hagerteresa

The vast majority of people don't need any follow up procedures. I checked with my insurance too before going and they assured me they would cover ANY complications. They won't cover my fills but I can submit them to my flex and they will get reimbursed. I think insurances have to cover you in the event of any emergency but hopefully others with more experience can post too. Are you close enough to Mexico to get your fills there or have you found a local fill doctor? That is an absolute must before you go! Line up your fill doc now! Anyway best wishes, Teresa

Hi Heather, I emailed you too but wanted to welcome you here as well. If you ever want to get together here in Oregon let me know. There are several other Oregonians on tis site. Glad your surgery went well even if it was a little nerve wracking. I felt the same way. I was terribly nervous before surgery but afterwards I just wanted to focus on healing and getting out of the hospital. I hate hospitals no matter where they are. Their rules and security were much lighter than local ones though so I was able to wander around the hospital property, check my email on their computers, check on other patients in their rooms, etc. I really didn't sit still much. I couldn't have done that at local hospitals. Lopez doesn't do his fills at the hospital but at his office from what I understand. It might be more cost advantagous to get a fill prior to moving up here from Lopez and then trying Eubanks when you need another one later. Anyway good luck and hope you get your hubby back soon. Teresa

Isn't that gown on my cousin at her graduation beautiful? My aunt is Korean and got this for my cuz for her graduation with her associates degree a couple of years ago so cuz rewore it this time around. I just love that gown and told aunt Sunny that the day I'm as slim as Cuz Angel I'm ordering one. P.S. I was just thinking about the changes in clothing this past year. At this time last year I was wearing 4 and 5 X's but now I can wear some 2X shirts and pretty much anything 3X fits fine. Those pants in the graduation pics were actually my moms. That is the first time I've been able to wear the same pant size as her in years. All of those bathing suites I got in Vegas are fitting perfectly too. They were a tad bit tight at the time of Vegas but still wearable but now they really fit good. One of them is even getting a bit baggy.

Thank you for all your kind words. I definitely feel differences and I do see some too but I hate looking at new pics and still looking so heavy. I've always FELT smaller than I am even at my heaviest stages. I'm starting to actually feel my clavicle and hip bones. I asked my husband if I was getting boney in the shoulder/chest area because I feel boney there since I can feel bones but he laughed and said I didn't seem boney yet. At my heaviest, I was always hesitant about where to sit when we went out for meals because I knew some places had more rickety chairs or smaller booths ect. and I would always get a little apprehensive but now I definitely don't feel that nervousness at all. Its amazing how much more comfy and spacious they all seem. That is my hubby in the top pics. I don't know why he's scowling in his pics. Normally he does smile but I think the sun was really bright and in our eyes in the first pic and who knows what the problem was in the later picture. He's a really good guy most of the time. I was 21 and he was 18 yrs old when we started seeing each other. We dated and lived together for 5 years and we've been married 5 more years. He is amazingly talented with technical skills and can fix or build anything. Anyway once again, to all of you on LBT Thanks for being there! It has been a huge comfort and support having other banded friends.

Hi Lisa, I'm sorry this is a bit late. I've been in Utah at my cousins graduation. Just got home late last night. Wonderful pics girl! I'm so proud of you and all your tribulations with your band all year, you've done wonderful! Today is my 1 year bandiversary so I need to start thinking of my own inspirations and put together some pics later today. Thanks for sharing girlfriend and hope to see you later this year looking even more beautiful. Teresa

Hi Darcey, Glad you got your new job. We should try to get together again. Tracey and I are meeting tomorrow (monday 9th) at starbucks and she is bringing her new baby. Best wishes, Teresa

Babs, our bodies adjust to a particular workout and will stop responding to it. My massage therapist was trying to lose a few pounds and worked our with aerobic dancing every single night in a class. She had been doing it for so many years though that her body gains and loses as if she never gets that daily work out. Try something completely different for a day or two. I had stopped water aerobics after my car accident a few months ago and had been at a plateau ever since. I rejoined the water aerobics and ate correctly last week and promptly lost 5 lbs. It wouldn't hurt to try something different just to see what happens.

