dsmit13

I've lost 55 lbs. Got another 50 or so to go. This last band fill seems to be working very well. No hunger between meals and I am losing again. Good luck.

It could be that eating this early irritated things. You probably still have swelling where the band lies around your upper stomach. This is common for a while after surgery and after each band fill. Try going back to protein shakes for a few days to a week and then move to soft protein foods like cottage cheese, tuna, eggs. Concentrate on the proteins and fluids for the first 2-4 weeks. Check with your doctor or nutritionist about specifically how to advance your diet over the first 3-4 weeks. Its OK to not feel hungry and feeling full from the swelling is normal, but it shouldn't be painful. Take it slow and easy and good luck to you!

It is important that you are able to urinate on your own soon. A couple of things to check--Are you sipping enoough fouids to keep from being dehydrated. If you are getting dehydrated, your urine will decrease and be dark yellow. Does your bladder feel full or are you having any discomfort in your lower abdomen? If so and you are still not able to urinate, you need to call your surgeon, especially with the holiday coming up. Check your temp to be sure you are not running a fever. This could just be an after effect of the anesthesia or possibly a bladder infection from the catherization. Be sure you are drinking enough fluids and check with your MD if things don't get better by morning. Good luck!

This is a very personal decision, so make sure you have good research-based information before deciding. I decided on LapBand because I felt it was less invasive. The nice thing is that it is always adjustable. You will lose slower than with bypass, but have less possibility of nutritional deficiencies and complications. Know that you will need to be seen by your MD monthly after bypass surgery for at least the first 6 months for follow-up and every 2-3 months, then yearly. Either surgery requires multiple follow-up visits. I have also taken it slow and have lost 56 lbs over 15 months. My band is now at 5 ccs and I am getting good restriction. No problems with fills and no need for unfills. It is common to feel like the band is much tighter following a fill, then it gets looser as you lose fat around the stomach. You eventually reach the "sweet spot" where you are losing, but not too restricted. I can eat almost anything, just a whole lot less of it and no dumping syndrome with the LapBand. Good luck with your decision!

Dr. C had me on liquids for a week, then to soft foods for 3 weeks. I did not have to do the long pre-op diet, so lost most of my weight in the months following surgery. It has been a year now and weight loss has slowed, but I am exercising 3 days a week at the Baptist HealthLink Gym and loving it. Had my 5th band fill last week. I am only at 4.5 ccs in a 10cc band, but this has worked well for me. I am halfway to my goal and cannot believe how much better I feel. Good luck and hang in there!

I also went to Dr. Sonny Cavazos at NE Baptist. It has been a year now and he and his staff have been great. He is a skilled surgeon with a great way of explaining things so yo understand why you should follow instructions. He has a nurse practitioner in the office that is very knowledgable as well. I would recommend him to anyone. Being a nurse, I did a lot of checking before making the decision about who I would trust my body to.

I'm also from San Antonio and banded Sept 24,07 by Dr. Sonny Cavazos. He is great. I've lost 52 lbs and just had my 4th band fill last Thursday for a total of 4ccs. Taking it slow, but not having any problems either. Just the way I like it. Joined the HealthLink gym last month and I am surprized at how much I am able to do that I never would have considered this time last year. Gave my "fat clothes" to a friend who was just banded last week. This has been one of the best decisions I have made. Keep up the good work everyone!

I was banded Sept 24, 07 and have lost 52 lbs. I just had my 4th band fill and am now at 4ccs. We've been taking it slow and I am happy with that. I can and do eat most things, just a lot less of it. Only get stuck occasionally (not fun) and never PB or vomit. I'm half way to where I want to be by next summer. I feel great and can do so much more. I joined the gym about 3 weeks ago to boost the weight loss and am surprised at the things I am able to do that I never would have considered a year ago. I just gave my "fat clothes" to a friend who had her lap-band last week! Keep up the good work everyone.

Here's my update. I have lost 48 lbs. Have only had 2 fills so far, but needing one now. Was scheduled for end of June, but called and moved up the fill date because I have been hungry lately and have not lost any more in the last 6 weeks. I'm ready to get back on track since I am only half way to goal. Allisarin…57 Amber...39 andrea71…28 Bekiboo26....58lb Bunny...62lbs Caresarn…16 Chocolate_Snaps....52lbs dsmit13…48 eastxnurse....30 lbs EL1…23 flipper64...30 georgia girl…83 Ginger_...30 Gloucester...70 lbs Gurlygirl....27 Hazeleyegrl1...45.9 lbs. itstime....23 lbs Jennie1976...49 lbs Juliacleone…32 Justwant2lose...41 kagoscuba...37 Kellymovingon...53 Kimmie…45 Lapband4me...32 Lapitup…22.5 Linda E......24.5 lbs Lindypie...41 Lucylu...15 Magooz07…11 mandi78…23 Mdicurn…30 Queenp....28lbs ScareDcat…65 Sirusman…67 Stacy 73… 60 suzygayle...52 lbs Texrose 575 .....24.0 lbs Thinmom…23 time4me...65 Tishamarie…49 Tulipstar...61 wannabthin...44.5 lbs __________________

