miminms

Don, I enjoyed meeting you at the support group meeting at River Oaks Hosp. Tuesday night. I wish you the very best of luck on getting your surgery approved and I will keep you in my prayers.

Sounds good...I hope we'll have lots of "bandsters" there!

Hi skinnydippn42! I just read your post and wanted to let you know that the time for the support group at River Oaks tomorrow night (Sept. 4th) is from 6:00-7:00 p.m.... I'm looking forward to being there! I wish I knew the answer to your question about Medicare, but I don't. I have BC/BS and they do not cover any of the costs. I was self-pay and that is tough! I hope you get it all cleared up and start on the road to a healthier you soon. I'm sure Dr. Cleveland is good if you go to CMMC, but I can tell you first hand that if River Oaks is a possibility, that you will be very pleased also. Dr. Carroll is great and his staff are all very nice and helpfull. River Oaks couldn't be better also! Much luck to you!

That's funny! I'll never tell! He needs someone like you to keep him in line! lol

Hi Heather!! I remember you too!! LOL You were the first person I heard when I woke up. I remember you telling me your story and I was so excited to FINALLY meet someone who had the Lapband! You were my first! lol I only remember parts of going back to my room, but I told my husband later all about this "beautiful nurse" in the recovery room that was telling me about just having the same thing and he said...I know, she brought you back in the room and got you all set up an told me about Dr. Carroll doing her lapband. He said you were very sweet and agreed with me that you were very pretty! ha! I just want to thank you for taking such good care of me! I had a great experience at River Oaks and I would recommend it to anyone. I absolutely love Dr. Carroll. He cares so much about his patients. I certainly made the right choice. I am very excited about the new support group starting Sept. 4th. at River Oaks. I'm already signed up. I hope I'll get to meet many "bandsters" and I hope I'll get to thank you again in person! Thank you for remembering me and much luck to you. Hope to see you soon!

Hi Everyone, I live in Brandon, MS. I was banded on 6-19-07 at River Oaks Hosp. by Dr. David Carroll. I have had an awesome experience so far. No complications....weight loss to date is 41 lbs. I have a large VG band and so far I've had 1 fill (3 cc's). I don't feel any restriction so far, but I try to convince myself I do! LOL Just seems to make it easier! ha! I am so thrilled to have my band and I look forward to the years ahead with some "help". This is what I've been praying for-for years!!! I love this board...it's been so helpful and now I look forward to talking and sharing with some "Mississippi neighbors"! Good luck to all! Hope to hear from you!

I'm sorry.. I missed your reason the first time I read your post. Now I understand perfectly what you mean! I'll pay more attention next time. LOL I agree with you about doing whatever it takes to continue keeping this weight off. I know for many people that have had the RNY (my brother had the duodenal switch and is four years out-doing great!), it was the best decision for them. We all have to make our own choices with our Dr's help. I have much respect for anyone making this decision. I'm just so proud of and for you. You have done so well. I pray my journey is as successful...thanks again for your input!!!

Hi everyone! I originally wanted the gastric bypass-rny...I researched that for awhile and decided to go with the lapband (for multiple reasons). Prior to my surgery (6/19/07) I had known people who had the bypass done, but no one who had the lapband. I went to two seminars, however, I still did not know everything I should have about the band. I have had several surprises, but nothing even close to making me think that I wish I had gone with the bypass vs. the band! I now have a support group...thanks to this forum and meeting some wonderful banded people in the area. Now I can ask questions from people who've been there and gone through it. I was just wondering if people have had experiences that made them wish they had gone another route...or if like me...they have had surprises, but are still very happy with the band.

Chickie, You have lost 190 lbs. and kept it off for a year!!!! That is amazing! I bow before you girl! Everyone knows how much hard work that was! Thanks for your post!

Wabb...ditto! And look at your success!!! You are almost there. Congrats!! juno610...You gave all my reasons for chosing the band! We don't know the future and anything permanent scared me. I also love knowing that if I start gaining or reach a plato I have the option of getting a new fill and that should help me to get back on track. With the RNY what can you do?? momlambert....Thank you! Same to you! I know it is so frustrating when you don't lose as fast as others. You have to count your successes though....how would you be doing without your band? I know every day-week-month-year I was killing myself. Now I have hope and a future! You hang in there and don't give up-21 lbs is a lot! Good luck and God bless!

