*susan*

Hi Angie, and welcome to LBT! I lived in Michigan until I was 14. I love snowmobiling and miss it so much. But, I definitely can't take the cold, I am a true Florida girl now.

Hi and welcome. To answer your primary question, originally I researched other types of weight loss surgery before learning about the band. I decided to go with the band due to its being reversible, fewer complications and the ability to adjust it as needed. It just seemed like the best fit for me. As far as your doctor recommending bypass over the band because you eat biscuits and cake and that would slip through the band, WHAT??? I think you will be surprised to learn that those types of food do not slip through the band. Bandsters have a tough time with bread and doughy foods. Biscuits and cake tend to be doughy and ball up and get stuck in your stoma. In my opinion, if anything, the band would be great for you because it would be a definite deterrent to eating those foods.

Hi Lena. I am actually from Jacksonville, but thought I would pop in and welcome you to LBT. If you have any questions, just ask away, we love to help!

Hi Sherri and welcome to LBT. It sounds like you are doing your research and learning as much as possible, which is important to making an informed decision. Let us know your thoughts after you attend the seminar on Saturday. I agree that it stinks that so many insurance policies exclude weight loss surgery. I too was in a very similiar situation as you. We decided to refinance our home to pay for my surgery. It only increased our monthly payment by a small amount and we feel it was the right decision for my health. Best of luck to you. Feel free to ask lots of questions, that is what we are here for. We look forward to hearing more from you as you progress in your journey and getting to know you.

I did the sports bra as well. I just wore bigger shirts so the "unibreast" look wasn't quite so obvious.

Hi Lindsey and welcome! You have come to the right place to learn about the band and get great advice and support. Have you started the process yet or are you in the research phase?

Please remember our LBT posting rules. Lets not spend any more time attacking one another.

Congratulations on getting your date, it won't be long now! Keep us posted on how things go.

Wow, girl, you have really been through it. Congratulations for putting up with all of that and still staying determined to get the band and not give up on the whole thing. It sounds like the end is finally in sight though. Keep up posted on how things go for you.

Hi Pip, just dropping in to welcome you to LBT! We look forward to getting to know you.

Everyone, please remember our posting rules... Attack the idea and not the person.

Hi and welcome to LBT. My stepson is in the army and he and his wife are in Baumholder, Germany. Is that near you? He is going to Iraq for 18 months in March while his wife remains in Germany.

Hi Michelle. Congratulations on getting your date. For some people, the process seems to take forever and for some it goes amazingly fast. I was like you, I went to the seminar, and within about three weeks I had my band. Does your doctor have you on any type of pre-op diet? Let us know how things are going and if you have any questions, just ask!

Hi there and welcome. Wow, it looks like you definitely have a lot to do to prepare for the surgery. But, once you get your date you will be well prepared. Let us know how your journey is progressing.

Hi Shannon, and welcome to LBT. Wow, how tragic for your husband to have lost his wife that way. Fortunately, the band is a much safer alternative with far fewer risks. Look around the site and let us know if you have any questions. We look forward to getting to know you.

Hi and welcome. You have come to the right place for support and information. Check out the "stickies" at the top of most threads, they are loaded with great information. If you have any questions, please ask, we are all here to support and help one another.

Lori, I am off of Old St. Augustine as well, just on the opposite end from you. You go down Hood Landing (by St. Joseph's Catholic Church) to get to my house. We are practically neighbors!

I also got mine from Lauren's Hope and love it. In addition to the above information, I added my doctor's name and phone number.

Hi Christi, I am from Jacksonville and had my surgery with Dr. Herrera at St. Vincent's. I have been very pleased with him. I referred another LBT'er that had her band done in Mexico to him for fills and she has been very pleased with him as well. If you would like more information, feel free to pm me.

I am an "oldie" but I wanted to wish you and your dh good luck. I think it is awesome that you are both doing this together.

I had to go self-pay as well because my employer excludes weight loss surgery. We chose to pay for it by refinancing our home. It only added a bit onto our monthly payment and was very much worth it to us.

First off, don't be nervous about it. I remember my first fill, I had myself so worked up it was ridiculous. Then, it turned out to not be that big a deal. As far as how much they put in, it is different for everyone. Do you know if you are getting your fill under flouro or not? If I know that, I can give you a better idea of what to expect. As far as feeling sick and food not going down, that would mean you are either overfilled or not following bandster rules. Once you start getting fills, remembering the rules of taking baby size bites, chewing your food to mush and waiting a bit between bites will become even more important. As long as you follow the bandster rules, and are not overfilled, you should be fine.

deneicy...well said!

That would definitely not be advisable. Could one do it, possibly, but would it be a smart move, NO. You could damage your port, overfill yourself or possibly a number of other things. Not to mention if you do try your own fill and cause damage, you are liable, not your doctor.

Well, girl, look at your picture, you are skinny! You look great.