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Ifluty - Do you know someone that has had lapband surgery and their company insurance paid for it? If so, try to get a job at that company. Even if you have to take a pay cut, in the long run you'll be ahead rather than putting yourself in debt to have the surgery. Another option is take a loan out on your 401K. Interest rate is very low, you're very young, so you still have time to make up for it. But if you do that - find a bariatric doctor in your area that does a package deal where everything is included in one price. I'm a self pay because my company has a total exclusion with our insurance company for bariatric surgery. My doc does a package deal that includes surgery, hosptial, anesthesiologist, dietician and 1 year of fills for $15K. I took part out of my 401K and then also took a loan. I'll have the loan part paid back within 12 months. The 401K is no big deal for me because it wasn't that big anyway. It's my husband's 401K that we'll be counting on during retirement in about 5 years. I agree with what someone said in a prior response. DON'T put yourself in debt to have the surgery. Best of luck to you. I know how frustrating it is.

Restless Monkey - you hit the nail on the head - EXACTLY - with everything said. Lisa Marie - I don't know how overweight you are, but I know that without the band my weight today would be the same as it was 3 months ago and my body was really taking a toll. I am so happy that I did this and got the scale moving in the right direction! I would do it all over again .... except SOONER!

Do yourself a favor and take a week off. This gives you time to heal, recover from the anesthesia (that very tired feeling) and get through the liquid stage before going back to work.

Lonestar - it was great (and encouraging) to read your story. When you see yourself go up and down with the same pound or 1/2 a pound for a week, it does get frustrating, so it makes me to really want to keep at it. I'm looking forward to my six month surgery anniversary as well! Congratulations! You've done so well!

GNC is having a sale on Muscle Milk protein powder. Has anyone tried this before and if so, what flavor is good?

Hi There! The large incision is right around where your port is, and no, it's not unusal for you to still feel "pinching" at the site. Since it's only been 5 days since your surgery, you're still healing. Congratulations and good luck!

Thanks everyone for your input, it's been very helpful! Even though GNC has a return policy if you don't like something, I wanted to skip that step and find out if it's any good before buying it! I've been using chocolate Isopure, and it's good, but I'm about out and looking at other options. It's just so crazy that it only comes in large containters and you have to shell out $68 at a time! Thanks again!

Lisa - Congratulations on your fantastic weight loss! I don't have an answer, but I wanted to subscribe to this thread so that I could read the responses. I only have 2 cc in a 10 cc band, but I can relate exactly with what you're saying as I'm experiencing the same thing and looking forward the the out-pouring of wisdom from our bandster buddies!

Thanks GA Girl. By the way, I think it was you that posted the Creamy Spinach Dip Chicken Salad. I'm making it for lunch tomorrow. Can't wait to try it!

If you knew how many cc's he planned to give you, that would help answer the question. If it was just 1cc, I'd say go ahead and do it. Anymore than that, wait until after your vacation since you won't know how your body is going to react. Just my opinion! From reading on here I've seen quite a range of what different doctors have given on the first fill.

Shawna - I'll be going for a second fill this Tuesday, so I'll be learning how to eat again after the second fill. Thank you for your post - it's very interesting! May I ask - what size band do you have - and how many fill and how many cc's to hit your sweet spot?

CrisBela - My best friend had gastric by-pass about 5 years ago. With it she was throwing up a lot and "dumping" a lot. Yes, she lost weight really fast in the beginning, but now she has gained about 1/2 of it back. I chose the lapband for 2 reasons: 1. Looking at the experience of my best friend 2. The lapband is adjustable and if need be, removeable. There's no turning back from gastric by-pass. Good luck!

Hey Disneyland - Best of luck with your surgery tomorrow! Post again when you can and let us know how you're doing. You will find your weight loss fast in the beginning, then it will slow down, but don't get discouraged. You'll see from reading posts here that it's normal. Some people keep loosing fast, some don't, just remember that we're all different. I had one week of a pre-op diet where I lost 10# and the rest has been seen by banding date, but I've included all in my weight loss ticker. Just follow the eating plan that you're doctor gives you and try not to stray from it too much, and you'll be succesful! Best of luck!

Sorry .... can't resist! And I say this tongue in cheek .... A PAIN PUMP!!!???? Were any of us women given a pain pump for 3 days!! Again ..... I'm just saying this tongue in cheek! Congrats on your surgery, just as in "blonde jokes" I like to occasinally throw in some "man humor".

