PrettyThick1

I'd find another doctor, seriously. It sounds like they are in it for the money and not necessarily what's best for you. The band is actually gaining in popularity for it's effectiveness and because it carries fewer complications than the other two procedures. I've lost a significant amount of weight in a short amount of time and I feel great. I have friends that have had the other procedures and they wish they had tried the band first. The sleeve is probably the most risky, if you want to know the truth, one of my friends nearly died from sleeve complications. Yes, she lost the weight very quickly but she (like others I know) have aged drastically as a result of the skin not being able to keep up with the loss. Her face is wrinkled - she didn't have wrinkles before the surgery. I am not exaggerating when I say she's aged 15 years in a single year. Meanwhile...the band has me looking like I just graduated from highschool again. Honestly.

Your current BMI is just over 36. You would qualify for the surgery if you have comorbids - diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure. You would need to be 20lbs heavier = 205 for a BMI of 40. Gaining weight on purpose is not exactly honest, although I know people who have done that in order to qualify. I am not advocating fraud. I've done phentermine to lose weight and it worked for a while until my body became resistant to it - I didn't really like the way it made me feel either. A few months after quitting it, my weight started to increase gradually. I eventually put back on all of the 60lbs. I'd lost plus a few more. Good luck to you.

I'm nearly half-way to my goal and I'm just now getting the workout bug. I checked my weight and took a long hard look at myself in the mirror this morning. Sizing up what was coming off, what was sagging and what was being plain old stubborn. I walk a lot at work and I take the stairs rather than the elevator, so I felt like I was getting enough activity. I realize I'm not getting it because those are short stints and the goal is to raise your heart rate for at least 30 minutes and I can only do that with real cardio exercises. So, my plan is to try to get up earlier in the morning and jump on the bike that's been gathering dust in my garage for a couple of years and get after it. I also have a gym membership, but haven' been using it because I spend so much time at work and away from my daughter as it is that I'd feel like I wasn't being a good parent if I spent another hour away from her. I know from past experience that you have more energy after working out than when you start and I'm looking forward to that. I'm not a morning person, so it's going to be a challenge to lose that extra hour of sleep every day. Sigh. My questions to you guys: What motivated you to start exercising? What did you start with (other than walking)? How fast did you see/feel results? Are morning or evening exercises more beneficial to you? How has working out affected you mentally and physically? I know I'm asking a lot of questions, but your responses will benefit me...and others greatly!

I can no longer tolerate alcohol. Not a bad thing, I wasn't much a drinker to begin with but I realize it's not for me anymore - period. I hope you feel better soon.

I told EVERYBODY! I wasn't ashamed and I got more support than I bargained for, but I truly felt loved and that was/is a comforting feeling. Now those people are my biggest cheerleaders. The only downside of telling others is that the day you have surgery, your phone will ring off the hook with people checking on you. So if you do spill the beans, make sure you have a single point of contact for others to call and see how you are doing. You will not want to talk very much for the first couple of days, all you will want to do is sleep and have peace and quiet.

LOL - so am I, that's why I called them! I know where you're coming from - I was a crazy woman, calling the doctor, insurance and surgeons office like everyday - I had to talk to SOMEBODY! Please know that time is going to FLY by, you'll be on the other side before you know it.

I'm so sorry that has happened to you. I noticed that they didn't charge me a copay when I got my first fill, so I asked and was told that my aftercare had already been billed to the insurance. Did you check to see if that might have happened for you?

I only get the gurgle if I drink too fast. I have 4.5cc's in a 10cc band, so I'm not very tight.

I have BCBS - TX and it took them a whopping 2 days to approve me. You'll find out faster if you call them rather than wait for your doctor to call you, they won't know until they get the letter in the mail. I would say call on Friday and they'll have your approval. You still can't do anything until the letter arrives, but at least you'll know.

No, that looks normal to me. My strips stayed on a bit longer than yours, but there's nothing wrong with yours. Mederma will take care of that easy - just start using it at your 6 week mark. Right now, my port incision is healed completely, but it has created a dent in my tummy. I know that will change as I continue to lose, so just keep that in mind as it continues to change.

My eye opening moment actually came this weekend. My home is on a cul-du-sac and I often let my furry children go out front without their leashes on, anyway there was a big stray dog approaching them - my babies are friendly and think that all dogs are playful. It was clear to me that this one wasn't and had intended on hurting my babies, well I ran at break neck speed with my garage broom in hand ready to go to battle with the stray. When he saw me coming, he immediately ran away. My babies looked at me as if to say "great mom, you just scared away a new friend...I hate you!" Anyway, I instantly noticed that: I ran faster than I have in years and I was breathing normally when I stopped. What?!? I wasn't out of breath and my muscles felt stretched. Needless to say, that brief moment motivated me to want to start seriously working out because it really felt good!

