Barb

Well I didn't chnage my information on my ticker yet. So I have an 11cm band not the Vanguard.

I also went to Dr. Rodriguez in Mexico. Everything was great and I have felt good from a few hours after surgery. I am glad everything went well for you all. I was also at Osler.

Terri, you do have good friends! Well, it has been two weeks and I still haven't had a Dr. Pepper or any soda for that matter. Today was my first day of semi-solids. I had a 2 hour lunch mmeting and they served meatloaf and mashed potato so I guess I was lucky there. I made a very small plate, I was scared to eat real food. :-) I did fine though but I worked on eating for 30 minutes and didn't make a very big dent in my plate. I need to go to my Mom's and use her scale and weigh. I have no clue if I have lost any weight, but I can say I am never hungry, in addition to having no desire for sodas. I wish I had done this two years ago when I went into plus size.

Wow, congratulations to both of you. What an awesome success story.

COO - Chief Operating Officer<O:p</O:p

Alex, I am sending good vibes your way!

I just saw the thread that Mandy linked to. It was fun seeing what everyone does. We outh to bump it.

Hi Dee Dee, Wow, the big day is here. I just wanted to say that today is my last day of mushies and I made it through the liquid stage and mushies just fine. The time went by really fast and I just haven't been hungry. In fact, I haven't been able to get everything in (quantity wise) that I was suppose to but I was told it was ok just do what I could. You will do just fine, in fact in my opinion it was MUCH easier than I was expecting.

Ruthie, Here is information for the Inamed website. I think your Dr. was wrong. It says the band is used for patients with a BMI under > 45. At 400+ I think the BMI would be like 60. Larger Perimeter Area The LAP-BAND VG has a larger inner perimeter. This design feature provides more flexibility in allowing for: Patients with BMI > 45 Patients with larger anatomy (i.e. thicker gastric walls) Patients that require a large amount of fat dissection

I am sorry to hear that. I am also a Mexico Bandster. I have the 11cm band which I just found out is also known as the Vanguard band. I can say this I know (from here) that there are lots of us who have the Vanguard Band that are not even close to 400+ lbs. and some where banded in the US and some in Mexico, so I don't think it has anything to do with Mexico Dr's being incompetent. I was and still am very happy with my Dr. in Mexico. I do miss not having him here for aftercare, But, everyhting has been just as he told me it would. I am interested in what others have to say, I will follow this thread. There are also a couple of very nice Dr.s that post and help out on here, maybe one of them will check the thread. Try not to worry or stress to much until you get more information......please.

Sorry you feel bad Sandie. Today is my last day of mushies. I start semi-solids tomorrow. Can't help you on how long it will last, I stay very full feeling just from a small amount of mushies.

Thanks for the information. I am glad to know that when there is reference to the Vanguard band that is me. Thanks!

Another thing interesting to me is that in this instruction book under Band Preparation it has the same instructions for the 9.75, 10 cm and Vanguard Band, but has different instructions for the 11 cm Band.<O:p</O:p I am just curious, I haven’t even had my first fill yet.<O:p</O:p <O:p</O:p

Thanks Dr. Hekier, it is great to have you on LBT. I know your personal opinions will be both welcomed and appreciated here. I don't have a 9.75 band but I have a BioEnterics Inamed LAGB 11.0cm Adjustable Gastric Band. Inamed Catalog # B-20230. It also says CAUTION: The the maximum fill volume of the 11cm band is 9cc. Inside the book right above the informtion for the 11cm band is the information for the Vanguard Band. It has the same CAUTION: statement but says the maximum fill for the Vanguard band is 10cc. I wonder of the 11cm band came out after the Vanguard band? I got all this information from the book my surgeon sent home with me to give to my aftercare Doctor. I can't find a publication date on it.

I don't remember there being any big surprises. I test the same way you do I go with my first decision and move on and never go back and change an answer. I went all the way through grad school like that.

I did several CLEP test when I was getting my Bachelor's degree. That has been some time ago and I only did the CLEP tests for basics. I am going to say they were about 100 questions. I seem to recall one in English that had you read lots of passages. Just remember to read the instructions first. On some (maybe all or it could have changed) you are penalized worse if you answer incorrectly than if you don't answer at all. In other words it is more important to answer as many as you can correctly and not finish than to rush through and get them wrong or just guess when you just have no idea. Again, it's been a long time but I didn't have a hard time with them, I passed them all, but I just took them on subjects I felt confident with and I didn't spend much time stydying for them, Good luck!

Zoe, I hope you feel much netter afterwards. Best wishes.

Katie, Sorry to hear about the emergency surgery, but I am glad you got the problem found and fixed. Best wishes on your recovery.

It also depends on if you are still working for the company and participating in the 401k. If you 401k allows loans probably no problem. If you have to make a hardship withdrawal you may have to stop participating for a predetermined amount of time - usually 6 months. I think the biggest drawback to that is you would loose your employer match if there is one. Look through your paperwork on your 401k. It will indicate what is allowed and what isn't. If you do take a hardship withdrawal most 401k's don't require any more documentation than your signature attesting that everyhting indicated is true. You also need to be prepared for any tax liability.

I can't answer your question either, but I too am curious. Maybe one of the Dr's will jump in here and answer for us. If not, maybe some of us can start asking when we see the Dr. for fills and followup.

Can't tell you anything about Dr. Horgan. But, can you tell me where he is located? I was also banded in Monterrey and am looking for a fill Dr. I can;t find anyone close to me. Thanks, Barbara

Congratulations to all of you getting banded shortly. Just keep busy and it will be here before you know it. I got so busy (with work) before I left for my surgery i didn;t even get to come here to LBT for several days before I left. But, it helped because I didn't have time to get to anxious. I am two weeks post-op on Thursday and honestly 95% of the time I forget I even had the surgery.

I researched the h*ll out of the lapband and I never heard or read anything remotely close to that.

I take the diet smart (generic) or weight control multivitamin/dietary supplement everyday. Since I got banded I have had to cut them in half, so I take half in the morning and half at lunch. I don't know if I will be able to continue to take them after I get filled. I may have to go to Flintstones.

Can't carbs (like potato) affect your blood sugar too?