Rojasanoll

Over in seconds, didn't receive any pain or discomfort. Really, a painless ordeal which amounts to nothing and no issues. The docotr makes me drink water to see ifI have any issues. Then I'm sent home. Please don't worry about the fills.

My docotr said I could drink Protein shakes 24 hours after the surgery, but I didn't until the 4th day. I wanted some of the swelling and healing inside to take place. I relied mostly on the Soup broths, SF Jello, SF posicles, Crystal lights to keep me for the first week. Then I drank 2 shakes a day. Check with your doctor, each has different rules. Best wishes

If your primary physician thinks you are able to do the surgery, then by all means do it. It has been a life saver to lots of people out there who definitely would die sooner if they didn't do anything about their weight. Most of us have problems already and did the surgery. My surgery was only under 40 minutes total and that was with a hernia repair near the breastbone. I had no problems and was able to return home later that same day. In your case, you might have to be monitored a day or so in the hospital.There was very little discomfort from the lapband, more with the hernia repair. But liquid vicodin prescribed and I used for 24 hours helped me sleep very comfortable. Please check with all your doctors and let them decide if you are a good canidate for the surgery. Best wishes and Keep the Faith.

Congratulations on the 90 pounds in 1 year! Wow, thats a great amount, a tad over 8 pounds a month. Very impressive! I disagreed with some things you wrote, but I'm definitely agreeing with most. Since we are all not created the same, individuals will have to "tweak" what works for them. I was doing lots of I can't eat this and I can't eat that when I started. Now, I've learned to listen to my body and allowed myself to eat 2 small slices of pizza, some other things as a way of living more normal. I still haven't had a hamburger (with buns) since I've started, just my way of controlling what didn't work in my past, as well as chips, dips, lots of red meat. I am making more quality choices now and I've learned what will hurt me again and I stay away from those food types. YOU must learn HOW to Eat again, and NOT deprieve yourself of all bad foods. Again, a Big Congratulations on what you've achieved so far. Keep up your good work and tell us how you are doing. Best wishes and Keep the Faith

It SUX! Don't eat it if it doesn"t look good to you. I don't like the looks so I don't eat it no matter what you do to it. Just like Liver is still Liver and not everything tastes like chicken, either!

thats alot of "pricks" pardon my french! I bleed pretty easily and I'm coming up on a 6 month follow up with all blood tests again to see how I'm doing.

Because in my past, potatoe chips, salas, chips n dips I couldn't stop with a hand full, I've stayed away from the lite versions as well. Nope, I won't eat any snack foods anymore stay away until my goals are reached and I'm confident I can maintain my weight and keep it tight for the future.

I see my doctor in late Jan 2013. I'm hoping for a fourth fill but I don't know. He's a tight doctor with fills. If you're losing 1.5-2 pounds each week for 7-8 pounds a month he doesn't usually fill. You basically have to lie to him and say you struggled big time to lose the 8 pounds. He wants you to undersatnd how to eat better and not rely on the band to fix-all. I guess he equates 7-8 pounds per month to up to 96 pounds loss in 1 year, which is very good.

My out of pocket decutible was $1300 total for the band and hernia repair. The hospital by my doctor was charged $38,000. The band cost was $7000 and the hernia repair was $6000. The rest was other doctors and staff used, the price of the outpatient room, incidentals and etc. I was shocked at the bill prices. I have Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance in Santa Barbara California. Very pricey!

Way too much for too soon. You still might be healing inside. I added an extra liquid week to my stage 1 and then yougurts, apple sauces, baby stewed foods for different flavors in Stage 2. People respond to different foods and eggs are tough on most. Try some Gerbers baby foods out of Walmart. Lots of different flavors. Baby oatmeal might be better for you at this stage. Very inexpensive at Walmart. It just oats that is very fine in texture and doesn't lump up. Looks like cream of wheat cereal. Use nonfat milk as well.

