New Hope

Alex, I know you'll get right back on track! It's really sweet that man thinks so highly of you! Enjoy your sweets reward. Your band will be waiting on you.

Gina, 54 pounds! Wow, girl! You are definitely not a failure! Maybe you can get your DH to read some literature on the band. Adjustments (getting fills) are how the band continues to work with us. Take care of yourself and really have a wonderful weekend!

Too true about the DL weight, Michelle! LOL

This forum is not supported by any doctors. So the posts you find are from patients giving their actual experiences. There are patients that have had good experiences also. I sincerely hope that you've done your research about any surgeon you've chosen to use. There are many, many drs. performing this surgery. It's not just about saving money. We want all band patients to have a positive experience - not only with the initial surgery, but also the recovery, and the follow-up care. You are the only one that can make the final decision on what you choose to do. Best of luck to you!

Hey, Ginny, where are you, girl?

He's probably out shopping for speedos. LOL

Kim, there are no normal fill amounts. Drs. all approach it differently. Patient's anatomies are different. I have 1.0 and have good restriction. Others have much more. You're not going to feel "full" like you were prebanded. You have to do the headwork too. The band helps us, but it doesn't do the work for us. You've lost 42 pounds! You're doing great!

I responded to your duplicate thread.

Kim, if you're having problems, waiting until Dec. 8 to do something is putting you at risk to lose your band. Please see your dr. asap and let us know how it goes.

Please do a search in the old posts. There are tons of posts on Dr. Lopez.

My sons are 20 and 24. I'm just "Mom" to them. I'm looking at this positively and choosing to think that they didn't notice when I was "blimped out" either. LOL

There are bandsters here that were banded in France. Please check with "Bright". I think she uses a French banding dr. Double check, but I don't think she cares for her current fill dr's bedside manner. Please be sure that you do plenty of research about the surgeon that you choose before you are banded. Also, be sure that you have your aftercare lined up first, also. Best of luck to you!

The band isn't about dieting. By now, we've all learned that "diets" don't work. The band is a tool that will work with you. But you have to do your part - make healthy food choices, eat Bandster size portions, exercise regularly, and get your waterload in (but not with meals). It's really not hard to do. It's learning how to live healthier.

Good guess, Tracey! PB means "productive burp". It's really not throwing up. It's more like baby spitup. It usually happens from eating too fast and/or too large bites. It can also be a sign that you've been "filled" too much. Doing it too much is very bad and can lead to serious problems with your band.

Would you please select one screen name and delete the others? Thanks!

What stage are you in? Liquids, mushies, solids? Please do track your food on fitday for a few days. That will show you how much you're eating, a breakdown of what you're eating, fluid intake, exercise, etc. Are you eating protein first, then vegetables, then low carbs (if room left)? Get that waterload in, but not with meals. Do some form of exercise faithfully. You do not have a fill right now. The swelling is going down in your tummy. You may gain some weight back. But the important thing is to heal now. Eat nutrious, healthy foods. Give your body time to get over the trauma of surgery and anesthesia. It will get better with each passing day.

Good drama, Steve! LOL

Great NSVs! Has anyone been told that they don't look like their driver's license picture? I'm still waiting on that one.

Tman and Tracey, welcome to the rest of your improved life! Best of luck to you on your upcoming surgeries! How much weight are you hoping to lose? Any current health problems?

No, Lauri, but my cardio got a good workout! I'm scared to death of the dentist! LOL

Fran, sending you (((hugs))) and encouragement for an uneventful surgery and minimum pain recovery! In just a few short weeks, you'll be drastically reducing, if not totally eliminating those prescriptions. Your health issues will reduce, the RXs will reduce, your weight will reduce. You'll spend less money on RXs, on dr. visits, on tests, not counting less on foods. You'll feel like a brand new person - a very good person. Best of luck to you!

Fran, congratulations on your upcoming band. One of the greatest things that you can do for yourself!

8 miles @ 11 - 13 mph, bicycling went to dentist, practised "flight or fright" syndrome... cluck, cluck, cluck

I, too, have had to get used to the notion of doing something for me. Years of taking care of others are deeply ingrained. But Patty will also benefit from you feeling better physically, and even more important, emotionally. You'll be walking a little taller and looking people in the eye more. And one day, you'll realize that those people are now looking at you with a glimmer of respect. And isn't that all anyone really wants?

That's great! Now, what other tests do you have to do before it's sent into the insurance co.? Don't be surprised if they deny it the first time. Just turn around and appeal. Hopefully, you'll get lucky and sail on through now.