*susan*

Hi and welcome. It sounds like you are doing pretty well. The pain is usually related to gas. Many people recommend gas-x. I didn't have much problem with that. My main problem was soreness around the port area, I found a heating pad helped with that. Keep us posted on how things are going.

Hi there Abby, and welcome to LBT! It sounds like you have been doing your research, which is good. Congratulations on your decision to get the band, it is a wonderful tool. We are glad to have you here. Let us know if you have any questions.

As you lose weight, your stomach gets smaller too. As a result, your band gets looser and you become less restricted. It sounds like you are just ready for another fill.

Hi and welcome to LBT! We are definitely glad that you found us. I was laid off from my job 2 weeks prior to my surgery. But, had I not been, I believe one week off of work would have been plenty. It all depends on the person. Let us know if you have any questions, and keep us posted on how things are going.

Hi and welcome to LBT. Congratulations on your decision to get the band. The pre-op diet can be tough, but you just have to keep in mind the reward, which is the band. I am not sure how long you have been on it, but after the first three days, I found it got easier.

Hi Tanya and welcome back! Actually, I think that the fact that you only gained 3 pounds in a year is a pretty big victory. That is so odd that you have had that many fills with no restriction. I can definitely understand your frustration. Let us know how your appointment goes and what the doctor finds.

This is a difficult time, but right now you have to remember that this is the time for healing, not weight loss. Many people do not lose any weight during this period, and many even gain. The band is meant to work once you start getting fills. Until then, you have to be patient and not allow yourself to get discouraged.

This is the first time I have ever heard of it. I definitely have never seen it in stores. It sounds interesting though.

Hello and welcome to LBT! You are very fortunate to have your insurance cover your surgery. Let us know if you have any questions, we are all here to support and help one another.

Congratulations! It won't be long now. Let us know if you have any questions.

I had fitday with downloaded program at one time. What would be truly awesome was if there was a program that would sync to one's blackberry or handheld so you always had it with you.

Hi Janet and welcome to LBT! What you are experiencing is not unusual at all. It usually takes several fills until you reach your "sweet spot". Until you do, it is possible to stop losing or even gain a bit. It can be very frustrating, but once you hit your sweet spot and the weight starts coming off, you will love your band. I am always available if you need to chat. I am on facebook and my IM and email are in my profile.

RE: Originally Posted by peaches9 I still wonder what all the debate is about... its simple, its between a Woman and her Doctor, end of story.... Everyone else, especially Men should mind their own business. Ok, personally, I could never, ever abort a child. However, I do not feel I can impose my personal beliefs on other people. Nor do I feel a bunch of people sitting up in D.C. have a right to make blanket decisions for everyone on what they can and cannot do with their bodies when everyones situation is different and they do not know their specific circumstances. However (and this is probably the part where I will get slammed :smile2: ), I disagree that "men should mind their own business". I think that the father should be granted a say in what happens with regards to the child the mother is carrying. After all, it may not be his body, but it is his child and I believe he should be allowed a say in any decisions made with regards to abortion, adoption, keeping the baby or whatever. I say that with the exception of rape. Just my .02.

I can do thin crust pizza fine. However, I have not been able to eat pancakes since getting my band. I have tried when I am super restricted and when I am not so restricted; it doesn't matter, it is just like bread and it doughs up on me and gets stuck.

Like the others, the paperwork and MMPI takes quite a long time to fill out. I think between it and then actually talking with the doctor, I was there for 2 1/2 hours, so that sounds about right.

Wow, Sarah, that was fast! Last we knew of you were waiting on a date and here you are an official bandster already! Congratulations girl!

Hello Jewels and welcome. Congratulations on your decision to get the band. It is a wonderful tool for weight loss. Let us know if you have any questions and keep us posted on your journey.

Hi Stephanie! Wow, you have done so well with your weight loss, way to go! Best of luck in losing that last little bit, I am sure you can do it!

Hi Gem, welcome to LBT! I think we will fight those little cravings for the rest of our lives. I have found that I don't deprive myself of anything. If I do that, then I end up binging. Instead, if I want something, I have it. But, thanks to my band, I am able to do so in moderation now and not regret it later.

Congrats Pearlygirl, time to change your signature, lol. Your excitement is contagious. Let us know if you have any questions.

My thoughts are there are probably arguments for and against both styles of bands. I am confident one can find reports on both posted all over the internet to support whichever "side" one chooses to take. What is important is that each person does their research, both on the band and the physician that they choose. Speak to others who have been banded in your area, attend some of their support groups and get to know them. Find out if they are happy with their bands and their doctors. Research the doctors statistics as well. Then, once you have made an informed decision and chosen who will be your lapband doctor, you will be confident in the knowledge that you have chosen a capable, trustworthy surgeon who will choose the band that is best for your particular health needs and you can trust in their decisions. As far as financial perks for using one or the other, that happens in every industry. It is called business and competition. No matter what business you are in, I am sure you have vendors who have approached you about using their products and providing you with special incentives to do so. If the product is one you feel is good, then you probably will accept their offer. That does not make you any less of a business person, doctor, etc. for doing so. I urge you that if you have concerns regarding the type of band you have, contact your doctor. Don't allow a thread on a website or a single post to cause you to lose all trust in your doctor and your band. As I stated previously, I am sure there are studies and articles all over the internet supporting both bands and claiming one is better than the other. You have to trust in your doctor and have an open line of communication with him/her. Lastly, it is ok to be passionate about something. But, do it in a calm and factual manner without personally attacking anyone.

Beka, it could be many things. Even after a fill, our tummys swell a bit from the irritation of the fill, which may make it seem like you have more restriction than you do. And for some weird reason, for many people it sometimes takes a week or two for the fill to actually kick in. I am not sure why, it just does. These bands can definitely be quirky at times. I would give it two weeks, and then if you still feel like you have no restriction, see if you can go in for another fill.

Hi and welcome to LBT. I am not sure of Aetna requirements, but I do know many of the insurances do require documented efforts at previous weight loss. I was self-pay, so I didn't have to jump through any insurance hoops, thank goodness. I tried every diet known to mankind and was not successful. But, the bottom line is the band is a great tool and if you work with it, it works for you! Let us know if you have any questions.

Hi and welcome to LBT! I think it is great that you are getting the surgery done now. Congratulations on getting your date. If you have any questions, let us know.

I do the Flintstone's chewables as well. I love the purple dino's!