chrisbandster

One of my cousins had the Lapband in May/June 2004, when my sister and I visited with our aunt she stopped by and told us about her journey.  Initially I was against any type of bariatric surgery, but my sister was all for it for herself, but I started doing the research.  I was having a lot of joint/muscle issues and while in Michigan made an appointment with my primary.  At the appointment I asked if the lapband was a viable option, and he indicated he thought so and had had a couple of other patients who had the procedure, one in Mexico and one locally.  At the time there were only 2 clinics in the Milwaukee area that performed lapband surgery.  All other clinics were highly anti-band.  I chose to go to the Bariatric Institute of Wisconsin (BIW), and my appointment was with Dr. Manfred Chiang.  (What eye candy!!!)  My appointment was 9/9/04.  I got all of the pre-op testing done, and insurance (Humana) approved it as long as I had the procedure before the first of the year.  My surgery date was 12/20/04 and I have the original band.  Prior to surgery was 2 weeks of liquid diet to reduce the liver size.  That was dreadful.  The time of the liquid diet was determined by the BMI, mine was 54.5 at the time of surgery.  Post op diet was what is pretty well recommended. My journey admittedly has been slow, but I have lost over 100 pounds.  I continue to follow up with appointments every 8-12 weeks.  I don't always get adjustments, if I'm losing well.  I have been too tight only twice, one resulting in total unfill (by one of Dr. Chiang's associate).  I had my first plastic surgery, a breast reduction on my birthday, 4/23/09.  Tummy tuck will come when I reach 160.  My only other unfill has been just prior to having my gallbladder and appendix removed in October 2009.  My sweet spot seems to be at 3.3-3.4.  I am only now starting to have an issue of the adjustments not holding.