KAATNS

i sooo wish i dint have such a big mouth. I have told maybe 10 people total (my mom, aunt, uncle, husbands family, and coworkers) and 2 of them are already on my nerves, not being supportive, and giving negative comments. Have I ever given them negative comments, no. So I truly, truly would encourage anyone that is on the fence about telling people DON'T DO IT. You might be surprised at who will not be supportive...

That is the way I would handle it.

Every surgeon is different. Seems like average is 10-15k. Mine will be 13k with Dr Curry in Cincinnati, Ohio. Keep in mind cost of aftercare as well. My surgeon include 2 years of visits/fills, others charge 100-300 per fill/ visit etc...
Best suggestion is research surgeons in your area. Good luck!!
I meant that some charge $100-$300, not all. Just reread what I wrote...

I understand about "the cloak". It's scary to be vulnerable when we're thinner and without our "protection". Hugs to you...

Welcome to the family, the mental part of this is by far the hardest part. The good news? Others have come before you, with the same issues and problems and used the band as a tool to bring them back to a life worth living. Stick around there is a vast store of experience and wisdom on this board that will help you succeed.

I'm about 6 weeks post-op and down 20 pounds.

Hi guys! I'm on Day 11 of a 15-day pre-op and I'm down 28 pounds - 6 before the start of the diet and 22 on the diet. I've exceeded my own expectations. Just realized today that I got my BMI down under 50, so now I'm "only" morbidly obese, not SUPER morbidly obese - LOL. I'm at 306 this morning and hoping, praying, to get to "twoderland" before surgery day, next Wednesday. I think I can, I think I can!

I very rarely get hungry, and when I do it is different than before being banded...hard to explain, I have no interest in food...my mind tells me I don't need it...I believe it's the band telling my brain I'm full, even though I'm not full, and may not have eaten in over 18 hours......If I am busy, so at work or out traveling around, I forget to eat altogether...my poor wife has to remind me....
Now, because it's winter I spend more time indoors, in front of the TV all day on Saturdays watching sports......I do tend to graze all day on different Snacks, but not because I am hungry.......but when I do do that, I will do not have any meals...the only thing I eat that day is what I have been grazing on.....so it all evens out....
BTW, as far as will power....No..it all comes quite naturally, as a permanent lifestyle
Before banded, I was addicted to food...could not get enough...I would be driving in my car, see a fast food restaurant and go in a get something, whether I needed to or not...I could think about a particular food item, and have to run out and get it.....and this was besides my normal (?) meals....
would also eta a large sandwich or something just before bedtime....
All that is behind me....even if I wanted to, I CANNOT overeat.....
Last cruise we were on, I threw out all the rules...told myself I was going to test this surgery, and eat whatever and whenever I wanted....I Lost 5 lbs!!
The band worked.....did exactly what it does everyday...where I am and what is offered to me makes no difference!

It was hard for me to not tell her!! Kind of a funny story. After several weeks of wining, dining and romancing we decided that things have been great so lets consumate our relationship. Well we was doing the things people do and she reached up and rubbed my belly, everything stopped and she asked me if I had a tumor the size of a golf ball or something! I told her that it was a pump for my penis and how do you like it? she believed it and I couldn't stop laughing for a really long time she kept asking what so funny so finally I told her about Lap Band!! Now its a inside joke for us. When we go out with friends and stuff like that after a few hours I rub where the port is and we both start cracking up. Our friends and family look so confused.

I think its better to put it out there and if they dont like it move on, you did the band to better yourself. my opinion!

I don't understand why it is relevant. It wouldn't matter to me, but then again I am biased. Generally speaking though I would see at a plus. It means you've taken control to make a lifestyle change to be healthier. That's a good thing in my book.

Thank you for all the posts! I feel much better now! The unknown is scary, but now I have an idea.

