Rhonda63

Hi,I was banded on March 10th. I started at 221 and am now down to 198. I have had one fill on May 7th (3 cc's). Rhonda Dr Lopez 3/10/05 First fill 5/7/05 3 cc 221/198/140

While we're on the subject, what about Oprah? Funny how she has never been able to keep the weight off til now. I even asked the first surgeon I went to here (before finding out I'd have to self pay and went to Mx!) if he thought she had had gastric or lap band. He thought she had had something done. Of course he is a bariatric surgeon so that would have benefited him and all others if she admitted to it. Rhonda

Thanks Michelle! Maybe I should just try exercising more to help relieve the stress. I know that if I go back on it, I will gain. I ran into the same problem with my PCP. He refused to believe that the Zoloft was making me gain weight. I got the old "if you feel better, you should lose weight" routine. I knew I had gained a substantial amount of weight to of not changed my eating habits/job/ or exercise (or lack of) routine. I have seen it happen to too many people. Thanks again! Rhonda

Yes, I would definately be interested! Our town has a 5K run in Sept and I would like to be able to participate this year. Rhonda Dr Lopez 3/10/05 221/198/140 First Fill 5/7/05 4cc

I feel the same way! I was banded 3/10, lost 16 pounds in the first month and then started gaining back. By the time I went for the first fill in May, I had gained back 5 pounds. Lost 9 pounds in the week after the fill but scale wise, nothing since. I have stepped up my walking (a full hour a day and with "some" (ie very little) running mixed in with it. I have noticed that my legs are toning up even if the scale doesn't show it. I am trying to follow the bandster diet to the letter now, hoping to make it to an even 30 pounds by 6/10 (my 3 mo bandiversary) but I don't know if it's gonna happen... As for losing more weight quicker on a diet, I probably could ( I lost 60 pounds 2 years ago but found them all again) but I am hoping the band will keep it off. Rhonda Dr Lopez 3/10/05 221/198/140 First Fill 5/7/05 3.0cc

Heather, on the Vitamist, it says 8 sprays per day. I usually just carry it around in my purse and spray when I think of it (2 or 3 sprays). You could do all 8 at one time. It has a nice peppermint taste to it, not vitaminy at all. Rhonda Dr Lopez 3/10/05 221/198/140 First Fill 5/7/05 3cc

I am in sales for an electrical distribution company. We sell to Home Depot Lowes, and local hardware stores. I work 4 10 hr days a week with every Friday off (changed jobs when my 8 year old son was born so I could have more time with him). Hubby is an airline mechanic.

I was given the Vitamist also. I like to use it after I finish my meals. (a couple of sprays). I like the peppermint taste. It keeps me from wanting to nibble a bit more. (sort of like brushing your teeth after meals!) Rhonda Dr Lopez 3/10/05 First Fill 5/7/05 3cc 221/198/140

Mandy, I was thinking about the same thing recently. My (AARP age) parents had a brochure laying around the other day that had the medical alert braclets on it. It had all the "regular" things on it. You could get one personalized (with your name-but not "Lap Band Patient"). I think it would be a wonderful idea for someone to come up with one. On my consultation, they mentioned that if you were ever in an auto accident, the band could get damaged either in the crash, or by er's fixing you up and not being aware of the band. I carry my card in my wallet, but I doubt er's will go looking thru that first. Rhonda Dr Lopez 3/10/05 First Fill 5/7/05 3cc 221/198/140

Yes, I can feel mine, the whole outline of it. Rhonda Dr Lopez 3/10/05 First Fill 5/7/05 3cc. 221/198/140

Paula, you look wonderful! Walmart is also one of my favorites. Rhonda Dr Lopez 3/10/05 First Fill 5/7/05 3cc 221/198/140

Terri, It's the Inamed band. My card says maximum fill is 4cc's so I hope I will have good restriction since 1 more cc is not very much leeway down the road. So far, I haven't started on solids yet. They said to start the whole 6 week process over again. Liquids, Thicker Liquids, Mushies, etc. Rhonda

Paula, I also have migraines and was (am) an Excedrin user. It's the only one that will help my migraines. They do make an aspirin free Excedrin which (for me) works as well as the regular. (the aspirin in it is what we are not supposed to have) Also, there is a liquid product called Gel Stat that is for migraines. I haven't tried it since I haven't had a migraine since being banded on 3/10, so I can't vouch for it effectiveness. As for having the surgery, I would love to be at your weight of 163 (I'm now at about 205) but weight is such an individual thing, if you feel you couldn't lose down to whatever weight you desire to be by diet/exercise alone, lap band is the safest alternative. Good Luck in your decision, Rhonda Dr Lopez 3/10/05 221/205/130

