JulieNYC

I dont' know of any studies that prove that, though perhaps there's something to that. I do know (from my surgeon) that slippage is associated with not using the "pars flaccida" technique for sewing the band to the stomach. However, if you're in the US (and certainly elsewhere as well, though I only know it to be the case in the US), all Inamed certified band surgeons use this technique, so you should be good (since the Inamed band is the only one FDA approved). Good luck with your journey.

Mallorie, Meeting with the PCP was the HARDEST part of my band journey to date. I hadn't been to the doctor in a long, long time, and had moved from TX to NYC in the interim. I technically "had" a PCP through my insurance, but I'd never seen her before. I spent way too much time stressing over that and I bet you'll feel that way once it's behind you too! What I did was this. I called my PCP to introduce myself and to tell her what I'd decided (LapBand surgery). I said I knew she couldn't tell me whether she could support it for me without seeing me first, but I wanted to know if she had a general predisposition for or against it for a patient who was morbidly obese. We had a very conservative conversation and she told me she didn't recommend it in every case, but that she wasn't opposed to surgery if the proper prerequisites were there. With that, I felt a little better and went on and kept the appointment. Since then, she's been my biggest cheerleader. Maybe you can call your doctor's office and speak with a nurse (or even the doctor) to see if you're wasting your time seeing him (i.e. if he doesn't support WLS surgery generally)? Even if you don't decide to do that, just remember that if he says no, you can always find another PCP who will support you. This is YOUR journey and you need a PCP who doesn't discriminate against the disease of obesity. Good luck to you.

6 more pounds, 6 more pounds, 6 more pounds!!!!

You look gorgeous Christy! Congratulations on your new shirt. It looks wonderful on you. Way to go! (Barb, NSV means "non scale victory" -- i.e. those little (and not so little) things other than the number on a scale that show progress as you've lost weight. My most recent one is being able to walk straight into my narrow-doored bathroom rather than hind of angling my hips to pass through. I'm no longer "wide as a door"!!)

Your ROCK! Woohoo!!!

I'm 33, single, no kids, and thought I was the only one! I'm not sure if I want to have kids or not, but I definitely want to get married (particularly if I can convince him to live next door -- just joking). I figure it'll be easier to untangle all that with some of the weight gone. Anyway, good to meet you all and know there are others like me. Take care,

Momof2, 25 lbs is great. This is life, not a diet or a competition (I have to remember that all the time and it's hard, I know). You're headed in the right direction and that's what matters. That said, consider getting another fill. Don't worry about the size of your band. 1 cc in a 4cc band isn't a lot. You have the smallest band (at least the smallest FDA approved band in the U.S.). Even at goal, your doc could put enough Fluid in there to keep you from even swallowing spit -- there's not a chance it's too big. The larger band (the VG) is larger in circumference as well (11 cm instead of 9.75 or 10 cm), which is why it has to hold more. Check out the LAP-BAND Stoma Area Comparison (towards the bottom of the link) on Inamed's website to get a visual. As you can see, it's the VG that arguably can't get tight enough (though most surgeons will overfill it, if necessary, to get it to the same tightness as the 4cc bands). http://www.allerganandinamed.com/products/obesity/us/clinician/lapband/prodinfo.html#overview Good luck!

4-3: JenRN - 263/257/248/150 - 15 total 4-3: jenn28 - 282/265/237/165 - 45 total 4-3: Picardy3 - 298/300/271/150 - 29 total 4-3: tipper - 300/290/278/165 - 22 total 4-4: Sugar1 - 311/289/248/150 - 63 total 4-4: Dak – 255/251/225/150 – 50 total 4-5: Boo - 208/203/188/130 - 20 total 4-6: Disneynut - 290/287/260/125 - 27 total 4-7: Guysis - 234/205/134 -29 total 4-10: JulieNYC - 358/308/150 - 50 total 4-11: Vickie1177 - 320/297/267/137 - 53 total 4-11: tellymelly - 240/235/184/135 -55 total 4-11: Fel0816 - 307/284/265/to get under 200 - 42 total 4-11: dsrjrr - 231/230/210/130 - 21 total 4-13: Nursekathy2u - 358/356/335/175 - 23 total 4-13: NJgirl - 248/230/212/140 - 36 total 4-13: Miper70 - 217/201/145 - 16 total 4-17: Amourette - 22.5 total 4-17: Jeepergurrl - 242/222/140 - 20 total 4-18: Danaclark2 - 270/260.5/245/150 - 25 total 4-18: LapBandit - 392/369/347/336/324 -68 total 4-20: Omamoon - 220/211.5/202/130 - 18 total 4-21: Yoda - 273/257/239/150 - 34 total 4-21: kristielynn - 310/302/270/150 - 40 total 4-22: alisonb - 286/270/176 - 16 total 4-24: Eficka - 125/117/108.7/69kg - total 13.3kgs/36 pounds 4-24: Ceparano -255/270.5/241.5/170 - 29 total 4-24: Kat - 289/281/263/165 -26 lbs total 4-24: hlj25950 - 262/257/241/160 - 21 total 4-25: momof2boys - 270/266/244/145 - 26 total 4-26: Bostongurl - 264/244/214/145 - 50 total 4-27: tinaj - 226/221/210/150 - 15 total 4-27: lookingout - 185/178/165/101 - 20 total 4-27: flowergoddesstn - 214/204/190/130 - 24 total 4-27: Dimples0323 - 284/284/241/145 - 43 Total 4-28: Susan4794 - 283/267/264.2/145 - 18.8 total 4-28: bluehill - 333/290/145 - 43 total 4-28: Irish Girl - 224/214/189/135

