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how many fills does a size 10 band need for good restriction? does anyone know?

Hi - just thought I'd introduce myself! I was banded on the 20th and am still in the liquid phase, I have a post-op appt tomorrow (wednesday) - I'm hopeful they getme on the puree so I can start feeling at least semi-full... I haven't weighed yet but will most likely tomorrow at the appointment. Starting weight - 365 Current Weight - ? Goal Weight - 250 or 225 (not sure how I'll feel when I hit 250, so I may just keep going down from there) Glad to be here - hope to contribute

I had my first fill this afternoon by Jessie at Northwest Weight Loss Surgery and was in and out the door in 10 minutes...that included taking my shoes off, weighing-in and getting the fill! (My doctor does not have his patients do the barium/fluoroscope unless absolutely necessary. I don't know if that is trpical of most doctors or not). Amazingly, I did NOT feel a thing! She was done before I even knew she had done the procedure! (I was staring at the ceiling as she instructed me to do, reading the chart overhead.) The person who did my fill is one of the best in the US and wrote the book: [ame=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0595311148/qid=1130296666/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-8191535-1545448?v=glance&s=books]Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding: Achieving Permanent Weight Loss with Minimally Invasive Surgery[/ame] by Jessie H. Ahroni Ph.D. A. R. N. P. After filling me up with 1.5 cc she had me move to her office and drink about 5 ounces of Water before I could leave. I tolerated it well but could definitely tell there was a difference. My restriction has been pretty good so should be even better now! I pb'd this morning for the first time. I was running late so woofed down a few bites of scrambled Egg Beaters...wrong move! Took me 15 minutes to recover (burp..pb...burp...pb...burp) then off to the dentist I went...and of course I was now running late for my appointment...to have even more fun for the day...pb-ing and the dentist!!!! I could only eat a half cup of food for dinner tonight (I've been able to eat quite a bit more then that previously) and I felt satisfied so hopefully will start dropping pounds again. After a 27 pound loss, I went up a couple of pounds...eating too much soft food like cream Soup, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes (I know not the best idea!) and yogurt. I was eating meat and veges too but usually had one or two of the mushies with my meal. I can eat a cup of popcorn...no problem but bread is a no, no. I'm sure learning as I go. What a journey it is!!! I love it!

Hello All, I just discovered your forum this morning and am very excited to find you. I have been researching and learning about the LapBand for some time now. My surgery is scheduled for this coming Thursday, 10/20 at 9:30am. My surgeon is Dr. Randal Baker from MMPC in Grand Rapids Michigan. My PCP first suggested that I look into this surgery last May. I attended my orientation session at MMPC in July and have been stepping through the process every since. I am 49 years old, married, have 3 children--ages 13, 15 and 17. I work full time in an administrative position. My health has been my last priority for quite a few years now. I am struggling with high blood pressure (on medication for that) and have osteoarthritis in my knees. I had surgery on my left knee back in August and still am recovering. My weight has peaked at 232 lbs. I am 5'5" tall. I have finally decided that I must do something to lose significant weight and regain my health. I am very anxious and excited to begin this adventure. Any suggestions or advice as I prepare for Thursday is greatly appreciated. Thank you. Suzanne K

Hello all! well I survived! All in all it was a pleasant experience, and the nurses were extremely nice. I arrived approx 6:10 am, pre-op was a breeze, spoke with Dr and Anesthesiologist. At approx 8:45 they put some anesthia in my IV and I was out right away, don't even have memory of being wheeled into OR. Next thing I knew I was in recovery! In quite a bit of pain, but they asked if I was OK - I said not really and they gave me some pain med thru IV. I did the breathing exercices 8 times, then the nurse helped me get dressed and I was off to the bathroom. No problem there! Yea! From there I was off to do the barium swallow and everthing went fine.. have a nice pic of it going thru. Then I went to step down and had to sip a full 16.9oz bottle of Ozarka Water before I could go home.... that was a bit of a surprise; I didn't expect to be able to drink that much Fluid right after. I felt so groggy and tired. My Mom arrived just before I finished all of the water and got the discharge instructions, it was cool & raining when we left. Little bumpy ride home -pillow helped tremendiously! Stopped to drop off Rx and then it was off to rest at my parents house, take some liquid tylenol and chewable gas-x. All the IV fluids are making me go to the bathroom every 45 minutes or so!! On a realllly positive note, when they weighed me this morning I was 234.0 !!! At my last appt in May I was 246.5 I'm still at my parents, my son and I will leave soon so I can get him ready for school tomorrow.. I was really trying for surgery on a Thursday or Friday but could not work out the schedule. I hope I have enough enery to help him get up tomorrow. thanks to everyone for the support!

