B-52

Three years later...not a single visible scar....

The port is anchored to the abdominal wall with sutures....however, I very often hear of ports flipping I wonder if Doc's do not get lazy at times...especially with people who have inches of belly fat.... If the are all sutured in place, how can they flip so easily and often? One of those things to think about....

When you loose the weight it is going to open a whole new social arena for you.....hard to explain, but many people, STRANGERS, are more forward and friendly....don't quite understand why...I've read many times in many different places that our relationships can be a mirror image of what we project to others....which makes sense because after weight loss you have a high self image and very positive outlook.....I think it's contagious.....I certainly get more smiles throughout the day that's for sure I also find myself critiquing obese people more often...again not sure why, and not proud of it.......it's like Analyzing, Diagnosing or Triaging a situation....weird!

In my profession, we rely on billing people's health insurance for services..... The word going around the last few days is that 50% of all Americans will loose their present health insurance coverage within the upcoming year......the number can go as high as 80% Primary reason is that the Federal Government has mandated that all Insurance companies must meet new federal mandates,,,,financially, the Insurance companies cannot meet all these mandate and stay in business....without raising premiums way through the roof....they will simply stop underwriting policies leaving people with no option other than sign up for the federal program... What bothers me is that when all this was being debated, people were told they would be able to keep their present Dr.'s and Insurance policies....unless congress makes some changes, that is not going to happen.....

For me, it has always been about the band....if there is any commitment, it is allowing the band to dictate my food/calorie intake, controlling my hunger, which foods I can or cannot eat, etc.... I also firmly believe that loosing weight is all about burning more calories than consuming....at least 500 calories per day....so if I consume 1000 for example, then I should burn off 1500.... Very common to hear people say, after eating a large piece of cake for instance, that they "have to go run this off" I also believe, my body stores energy/calories as fat for those days of famine for us hunters-gatherers.....when I had a lot of fat to burn, I always worked out before eating anything first thing in the morning and draw from that fat storage for energy....then have a high Protein, low fat/calorie recovery shake afterwards.... It worked for me, now having a very low body fat % and little to no excess hanging skin... Seems like my whole entire adult life I have been trying to loose weight, and the response I always got, including from Dr.'s was that the reason I was fatal because I ate too much....so I had surgery to control my eating, and exercise to burn off the excess....for me, it was that simple...eat less, exercise more. All with the standards set by the bands adjustment.... I feel if I should ever need to get a un-fill, it would knock everything out of this perfect balance, and I would surely start gaining weight... Lastly, exercise was difficult in the beginning, then the small victories came along with elated feelings....now, I get absolutely depressed if I don't get a good workout in.... Guess that's why you see people running everywhere you go...they're addicted!

Sounds typical....I'm glad your Dr. is practical and did not get upset about you not losing weight before the band actually starts to do it's job, and realizing it is about healing and getting back to normal at this point...after an adjustment or 2 things will begin to change and your journey will begin in earnest.......my Dr. and I both agree, if I could loose weight by dieting without the band, why go through all the surgery in the first place....

Here's a different NSV for you.... About 7-10 yeas ago I attended a seminar for Lasik Refractive Eye Surgery....after which I went through the pre-op testing to see if I was a candidate or not.... I was considered to be a candidate, but was talked out of it by the surgeons because I was a out of control diabetic, taking both daily injections and oral meds.....and all of the vision problems associated with diabetics was explained to me, and was told they were all coming my way....making the Lasik Surgery a waste of time and money.... Fast forward...I have lost ALL my excess weight and body fat%....my Diabetes has been totally reversed for 2 years now, no longer taking any med's....as are all my other past medical issues...(co-morbidities) I completed all of the pre-op testing yesterday, Phase 1,which took about a weeek.... and have entered Phase 2 this morning which is the 30 day pre-op protocol I need to follow....within these 30 days, a surgery date will be set... Making it no longer a need for Rx eye glasses or contacts!!! So, along with my new body I am now getting new "Eyes" I wish I had this weight loss surgery a long time ago...it has changed so many things in my life...this is yet another one added to my list!! I am almost 62 years old....going on 40 !!!

like I spoke with my Dr...How does carbonation actually cause a band to slip? I know it can, and it can be risky...and I know how so thgat is a area I avoid....I would tell 90% of the people here not to do it, based upon the information their posts...... Never heard of it causing erosion, have to think about that one...erosion can be caused by many different things. Speaking in general, to no one in particular, but there are people here who have the "You'll Shoot your Eye Out Kid" mentality without actually thinking it through and discussing it with their Dr.'s.... Seems everything can cause band slippage....

Back on point about Insurance issues....people should be aware of another fact, something that Insurance companies, and notably medicare pulls all the time.... They will say they will approve and cover a procedure...Obamacare boasts about this all the time, a big selling point......BUT actually paying or covering the cost is another thing entirely.... I see it everyday...patients happy that they wee told their insurance will cover/approve something, but the fine print states there is no guarantee they will cover the cost... Medicare will cover all sorts of things, but only pay for the absolute lowest rock bottom, cheapest, inexpensive, a Chinese knock offs (ie; pacemakers, artificial knees, hips) that they can find.... Just be aware...we shall see...

Yes, and No....depends upon many things...but is very risky...especially for those just starting out..there are more important things to learn before experimenting with carbonated drinks... I drink beer, 2-3 times a week, and sometimes 2-3 in a row...and I have my Dr.'s approval...but I have been banded almost 3 years now and learned a thing or two... When I spoke with my Dr. about this he asked me some pointed questions to be sure I was not being reckless and irresponsible... and paying attention to the things I have learned about co-existing with the band......

