SuzanneG

I asked for fluro for my first 3 fills for fear of going through just what you did. Only on my 4th was I brave enough to do it in the office, and even then I insisted on the doc. I guess it goes without saying that you'll do the same. My daughter is a NICU nurse and a darn good one and they would never allow a patient to be stuck that many times without calling for backup. In her case, she is the back up, but the peds nurses call her after 2 tries and before their patients are traumatized. Bad nurse, bad!

Hey, I hope it's OK that I ducked into the men's room. LOL I noticed your post on most recent page. Anyway, I asked for fluro for my first 3 fills for fear of going through just what you did. Only on my 4th was I brave enough to do it in the office, and even then I insisted on the doc. I guess it goes without saying that you'll do the same. My daughter is a NICU nurse and a darn good one and they would never allow a patient to be stuck that many times without calling for backup. In her case, she is the back up, but the peds nurses call her after 2 tries and before their patients are traumatized. Bad nurse, bad!

Hi Shauna, I am just starting trying to exercise a little. Before band, it did nothing for my weight loss. I hear people all the time say its key, but for me, that was never the case. I leave home at 5am and get back at 7pm. I commute and have a desk job, so exercise is not my friend. I try to take a lap around the building at each bathroom break and I take the stairs except my first trip to the 10th floor with 6 bottles of Water in my pack. LOL Anyway, I just bought a Wii and I'm still trying to get the Fit, but so far I love that. I still don't do it during the week as its all I can do to make dinner, do laundry, pack lunch, and get myself in bed to start it all over again. Bottom line, in 6 months, I've lost 61 pounds by doing nothing more than keeping up with my fills and my followup doctor's appointments. Best of luck to you!

Hey Big-D, I saw on another post where someone said that they vary thier routine a lot when stuck on a plateau. Eat a lot one day, a little the next, lots of cardio, no cardio etc. I saw where another has a Plateau Busting Diet, but I haven't seen it yet. I always get a little kickstart when I get a fill and have to do the 48 hours of liquid. Good luck to you, I know you'll do it!!!

Hmm, interesting strategy, SillyGoose. My DH is a very lovable guy and cute too. Maybe I should put him up to it too and see if it works!

tnag86, I have been told that you can request the doc who fills you. Basically they take fills in shifts and you just need to get on the right one. I've been filled once by each of them and twice by Brengman and all 4 were a breeze. As far as I can tell, they don't numb you there. I didn't look at the needle. It didn't hurt as much as a shot or even an IV, just a quick prick and you're home free. I'm a HUGE baby and it was a breeze.

I can't find one either. I was told that Target was going to have them at 8am on Sunday a couple of weeks ago. I got there at 7:30 and there were already people standing in line outside the store. They came out about 5 til 8 and went down the line giving claim tickets for your game. I was number 11 in line and they had 10 Fits! Grrrrrr On eBay they are going for around $150, and I'm just not ready to pay that yet, so I'm still hunting and asking. Most stores don't even know they are getting them in until they arrive. They are now shipped in plain brown wrapper so it can't be tracked. Anyway, if I find one, I'll buy two and let you know. If you get one before then, I'll just put in eBay. :-D

Well, it's been 6 months for me. My sister who was against it is now cool with it. My brother who is planning to have it done gets upset if I PB when he's around (doesn't happen often, but it does happen), DH still suggests sandwhich and burger places when we are trying to decide where to eat - he keeps forgetting. He's supportive in his own way, but before surgery, he kept saying he thought it was great "if it works". Of course, now he's a believer but still can't seem to remember that I can't have bread or carbonation. I'm thinking the 11 year old could be an asset. If you need a grown up, I would suggest going on to the area on here that is divided by state and find someone in your hometown who has already had the surgery. Maybe even someone from the seminar. I met at friend at mine and we've supported each other all the way. She had her surgery in Oct 07 because she was cash payment. I had to fight the insurance company first and didn't get mine until Jan 08. That gave me several months to ask her every nitty gritty detail about her experience. It was invaluable to me. I also email with several folks that I've met on here and we support each other every day with emails. I've even run into a couple of them in my own doctor's office, imagine that! Best of luck to you and feel free to PM me anytime if you would like to chat.

