lindsay

Hi everyone! :wave: I'm glad to see some folks in AZ. I attended a seminar with Dr. Michael Orris at WLIAZ in Tempe on Feb 7th, gone through all my goals and my surgery is scheduled for next Monday, March 19th. It's gone super-fast, but I'm excited and a little nervous. I am on the pre-op 2 week liquid diet right now. It's tough but I'm proud to say I have not cheated. I've lost 12lbs so far and can't wait to lose more. The support on this site is tremendous. Thank you everyone.

:bump::bump::bump::bump::bump::bump::bump::bump::bump::bump:

Hi Everyone... I am a ways away from getting any reconstructive surgeries, but I was curious if anyone out there could/would recommend any surgeons in particular in AZ. Also, I have United Health Care.... was anyone able to get their plastic surgery covered by UHC after having the Lap Band? Thanks and Good Luck Everyone! :wave:

Wombat gives great advice... start very slow and chew, chew, chew. Take a small bite and give yourself a minute or so before taking another bite. Be sure to not drink while you are eating of course. And for me I have found often after fills its easier to eat crunchy than mushie. Everyone is different. Just work your way up. Best of luck!

Myoplex Carb Sense Chocolate Fudge for sure!!! I love these. I purchase them at Vitamin Shoppe. Served really cold they are great, filling, and I know I'm getting good quality protein with fewer carbs and calories. Best of luck everyone!

I'm 26. Banded 3/19/07 in Arizona. Good luck everyone!

Every experience is different I'm sure. The fill itself takes less than 15 minutes. However..... at my docs office I end up waiting around for at least an hour to see him.. :phanvan I always go late in the afternoon and by then he is a bit behind (to say the least). I'm sure if you tell them your situation they would do anything possible to move you along. Aside from being back on mushies for 48 hours, I can return to all my normal activities.

Yummy Yummy! I went out and got the non-fat, no whip, sugar free, cinnamon dolce latte after reading this thread. My first starbucks since being banded. I couldn't even finish the tall but boy was it yummy!!

Hi There, While everyone is different. It sounds like you are able to eat much more than you should be. My surgery was 3/19, I received my first fill 4/19 and got my 2nd fill today. I suggest expressing your concerns with your doc and they might see you sooner. If they still say no, be sure to ask why! As for your caffeine question... my RD said no caffeine right before or after surgery but I can have coffee, tea, etc now. Again, I can only recommend you ask your doc's office their reasons. Good Luck

hi SirGeorge, I had some difficulty with those items after my first fill, but try to work your way up to those items. And of course, remember to take small bites, eat slowly, and chew, chew, chew! Good Luck!

hlayne, Sorry to hear about your troubles. I just got home from my 2nd fill and everything seems to be okay so far. I'm doing liquids for the first 24 and feel good. Good luck!

Reading this thread, all I can say is... wow. I was so disappointed in myself thinking I wasn't losing fast enough, blaming myself, etc. It's nice to know I'm not alone. Strange thing is I've dropped dress sizes from a 20 to 16 so that's encouraging. I just want to get to Onederland! I guess we all lose at different rates anyway. I go in for my 2nd fill 5/17, hopefully it will get me that much closer to my 'sweet spot'. Congratulations to everyone. Keep on working at it! We will get there! :hug:

I too love the Myoplex lite shakes.. the carb sense ones are good too. An alternative to shakes are the IDS sports protein tubes. Only 3 ozs, 176 calories and 41 grams of protein! Great for on the go since they don't need to be refrigerated. I found them at Vitamin Shoppe.

I just got my first fill last Thursday and what a difference! :biggrin1: Who was your primary doc? Orris or DeBarros?

I could not be more excited for my first fill. I was banded on 3/19/07 and will be getting my first fill exactly one month post-op (4/19/07). I was starting to get depressed - I was feeling like I could eat anything (and I was starting to). I pray this fill brings me some restriction to get me back on track. Good Luck Everyone! :clap2:

Thanks Julie! I was beginning to feel like the momentum had died and now with my first fill that the momentum will pick up again. Maybe it's partially mental, but I hope it will help me to eat less. :pray: :pray: :pray: Thanks for all the support!

I'm not nervous right now, but may get nervous closer to Thursday. I'm just glad I'm getting a fill!

I stopped drinking Dr. Pepper cold turkey. And I too was a die-hard. My surgeon strongly advises against soda. He says the carbonation will cause your stomach to stretch. Plus who needs all those empty calories and sugar!

Hi everyone! :wave: I'm sure this has been covered somewhere, but I couldn't find anything. What should I expect for my first fill? I was just banded 3/19 and have a few weeks before my first fill, but I was just curious. I know it is done in my doctors office. What can/should I eat before and after? How is it done? Can I go back to work right after? The same day? Thanks for everyone's support.

ShirleyBee - congrats on your upcoming surgery date. Question - Does that $8200 include your fills? I know self pay is a little different. Seeing Dr. Orris locally is great because I can go see him anytime I need to. Fills are included along with unlimited appointments with the exercise physiologist and dietitian. Just something to think about. Good luck everyone!

Way to go AZPete! Your success is inspiring. I am 2 weeks post-op, had my surgery with Dr. Orris at Tempe St. Luke's.

I highly recommend Dr. Michael Orris with the Weight Loss Institute of AZ. You can check him and his partner out at WLIAZ.com They work out of Tempe St. Luke's. I was banded by him on Monday, March 19th.

Good luck to you too Syrah and Joseibies!

Autumn444, :welcome: to the world of LapBand! I was banded on 3/19 and went through all the things you talked about. Nervous, excited, and everything else that goes along with surgery and life change. I know it was the right decision, the ONLY decision for me. Keep your DH near by, it definitely helps having someone around, even if they can't completely understand what you're going through. I did have blood taken before the surgery but wasn't told I would have to ahead of time so I didn't do anything extra. Easier said than done, but try to think about all the positives that will come from this experience. New friends (all of us bandsters!), new clothes, new self confidence! :welldoneclap:

My doc required an EGD pre-op. It was no big deal, I was under the whole time. He identified a hiatal hernia (which he fixed during my lap band surgery) and gastritis (which he put me on meds for 30 days pre-lap band.