I have also heard of a midband but am not sure if that is the same thing as a swedish band or not. It is actually placed further down on the stomach rather than towards the top. Once again ONLY inamed bands are placed and filled in the U.S. If you get surgery in Mexico, it is by far easier getting fills for the inamed bands in the U.S. than the other types. Alex is correct about the two sizes of Inamed bands. Mine is a 9.75 and holds 4 cc's of fluid. The other inamed band is much newer (just came out last spring) and holds 10 cc's of fluid. I have heard people get frustrated because it takes more fills to get restriction with the larger band but I've also heard stories about people having to get a second surgery because the smaller one is too tight when placed. Best of luck, Teresa

I have had 2 situations where I have gotten something stuck in the mornings and I felt like I was going to have a heartattack. I litterally had to pull over 3 times between my home and work because it hurt so bad I couldn't drive. It must have been really stuck because it took several big pb's to dislodge whatever it was and I immediately felt normal again. I recall sitting in my car debating whether I should call 911 or not. Perhaps you underestimated your level of restriction with an unfill and maybe got something stuck? Just a guess but next time you really should go to the ER if you have too. HMMM, I guess I might need to take my own advice too. Teresa

I agree, I think you'll be fine alone. I took my brother but it would have almost been easier by myself in some ways. Best of luck to you and keep us posted. Teresa

What a lovely gown! Wish you the best of luck selling it. Teresa

Hey Christina, Sorry about the denial. I know it is terribly frustrating. I had blue cross blue shied for probably 18 years of my life and they would never cover ANYTHING weight related. The college finally switched to a different insurance company and I thought it might be more hopeful but NOPE they stink too. I feel like my insurance company should be paying me more money since my blood pressure has dropped dramatically and I'm getting more healthy overall. Trust me, anytime I get the least bit sniffly or anything I'm not going to hesitate running to the doctors. I'll let them pay for a few extra visits... Screw insurance companies!!! What a crock they are. Anyhow I never bothered to fight with them for my band. I wasn't going to fiddle fart around about it. Fortunately my father in law helped me pay for mine and if he hadn't I probably would have fought it more but I just wanted it done. Keep your chin up darling and hope things improve. Best wishes, Teresa

This sounds so cool!!! It has been my life long dream to go to Africa! And the Congo!!! How cool is that! I think you would be fine getting the band and living there. If you had surgery in may and had a few months to recover you could at the very least get one good fill before you go and have time to adjust to it. Keep us filled in on ALL the details, Teresa

Hi Scotty, Sorry your so discouraged. Who was your doctor in Mexico? What state do you live in? Maybe others here live in your state and know other fill doctors. What is your fill level at now? I have only had 2 smallish fills (I'm at 1.2 cc's total) and have done pretty well. Your right, crunchy things goe down easily as well as chocolatey things and Cookies. I just have to limit myself on those types of items. I allow myself 1 regular size candy bar a day (I ussually save it for my dessert) and if I have chips they must at least be the light variety. I also love sour cream on everything and for some reason never bothered with the non-fat or light varieties. Now that is all I buy. I don't want to waste precious calories on condiments for crying out loud! The non fat variety mixed with a little ranch mix with baby carrots is yummy! I realized pretty shortly about all the wrong foods having an easy ability of going down and I tried to substitute as many of them as possible with better choices. What are you eating anyway? You must get Protein in first, then veggies and lastly carbs... I try to do that strictly all day and allow myself that one treat later. Find healthy foods that go down easier. I found a fabulous italian chicken stew (mama leone's chicken soup) recipe that is thick but goes down easily. I make chicken salad all the time with celery, green onions, olives, shredded cheese, etc on a few saltines. Those were one of my first solid foods allowed and they ussually go down good and satiate me. Same with tuna salad, etc. Moisture peices of chicken work better than the drier sections. Tough beef and dry pork also don't work too well but moist roasts and well marinated meats ussually work okay. Hope these might be some ideas anyway. Don't give up but just look for new options. Best wishes, Teresa

Interestingly, I developed a ichy skin rash over just one of my incisions 3 months ago and it is still there. The doctor looked at it but didn't seem too concerned. Said sometimes scars do funky things. I'm going to have him relook at it in a couple of weeks but it drives me nuts. I'll let you know what he says when he looks at it again.

I don't miss anything. I can still have most of it. Once in awhile I'll allow myself a small dinner role or biscuit when we go out but I have to chew it very slowly and carefully. I have had a few nibbles off my hubbys sandwich or cheeseburger and once again I just have to be extra careful. I have never had a whole sandwich or even a 1/2 since the band, just a couple of nibbles. Crackers have kind of replaced my bread fetish. 2 or 3 saltines with a little chicken or tuna salad is wonderful. I love pizza and still have it on occassion. I find thin crusted types work the best or I can always just eat the toppings and skip the crust. YUM YUM! I really can't think of anything I'm lacking. I get the most upset when I forget to chew the first bite well enough and it ruins the rest of the meal. That doesn't happen too often but it is annoying when it does.

