Recent Posts

sunny_disposition
on 6/19/13 11:23 am - Miami, FL

Topic: RE: Clever gadget

Very cool, I'll need to go get one!

sunny_disposition
on 6/19/13 11:22 am - Miami, FL

Topic: RE: gum

Chewing gum makes your swallow air, so I'd say avoid it.

sunny_disposition
on 6/19/13 11:17 am - Miami, FL

Topic: RE: How the heck do I make my pictures small enough to be my profile pic?

I put it into picmokey.com and re-save it in the right size dimensions.

Michele H.
on 6/19/13 10:52 am - NJ

Topic: RE: What clearances do I need?

I attended four information seminars.....all were free

Michele

AndiT
on 6/19/13 10:42 am - Hillsboro, OR

Topic: RE: WLS and Intimacy

OH! I forgot I did have one other question, perhaps a bit more personal and quite a bit more embarrassing.

Ladies... well men too I suppose... that thick pad of fat in the groin region, above one's genitals, as you loose does that ever go away, or is that something that will have to be addressed with skin surgery after weight loss?

mary75
on 6/19/13 10:41 am

Topic: advice needed

hi all,

i had a band on friday just gone and since yesterday i have experienced very very bad left shoulder pain. could anyone tell me anything about it please as it is stressing me out loads now and pain relief dont touch it

poet_kelly
on 6/19/13 10:34 am - OH

Topic: RE: What clearances do I need?

Many surgeons do charge a program fee. My surgeon charged $150 program fee, and then he closed his practice when I was six months post op and I found a new surgeon, and she charged a $200 program fee. My original surgeon's program fee covered a pre-op class in nutrition (which patients weren't expected to take until they had decided that they wanted to have surgery), as many appointments with the dietician as needed, a big binder of information, and monthly support groups. I didn't take the pre-op nutrition class until after I'd met with the surgeon. It doesn't make sense to me to pay a program fee when you haven't even met the doctor - how do you know if you want to hire him if you haven't even met him yet? So while it is common for surgeons to have a program fee, I don't think it is common to require patients to pay that fee before they can even talk to the doctor or before they can get basic information like what clearances they will need before surgery.

Kelly

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and do not play one on TV. I've done a lot of research on vitamins but am not qualified to give medical advice. I'm happy to share my research with you, but you should see a health care professional if you want medical advice.

Check out my blog at: storyofmyservicedog.blogspot.com/

AndiT
on 6/19/13 10:30 am - Hillsboro, OR

Topic: RE: WLS and Intimacy

Thanks a lot ladies! I just wasn't sure. Unfortunately at my size there are only 1 or 2 ways that this works for us currently and just had a small fear of hurting my belly. Obviously it's not a priority while healing, I just wanted to see how it worked out for everyone else.

Thanks!

oncetwice
on 6/19/13 10:28 am

Topic: RE: What clearances do I need?

This surgeon is Karen Gibbs with the Staten Island University Hospital network (or whatever it's called). I still have not been able to get an appointment to see the doctor. I had to go to a "seminar" where they talked about the different surgeries and answered a few questions. I had to do this before even getting an application. Now they say I need to go for another class/seminar to learn... I really have no idea what. And again, this is all before I can even see the doctor or get an appointment.

I don't remember specifically where I heard this but I do recall hearing or reading that most surgeons have a "similar program" with "similar fees" so I just went with the doctor who was closest.

I called the number at the top of the website here today and they're supposed to call me back so maybe they can help me find a different surgeon that doesn't require a fee.

AndiT
on 6/19/13 10:26 am - Hillsboro, OR

Topic: RE: WLS and Intimacy

Dear god, that is my hope. We manage now, but 7 years ago, pre baby and 175 lbs ago... it was pretty great. I can only imagine how improved it will be as I shrink.

So many things to be excited about!

mavermillion
on 6/19/13 10:20 am

Topic: Newbie here with TONS of questions about WLS and Lap-Band!

Hey ya'll! So after peaking around on this site I decided to create an account so I can get some support from those of you who have or will be going through with WLS.

Ok, so this is what's up. I have been approved by insurance to have Lap-Band (the only surgery I'm really interested in). I have read so many different stories and it just leaves me feeling overwhelmed. Anyway, on with my questions:

After surgery how do you get your vitamins? I mean like, can you take them in pill form? Currently I take a fist full a day and I am concerned that they will get stuck. I've heard that it's best to take liquid form but I can't find them anywhere. Does anyone have any advice to give?

What is the down time really like? My doctor told me he could perform the operation on a Friday and I could be back to work that following Monday. Thoughts?