I will be banded on 10/28 and want to be excited, but do not have the support of my family. My husband is supportive so that helps. I am starting to question my decision now, and feeling a little depressed.

According to the Farmer's Almanac, tomorrow is the best day to quit smoking this month. I'm quitting! Want to join me? :smoke :smoke :smoke :smoke :smoke :smoke :smoke :smoke :smoke :smoke :smoke :smoke :smoke :smoke :smoke :smoke :smoke :smoke :smoke :smoke :smoke :smoke :smoke :smoke :smoke

:nervous WELL, TOMORROW IS MY DAY FOR SURGERY. RIGHT NOW I AM A BIT NERVOUS ABOUT IT BUT YET VERY EXCITED. MY FAMILY IS KINDA SCARED BUT VERY SUPPORTIVE, MY FIANCE IS MORE SCARED THAN I AM!!! I JUST CAN'T WAIT TO GET UP IN THE MORNING AND GO TO THE HOSPITAL, I HAVE TO BE THERE AT 6:30 A.M. PLEASE KEEP ME IN YOUR PRAYERS AND I WILL LET YOU KNOW ALL ABOUT IT ON TUESDAY WHEN I GET BACK HOME.

Well, I've Finally Finished With All My Pre-ops And I Finally Got A Date For My Surgery (9-19-05). Now The Wait Is On My Insurance Approval, Hopefully I Won't Be Denied. I'd Hate To Have To Wait Any Longer For This Surgery Cause I Am So Anxious To Have It Done And Be Part Of Lapband Gang. Does Anyone Have Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield? If So, Please Let Me Know If They Are Easy To Approve For Lap Band Surgery. My Surgeon, Dr. Chaudry, Says He Believes It Won't Be A Problem With Insurance And That I Should Have A Reply Within A Week From Them, But Just The Waiting Is So Stressful. Anyway, If Anyone Has Any Feedback On Empire B/c B/s, Please Advise Me. Thanks

I Got Banded By Dr. Wade Barker (he Was Great) On Fri. 08-19-05. Im Doing Great Thanks To All For Yor Help.

Hey everyone, Well I was approved and am so excited! I have a 8/10 surgery date! Please goive me all the advice I need. I am getting a little nervous! I am looking forward to the rest of my life! I am afraid though that once I have the band I will be afraid to eat. Has anyone else had the same fear? What other fears have you had. What did you find easy? What did you find hard?

I was banded 7-19-05. So far I've lost approximately 10 lbs. I got my staples removed yesterday, but I am still in soooo much pain! When will it not hurt anymore? Can anyone help?

Hi because of you (mellisa)i am really thinking of doing it...i live in forest park ,IL and i called your dr.fred..very nervous and looking for a lil support so here i go HELP!!!!!!!!...LOL i've been trying to find out how painful it really is which is my only fear...for the ladies i had a hys about 3 years ago if its even close to that im gonna back out......so plz tell me Should Ann Band PLEASE IF ANYONE MAN OR WOMAN CAN EXPLAIN A LIL ABOUT THE PAIN..

i really havent been hungry and today i am starving..i am still on full liquids(yogurt,pudding,soup).. i dont know why today i feel like i could just binge but i know i cant. HELP!!!! it is very frustrating!

i am 10 days out today and i still feel so strange on my left side.. the only way i can describe it is like when you are pregnant and the baby is pushing on you ribs .. i actually feel like i have a baby on my left side.. please tell me some of you recent banders know what i am talking about,because i am starting to think something is wromg:cry

we should start a contest how many different sizes we have in our closets personally I have from 24 to size 10 I keep them all because I always have that hope I will fit in to them someday how many sizes do you all have

