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the first week in july is my last dr. appointment before we can schedule my surgery. I'm only 23. This thing happened all because an insurance company turned me down because of my weight. I had the chance to sign up for COBRA through aetna since I worked at Starbucks. This was the best thing to happen. The process has been nothing but easy. This is a true answer to prayer. My goal is to get healthy. I'm only 4' 11'' and weight over 212. I'd love to loose 90. God.. and I just want to be in a healthy relationship too. So here begins my journey... GO!

There is an option to monogamy you know. Its called polyamoury. Polyamorous people can have more than one lover at a time. The difference is everyone involved (both lovers, their lovers, etc) all know about each other and are completely ok with it. There are relationships such as triads, where all 3 people are involved with each other (means at least 2 of them are bisexual) or what's called a 'Vee' where I person has two partners. The two partners know about each other and are friends, but don't have any intimate contact with each other. Then partners can have partners as well. If you'd like to know more just send me a private message. I'm polyamorous. My partner was mono before he met me but has decided he'd like to try poly as well. It will be interesting to see how he goes. Michelle

Good morning, So, today makes 3 weeks post op. Weighed in this morning at 224.5 Lbs. That's only 12.5 lbs since surgery on 6-19-07, but I'll take it!!!!:whoo: That's much better than gaining 12.5 lbs right??? Oh well, 84.5 lbs to go, sheeewww, a long journey ahead!!!!:faint:Looking forward to 7-19-07, my next Dr. appt., hoping to get that first fill.

Between January 2005 and January 2006 I lost 53 Kilos doing the Atkins diet. I've since regained 35 of them. So many diets and soooo many failures. I've made two feeble attempts since then losing and gaining 10 kilos each time. In March this year I decided to go ahead with the band. Good thing was my insurer agreed to pay half. I have to say though that's the cheap part, the surgery to remove all of my excess skin at the end of this is what'll bankrupt me. I started my pre-op diet on May 29th and lost 8 kilos in the two weeks leading up to the surgery. I must take some 'before' photos before I lose too much weight.:biggrin:

Ok, so I was banded in Dec. of 2010. I have had 3 fills (if I remember correctly) and I do not know how many cc's. Regardless, I do not have any previous issues eating until recently when I just feel like I am able to eat a ton more. So I scheduled another fill for next week. Well last last, as I was eating, I literally felt a popping sensation in my uppper left stomach area. It wasn't painful. I am not in sever pain thismorning but am definately noting some discomfort in the upper area (not down where the port it at all) and it has me concerned. Could this be slippage? I will be devastated if it is. (Yes I plan on calling the dr's offce they just dont open for a few hours)

I was thinking about this today. Because I have to do optifast pre-op, I was wondering if anyones stayed on optifast post-op as their liquid phase after surgery. I'll ask the Dr when I go in next week but if anyone has done this, I'd be grateful for info.

I'm just getting started on my journey and am 1 week out so i can't relate to losing too much weight however i've wondered about it happening to me. I started off with a lower bmi than some it was 32. I wonder if i'll have this TERRIBLE problem LOL... Just kidding it could really BE a problem I'm curious to see the responses you get. I'm in western Ky. Saw your surgeon is in Lexington! Take Care...

positive band stories are what I look for. I know that not everyone is successful for one reason or other. I have the deepest sympathy for anyone who has serious complications. I am however so grateful that I made the decision to change my life and become healthier and happier. I had my lapband Jan. 15, 2013. At age 66 I had come to the realization that my health was taking a turn that might be irrepairable. Diabetes was worsening, high blood pressure and high cholesterol was threatening my life. My Primary Doctor knew I had tried for many years to lose weight . I had tried every weight loss program and even had a personal trainer. I lost weight but never was able to maintain the loss long enough to change my health issues. Weight loss surgery of any kind is not a guarantee for success but I will say that having my band as a tool has helped me maintain my loss for over 3 years. I hope to see more successful outcomes for everyone. No matter what surgery you choose, the important part is you have taken that step forward to a better life.

I can't wait for that to be a problem of mine. I'm four weeks out...started at 252...now 233 and can't get past it. Hope you stabilize and feel good too congrats on reaching your goal

I got my third fill on 4/29 and I finally feel some great restriction, knock on wood. I never know how long it will last for. I have 6.6cc in a 10cc band. I didn't think my doc would be as aggressive as he was, but he insisted I get a fill every 3-4 weeks. The first fill they gave me 2cc.. great restriction, but it only lasted one week. Then the last two were 1cc each. The second one didn't do anything for me and finally after this last one I feel something. I actually had a sliming incident this morning. It was weird. I normally eat a can of tuna for breakfast, but when I ate two bites this morning, forgetting I had that restriction I took too big of a bite and then I got that stuck feeling, and then the watered mouth.. and then I felt like I was gonna vommit, but didn't. I made sure not to drink as I hear that makes it worse and then it passed. Before I never really had to chew chew chew and take small bites, but now I do. SO, it's cool to see the band finally working for me. I took my dinner super slow.. chew, chew, chewed and just ate maybe a cup or less. I still feel full. I hope this lasts for 4 more weeks as thats how long I have to wait since one of the folks from the fill center quit so all the appnts are backed up 5 weeks! :party:

