msjessy

I've had 3 fills, and only the very first one the doctor used the numbing agent. The other two, I had my fill with the PA and she didn't use the numbing agent, but then again she got it on the first try both times. The doctor (not my surgeon) needed a few tries before he got it. It doesn't hurt either way, barely a pinch, so I dont mind not having the numbing agent, but I"m glad I have the option.

Congratulations!! Must have been an awesome feeling!!

You may just have some really good insurance, and should count your lucky stars! Even though you may not have had to go thru the song and dance with the Psych and Nut, its not always easy to get 5 years of medical history. Good Luck!

Keep up with my DH and DD. They have a ton of energy and I dont. I don't want to be the reason they don't do things. Clothing was just too darn expensive!! Do you know how much a complete outfit costs in Lane Bryant!!?! For that price my sister could get 2 or 3 outfits in a regular store. To one day finally have a chance to be the HOT sister. Not the cute, funny or nice sister...but the hot one that makes you do a double-take. Wanting to not think about food all of the time. Wondering when or where my next meal was because I was starting to get hungry. I'm sure I'll think of more. I love this thread.

Not yet, but I do plan on getting one. It will be my first tattoo. I was reading on a thread a while ago where someone got a tattoo of their band date in roman numerals on their wrist or something. I really liked that one, but may end up with something else. Who knows..?!?! I'm a long ways to goal so I'll probably change my mind a thousand times before I get to the point of being ready to get a tattoo.

Yes Yes Yes! My DH told me this in the beginning of our relationship. You have got to love yourself, for exactly WHO you are, and not what you want to be. I dont mean to hi-jack the thread, and this may be TMI... But in the beginning of our relationship my DH had me stand in front of a mirror naked. He pointed out all of the things he loved about my body. Wouldn't you know they were all the things I didnt like. He loved and appreciated every inch, curve, bump, roll and all. Ever since that day I've accepted what I look like, and love myself. Heck, that day changed our relationship for the better...I'm not afraid to be naked around him. I'm not always comfortable in my skin, but I'm not ashamed of it by no means. When you love yourself you excude a certain kind of confidence that attracts a guy. It may not be the right guy out the gate, but that's what dating is all about!

My advice....stop reading those threads then. I had to stop reading them for a while because I found I was easily getting dissappointed with myself, and that is not the way I want to feel. We dont know if they are eating less, but have no restriction so they feel like they are starving all day long. You dont know if they have become gym rats and are working out 2 hours a day, everday. Maybe their surgeon is aggressive with fills. There are so many variables, and every person is different. If you can use them as MOTIVATION for yourself then go ahead, take a look at that thread. When I need motivation that's the first place I go to when I log on to LBT. But if you are using it to compare yourself, and ultimately feel dissappointed when you read them then stay away.

I'm interested! Thanks Cher and Alex!

So are there any ladies out there who love the Maxiglide as much as I do? It takes 1/2 to 1/4 of the time it used to to straighten my hair. And the best part is that I dont need to religiously keep up with relaxing my hair because it comes out so straight and lasts for so long. I love love love this product and it has saved me so much money. The only downside is that with 3 women with shoulder-length hair or longer using it on a weekly-biweekly basis we burn one out every 9 months or so. But I will continue buying it because after a month the Maxiglide has paid itself off with the money (and TIME!!!) I'm saving from having to go to the Salon. So does anyone else use or love the Maxiglide too?

I was 'fortunate' enough to have my period start the day before surgery. They will not reschedule, and no its not a problem for the Nurses. You'll just have to let them know and they will help you if you need it. They just stuck a pad between my legs, but I've read on threads here that some wore tampons or were able to keep their underwear on. You'll just have to ask when you get in there for the surgery. When I met with the operating room Nurse before the surgery, she said that the pre-op diet can help bring on your period, even if its not due for another week or so. I fell into this category. I wasn't due for at least 5 days and I got it the night before surgery. Good Luck.

I've had a few beers here and there since banding. I prefer a cold crisp Corona over liquor anyday. I have not felt any discomfort, but that's probably because I'm a slow drinker and burp a lot!! I've only been out drinking about 3 times since banding, and its always been with my DH and/or my friend who's also banded, so they understand when I'm burping and I don't get embarassed. So I guess if you are packing them down in record time, then yeah, you've got something to worry about.

Another vote for Flinstones chewable vitamins. I take two everyday.

I get this from time to time and it can be painful but it is very very shortlived. I asked my doctor about it and he said its because I'm still healing. He said it can take up to a year for the port area to completely heal up. If its really bad pain, that lasts for a prolonged time after stopping then please speak with your doctor. I'm dealing with it because its not too bad and stops after I take a breather. I'll take the brief pang in exchange for the awesome sex me and DH are having now!!

Starting Process: 270 Surgery Day: 247 Currently: 235 Total: 35 pounds Went from Size 24 to *most* Size 18s. I'm so happy and have a newfound love for myself.