I was banded 8 weeks ago and tomorrow (8:00 a.m.) is my first scheduled fill in a large VG (10cc) band. (no saline was put in at time of banding) My doctor told me he would be putting in 3cc's. I'm not worried....to the contrary!!....I'm very excited!!! I just don't know what to expect. I realize all Dr.'s are different, but can anyone please tell me your experiences?? l. Should I eat even lighter today to prepare for the fill? 2. Do I eat Breakfast in the morning or would it be better if I didn't? 3. Were you put on a liquid or mushy diet for a day or two afterwards? 4. Does it hurt or is it just uncomfortable? 5. Any possible problems with "finding" the port? 6. What is the possibility of feeling some "restriction" with 1st. fill? So many questions! LOL To date I've lost 34 lbs. and I'm so happy with my band. I've had no problems at all. I have been living on "will power" the past few weeks, so I will be thrilled when I can actually "feel" the restriction again. Thanks to anyone sharing their experiences with me. I can't wait for the "fills" to begin!

I just wanted to let you guys know how my first fill went. I did the liquid diet yesterday and didn't eat before going as advised by my LB friends. The Dr. did my fill (3cc's) and it was painless! No problems...he found it with no problems also! He said to go to liquids for 24hrs. then mushy then on to regular, but to be careful....what I ate yesterday, I may not be able to eat now. He said I was doing great at 40 lbs.....I could only count 38...I was confused, but I liked his numbers a lot better!! LOL Then he told me the bad news....."Come back in 8 wks. for your next fill"......I thought surely it would be no more than 4 wks. My Dr. is so conservative. I thought about arguing or begging, but I decided not to. I know it wouldn't have changed anything. Guess I gotta trust him to know what's best for me! Anyway----WOOOOOOHOOOOO I'm on my way!!!! Just wanted to share!

Thanks jfran! Your weight loss has been great! I sure wish you continued success. I'll miss my coffee in the morning! LOL I understand what you mean about no restriction. I just have to tease myself that I'm full...not! Oh well, I certainly don't want to do anything to hurt my band or mess with my weight loss, so I'll hang in there and do what needs doing. I am self-pay like so many others and I CERTAINLY can't throw my money away by not doing my part! Of course, the bottom line is this is my dream and my chance of a "healthier" life. Like you, I am enjoying the ride! Much luck to you!

Terri, Thank you so much for the input. Wow! These bands really have a mind of their own! You are doing great! Very encourging! Wasabb, Thank you for the support and info. I'll go liquid for the rest of the day and as most said, nothing in the am. 87 lbs!!! Way to go!!! Paulax, Good point about the Water and keeping hydrated. I hadn't thought about that. I'll add some more water also! Driver, Wanting to eat less with each meal was my dream for this lap band, so to hear that is fantastic!!! I've never PB'd or anything close to that, so I'll be curious to see what happens. Doesn't sound like fun, but sounds like it would really keep me in line! LOL Thank you all again for taking the time to help me with my questions. This board has been such a blessing! It's great to have a place to talk about these issues with folks who've "been there"! Can't wait for tomorrow!!!!!

You betcha!!! I'll never take an egg for granted again!!! LOL Hang in there! Can't wait to hear about your progress!

Just to further clarify, I was given information pre-surgery about diet and nutrition, but the nutritionist was sent to my room after my surgery before I was discharged to discuss everything with me. I was told to call if I had any questions at all. No further follow-up was required and the cost was included in my surgery. I guess I was lucky compared to some I've read about. Hope things are going well for you!

One thing I've learned....no question is silly! We all have much to learn and many questions. I went to two seminars (two different Dr's-I wanted to see which one I liked best) and filled out lots of papers! None of it was too bad. The worst part was just trying to "remember stuff"! ha! As for the nutritionist, my Doc has the Hosp. send their Nut. staff come to visit you and she went over all the do's and don'ts...the different stages and also gave me a direct number to call with any questions. She was very helpful. I know it is overwhelming at times with all the "getting ready" for this, but it's one step at a time and it just goes on by and then....there you are....ready for the best thing you've ever done for yourself!!! This board is the best. It has helped me so very much. I haven't had any problems, but I have had many questions and for everything we wonder about, there are people that have gone through it and have the answers or solutions that have worked for them. Best of all, we all care about your success. You are going to do great! Keep in touch and much luck to you! P.S. I looked forward to all the stages too...especially getting back what I hadn't had in awhile!!!!! LOL I can tell you when my doctor first said I could start back eating something along the consistency of an egg...oh my gosh.....I thought about that egg all the way home and I've NEVER tasted a better egg in my life!!! I'm still enjoying them! hehe!

