*susan*

Welcome, what an awesome birthday present for yourself! At seven weeks out, you should be fine for traveling. That is great that your insurance has approved the surgery and you are well on your way. Let us know if you have any questions.

I am not 100% sure on this, but it seems like I have seen other members post that they attend OA. I am bumping this so hopefully others will see your post and may be better able than I to answer your question.

Hi Gina and welcome! You are so right about it being wonderful to be able to talk to people who are going through the same things we are. People who don't have weight problems think it should be so easy to lose weight, they just don't get it! Anyways, we are glad you joined us. If you have any questions, let us know. And, please keep us posted on your progress. We look forward to getting to know you.

Hi Caelyn, welcome to LBT! We are glad you found us, there is a wealth of information and support here. Have you checked out our "physicians and hospitals" and our local forums? You may find some people there that have used your surgeon. Keep us posted on your progress and let us know if you have any questions.

Well guys, it is really getting narrowed down now. I am curious to see how it goes. I think the final two are going to be the David's. Hmmm, what will we talk about after Idol is over? Does anyone watch "So you think you can dance"?

It actually takes me about 20-30 minutes to eat my meals, depending on what I am eating. I am at perfect restriction right now, so I take very small bites and am careful to chew my food to mush. Then, I wait a bit between each bite to see if I get my "full" signal.

Hi, I am not familiar with this, but thought I would bump it for you in case someone else is. Good luck!

Hi Apples, I am not in the "fifties" group, but I saw your post and wanted to congratulate you on your great job with your weight loss and on getting a surgery date. It won't be long now!

I am moving this to our "doctors and hospitals" forum, where you will hopefully get a better response.

Hi Amelia, and welcome. I feel for you, I understand waiting on the insurance can be the toughest, most nerve-wracking thing. Hopefully you will hear something soon, I have my fingers crossed for you!

Hi, just wanted to pop in and welcome you! It sounds like things are moving right along. Let us know when you hear from your insurance. In the meantime, if you have any questions, let us know, we are glad to help.

Hi there and welcome to LBT! I am so proud of you and admire you for not caving on Mother's Day, that is awesome. Those two boys will make it all worth while. Keep us posted on how things are going, we look forward to getting to know you.

Hi Sandi, and welcome to LBT! Have you checked out our insurance and financing forum at Insurance & Financing - Lap Band Talk Forum - The largest forum for Lap Band Surgery Discussion and Lap Band Surgery Support? You might find an answer to your question about United Health Care there. Keep us posted on how your journey progresses.

Congratulations! That is awesome.

Judy, as long as you feel fine, you are following your doc's post-op instructions and your meals are staying down, you should be fine. As far as the weight loss, remember, you had lapband surgery, not gastric bypass. Most people don't lose, and some gain, between the time they have their surgery and the time they reach optimum fill. Now is the time for healing, not losing.

I lost my appetite and don't think I am going to be able to finish my lunch now. :biggrin: But, I agree, the picture should serve as a great motivator to all of our pre-ops.

Good luck tomorrow guys! Before you know it, you will be official bandsters!

Hi, it has been awhile, but it seems like other than walking, my doctor made my wait six weeks before starting any type of vigorous exercise program. Good luck tomorrow, let us know how everything went once you are feeling up to it.

Ok, I cannot believe I am going to ask this, but I really just have to know. Don't thongs make you feel like you have a constant wedgie? I would be afraid of constantly walking around digging that thing out, if you get my drift.

Kathy, I have never seen these sold anywhere. I would be interested to try them if I could find them though.

I have never done one, and honestly don't have the gumption to do so. But, I sure do admire you for doing one. I am proud of myself for just finally getting my lazy butt to join a gym, and am still in shock that I am actually enjoying it.

My doctor never stressed a high protein diet either. I mean, we are not gastric bypass, so we do not have malabsorption issues. His only recommendation to me was a few bites of protein first, then a few bites of veggies, then starches and back to the beginning again. He said as long as I follow this and take my daily multivitamin, I should get in everything I need.

First, I would definitely let your surgeon know what is going on. Especially if you are on new medications. Secondly, I think if it were me and what my PCP prescribed me had not worked, I would probably request a referral to a dermatologist.

Cindi, what you are experiencing right now is not at all unusual. Also, 7 pounds in a week is awesome. Remember, this is not gastric bypass, this is lapband. The lapband is designed for us to optimally lose 1-2 pounds per week. And, it is designed to work when it has reached an optimum fill level. Many people do not lose and many people gain during the time they have their surgery and the time when they reach proper restriction. Your system has had a major shock to it, you went from eating the way you used to, to the pre-op diet, to surgery with anesthesia and now the post-op diet. Your body is pretty confused right now and bound to show some fluctuations, especially on a day-to-day basis. You could be retaining Water or any number of things. That is why I only weigh myself once a week. Anyways, be patient until you start getting your fills and reach proper restriction. Then, your band will begin to work for you the way you expect it to.