Candle

Yeah - my doctor has the same policy. I was denied ay my first fill appointment and at the second but I did a ton of sweet talking and got them to agree to a small fill of 2cc's at 10 weeks after surgery. I have the 10cc APS band. That's the only fill I've ever had and I'm doing great! Stay the course and do what works for YOU.

Sounds like you are doing well. I hope you find the clarity you seek. I don't get the "munchies" either. I am a daily smoker.

Sue: If you haven't already, I would call your insurance company and see if your policy covers weight loss surgery. Also ask if they require a 6 month supervised diet. Some do and even if you are just in the research stage right now, you could get started on it right away. Good luck

Wow!!! Congrats

Congrats msjessy!!! :biggrin:

PS. I bet if you post this in the Men's Forum you'll get more replies.

I'm a woman and NO ONE sees my gross belly. *I* don't even like to look at it - lol.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> I'm sure I'll need an anchor cut for my tummy tuck so I'll never be wearing a 2 piece bathing suit.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> Maybe you could say you had your gall bladder out? It's done laparoscopically (sp?) in the same area so the scars are probably similar. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p>

My doctor's policy is that if you are losing weight steadily - they don't give you a fill. I've lost my weight VERY steadily and never needed a fill. However, I did talk them into giving me one small fill just so I could get over the anxiety of the needle and the fill process. (btw: it was a breeze)<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> The fill made no difference - I don't think I’ve ever any restriction. I have no food limitations. I think the band placement alone was all I needed. I really don't have any issues with hunger any more so the band must be doing something.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> I've found it's important to just do what works for YOU and don't compare yourself to others. The Lap Band is very individual. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p>

PS. I did take Tylenol PM for the first few nights. I'm a stomach sleeper and couldn't do so for about 5 days, so getting comfy at night was a little rough.

Hey Kathy We have the same surgery date - one year apart. Good luck!! I was given Vicodin - pill form. I never needed it though. Liquid Tylenol was all I needed once I got home. I had almost no pain, just a little port tenderness. I kept an ice pack on my port area for the first week and I think that helped a lot.

I'm sorry to report that am in desperate need of PS. I've lost 125lbs.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> I'm 33, fair skin, lots of stretch marks and been over weight my whole life. I've never had kids but I am an apple shape - carrying most of my weight in my mid-section. Having been over weight my whole life, I wasn't expecting to not have any saggy skin but I will admit, I wasn't expecting it to be this bad. Tummy Tuck and Breast Lift are my top priority now.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> Even though I look just as bad naked as I did at 300lbs - I FEEL better and you can't really tell in clothes. My clothing choices are limited though (long tops, no tank tops, gramma pants with a high waist, etc) <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> My arms and inner thighs aren't looking too great but for now I can deal. Those are the 2 areas I wasn't expecting to be so bad. <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> Saggy skin is not something to be afraid of - it's the price we have to pay for the damage we've done to our bodies. Just be realistic. There are a lot of factors that come into play.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Check out the Plastic Surgery Forum. Lots of brave people have shared their stories and pictures.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p>

It will be a struggle for awhile.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> I'm almost 1 year out and my boyfriend still has to hide the jar of peanut butter from me or I'll eat myself fat again - 1 spoonful at a time - lol.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> You mention your hubby has never had to diet before - neither has mine. Skinny his whole life so he just doesn't understand. We ate dinner separately for awhile and barely went out to eat (one of my bf's favorite things to do) for the first 6 months. I've eased back into a more normal lifestyle now.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> I don't have any kids to worry about but I've seen people mention making and freezing a few dishes for their family to just heat up. The beginning was the hardest part for me. Good luck!<o:p></o:p>

Hey guys! I'm still around - just a little less lately. I've had some back problems recently and have had little "goof off" time in front of the PC. It really bothers me to be sitting for extended periods of time. Getting thru a full work day has been really rough. I had a few pretty major spinal surgeries for scoliosis about 20 years ago, when I was in jr high. My doctor said yesterday another surgery “might” be in my future. I'm starting physical therapy next week *fingers crossed* I'm still on my journey as well. Striving to lose another 10-20lbs. My sister and my boyfriend told me over the weekend that they think I've lost enough weight. I guess I'm into that phase now where people start giving their "opinions" on MY weight loss. Spending so much time laying down and not being able to exercise has really reminded me how far I've come. I used to be so lazy - now, I'm bored to tears! The desire to eat when I'm bored certainly hasn't changed though - lol! I’ve been fighting the comfort food/head hunger demons.

Thanks for the update. I have my fingers crossed for you!

