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Maureen, I think that is such a personal choice really. I just had my first fill yesterday and I know that I was ready for it. I had already gotten to the point that I was relying totally on my willpower and that willpower was really wearing thin. I know for me, I need the band to be functioning and that includes fills. If I had been getting some help from the band, I might have been having the same question as you. If you think you might be able to go without a fill, maybe just postpone that appointment for another couple of weeks and see how it goes. I guess you could always have an appointment scheduled a few weeks out so that if you do find you need your fill, you won't have to wait too long to get it. I say that because those fill appointments are quite precious around here and need to be scheduled a few weeks in advance. Congratulations...you're doing great with your weight loss!

LOL.....sorry MFranks, I had my surgery done June 15, 2007 after starting the process ten days before!!! I'm going to change my siggie right now. I can't believe that it's been a year off this whole time! I'm self-pay too and would be totally ticked if I had only lost 14 pounds in a year! Whew!

I'm not sure how the band sizes are determined, but I do know that I have the AP small band. I got a fill today that put me at 4 cc's and I asked the doctor how much the band would hold. He said it would take about 10 cc's. Right after surgery, my doctor told me that the band fit too loose, so he put in 2 cc's of saline to make it fit. Today, he drew that out and put in a total of 4 cc's. I'm thinking the small versus large has to do with the size of the ring rather than the amount of saline the pouches will hold.

I got my first fill today and it was an absolute breeze! I didn't even feel the prick of the needle! I did feel a strange flushing type sensation that lasted only seconds, but because of it, I did know that something was going on. I am super tight right now. He put in 2 cc's at surgery, so he removed that and then put in 4 cc's. After that they had me drink some Water to make sure it wouldn't come back up. It didn't come up, but it sure did feel like someone had shoved a loaf of french bread down my throat. I'm to be on liquids for 3 days and then return to normal. I am trying to get a Protein shake down right now, but I can tell it's going to take me awhile to do it. One little sip and I feel that loaf of bread again. If it's not better by Thursday, I will go have some saline removed.

I'm getting my first fill next Wednesday and boy do I need it. I'm like so many of you...I can eat anything. I'm trying to be good, but I keep losing the battle. I know I'm not bingeing like I was before my band, but I sure could. I'm fighting myself every single time I walk towards the kitchen. Ugh.

Shaydee, a 30 pound loss is fantastic! Keep going and before you know it, it will be a 50 pound loss! Just keep pushing yourself because you're doing great! What have been doing to achieve the weight loss? Any special tips you'd like to share?

You might find that a tankini is more flattering than a one piece. I didn't think I would like them, but I tried a couple and they just look better than the one pieces.

Oh gosh Jeannie, you've been through a major ordeal. It doesn't seem surprising to me that you would still be sore and needing to take it easy. Maybe your little one can be satisfied with mommy snuggles for just a little while longer while you continue to heal. I don't know what your doctor told you to eat, but I was on liquids for two weeks and am now in the mushie stage with one more week to go. I will then go to regular foods. Liquids would probably be good for you right now, but I know it's harder to get your energy level up while on a liquid diet. Make sure your getting enough protein in at this point. Way to go on the weight loss! I know it's got to be hard to really feel good about it right now, since it's not happening the way you thought it would, but hopefully you'll start feeling better very soon. Google something like "BMI chart" to help you decide on a goal weight. A lot of people do mini goals and move on from there. Have you found a good band doctor to take care of your needs?

Jeannie, I'm so sorry you're having trouble. What problems are you experiencing? I'm sure there are many here that can help you find resolution to your issues. Tulips, my goal is to get to 120 because it is right in the middle of the chart for a healthy BMI at my height. My doctor told me that I should try to get to 135. He said that 120 might be too thin for someone my age and that 135 might look better. I don't know, we'll see how I feel and how the weight loss goes as I get down the road. I'm 43 and know I would feel great at 135; heck, 150 would feel fantastic right about now. LOL I haven't begun the exercise part of this journey just yet, but I bought an elliptical trainer today and hope to get it set up in the next couple of days. Going to the gym is just not my thing, so I'm hoping to get in some good cardio workouts on the elliptical. I also enjoy (well...enjoy is a pretty strong word...heehee) Pilates and have several DVD's that I can do here at the house. Pilates is very good for toning and it's a program that I can do. I know how excited I was right before getting my band. I hope you have a great experience!

Tulips, you sound like you're starting right where I was! I'm also 5'2"...so far, the weight is coming off and I'm loving it! Not yet 15 pounds gone, but I'm already feeling a big difference. I'm putting on pants and tops that I haven't been able to where in awhile and my rings are getting loose. This band will definitely help me keep the scale moving down! Best of luck!

LOL Waters! Keep that attitude and put yourself first and you're going to do great! It is way too often that we women put ourselves at the bottom of the list. We are worth being at the top of the list dammit!

