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Hello! I am not banded YET... I am working on selecting a doctor. I have a consult with 2 different ones to see which one I like best and who can get me in the soonest. My mother is a dietitian so I know where you're coming from as well because she is overweight. As I have told my mother since she is considering the surgery..... it is a great place for her to start and you as well. You could actually help the lapband communities with your knowledge. If I was you I would use the band to make write diets specific to the lapband... and to educate those that have it on nutrition and staying healthy... Putting a metal ring aroudn the stomach miight make us lose weight but it wont give us the nutrition we need... thats where you could come in Thanks for checking in and we look forward to seeing you around the community.

You've maintained the weight you lost, and that's a great thing, and managed to continue losing. Good luck picking up the pace again, and be proud of your accomplishment to date!

It was very different for me. My PCP referred me to the hospital in my area. They have a weight loss program. Either by diet group meetings or weight loss surgery. Then they check and recheck for health problems. They submit the paperwork to insurance company. You wait for denile or approval. Then go from there. Very different.

I thought I was feeling my band too. I felt a lumpy thing right in the center of my ribs. (Not my port...that's farther down and to the right.) Anyway, I asked my doc about it and he snickered and said that it's definately not my band because the band is too far inside to feel from the outside. I guess as we lose weight we just start feeling parts on our body that we haven't felt for a long time!!!!! I can actually feel ribs and my hip bones too and I haven't been able to do so since childhood!

Stepping on the scales a few days ago to realise that I had cast aside the title of "morbidly obese" was almost as thrilling at when I first discovered Sicilian lemon pudding. Almost. As I left the bathroom, adorned with my new proud banner of "obese", I was mentally working out when my next heavy-weight title adjustment to "overweight" would be. Perhaps I wasn't savouring my obese label with as much pureed relish as I should have been. What it took to lose my "morbid" moniker! The one thing about slowly shedding a life-long disability is the dawning realisation that you may well not be fully ready to throw away the crutches and run as soon as you would like. Having hidden behind morbidly obese for so long and realising that in a few months I would be just overweight started to make me feel a little edgy. What excuses would I be able to conjure up when I didn't fancy going for a walk? What reason could I give for feeling depressed some days? What lies could I make up for the reasons I never made it as a singer? I remember being filmed for a documentary for the Discovery Health channel and giving the sob-story that my songs would never make it because no one wanted to see a man of my weight on stage. I didn't conform to the marketable beauty that all rock and pop stars must have. Soon, my only excuse will be that my music just isn't that good. It's a scary prospect that I may well have to admit that to myself one day and not blame the belly. Such massive life adjustments, whether for the best or not, are bound to be scary. It's new territory that I am totally unused to. I can't remember ever being anything but fat and, this time next year, I will be in the nerve-wracking zone of a normal, healthy weight. I just have no idea what lies ahead because of this change. Also, moving on from a long-term relationship into a small flat on the other side of town brings an even greater anxiety of uncharted seas ahead. In the old days (ie last month), I would take a short overview of the situation and settle down with a big fat steak - and forget it all. Bury my head in the sand of that huge unending desert that is emotional gorging. Now those wastelands are not part of my life - I have to find a new way of dealing with my upsets and fears. Maybe, just maybe, I will have to...gulp...deal with it! All this change and personal turmoil is certainly going to be one interesting ride and I think the best and only thing to do is sit back, watch it all happen and enjoy the ride. Originally posted at: Lap Band Blog

Congrats on losing the weight pre-op and welcome to LBT (Lapbandtalk) and the Jan 08 bandsters! 2lbs. is nothing, you'll do it!

Over a long period of time it is almost comical how many different surgeons have so many opposite requirements. They are working for all of us though and that is what is important. My husband eats less than I do, but he is motivated to keep losing more weight while I am happy to be where I am.

As of this morning I have lost 70 lbs!!!! I was ecstatic. I have never lost this much weight in my life. This journey has not been easy. I have to work hard. I watch what I eat and I exercise. It's not fun when you are on vacation and can't really enjoy yourself at a restaurant because you know if you're not careful food can easily get stuck and bam you need to find a bathroom. On a recent trip to Disney World I couldn't enjoy myself at Chef Mickey's because I kept getting stuck. I spend the majority of my dinner running to the bathroom. It sucked. What was even more embarassing is we were eating lunch at our hotel and there wasn't a restroom around and I got stuck and had to throw up right there at the table. That was pretty embarassing. Thank god there weren't alot of people around and I got myself unstuck asap. Anyway, my 1 year goal is to be in onederland. I am 43 lbs away. I'm sure with hard work I will reach my goal.

