MySkinnyDream

Hi there.... I was banded on Nov. 17th, 2009... It has been a great journey so far.... I am down 92 pounds with my goal in sight. :smile2: I have had 5 fills so far, with the last one almost 2 months ago. I think i am around 6.5cc in my 10cc band. Some days I am at my sweet spot and some days I can eat more than a cup at one time. Not sure when I will schedule my next fill, I have always just scheduled them based on how feel I am doing in my journey at that time. Best wishes to everyone!!!!!!!!:smile:

Have you tried the Kashi GoLean cereals? The one I eat every morning has 13 grams of protein and it helps me get some fiber in for the day. Plus you get more protein with the added milk. I also add fresh blueberries or strawberries to it.

Gas X also makes strips that just melt in your mouth, they are great. They come in cinnamon and peppermint flavors. They are so easy to take.

How about selling them on eBay?.... This way you can make some money to buy the much needed smaller sized wardrobe.... :biggrin:

One word, WOW!... I was banded on Nov 17 '09 just like you. I have lost 92 lbs so far, almost to goal. And just like you, I still see the "old me" in the mirror. The excess skin doesn't help either when I look in the mirror. I am hoping to have plastic surgery around my one year bandiversary. :thumbup: Not sure if my head will ever catch up with my body. I guess that is what keeps us going and motivated. :eek:

I know this is of no help to you now, but this comment is for future bandsters who read this post... My doctor had me draw a line with a marker where i wear my pants and my bra on the day of surgery, so he would know where not to place my port. I am glad he was thinking ahead for me!

I absolutely LOVE the nectar shakes. I have 7 of the flavors in my pantry right now. Fuzzy Navel Crystal Sky Caribbean Cooler (my favorite... tastes like a pina colada) strawberry Kiwi Cappuccino chocolate Truffle vanilla Bean Torte I order them from BariactricAdvantage.com. I have other family members in my house that drink them as well. My reason for the stock supply.

Here is what I take: Bariatric Advantage Biotin Capsules Bariatric Advantage sugar-free 250 mg chocolate Calcium Citrate Chew Bariatric Advantage VitaBand Multi-Form Multivitamin Chew Watermelon Bariatric Advantage sublingual B-12

Just have to share this cute story with everyone. So, first off, I love watching the Dr. Oz show. My 7 year old daughter likes watching it with me. The other day we were sitting together watching a segment about a woman's weight-loss success story and my daughter patted my tummy and said " Dr. OZ would be really proud of you too." :thumbup: How cute is that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Bonnie, Welcome to LapBandTalk. Congrats for taking the first step to the new you. I read your profile and loved how open and honest it was. I have also sent you a friend request. I live in Humble (Northeast Houston). I am almost 7 months into my journey. I was self-pay so it only took me a month from first consultation to surgery. I am so so so glad I took that first step! :thumbup: Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!

How about some almonds or walnuts? I also like blueberries or blackberries. they are low on the glycemic index... (The glycemic index (GI) is an important nutritional tool that can help people keep their blood sugar in better balance.)

I am cold all the time now. I live in Houston, TX also. My family hates it. We fight over the a/c settings... What a difference losing some "insulation" makes on our body temperatures. (at least for me anyway)

Hi, I am currently at the same stage of my journey as you. I have been obsessed with reading and researching about plastic surgery. With that said, I have found some information that might help you find a surgeon in your area. Try www.asbps.org for help with your search. The American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons has been established by plastic surgeons that specialize in body contouring surgery specifically for patients that have lost significant amounts of weight through non-surgical means such as diet or exercise or through the various bariatric procedures. ASBPS's goal is to help these patients find an knowledgeable and experienced plastic surgeon to help them.

I know exactly what you are talking about. I have found that the thinner friends / relatives are very happy for me about my weight-loss and mention to me all the time how much my looks have changed. :biggrin: On the other hand, my over weight relatives that are struggling with their own weight issues NEVER say anything to me about my weight-loss. The only thing I can figure is that it is jealousy. Maybe, maybe not!

If you lie on your back and do a half crunch, you should be able to feel your port with your hand. This is how my doctor feels for it when I get a fill.

Most likely, it is your port that you are feeling. Is your large incision near your belly button? Your band is actually up near the middle of your chest at the bottom of your breast bone.

I was banded by Dr Wilkenfeld in The Woodlands, TX on 11/17/09. Yesterday was my 6 month Bandiversary!!!! Down 82lbs so far with only 18ish pounds to go. :thumbup: I was self-pay which included one years worth of fills and I am able to go to either his office or at the True Results clinic downtown for my fills. I have went downtown 3 times and 2 times at the Doc's office. Both places do fills under Fluroscopy. Good luck to everyone here.

Here is a link to several abbreviations commonly used in LAP-BAND® world. :thumbup: ...http://www.lapbandtalk.com/faq.php?faq=abbreviations#faq_lapbandabbreviations

I watched a couple of fill videos on Youtube to get an idea of what to expect. Just type in LAP-BAND® fill. There are also videos of the actual LAP-BAND® surgery there as well.

Happy Bandiversary!!!!!!!!! I am right here with you. Tomorrow (5/17/10) is my 6 month mark. I am down 82 pounds from 238 on Nov. 1st and surgery weight was 228 on Nov. 17th. I am 5'6", goal is around 130ish. I too LOVE my band!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey Cali... I have heard good things about Dr. Hollis. If you dont mind me asking, how much have they quoted you at the downtown TR? How is your pre-op diet going? Do you have a surgery date yet?

Hi Cali.... I went to Texas Gastric Banding / Dr Wilkenfeld on College Park in the Woodlands. He is affiliated with True Results. The True Results Center where they do the surgeries is downtown at the Physicians Surgi Center off of Main and Holcombe. I have also went there for fills 2x. They are great there, very friendly. I was self-pay, so I can get my fills at the clinic on College Park or downtown and they are covered for one year. I think if you are covered by insurance, he does his surgeries at the Conroe Hospital.

I was self-pay in Houston, TX. It was $11,900 with out-patient surgery and 1 year of fills.

I hear you! :tt1: I have had 4 fills, all under fluoro. I really think it is according to how aggressive your doc is with the fills. I am at 5.2 in a 10cc band. Very frustrated with the last fill, only 0.2cc, WTH!:smile: That did absolutely nothing for my restriction. I should have turned the car around that day and went in for another fill.:thumbup: