faithmd

??? What's the DRIP plan?

I hear ya fab, even the link provided above your post (from ethiconendo themselves) says it has been marketed since 1996 under the SAGB name. I didn't see anything about it being improved before release in the US. But one would think it has been, wouldn't you?

I lost 40 before surgery (not on the pre-op diet, before that), and then 30lbs from surgery. So no, I've only lost 30lbs since banding without a fill. Maybe I would have lost more had I been filled, but I'll take it for now. I have to learn to listen to my head and stop when I get the satisfied signals (hiccup, runny nose, belching, etc.).

How about the war hero McCain, you forgot about him, too. Derick, enlighten us about Freddie and MCain, man....

Sunday. You can have one on Sunday...

Yup, totally normal. Later on, that is what some people say is their feeling of restriction, the golfball or marble feeling.

What does your insurance say about coverage? What are their requirements? Most insurances who actually cover AGB cover with a BMI if 35 if you have 2 comorbidities, but over 40 does not have to have them. They often do also include a caveat that you must have been morbidly obese for five years, or >100lbs overweight for five years. If you are hoping for insurance company coverage, that's what you need to find out. If you are self-pay, then I would not worry at all. You are above the BMI requirement. Just be honest. The psych appt is usually just to make sure you do not have an eating disorder or a major depressive disorder that should be treated prior to banding and to make sure you are in the right place to be successful in a structured weight loss program and ready for surgery without thinking it will cure you magically. Use the search function on the blue toolbar near the top of the page and look for the word psych. There are loads of threads about this appt. Frequently they have you take a long true or false test that is an indicator of your personality type called the MMPI-2. There are no right answers, there are no wrong answers. Just relax and be honest. For the surgeon appt, please go the the FAQ and References here and you'll find a list of questions to ask at the MD appt. There's also a list of things to have on hand for surgery. It's a great forum.

What you are experiencing is something that can happen. Boo Boo Kitty here took 9 fills to get to her sweet spot. Are you eating your Protein first? Some find that helps with the fuller feeling. I wish I could help more, but I haven't needed a fill yet. I'm sure you'll find some good resources around here, though.

The analogy of the straw is to allow you to discern what you could tolerate at that stage in your diet. If you COULD drink it through a straw, my surgeon allowed it in the FULL liquid stage. I was not supposed to use the straw to ingest it, but that's the consistency I could have.

I'm just over three months out and haven't been filled yet. Hope to go as long as I can.

Mine is about two inches (of fat) above my waistline and slightly to the LEFT of midline.

You look lovely, Wombat!

Oh FFS... You know what? I totally and completely understand. I hear you loud and clear, I had similar feelings, I think most of us who ever considered RNY and Banding have had those thoughts. I agree with those above that say to do what is right FOR YOU. A gentleman I know had RNY in April of this year (six months or so ago) and has lost...get this...135lbs already. Granted, he's a man and he was really large to start, but 135lbs already? To me that's downright scary. Is that healthy? I'd be over the moon if I was at goal already (and losing 140lbs would just about do it) but I would know that it wasn't healthy in the long run. I've lost at an average rate, I just had a BUTTLOAD of labs done this past week, and EVERYTHING is totally normal, all B Vitamins, my Protein level, Cholesterol, etc... Could I say that if I had had bypass? Probably not. Would I be taking more supplements than my normal MVI and Calcium? I'm sure I would be, and that's not the life I want to lead. But it is a PERSONAL decision. No one here can tell you what to do, and we won't. We can offer what made us choose what we did and we will gladly support you in whatever you choose, but you have to make a decision. Best Best Best wishes, I know it's tough as heck, but we're here for you to bounce things off of anytime.

Most surgeons would NOT fill you. From your post I would gather this information: You are not hungry You are satisfied with what you eat You are losing weight If those three things above were all NOT happening, that's when you need a fill. I am over three months out and have not been filled yet.

I made a pledge that I wouldn't buy new clothes until I've lost 100lbs. My work clothes are starting to hang, and IRL I've got some smaller things I can wear, but I did break down and buy 1 pair of jeans because when my dad and I went to the last Tigers home game, it was raining and my jeans were soaking and heavy and fell down. I stopped them at my thighs, so I bought one pair for now. No, I don't own belts. I don't think not buying clothes is strange at all.

How about 15%?

Danbo, HUBBA HUBBA!!!! You look AMAZING!!!!! As do all of us, but come on, he's a HOT guy! Gotta give Danbo some serious attention!

I drink a 4oz bottle of Gerber baby Apple Prune Juice.

What mean Dr. would say NO pain meds? Perhaps he meant "nothing" such as no ibuprofen/Motrin/Advil or aspirin or Aleve/naproxen. That I can understand, they all have blood thinning properties. But Tylenol/acetaminophen should be fine.

Ooooo, you might be right... WASaBB, that'll be $100 for the internet consultation.

WOOHOO ONE little tiny pound!!! YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!

That was HILARIOUS! Can you imagine an ice cream cone???

Yup, what Boo Boo Kitty AND WASaBB said!

Wow! Hubba hubba! You look BEAUTIFUL and HOTTT and amazing!!! My DH is drooling on the laptop...

Did you doc tell you about the probability of a seroma? Google it. My surgeon said that 7 of 10 people get a seroma to some degree. Your drainage is possibly due to this. The fat is breaking down and it is liquified, has to come out somewhere. As the poster above me said, if it is any drainage (and it certainly could be serous drainage), it is much better out than in! Congrats on being banded!