I am losing about 2.33 pounds per week, which he said was amazing. I guess my question is, how many of you have gone in for a scheduled fill and not received one? He told me to call anytime before my next scheduled appointment to come in for a fill if I feel that I need one. What signs will I have if I need one? I am still very new to being banded and am looking for some Band Vets advice here. I do limit myself to a cup of food per meal, stay below 1100 calories a day, most days am successful of getting in all my Protein. I do snack between meals, still staying in my caloric range for the day. Like I said, I feel like I am missing something, or uneducated as to how I will know if I need a fill?? Thanks for any advice in advance and Merry Christmas to everyone!! Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

Stay on liquids but make sure you get in 60 grams of protein a day... protein shakes. After a night like you had, I would do ONLY liquids for at least 2 days before trying soft foods. Lastly, get some over the counter Pepcid for the heartburn and ask your MD for a prescription for an acid blocker. I'm an RN, the dose of Pepcid we use is 20 mg twice a day. I'm not sure if the over the counter stuff is 10 or 20 mg but you need the 20 mg. Try a warm cup of tea before you go to bed.

Lady, don't be so hard on yourself. You didn't gain it overnight and as a slow loser you aren't going to lose it overnight. There are many good suggestions here. I, too, am a slow loser and have lost the same as you but was banded 10/7. I was getting discouraged but read here daily to get positive reinforcement and ideas. We will make it. Best wishes, Mimi

Started my 10 day liquid diet today and I'm doing a lot better than I thought I would be. Then again it's only the first day!!! Surgery is on June 30..excited but nervous

Welcome! I'm getting banded April 10, so we're heading down the road together. There are a lot of great people here and great advice. Hope you stick around!

Does anyone else find themselves doing the cheat rationalization talk to themselves (i.e. it is only . . . ) when you are just having soup broth!??? I am 10 days out and adding a little soup broth and find myself doing the old dance. Is that neurotic or what!!!

Hello everyone, My name is Joyce. I was banded November 15, 2007. I live on the east coast. I completing my fourth week and I have lost 10 lbs. I have maintained the weight since I lost. I have not had a fill as of yet. I will see the surgeon the first week of January 2008. I am thinking I will probably need a fill. My weight fluctuates everyday. It seems I am losing then I gain it right back. I initially exercised, but my incisions are bothering me. I am getting sharp pains and a pulling sensation when I am standing and walking. My stomach is drooping a little, maybe that is the reason for the pulling?? Anyway, I am getting my Protein requirements in everyday and I am keeping good records of my diet. Oh, well. I do feel a lot better and my friends are complimenting me on my initial weight loss, especially those who didn't know I had surgery. I just want to get the ball rolling though. I am new to this site and look forward to everyone's comments.

19 views, in 2 days, and no advice/comment/welcome. im really starting to feel out of place here =