ChicagoRose

Congrats! You are down 23 pounds! I wish I could say the same thing (I haven't been banded yet) You can do this. you don't wan to loose any faster or it will be harder to maintain and I think your body won't adjust as healthily. GOOD LUCK =)

I would start in your own doctor's office. Even if you think you can't afford it, you may be suprised to see if you qualify or not. Also, there is a feature at the top of this website to search for surgeons. You may want to put your zipcode in and see who pops up and call them for more information. I hope that helps!

Whoo Hoo! I can't wait to be in your shoes...GOOD LUCK =)

Am I right here? LapBand + Sleve = LapBand with Plication? If you are banded (I will be this fall, no date yet) how did you decide on plication or not? Was your choice surgeon recommended? Did you start with just the band and get plication later or do it all at once? Very curious! I am planning on just the LapBand for now but I would add the plication/sleeve if I was struggling down the line. This life choice is very important to me and my family. THANKS in ADVANCE!!

I also just finished my 6-month diet and my appointment with the surgeon isn't until Oct 23!! I was hoping to be banded by the Holidays so we'll see!!

I have not been banded yet so I am not speaking from experience, but I have heard that it's possible for those who have true food addicitons to transefer to other addicitons after surgery such as with alchohol or even shopping. I do not believe however that all overweight people are true food addicts. I feel like I eat as much as my family when we are sitting at dinner and unfortunatly my body can't metabolize food like other's can. Everyone is different and I'm sure you will be fine. You are ahead of the game just talking and being open about it. Good Luck **

I am choosing to be honest because my friends and family who know me will see the big changes I am making and will also want to know what my "secret" is. I also think that will keep me acountable. It's your choice of course, I just can't imagine not blurting it out!

I have never met you in real life, but you are my people. I have only gotten through the last 6 months of my boring, paperwork only, required supervised diet because of reading your posts. Instead of being scared or unsure, everytime I have come to this site I have felt more and more like I am doing the right thing, like I belong here with you guys. I have not been banded yet (soon, soon, soon!), but I know that with your help, I will get through it and I will be successful. Thank you, my Lap Band family, for just being you. Sincerely, Rosie from Chicago

I have not been banded yet but i am already starting to think about what I want for my "last supper"! C'mon, you know what I'm talking about, we are all here for the same reason! The "last supper" is the last glutinous, gut wrenching, full to the point of bursting meal. I'm thinking our neighborhood Hibachi All-You-Can-Eat Sushi Buffet. What did YOU indulge in before surgery??

Congrats!! It doesn't matter how long you got there the point is YOU GOT THERE. Go buy some new clothes, you deserve it LOL

Congrats! I'm jealous because I'm still WAITING.....very impatiently I might add... GOOD LUCK!

OK! I am always hearing LapBand slang on here and was wondering if anyone can help out! Bandster Hell? PB? Sliming? Any other buzz words you can pass along to me? If I'm going to be in this community I need the lingo LOL!

The good news about there being more than one weight-loss surgery is that there is one that is right for each of us. I am choosing the lap band because this was a drastic step as it is for me and I am not comfortable removing part of my stomach at the current time. I feel like the band will keep me acountable since I will have to keep up with my surgeon for fills, etc. If I chose a different surgery and it doesn't work for me, I think my options will be more limited. These are just my personal reasons, GOOD LUCK!

No, I don't think you should go on the liquid diet until instructed to do so by the surgeon. I too have not been banded yet and I also am kinda freaked out by the liquid 2 weeks before and after when I finally get my date....I have already told my family and friends I will need A LOT of distractions when that time comes LOL

Lucky. Looks like I am on the same time-table as you (6 months in) but I cannot even go to the surgery center until this 6 month diet is over! I am anxious!

I also had to do this to qualify by *** of Illinois. I have apointment number 6 on Monday...YEA! I did change some habits during these apointments but I wasn't able to drop any weight. Even though I have a qualifying BMI of 43, I didn't wan't to drop below the 40 mark so I kinda half-assed it. The good news is that during the past 6 months I also didn't gain any weight so I'm happy about that too. After Monday I can FINALLY make my surgeon apointment!! Can't wait!! Good luck!

I am a mom of two children ages 7 and 5 and am very honest with them when they have questions about life and death, someone in the hospital, changes in families, etc. I am planning on getting banded sometime around the Holidays and I KNOW they will notice when I am on liquids, or when I have to recover. I know many people on this website didin't even confide in close family and friends, so am I crazy that I am already planning how and when I will explain this procedure that mommy is having done?? I just can't imagine not being honest with them. I think children are more receptive than we give them credit for. Ideas?

Yikes! I haven't been banded yet but I had a corn kernal go down the wrong pipe today and about died from the coughin and choking it caused! My first thought was....is this what being "stuck" will be like?! Sorry you had to go through that =(

This is a big fear of mine as I am a teacher too but I wont let it sway my choice. My plan when I get banded is to eat a protein rich healthy breakfast AT HOME.....protein shake with a sugar free jello/pudding/applesauce for lunch.....then eat real food again when I get back home. I should be banded around the Holidays so it will only be a few months until summer and I can change up my eating schedule again to better suit. GOOD LUCK!!

The big picture is that even if you are using diff scales....try your best to focus on one scale. Its really not about a pound off either way but your consistency of progress.....good luck!!

This thread has become like a bad car accident, I can't look away. I DO NOT judge Model for wanting a band at any size, I wish I had that "problem" of being thin and wanting to stay thin. I DO, however agree most of the curt responses where based on the way she phrased her question in the first place, whereas she was asking the common public for advice as to how to fill a broken band HERSELF and seal it up HERSELF and mend the wound HERSELF. I am also glad that Model seems to have the problem rectified now and has seeked medical attention wherever that may be. Yikes.

Okay, now I have just read this whole thread and am thinking one thing and one thing only.....WTF. Sincerely, One of the "fat people trying to save their life."

I was thinking the exact same thing. How exactly does a port come through the skin and who exactly cut it off? I would be worried about possible infection. We all want to be thin or we wouldn't be here, but my concern is that you asked us not to worry about your overall health and just offer solutions with this problem. I don't see how you can move forward until you have dealth with the implications of a broken band. Good luck!

I am also in bcbsil. There is a lot of hoops to jump before you get the ok and it may take up to a year. I am on month 6 of visits with our dietitian and have not seen the surgeon or bariatric center yet which is phase 2... maybe you are too early in the process?

That's what I'm thinking. Everything in moderation, and the band is supposed to be the right tool to help "moderate." Good luck!