I don't know about the sweet spot theory but can say I've been very happy with my fill level since I got it in february. Most of the time I can eat what I want (with the exception of bread) without getting sick and getting satiated. I wasn't losing for a few months but I think that is mostly because I stopped working out after my car accident and leaned too heavily on comfort foods (mashed potatos, homemade choc. chip cookies, etc). Now that I am working out again and eating more appropriately I have seen a wonderful decrease in the scale numbers. Like everybody else, sometimes I definitely feel more restricted than other times but rarely does a meal go by that I feel no restriction. Salad is one of those foods I can almost eat endless amounts of and don't reflect well on my restriction level. Best of luck, Teresa

Ah, Corgi that stinks. I'm sorry to hear about the tightness but glad you got it taken care of. Too many people wait before they get help. I am very cautious about my fills and going slowly. I totally want to avoid the experience you had. I've had two fills and am only at 1.2 in my 4 cc band. I don't think I'll need another one for awhile either. I want to be able to eat normal foods and my portions are just right as far as I'm concerned. After a few days of taking it easy you should be good. I was wondering what significance Corgi had to you? Is that your name or do you have Corgi dogs? I myself have two welsh corgis. Anyhow best wishes and hope you feel better, Teresa

Yes, she is adorable. And between you and me Lisa, it kind of would be nice to be having a cute little baby girl. I teased my friend about adopting her baby to me her whole pregnacy. She just wouldn't go for it... LOL.

I'm not sure what kind of advice I can give you, but there are many cultures where the family all lives together, takes care of each other, etc. My cousin had a similar experience. Her longtime boyfriend owned a part of his parents home and they all lived together. For several years things remained this way and my cousin had doubts about wanting to live with his family. She finally was able to persuade him to move into an apartment with her but it took many years before that happened. I respect cultures that live together and take care of each other but if that isn't anything you can do than I would move on. I would find it kind of creepy too. At one point a couple of years ago my husband and I had to move over and take care of my terminally ill mother in law after my father in law had an ascending aortic anyuerism and 5 strokes. He was in the hospital for 3 months and very lucky to live. In an emergency we didn't mind doing that but once he was well he didn't want us living with them any longer than neccessary. I certainly wish you the best and hope things get resolved. Teresa

I lost 68 lbs from May thru Oct and 27 lbs since Oct. till now. That all averages out to 1.862745 lbs per week. Pretty darned average. I had set a goal when I first got the band to lose 100 lbs by the end of year 1. I can't believe I'm so close to that goal. I lost 5 lbs last week by just starting to exercise and pay more attention to my diet so I suppose there is a long shot chance of actually reaching my goal by losing another 5 lbs next week (May 8 is my bandiversary). I'm perfectly happy where I'm at though so if it doesn't happen I won't be broken hearted.

Oh you poor thing... I completely remember that stage and just like you, I was STARVING at day 2. Have hope though because mushies and eventually solids actually really satiated me once I was able to have them. Definitely try thicker fluids like protein drinks, V8, pudding. Those things helped me shortly after surgery. Best wishes, Teresa

I liked this a lot. I've been inn-sitting all week at the bed and breakfast I work at but every morning I come home to feed my dogs AND take a shower. I can't stand their shower and miss mine so I just find its nicer to come home for one. My roommate laughed at me the other day and thought the phrase "no place like home" described my habit perfectly. I'm glad this soldier was able to get at least one small pleasure from back home.

I can totally relate. I had a car accident in December and ever since then I have been in physical therapy and recovery. I quit doing my water aerobics but resumed last week, I lived on comfort foods for the past 4 months. I wonder why I wasn't loosing...For the past week I ate correctly, rejoined my water aerobics and was rewarded a 5 lb loss! Horrrayyy! I lost more in one week than the entire last 4 months! Kind of one of those "ah-hah" moments... Anyway don't give up. When your ready you will regroup. Best wishes, Teresa

looks like i got it fixed :alien this is K.C. her hubby BTW EEEK!!! i dont think so if you did not see the links at the top of the page here thay are agin