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Ask as many questions as you like. I will try to answer them. How long did the process take? Well, it took a LONG time because I began the process under another Dr. (Dr. Longie) he left WVU and they did not have a Dr to do the Lapband. I waited over a year. But now things go pretty quick.A lot depends on your insurance. So that questions is one that I am unable to give you a good answer. How often do I see Dr. Akkary? After you meet with him in March you may not see him again until you get closer to your surgery date. Then you will see him between 1-2 weeks after surgery as a follow up. Then your first fill is about 4 weeks after surgery then about every six weeks you will see him either for a fill or a follow up. More often than not you will also see Ann during those visits. Does he do the fills? Yes, he is the only one that has done my fills. I can tell you this Dr. Akkay and his staff are all about making your Journey successful. Oh yeah if you haven't started an exersice program you should think about starting one. If you just begin walking a little each day and keep record of that. Hope this information is helpful. What time is your appointment if you don't mind me asking. You may want to plan on being there for a while! Tresa

So now that I can work out with weights, I need to know what is the best exercise for upper thighs ? My legs look like the skin is melting off and has tons of celulite on them? I dont care what I look like in a pair of short shorts this is the area just above my knee though. I've been reading that several reps of low weights at least 5 x a week is good? Any advice out there?

WOW, we are in the single digits now. Just 9 more days until I'm in band land! Yesterday was a very busy day, today is busy as well, and tomorrow is too. Matter of fact, this entire week is busy for me between work and all my doc appointments, I'm just a bit stressed today! Yesterday here is how my day went: 8:30 - 11:15 - my preop. Had my blood work done, also an EKG, and chest xrays. I had to fill out and sign a ton of paperwork with the nurse, I paid my part of the hospital which was $43.50. I think I got out cheap on that one, she said the cost was $29,679, the discount rate negotiated with the insurance was $435 and I owed 10% of that. Cool. I had one small problem with the hospital, they had me put in my own words what I was having done and I told them a hiatal hernia repair and lap band. Well the problem was, the doctor didn't send an order for the hernia repair, so that caused a little stink, but the hospital nurse called my docs nurse and I think they got it worked out. 11:45 - I had to get my upper cervical care done at my chiopractor's office, my neck was killing me. I got thru with the doc and swung thru KFC, got an order of boneless chicken wings, hot flavored and tried to eat them in the car, big mistake, too messy and they tasted bad, I ended up throwing them out. I ran by to pick my daughter's skirt up from the alterations place before my next appointment which was at 1:00 pm with the Psych lady. We went over some stress techniques, craving techniques etc. She said I am ready for surgery. I got out of there around 1:50, I had to run to my docs office to take a short quiz they give every Monday from 1:30 - 2:30 (in between that I made a deposit at my bank). I had to show them that I knew about the changes I was about to make. I passed the test. Got thru with them at 2:30. Then I had a 3:00 pm appt with the dietician. We went thru a lot of info. Found out my clear liquid diet is no longer just 48 hours before surgery, but they are now requiring it to be FOUR days before surgery. So Sunday, I will have to start on clear liquids. eeks. I finished with the dieticial at around 4:20, had to meet with the surgeons office at 4:30 to go over the pre-surgery consultation. I didn't get out of his office until after 6:00 - I had a looong day. I had a total of 6 appointments yesterday and managed to fit everyone of them in. I even was able to squeeze in two errands in (picked my daughters skirt up & went to bank). I have to leave today at 11:00 from work to meet with the sleep center people. Then I will go back there tonight at 9:30 and spend the night there for my sleep study test. :notagree . I'm actually looking forward to this, I can sleep all by myself in a huge bed (my DH smothers me at night - he is a snuggler and I am not). My eating was really off yesterday, I could kick myself. However, I will not cheat any more, promise! I ended up eating a dish from Zios, which had some pasta in it. Well, I've got a ton to do at work because I am leaving next week, so I am going to stay focussed at work!

Yes Oct.29 2013 . My 1st month was horrible, due to hematoma from chronic cough right after surgery. It took a little over a month for it to dissolve, so painful. I would do natural childbirth over that any day! But even though I endured that pain I do NOT regret my decision! You will be so happy your WORLD changes...every aspect mark my words you will be ecstatic! Like every surgery there may be a few weeks of depression after prepare, but you may not experience this just keep it in mind and trust in the process.

Can you call your doctor and tell them whats going on and see if you can get a fill sooner? I gained 2 pounds one week and called my doc. I got my 2nd fill two weeks after my first one because my swelling went down a few days after my first till. All i did was call the office and they told me to come in that day!