Just wanted to say good luck to all you August 2008 bandsters. I am 1 month shy of my 1 year mark - I was banded on 8/27/07. At about this time last year I was preparing for my pre-op diet & surgery and all the changes it would bring. I was also very nervous about my choice and the uncertainty ahead. BUT Look at me now!! I am beyond thrilled with my band. I've lost almost all of my weight (125lbs) and am pushing for another 10-20lbs. I feel like a completely different person than I was at this time last year. Our Aug 07 group has been VERY successful and I wish the same for you guys. A few of the girls have even already had plastic surgery!!! :thumbup:

Loose skin seems to depend on a lot of different things. Exercise has helped to "tone" certain areas (legs & arms mostly) but once that skin is stretched out, there isn't much you can do. I'm an apple shape, carrying much of my weight in my mid-section. I've been over weight my entire life and I have lots of stretch marks. There's no amount of exercise that could help my stomach. I'm hoping to have a breast reduction and tummy tuck in early '09. My insurance may cover part of the TT so I have to jump thru all their hoops and waiting period. My inner thighs and arms aren't looking too great but a TT is my major priority right now.

Yes, I would have done this years ago! :biggrin2: I regret missing out on so much LIVING. Since my weight loss I've been to Disney World, Six Flags, and a Water park. We're also planning a trip to Jamaica. These are just a few of the things I would have never been able to do (or enjoy) just a year ago. Cutting up the Lane Bryant charge card a few months ago was a big milestone too!!! I can't stress enough how important exercise is. I starting by just walking a few blocks per day and now I run 2-3 miles per day. Exercise, meal planning, and food logging were 3 keys to my success. You guys are going to do great!

I wish you luck!!<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> I have seen this problem mentioned a few times on this forum.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> How will your doctor determine if it was unlocked from the get-go or if it came open at some point? I would be worried it was a faulty band and would come open again. Did you ask about a brand new band?<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p>

I am so happy for you! I'm so proud of our little group's progress! Be good to yourself

:thumbup::party: I made it to my [original] goal today! I still want to lose another 15-20lbs so the work continues but I am beyond thrilled with my Lap Band experience! I started by pre-op diet on 8/16/07 - never did I think I would be able to lose 120lbs in less than 10 months! If *I* can do it – anyone can!! I run 2 miles per day and I eat a balanced, healthy diet. I TRY to stick with whole foods, staying away from pre-packaged stuff and going out to eat. (my BIG weakness!) I've been very lucky with the band. I've only had one fill of 2cc's in a 10cc APS band. I've never felt my band or any sense of restriction or had to change my physical eating style. Since I haven't really had any issues with hunger and I've lost very steadily, I agree with my doctor's policy not fill my band. Maybe there is something to the theory that the band placement alone is enough for some people? The "easy" part is over, now for the real work. Maintaining ... Next stop – plastic surgery. I’m starting consults this summer. I’m going to jump thru the insurance hoops and hopefully they will cover part of my tummy tuck, which I would qualify for at 18 months out from WLS. I’m going to post my current before and after pics later today. Thanks for all the support, great information and advice that this forum has to offer.

Thanks guys. I never said I was "comfortable" in public in a bathing suit - just that I actually wore it I haven't worn a bathing suit in a lonnnnnnnnnnnnnng time. It's so much easier these days - the little skirts or shorts are the style, so I had pretty good coverage on my thighs and butt. I also picked a top 2 sizes too big, so it wouldn't cling and accentuate my muffin top Splish Splash really was awesome and I recommend it as a "goal". The lines can be long. (we went to Disney in the fall - nothing trumps those lines!) ------ elisa - I'm not really sure why some do better than others but for ME - I really dedicated myself to a lifestyle change, including exercising almost every day. The band will take care of the hunger and portion control. I still struggle with a sweet tooth and making proper choices but once I got used to seeing the big numbers on the scale, a new motivation took over.

Awesome!!! I went to Six Flags this past week myself. I fit in and felt safe on EVERY roller coaster! We spent 7 hours on our feet in the hot sun. It was very liberating. We even went to a Water park the following day. *gasp* a whole day on rides, IN A BATHING SUIT It was so much fun! There was a ride that was 2 people to a raft. Max weight 400lbs. Smallest person in the front. Me and my boyfriend only total 340lbs and *I* was in the front I feel like I'm living a whole new life!!

I'm doing well. Thanks for asking. I've been on vacation this week. We had an out of state wedding and some work to do on the house. We also went to an amusement park and a water park. NSV's all day long at both of those places!! I haven't actually scheduled anything yet. I'm thinking late summer - with insurance requirements (18 months out from WLS) and time off work ... I'm looking at about this time next year anyway. I am anxious to get a few professional opinions though. I have a few doctors my band surgeon recommended and I want to see Dr Schulman. I know you are anxious for phase two – has your surgeon given you any indication of a time frame?

Here's an NSV LI'ers can appreciate --> I went to the Water park Splish Splash, out in Riverhead. I wore a bathing suit in public and had no worries on a few slides that had weight restrictions :thumbup: It was a good day :thumbup:

Nice :thumbup: Same thing happened to me. We always had the seat in the same spot and now I have to move forward quite a bit.