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Hi Jac. Our stats seem similar.. I am in st louis, I had my band on 4/15/08. I don't get my first fill until this coming Tues (5/27/08) I lost in the first two weeks and not much since then. I am trying to not gain but i feel as though I can pretty much eat what ever I want, although admittedly maybe not quite as much. I would love to keep in touch at least with out fills and all. what has happened since yours? good luck!!!

Wow! You look amazing!! I just read your post about your doctor wanting you to be in advertisements for the band. You are absolutely stunning and inspiration, I would go for it. I read a few of your blogs and saw that you struggled as well. Would you mind sharing with me how you got yourself on track....do you stick to a specific diet? do you allow yourself treats? I was banded on 3/26/08 and the weight isn't coming off as fast as I thought it would and I'm trying not to get discouraged....thank you for giving me hope to push forward. Carol

Sorry to hear about your NON-BANDING. My doctor lectured me at my last visit (I'm to be banded the 29th of May) how important it is to follow this diet to a T. You did and this still happened. I don't get it. May I ask you a coulple of personal questions? What is your BMI or weight? What was your pre-op diet like? I will keep you in my prayers. I can feel your pain. I am sorry for you.-Donita

Hi Anna,

I got my surgery done in Prague so i am ment to go there, but i know that the Beacon Hospital in Dublin does them for 300e each time. So u can get there number off google as i dont have it. No other place in Ireland would do it for me so i have actuallt learnt how to do it myself!!

brill on the weight loss... con-grads!!! how have u found everything???

Deb - I travelled from out of state (I'm in Nome, Alaska) last year for the surgery. The experience was great...I also recovered quite well (WAY better than my gallbladder removal and about the same as my 3 c-sections-which I thought were great).

Now...fills. Everyone is different. Some people think it's cheaper to just fly to Denver and see Dr. K for fills...since that's not feasable to me I found a doctor in Anchorage (still have to fly there). I think you should at LEAST find some aftercare in your area...someone you could go to in an emergency at least. There might even be a support group locally that would really be beneficial (although we've all found that most support groups are for the bypass folks). Fills are very individual. Some people find that "sweet spot" very quickly (within a couple of fills). I've had 5 fills (I'm at 3.4cc in a 4cc band) and could actually use more, but it's one of those things where you kind of get used to the fill then need more. Needle size vary...mine uses a teeny tiny needle, most use something bigger. No one really complains of the stick so if you're needle-shy this should be the LEAST of your worries!

Fluro - some fills docs use fluro and some don't. Dr. K doesnt...he just has you drink some water and fills you 'till that gets stuck then takes just a wee bit out...to make a kinda funnel-affect. (This is what I've heard, I haven't been to him for a fill.) My doc fills me at a level I want, he's very cautious and requires me to stay in town for a few days to make sure that everything is good to go. He has some fluro people available if there seems to be a problem. Fluro, I've heard, makes it so you ge to the sweet spot earlier because they can actually observe the liquid funnelling...but then, like I said earlier, you get used to the fill and need more so....I would say don't pay extra for it unless you are pretty darn sure there's a problem.

Unfills - done the same as a fill. Someimes your stomach will swell when you get a fill (from the irritation). This has not happened to me, and I think rarely happens anyway. This can cause you to not even be able to swallow spit...then an unfill is needed. Now, my doc in Anchorage lets me "tweak" my fill for a week without an extra charge so if I feel too tight (which has never been the case) he'd take some out or if I feel like I could use a bit more (which HAS happened) then he adds more. My doc also doesn't require me to drink liquids the day of and day after a fill - some do. I think it's better not to so you can really see how the fill did for you.

I was on the fill thread for a bit, but it didn't give as much information as I'm giving you here.

The hardest part of aftercare is really that it's all up to you and how YOU feel. I, like LapDancer, am a food adict and am working on that - working on even accepting that. The band hasn't cured me of everything, but on bad days it does stop me from being super gluttonous! I'm at a state now that if I lose weight I now I won't gain it back.

Also...a friend of mine had the Band put in a few years ago. She reached goal in about 1 1/2 years and then got a complete unfill...she lost 10 more lbs. and has maintained that without filling up...just letting the band "sit there". Now, there's some hope for us!

send me some pics of your weight loss.

Thank you, ma'am! Well I went and my pouch is healed, the band corrected itself, and they put 3.2 CC's back in my band...so I am in fantastic shape! No, I didn't gain...in fact, I lost two pounds! So I won't have any more put back in...I'm enjoying eating again, and my exercise is such that I know I will make it to goal without all that fill.

Today is day one for your diet, right? What is the diet, anyhow? Doing okay so far?