As of this morning I have lost 70 lbs!!!! I was ecstatic. I have never lost this much weight in my life. This journey has not been easy. I have to work hard. I watch what I eat and I exercise. It's not fun when you are on vacation and can't really enjoy yourself at a restaurant because you know if you're not careful food can easily get stuck and bam you need to find a bathroom. On a recent trip to Disney World I couldn't enjoy myself at Chef Mickey's because I kept getting stuck. I spend the majority of my dinner running to the bathroom. It sucked. What was even more embarassing is we were eating lunch at our hotel and there wasn't a restroom around and I got stuck and had to throw up right there at the table. That was pretty embarassing. Thank god there weren't alot of people around and I got myself unstuck asap. Anyway, my 1 year goal is to be in onederland. I am 43 lbs away. I'm sure with hard work I will reach my goal.

I know what everyone is going through trying to find a great plastic surgeon - so I want to share mine! If you are in NYC (or willing to travel), Matthew Schulman is great. He specializes in weight loss patients and has great credentials. I had a tummy tuck and my breasts done and am thrilled with the results. I am scheduled to go back in June for my arms. I originally found him because he spoke at my supprot group a year ago. I was impressed, so I did my research (is "googling" considered research?) and found more about him on ObesityHelp.com and his own website i(madisonavenueplasticsurgery.com). I don't think you will be disappointed.

My doctor told me it was based on the initial weight. I have Blue Cross Blue Shield and my policy allowed a BMI of 35 if 2 or more co-morbidities were present. Since I have diabetes and sleep apnea I was approved no problem. My BMI was 39

Hi. My husband was sleeved back in July and has really learned a lot from you guys. Now I am considering surgery too. I have lost about 50 pounds just following the diet he eats, (but admittedly eating a little more). I am going to start my 6month diet as required by our insurance company this month. I am wondering, if I continue to lose weight on my own will they turn me down for the surgery? I am still diabetic and have high blood pressure. I need to lose about 100 more pounds to be healthy. I know that I can't continue eating just the little bits without some sort of help, like a sleeve.

I had a RNY gastric bypass surgery 21 months ago and am well pleased with the results. One of the things that I found out after surgery was that I completely loss my hunger. It was not hard to lose weight when hunger was not constantly gnawing at my bones. I went from a size 3X to a size small in shirts and from a 46 in pants down to a size 33. I ran across a few people in our support group who had lap bands and switched to gastric bypass. In one case the band wore into his stomach and it had to be removed. In another, the band was installed too restrictively. One of the individuals who underwent this change was very pleased by the results.

I gained 10 pounds after surgery. I asked to get on the field during one of my walks around the hospital floor. I was flabbergasted when I saw the extra weight. That came off in about a week and a half. I had my sleeve on 12/5. I've lost 23.7 from my starting weight before surgery. I'm starting to slow down now. I think I need to pick up the exercise a bit more Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

So you are at least eating softer foods. But the preparation is not so great. Fried is fried. And will add tons of calories from bad fats. 11 days doing this is not good. I'm just gonna tough love this for you. FOLLOW your doc's plan for you and don't advance your diet. Liquid phases SUCK GIGANTIC GREEN ONES! But truth? Suckitupbuttercup. We ALL had to do it. You get through it. You do not have to LIKE your protein drinks. You simply HAVE to do it. Sadly, the first 2 weeks are when most of us feel the least like eating--so consequently we eat very little and eat only protein. And so we are 2 weeks into breaking a bad food habit. Most of us had 2 weeks liquids up front so 2+2=4weeks out. Supposedly it takes 3 weeks to build a new habit. And now that you are having your shenanigans, you are starting your brain and behaviors back at ground zero. My advice? If you can't be compliant at 11 days, you need to get to your RD, your surgeon, and a psych. Cuz you need counseling to work through the head work. The first 2 months is when we lose the most amount of our weight. Don't squander this opportunity to change your life and heal you legs and self image--heal your blood pressure. Write out an index card with your WHY on it and post it on your fridge and mirror. WHY did you have this surgery?!! WHY! Keep a focus on that. Make good and healthy food choices. Get your protein in according to your doc's phase.

