Dee29

Forget Biotin. Look for something called Viviscal. Takes about 6 weeks to start working.

Woooooot, wooooot! CONGRATS!

Hey, I'm from NYC. I used NYU. All the surgeons there are highly reputable. Dr. Ren was even on Oprah talking about weight loss surgery. They have done several celebs. I don't know if they take Aetna. You'll have to call them directly. Message me if you have any questions.

You just got your band and should be on liquids so you wouldn't feel full. You probably aren't going to feel restriction for quite a while. At least a few fills. Your previous band was too small so that's the only reason you felt "full." Don't get discouraged you'll get there eventually.

Definitely think about who you want to tell. I made the mistake of telling too many people. I feel like people watch me now when I'm around them and I'm eating. It's annoying. Just think about it.

Mimi, I had my surgery in the beginning of Aug. Dr. Schwack is my surgeon from NYU. I kind of wish I didn't tell as many people as I did that I had surgery. I feel me I'm always under the eye of some people which can get really annoying. Definitely think about who you want to tell and who you don't. I made the mistake of telling too may people. I'm in Staten Island. What about you?

Mimi, what hospital are you going to? I'm also in NYC. I went to NYU.

My doctor told me not take them off. He took them off at my follow up a few days later. It's not an open wound. You won't see anything but the scar that's healing. If your doctor told you to remove the bandage then you should do it. Just do it slowly or have someone do it for you.

I love Muscle Milk light but I recently switched to a GNC brand called Total Lean, Lean Shakes. They only have Chocolate, Vanilla & Strawberry right now. I tried them a few months ago because they were out of the Muscle Milk Light and I liked them so much I haven't switched back. Good luck!

Has your diet in the past 6 months been documented with your physician? All insurances are different. I needed 6 months of weigh ins documented with my doctor. After that your doctor can fax over your info to your insurance company. You need to contact your ins comp and find out exactly what they require for you to move forward with your surgery. Again, they are all different. Have you had this diet documented at all, like weight watchers, Jenny Craig, etc? Some companies will accept this as the 6 months. Don't forget the 6 months has to be 6 consecutive months so make sure you don't miss any appointments. Hope this helped a little.

Isn't it awesome?!? I've been wearing my old 14's that I haven't worn in 10 yrs! I never got rid of them cause I swore I would fit into them again one day. I will be ecstatic when I go down to a 12 and even smaller! Way to go!! It will only get better!

Don't bet yourself up. My surgeon said it's quite normal to gain a few lbs before your first few fills. I too did eat during this time. I was lucky though to still lose even if it was only a few lbs. Don't get discouraged. It's only temporary. Good luck to you and keep your head up.

I won't lie, the first 3-4 days are brutal. Believe it or not it will get easier after that.

I wish Violet would stick a sock in her mouth already. Who are you to tell Hummingbird that she lost weight in a very unhealthy way because she didn't exercise??? Are you a doctor? You're simply stating your opinion and not facts! Time to shut your pie hole!

Wow, what kind of office is that? My surgeon says to just come in if it's ever too tight. don't even need to make an appt. I would just go right into your drs office and demand an unfill. Waiting till Tues is way too long if you can't get liquids down. If you still have a problem then I would go the ER or find another bariatric doctor in the area. I would look into finding a new doctor. I can't imagine my surgeon making me wait for days for an emergency. Not acceptable! Good luck!

I too backed out. I cancelled 2 days before my surgery. I did the liquids and all and then got cold feet. I had 90 days to reschedule before I had to do the insurance thing all over. I ended up getting the surgery about 2 months after I chickened out the first time. I really wish I followed through with it the firt time. Go for it. You won't regret it! Good luck!

I loved chocolate muscle milk light, but I now switched to GNC brand chocolate lean shakes. They are less calories and fat than the muscle milk light. They are very good. I only buy the ready to drink ones. good luck!

I totally gave up soda. I do miss it very much though. My surgeon said if I was to have soda to just let it sit for about 5 mins after you pour/open it to let some of the bubbles pass. I just skip it. Don't want to start that habit back up.

I stayed overnight and I preferred it that way. You're having major surgery. I felt better knowing I was in the hospital in case anything went wrong. Plus, you're on a morphine drip which is much better than the stuff you get sent home with, you have the boots on your legs to prevent blood clots, you have round the clock help to help yiu get up and down and use the bathroom etc. You'll be fine. You will probably be out in less than 24 hours. Good luck!

I just got my first fill 2 weeks ago of 3 cc 's. I still feel NO restriction. Can tolerate all breads, pasta etc. Anxiously awaiting my second fill in 2 weeks. Hoping I have some type of restriction when it's done. My doctor told me to not get discouraged if I gained a few lbs and that it was normal until I had a couple of fills. I too feel like you. Hang in there. From what I hear it takes some patience.

I don't think fruit smoothies is considered one of the liquids you're allowed to have. At least that wasn't one of my options or else I would've lived on those for my preop diet. I drank my protein shakes (Muscle Milk Light Choc) I had 2 cups of lettuce with 2 tablespoons of fat free dressing and I was also allowed low sodium broth. Good luck!

I Like Muscle Milk Light. I was honestly shocked at how good they were. The chocolate and vanilla are pretty good. I get the ready drink ones. Good luck!

I'm using Muscle Milk Light in Chocolate and in Vanilla Cream and they are in the ready to use form. I have only tried these but I like them so much I wont look for anything else. You can buy them in singles in health food stores and in Pathmark so just buy one to try them out. I thought I would hate them and not be able to drink them but it's quite opposite. I love them! One more thing, drink it cold. Tastes so much better cold. Good luck!