Yay for tall women!!! I am 5'10. Please keep in touch with your weight loss.

Hey...I noticed that you and I have the same fill/band and also close in age AND about 4 weeks difference in pregnancy. Congrats!! I am 19 weeks now. I posted on one board about not feeling the baby move. Have you felt yours yet? Also, I am thinking that I will not get my band unfilled. My doc said to just come back whenever I felt like I needed it, but I have not had any trouble eating..in fact, I have sorta ditched the rules on eating/drinking together, and have been able to eat quite a lot. I have only gained about 5 lbs. since getting pregnant, though, but I am scared if I get my band unfilled that I will just eat way too much. Anyway, sometimes I get cramps/pains that I am not sure what it is...drinking/eating....the baby...who knows. Nothing has been considerable or lasted too long, though. I hope your pain has subsided or at least you found out what it was!

Melissa

Hello! How was Michigan? Did you have a great Mother's Day? I have an appointment on Wednesday to see the doc for the first time. I'm so excited! Plus I leave to El Paso for 10 days for work. I'll be climbing up tanks and so I'm afraid I'll end up losing some weight. Crazy! I hope I don't! Ha! Anyhooo! Have a great week! Ciao!

Hey Fenton -

I wanted to drop you a line. It seems from your posts we might have a lot in common. I too have over 200 pounds to lose. However, I am just starting the process; my class is tomorrow afternoon.

I am hopig to find somebody in a similiar situtation who I can chat with for support. If you are interested shoot me an e-mail. I wasnt able to gather much info from your profile, except weight, post banding, and I think you might be a writer. I am actually still in college, but I am a budding young writer.

Anyway if you what to set up a buddy system that would be great, if not, no worries. Take care and good luck.

Hi Shawna;

Alicia here. How are you doing? Congratulations on your surgery date, May 28th!!! I'm sure that as that date gets closer and closer the more excited you are, I know I was for mine. So far I'm stuck at 205 lbs. lost 25 though, had to hide my scale...uugh...but I tell myself that since I'm exercising more I must be losing fat but gaining muscle. I go in for a 3rd. fill on May 27th. I hope that helps! Anyway let me know how you are doing. I'll have you in my prayers on the 28th. Dr. Bhoyrul is awesome and Scripps

green is a state of the art facility so I'm sure everything will be fine. Good luck, Alicia

Hi Debbie, I too would want to know more of your experience. I am at my wits end and am totally ready to have this done. I have looked at many doctors offering this service in Mexico and it sounds very tempting. Although I have my concerns, I have read testimonials but would love some reassurance from someone like you who has recently experienced. I also will be a self pay since my insurance does not cover "ANY" weight loss surgery. So if you dont mind me asking as well about costs. If not, I surely understand. Thanks!

Hey Rubyjade,

I'm also from your side of the woods! Bellingham Washinton (about an hour and a half north of seattle). I was wondering where you got banded? I'm going to be banded at North West Weight Loss Surgery on May 20th. I figured since you are from Everett there is a chance you were banded there as well! I'ed love to hear about your expearence! Thanks so much,

Marine

I read you have had some hard times loosing. I am only 3 weeks post in the first 2 weeks I lost 10 but in the 3rd week I am eating solid foods and I have gained 2 back. I wanted to ask did you have problems like this or are your problems different? I hope after a fill I do better.

Aww thanks! Yeah people have been telling me to get a breast reduction forever, but hopefully if I loose weight they might decrease a little on their own lol. Ugh I start my liquid diet May 19th, 10 days before surgery, so not looking forward to it but I know I have to do it. When is yours starting??? Keep me posted and good luck with everything!!!

Her Loss...you Don't Need Someone That Is Going To Be Upset Over You Loosing Weight Fast...keep Up The Good Work. I Am Going To Be Banded On May 19th And I Am Starting To Want To Date Soon. I Hope That I Won't Find Someone As Shallow As The One That You Met. Good Luck

I actually have been banded for 13 months now. I decided to get banded after my younger sister did it first in December 06. She lost about 30 pounds her first 3 months so that was enough convincing for me. I got banded on March 15, 2007. During the first few months after the surgery I would ask my sister do you ever feel nausea or pains in your stomach. She would tell me she would never feel anything like that. Well for a few days in August of 07 I wasn't feeling good. I was getting a pain in my chest so I decided one night to go in to the hospital thinking something was wrong with my band. Come to find out on August 14, 2007 that I was 4 months pregnant to my surprise. That now explains the nausea...LOL! I had already lost 40 pounds since being banded. So I actually lost 40 pounds my first 4 months of pregnancy. She is my miracle baby because my husband and I have been togeather 12 years and I didn't think I could have kids cause I have PCOS. So even if I don't loose more weight it was worth paying the $$$ to end up with my baby! I have gotten 2 fills since having her but I'm still at the same weight. I am scheduled to go back on Tuesday for another fill. Hopefully now I will start loosing again. Anyway, when are you having surgery?

