kellbell82

12/20/12....have lost 87 lbs, went from a size 16-18 to a size 6 and am now a "normal' BMI!! Couldn't be happier with my choice!

I may be the odd one out.....my surgeon prefers to place them in the chest area as he has found they are much easier to access. Mine is in slightly above my breast on my left chest wall, not noticeable at all and my scar for port placement is in my left armpit. Personally I wouldn't change the placement of mine and have had no issues with it almost a year out

As they've said everyone is different and has different experiences. I personally went back to work 4 days later to a job in ICU that was mostly being on my feet and fairly physically demanding, I avoided lifting but still managed to do my job. I will admit by the end of my 12 hour shifts I was tired and a little sore!! As far a salad it's still one of my favorites I've not had any problems with it although I have heard others say they do. Good luck!!

For me it has not been a constant "fullness" I still get hungry on occasion but it is a true tummy rumbling physical hunger and I find it takes very very little to feel satisfied. I go days feeling like I'm too tight and eat very little other days I am able to eat more. I have a protein shake in the morning and then a very small lunch and dinner. I find that I just don't think about food the way I used to.

I can completely relate!! I was ecstatic....now I have 22lbs to lose to be a "normal" BMI!

You can do it!! I think you will be surprised how easy it is for you! I was 5 days post op this past Christmas, I just made sure to have things available that I could have and really wasn't bothered by it

Cterika1 sorry so slow to respond...just noticed this! Yes my surgeon places the ports on the left chest wall it's just slightly above the breast like a life-port or portacath would be placed. His theory behind it is it is easier to access and can be anchored better so there is less of a chance of chance for complication with port movement or flipping. I can feel my port easily if I look for it but so far with the weight loss it isn't visible at all and it's a low profile port.

Everyone is different but it took me a couple of fills to get any restriction :-/ There are still some days that is all about willpower for me! Bindi the surgeon and NP I see do not use xray or fluro but he also he also places ports on the chest so it's easier to access....it's all physician preference.

Mine was 6 weeks for the first fill and now it's every 4 until I hit the green zone. Seems pretty standard for most surgeons.

Congrats!! I was banded back in December and have been nothing but happy with my decision! You will do great

My food tolerances vary from day to day......one day I may be able to eat scrambled eggs the next within two bites I know it's not going to work! Same goes for pasta, bread, ect. Fortunately I've never had any problems with salads or greens. I have found that if I'm eating out my safest go to is fish and a salad lol

So my surgeon no longer places ports in the abdomen, my port is on my left chest wall below my collar bone slightly above my left breast. His reasoning is that it is more easily accessable and reduces fill complications and the need for fluro. It isn't visable at all at this point and he uses a low profile port. Anyone else have a port in this location? If you do has your port become visable once you reach goal?

YAY!! I'm sure that had to be a great feeling! Merry Christmas!

I have Aetna and had to do the six month diet as well. I was on the very low end of the BMI to qualify so I was affraid of losing too much and them not approving. I pretty much yo-yo'd the whole time! After 6 months I only ended up with a total of 5lbs weight loss and was approved

I'm still on liquids, just started full liquids this morning actually. Per my surgeon's instructions I can go to mushies on day 12 postop. Thankfully I'm not hungry at all....still having a hard time getting all my fluids and protein in right now.

My surgeon did not require a liquid diet pre-op he uses the sugar buster diet for 2 weeks....not going to lie I did cheat a time or two on it and lost about 5 lbs preop, I was banded 12/20 and I'm sure most of it is water weight but I'm down 7lbs.

I was super busy with work and getting things in order right up until yesterday. Was banded yesterday morning and also had a hiatal hernia repair So far I feel great, a little soreness which I expected but completely manageable. I am super excited to start this new journey to a thinner me! I have been really lucky to have supportive family, friends and co-workers throughout this process!

Thanks guys! So far so good! I will not have my first fill until 6 weeks out so for now I am just going to focus getting my fluids in and recoving.

YAY! I was banded yesterday as well So far everything is going great just a little soreness!

I just scheduled last week!! I will be dec 20th!! Best Christmas gift I could give myself!!

Ok so here's my story...I met with my surgeon originally back in January submited paperwork and then found out I was going to have to jump through a bunch of hoops to get approved. Six month medically supervised diet, psych eval, nutritional eval, egd...ect ect. Well I got discoraged and didn't start the six month diet until April...managed to get back on track and get everything done. Last PCP appointment was 10/22...after both offices sitting on my paperwork everything finally got submitted to insurance on 11/9. Well I have been (not so) patiently awaiting a decision when I get a phone call this morning from my surgeon's office. Aetna has now requested a 2 year weight history that they did not ask for before!! ARGH!!! So I spent this morning on the phone with dr's offices, picked up said records and faxed them to my surgeon's office. I even called to make sure they received the fax and was assured it had been received and was being faxed immediately to the at Aetna who is handling my case. Well I decide to call Aetna a few minutes ago to make sure they have received the additional information and they say they haven't!!! I was really hoping to get approved/scheduled before the end of the year as I have met all deductables for the year......sorry so long just needed to vent!

Yay!!!! Just spoke to Aetna and I'm approved!!! Waiting to hear from the dr office now!!

Thanks guys....I have absolutely no problem bugging everyone involved until I get an answer! I plan on calling the insurance company again tomorrow and the surgeon's office if need be! Just ready to get this done!

Mine paperwork was submitted on Nov 9th....still waiting! Very hard to be patient!