CHEZNOEL

You may have trouble getting the insurance to pay with a BMI of 30. Mine was 37 and I ended up self pay. It has certainly been worth it though. The band is a major life style change, you might want to think about waiting until the baby has settled it. I think doing both at the same time would be very stressful, and stress makes me eat!

They make a lower profile port. If you did not get this one initially, you might want to consider it. I have had tt and feel my port, but it is not painful.

Boyfriend is a jerk. He'll be sorry when you lose your weight and start atrracting better offers! Hang in there, we are here for you!

Ruby Tuesday has great crabcakes meal with very good grilled veggies!

I blend my fruit into protein shakes! Yummy!

Very happy with the EAS Carb control powder and ready made drinks. I use vanilla a lot more than any other, but add fruit. The chocolate is good with a tbs of preanut butter.(also with banana) Also, I use carb control yogurt and add low fat milk to the protein powder. I also have strawberry, orange nectar (really thickens up), and peach for variety.

My experience has been a little different. I have gone from a 40 DD to 38 DD, then I got measured at Nordsrom and was told I was a 34 DDD. Band size smaller, cup size larger. As if finding DD was not hard enough. Must be all the extra skin? Who knows but expect to buy all new underwear as you continue to lose. I am down from a 10 panty to a 7! Good luck with your measurement session!

Another alternative to the pool is a stationary bike. My knees even with weight loss have essentially no cartilege and my ortho says bike!

Is Durham Eastern NC? 9 months banded.

Living the dream!

I am in Durham. The fluro just helps them locate the band and then I drank a tiny bit of barium and they watched it go through the band. It has been quite a ride!

Definitely do liquids one day and graduate up through soft to solid. It makes the transitions much easier. Your doc or nutritionists should have told you!

First fill under fluoroscopy at 2 months. Band to 4.0 cc @ 3 months, additional fill to 4.5 cc (Big trouble, could not eat even liquids hurt @ 3 months + 1 week, unfill to 4.25 cc (Turns out previous fill was to 5.0 CC (OOPS) @ 7 months fill to 4.5 cc, no problems. Currently at 9 months post surgery, have a checkup later this month, but not expecting any fill at that time. I am nearing goal weight. Are you in NC Carolinagirl? I am!

Count me in. 63 yrs old, 62 when surgery ws done!

Great! at 9 months post surgery!

Does your WL practice remove all the fluid in your band each time you get a fill, then re-fill? Or do they just add to what is already there? Why?

I had my first fill under fluoroscopy... a bit weird, and it was to 4CC, all Fluid removed and replaced because the doc was not sure how much was in the band at first. 2nd fill to add .5 cc, all fluid removed and then 4.5 cc added, oops... some was hiding actually filled to 5 cc and lost 1.5 lbs a day until adjusted... could not drink fluids! 3rd fill, removed all, added 4.25 cc 4th fiill, add .25 cc (no removal) of fluid this time. total now 4.5cc

It all sounds very normal to me. One thing I found that helped the gas pains was walking and "helicoptering" my arms. If the pressure in your chest is after drinking or eating, you may be going too fast! If it continues, I would call the doc or nurse. Good luck on your journey and give it time to settle down. I have been banded for 9 months and I LOVE MY BAND!

Neither of my daughters was truly in favor of surgery. One now is happy for me, the other never talks about it. Net is, it is not for them, it was for me. Only you can determine what is right for you. Tell you co-workers you would apreciate their support. You cannot do the pre diet forever. If you could none of us would have ever needed surgery. Think of the the band as a tool. It is a significant life change, but you can do it. I would also recommend being more selective about who you share the surgery with. People just don't need to know for the most part, and tend to downpay the WORK you will have to do even with the band to be successful. I only told two very close friends, my spouse and my daughters because I felt they should know about the surgery. No one else "deserves" to know how you lost weight. We will support you all the way!

I had the same question right after my surgery. I was counting everything and was barely topping 600 on BIG days. My nutritionist told me just to focus on counting protein at first. I am now almost at my goal weight, 9 months post surgery! Hang in there!

Christmas and Holidays was tough, but I maintained. I did show a little gain after a trip to family in PA, but that has leveled off now that I am home and eating the right things at the right time. Don't despair. I was banded in October and just got my first fill today, 4 ml. Down 28 lbs since surgery even with the slight bump from travel. Just do what you know to do!

Look into Bariwise fruit drinks. They come in little bottles with just powder and you add the water and shake. A great travel aid. The powder does not weight all that much. I order mine online from Bariatric Choice and they have Chocolate, Coffee, Orange pineapple, Kiwi strawberry, and Wild Berry flavors. 15 protien and70 calories. I have had all but the chocolate and none were chalky! http://bariatricchoice.com

I have read that a daily diet of less than 1000 calories is bad for the metabolism. I am in the first week of soft foods, 4 weeks from surgery. I have been tracking my food on "FitDay" and seem to average around 690/day. Is this too low? Does it really matter about calories?

You are not alone. I am over 60!'

What is normal here? No pain meds for the last 2 days. I am getting in my protein and liquids.