Hi Dananah,

I did not have a problem getting approved for the surgery, but I was a cash patient. I also had a BMI of 35. Insurance claims usually have to have atleast 2 morbid obese symptoms like sleep apnea, high blood pressure, etc.... most require 6 months documented dr. assisted weight loss a dietian a pychatrist elvaluation and most only let you try twice for insurance if you get denied both times you can't try again. Good Luck and I will answer any questions you may have.

Lisa

Hi, I don't mean to be nosy, but you look like you are about my weight (in pics) and I'm looking into getting banded. My BMI is just at 35 but I have cholesterol probs, metabolic syndrome, etc. Did you have a hard time getting approved? I'd appreciate any info you could share...

Hi Texas,

Good to hear from you. Thanks for the compliment on my page. I did try to match my page to my 'duckiness' haha. Just wanted to let you know my final paperwork will be submitted to surgeon on Monday and then comes my wait for insurance approval. I can't imagine they would refuse me for any reason. I have several weight related health issues and a bmi of 59 [yuk].

I also looked at your page - very nice - and your photos were so good. How much excercise do you do per week? I hope to become more active very soon. I used to walk 4 mi. per day but not since the fibro/weight gain.

Hang in there !

Hi, :biggrin2:

I called his office and went in for a consultation, he talked about the band and answered my questions. He was very nice and so is his staff. When I left his office they gave me a paper that told me what my insurance would possibly pay and the testing they required. I have United Health Care PPO Plus and all I had to do was get a EKG, blood work, and give them 5 years of past weight recordings from my other doctors. That was it. I was approved in about 2 weeks. Dr Mckeen has no pre op diet, just nothing but liquids the day before surgery. On my day, while the hospital was getting me ready, he came in to say hi, and reassure me, I was very nervous!! Good Sam has a bariatic nurse who came in and gave my husband and I a nice size folder will all kinds of reading material. She was very nice and informative, again answered any questions I had. Everyone was very nice and I was out of there by 11 am, my surgery was at 9 am. He had pre-prescribed me nausia medicine which I was so glad I had when I got home, I got nausiated off and on. He told me to get liquid motrin and tylenol which I had ready too, and needed it. I was in quite alot of pain, and mostly slept. My worst day was day 2 and 3, I called him at home, they give out his home number which I found very assuring. And he called me back right away. After I healed up I noticed I had good restriction, and did not go in right away for my post op visit. I called the office and let them know I was doing well and would make a appt later. My first appointment was in March. I still had good restriction, he put some saline in at surgery and it was working fine for me. They weighed me and was happy with my loss, 17 lbs, with no pre op diet, my number was only weight loss after surgery. He tried to give me a little fill, and he was awesome, he got the port easily and I had no pain other then the little poke when he gave me my numbing shot. The fill was too much, so he took it out, told me no charge and he would see me in a month. That is this month and I have not been in as of yet. I don't know how he charges for fills for sure, I have not been billed for one yet, but my insurance covers $150 so I was told I have to pay $50, we will see! Oh, he also has an office in Utah, so he is gone alot. Just to let you know, I have a hard time getting in to his office because of MY job, but the girls in his office are great and work very well with me. They call and check on me and I really like that.:tt2:

He is very nice and knows what he is doing, you will be taken care of very well! Keep me posted on your progress, I would LOVE To hear how things go for you.

Good Luck~

Cathy:smile:

Shootz.. weight goal by my bday, April 28... check in with me.. we gotta see if you made goal.

nothing i'm not banded yet i get banded on may5th i need to lose 90lbs but thanks for the compliment..my face never seems to show the weight as much..

Hi Denise,

No candy here! Just sugar-free jello and such as that!

Of course I wouldn't mind answering your question although I don't know how accurate I can be with only email type contact, so I will just take a common sense approach.

Anybody can find another person to love and be loved by, but the key to that is loving yourself first. Maybe the weight has given you a poor self image and you feel that you cannot be loved and that nobody will find you attractive. Nothing could be further from the truth! Work on loving yourself and somebody will come along when you least expect it!

I would like to say this though. "Attractive" is one thing to one person and another to someone else. To me attractive used to be physically beautiful. Now it is kindness, a nice smile, someone who gives freely of herself, someone who shows me love in ways like doing the dishes when I am tired or taking care of something I don't particularily enjoy doing. You don't have to have a gorgeous "shell" to be beautiful.

I hope this helps! You are welcome to talk to me anytime you want!