I can't believe it's been 1 year since I had my surgery. I've lost 63 pounds and feel incredible. No complications, other than needing 1/4 cc removed due to being too tight. I'm thrilled with my results!!!!

Hello neighbor! Great job!

I scheduled my initial consult a week ago with Dr Trace Curry in Cincinnati, Ohio. The lady that I talked to mentioned that the doc may want me to lose some weight before surgery since my bmi is above 50.
So I decided to do my calorie counting diet and.... Have lost 9 pounds in the first week!! Now I'm at 360lb now with a bmi of 51.6. I'm hoping to schedule my surgery in mid May and be around 330-340 at the time of surgery!

Maybe just ask him for clarification since you're getting conflicting information. I'll be interested to hear what he says.

With my first few fills I didn’t feel much restriction at all. I was worried it wasn’t working and that the doctor was trying to get money out of me (150.00 per fill out of pocket). After time I learned that it takes a while for you and your doctor to find that “sweet spot” where you can still eat and drink while losing weight.
I went “hard core” at a few fills so the Dr. would put more in so I would have more restriction and every time I would foam, vomit and PB all over again until I got used to the new fill. Once I went three days without any real Fluid and had to schedule an appointment to get Fluid taken out. Won’t do that EVER again!! lol
Ohh and I Don’t know if this is true for others but I have learned that right after my fill I have to eat only Soup for a few days to a week while I wait for my swelling to go down. Then I start to slowly introduce solids again.
Once you find that sweet spot you will know it.

Man, I was really hoping this was a recipe or something so I could eat them (haha, I can dream can't I?) and Samoas are my favorite! I didn't buy any, I would definitely eat the whole box easily, there just too good.

I'm going to be a rough but I've got to say it.
So, you are obese and your wife doesn't support your effort to get a tool to help you to take control of your life??? Wonder what her thoughts will be when she calls 911 when that heart attack comes. Or, how will she treat you when you go blind from diabetes??? How 'bout when the doctor tells you they will have to amputate your foot because of diabetes???
Terrible thoughts I know but they are real for the obese. I was going stinking blind as a result of diabetes and obesity.
Put on you big boy britches, call the whole family in and tell them DAMMIT I'M DOING THIS BECAUSE I WANT TO LIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!
We only have one life, make the most of it. You are like the rest of us here, we sat and watched. Well, I did a 12.2 mile 20 obstacle course 1 year from surgery. I'm not sitting on the sidelines anymore.

I finally feel comfortable in sharing some before and after pictures. Still working at it but I feel good about my progress so far.

CarolinaGirl it makes me sad that you said walk around the flea market without feeling your husband is ashamed of you..
I'm newer to the forums and you seem like the sweetest person on here! Any man would be lucky to have a wife as sweet as you! Regardless of your size I'm sure he is proud of you! ???ƒ

bucket list:
to wear my blue jean skirts again (i have them near by and each week, i am getting closer to getting them on)
walking a mile (now up to nearly 2 blocks a day)
walking with with my hub around flea market and not
feel he is embarrassed to be with me
to go to hubs mc's first spring/summer cook out and
NOT be the biggest girl there (now it will be the guys)

Getting banded on 3/4 so I have a long way to go...but...
Show my kids I can both swim and go off a diving board.
Ride bikes as a family to my kids soccer practice.
Go down the curvy slide at the pumpkin farm.
Jump on the trampoline.
--<insert intimate position>-- with my hubs that is too uncomfortable now
Wear clothes from the Victoria Secret's PINK collection
...and last but not least...FEEL AMAZING =)

Self pay should be quick because there are no insurance hoops to jump through. I went for insurance (BCBS Fed).
My first consultation was Oct 14, had 3 more appointments in Nov, Dec, and Jan. Last consultation was Jan 14, insurance approval letter Jan 22, surgery scheduled for this Thursday the 21st.

Oh wow! I am having my first consult next Tuesday and I'm self pay as well. That is actually great news that the surgery could happen that quickly!