I did well on my 3 day trip -- down 1.5 making it a total of 50! Woohoo! Anyway, 8 more lbs left until Twoterville. I'm dead tired today but darn it, I WILL go to the gym every day until I see that TWO. I have a fill appt on July 18th. I'd LOVE to make it by then, although I know my birthday (Aug 12th) is far more realistic.... Molly, glad you were spared the whiplash.

While he's at the store, get some of those IcyHot stick on patches. Put two on your shoulder, the heating pad on your tummy, take some liquid Tylenol (or whatever pain meds your doc recommends) and you'll feel better in no time. The IcyHots saved me in my recovery! Good luck.

I was incredibly tired for about 5 weeks post-op. Then one day I realized "I feel like my old self again." You may just still be recovering from the surgery and the anesthesia. Definitely pay attention to the protein and hydration issues raised, but just be kind to yourself as well for a few more weeks. You'll feel so much better very soon.

Congratulations Paula! You ROCK! Way to go! Now give those old clothes to a WLS clothing exchange because you're NEVER going to need them again! WOOHOO!

In my experience, once I found proper restriction (1) my head hunger is GREATLY dulled, (2) I don't want to overeat because it's uncomfortable, and (3) I physically crave healthier foods than before. This is just a function of having a band that is properly adjusted. That is the band doing ITS part. Do not worry that the band isn't doing its part for you yet. It won't until you've got proper restriction (for me, 3rd fill -- I didn't get ANY of the above until my 3rd fill). Given that the band is doing its part, I'm doing my part as well. (1) I have a "no junk in the house/office" rule. I have to go out if I want ice cream, chocolate, etc. That way I eat a single serving and it's done. These cravings are almost nonexistent compared to pre-band. Pre-band, I would crave Mexican food DAILY and would almost always give in (like 9 days out of 10). Now I don't even think about junk food 9 days out of 10 and on the 1 day I think about it, I probably only give in one out of five times. (2) I plan well to make sure that when I do get hungry, I have delicious healthy choices on hand. That means making fresh veggies available even if I have to shop twice a week instead of once. (3) I track my calories and exercise on sparkpeople.com. I know that is not for everyone, but for me, it helps me be accountable to myself and, even more importantly, when I do eat something off the plan, it helps me to not feel guilty about the "damage" because I cut things out from elsewhere to stay within my calorie goals, even if it takes a day or two to make it up. I love my band! Before, I couldn't do my part. The effort required was just insane. Now I feel like it's still an uphill battle, but I'm on a moving escalator, so it's worth the effort.

Salut Amourette and the April Crew, Congratulations on the two new sizes of work uniforms, Amourette. That's fabulous. Happy July to all of us. I'm trucking along and fill #3 is treating me well (I got 3 fills in 3 weeks because it took that for me to feel ANYTHING). It's not the "sweet spot" but it's pretty close and I'm comfortable with it for now. Meanwhile, I discovered Propel Fitness Water this week, and I'm in love. YUM. I think this is the kind of thing I'd have hated pre-band, but tastes delicious now. It's good to have another non-carbonated option for getting in the fluids. I'm off to the gym. Happy day to all, and happy 4th to all the Americans.

LOL! Craziness! We'll have to make sure to stay in touch, Molly. That's just crazy how close our stats are! I'm so sorry about your car wreck. I don't know if you've been in one before, but you should know that the pain may be much worse tomorrow. I'll keep my fingers crossed that you're spared, but I fear it may be the case. Get it checked out if you need to. I don't want my band twin to suffer!

Molly, you have a GREAT attitude! I'm going to try to adopt it for my own.:biggrin1: Wow, I just noticed that we're practically band twins. Banded 1 day apart and 4 lbs apart, same goal weight. If you tell me you're 33 years old too, I might freak out! Changing my attitude will be easier to do today since the scale moved this morning, breaking my 8 day plateau. 10 lbs to Twoterville! Come on, baby, come on!