Well, I think our decision for the Lap Band procedure (self paying patients) as opposed to the Gastric Bypass procedure (OHIP covered) is now made. We investigated both surgeries fully and without bias. We have friends who have used the Gastric Bypass and others who have done the Lap Band. Both have excellent stories of success over the long term and both have stories of difficulties. Overall, the desire to have the cost-free version was strong but the 3-10 year wait list was wholly undesirable. In fact, I would say that if we were a full 100 pounds heavier than we are right now, my husband and I might have actually qualified for emergency surgery and a US destination hospital. Our co-morbidities are relatively non-existant so its off to the bank for us. Anyway, Lap Band is the absolute winner now. Our Consultation is tonight and we expect that all will go swimmingly and our banding will take place in the next 30 days or so no matter where we choose to get the procedure done. As for Canadians out there considering leaving home to get banded... I think you should re-consider whether you are self-pay or insured. We did the math and here is how we saw things... Cheapest is undoubtedly Tijuana, at least the procedure portion. Many of the clinics flooding the internet are from Tijuana, Mexico (usually just refer to themselves as a suburb of San Diego). You can really save thousands of dollars there if you are only considering the banding. Prices range from 5000 USD to 11000 USD and the market there is dominated by a handful of practitioners, some from the US and Canada. Problems we considered are as follows with absolutely no evidence, not even anecdotal, just our own 'WHAT IF' brainstorming. - Hospitals and clinics have unknown standards - Dr's claims to huge surgical numbers are unverifiable - On returning home, complications may result in the removal of your expensive band by Canadian doctors using non-laproscopic methods. - Free follow-ups require traveling to Mexico - No liquid diets noted prior to surgery... does this not put the liver at risk? - Unless you speak Spanish, are you sure you are safe? The United States is the Most Available option for Canadians. There are many practioners all over the country and lots of financing companies willing to help you pay for the procedure. Consider the following... - The US Dollar (at time of writing) is at a 20% premium to our Canadian Dollar which means that you will pay 20% more for everything from travel to lodgings for a few weeks in the host city to the procedure to medications purchased before returning home. - The consultation we had in a good hospital in a good market gave us the cost of the procedure at 16000 USD but they did not provide any free follow-ups after the first year or fills ever. That means that should you decide to return for fills or adjustments you will again pay our in USD. - Even if you decide to get it there and use the clinics up here to fill and follow-up... expect to keep paying and paying. - Should you experience an emergency complication... you may again lose your band the hard way. Finally, Canadian clinics... In our opinion are the Best Choice. For the following reasons and more... - Your dollar is at par... hello!!! its our dollar and their dollar... doesn't change from day to day - Since you will use a clinic close to you... the follow-ups and fills are probably free. - Your band clinic will be contacted for emergency complications and I should hope that your banding doc would have something to say about the band's removal before it happens. - If you have complications that only require a visit within 24-48 hours to your clinic... you can get there! - Your costs outside of the procedure and some medications may only be a night in a local hotel once in a while depending on the distance you are from the clinic. Well, I hope this information isn't too contradictory to anyone else's considerations. It is for these reasons and more that we will choose a clinic within a few hours drive from home in Ontario. Any comments?????