Hello. I didnt have have to wear an abdominal binder after surgery. My gas pain last for a good week. Walking really helps.

I dont know when you had your surgery but if you did recently thats not unsual to go days or even a week without a bm. doc told me thats normal. Also normal is bowels get a little loose and they will. now about the mirelax, its meant to work gradually. I took it as well and didnt really go to bathroom. doc says there was nothing for it to really push out. whats your diet like right now? are you on protein shakes? liquids? etc etc. I didnt have full bms until i was on regualr diet and eating 3 meals a day

NeeNee- I am 1 week banded and have not had a BM I am glad to see that this is normal - also what type of protenin shake do you drink

I made a post last week about having my gallbladder removed. I had the surgery Friday afternoon. A few people asked me to post when I could to let them know I was ok. For those who were so kind, thank you.

my Dr told me about 3 weeks, it is nice i have become a cheap date, just remember if you would normally drink 2 glasses of wine, typically about 1/2 of one will knock you down.

Thanks so much my first to weeks were the worse with the pain and liquid diet o and the gas

Holy cow! Well done. I lost most of my weight pre surgery as I had to do clear liquids for 4 weeks before and after surgery. I'm 4 weeks out and I am already on a stall ???? my surgeon said 10lbs per month should be my goal. It's the safest way, as I don't want the saggy skin afterwards.

I am 5.5 weeks post op. I don't get drunk easier. I like wine and enjoy a few glasses a week.

I would say the safest thing would be to set a goal of 2 lbs per week. Your Dr would most likely agree. Banders are supposed to lose 1-2 per week. Anything else is awesome! But the average ideally would be 2 per week. It's the healthiest and safest.

@@B-52 usual slip symptoms are a tightening of the band which can happen quite quickly (unlike the tightening caused by a build up of scar tissue which tends to be gradual). It can either be over a few weeks or dramatically quickly. Tightness can vary from increased reflux through to literally being unable to swallow even one's own saliva. It is almost always accompanied by pain, ranging from discomfort to awful!

For me it is all about controlling my hunger and cravings. I know that carbs are the issue I have to watch. I try to avoid all starches like bread, potatoes, rice, and all sweets by not having them around. If I eat them, my appetite, especially for them, increases dramatically. I try to stick with lean meats (chicken, turkey, diet lean burger, shrimp, pork tenderloin, etc.) low carb veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, zuchinni, green Beans, peppers, mushrooms, cucumbers, salad greens, etc), occasionally beans of all sorts, and limited fresh fruits. If I am hungry I bump up my Protein with Protein powder. That way my hunger stays in better control. I was banded April 7 and have had two fills so far and have 2.5cc in my band. I am looking forward to another fill next week. My band is great, but what I put in it makes a world of difference. I am better when I stay away from heavy carbs. The band has helped tremendouly but my chioces make a lot of difference. Good luck wiht your exercise and food choices. It is not easy, but can be done!

Keesh - My skin is a big old mess right now...sounds exactly what you have...I have a whole bunch of very fine bumps on my left cheek and the right side of my chin. I'm not too worried about it just yet because I've had my skin go haywire before when I've completely revamped my diet. That's what I figure caused it. Two weeks of pre-op diet of strictly protein shakes, then liquid diet, then mushies, then soft foods, and now solids consisting of all protein and veggies. I figure it's just a skin detox and it will clear up on it's own. I'm going to give it a couple of months until everything levels out a bit. If it doesn't appear to be getting better then I might consult a dermatologist.

It was 6 to 8 weeks for me before I felt comfortable swinging mainly due to pain from the port incision and the port itself. I think the only danger is dislodging the port. My doctor told me to do whatever I felt up to as well so if you feel good then go for it and stop if you start feeling discomfort. Good luck!

It gets easier. It does. You were just banded and it takes time. I am almost 4 weeks postop and been out of "bandster hell" for almost 1 1/2 now and since then my life has returned to almost "normal". Well, since I am seeing the weight start to drop off I know that this "thing" was the right decision. Your time will come to realize that to. Best of luck

I was like that for the first few weeks post. I'm now 3 months out and it's no longer an issue.

Hi, Has anyone gotten a fill earlier than 4 weeks post-op?

Yes, I had mine at 2.5 weeks post-op and I've just had my second fill at 8 weeks post-op. I didn't notice a lot of restriction with the first fill and I only have a slight increase after the second. I am scheduled for a third on 12 Feb.

You stalled for a whole six weeks? I am freaking out over my week and a half stall! Thanks for the encouraging words everyone, I feel better!

When I read this I sincerely hope that I can end my stalls like that. Or not stall at all. LOL