Hi Tulips! I don't think you'll be ready for a play the same night as your surgery; probably not even the next day. Go to the play and then have your surgery! My surgery was done on a Friday and the following Thursday, I took an 11 hour road trip and I had to drive. I was fine and I certainly would have been fine for a cruise 2 weeks post-op. If they can get you in earlier though, that would be even better! Best of luck to you!

The thing is though, you did do this to yourself and this is what you wanted! You're going to do great; you're going to feel great and you're going to be thrilled that you chose this and did this to yourself! That doesn't mean you're living on easy street now, so give yourself a break. Allow yourself the time you need to get back on your feet, to mourn the loss of your old self and to get excited about all the wonderful things to come. You're going to do awesome! <<hugs>>

I realized when I first started this journey that I would be tempted every.single.day. My girlfriend came over the other night and offered to bring pizza. I told her that was great....DH and the kids would love it. She stopped and said, "Oh gosh, I'm sorry, I forgot about your band." I told her it was no problem, that I had to be able to stay away from those foods without everyone being my food police. She's had the bypass, so she totally understood. I've always been very successful at sabotaging myself. I'll take full responsibility for it and won't blame anyone else.

I notice myself doing that too, rcorn and I really just try and bite my tongue. Portion control is a must for us, so I guess it's just really noticeable now. Bigbaby, I'm glad the eating something every 2-3 hours is working for you; it still seems to be working for me. Keep up the good work! I'm glad everyone is doing well. I'm still doing pretty good. I'm supposed to be in the mushie stage and for the most part, I am. I have however, eaten some things, albeit healthy, that aren't mushie. I just turn them to mush before they hit my stomach!

I don't think the doctors will be hesitant to do the surgery for someone with a 35 BMI. They probably just know that getting it done through insurance is going to be almost impossible without co-morbidities. I don't think you'll have a problem if you're self-pay and can probably get it done pretty quick too!

I'm thinking munchies would be a problem.

No insurance coverage for the procedure, so no PCP visit. Since I was self-pay, they were able to get me booked very quickly. I went to my seminar on June 5th and had the surgery for my band on June 15th...10 days!!!

Yes Faith, I am talking about the premixed ones and I agree that they are thin. I think that's what I like about them; they just really seem like chocolate milk to me. The other thing that appeals to me is that I can just grab them and go. They may be working for me because I find that I am doing something to curb my hunger about every 2 to 3 hours. I'll get up and have a cup of coffee and a shake. Then a little later, I'll have a FF yogurt. Then maybe a SF pudding. Maybe some tomato basil soup a couple of hours later and then 100 cal pack of crackers with a Laughing Cow Cheese triangle. I'll have another shake and then something for dinner.....mashed potatoes or some more soup. A shake around 8 or 9 and then I've gotten my protein in for the day. I do get the munchies real bad, so I think it's helping me to do a little something often, rather than trying to stick to three meals. I think it's just important to find whatever works! For me, having to mix a shake every time would drive me nuts and then I wouldn't get that important protein in. If I grab one of those EAS drinks, then that is a little while longer that I don't feel the need to grab something else. Also grabbing one of those drinks takes care of the "hand to mouth, right now feeling"! **sigh** LOL

Bigbaby, have you tried the EAS AdvantEdge shakes? The chocolate ones taste just like chocolate milk and have 17 grams of protein. I think only 1 carb, no sugars and 110 calories. I do pretty good at getting 3 of them in a day and then get a bit of protein in other things here and there. Are you feeling good?

I had my surgery done on Friday and then had to drive 750 miles the following Thursday. I was a bit nervous about it, but made it just fine. There's no way I could have done it right after surgery, so I wouldn't recommend the attempt at all. I agree with Terry, we do have some of the best surgeons right here in Texas. If cost is the reason for the long distance travel, it seems that flying to Mexico might be a better option. There does seem to be a significant cost difference in doing that. Best of luck to you.

"Going under" for me was the anesthesiologist putting a needle into my IV to relax me. The next thing I knew I was waking up from the surgery. Before that, I was joking with the nursing staff and talking with my husband. I've only had one other surgery before and it was laparoscopic as well, so I don't have anything worse to compare it to. Recovery was pretty easy for me too. I think I took the liquid painkiller the next day, but after that, I was just a bit uncomfortable. sleeping was tricky for a few nights, but that really passed pretty quick too. Kudos for her for taking control of weight issue at an early age! Because she is so young, she will probably bounce back pretty fast. I wish her the best of luck!

If it makes any of you cheaters feel any better......I cheated on cheese nachos at my son's baseball game! Talk about chewing slow and savoring the flavor.....bwaaaaaaahahahaha!!!

I looked at the BMI chart and opted for the middle number in the healthy range. That put me losing 64 pounds to end up at 120. My doctor said I should try to lose 50 pounds though. I know I'd be happy with the 50 pound loss, so we'll see as I get there. Good luck!

It is hard to motivate someone else, but I still think I would have to kick his butt! I'd tell him to stop jackin' around and go get a damn fill!