For those of you who had the band, are you happy? Why/why not?

I know that I should ask my doctor these questions, but I always forget these questions. Any advice would be greatly appricated!

poet_kelly
on 6/19/13 10:19 am - OH

Topic: RE: What clearances do I need?

I've never heard of a surgeon charging $200 for basic information. So I'd say just about any other surgeon.

The clearances you'll need depend on your insurance company and your surgeon. For instance, many insurance companies require a pysch eval. My surgeon did an endoscopy on all patients before surgery, but some surgeons don't do that routinely.

Most surgeons offer free seminars where you can learn about the different surgeries available and how the process works. I didn't want to go to a seminar so I just make an appointment for a consultation with a surgeon. I had to pay my regular copay for that, which was much less than $200.

Kelly

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and do not play one on TV. I've done a lot of research on vitamins but am not qualified to give medical advice. I'm happy to share my research with you, but you should see a health care professional if you want medical advice.

Check out my blog at: storyofmyservicedog.blogspot.com/

christine500
on 6/19/13 10:07 am

Topic: RE: WLS and Intimacy

Wow, I would think there is plenty you can do immediately. Just get creative.

oncetwice
on 6/19/13 10:04 am, edited 6/19/13 11:04 am

Topic: What clearances do I need?

Ok so I've gone to the "information seminar" and I put in the application, I'm at the part where I have to pay 200 bucks for the "information class" which has me miffed for a few reasons. I called today to ask if i can get the list of doctors I need to see and medical clearances I need and the person I spoke to was rude and just said over and over "You need to go to the class, that's how it's always been done." So basically I need to **** away 200 dollars before I even find out if I can have the surgery. And there is no refund.

So for those who have gone through the process:

Which doctors will I need to see and what sort of tests will I need to have done before I can be medically cleared for surgery?

Does anybody know of a surgeon in NYC who does NOT have this idiotic 200 dollar fee to get basic information?

Katester
on 6/19/13 9:55 am

Topic: RE: Why do So Many People Seem to Convert from Sleeve to RNY?

If I catch myself before I'm too far gone (which is only about 2 and a half drinks) and stop drinking, I will FEEL sober within about 45 minutes. Don't know if I would pass a sobriety test...but I sure feel like I could.

dparh71
on 6/19/13 9:54 am - Brandywine, MD

Topic: RE: WLS and Intimacy

I was told whenever I felt up to it. The hubby and I waited about 3 1/2 weeks and was just very careful not to push on the tummy. And things do get better and more frequent as you get smaller. I am 5 months out and the hubby and I are enjoying it. LOL

Deborah - Lap-Band 3/6/2006 / Lap-Band Removed 12/9/2009 / RNY 1/08/2013

poet_kelly
on 6/19/13 9:41 am - OH

Topic: RE: WLS and Intimacy

Surgeons usually say it's fine to have sex as soon as you feel up to it. I can't imagine why you'd be advised to wait six weeks, since they aren't operating on your genital region at all. I'm told the nurses would prefer you wait until you leave the hospital, they don't like walking in on patients having sex.

Kelly

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and do not play one on TV. I've done a lot of research on vitamins but am not qualified to give medical advice. I'm happy to share my research with you, but you should see a health care professional if you want medical advice.

Check out my blog at: storyofmyservicedog.blogspot.com/

Kelly_SC
on 6/19/13 9:28 am

Topic: 4 months out, sudden new fear

Has anyone else here been afraid they are losing weight too fast? I whine and complain when I hit a plateau; however, lately it seems like I am losing faster than I did the first month. I average 3/4 lb - 1 lb per day. Yesterday, I lost 2 lbs. Yesterday was my 4 mo anniversary and I am now at 80+ lbs lost with only 60 something left to go (not sure of exacts, but it will show up in my tracker at the bottom).

Now, here is the part where I am prolly gonna get grouched at. I don't log foods (I am horrible with keeping up with it when I do it anyway) and I rarely do any real productive exercise. I eat whatever I feel like I can tolerate that day. It is mostly modified versions of what most "normal" people eat. I am not the super healthy whole foods kinda person. I love chicken wings and I have been known to throw a little baked potato and bacon in with my Wendy's chili. I don't go near soda's or sweets of any kind cuz they scare me. If I want a bite of bread sometimes, I do not deny myself. I am very strict about my portion sizes though.

I know it seems a little silly to come to a wls board and cry about losing too fast, but for the 2-3 month I was losing at around 3-4 lbs a week. Then all of a sudden its like my metabolism hit overdrive. It would seem to me that the closer I get to goal the slower it should be, not the other way around.