VegasGrace

Your post said bmi 35-40, I'm not included in that but.... my bmi was lower than that when I was banded. And yes, I so know what you mean. I wasn't like morbidly obese but this fat all over me....couldn't get rid of it. I suggest just not mentioning it to anyone...tell your mom, your favorite sister, and then your best friend aka spouse.

My 2nd fill visit my doc mentioned not having all the Fluid he put in the first time..... same was said to me...to go to my surgeon...(in Tijuana). He filled me up and put about 2.5 in a 4cc band. I was so worried, cried,etc. Well, I did nothing....waited. There are ways to get restriction with the fluid you have. Meaning don't fight against the band..... stop eating!!!! I did for six months and there was no leak....that's obvious.

A lady who had RNY a few years back just had that procedure done. The scars are horizontal and in the inner thigh so as not to be visible when wearing a swimsuit. She's still in compression garments so she'll know soon if it was successful.

Well, it's about time. So many docs in the US get arrested...was wondering when it would happen in Mexico. Makes me feel better they are on top of things down there. Outsourcing has become so commomplace the revenue from Spa Vacations is jeapordized. I have a high regard for my surgeon who practices in Tijuana.

I'd not worry yet. Gastritis can be caused by a number of things. So, if you drink....stop. Many have an irritation of the stomach lining and don't even know it....and it's just that...an irritation/inflamation. You didn't mention anything else such as infection, ulcers, etc. Just take care of yourself, watch what you ingest...and leave it up to the doc.

Just fyi: I am on maintenance and still slime up even 1 bite of spaghetti. Don't understand it!

I hear ya! I am finally now the same weight I was when on Atkins years ago. This time...I can't gain the weight back...the band won't let me.

Just saw where the surgeon who performed my lapband surgery will be in Texas soon. This man is truly a blessing from the Lord as ... well, look at my ticker. I'm a size 10 now going into an 8. No complications as the surgery was performed by a surgeon with the greatest skill. To find more information visit our Website Houston Lap Band Seminar :: Huacuz Surgical Center Houston, TX 713-269-1686 LAP BAND SEMINAR with One of the top Surgeons Nation wide performing the LAP BAND surgery DANIEL HUACUZ, M.D. ALLERGAN Certified Surgeon LAP BAND SEMINAR Take back control of your life with the safest weight loss solution available. If you've struggled with your weight and no amound of dieting and exercise has worked, the LAP-BAND System may be for you. It's the only weight-loss surgery that is completely reversible and adjustable for life. December 1, 2007 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm No Admission Fee Marriott JW Marriott Hotel Houston 5150 Westheimer Houston, Texas 77056 Phone: (713)961-1500

Gosh, hate that for you. I don't even feel my band except when I swallow something ... I can feel it pass through sometimes. My port is a different story. I felt it at first only because it was foreign. Then months passed w/o even thinking about it. But lately, like yesterday and today...it's .... it's... achey. if that's a word. It doesn't hurt but I feel better when I lay on my side w/ the port side down.

Just keep on keepin on. I had just 2.2cc and lost my excess weight. Had .3cc removed for maintenance but have lost another 5lbs. If I go below 140 I'll get another slight unfill.

Take out the term Scientology and substitute any other religion name like Christian. I just did and unless I missed something, I respect him for his convictions....not that I agree w/ Scientology. I've always looked at Scientology as a blanket religion...as in a Christian can be a Scientologist, a xxx can be a Scientologist. I'm Christian so I don't know much about other religions. But wow!!!! Being single all these years...I'm thankful to the Lord for putting Tom Cruise on this earth.

Well, you are healing still....but if it's so bad, call the nurse. I don't recall mine being so bad. I sleep on my stomach and in the beginning I had to place my arm just so around the port area....but now, it's nothing. Good luck.

Since being banded, I've not had a successful meal out. What I mean is...for me now...others don't have this issue. If I eat until I'm satisfied....I go to the bathroom several times and about time 3 is when I've had enough....getting up and going that is. Or, I just get a meal, pick at it and TAKE HOME BOX. I used to enjoy going out to eat. Now, I don't. But isn't that a good thing? I find joy and fulfillment in staying home with my family, preparing a home cooked meal with fresh ingredients. I'm happier now than ever!

BINGO! Travel expenses, per diem, etc. All can be deducted.

I was in your shoes. 1st I found the cheapest docs while looking for the best docs. I made inquiry and the best doc gave me the cheapest price. Whew! Location, location, location! Someone can spend more just by getting to their destination. So a flight into LAX and a short drive to SAN (the gas was cheaper than the airfare/even bus fare was cheaper) and the doc's shuttle came to pick me up. Southwest Airlines was the airline I chose. So when picking dates, get a date when airfare is cheapest. Tijuana was cheaper for me. But for financing...be creative! I did the research...those w/ even a lower fico can go thru American General or some other HIGH INTEREST company. I requested a CLI, credit line increase on my overdraft protection thru my credit union. BINGO. I used that line of credit to pay the $7,000 for my surgery. The airfare was $159 RT. Good luck!

This topic is mentioned in several forums but am concerned those researching the band may get the wrong message. It's like this... do you tell everyone when you are going to go for a root canal, filling, or other dental work? Do you just tell your mom and a best friend? Or do you tell no one...just that you have to get something taken care of?d This approach can be used with not only the dentist, but bariatric surgery as well. Do not feel obligated to tell anyone about your plans. But on the flip side, you may be so excited to have found something that's going to bring you great results and you may be bursting to share. It's all your choice. {For me, I didn't tell anyone as I don't tell anyone anything about my medical/dental visits anyway. I was on the phone with my twin sister and mentioned being away for a few days so she won't be able to reach me. She asked, I told her Mexico for lapband and she freaked! She flew out in 2 days and went with me. (she was so impressed with what she witnessed she has shared the experience with her colleagues -she works at a hospital as a nurse) So, keep quite? Sure. But how nice it was to have someone to know and take this long road of weight loss with me.}

It's insurance companies that created the BMI rule. Do the research and you'll find the makers of lapband suggest even those with a lower bmi of 40, even 35 are candidates. Do the research and talk to your doctor.

Oh, I even didn't stand so straight when getting my height checked. Hey! An inch is an inch and skews the bmi.

I did thinking that same thing...got so sick of fast foods. But you only have to worry about that if you are trying to get insurance to pay. Silly me. I was self pay and ate all that for nothing. Was tastey!

Don't think I get in 60g. I'm sure some days I may. You'll be advised to get in .... whatever. Take a look at the food pyramid. Just do what you can and remember if you are about ready to eat something with no nutritional value except fat and sugar...then put it down and eat something with Protein, Vitamins, etc. Good luck! Oh, I was one of those who tried the protein drinks but gave up on them after a few weeks.

Stephanie my scale is my best friend. I weigh myself about 15 minutes after getting up in the morning. This has proven to be the most accurate weight. In the evening? Forget about it. I weigh 2-4 pounds more.

Starting? You are now starting? Hmmm.... you've had that knee/joint pain for a while now, right? CHRONIC Do you wake tired? Sure you do! Others have told you that you snore, right? Possible sleep APNEA All the times you've been to the doctor, you can recall times your blood pressure was up, right? High Blood Pressure These are just a few examples. There is NO CHECKLIST to qualify for the band, however, there are guidelines. You can definetly go to INAMED's site for the lapband, read up and recognize anything....anything that pertains to you. When you go in to see your doc, use those words and phrases in your discussion. Your doc will be your best ally when it comes to getting insurance to pay. Good luck!

You are so right! Love the way you worded it...REHAB. That's basically what's going on....rehabilitation of eating habits. It's tough...there will be withdrawal symptoms. I went through the ringer, slept alot, angry, lethargic, etc. Towards the end I said to a nurse, "I fell like I'm dying". She said, "you are". Getting the body to shrink fat cells is the body dying.... degenerating. Luckily fat cells are overabundant and can stand to loose them. Good luck! I found sipping Mt Dew daily kept me sane.

Yes, I've noticed as well.

Pondimin was pulled about 15 years ago... Don't even mention it! They will soon be removing anything related OFF any print material, I'm sure of it.