It is official, I am now in a size 10 pants What a thril this is for me, I can not remember the last time I wore a size 10. Went shopping yesterday and today and bought 3 pairs size 10 capris The scale has not moved much for me the last month or so but the inches are coming off. So for those of you who are discouraged the scale is not moving, do not fret, your probably losing inches..I'm living proof What I weigh is not as important as how I look & how I feel and right now I'm feeling pretty damn good!!! Just thought I share my fantastic NSV with all of you I LOVE MY BAND!!! 14 lbs to goal :banana

Okay, I just need a place to post thoughts and lists and "nerval" musings and it's 10 days to my surgery date, the last place I need to be is on this dumb ole computer...grrrr...but I need you guys!!!! SO, I am changing my avatar temporarily to Jammin Jamie's little pee-pee dancer man (if I can FIND it!!) just because I'm getting really excited. I'll go get back my pretty "Blossom-y" wreath I share with Hopefull when I get back. Ya'll don't have to cheer me on just yet, I'll just journal my pre-op jitters away...Here goes!!!!!!!!! WoooooooHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

I have to share it here, my DH is clueless about why my NSV's bring me sheer ~J.O.Y~. 1.Let me say I feel giddy inside. Like I'm a little kid and Christmas is coming, but it's every day that I feel this way. 2. I LOVE how my back feels soooooo much better, my hips don't hurt every time I sneeze, cough, roll over in the middle of the night, or when I bend over. 3. My house is cleaner, and I actually WANT to paint, redecorate, etc... 4. I'm actually EXERCISING!!! ME? Exercising??? Yes!!!! I can't believe it, and the best part about it is, I actually LIKE it!!! Plus, my sister, my best friend, and my neighbor are so excited that I'm exercising that they want to do it with me! 5. I'm a nicer mom, I feel like I am enjoying my children in a way that I've never enjoyed them. And I've only lost 22 lbs!! 6. I enjoy the "fun stuff" with my DH sooo much more (yes, the REALLY fun stuff!!) 7. My right knee doesn't hurt anymore, and it's been at least 3 years since it hasn't hurt! 8. My stomach is the flattest it's been since before I got pregnant for my first baby. I can't believe how great that feels. 9. I got to donate my sz. 22 jeans, and buy 18's. I havent worn that size since 1990!!! 10. I can bend over and not feel like my face is going to rupture from the pressure. Wow! What an amazing thing! I could list a dozen more. Most importantly, I feel like I have so much more to look forward to. And I want to add... I don't always respond to the posts on this board, but I do read them, and they are an important part of my day. Each triumph, every heartache, everyone elses scale and NSV's, every word of advice, wisdom and encouragement are taken to heart and have an important part in how I now see MY world, and my thoughts, prayers and best wishes are there every time I read someone elses post. This board matters........I wouldn't have gone to Mexico without everyones encouragement and advice. And knowing that this board was here for me when I got home was one of the reasons I went through with going to Mexico and got my "wonder band" Thanks to you all. You're simply wonderful and greatly appreciated!

I'm 27 years old and I'm flying to Monterrey Mexico on March 31 to have lap band surgery with Dr. Rodolfo Sanchez. I'm also going to have cosmetic surgery (nose and chin) with Dr. Cardenas. In the last 10 years I have had countless struggles with my weight. I've been on every diet from Weight Watchers to Jenny Craig to Atkins, name it and I've done it. Some were successful, most were not. I will have my one year wedding anniversary in a few months and I still haven't ordered any wedding photos because I can't bear to see myself in them. I've had serious depression for the last five years and will not go out with friends or relatives because I'm ashamed of how I look. Most recently, I refused to attend my father-in-law's funeral because of the shame. I've been so consumed with my image lately that I'm afraid my husband will get tired of it and leave. I'm 5'9 and weigh 245 pounds. My goal weight is 150. I'm sorry to drag this on, but has anyone had surgery with either of these two surgeons? I'm terribly frightened and I'd appreciate any reassurance anyone can offer...