Ok...I'll jump in and post to reply to some of your points. Some of what you said is very valid, other stuff not so much, altho please do not take any of this to be criticism on your thought process !!! I am over 2 years post-op and have emailed, phoned and sat face to face with numerous bandsters who were banded all over the place. Some in Ontario (keep in mind I am in BC), some in Mexico and some like myself, in the US. Saying this is just to say that I have heard plenty of things, both good and bad, from all 3 of the possible surgery scenarios. First of all....Mexico. - Hospitals and clinics have unknown standards True enough, altho I think by reading sites like this one, Obesityhelp.com and the many Yahoo groups available (I name these because it is where I did most of my early pre-band reading) you can learn a lot about different surgeons and clinics in Mexico. I have sat face to face with people in meetinns who went to Tijuana who have told me that they have ~never~ been in a cleaner or more organized facilty anywhere. - Dr's claims to huge surgical numbers are unverifiable Again, I agree, but I would never chose a surgeon that I had not read extensively about and spoken to some of his patients. By reading thru these sites you can easily pick out a few Mexican surgeons that it is easy to tell that they have numerous patients. As well, if you read things about certain surgeons (Dr. Ortiz immediately comes to mind) you will see that they are outstanding in this field and have in fact trained certain 'big-name' Drs both in Canada and the US. (by 'big-name' I mean well known in the bariatric surgery field) - Free follow-ups require traveling to Mexico Yes, however there are plenty of Canadian clinics who only offer short-term or limited 'free' aftercare. - No liquid diets noted prior to surgery... does this not put the liver at risk? I never had any pre-op diet to follow, liquid or otherwise. This is almost entirely dependant of your surgeon and varies greatly, the same as your immediate post-op diet will vary surgeon to surgeon. Another variable my be your health status at the time of surgery and how much weight you have to loose. My surgeon did not put me on a pre-op diet, but I know other people from the same clinic that were required to follow one. This said, there are 2 ladies in my support group who have just recently been banded by Dr. Ortiz in Mexico and they ~both~ were put on a pre-op diet. So Mexico is just like Canada and the US on this point, some require it, some don't. - Unless you speak Spanish, are you sure you are safe? Not at all. These clinics depend on their American and Canadian clients and all speak full English, all the way from the fellow driving the hospital 'taxi' (most clinics provide transportation from the airport to the clinics) to the surgeons. And the US... The US dollar issue is a given. If you manage to have surgery when our $ is good, then it can be good, if our $ is down, it's not so good. You will pay for your aftercare in USD which will fluctuate as the $ goes up and down. - The consultation we had in a good hospital in a good market gave us the cost of the procedure at 16000 USD but they did not provide any free follow-ups after the first year or fills ever. I paid 16000US and my clinic provided free fills for 13 months, free support for life and if I need to have any 'repair' surgery that will also be covered for life. I was happy with that and found it comparable to anything close to me and Canadian. - Even if you decide to get it there and use the clinics up here to fill and follow-up... expect to keep paying and paying. Agreed, but everyone needs to know what is included in their surgery regardless of where you have it done. Plenty of Canadian clinics don't offer free care and fills for your lifetime....so any of us can keep paying and paying. And Canada.... - Since you will use a clinic close to you... the follow-ups and fills are probably free As I said...this is only true ~if~ the clinic you choose offers free care. Everyone needs to be certain of what is included in the cost of your surgery and for how long. - Your band clinic will be contacted for emergency complications and I should hope that your banding doc would have something to say about the band's removal before it happens. Yes and no. I just spoke to a woman in Ontario recently who had some complications with her band and went to emergency at the local hospital. The attending Drs had no idea about 'bands' and were not willing to call her surgeon. They would not access her port to defill her. Her hysband finally took her home after having an IV to rehydrate her, and they called her band clinic once they got home. It is pretty rare to have some kind of complication come up that will require ~immediate~ surgery and removal of your band. I would hazard to guess that in 99% of the cases you would personally be able to contact your surgeon regardless of where s/he is. The people that I know who have been banded in Mexico come home with the surgeons personal cell #, and a 24 hour emergency call #. - If you have complications that only require a visit within 24-48 hours to your clinic... you can get there! Agreed, and this is exactly why I chose the US and not Canada. This will depend on where you are located. There were 2 surgeons in Vancouver for me to choose from for my surgery and I decided that neither were a good fit for me. That left me to either drive to WA state or fly to Ontario. I decided that I wanted to be able to drive to see my surgeon and not worry about a plane ticket and trip across the country. I personally think your post is great. It will give everyone something to think about when they are deciding what is best for themselves. You've pretty much done what I have suggested others do before surgery.....make a pro and con list and see what works best. I'm glad you've decided to go ahead with banding....I honestly don't think you'll regret spending the money, it's an ~amazing~ journey !!! All the best and good luck !!!! Patricia

I'm approaching my 3rd week. I wondered if it was normal. Thanks for the reply!

And one more thing....the gas took about a week to leave my body. But, you will feel gassy when you drink your water or protein drinks. You will also feel bloated because there is swelling from the surgery. The swelling has taken about 2 wks to subside for me. Hang in there. It's just been 3 days.

Hi, I'm 8 months out of surgery. Honestly, I still struggle to get in 60 grams of Protein. I never did protein shakes because they made me sick. I never felt sick in the morning, are you on a ppi? Maybe try a cup of tea. I drank a lot of black tea with a little sugar to help relax my stomach. I also only drink Water, coffee and tea, I hate fake sugar drinks. Ask you doctor what he says you can take for headaches. Your tummy can still be swollen, I'm sure in the next couple of weeks you will notice a difference. Cottage cheese is great early on, it has 15 grams of protein per 1/2 cup. I still eat it a lot. gottagetthere- I've tried I think every protein bar, the softs ones can be too chewy. Also I have not seen a protein bar under 18 grams of carbs, so be careful. I always keep a few in the house if I want something sweet and my carbs are very low. Good luck , soon your going to be feeling great, Janine

OK tomorrow I will be 4 weeks out. Yes that's a good thing. But now on to my questions: 1. What did you do when your Protein shakes made you nauseous? I seriously dread them. 2. Did you feel nauseous every morning when you woke up? When did that stop? 3. Crystal Light tastes so gross to me....what the heck??? So far Water and Gatorade watered down are the only things that taste good. 4. What can we take for headaches? 5. I don't feel like I've lost anything...I have in fact lost about 25 pounds. But I don't feel any different in my clothes. Anyone else feel this way? Sorry I sound so crabby...just some questions that have been on my mind...Thanks VST peeps!!!

