Hi everyone I am new here and live in Kaneohe. I am a mother of 5 beautiful children, 3 boys and 2 girls. I really want to get healthy and watch them grow. My starting weight is at 230 with a BMI of 38.9. I spoke to a nurse of Dr. Fowler and she said that insurance will not cover me unless I am at 40 BMI. She told me to come to the meeting on March 19. I am most likely coming. My husband is totally against it but I told him that I gave him 5 children and it was not his body that picked up the weight it was mine. I told him all I want is a butt that looks like his. Damm his is handsome and skinny. I am afraid that I am going to break his lap. Well he is not that skinny he only weight 185lbs however his is 5'11" dam bean pole.....yes I am very "J".

Well hope to see you all at the meeting she told me 6 to 7:30?

Aloha,
Nahealani

Ok I got some questions that only the local girls can anwer honestly.

Does your family know? I told my dad that my doctor told me it would be a good idea but he is totally against it so is my husbandand mom. My sister is overweight to however she wants to see if it really works?

How much does it cost even with medical coverage?

How much with out insurance?

How long out of work? I really can't stay out of work to long.

Thanks for your input.

Aloha,

Nahealani

Hello Nahealani,

How much does it cost even with medical coverage? It depends on your coverage. Some only pay the $600 required plus $250 per fill, which is mandatory. I myself am paying $1500 plus all the testing copay pre surgery. So when all is said and done for me, I will have dished out about $3500. I think that is the max most anyone has paid who has insurance.

How much with out insurance? I think it is around $17K for the surgery and then what ever testing you are required to have.

How long out of work? I really can't stay out of work to long. It is recommended you take a week, I took 2 only because I personally had a few complications. Nothing major, I just felt I needed extra time. It’s a personnel preference but a week is standard.

Hey Girls, I Need Some Help In A Big Way. I Am In Honolulu And Was Banded In Nov '07. I Was Doing Good, Sticking To Plan And Then I Had Death In The Family And Bring On The Emotional Eating. I Have Not Lost What I Should Have And Worse I Have Begun To Gain. I Just Have No Motivation To Get Me Back On Track. Please Help!!!!!!!!!!!
Also, If Anyone Is In Honolulu And Is Looking For An Exercise Buddy And Support Person, I Really Need One!!!!

Thanks In Advance, I Know You All Will Help Me Through This!!!

Thank you for your reply wow without the insurance backing you up it is a big big cost. I am actually only 10 away from being covered medically and if I don't take the phentermine that my doctor gave to me to help with weight loss I would gain that 10 pounds in a week however I have lost 5 pounds in 1 week already.

Ok I am going to work with the phen for awhile go to the meeting in March then make up my mind.

How is your excercise program? What do you do? I still need to get motivated. That is the one thing that the lap band don't give you is the energy to get moving like the phen does. Man I really need to sleep on it.

Thanks for your reply again,
Nahealani

Hey Sunshine007,

Best advice I can give is to come to a support meeting. Talk to the people there. Listen to the topics and see who might be in your area that would like to be a work out buddy. I know how hard it is to get motivated to work out. I am in that boat too. I don't know if you go to the Castle support groups or have access to others, but go. It surrounds you with others who have been there, done that, or in the same boat right now and everyone around can help. Talk it out with fellow banders. Something someone will say will click for you all of a sudden.

Thanks Islandlassie,
my dr has a support group, but the time does not work out so that i can go. i am going to look into the castle support group to see if that will work out better. i am going to read all the info the dr gave me before the surgery and kinda just start over again.

thanks for your help

Hi Nahealani, My hubby and I will be going to the informational seminar on the 19th of March. We have both been banded, he had his done 7/11/07, and I had mine done 8/29/07, we have had great success. It really does help that we have had it done together and that we are there to support each other. I think they will be showing our before pictures at the seminar. My name is Beverly and my hubby is Dave, I hope to see you there. I can tell you that it is the best thing that we have ever done for ourselves and our children. Ask your hubby..... Wouldn't he want you around long enough to care for you children and grandchildren?????? How about to share a long life together??????? I am here for you. Hope all goes well. Definately come talk to me on the 19th. Mescla? how about you are you free that night for a chat after the seminar???? anyone else????/

It looks like we all are taking a break. For me, it's just frustrating so I have not wanted to share. I have nothing to share. I am 3 months out and still only 12 pounds down. I am seeing Mary tomorrow AGAIN to try and see what the problem is. Have been keeping a daily log for the last two weeks from the last time I saw Mary & Dr. F.

I have been exercising, but I think I need more. I know one thing; the drug store screwed up on my meds and have been giving me the wrong thyroid dosage. I had to go in for blood work last week. I see my regular doc on the 22 to see if we can figure out which dosage I should be on. Maybe that is why my metabolism is so slowwwwwww. I am sleepy all the time. I have no energy. Who knows, I am just bloody frustrated.

So that is why I have not written. Glad to have seen some of you, if only briefly at the monthly meeting. Cheerio,

Hi, I got banded at Pali Momi by Dr. Brandt Lapschies of Hawaii Bariatric Center. I'm from the Big Island so had to fly over for my appointments and follow ups. I had my surgery on January 7, 2008 and have lost 34 pounds since. I just had my first fill on February 29th.

Aloha All,

So sorry i've been missing in action. Havent had much time to sign on and talk story. I went to the last meeting, but won't be at this one. Sorry bev,but hope to eventually meet you all in the future. I have had a rough time recently and Dr Fowler took out all my fluid about a 1.5wk ago. I had a EGD and C-Scan two days ago. Band in place and everything looks great, but i feel junk. I've had to go back to mushies, junk after eating regular foods. I was stuck in weight for a while, but nearing onederland. HOpe to see you all soon again.

Miriam in Kahuku

Howdy,
I see Mary tonight to see if I am have lost anything. Not doing so well. Found out the pharmacy has been giving me the wrong thyroid dosage. Seeing my regular Doc on Sat to get that all taken care of. Had new blood work done so Doc said I need to see him asap anyway.

Going to stop off at the info meeting tonight. Can't stay long but will see what it is all about. Mary said I should go. It will also depend on how I am after I weigh in. I am so sick of tracking but will see how it goes.

Cheers

Hi Siri,, It was nice to meet you. I hope all goes well with your doc on Sat. I just came from the store and met another of Dr. Fowlers patients, and she has lost 75 lbs since her banding. on 10/22/07, and I thought I was doing well. I am so jealous. Well, it just makes me want to try harder. I hope all goes well with you Miriam. I just talked to Lisa today, and told her I wanted to come to Oahu to spend some time with my daughter and maybe get to meet up with you guys also. We will see.

Shoots, let's meet Bev. Lisa, how are you girl?? Ladies, i have not been here in a while, having lots of pain and now im learning its related to my band. I had an EGD and CT scan two weeks ago and band is in place, but im in pain. I finally saw my GI doc yesterday and he described a complication of the band that occurs in 5% of band patients. He likened it to wrapping a rubber band around your finger tight, and it turning purple. I forgot the term he used. But, he said, it causes chronic and permanent pain in these band patients. I wish i lost 75lbs too, shoots, but im continuing, im not removing it. It is and i am working on losing more.. So, i have some licodine type meds to ingest, and hopefully that would work. Hope you all are doing well.

Miriam

Aloha Folks,

Havent seen people here in a while. Hope all is going well and you are doing well in bandland. I finally beat the 200 mark and now 198.2 and counting. Its been rough here and there, but im hanging in there.. how about you ladies.. By the way, i have nine kids now...