Kari

You might want to bring some bullion cubes with you. The chicken broth at the Lucerna is yummy but it is a big bowl and cost $6.50. You can boil water in your room with the Mr. Coffee and make bullion.

What you are referring to is called Bandland Hell. Usually wihile in the liquid and mushy stage, you are healing and are not very hungry. What you have to remember is that the band is a tool. It is not a magic bullet that is going to melt the pounds off. I am six and a half months out and have lost around 70 lbs and I just started feeling restriction my last fill. Still not there though. IF YOU REMEMBER THAT THE BAND IS A TOOL TO HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT, YOU WILL. IF YOU EXPECT THE BAND TO DO ALL THE WORK FOR YOU, YOU WILL GAIN.

Were you banded by Dr. Ortiz? I was and at my first fill, the doctor who did it (locally) pulled out first to see if there was any fluid in my band. There was, about 3cc I think. He said that doctors sometimes will put a little fill in to help hold it in place.

My mom lives in Florida.........Stuart, and I usually spend about a month down there during the winter. Probably go down there sometime next month.

PB STANDS FOR PRODUCTIVE BURP. BELIEVE ME,. YOU'LL KNOW IT WHEN YOU DO IT.

Hi I'm from Michigan and I have Mi Blue Cross Blue Shield, through Teamsters. The doctors I go to are surgeons, DOs. Don't ask me why they cover fills, the office said they would submit the claims and wait and see. They paid. I haven't gotten around to getting the info they want for my claim. I've been putting it off because to me, since I don't have all they want, it is more of an appeal and just haven't done anything yet. the last newsletter, I got from teamsters did say that they will no longer cover doctor and hospital bills for complications from unauthorized or non-covered surgeries. So, let's pray I don't have any complications.

I was banded at OCC in July. I had no problems. No gas and minimal pain. Just a little tenderness at the incisions. As for support from your family?? My dh was all for me getting the surgery but let me tell you that he still weighs the same as when we married thirty some years ago and he just loves his chips and cookies/ Oh yeah, and Jewish rye bread. I do too but things are going great. You can do if you put your mind to it. I have lost 56 pounds since July even with cookies, chips and rye bread in the house/

I had the same pre-op diet that Christopher had/ I was also told I could eat as much green stuff as I wanted so I added a salad to my dinner and used the Wishbone Spritzer dressing. Also something that also helped me was Dill pickles/ They are green, 5 calories each and they crunch. Also, in the lean cusine, the panini's and the brick oven chicken ranch and bbq chicken pizzas are yummy. I lost 15 pounds in two weeks before my surgery and that was with cheating on the 4th of July and eating BBQ that dY. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR SURGERY. AND PRE-OP DIET

I was banded 7-16-07. I just had my fifth fill Friday.....puttting a total of 8.2cc's in my band. I just now have restriction. Sometimes it takes a while. Have patience. It will come.

I have Verizon and I couldn't get my cell phone to work at all.

SOUNDS VERY VERY FAMILIAR. i AM IN THE SAME BOAT.

I haven't used Nutrisystem, but I do use Lean Cousines. Not every night but most nights I will have one with a salad or vegie. It is pretty good. Also make cheese omelets with low or no fat cheese and egg beaters. Very filling and low in calories.

Go to www.lapbandtalk.com. Go to the monthly support section and pick the July 07 Bandsters. There is a woman there by the name of Dini that is from Ireland and banded. Don't know any other info about her but I am sure she would respond to your questions.

I had my surgery in TJ with Dr. Ortiz. Paid cash and then submitted all the info to my insurance company. I qm not sure what they are going to do with it since they want more info, including pre=authorization. But, I found a doctor here that will do fills and he is an innetwork doctor and my insurance is paying for my fills less my co-pay.

Give it some time. Not everyone feels restriction their first fill. I've had three fills and I am still waiting to find that "SWEET SPOT" I am getting close though. I am getting full quicker than I was. Hopefully the fourth time will be the charm.

Suzie I just had my third fill today and I still don't have restriction. I've got about 7cc's in it so far. I can't wait for restriction to happen. Another four weeks till another fill!!

Hi Suzie I am diabetic and since banded in July have lost 49 pounds. I take 2 metformin/day and 1 Avandia/day. I also take 38 units of Lantis which the doctor has lowered from 88 units and I no longer have to take insulin on a sliding scale at mealtimes. My sugar levels have gone from totally uncontrolled (and high numbers) to between 70 and 99. Very seldom are my sugar levels over 100.

For those of you having plastic surgery to remove excess skin............I want to share with you something I have gotten from Gift of Life. THEY WANT YOUR EXCESS SKIN!!!! We don't want it but others need it. I am a big supporter of organ donation ever since my granddaughter passed away waiting for her third liver. I never thought that there could be a need for excess skin but it can save a life and make life more bearable for burn victims etc. So, even though, tummy tucks etc are somewhere down the road, REMEMBER........LET THEM HAVE WHAT YOU DON'T WANT ANYMORE.

Good Luck with your surgery. I wish you and your wife lots of success. You're in good hands with Dr. Ortiz. He runs a first class operation down there in TJ.

I now exactly how you are feeling. I thought the band was going to be the magic potion that made me skinny. NOT!!! I wouldn't have to give up any of my favorite foods.....just eat less of them...NOT!! I was banded back in July and so far, I've lost about 45 lbs. I have to admit though, that I am questioning the money spent for a band. Like I said, I've lost around 45 lbs but it has been all me. I've had two fills and another one scheduled for Friday. I am hoping I'll find my sweet spot soon cause this is getting old. I watch what I eat. (Yogurt and lean cusines) and I ride my excersize bike at least one hour a day, trying to increase everyday. I want to start feeling restriction and let the band do it's magic. I have to keep reminding myself that it is just a tool. Just a tool. Now, I'm counting on the fact that onceI hit goal, it will keep me from overeating and gaining back what I've lost. Don't know if that makes sense or not. But.............

Donna At my first fills, the doctotr pulled out about 1cc of fluid so the doctor put in 2cc and told me it would take a few fills to reach the sweet spot. Now, at my second fill, he used a bigger syringe and pulled out over 5cc's. So, he said it must have been the size of syringe that made the differnce. I don't know if that helps or not.

I am still waiting to hear from my insurance company. I didn't get pre-approval and I was out of network (I went to Mexico) Sure hope I hear something soon.

Suzie Your post could have been written by me except I am a stay at home mom. Half the time I wouldn't even bother getting dressed. I too felt that I either take a chance on the band or die. Not only from a health point of view, but I hated myself so much, I was on the brink of suicide. I was banded in July and so far I have lost 41 pounds and feel great. Good luck with your journey.

I was banded in July, had two fills and I still don't have restriction. I've kind of plateau-ed and know exactly how you are feeling. I do fine during the day but by night I try to clean the fridge out. It is frustrating.

I see Dr. March in Hillsdale, Michigan. My insurance covers my fills less co-pay. If you want his number, e-mail me at kirajh@yahoo.com