*susan*

Congratulations on getting your date, it won't be long now!

Ok, I am going to have to check out this zappos.com, it sounds awesome.

My port is located under my right breast. I remember that being where the majority of my soreness came from too. As for the bras, prior to my surgery I purchased some sports bras and found them to be very comfortable during the healing process while still providing a good amount of support.

Hi there, you are doing fantastic so far. Don't worry about the fills, they really are a breeze!

Hi Glenda and welcome! We are glad you found us. It sounds like everything is back on track for you and you are doing well. We look forward to getting to know you better.

Hello and welcome to LBT! As far as the wait time, it honestly varies with everyone as there are so many factors involved. If you have insurance, there may be different requirements involved, such as a supervised diet. Most doctors require various testing, etc. I was self pay and for me things went very quickly. From the time I attended my seminar to the time I had my surgery was only about 3 1/2 weeks. As for carbonated drinks, yes, you really do have to give them up. I was a major diet coke addict. I drank it for Breakfast, lunch, dinner and everything in between. I never thought I would be able to give it up. But I did and I don't miss it at all. The one time I took a small sip of something carbonated, I didn't like the feel of it, the taste or anything. Let us know how things go at your appointment and don't be afraid to ask as many questions as you want. The more knowledge you have about the process, the better.

Hi Randy, I wanted to welcome you to the boards. I think you are a very courageous young man and admire you for what you are doing. If there is anyway we can help you along the way, please do not hesitate to ask.

There is actually another local support group that I learned about off another site when I first got banded. But, they had actually all been together for quite a while and I never felt very comfortable with them. Plus, they were all for the other site while I am a big LBT fan. So, I am really looking forward to meeting fellow LBT'ers.

Hi Lisa, and welcome to bandland! It sounds like you went through quite an ordeal with the insurance company, but I bet it was all worth it in the end. It sounds like you are doing great so far. Let us know if we can help you with anything.

Hi Maya, I bet you are an official "bandster" by now. Let us know how everything went as soon as you are feeling up to it.

Hi Michelle, I actually had my children when I was in my 20's. However, my brother married late and he and his wife didn't start having children until they were in their forties. I believe she was 42 with the first and 44 with the second one. The doctor monitored her pregnancy more closely than they normally do with someone younger, but she had no complications with either baby. Both went full-term and were beautiful, healthy babies.

Christine, my port flipped about 1 1/2 years ago. Having it fixed was a pretty minor procedure. It was done at the surgery center and I was completely under. The procedure itself was quick, I was in and out of the hospital in under 2 hours. As far as recovery, I went to work the next day. I had some minor discomfort around the port area for about three days and that was it.

Wow, Kat, that is the best, yet easiest to understand explanation I have ever heard. YOU ROCK!! :biggrin:

Either day works for me!

So far I have dropped from a 9 to 8 1/2 and gone from a wide to regular width.

Way to go, that is awesome news! I take it from your user name you are a labrador retriever lover? I have a chocolate lab and he is my baby, I absolutely adore him!

We ended up refinancing our house with cash-out. It only increased our payment by a small amount, so it was well worth it.

Hi April, this is really a tough question. For every person, it is different. Some people have proper restriction with very little in their band, while others it takes much more. And, as you lose weight you lose restriction and have to have additional fills. The best thing to do is not base what you need on what everyone else is doing. Your body will let you know what the right amount of fill is for you. And, definitely don't rush it and be too aggressive with the fills either. It is better to go slowly until you reach proper restriction than to be too aggressive and be overfilled.

Hi Charles, welcome to our boards, we are happy you found us. Many employers add specific provisions to their policies to not cover weight loss surgery. I think it is sad. You would think they want their employees to be healthy. I have never heard of being able to do your psychiatric evaluation online. That is pretty cool, one less appointment you have to wait for. Keep us posted on how things are going.

Hey Allison, welcome!! Things sound like they are really moving along for you. Before you know it, you will be banded! Keep us posted on your journey and don't be afraid to ask questions, if you have any.

Hi Gingercat, and welcome to LBT! This is a great place for advice and support, so if you have any questions, please feel free to ask. We are definitely all here to help one another.

Hi Kerri, I am not actually a March Bandster, I am an "oldie", but I wanted to say hi and welcome you to the forums. It sounds like things are moving along for you. Let us know if you have any questions. We look forward to getting to know you.

Hi summertime, that is fantastic news!! Is your doctor going to have you on any type of pre-op diet? Let us know if you have any questions, we are here to help.

Hi and welcome to LBT! That is great that you got the approval from your insurance company and are moving forward with things. Every doctor varies, but it seems the standard things they are going to require of you are a psych. eval, nutritional consult, possibly a sleep apnea tes, blood work and ekg. At your first appointment he/she will discuss all of this with you, along with what type of pre-op diet, if any you will be on.

Hi kdlee! First off, I wanted to welcome you to LBT. I am not from WV, so I cannot help you, but thought I would bump your post in the hopes someone else can. Also, you might try posting in the WV thread as well.