I'm really paying close attention to posts and answers on here regarding fills since I'm just beginning with a sequence of fills. The replies make perfect sense, but I never thought about the fat ON your stomach going away as a reason for a fill. Thanks for starting this thread San Diego Photo Girl! My second fill is Tuesday and looking forward to it!

For me, I had gall bladder surgery last year. It was a breeze .... surgery on Thursday, no pain and back to work with no problems what-so-ever on Monday. On the other hand, the lapband surgery was quite different. Getting in and out of chairs was a real challenge, slept in the recliner for a week because getting in and out of bed was impossible. Took only liquid Tylenol during the day, then the pain med at night to knock me out! It was a full 7 days before I could manage to sleep in my bed. Maybe I'm a big baby!! :-) And I couldn't be happier ........ !!

Ha! I love this thread! It's the same with me as you all have described. This past 2 weeks I've lost the same 2# several times! Also, in reading this, I've realized that when I've up'd my calories on ONE day, it's when the scale starts moving the next few days. I'm usually between 750 to 950 calories a day. Glad to know that I'm not alone.

He normally schedules the first and second fill one month apart. But for me he scheduled the second fill for 2 weeks after the first fill since I'll be traveling at the one month part. I'm hoping for a 1.5 cc or 2.0 cc fill on my second visit, and I'll discuss that with him, but will go with his recommendation.

I had the surgery on a Wednesday, 6/25 and returned to work Monday, July 7th. I wanted to be at the mushy stage before returning to work. My experience was that I was that my port incision was very sore for about a week and I was pretty tired because I didn't get "normal" sleep. Hunger wasn't an issue. Everyone is different - I could have gone back to work after 7 days and if a friend asked me my opinion on how long they should be off, even if it's a desk job, I would say 7 days so that the pain is minimal and you're rested. If you can afford to take the time - take it!

HA! Trinity - when you described walking around the house trying to get your breath and taking sips of Water to get what you ate down, I knew EXACTLY what you were talking about! I did the exact SAME thing! I couldn't hardly believe that after my first fill of only 1 cc that it happened, because it didn't happen to me before the first small fill. Sure taught me a lesson though! When I think I've chewed enough, just go ahead and chew some more before swallowing! :-) I'm so glad that I got the band, am very happy with the results so far, and really looking forward to my second fill on Tuesday. Tonight, for some reason, the hunger really set in for the first time since my surgery. Laurinda - I'll be curious to know how many cc's you get for your second fill so I can compare with what my doc does.

I was banded on 6/25 with at 10cc band and had my first fill of 1 cc on 8/5. The weight loss on my ticker below is from when I started the pre-op diet on 6/16 until today. It's all due to making the right food choices when I eat and some willpower. The band is helping with the willpower somewhat, but I am looking forward to the next fill! I agree, slow and steady wins the race and we learn along the way!

I was banded on 6/25/08 and had my first fill on 8/5. My doctor put 1 cc in my 10 cc band and I go back on 8/19 for another fill, after 2 weeks from my first. Usually he waits a month between fills, but since I'm traveling the beginning of Sept. he wanted to go ahead an do my next fill in advance enough to make sure I didn't have any problems and somthing get stuck when I'm away from home. He also said that he likes to try to be careful not to get someone too tight. What I've found is that I don't feel a lot of restriction, but I have found that if I'm not careful and eat too fast or don't chew well enough, I have experienced twice now since my fill the awful, hurting feeling when food gets "stuck". So ....I don't mind being in "training". The only thing is that if I get too hungry, it's when I eat too fast or take too big of a bite. I'm sure that after I get the right restriction I won't get so hungry. I don't mind at all going slow on the fills so that I can educate myself and learn to adjust my eating as I get tighter.

Congratulations and best of luck on your upcoming surgery! Adding to what's above: Liquid Tylenol (When you don't want to take the RX one.) Rachel Ray's chicken and beef broths taste MUCH better than Swanson (you can get them at Walmart) I know someone mentioned a recliner. If you don't have one ... you might consider investing in one! I don't know how I would have slept without mine during the healing process!!

Hey Pooh! Yep .... the pre-op jitters. We all went through it. My throat wasn't noticeably sore when I woke up. It wasn't the throat that was catching my attention, it was the port incision, which for me was really tender! You will be fine! Good luck on the first step of this fabulous journey!

Hi There - Your "weight ticker" should represent what's important to YOU! I was a self-pay so the time from my first Dr's appointment to my surgery was REALLY quick. What's important to me is how much I weighed when I first saw my lapband Dr. and where I'm at today. For me all the weight I lost from that day, that decision, is important to me and represents the success of my commitment. Although it's interesting, I'm not into labeling all those different starting weights like most do.