laraestokes

Well Rich went in yesterday to see why he has no restriction after having a fill on 2/1/05 of 6cc in a 10 cc band. He had no restriction what so ever. Well the Doc. Missed the port. He thinks he got into it, but the saline must of went off into the side. I noticed on the first fill he couldn't draw anything back, but didn't say anything-next time I will. Yesterday they got 4cc in and could draw it back, so they knew they were in. Rich now knows whai I am talking about when I say I have restriction.

Scotty-Best of luck! I also choose not to tell me very closest friend as she does not believe in weight lost surgery, and she is actually heavier then me and has some health issues that are getting worse as her weight goes up and down. I did tell her, but like 2 days before the surgery. I didn't want anything negative while getting approved by my insurance company. She was OK with it, but I was very straight with her telling her this was my choice and with my family istory of obese diseases I needed to do something. (Mother has HPB, and recently a kidney transplant due to diabetes is HPB.) You will find in your heart who you can use for support. Best wishes to you on your surgery!

Scotty- Good Luck with your surgery. I'm sure you will do great-like all of us. This board is great and wonderful for support. I did tell my friends even the "gorgeous" ones. One of them recently lost 50 pounds doing WW and looks great. The other friend is very slender and could blow away in the wind some days here in SD. I guess what I am saying if you really are close to them and you need the support-I would tell them. I am very involved in a small community to it is easier for me to be up front with them all as we have a lot of get togethers and food and drinks are always a plenty. It is easier for me now-there is no questions at the event. They all know what I can or shouldn't have because I have been very open with it. Some even make sure they bring something both the hubby and I can have. Hope this helps a little and Again best wishes on the baning. I look forward to hearing how your experience goes.

I don't know anything about the stuff in the corner, but I have found nothing but great support and information here. I have checked out a few different groups and this one by far is the best I have found!!! Everyone needs to keeps up the great information and support you all give out. I for one love the information I have gotten from here-very helpful and sincere!

OMG-thats a good one-I will have to do the pubic hair one-I do have one co-worker that asked if was losing my hair, I said no it is the only thing on me that is naturally THIN! She hasn't aske me again either!

Penni-thanks for fixing my pic. I thought my home computer was wacking out on me, cuz I couldn't see any picture or find them, now I know where they are at. Could you put an avator on for me too-you a computer genius!! Thanks

My next goal is just to get back into my 18 jeans. I am in a 22 now and they are getting to the point where I can take them off without unzipping them and just slide them off. DH offered to get me jeans for Valentines Day-told him that was okay I have about 4 pair of 18 sitting in a tub from when I lost weight 2 years ago and refused to throw them out, but my big clothes are going as soon as I am out of them, I may hang them on the clothes line and burn them to make sure I don't keep them around to fall back into. When I reach my goal of 150-definetly want another tatoo!!! Got my first one this past Oct. and Love it!

I am a blabber mouth , as my hubby would say. I tell everyone about my band, and if they choose not to support my decision I make sure not to discuss it with them further. I have found I get a lot more support from co-workers and friends if I am up front and honest with me. My husband is a closet bandster-except our friends and family know about it. My co-workers know about it too-I work in a medical Clinic and a few of my co-workers who have had gastric bypass are a good support too, even though the procedures are clearly different. The other thing is we live in small community and its hard not to notice when we start dropping the weight and are out walking more.(pop-230) The only negative I got from it was actually a close friend of mine who struggles with her weight and is having some medical problems because of her weight feels it is too drastic of a step for anyone to take. Thus we don't discuss my band as she isn't convinced surgery is a way to go. She thinks portion control is the way-well I know portion control didn't work for me until now, when you just can't eat that much and you start to choose your foods more carefully. I even had a older gal just about go bezerk on me as I was discussing with the pastor's wif how Rich and I were doing. She thought we had the bypass done, so I had to explain it to her. Not many people seem to know about in the midwest! I love my band and talking about it!

I have the 4cc band and got a 1cc fill on 2/1/05- I have a lot of restriction and thought of going to have some taken out, but water goes down okay, so I will wait and be careful with food. On the other hand-Rich has a 10cc band and had a 6cc fill the same day and has no restriction at all. He is going to see the surgeon tomorrow to see what is going on?

I know my port shifted one incision length to the left after my procedure. The doc things it may have happened when I had a near fall (1 wk post-op) and caught myself on the ice and myabe shifted it then. He didn't seem to have a problem that it moved-just documented for the next time I have a fill where it is at.

OMG-why is my pic so pig-help downsize ! please!!

I just need to share some news on South Dakota insurance company. We have Dakotacare for our insurance. Both my husband and I were banded in Dec. We had already met our deductable for our insurance. Anyway we had to put up $570 up fron to our surgeon as the insurance company estimated they would pay all but $1140 -so we would pay half the rest set up in payments. Well to make a long story short the hospital put their billing in first so the $1140 was what was left for our out of pocket and then when the surgeon billed his services the insurance company paid for the whole thing. And we get the $570 back from them to apply to the hos. Our docs office was also very good about getting all the ducks in a row before sending in to get approved. Both of us were approved in about 7 days. Dakotacare was great to work with and have paid well. I know we are a few of the lucky ones who have insurance that will pay for this procedure. We know it is rare!

Kimberly -Welcome and you are doing great. I found this site a few days ago and can not believe the wealth of information and support from this site. I have visited others and this seems to be the best one that I enjoy coming back too. I love reading everyones experiences with the band and the wonderful support that people give each other here. Way to go ALL BANDSTERS!!!

Kim-we will have to keep track of each other-your doing great!!! I need to get out ans walking-if it wasn't so darn cold here most days! As soon as spring is here I am going to get out everyday. Thanks!

Hey-all-I just found this site yesterday after finding a few on yahoo-didn't really care for the one that has the most action on it, but some info was helpful. My husband was banded on 12/7/04 and I was on 12/28/04, so we are doing this journey together, but he is computer illiterate and isn't much of a talker. This is a private thing for him and the more that knows about me the better my support system I figure. SO far things are going good. Down 15 pounds in 6 weeks and had my first fill on 2/1/05 of 1cc. some things are okay to eat and some I have major restriction. Thats okay though. I am learning what I tolerate and what doesnt. I had a hard time with vitamins until I seen a comercial for viactive multi vitamins. Went right out and got some-oh much better then flintstone chewables. They made me gag!

checking to see if my ticker worked

Hi-just checking if there are others from South Dakota on here-both my husband and I were banded this past Dec.