Hat would be good things to bring for snacks or to eat at restaurants? We're taking our kids to San Diego (about 6 hours from home) and I'm a little worried what to bring!

I am two weeks post op and I have no trouble getting fluids down and I have started mushies with no problem. However, when I drink the Protein shakes I always feel very nauseated and tired afterwards. Does anyone know why? Both carbs and sugars are low. I haven't had a problem with anything else except these and it really makes it tough to get my protein in. Thanks

I am also having the band placed on the 20th! I was really nervous, but then had an injury at work a week before I was supposed to have this done, and after 2 surgeries that each lasted about 3 times as long as this one is supposed to, I'm feeling alot better about it! I had to fight so long and hard to get this done, I'm just thrilled it's actually going to happen finally! GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF US!

I was 4 weeks out on Tuesday. I've had headaches twice this week so I focused on drinking more Water. We were told we can take adult tylonol liquid. I hate the Protein shakes too. If I drink even 4 oz it comes back up. I know I'm not getting my protein in. I have one opened now in the fridge and sometimes when I walk into the kitchen I'll take a little sip. I use it like medicine. I still can't get even 1/4 cup of mushies down so I don't know how to get the protein in. I may try to find a Protein Bar that is softer. When can you move to solid foods?

One more potluck and I'll scream! I'm 6 weeks post op and I get tired of eating with others. I'm not hungry for their food but I get lonely eating my shakes or taking baby bites in public. I keep getting sick when I eat with others. Any suggestions?

Hi there, I too are in the same boat as you. I had a lapband fitted in 2006 and was 98kgs at that stage and lost weight to 72kgs then for reasons I cant really answer as I was at my prime and feeling really really great and loving my new weight. I will say that I was really strict on no sweets etc and ate very well healthy but no much ashad small meals. Any how I guess it came to a stage that my husband and a freind (who is a solo mum) we all were cycling and then our girls decided that they wonted to start dancning so I gave up that day of the week to cycle so that I could take these girls to dancing. This was the beginning again to me being the one to make sure that everyone was able todothere thing. So over the pas 2 and half years I have put weight on and are back up to 95kg !! So i are back to the start. I feel so guilty as I was a self pay and feel guilty that i have wasted our money. I lost my Dad as well 4yrs ago and Dad was the first person close to me to pass. I have struggled with my weight and have no got to the stage where I just dont know how I did it before. I can eat alot and have a very very sweet tooth which is my downfall. I have a 9ccc band and have 8cc in there at the moment, I are wonering if i have streatched the ouch so much that it no longer works for me. My doc here where I got it from is not really that helpfull and I have had to google info on net to try to get answers and find some form of help. I have also in the past 1yr been to doc and he has put me on depression tablets and I have had about 3 different lots and I still are not sure that they are helping... well they may be but I just wont to have my head back to normal ( well hoe I felt when i was at my happy time with my weight) i jsut cant seem to stay in that mind frame - some days i can be really good then bang! some thing or for wome reason i are back to feeling really sad and depressed and i fight it to get out of it but really its so strong it wears me out. :cursing:Oh i sound like a right blimmon sad lady... but i have really always been the positive one in life and everyone thinks that " Oh how do you always stay positive ..... etc) gee if they only new. So I are at the stage that I really just dont know what to do or how to start over and get that feeling of greatness and positive back in my life and no more of this headachs and being tied all the time and being grumpy and self pitty etc.............. ;0(

2 months post op and I do not regret it. I am amazed how such a small amount if food keeps me satisfied and the 3-4 hours. So much easier than my past dieting. This tool was the missing link in my weightloss success. First week was hellish the gas pains killed me but after that I was back to old me. Eating in public first time was scary but you know what no one cared what I are or how little good luck and this forum is a great place to be as well I read lost daily to stay focused and motivated

All I can say is stay ahead of the problem! I had one of the worst experienced ever when I was constipated about 2 weeks post op. I'll spare you the details, but Miralax has been a lifesaver for me.

Here's my Wal-Mart story--- probably been going on for a few months, but I only realized it yesterday: I no longer have to head for the "handicapped" stall in the restroom. I can close and open the regular stall door easily without having to compress myself against the toilet!!! An unusual NSV!!!