Lizabeth2

Nine pounds down since my fill! Heck yes, y'all!

I don't think it is too early to ask -- the worst that could happen is that they say wait a little longer. I let my fills fall to the bottom of my priority list for the last year and I regret it... take charge. It is your band, your health, your life! And don't beat yourself up for not losing, just make the best choices you can and do your best. You've got this girl!

Oh! And Welcome to the world, Morgan, you are beautiful and your daddy is a great role model! (And eat your fruits and vegetables, and exercise regularly.. haha)

hey guys!! Happy Anniversary! I am sorry I haven't been online, the second year of med school is the worst! Luckilly, I am well into my third year and loving it. As for the weight loss, I have only lost about 10 lbs. BUT I also didn't find a good/affordable fill provider until last month. My first appointment with Dr. Atkins in Tulsa for a fill was yesterday... it went great! He is two hours away from my new home, so it isn't bad at all. When he did the flouro to see how much restriction I had, the barium went right through with my stomach being only slightly smaller where the band was - everybody laughed! It was nice to see that my band was still in place and that my trip to Dr. Kuri for surgery wasn't a waste. I just wasn't using the tool I had because I hadn't gotten filled since January. My new doctor and I talked about my food issues - mainly being that I eat bread WAY too much. He said "don't worry, I will make that band tight so you won't be able to eat bread"... I know that sounds intense, but I was so EXCITED. That is why I got the lap band in the first place! Anyway, he wants me to lose a pound per week until I see him in 6 weeks. I am hopeful. I don't feel hungry today and I have only been doing liquids. I cut out sodas (even diet!) a little over a month ago and I only drink coffee and unsweet tea. Dr. Atkins highly recommends STEVIA, with Splenda being a close second, for our artificial sweetening needs. I got a bottle of the liquid and put a few drops in my coffee today - pretty good! I plan to keep that with me so I don't get tempted by the "bad guy" sweeteners. Anyway! Good to hear from old band friends - I am so hopeful that I can get on track, especially knowing that you guys have done it! Keep it up! As for those coming to the thread to ask about Dr. Kuri, I must say that I loved my experience and even one year later, I don't regret it. My only recommendation is to make sure you have a doctor or nurse practicioner somewhere around you to do your follow-up care and fills. I would be much closer to my goals if I had done that. If you plan to go to Mexico for fills from Dr. Kuri, I think that was a fairly easy thing... I rented a car, drove across from San Diego (after vacationing for a few days in a cheap but beautiful Hostel in SD) and had my fill. It was very quick once the doctor, not Dr. Kuri but his partner, came but I didn't feel quite satisfied that I had enough restriction. I probably did need more fill, but I didn't drive back the next day to get some more in, so that was that. Not a wasted trip, but not as fruitful as it could have been. I think if I do that again, I will stay one night in Tijuana (that hotel somewhere by the hospital, the office could help you I bet) and make sure I am satisfied before I go home. As for finding providers at home, your Kuri patient coordinator has lists for every state, but I would do more research and make sure the provider doesn't require you to pay a large transfer fee and won't make you jump through paper work hoops. Longest post EVER! Catching up after almost a year, I guess. Good to hear from y'all!

No! Pure Protein 35g protein/can and Syntrax Nectar unflavored protein powder... Sorry!

Oh! Pvrazor --- I bought the cans of chocolate Pure Protein (26g/can) Shakes. they're great and affordable on Amazon. I also have one of the unflavored Isopure protein powders and they say its the best. Can't remember the specific name, but I will figure it out and get back to you.

Hondoford - thanks for the advice! I will look into Houston. I'm in the process of moving - or will be until July - so I'm using Dr. Kuri for now, but Houston would be a nice compromise in the future. Congrats on your weight loss - it seems like you're really doing great. Keep it up!! For those about to have the surgery with Dr. Kuri - try not to be nervous about Mexico, the hospital and staff are great. Just make sure you ask for something if you need it, and utilize Dr. Kuri the night you arrive and have the meeting with him. It's a good opportunity to ask questions, and I brought a list! (I'm a med student so he joked with me and answered all my detailed questions with ease.) MD - hang in there and keep up the good work. As far as fertility goes, the healthier you are, the healthier your swimmers are! Haha - just kidding. Go to the men's forum! Geez! -proud of y'all! Lizzy

