tourlink99

I'm also 10 months out and I cant believe I have lost 89 lbs. No more insulin, and blood pressure is back to normal, but my absolute biggest pleasure is not having to shop in the big/tall shop any more. I went from a 52 waist to a 44 and from a 3x shirt to xl. Is it really me, I'm pinching myself to make sure. Congrats to all of you for making this work!!!!

I ended up going to Dr Murr at Tampa General. They are wonderful Drs. and nurses, the procedure doesn't hurt and best of all, all it costs is my Insurance co-payment!!:thumbup:

Hi Guys, I live in the Carrolwood/Northdale area. I was banded the day after Thanksgiving. I'm happy to say all has gone very well. I was able to give away all my old clothes last week and bought all new stuff and none of it was a big man size(hurrah). I had wanted Dr Dietrich to band me but insurance didnt cooperate. I ended up in Tijuana and Dr Gonzalez did my surgery. All went well!! I would love to join a support group in North Tampa. Any one have any ideas? Mark

Hi Guys, I have had a few of those experiences of eating just a tad too much since my fill, and as you all know its very uncomfortable. I'm going to stick with soft foods, soups, and and pureed foods for the time being. I even had a little blood come up from getting all clogged up. I spoke to the Dr's office today and they said its just an irritation and will go away. The great news is I lost my 60th lb today! I'm in shock over the effectiveness of the LAP-BAND® and how quick its working. My only question now is who gets my old pants and shirts:biggrin: Mark

Well I over did it today! I tred having some wonton soup for lunch and I ate the first wonton too fast and I guess I didnt chew it enough. I cant begin to tell you how uncomfortable I became in a hurry, I felt like a ate a 2 lb steak!! I couldn't keep it down, and for half an hour I felt terrible, not to mention making a mess. What a difference since I had my first fill last Monday!! It seems, Chinese food, poultry products and pasta don't agree with me anymore. I'll be eating more cottage cheese with no sugar fruit cocktails for a while.That seems to go down very easily. The good news is I lost 4 more lbs since Monday. Mark

I had my first fill on Monday. He put in 1.2 CC'S. (I think he said that. I don't care as long as the band works!) I ate liquids and mush for the first couple of days, and now I'm back to normal food, but frankly, not much(food) is going down. I'm not very hungry, but I started losing weight again. I'm down an even 50 lbs since Nov. 15. I'm not too upset about that! I WILL lose 100 lbs by June. My 4th grandbaby is on the way and I want to good in all the pictures!!! Mark

I'm having my first fill on Monday. I was banded on Nov 28 in Tijuana. The weight is coming off and I hope the fill will make it easier to lose. How does it feel getting the fill? does it hurt, any side affects. Mark

The weight is still continuing to drop. Not as as fast, but as long as it goes down I don't care. There are no side effects,or pain. I just feel so lucky. We had our company Holiday party last night and so many people gave me a big "pat on the back". That was the best morale booster possible. Ive been eating lots of mushies. My wife makes a pot roast soup and does the same with chicken and its pretty good. I'm a little over 2 weeks out now, and I went to a small amount of solids last night at the party, and I eat (couldnt eat more) a little paella and rice. 4 or 5 fork fulls and I was done! I cant get my first fill until Jan 11. Its the first available date the fill Dr has available. I don't feel like like flying back to Tijuana at this time. So I'll just be extra careful until then. Mark

Well I feel good, still losing weight and I will probably need to go for my first fill shortly. I hope you are alll doing well.

I cant feel or see the port at all. And I like it that way:thumbup:. Tomorrow is my last day on the liquid diet and I look forward to eating "mush". A few more weeks and I can cook(and eat) my Thanksgiving turkey still in the freezer' Mark

I know what you mean Heidi. I didn't think it would come off so easily. I hope it continues.

That previous message was for YAYA!

Hi, This is Mark, I was in the next room from you in Tijuana. I hope you are feeling well. I flew home to Florida on Monday and truthfully, except for my throat being a little raw I have no pain at all. I lost almost 20 lbs from the preop diet and have lost another 10 since Friday. I just hope it continues. Terri says "hi" Mark

Good luck to you SOEXCITED. Lets hope for a painless and easy weight loss. I guess I'm next, Friday morning is my time. I'll be in your neck of the woods. I'll be flying in and out of San Diego and I'm coming home next Monday. We can compare scars:biggrin:! All the best, Mark

Well, 3 more days to go! I started at 324 and today I was down to 307, just from the pre diet. I'm hoping it continues like this. The really good news is my sugar has gone down so much already, that my Dr told me to stop the insulin. My blood sugar was getting way to low. I'm gonna have a goodby party for all my needles and insulin. Your all invited of course! Its nice to hear that for most of you the discomfort wasn't that bad. I'm going to start packing tonight for my trip. I guess its time to get ready. My best to all of you. Thanks for the support:smile2: Mark

I was wondering if anyone ever has a fairly easy post op. A minimum of pain, not much of a gas problem, not to much discomfit. Or is it always a couple of days of "torture" Not quite, but you know what I mean. My procedure is Friday, and its just hitting me. Mark

I'm afraid to go in there. Its like being tortured. My Dr is allowing me to eat small, low fat, low sugar items. Following the protean drink, low fat puddings and such brought my sugar down to a 65 the other day, so they gave me the ok to eat just a little. The mousse doesnt bother me, its the frozen yogurt and muffins that drive me up the wall!!

And I'm having my Lap band on Friday. Im on a low fat, low sugar and lots of protean diet. Ive already lost 8 lbs and my sugar level is approaching normal and Ive had to reduce my insulan. Can you imagine, no more needles and insulin. I can hardly wait. Mark

Hey Guy, I am in the same boat as you. Im being banded on Friday, and yesterday my kids and grandkids came over and my wife made them steak and spaghetti. They wanted me to sit down with them but I refused. I did have about 2 oz of beef and a couple of strands of past(I do mean a couple) but it was like a torture. Ive lost about 8 lbs this week and my sugar is almost normal. It all gives me great hope for the future.

I'm being banded on Friday, and last Friday I had my last meal at Jason's Deli. I'm going to miss that Gumbo and salad bar real bad. Mark

Are any of you having your surgery in Tijuana. If so, Are you comfortable with the idea?

I'm having my surgery On Nov 27th in Tijuana. My insurance turned me down twice, and this was the only affordable way. They want me on the liquid diet 5 days before the op. Mark

I live in Tampa and I'm having my LAP-BAND® surgery Nov 27. I have been checking out the cost of fills locally and it appears its cheaper to fly back to San Diego (Tijuana) and get my free fills from Dr Gonzalez, then to pay all these program fees and additional fill costs. Mark

Its great to hear all your diabetes stories. I'm being banded the day after Thanksgiving and I am so looking forward to getting rid of my insulin, Metforman and Januvia. Not to mention losing a bunch of weight. All of your experiances give me great hope for the future!!!!:thumbup: Mark

Hi Guys and ladies. My name is Mark and I'm having my LAP-BAND® Nov 27. No turkey for me this year. My insurance continually gives me a hard time and wont pay so I'm going to Tijuana and Dr Gonzalez. Too many years of eating too excessively and now its time to do something about it. I'm having my last "hurrah" Nov 8 when I go on a cruise, and the second I get off, its liquid diet time. Is there anyone one else from Tampa? All the best to my fellow bandster's and I hope we all lose all the weight we want. Mark