Short and Chunky

Well, I feel your pain about waiting...I did not have to do a 6 month supervise diet though. Talk to your insurance company and then talk to the surgeon. Another option is to find another surgeon in your area. This 6 mo diet thing may be HIS requirement and not your insurance. My doc put me on a diet as I went through the system - Mental eval, Blood work, EKG, Dietician, Personal Trainer. Some of these I was able to do all in one day (saves taking too many days off from work) but the special diet was only 2 weeks long. The whole process took me about 1-2 months. I was banded 7/7/11 and am doing great (down 48 1/2 pounds). Hang in there. Don't get upset and be very proactive. Also, explain to the surgeon that you have a timelimit regarding your insurance - since you said the new plan would not cover it. Doctors want to get paid and they like insurance $$$ - watch how fast he'll move then. I'll keep you in my thoughts and will look forward to hearing how everything turns out for you. I wish you only the best. I am 60 yrs old and I know what you are feeling so hang in there kiddo ! Melinda in Jacksonville, Fl

OK July bandsters...I was banded on 7/7/11, I had the band with plication. I am down 46 pounds and counting. Yes, it is now much slower than the first few weeks but at least it is still going down. I am loosing 1.5 - 2 pounds a week and that is enough for me. I eat Protein at every meal and vegies. I also treat myself with some fruit of even 1/2 of a cookie. I know, they are no no's but I have to make myself happy too. I also joined Weight Watchers (for the 100th time I think). Yes, I know I cannot eat like they want you to eat, but the weekly weigh ins, the support and receipes are great. My leader knows I had the lapband and she is even tailoring my plan for me. I have tried Protein shakes and I find them to be nasty, even with milk. So I avoid them unless I have no other option. I have had 2 fills - 2cc and 1 cc. I still find myself getting hungry between lunch and dinner but trying to get better. My exercise is limited to walking for now (and in the Florida heat that is a good one). I walk around 10 + miles per week. My clothes are hanging on me so I know I am loosing inches. I also swim at least once or twice a week in addition to the walking. I drink a lot of Water and avoid carbonated beverages and fruit juices. OK, that is my tips for today. I love reading other tips on this site and have found them to be so useful especially when you feel too embarrased to ask the doctor or feel the question is stupid. Thanks to all of you..Well, that is it from sunny (and HOT) Florida today. Good luck and please keep posting and stay in touch - no one understands like fellow bandsters.... Melinda

Alli: I was banded on 7/7/11 and had plication at the same time. I feel GREAT. I am down 46 pounds and dropping- now, I am only loosing 2-3 pounds per week but I am dropping (lost 16 pounds the first week - too much too fast). I had a longer recovery than tradditional lapband - instead of 2-3 days it was more like 7-9 days but now I feel wonderful. I have had 2 fills - one was 2 cc and the second was 1 cc. Both were done in August. I am eating and not getting too hungry (I do get hungry between lunch and dinner - but that is just me). I have not had any slimming or anything getting stuck..in fact I really don't feel anything or any different than I did 6 months ago, just smaller (and happy about that). The doctor I used is in Jacksonville, Florida and he is one of only a few who do lapband with plication - in fact, I was in his "study group" so they are following me a bit closer so he can complete the study. GOod luck with your decision. I am glad I chose both and have never looked back. Here's to a skinner you ! Melinda

Good Luck. You will do great. Just be sure to follow all the directions your surgeon gave you. Best wishes to your wife too...Dr. Cywes did my surgery too on July 7th, 2011. I am down 46 pounds and counting. Are you having plication too or just the band? I had both and have had NO PROBLEMS. Take care ! Melinda

This is Melinda from Florida...Hey, no problem - eat the freezer - all that stuff cooked on the grill would be great - also, there is many vegies (squash and Zucchini) that are great grilled. Tomatoes and carrots don't need to be kept cold. Of course all the canned stuff that was already mentioned. I am not big on the Protein Shakes especially with Water (yuk). Make sure you have lots of water ! We will be thinking about you and please be safe. Melinda

Way to go Robbie - passing on Chik Fil A is not easy. Glad you are getting ready to start the journey to surgery. It took me almost 3 months, so hang in there. My surgery was on 7/7 and I am down 45 pounds and counting. I feel great and have tons of energy. The band can't do anything about the car trouble but look at it this way, the next time it breaks down, you can walk to get help and use that as exercise towards your goal. Congratulations and good luck - remember patience ! Melinda

I am 7 weeks post op and down 45 pounds. I have had one fill and another is scheduled for this Friday. My Doc is moving slowly too but I find myself getting very hungry about 4 hours after eating. He does not want me to eat between meals but when you are so hungry that has been very hard. I look forward to my next fill and finding my "sweet spot". Have not had any vomiting or slimming and I am currently walking 2-3 miles per day and tossing in some swimming too. Good luck to all the bandsters out there and thanks so much for the support and the postings, it really helps to know you at not alone in this process.

Hey Reyanne, I am 7 weeks post op and doing great. I feel wonderful (really no different than before). I had lapband and plication so my recovery was about 4-5 days rather than 1-3 but doing great. What they tell you about gas and pain in your shoulder is true, but hang in there and know it will go away (heating pad was my best friend). I walk 2-3 miles everyday and just completed my first 5K. I am 59 yrs old and my kids are grown too. I am now down 45 pounds. Feel free to contact me if you want to talk. I am happy with my band, but follow the docs directions (although the liquid diet is a killer) and you will be happy too - not only pain wise but with your weight loss. I have had one fill and have another on on Friday. Good luck with your surgery and stay in touch.... Melinda

You guys made me laugh - thanks for that. I had my first fill this AM and feel good although I am hungry - this liquid thing just stinks. Down 41 pounds in 1 month + 2 days so I am happy so far. I guess I may be different since I had Plication with my lapband. Hope I don't have any issues when I begin to eat again but I now know what to expect - Thanks to everyone for your great posts - it really helps those of us who are a few days/weeks behind you.

Would love to stay in touch with you too. The Plication is probably why I returned to work on Wednesday (following a Thurs surgery) instead of the Monday like Dr. Cywes stated. It was OK though - now that being said. I had a hernia repair, lapband and Plication. I am also 59 yrs old (but in very good health). For 4-5 days, I thought I was going to DIE. My blood pressure dropped very low and I felt wierd. I gagged on evertyhing and my body was saying NO more liquids - you need something more substantial. I actually ate 1/2 cup of potato soup and I was a new woman and then on the road to recovery. Between surgery and my 1 week appointment I dropped 15.5 pounds ! I returned to working full time and driving myself to work 9 days after the sugery. My port spot and naval area are a bit sore but not bad. I am eating solid food (just not much). For me, the Plication was wonderful and I am glad I had it done. In fact at my last pre-op appointment (I was in a group of 6 that day) all 6 had the Plication and when I saw them at their post op appointment NO ONE was sorry. I know it is still in the investigation stage but go on-line and do your own research. I only found 2 surgeons in Florida doing them. Cywes and one in Palm Beach. It is reversable and I think it is going to give me what I need to finally loose my weight. I have plans on loosing 108 pounds - as of today, I am down 25.5 of those pounds so hey, something is working. I am not scheduled to get a fill until 8/9. Since you said your surgery is not until Sept. you have time to give it some thought and some research but I for one am very happy. 2 weeks tomorrow ! Stay in touch and good luck with your decision and your weight loss., Melinda