Hey y'all - update! I was banded Oct 19th by Dr. Kuri and it was a great experience. Unfortunately, the nurse that I had do my fills didn't have floro and couldn't get a successful fill. I have decided to go back to see Dr. Kuri beginning of Feb for a fill. Honestly, all the docs around here charge transfer fees - basically the cost of two visits to Kuri so I figured I might as well. Due to the holidays and not working the "Rules" - I haven't lost much weight. I am starting over on the rules, and working on eating gluten free again (I have a sensitivity) - so I will post again after my fill on Feb 5th. -Elizabeth

Hey Y'all! Just wanted to check in.. I am doing good, had some trouble sticking with liquids but I think today is a new day and it will go better. I am down 8.2lbs since surgery on the 19th - and I am in very little pain. I am still having some digestive issues but GasX and Fiber should cover them? Also upping my Water. Energy level is not great, but I am so thankful. Hope y'all are doing well! Lizzy**

** it was nice

Hey! My surgery went great! It was nice to meet you! I'm still pretty sore and having a lot of gas pains, but the experience was very positive and I would recommend it to anyone. I'm starting back to school today (only 3 days post-op - I would probably delay that more if I could!) and I have what I'm calling "habit hunger"... Like, I don't need to eat but I keep reaching for liquid Protein (etc) because I'm bored and feel maybe a little hungry. We will see how that goes. I cant seem to keep band aids on my wounds, but I'm just going to keep them clean and hope for the best. I hope you're doing well! Oh yeah, and a heating pad really helped the pains temporarily - I was nice.

thanks for the encouragement! going down to surgery around an hour from now. Met some nice people in the van and in the hallways last night. All is well! i will update when i can - oh yeah, and Dr Kuri is so funny and cute. <3 liz

Hey, how are y'all doing? I'm having my surgery Friday and I'm pretty darn nervous!

I know!! I'm nervous! Good luck y'all!

I'm leaving early in the morning or my flight to San Diego -surgery Friday!! I'm getting so nervous. First surgery ever! Looking forward to hearing from Marketingdude about his experience.

YOU ARE DOING SO GREAT! Just keep up the hard work - and know we are all rooting for you!

How many fills did you have until you felt the band was really helping you control your hunger? And how long after surgery did you wait to get a fill? I'm getting banded in Mexico Friday, first fill is six weeks out - is that about right? And how often do you wait between fills?

KH, I am from Little Rock AR - congrats on losing so well so far! I am happy to hear you haven't needed a fill until now. Was your hunger under control without a fill? Marketingdude, Maybe I will see you! I am short with Red curly hair and my mom is going, she's a short blonde. Say hi! and Good Luck - don't be too nervous, and make sure to update us afterwards!

Skinner Family Practice in El Dorado does them for $300 first visit and $150 after that.

Hey y'all! I'm getting banded by Dr. Kuri on October 19th. I was going to go alone but decided to tell my mom and see wants to go with me and get some Botox haha. I will let you know how it goes. Although, I'm a medical student and I think Dr. Kuri is an even better choice than docs in my area - he has been doing it for much longer. I also did a lot of reading on PubMed and Dr. Kuri uses the preferred surgical method, and the older Allergan band which has a lower complication rate than the newer bands that most docs are using now. Other than the actual travel, Dr. Kuri is as good of choice as any!

I'm in Little Rock, getting banded Oct 19 in Mexico. Really excited and really nervous. I have never had surgery before. Nice to meet y'all! Lizzy

I want to once in my life NOT feel resentment when my size 0-2 friends show me their new clothes that they bought at stores that don't carry sizes big enough for me. I should be happy for them, but it hurts. I want to wear all the things skinny girls wear and feel like a CHAMP! Haha including boots that never fit my calves before. I want to run at least a 5k I want my family to quit dwelling on my weight I want to quit dwelling on my weight! I want to be happy.

Hey Y'all! I am getting banded October 19th in Mexico with Dr. Kuri. My insurance sucks and I did a lot of research so I am confident in my decision. I hope we can stay in touch and help each other through this! Oh yeah, I am Lizzy and I am from Arkansas, I am 23 - med student - needing to lose about 85lbs. I love music and hangin out with friends! Add me as a friend if you want?

I am Lizzy from Arkansas and I will be banded on October 19th with Dr. Kuri in Tijuana Mexico! I am so nervous and so excited. I hope we can all stay in touch and do this together.