Lay down flat on the floor or the bed then raise your head so that your stomach muscles tighten. Then probe with both hands, starting about 3 inches higher than your port scar. It might be somewhere else, but that's a good place to start. FYI, it feels smaller than I thought it would feel. To me it feels more nickel size than quarter size (though I've held one and it's actually bigger than it feels). And, if you can't find it, don't worry. When you get filled you'll know where it is.

I really could have written this exact same post about me. EXACTLY. Pizza most days, sometimes mexican food instead. I was so addicted to nachos. I'm so glad to be free of that!

I'm STUCK, STUCK, STUCK. Stuck at 312 for a solid week now. My calories, Water intake and exercise are perfect, so I guess it's just a plateau. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for some downward movement within a couple of days! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

4-3: JenRN - 263/257/248/150 - 15 total 4-3: jenn28 - 282/265/237/165 - 45 total 4-3: Picardy3 - 298/300/271/150 - 29 total 4-3: tipper - 300/290/278/165 - 22 total 4-4: Sugar1 - 311/289/248/150 - 63 total 4-4: Dak – 255/251/225/150 – 50 total 4-5: Boo - 208/203/188/130 - 20 total 4-6: Disneynut - 290/287/260/125 - 27 total 4-10: JulieNYC - 358/312/150 - 46 total 4-11: Vickie1177 - 320/297/267/137 - 53 total 4-11: tellymelly - 240/235/184/135 -55 total 4-11: Fel0816 - 307/284/265/to get under 200 - 42 total 4-11: dsrjrr - 231/230/210/130 - 21 total 4-13: Nursekathy2u - 358/356/335/175 - 23 total 4-13: NJgirl - 248/230/212/140 - 36 total 4-13: Miper70 - 217/201/145 - 16 total 4-17: Amourette - 22.5 total 4-17: Jeepergurrl - 242/222/140 - 20 total 4-18: Danaclark2 - 270/260.5/245/150 - 25 total 4-18: LapBandit - 392/369/347/336/324 -68 total 4-20: Omamoon - 220/211.5/202/130 - 18 total 4-21: Yoda - 273/257/240/150 - 33 total 4-21: kristielynn - 310/302/270/150 - 40 total 4-22: alisonb - 286/270/176 - 16 total 4-24: Eficka - 125/117/108.7/69kg - total 13.3kgs/36 pounds 4-24: Ceparano -255/270.5/241.5/170 - 29 total 4-24: Kat - 289/281/263/165 -26 lbs total 4-24: hlj25950 - 262/257/241/160 - 21 total 4-25: momof2boys - 270/266/255/145 - 11 total 4-26: Bostongurl - 264/244/214/145 - 50 total 4-27: tinaj - 226/221/210/150 - 15 total 4-27: lookingout - 185/178/165/101 - 20 total 4-27: flowergoddesstn - 214/204/190/130 - 24 total 4-27: Dimples0323 - 284/284/241/145 - 43 Total 4-28: Susan4794 - 283/267/264.2/145 - 18.8 total 4-28: bluehill - 333/290/145 - 43 total

I'm so excited for you!! That is just FABULOUS. Would you share some words of wisdom for us just starting the journey on how you reached your goal so quickly? I'd love a blow by blow! Congrats again.

Ooooh, Emily -- I'd love to have the tofu scramble recipe. How do you make it?

I love this thread! I'm so glad there's a place for us to check in. I really need support in getting to Twoterville, plus I hear there's a mini-depression that can accompany it (i.e. it's a great accomplishment but knowing there's much more to go can be hard) and we can be there for each other if that happens. For me, it's TOM and the scales haven't moved in 5 days. Super frustrating since I'm doing everything I can with good food choices, exercise and Water. Anyway, I know it's going to come off, but I'm so looking forward to it. I'd LOVE to be at 299 for my next visit to the doc on July 18th, but that's probably not realistic. My real goal is by my birthday on August 12th. See you all in Twoterville!

Stina, you're my kind of girl! I bought the flat panel for getting the nerve to have the procedure. When I hit my first goal (12 lbs to go), I'm getting a red Louis Vuitton wallet I've been coveting for about 2 years. I've been to Fiji 3 times (I'm a scuba diver), so when yall get close, let me know if I can help you plan! Stina, I don't know if you want a training buddy, but I'll totally run the 2008 NYC marathon with you (which means running 9 qualifying races in 2007 to be assured spot).

Me too. I got a front closure underwire from Lane Bryant and I loved it because the front closure was a little higher in front that the full band, which gave me a little rise to avoid the tiniest incision. By day 3 post-op, I wore whatever bra I wanted.