It took me some time too. The one thing that helped me to realize was to stand in front of the mirror naked and look at myself. Really look at myself. Then I got a quick flashback and remembered what I used to look like before this journey. When I think about how far my belly used to stick out, as opposed to now, that's when I realize that I AM changing. When I see that I have more and more space between my knees and that the space is only creeping up higher THAT'S when I realize it. I may not look perfect, but this has also helped me to truly love my body and boost my self-esteem. It only encourages me to keep going to the gym and to keep making those healthy choices. Good Luck. Believe me, I know its not easy, but one day you'll see the new and beautiful you.

The breathing tube was a concern for me as well, but I did not feel a thing at all. You will already be under anesthesia and asleep when they insert and remove the tube. When I woke up I didn't feel a difference in my throat. It did not hurt and it was not sore at all. And yes, you will meet with the anesthesiologist who will look at both your teeth and your throat SEVERAL times during the pre-screening. Try not to worry too much. You will be in great hands. Good Luck to you all.

I saw it too! OMG I thought my computer had a virus or something and was going to start doing funky stuff. Whew!! Congrats all LBT'ers. 1,000,000 posts!!

If its not time for me to eat and I"m hungry I will first drink a bottle of Water. After drinking that I wait at least 20 minutes. If I'm still hungry I will have a snack, like a SF Jello, or cheese. That usually tides me over. It also helps me to make sure to get in my water. I'm striving to get 60 oz in a day, so if drink one in between my meals (always waiting an hour after eating) it helps me get them in. Good Luck.

I just came back from my first fill....and I was so worried, but it was absolutely painless! (Maybe I'm a little biased since needles do not bother met at all) I don't remember the docs name. It wasn't Geiss or Power...it was the other doctor who assists in the surgeries. Anyway, he did it and it was strange. The feeling I got when he pulled the needle out of the port was weird. There was 1.5cc already in there, and he put another 1.0cc. I don't know if anyone else told you all, because NO ONE TOLD ME, but I found out that for the first year we have to go in every month!! Not that I'm complaining, but I did not know that. My BFF had this surgery 4 months before I did and she just told me that last weekend. I completely forgot to ask the doc that today.

Unfortunately these things happen. Insurance can be a bear to work with, and the surgeon's office staff has to compile everything (think back to how many office visits and specialist visits you've had to get prepared for this...now think of all the paperwork involved). When you've got a busy office that's a lot of work. But its good you kept on them bc your wait may have been longer without the nudge you gave them. Once the paperwork is in to the Insurance it shouldn't be much longer.

I got the shot both before and after my surgery. It burned a bit, but any discomfort goes away in a minute or two. In my experience, it didn't matter whether I tensed up or relaxed...it still stung. Don't worry. Its not that bad. It was just one small hurdle to getting into bandland.

Yes. I was 'lucky' enough to have mine start the day before surgery. It will be a bit more difficult to take care of yourself, but its not that bad at all. Don't worry, the nurses will be there to help you.

If you want some, go ahead and eat, but just a little! But I've always found that if you are the 'coordinator' of a party (read "mom of birthday kid") that you are running around so much you may not even have TIME to think about the cake. My SIL had her sons birthday at Chuck E cheese and it was still chaotic, even with the help, that she didn't even have a slice of pizza or cake. She was busy keeping the kids in one place to do the traditions (singing happy birthday, first cut, taking pics, etc). So maybe you'll fall into this category. Either way, Happy Birthday to your son!! And most importantly, enjoy yourself.

My DH and I just went thru a closet that is always forgotten about because its never used. In the closet was a bag of clothes from 3 or 4 years ago, that I asked him to take to the Goodwill store YEARS AGO. Of course he didn't and stuffed it into the closet that no one goes thru. Low and behold what do we find today as we go thru it? The bag of clothes!! At first I was ticked, but then I thanked him so much because I was dreading having to go shopping. (Bad shopping habit, but no extra money right now) We both got excited bc it was jeans and skirts that I haven't worn in so long (he got excited about the skirts, lol). Then I realized that I had another bag at the bottom of my other closet that I'm now looking forward to digging up. For the first time in my life I look forward to getting up and looking at my closet, to find something to wear that I haven't worn in years!

I had an overnight stay in the hospital and it was the best thing for me. I had the nurses to help me with my pain, which was minimal, but there were times when I just ached. It was better for me to stay overnight as well because I have a toddler at home and, although I missed her so much, I was glad to be in the hospital with no worries of her jumping, kicking or hitting my stomach, or of wanting to be picked up. Honestly, I just could not imagine having to go home so soon after the surgery. I've read stories here where people were in and out in like 4 or 5 hours. :thumbup: And no, the hospital will not let you drive yourself home, even if you literally live around the corner. Its for safety reasons, both your own and other people on the road.