I just saw this thread today and realized you had your surgery today. I hope all went well and you are on your road to a new life. I had my band done 6-19-07 and also had my gallbladder removed and a hiatal hernia repaired at the same time. I hope you do as well as I did. I breezed through all three procedures and I don't believe my recovery time was much more than if I had only had the band. I feel better than I have in years and I credit a lot of it to losing the gallbladder and the hernia repair. I haven't had reflux since surgery and I also breathe better now. You'll be glad it was done at the same time. I'm so proud for you...let us know how you are doing! It's a whole new beginning!

Congratulations!! I know the excitement of beginning this journey! I was banded 6-19-07. The surgery went great....recovery was great...I've lost 34 lbs. so far and I go for my first fill in one week! I'm looking very forward to that.!! This is the best thing I've ever done for myself and I am so excited for you also! Keep us all posted and good luck to you!

OI812, You make some really good points. Most of what we read are people needing answers to issues we're having. I am 6 wks. post-op now and I wouldn't trade this decision for anything. I've had no real problems at all....only some stuff I didn't understand and now through this board, I'm much better educated about what to expect. I've lost 34 lbs. so far and my first fill will be in 11 days. I look so forward to the future. I'm so happy for your success! You have done great! I know everyone has to make this decision for themselves, but for me---I have no doubts it was the right one. I already have so much more control over food....something I haven't had in many years. I'm just very grateful to have found something that makes this whole challenge easier. I want to shout it from the rooftops, but again, it's a personal decision everyone has to make on their own. Good luck to all of you considering it!

Amy, what a great story! You are going to be just fine. I like the way you think! I wish you so much success. Tues. will be 6 wks. post-op for me and I am so thankful that I did this for myself. I have lost 34 lbs so far and I feel so much better I can't even begin to express it! You will have many new friends right here among all the "bandsters"...count me in! This board has helped me so much and will help you also!

homew6kids Gosh...We've all heard the same things! How great that you have such a supportive husband. Some people will never understand and that's OK. I love your attitude! You'll do great!!

Nannyof3, I'm a MiMi of 2, same age as you and I too got rejected by my insurance for gastric bypass. I felt like giving up hope...that I'd just be fat for life, but I knew if I ever gave up...I'd have no life. I was killing myself. I saved as you did for the band and I'm so glad I didn't have the gastric years ago. The band is the best thing I've ever done or will do for myself. I was banded 6/19/07. It's been 5 1/2 wks. and I've lost a total of 34 lbs. so far. Some of that was due to the 2 wks pre-op liquid diet and I won't lie....for me it was hard, but I was determined I could do it and I did. I even had to go on Vacation to New Orleans (home to some of the best food in the world I might add!!!!) with my daughter and grandaughter. I wasn't sure I could pull that off, but the scare my Dr. gave me about needing my liver to be the best it could possibly be never left my mind! LOL I knew that my reason for doing this was to save my life and I sure wasn't going to blow it before I made it to surgery! Just keep the big picture in your mind and the family you want to be there for and give it everything you've got. Our reward will come and we'll be so proud.. I already feel so much better and just these few weeks later, I'm doing projects in my house that I've put off for years! You hang in there. You can do it...the best is yet to come!! Good luck and God Bless!

No kidding! I think we've all been through many years of that.....I know that was the story of my life. Finally after 5 wks post-op and 34 lbs. (Yea!!!!) this time, I feel I can finally do this...with the help from my band. I know I have to do my part and I will. Life is good again!

strawberrygrl, Congrats on your surgery! Hang in there. We all know what your going through. My doc required a liquid diet 2 wks pre-op and all the info given to me said I'd be on pure liquids post-op for 4 more weeks. The pre-op was soooo hard for me--I could hardly put one foot in front of the other by the end of the second week. All I could think about was another 4 weeks!! Well, the first check up after my band, my Dr. said I could start (2nd week) adding back things with the consistency of a soft scrambled egg! That was the best egg I've ever had in my life!!! Maybe, you'll be lucky and get something a little "bulkier" sooner than you think. I know your Dr. knows what is best for you though! You just try to hold onto the "big picture" of the new and healthier you!! That soreness will begin to ease up soon. Good luck to you. Keep us all posted on your progress!