As our bands get tighter, carbonated drinks, such as Beer becomes a greater risk...so be careful of that as your band is prone to be irritated, swollen from surgery still....you have to learn to "Listen" to you band with all things consumed... Have you had the surgery yet???? Two months, let alone 2 weeks after surgery I was nervous about doing anything risky....it was only after being a veteran and knowing my band on speaking terms that I can do certain things.... Alcohol can really irritate the band in a big way, I have found from experience...causing reflux at times, a true sign of irritation...I tend not to drink anything too harsh, and rarely straight....But I am also at the point that with anything I swallow, I get a certain feedback from the band and I know immediately to slow it down, and/or put it down entirely...

Not saying what is right, but speaking for myself....when I was working to get that Green Zone, I got stuck and PB'ing more times than I can remember.....it was trial and error for me untill I got it through my thick head exactly what I could and could not, and how to do it....everything had to change! Again, speaking for myself, if I ran back to the Dr after one stuck episode, this whole thing would have been a big waste of time and I would have never reached my goal... BTW, once I learned my lessons, everything became very easy and simple....I have not been stuck in over 2 years now, knowing how to live this new lifestyle. Again, it's your band and your life....work it the way it works for you the best!

Curious....did you have any similar problems prior to Lap Band Surgery???

I have told no one about my surgery, other than the closest people in my life....at first it was awkward because everyone gave compliments and wanted to know how I was doing it....I simply said I don't eat nearly as much as I used to, gave up certain foods and food types entirely, focus on Protein and drink plenty of Water, and go to the gym everyday....all of which is true!!!! Only thing I held back is I used to be incapable of such a lifestyle and it is the band that now forces me to adhere to it now, without a struggle...making it easy and effortless.... That was over 2-1/2 years ago, coming up on 3......now, people who knew me before my surgery take it for granted I have always been skinny and fit...all of this is old news and I am accepted for what I am now....new people I have met over the last few years never knew I was ever fat in the first place...... So I do not have to explain myself to anyone, anymore....I guess that is the ultimate NSV....a successful journey....

That is but one of the things I experience everyday....no matter what is offered, and no matter how much I put on my plate....I can only eat so much and I have to stop... One of the attributes is "Good Portion Control" and that is what I get...because of this, I stopped counting calories as well as portion sizes...since I know my intake is going to be limited, all I need to do is choose to eat smart...make good choices...if I started with the mashed potatoes for instance, 3-4 swallows and I would be finished with my entire meal, never getting to the important stuff...so I always start with the good high Protein foods, then not really get the chance for the bad... Also, as you said, I don't mind or miss not being able to "Over eat" because I'm not feeling hungry or have any food cravings to begin with....another attribute of the Green Zone - no hunger. When you've got these things working for you, then the weight stat to melt away naturally....sprinkle in some exercise and burn away that stored fat deposits and tone up the skin/body..... Also, these things can come and go, but once you know what it is like then the chore is to get back to that magical place...I use different little maintenance techniques to maintain it, not requiring any more fills.... Does not get any better than that!!!!

People should read this NBC News report to get an idea where this is heading....very scary. / http://investigations.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/10/28/21213547-obama-admin-knew-millions-could-not-keep-their-health-insurance?lite

All we can do is wait and see....but one thing is happening, people are starting to see what others have been saying all along....

My intent was and is not to debate whether the plan has merit or not....simply to inform people that your insurance WILL be changing, if it will be good or bad remains to be seen..... But as it is going, only the wealthy and those lawmakers who gave themselves an exemption, will be able to afford standard traditional health insurance....

I can't stand any of the ready made brands...I make my own with the ingredients I choose to make it delicious and enjoyable... It's 4am, and I'm having my breakfast drink right now before I head out to the gym....made from fresh Mango, Orange, banana and apple...blended with whey and soy milk...about 30-35 grams of protein....not to mention the Vitamins A, C, E and potassium... Have no idea of calories, I stopped obsessing about them....

Not sure how a fill will make you feel better...my health and overall general feeling did not occur until the weight started to come off....and for me that did not begin to happen until 2-3 months after surgery....

I have a problem eating ground beef....Dr. says that is very common....things like ground turkey, tofu, etc...may be an excellent alternative to red meat for nutritional value, but they go to great lengths to make it the same consistency as ground beef...therefore keeping it difficult for me to swallow. It's not What something is, but texture, fiber it is that matters with me and my band....

Your band moved? Or your port moved making it hard to get a fill....I read may posts about ports flipping, etc...don't understand how it happens but evidently it does.

PLEASE do not do anything because of me....one of my pet peeves is people on this forum telling other people what they should or should not do...and there are plenty of the pseudo experts to go around....first and foremost all is between you and your Dr..... Everyone else should simply shre their own experiences.

I start my day with a smoothie made in the blender = 35-40gms of protein... Then there's chicken/turkey, fish, tofu, cheese, beans..etc, etc...sometimes yogurt but I tend to avoid too much dairy products...cheese is enough. Can also have a protein snack - met-rx chocolate bars for example...there is plenty of things out there high in protein...

Had my protein smoothie after my morning workout, for breakfast.... Around lunch I grazed on tuna salad with crackers, some cheese, olives peppers tomatoes etc. with garlic in olive oil, while watching College football on TV...later had a beer. We went out to dinner...Carrabba's...had 2 bloody mary's, picked at my wife's appetizer, then had the wood fired grilled shrimp and scallops coated with olive oil and bread crumbs....Spiedino Di Mare did not finish it, brought 1/2 of it home....