New Hope

I don't think you can request where the port is placed. Each doctor has their preferred spot for various reasons. I wouldn't want to ask my dr. to do something that he/she isn't familiar with. I didn't even know there were different locations until after I got mine.

Kristi, you've lost 26 pounds in a little over a month! That is excellent! Did you understand that the average weight loss is 1 to 1 1/2 pounds a week. You are way ahead of the norm. This method is not meant to drop weight quickly. But to take weight off slowly and steadily, giving our bodies and our minds time to adjust. Please go pick up something that weighs 26 pounds (large sack of cat food) and see how long you can carry it around. That's how much less your body is having to lug around. You're doing excellent, but slow down and enjoy this time. It will just keep getting better and better.

Jenna, you are handling everything so well! Glad to hear that Jeter is more comfortable now. At this point, I'd feed him anything you can tempt him with. Maybe some of the unflavored or vanilla protein drinks might taste like milk to him. Maybe heat some and see if he'll take it. Best of luck to you!

I've bought every type of over the counter eye drops or gels that they make. Yes, the Restasis is the RX cyclosporine drops I'm using. I think I'm just prone to dry eyes. Previously, wearing contacts, I never could sleep in them for days and days like my son does. Just one of those weird little quirks that some people get and others don't. Hopefully you won't have any problems. And since you've had this done before, you know what to expect. I do want more than the 1 valium they gave me next time though! LOL

I THOUGHT about exercising today. Does that count? O.K., you two, enough with the ER visits! Seriously, I hope both of you are feeling much better.

T, if you're having to take pills this soon after surgery, perhaps you should let them dissolve in a large spoon of water. Then flush them through with plenty of water afterwards. This would eliminate the chance of a pill getting stuck. Glad to hear you're feeling better. Congratulations on becoming an official Bandster!

You have an awfully tight fill. You will probably always need to be careful. It's funny how you'll find yourself scoping the bathroom out before you sit down (just in case). I've only slimed once and that was enough for me. Had a few small pbs though..usually from eating too fast and/or swallowing too big a bite. Be sure that you don't eat anything 2 to 3 hours before you lie down. Drink some Water to flush your pouch out. Hope all is well and you get a good night's rest.

Tammy, maybe you can just draw one on there. LOL

Welcome, Susan! Sounds like you're a grown-up Bandster now, already had a sliming/pb. Isn't that the pits? You need to stay on liquids for a day or two and let your esophagus rest. Just try to remember to eat slowly, little pencil-eraser size bites, and chew the smithereens out of it before swallowing. Wow, you've already had 5 fills! What is your current fill at? Congratulations on the 10 pound loss!

I had an awful lot of astigmatism and used to not even be a candidate for the surgery. So I think that's most of my problem. Also, I'm having an awful lot of trouble w/dry eyes. I'm currently taking some cyclosporin RX eye drops and have the tear duct plugs in. They have told me the dry eyes is affecting the vision more than anything. Hopefully, you don't have those problems.

So they are just correcting the right eye, correct?

Vicky, you're making great sense!! What an excellent way to describe the opportunity of being banded! I love your analogy.

I'm sorry that you have those health problems, but that may be what tips the scale in your favor w/the insurance company. And those will be so much better w/your weight loss. Best of luck to you!

Michelle, I saw the French Vanilla flavored Mini Wheats and wondered about them today. They are good?

O.K., Bright, I'm looking at my trusty Benefiber bottle now. I have the unflavored dissolvable powder. It is tasteless and mixes into anything..food or drink, hot or cold. It says...Benefiber Fiber Supplement (from ex-lax corp.). Use 1 1/2 to 3 tablespoons per day. It is a plant fiber (derived from guar gum)..a natural fiber. It is manufactured by Novartis. They even have a website www.benefiber.com and 800# 1-800-452-0051 So now you can order you a case of it. LOL

Monovision is actually 2 different correction surgeries. A correction on one eye for nearsightedness....(being unable to see things faraway). This is what you get when you're young. And a correction for the other eye for farsightedness (being unable to see things up close.. (like reading). This is what your eyes do as they age. With the monovision correction, you have to learn to use one eye for distance, the other for close ups. It takes getting used to. Younger people usually just have correction done for nearsightedness. Of course the ideal thing is to have perfect vision and no correction is needed!!

Just a little south of you in Texas. But wanted to say "hi".

Good luck, Penni. I had the monovision done right before Christmas. It does take some getting used to. My reading vision was great right off the bat. My distance vision is still adjusting and I'll probably need an adjustment done on it.

My gastrologist recommends Benefiber. Have you seen what Metamucil or Citricel does in a glass - gunks up. We don't need that! Also eating a handful of mini shredded wheat is a great source of fiber.

Hi, Debbie, have you contacted your benefits coordinator to know that Weightloss surgery is covered under your insurance plan? They should be able to give you facts. Specifically, adjustable gastric lapband, not gastric bypass? (A big difference!) Where are you wanting to have your surgery done? Band dr.? Best of luck to you on your journey for better health!

Christina, we're pulling for you, girl! And if they deny, appeal. I did and I won!

Emmy, are you keeping track of what types and how much foods you're eating? Exercising regularly? Drinking your daily water (but not w/meals)? If you're doing all of those and still not losing, perhaps you do need another fill. I think you should go buy yourself something new and in your smaller size right now...maybe nothing fancy. But something to celebrate your current weight loss. 22 pounds is wonderful!

Wow, I can't believe you weren't hurt even more, being hit that hard! Plus you've had to be out the expense of buying another more expensive car. I would get your attorney's advice. You do need to think about any future or long-term health problems. Best of luck to you!

Isn't this band a fickle little thing? Hope you get good restriction again, without having to get another fill.

Hope you're feeling better today. Please get a prescription for phenegran suppositories and keep on hand for real vomiting (not pbs). When that hits, you don't feel like going to the pharmacy for something.