I think DallasDoll used him. You might check with her. Rhonda

Denice, Hilton Head is flat with lots of pine trees. I haven't been to Myrtle Beach so I can't say. Which island were you going to in Hawaii? I think Maui is alot more mountainous than Oahu. Maybe you could do alot of your sightseeing at sea level (the Arizona, Pearl Harbor, etc) then take your Dramamine when going back up to your condo. Another thought, you could do a cruise around the islands. Norwegian does one that leaves from Honolulu and goes to all of the Hawaiian islands. If you didn't want to go to the condo, and were looking at other hotels, this might be a good option. Gosh, I sound like a travel agent (which I am not) but I just love to travel. It helps that I am also a line mechanic's wife (Delta). Do you have to go and return by June 15th? If you had your surgery in early to mid May, you would be out of the liquid phase (depending on your dr) and into mushies. This would make it easier to find things you could eat. Have fun!! Rhonda PS what part of Florida are you in? My sister lives in Mulberry (Lakeland)

DeLarla, what a fabulous idea (the ice cream!) When we were at Yosemite, the family all had BBQ, hot dogs, etc and the only thing I could eat on the menu was ice cream so that's what I ordered. Little miss size 4 behind the counter looked at me like that was the last thing I needed LOL Little did she know..... Rhonda

Denise, I was in your same situation, I was banded on 3/10 in Mexico, then flew to Northern Ca for vacation on 3/17 (I live in Ga). I had no problems with the flight but like Penni said, the worst thing was being only 1 week out, I wasn't able to eat out with the family. We worked it out by going to places that either had a wide variety of foods (ie-soups) or I would get something that I could eat and stay in the room while they went out (for pizza, no less). Otherwize, I was able to do everything else and as we did alot of tours with walking, it helped with the soreness. I told my DH that I didn't need to lose ALL my weight in 1 week LOL Enjoy Hawaii!! Rhonda

Had to laugh about this one....In Touch Weekly Magazine (April 11 issued) has an article about Sharon & Ozzy Osbournes $267.000 Quest to look younger. In it they mention that Sharon spent "$69,200" for her lap band. Wow! I really got a deal on mine for only 8K! Rhonda

Flower, please don't let what your friends say influence you against getting the band if that's what you truly want. I had decided back in Oct 2004 that this was what I wanted to do. I had lost 70 lbs in 2002, (by Slim Fast and WW) but found almost all of it again by late 2004. My DH knew that the Lap Band was what I wanted to do and supported me all the way (even to point of eating like I do now-he doesn't have band-I don't know how he does it!) I didn't tell my co-workers until early 2005. We are all overweight (except 2 girls) and were always dieting. I think they thought "easy way out" at first but since I have had the procedure (March 10th) they have been really supportive and have asked about it constantly. I think alot of resistance from people is because it is so new. Everyone knows about gastric bypass and all the problems related to that and that's what they automatically think about when bariatric surgery is mentioned. I think as more information is out about the band, the less resistance we will encounter. I know without a shadow of doubt, it I had not had this surgery, I would never lose it on my own and, most importantly, keep it off. Good luck in your research and I hope you decide the band is the way to go! Rhonda

You look wonderful! I am in my second week of banding and haven't weighed yet (its 2 weeks tomorrow). I hope I do as well as you have done. Keep up the good work! Rhonda P.S. Love your son's name. I have a Connor (8yrs old) also!

Hi, it's Rhonda from Ga. I am now officially banded as of last thursday by the wonderful Dr Lopez. I am doing great! Even walked to the beach on the day after surgery. I eagerly looking forward to my new life. There were three other ladies that had surgery the same day (I am not sure if they are on these boards or not) and my good wishes for speedy recovery go out to Ariane, Lori, and Lauren. If anyone is hesitant about going to Mexico for surgery, please don't be! Everything went very smoothly and there was no language problem whatsoever! ( I am just glad it's over and I don't have to be nervous anymore!) Rhonda

Hello everyone! My name is Rhonda. I am 41 years old and live in Ga. I have been investigating having lap band surgery since Oct 2004. I did the insurance dance with BCBS of Il up until two weeks ago when dr essentially advised I would probably not get approved. (I am 5'3" 213 lbs). At that point I began checking into Mexico. I am now scheduled for surgery with Dr Lopez on Friday, March 11th. I am a bit apprehensive as I am going on vacation with the family 1 week after surgery. I have been a lurker on this web site for the last two weeks and it has been very helpful in getting ready for the surgery. Thanks to everyone who posts. It is a godsend to those of us just starting the process. I hope to have much to share in the future! Rhonda

Thank you Penni! I originally started the process with Dr Ponce at Hamilton Weight Management in Dalton GA. When they told me insurance wouldn't pay, I asked about if they did the fills. They said yes, but you have to sign a contract with them for 1 year ($2000) that includes fills and follow up visits. This seems a bit pricey to me, although it is done under fluoro. I have several other drs in the Atlanta area that are doing lap bands, so I just need to check around to see who would take me. I think I may go back to Dr Lopez for the first few fills. Other than fills, do you need to see the dr for follow up visits after surgery (if you are not having any problems) ? I would love to get together when you are in town. Email me at Rhonda,Spruill@Idealindustries.com and we can work out the details. I had a question about fills 1-2 years later. I tried to search the forum but I didn't really see anything on it. Once you have reached your goal weight, do you just not get fills anymore or do the fills gradually lose restriction? I am sure it is a personal thing, some people need several fills, some very few, to lose weight initially. I just had never seen anything about it after losing as much as you want to lose. (my,that sounds so nice!) Thanks again for all of the excellent information you all supply! Rhonda