I just turned 55 and was banded Sept 24, 2007. I have lost 39 lbs and 39 inches so far. I am also a nurse and really did not want to permenantly alter my ability to absorb nutrients, so made the decision to go for the lap band knowing that it might be slower, but seemed like a better option for me. My physician studied with the MD who did some of the first clinical trials for banding in the US. He does more bypasses, but was very supportive of my decision and continues to be supportive. From a nurse's viewpoint, I can't say enough about checking out the clinic and physician who will do your surgery. Ask lot's of questions about their experience level with lap bands, their complication rates and successes, and follow up care routines. Get the honest information about the pros and cons of both surgeries and then make an informed decision that seems right for you and your body. I agree that it is just a tool, but so far has been a wonderful one. Good luck!

Stacy 73.....38lbs TulipStar.....22lbs Mdicurn .....20lbs time4me.....27.8 lbs Magooz07….11 lbs Caresarn…..16 lbs. Klpdbl………..31 lbs Dsmit13......39 lbs

I've lost 39 pounds and 39 inches of me. Down 3 jeans sizes and 2 bra sizes. It's fun getting out the smaller clothes and saving the "outgrown" ones for a friend hoping to have a lap band soon. I can walk up stairs, cut my toe nails without holding my breath, play with the dogs and even clean house without getting tired and winded. My feet and knees don't hurt anymore. I am enjoying traveling again. I am beginning to like what I see in the mirror again. My family is proud or me and I am proud of myself. Looking forward to losing another 60 or so pounds and it doesn't seem impossible anymore! Best decision I have made in a long time. Keep up the positive thoughts, guys:o)

I was banded Sept 24, 07 in San Antonio TX by Dr. Sonny Cavazos. All going very well. Lost 34 lbs since surgery. First band fill of 1.5 ccs Dec 20. No problems,

I just got my first fill the week before Christmas. It was much easier than I expected from reading about problems that others have had. Really didn't feel anything except the sting from the numbing injection. Got 1.5 ccs and can tell a difference in the amount that I can eat. I've lost a total of 34 lbs since surgery on Sept 24, 07. 4 lbs since the fill (and over the holidays, too!) I am happy with that so far and have had no problems at all over the last 3 months. Lost 2 clothing sizes and 29 inches in various places. Lot's more energy and ability to exercise has greatly increased.

Try this quick Talapia recipe. Shake the talapia fillets in a bag with a little Italian bread crumbs and shredded parmesan cheese. Saute in a little butter for a couple minutes per side. It is delicious.

I had lap band surgery with Dr. Ramiro "Sonny" Cavazos at North Esat Baptist on Sept 24. He is great. Very easy to talk with. Gives you the pros and cons of all types of svailable surgery and a very balanced informative approach. My husband and I attended one of his lectures and it really convinced my husband that this was a good idea. Dr. Cavazos trained under the physician who did the early testing for lap banding in the US in California, so is very comfortable with the procedure and has excellant success rates and low complication rates. Being a nurse, this was important to me. Be sure to ask lots of questions including complication rates and how many lap bands a surgeon has done before choosing the right person for your surgery.

<p>I have UnitedHealthcare through a railroad contract and was approved in 3 days. I met their BMI requirement of 40 without comorbidities or 35 with comorbidities (other medical issues affected by weight). My lapband clinic did all the paperwork based on my weightloss history and sleep apnea. I work for UnitedHealthcare, so can tell you that it all depends on what stipulations are written into the contract UHC has with your employer. For some employers, weight loss surgery is not a covered expense, for others, it is. So, anything you read on the postings might not apply to your employer's contract. Dig out your insurance policy or go on myUHC.com and read through the exclusions for your policy. Go through the motions and provide them a good weight loss history as well as all other medical history. You also have the right to appeal if turned down, but giving them all of the requested information up front sure helps to avoid delays.

:clap2:I was banded on Sept 24, 2007. I have lost 23 lbs since surgery in San Antonio and feel great. First fill probably sometime in mid-November. Stacy 73.....38lbs TulipStar.....22lbs Mdicurn .....20lbs time4me.....27.8 lbs Magooz07….11 lbs Caresarn…..16 lbs. Klpdbl………..31 lbs. Lapband4me.32lbs. Sirusman……32lbs. Allisarin…….23lbs. Tishamarie….49lbs. EL1…………23lbs Juliacleone….15lbs Kimmie..........43lbs dsmit13..........23lbs