That's hard. I would encourage them to join the site and read posts in the Post Surgery and Lap Band success columns. You'd think that having a heart attack would be enough of a "pull-up buddy", but some people have to learn the hard way. I would tell my daughter to make sure the life insurance was adequate to care for her and their children, because her husband is a ticking time bomb right now. Maybe the shock will be enough for them to make some hard choices. You'd think that your success would be enough of a motivator. Sad situation.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!

Mine went exactly the same as skb123. Nothing to fear!

Looking good girlfriend! I thought you were my lap band buddy I saw at Dr. Reilly's office, but I wasn't sure...now I see your phone case in the pic and I know it's you!!!! YAY!!!! I'm proud of you, keep up the good work!! Gwen

We ALL had those feelings and that type of feedback from the people we love and trust the most. I put all of that out of mind and went with the surgery and oh my goodness, I am so happy that I went through with it...just like 99% of the people on this forum. If this helps at all, my tummy was the first thing to flatten and if that's your problem area - chances are that will be the first place you lose the weight, too. You are not taking the easy way out, by any means. Yes, you have to do your part but the band helps you significantly to change the bad habits that have you where you are today. If you do nothing, you run the risk of serious health complications - it's not just about looking good or being able to carry the weight well. Your internal organs and vitals don't know what you look like, all they know is that the fat you are carrying is wearing them out and one day they might decide they've had enough of your good looking b.s. and start wrecking your life. Trust me...I was one of those "carrying it well but sick on the inside" kind of folks. When I found out I was diabetic and my blood pressure was doing crazy stuff in February and I had to make some hard choices: keep yo-yo dieting and playing with my health or do something permanent to get it back in line so I could be here for my daughter. The choice is yours, but you have come so far it would be ashame for you to turn around now - only to regret not going through with it a year from now, when you could be those 80lbs. lighter you're dreaming of now. Good luck, we are here to support you...but I'd say go for it, don't look back and enjoy the process/progress!

Ha ha...you'll get to your dream goal, in fact you'll be in onederland before you know it. Don't underestimate yourself or the band!

I was bloated well into week 3. You cracked me up.."I think I can feel my band". If you were that tiny, you wouldn't have needed the surgery. LOL Eventually you will be able to feel your port, but never the band.

Welcome Nifty! You are among friends and we are here to support you in any way we can. I think you'll be happy with your decision to get a lap band, I know I am. I also tried WW, QWL and a few other things that helped temporarilly - like you, I gained the weight back every time for one reason or another. So don't fear the unknown. Keep positive thoughts and you'll have positive results. Those of us who have gone through the process have also gone through a wide range of emotions leading up to our big day, only to find in the end that we were worried about things that never happened. Stay in touch! Post as many questions and concerns as you want, we like helping each other through this and to be honest, I learned more from this site than I did through my doctor - because there is nothing better than first hand accounts. By the time I went for my preop visit, all of my questions and concerns had been addressed in this forum and I was well aware of what I was about to experience. I hope the same for you...but you have to ask and you have to read. Looking forward to hearing your success story sometime soon!

I increased my goal weight after noticing the inches falling off as fast as the pounds dropped. My initial goal weight was 140, but I realize I'd look sickly at that weight on my frame, here are my stats: June 19, 2013 Starting weight: 219.5 Height: 5'2" Tops: 18/20 Bottoms: 16 Goal Weight: 140 Goal Size: 6 First fill - July 10, 2013 9 weeks ahead of schedule on my goals. July 31, 2013 (6 weeks post-op) Current weight: 188 Tops: 14/16 (I guess...I haven't bought clothes yet) Bottoms: Junior's 13M (clothes I had from previous WL attempt) Goal Weight: 150 (increased due to massive loss of inches) Goal Size: 8

For me, it was: Tummy (after swelling went down) Boobies Face Neck Behind Waistline

Fills are nothing to fear, it's no worse than any other shot you've gotten in your life. However, do follow doctor's orders - liquids for 2 days then mushies on day 3. You'll feel like you can eat solids and it might not bother you at first, but this will affect the band in the long run. My first fill was no big deal, but the second was a doozie in terms of being tight.

Good news my friend...you are in the tough times now! Waiting for surgery day and everything that leads up to it is/are far worst than you'll experience after day 2 with your band. I'm excited for you and all of the wonderful changes you are about to experience. I'm so glad I did it, my only regret is that I didn't do it sooner.

Congratulations and welcome to the Bandlands! Looking forward to hearing about your happy milestones and helping you navigate the unknowns!

I don't think you need a fill either. You sound like you're near the green zone to me, just start watching your portions consistently and you'll be fine.