Well it's been a week and a day since I got my LB. I don't know how much I've lost becasue I am waiting for my first post op Dr. visit on Mar 15 for that. Anyway, I know I've lost weight because I am able to fit into a lot of pants that haven't fit in a long time. Today I decided to try on a pair of khaki cargo pants I had in a box in the closet(yeah, my "skinny clothes" box) They fit! Size 50! A week and two days ago I was tightly fitting into a 54! And guess what I found in the front pocket? $10! And today is even my birthday! WAHOOO!!!

Brighteyes, best of luck Tuesday, January 11, when you get your band! Now get that hip replaced and you'll be good to go! Really, take care, have a smooth surgery and easy recovery! Please come back here and let us know how you're doing!

Tracie, sending you (((hugs))) and prayers for a non-eventful banding and a minimum pain recovery time. You've done your research and you have a wonderful surgeon. Now get your band and get out there and enjoy life to it's fullest w/your precious family. Best of luck to you!

Hey Newbies and those seeking info.... I went to Mexico to Dr. Rumbaut in Monterrey . I was self pay . I had my surgery 10/19/04 . I was as much as 224 in the spring of 2004 by the day of surgery 213. I am now 188 12/23 -30.6 pounds ( since beginning liquid two weeks prior to surgery.) I was new to this board and had a million questions before I decided to go through with it. It has been great so far!! My bad habits of overeating have been stopped in it's tracks. Some of you may be twice my beginning weight---- but so what.....in five years or less I would be that weight . I just got here sooner --that's all....I urge you to consider this great Lapband and that you frequent this fantastic board. The info here is invaluable. And that is the truth. Happy Holidays to all!!!

Hello Everyone, Well, I decided to go for the lapband and do the self pay with Dr. Jossart here in S.F. California. I will pay 12,500 and 4,000 for five years of follow up care for fills ect. I was going to try and find Dr. Ortiz but thought it would be easier on my children in I had it done close to home for one night. I just adopted my son eight months ago and really feel uncomfortable being away for too long. I have been home on disablity for over a year and think it is time I do something so I can really enjoy my children. I blew a disk and need to replace my left hip from a football accident that happen when I was 12. So I am doing the lapband ad my 1st procedure. My partner had gastric by-pass August 2003 and has lost 130 pounds. During that time my 8 year old daughter started to fall apart and came to believe we were not ever coming back. When we were in Kaiser there were a lot of complications for my partener and it turned into a 14 day hospital stay versus 5 days. She almost died and another woman did died. I was so overwhelemed with all the complications I saw. So for my children's sake who are 8, 7, and one I thought I'd keep in short and sweet in hopes of keeping their anxiety down and so I'd be around I chose the lapaband. It was hard because I would most likly have full coverage for the by-pass with Kaiser. I hope to recoup some of the money when I start feeling better and earning some extra money later down the line. I keep telling myself that I am worth it and I will be able to pay off the money as I get better. I watched Oprah the other night and they had done a special on a woman who had been 500 pounds. She lost 301 after by-pass surgury. Her story motivated me to do something. I too keep telling myself I can beat this by .... and the years keep passing and the medical problems keep mounting as my weight creeps up and up. She talked about the pain she was in and how she had come to accept it as normal and that she had some to point she was unable to move. Even though I am 300 pounds I feel the same way. I am in pain all the time and move more like I am eight verus 38. I need the help and while some have asled whya message I am sending my daughter by having used surgury to loose weight I hope that by being healthier they will follw my example of eating well and caring for myself. In fact, my daughter came in and saw some of Oprah with us and said something like you need to sweat to loose wieght like her to loose weight ...right. I don't think she gets that the surgery part is a tool but she inderstands the life style changes are necessary for me to feel better. I simply told her it was my turn to get better. My partner is better and while it seems that the weight loss with the lapband is slower I hope to loose 100 pounds. I am scared but I hope to be a sucess like so many people here. Thanks for listening to me ramble. The baby is up and I need to go. I hope all is well for everyone here. Take care, Melanie :banana