VegasGrace

Interesting post...and a good one! But I noticed a few things.... you sad you had several fills and are now at 2.4 in a 4cc band. Several? Hope you only mean 2. I was at 2.4 at my 2nd fill and got restriction. And if you have had 3 or more fills and are only at 2.4 then your doctor isn't doing his job. Just getting the band put in isn't the lapband system. It will only work when you get restriciton...and restriction enough to STOP you from eating...wether that's cutting off the pipe...you got to do what you got to do! Get the pipe cut off to where you vomit saliva, then take it down a notch. Guaranteed if you can't eat...you'll lose weight. I've had a plan in place before I was banded, wrote it in my journal, on how I was going to use my band. I read the owners manual and KNEW upfront what my doc should be giving me for fills. And if he tried to pull one over on me and cheat me out of fills...I'd know and fire him. But, to my surprise, it was right on track. 1st fill for a 4cc band (9.75) is 2 cc. Guys, get the fills and be aggressive. Good luck!

Marilyn...not a pervert here but .... after seeing your photos... you have breasts! You have done so well! I remember when I first noticed my breasts were larger than my stomach....happy day! Keep up the good work!

Yes. From time to time I still wish I would have had that instead of the band. My twin had that done. I had the band. We are both size 6. Twin has to remember to eat. I have to remember NOT to eat. She eats what she wants, when she wants. I still struggle to avoid foods and can't eat past 6pm. But on the flip side, mine was much more efficient than hers. When she made the decision for bypass, it was a year before she jumped thru all the hoops and had surgery. Me, 1 month I was in and out. She has continued visits and labwork, I'm so done! She took a greater risk, I still have all my organs in tact. IF, now that IF she starts gaining weight...she's on her own. Me, just get a fill. Hope this helps. Only you can decide. good luck

Wow, hate that for you. 25 pounds before you even got a fill? Wow! Way better than me. I didn't lose my first pound until 10 weeks after surgery...when I got restriction. Just getting the band isn't the lapband system....got to get restriction. Go back for another fill, and then another, and then yet another until you get the restriction. Your doc not Kosher with that, fire 'em and go somewhere else. Fill it up, a tad over if you have to. At some point you will get the restriction...it's just a matter of when. Good luck!

Good post. I don't think so. There aren't enough gastric juices to breakdown the food enough to turn it into liquid. I'm sure it softens the edges, makes it more viable so it can pass. Love the responses!

Dr. Huacuz is the smartest choice. Take into account skill, bedside manner, knowlege and training, and as a bonus cost....he is hands down the best.

Wow! Thanks for sharing. I don't live in that area but it's nice you and those who have shared their experiences...nice you are looking out for everyone.

Oh, I'm a size 6 now.

That's a great idea!!!! I own 2 pair of elastic denim pants, 3 white turtle necks, 3 blazer/jackets, 1 black elastic skirt. I'm afraid to go shopping. I feel FATTER now than I did when I was a few sizes up...like a 10 or so. Why is that? Maybe my problem areas are now visible instead of allover fat?

That is an important thing to ask. BUT, they should have told you upfront. Did he tell you yet about the anesthesiologist fee? How about meds used? Insturment fee? Yep, when I had my very first surgery 15 years ago....my doctor/surgeon was upfront with me. Had me bring in 3 cashier's checks. 1) her fee 2) surgicenter 3) anesthesiologist Hate this happened to you. BUYER BEWARE

Sad? When I first got the text, a smile went on my face. How wonderful it is to have that great man move to the next phase of his work. And how great is the Lord and the work on earth to be moving forward with a new Prophet. I'm so thankful President Hinkley passed away when he did. My mother is on hospice and I've had mixed emotions. Raised a Baptist, Catholic, Methodist...just whereever mom took us that Sunday.... I don't have the foundation in the purpose of life and the purpose of death like those children raised by members. I've been taught, that's for sure. And now I understand. But the real test of it came when President Hinkley passed away. That smile that came without any concious doing on my part.... now I KNOW...I don't have to wonder anymore.

Inamed, makers of the lapband, train docs in maintenance and unfills just the same as they do adjustments/fills. The rule of thumb for someone who has hit their goal AND still losing AND want to stop losing.... to do an adjustment of .2cc to .5cc unfill. Forgot to add that those are numbers for the 9.75 band.

Seems some disagree with what I said about Ms. Clinton. And of course I said we all can disagree...that's what makes our country great. Point is, that behavior doesn't make a good Commander in Chief. How much stronger she would have been if she would have kicked him to the curb. The supposed "no sexual contact...with that woman" some think that's the ONLY thing he did against the marriage. Are you kidding? He's been cheating on Hilary for years and years...wasn't the first time and surely won't be the last.

OUCH! Hate that for you. Having the band come undone is rare...but it's one of 2 things..... defective band defective surgeon Either way you shouldn't have to pay a penny to have this corrected. Good luck!

Hey, your doc should have given you the instructions. If you don't want to mess up, simply follow those instructions. Every doc is different. I was on regual food by weeks end.

Gosh, I hate that for you. Sometimes things don't work out the way we want. Go back for an adjustment. That's the lapband system. So until you get restriction you really aren't supposed to lose even a pound. Just hate you have to suffer to get a fill. Maybe you could ask for more than just a local.... it's an idea.

Yes, you can. But do you want to digest it? weird, huh? I eat pizza frequently then slime it up. When I get tired of sliming, I stop eating it.

As you can see by other responses...yes it can take that long when you are getting insurance to cover it. I decided on lapband then interviewed 4 docs in 2 weeks. Made my choice and within a month had the procedure. That's being self pay. Hang in, hang on....it will be worth it!

Oh, got to add.... ICE is something new for me...and a straw. I don't have any beverage w/o a ton..packed to the max of ice...and then a straw. Kalia is right...the coldness helps it go down better.

Who says? I have Mt. Dew when I want (mix it w/ diet).

Oops, forgot to add: After you reach goal ...go 2 weeks with 'normal' eating...remember, your new normal not your former bad habits. If you are still losing weight...call the doc for a slight unfill...anywhere between .2 and .5cc. After that unfill, continue to eat your new normal....if you maintain (can go up a pound or two but that comes right back off) then you are DONE! If you continue to lose.... get another unfill. IF; however, you gain...and gain and it's not hormonal, medicines, etc....go back for a fill to get restriction back. You have not mastered a new way of eating!

Yes. Your term was resume...which means at one point it was 'normal' or optimum...in my case infancy... hahahah Now, I love food. I use it to nourish my body, have a treat, but not to medicate myself anymore.

Cold contracts heat expands

Approved? That's what caught my attention to the thread. So you are using insurance to cover this.... my first guess would have been to only submit a favorable report. But, if you gave her the goahead to submit it to your insurance without first knowing what she was going to say.... (happened to me in court once when I thought I knew what a witness would say...but...nope) Right now, don't worry about it. Really. What's done is done and you have a 50/50 chance. Plus, even if ins. rejects you based on that report, you could always submit a 2nd opinion. Plus, the report DETAILS what they feel you need to work on...why not start now AND DOCUMENT it. Go to a psychologist for a few sessions. remember....LOOSE LIPS SINK SHIPS...so it's better to just keep quiet and tell them what you need to get approved.

Don't worry about it. You will hear tales of weightloss on pre and post op...all before implementing the lapband system...which is adjustments. Enjoy yourself! Embrace any weight changes, up or down. As soon that will be a thing of the past. Make sure you have your 6week appointment for a fill. Good luck! (I didn't lose my first pound until 10 weeks after surgery)