Hi Everyone::confused: I am getting banded on August 11, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. I have met my doctor via my best friend whom is a cardiologist and whom know what I have gone through all my life with my overweight, the issues of been overweight, the depression, health issues and lately the lack of self esteme. My doctor will give me a letter resuming procedure done and follow up instructions when I return to the United States, my only concern is, Will there be any doctor in the area of North Jersey (Passaic County) whom can take care of my fills and post operation follow ups?, if any one can give me suggestions, I am open to them. On the other hand, I have decided to have my surgery overseas, first because I am from Dominican Republic, Second because the Doctor was highly recommended to me, and third, because I have no Health Insurance and would not be able to afford it in the US (the cost out of pocket in US is between $20,000 and 35,000), my doctor is only charging me $7,000 as a package and includes everything from surgery, to one of the most known and professional hospitals in my country, I mean everything. Then I decided to go for it. I am actually 230 pounds, which I have accumulate during the last 4 years, been 5'2" it put me with a BMI of over 40, plus High Cholesterol, High Tryglicerids, High Blood Pressure and High Glucosse levels. I just want to be able to improve my health and self esteme. Believe me I have always been a chubby girl, my weight was always fluctuating between 140 and 165 pounds, but never this high. I need as much information as possible about this type of surgery, and if anyone knows a support group or seminar I can attend before my surgery date, I will really appreciate if you can give me the information. I have lots of expectatives about this new journey, and I know I will make it, but I need lots of support and information from people whom have already gone through this, and I am open to suggestions. I thank all of you for reading this thread and thank you in advance for any comments and suggestions you might give me.:blushing: Belkys

Hi I have had the band now 4/5 weeks and was doing really well lost 12lbs but now I seem to be putting the lbs back on. My first fill is on the 18 November and am very worried I will but all the weight back on before the first fill. I know you are new to the band like me and wondered if you could give me some advice. Can you bring the first fill forward. Many thanks

Mine is just to the left under my rib cage not uncomfy just anoying now the weight is gone, i can feel it more now !!

I was told when it was time for my second fill, that he would not fill me. I was making all the right food choices and losing weight so there was no need for a fill. I was upset because I was counting on the fill. I went back two weeks later and told him I was starving and starting to slip back to some old foods, and I told him to either unfill me or to fill me.... he filled me. When you have just the right fill, this lapband works like magic. When you are overfillled, it can be hell. If you continue to lose weight without starving, you are doing the right thing. Good luck!

If there are any more surgeons in reasonable distance to your Canadian location, make the calls. The only other thing I can think of is to contact your surgeon and see if he/she can intervene with a Canadian surgeon near you; they may be personally acquainted. For now, take a look at the "surgeons" tab near the top of your screen. Perhaps you can find someone near you whom you haven't already contacted. I wish I could refer you to someone, but I don't know of anyone. It would help others in Bariatric Pal to help you if you post your location -- city and province. Also post in the forum for general weight loss surgery discussion/Canadian support group (I expect there is one). You do need to see someone because of the pain you're having. I'm guessing that your last adjustment took place in the Middle East? When the Fluid added turns out to make it difficult to eat, it's important to go back right away -- within a few days at the most, not six months later. If drinking the Water we're given at the time of an upward adjustment is difficult, it's important to say so on the spot.

Just have to echo everything here. Here's the tough love portion of our show: Do you HONESTLY think that it is ok to NOT BE ABLE TO EAT for weeks at a time?!?!?!?!?! C'mon, I know losing weight is fun, but death isn't. Go see your doctor and please come back and let us know what the good doctor says. end of my tough love...I say it cuz I care

If you haven't already - contact your doctor!! This is not normal. You may be dropping weight fast, but it's not healthy. You need to find out what is going on.

