B-Rog

How long did your approval take?

Yes! I'm scheduled for Wednesday, March 16th. I'm disappointed my surgeon doesn't do surgeries on Mondays. But, I think I should be fine to go back the following Monday. I'm a high school teacher and can make my day as active or sedentary as I want. I'm sure I'll be exhausted and sore but, I'll manage

Oh, no ma'am! The hunger will come. Just wait until you're all healed up and not yet at your fill time... We like to call it "Bandster Hell." And hell it is. You're hungry and can eat again. The trick is... Do you revert back to your pre-band episodes or do you keep it in check? And how do you keep it in check when your band isn't doing what it was designed to do because you haven't had a fill yet. And then after the first fill you still hate the dang thing because you can still eat and you're still frickin hungry! But then you hit the sweet spot!!! You still get hungry, so eat regular meals. And if you don't be careful so you don't scarf something down and out yourself in pain. In short. You will get hungry. You will miss eating some things that you no longer can tolerate. But that donut, kolache, slice of pizza, or that PB&J sandwich just don't taste as good (And hurt like hell) as watching the scale numbers drop! Do I miss certain foods, certainly. Do I get over it in 47 seconds, definitely!

I flew within 36 hours of being banded and was fine. I also flew within 24 hours of my last fill and was perfectly fine. My restriction was at the expected level after the flight and was consistent for weeks.

Biotin!!! I take one twice a day and my hair and nails have never been prettier. I was so scared of losing my hair that I started taking them right when I had surgery. I haven't experienced any significant hair loss and I attribute it to the Biotin.

That's an AWESOME NSV! How exciting! It's the little things like that, that make this journey so worth it!

I was banded by Dr. Armando Joya in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. My experience was wonderful. There is not a thing that disappointed me. The care I was given far surpasses both knee surgeries I had in the States. Do your research. Talk to some people. Call the surgeon (mine gave me his cell #). And make an educated decision.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d86/beth7470/collage.jpg 6 month Bandiversary pics

I bring a Lean Cuisine to work everyday for lunch. Or leftovers from the night before. I heat 'em up and eat the protein bits and veggies from the Lean Cuisines and if I bring leftovers, I know its nutritous and will go down. These are my quick and easy lunchtime solutions that I've come up with...

I self-paid. I scrounged every cent I had for a while until i saved up the cash. I spent $8,000 and had the surgery in Mexico. My experience was wonderful. There was nothing scary about it at all. I now spend $200 a fill, which I have had 5. So, I've spent 9,000 total and would not take back a single cent!! I love my band!

It isn't bad AT ALL! The kind I get is pretty smooth and doesn't taste like much at all...

It is possible to completely fill the band. And some doctors fill over the specified amount with no complications. I've noticed good, reliable restriction occurs pretty close to being filled up, no matter what size band. The more Fluid that is in the band, the less it takes to tweak, as well. I have 10cc band too. 1st fill: 3cc's 2nd fill: 3 cc's 3rd fill: 3 cc's 4th fill: .6 cc's I'm at almost perfect restriction and pretty dang close to being filled up. I asked my doctor what happens when I hit the 10 cc mark and she said little fill increments over that wouldn't be a problem.

Thanks ya'll! Good times... Any other fun NSV's??

I had a real fun NSV last night! It's probably TMI... But I gotta share with someone. I was shaving last night and could actually see my VaJayJay to shave it proper. It was amazing. I didn't have to suck my gut in or cock my leg a certain way. It was cool... I know, way too much information...

I second that recommendation of Dr. Stephanie!! She's wonderful!

I just had crock pot chicken. I threw some frozen chicken tits, 98% FF cream of mushroom Soup, some FF sour cream, a little Water in the crock pot before work this morning. I came home, voila! dinner, 2 lunches, and another dinner from 3 chicken boobs and some frozen broccoli I steamed. Of course, I'm single, so you probably can't stretch it that far... But crock pot chicken is easy and pretty cheap. I sometimes throw chicken tits and a can of enchilada sauce in there for mexican night! Couple that with a can of FF refried Beans... Muy bien! Otherwise, I buy generic brand everything... I can't tell any difference. I also reuse the same water jug all day so there's no need for bottled water or any of that business... Hope this helps a lil bit. I'm sure life is completely different with a husband and a baby... But I'm a cheapscake, so i threw in my 2 cents.

Thanks Longhorn!

Hey Longhorn, Where'd ya get your graph? Its neat Oh Paula... I feel your pain! This restriction rollercoaster sucks!

I've rarely posted on the board... But I am on here everyday, probably more than I should be at work! This board has kept me sane regarding my band journey. When I was struggling, you guys were too. I didn't feel like a complete failure because I was "normal." You guys have really kept my positive about my experience. Now, I feel my disenchantment for my band has subsided... I had my 3rd fill on January 5th. That brought me up to 8.8 cc's in a VG band. I now have restriction. I've had a couple PB episodes that weren't pretty. Note: Just seeing if a doughnut will go down at 8 am resulting puking it back up into the paper bag in which I received it, YUCK!, was not the brightest idea! So now I have restriction. It's not my sweet spot, but its close. I can live with this for a couple more weeks as I learn to eat with my band. It didn't matter at all what I ate until 3 weeks ago. I've lost 32 lbs. which looks right on par with the rest of guys and that is comforting. Thanks for posting you guys... I appreciate your experience and benefit from it more than you can imagine!

Got it!! I called 903-520-8847 today and spoke with her husband. First fill on the 17th. I'll let ya'll know how it goes

BUMP! Does anyone have her current information?

Hi Sarah and Lauren!! I am also scheduled to be banded on the 11th! AH! I know the feeling Lauren... I'm so scared of F'ing this thing up! I don't have any words of wisdom for ya. But I can definitely offer you solice in knowing you're not alone in this!!! Have ya'll started your pre-op diets? I start tomorrow... Can't wait... (dripping in sarcasm!) Although, it seems really real now. Like I'm preparing my body for this life changing event that happens in 12 DAYS!!!!! It's actually happening... Anywho, if ya need someone to chat it up withm drop me a line. I'm not much older than you, Lauren, so maybe we can help each other out!

Hey there Twyla! I am also scheduled for surgery in October!!! And I have the SAME EXACT feelings as you!! I usually do a lot of lurking around this site. This is actually my first post... I had to respond to you! I read your post and thought I might have typed it! 'Cept for the husband part! I can lose weight too... And then it just starts creeping back on. I can rock out in the gym and then I start to feel like I'm busting my behind only to see minimal results... So good luck with all this!!!