Progresso lite soups taste better with cooked onions in them. mmmmm

right side of my belly facing down towards belly near belly button. All doctors place the port in different places. Guess is what they are used too.

Stay on course and keep trying to lose more weight. Use the liquid or lean diets to stay the course. The more weight you lose before the surgery, the easier it will be to lose the total amount. This is the time to try several Protein shakes so you can pick a likable shake. I use costco Premier Protein Shake (ready to drink, 11 oz and with 30g of protein) They are available at Costco, vinalla or chocolate(mmm) 18 each for $23.99. Best wishes and Keep the Faith.

Since surgery, I've lost weight every doctor weigh-in, with or without fills. I have adjusted eating habits, logged what I eat daily and maintained 1200-1260 calories per day with 60-70 Protein grams. When I've struggled in losing weight, I exercised more for a couple of days. I've gone back to liquid several times to jump start myself back to losing weight and not stopping the process. I do weigh myself everyday and don't get depressed when i don't lose any thing for a day or two. I am able to "tweak" myself back. I just try and stay active throughout each day. At work I find myself walking to a far restroom and sometimes I walk to a different floor level to use the restroom. I walk in each break and sometimes even lunch. Guess I'm lucky. I haven't lost lot's of weight like some but I'm steady. Best wishes and Keep the Faith.

You two ladies are so beautiful. Congratulations on your bands and keep the Faith. Hugs

Try and see it as a life saver to some. As a tool to help you maintain good health and possibly longevity. If You are a better and healthier YOU, you can be more helpful to the family. YOU are a quality of life! Go for it and you'll never regret this. Lot's of us here, lost big weight prior to surgery but WE know our bodies better than the family and WE know we will gain it all back. The band is only a tool to help you feel fuller, longer and thus hopefully not eat often. YOU still have to do all the hard work. Best wishes and Keep the Faith.

Yipee! You are so close and prayers for a speedy surgery and recovery. Best wishes

The first thing I asked my doctor when he did my last fill, will there be someone available if the fill is too tight during the holidays and he said NO. So I cancelled the fill until after the holidays. These are good questions to ask. YOU and the doctor determine the fills to a certain degree. I am real close to not being able to get any more fills. My doctor is old school and wants all his patients to lose about 1.5-2 pounds per week and when you hit this and are able to closely maintain it, NO more Fills. He wants all of us to control what we eat between fills as a learning pattern for weight control. He wants the band to be used but the rest is up to me. Best wishes, Happy New Year, and Keep the Faith.

Welcome KeeSh32! You are on the other side with the rest of us. Use the heating pad even if it doesn't hurt you. It will help alleviate the trapped gas. It travels up close to your collarbone. I put the pad right on the chest/collarbone left side and it seemed to go away overnight. Take your pain meds every 4-6 hours even if you're not hurting especially at night when trying to sleep. SIP the Water and NO straw (traps lots of air) My doctor determined SF popsicles & SF Jello as Clear liquids. Crystal lights are considered clear liquids from my surgeon. DO the walking often. A Big Hug for you. Best wishes and Keep the Faith.

Congratulations for sticking it out and not quiting. A new lifestyle and a new beginning will be starting soon for you. Best wishes

Not me. It was all for the better in my life and controlling my new health.

Prayers for a very successful surgery. You will be on the "other side" soon. A new beginning on the skinny side. Best wishes

Congratulations on your weight loss. If you're like me, I do appreciate any weight loss as compared to the past diets. I do 2 protein shakes, breakfast and lunch, then a simple dinner salad with chicken or a soup with chicken for the other protein. Its been slow lately and like you stated 2 major eating holidays didn't help. Now for me to get back on course. Best wishes and Happy New Year 2013.

Its a shame doctors don't do volunteer work and lessen the amount for services rendered. The fills are so costly to you. Best wishes

Take your protein shakes at breakfast amd Lunch. Then eat protein first for dinner, then coast the rest of the way.