I had that exact same thing happen to me. Took me by surprise, but what a pleasant one! Congrats on your weight loss and good luck to you Cindy, you'll be so glad you did it. My brother is about to have it done too, I'm so excited for him.

Only every day. DH thinks its hysterical.

Now, that's even more amazing! Way to go!

I was thinking the same thing about the Urban legend, but couldn't find anything to confirm on the net.

Congratulations! We're all cheering for you!!!!!!!! Sept 2007 to now isn't 13 months. When did you have your surgery?

VegasGrace, Are you saying that once you reached goal you weren't miserable anymore? I haven't had much problem with that, except when I get a fill and have to be on liquids for 48 hours. liquid diet makes me a b!tch! LOL I was just curious since you said your's was a year of hell.

Mine was general anesthesia through IV and I didn't feel or taste a thing other than sleepy. I've had about 8 surgeries myself and have had really good luck with most of them. The lapband surgery is quick, I think it takes 30-45 mins and you are awake and going home or in your room in 4-5 hours total. I have a friend who went to hospital at 6, surgery at 8 and leaving hospital at 12:00 with her hair not even out of place. LOL It's not bad, the only pain I felt was the gas. You'll read lots about that on the board, it gets us all. Take your meds, WALK, and hug the heating pad. Best of luck to you!

I happen to be president of the Big Babies club and thought I was going to collapse when they stood me in positions (my first 3 fills were with fluro). It was a breeze and over in just a few short minutes. Each time made me feel pretty tight to start, but only my last has kept me feeling restriction. PBing is no fun, but seems to be par for the course. Most, not all, PB eventually. My doc even told us that and that we all think we'll be so careful, couldn't happen to us, but it does. It isn't the worst thing. I try really hard not to let it happen for fear of slipping my band, but sometimes I get in a hurry, or if I'm too hungry (again hurry too much) and I get myself stuck. Best of luck to you!

Hi Banded, Good luck with your fill. The 2 days liquid diet after a fill always give me a helpful push when I'm stuck. I hear ya on the running/hell thing. I HATE exercise so much, you have no idea. Actually you probably do have an idea. I bought a Wii. It's sooooo fun, nothing like exercise and hard to stop once you start. I don't have the Fit yet, but there are plenty of games that get you moving. Just an idea for you...

Fit, I just wanted to encourage you to take the advice the others have offered. I don't have experience with alcholoics, but no problem gets smaller when ignored. The sooner you take action, the sooner you'll be on the road to sobriety. At least there are folks here who care and have offered support. I wish the best for you. By the way, how's the weight loss effort? Are liquid calories holding you back or causing you to gain?

Wow, it's great to see such success for those that were banded a couple of years ago. It gives me hope that I will make it all the way to goal. 115 - You're my new idol! :-D I live in Spotsylvania and work in DC.

Renee, Congrats on Onderland!!!! We should get together the next time we're both in Richmond! I'll be making an appointment for first part of Aug. How about you?

Thanks. I love hearing about other people's journeys. You've done really well and it gives me hope that I can make it all the way. :-) Have a great weekend.

Susie, my BMI was 38.1 by the time I started my pre-op diet. By the way, I started it on Dec 22nd and was on it through Christmas dinner and New Year's Eve party. My doc said to just go ahead and cheat a little at Christmas, but keep it under control. With all of that and 2 weeks of 2 slim fast and 1 lean/green meal a day, I lost 11 pounds and my surgeon was very pleased. Best of luck to you!

SueMagoo, OMG you're almost there! Congrats! Do you have pics on the before and after page? Happy Days, hang in there. How long do you have to do the liquids. My doc was merciful, I had 2 slim fast and 1 lean/green meal a day for 2 weeks pre-op. That was pretty easy and post op is just like CoolCrystal said, you won't care, but it doesn't take long to get sick of liquids, you'll have to grin and bear it, but it's still so much easier than dieting.

By the way, congrats on 86 pounds lost! That's amazing. Did you have any plateau problems? At 6 months, mine has been fairly steady, but sometimes I feel like I take 1 step forward and 2 steps back. LOL When you look for the coffee singles, they are in a red bag, not in a box like the one you've tried already.

Is your surgery co-pay always $30? I even pay $100 when I have a fill. BC/BS said is a foriegn object enters my body, that's considered "surgery". :-(