First things first: I'm two weeks post-op today and feeling better everyday. This past Saturday we went to the mall and walked around for about an hour, went to the grocery store, and then ran some other errands. I felt pretty good minus the Texas heat (106 degrees). I'm still experiencing some left-side pain and I've stopped taking the Hydrocodone because it's not doing anything anyway. Inspite of that, last night, I did sleep completely on my stomach for about 4 hours and it wasn't too bad. Today I had an unseasoned egg white. That was a new experience because I'm not used to eating food without seasoning but I figured that was the safest way to go for now. As for the numbers, I am down 29 pounds since surgery and 40 total (I lost 11lbs. pre-op). I attribute that to a couple of things but namely just having some pep in my step and trying to find some way to move around and do the most intense exercise I can do within my doctor's guidelines. My go to protein shake is 220 calories and 32g of protein. During the full liquids stage (first two weeks after surgery), I got about two of those down each day. Of course, it took all day long to do so but where there's a will, there's a way. On to more pressing topics.... When I decided to consider having this procedure, I signed up on a popular WLS blog just to glean some information from individuals who had undergone this procedure. Some of the input was good, and some of it was rather asinine. But, what I did notice was an underlying air of unnecessary desperation. Before I get into this, I want to let anyone who may be reading this know that "mascot" in this case means someone who is the embodiment of negative stereotypes assessed to a group of people. With that said, I was surprised at how many individuals on the WLS boards take on the role of a mascot when it comes to overweight/obese individuals. WLS boards appear to be littered with tales of people who hide Hershey Bars in the closet, don't go out in public, cry themselves to sleep, lament about never having tried out for the volleyball team, didn't go to their high school reunion, can't get a date, don't play with their children, etc....I sometimes read these tragic stories and wonder how and why people end up like that just because of their weight. When I look back at my upbringing, I am so grateful that my parents did not allow us to use our physical appearance and how society may feel about it as a way out of participating in life. I've never been thin. I was always the tallest one and I always had extra weight. But, my parents taught me that I can do anything I want to do. Never once did it cross my mind to not try out for the swim team because of my weight. I was good, why wouldn't I try out? Never once did it occur to me to not sign up for summer Track and Field because of my weight. Never once did it cross my mind to not go to the prom because of my weight. Never once did it cross my mind to lock myself in my house because of my weight. Never once did it occur to me that I should be meek, apologetic, or sad because of my weight. If anything, it was a badge of honor knowing that I was setting an example for other people letting them know that just because you have extra weight on you doesn't mean that you can't excel at sports, go to the prom, date a cute guy, speak up for yourself and all of the other things that unbeknownst to me are supposed to be reserved for people who are height/weight proportionate. This concerns be more because I truly believe that you pass your junk onto your progeny. This became clear to me when I taught Kindergarten. There was an obese child in my class and her mother was obese. The mother had the same tragic thing going on where she only left the house to pick her children up from school because she was embarrassed about her weight (yes, she told me this). On field day, her daughter, a born chatterbox, sat out of every single event by pretending that she needed to tie her shoe. I watched her stand at the start line and by the time the school secretary got to "set", she would bend down, untie her shoe and slowly tie it back up so that by the time she was done, the race was over. We all knew why she was doing it. The saddest part is that at 5 years-old, she had already learned that because of her weight, she should automatically exclude herself from the same privileges of childhood in which every other child gets to partake. Repeat: exclude herself. None of us told her she couldn't participate. None of the games had a weight limit. She placed the limit on herself. That was 4 years ago. I can only hope that in 15 years, she won't be someone who is steeped in regret about what they never did in life because she was/is overweight. As I read through the WLS sites, my long-held thoughts on the matter are confirmed. I read posts and wonder when the individual learned to limit themselves because of their weight and who taught them to do so. To me, it's a tragedy to be 25, 30, 40+ and never have lived out anything you wanted to do because of how much you weigh. We all get down about something every now and then, but to stay down for an extended period of time, that's where it becomes troublesome. So instead of waiting until you're at your preferred weight or until you can wear a size __ to do what you want to do, know you can do, would like to try to do, would like to learn to do, do it now.

Exercise yes, but food intake is crucial! Lower your calorie intake and write down every bite of food that goes in your mouth instead of "trying to watch what you eat". No fun, however it usually works. Best of luck. I wish I was that close to my goal!! Congratulations on your amazing weight loss thus far! :Dancing_sorry: