makena2

I was banded on 10/28/05 with Dr. Richard Benevides at the Surgery Center of Richardson. If I hadn't wasted about 8 months on insurance, I was scheduled within 30 days of getting the last turn-down on insurance. I was self-pay, $15K including fills for one year. I'm VERY pleased with Dr. B, his staff and the fill center. He has monthly overviews showing the surgery on video, etc. It's a really informative session.

I had my first fill on December 1, no restriction to speak of. They put 1 cc into my 4 cc band... I'm scheduled for this afternoon (12/15) for my second and going tell them "...fill 'er up, please!"

Can somebody tell me why wait staff at restaurants don't leave leave , "no, I won't have anything to drink" alone? They insist you have water, tea, something...arghh!

Thanks to everyone for their advice, support and sharing. It is so great to know you can come here and get answers. I got the feeling when I got my fill that they were just putting the "standard" 1 cc in and not really looking for what my fill should be based upon the flouroscopy (sp?). It took like 2 seconds to get the fill...my opinion too quick to really assess if it was right for me. Since I have a year of fills included in my SELF-PAY, damn it, I'm gonna push them to get me to that sweet spot!

Ok, maybe I'm just impatient. I had my first fill on Thursday, December 1. I was able to eat normally the next day with NO problem. In fact, probably more than I normally would (emotional eating, I'm trying to do better with that). So, I got hungry faster it seems because I ate more and I had no restriction to "stop" me. They put 1 cc in my 5 cc band...how soon should I pursue another fill? Do I just need to give this time (knowing I need to deal with the emotional eating issue)?

My surgeon told me to wait 4 weeks post-op. I'm scheduled for December 1 which is 5 weeks post-op. Can't WAIT to get filled...I can eat WAY more than I want.

Like any surgery, it's scary. I got banded 3 weeks ago and am amazed how quickly I've recovered. The first couple of days can be rough (some pain, drowsy, generally feel like crap) but get through those and you're smooth sailing. Let the hubby be there for you and help you through it. It's the best investment you can make for your hubby, your little boy and YOU. Having you around for the long haul is more important than anything and you're doing something that will help that happen. Best of luck to you and know that you're not alone.

So, what I'm getting from this post-op liquid diet stuff is that if you can tolerate more "mushies" before the 2 weeks are up, go for it? I will admit that I'm now day 11 after surgery and had some egg salad (no bread) for lunch and I did fine. Is the purpose of the liquid diet after surgery to make sure you don't PB or vomit? If that's the case, I can see why the liquids. However, if you're doing ok with alittle mushies a little early, what the harm?

Hi! I'm in Frisco, TX. I just got banded 11 days ago by Dr. Richard Benevides at the Surgery Center of Richardson. He's great, his staff is great, the surgery center of great. They have meetings as well for people at various stages of banding (pre and post) which is very helpful. I highly recommend them!

I was also a self-pay, went to Dr. Richard Benevides in Richardson, TX. His procedure includes the band, one year of fills for $15K. So far, I've been VERY pleased with him, his staff and my procedure. I'm 10 days post-op now and am doing great. I hope that helps.

I'm now day 9 after surgery in Richardson Texas. I took a shower the next morning after surgery, it really makes you feel better. Somehow your body can get relaxed a little. Gas pain is just that, mine was all in my back. Pain meds are wonderful and of course, time. Hang in there, it does get better.

You guys enjoy your lunch today! I've had a BAD night (I had lunch with a friend and tried some tortilla soup broth...big mistake!). I'll be with you in spirit. Have fun!

I'd love to try to make it...is it too late? What time? HoJo's in Irving...got that. I, too, am on liquids (boo) but would love to have some soup and tea with you guys. Thanks

What an awesome video...now I know why my port site hurts! Thanks for sharing!

Heatherfeather - I too have about 70 or so to lose. I was banded one week ago today (11/3). Because of my little (#!$#@) weight to lose, I was a self-pay. It is and will be SO worth it. After years and years of yo-yo diets, slow metabolism, age, babies, etc., I was mentally ready to try something more dramatic. It takes the mental readiness as much if not more than the physical readiness. I didn't want to wait until I had high blood pressure, diabetes, blah, blah to get this done. It's an investment in ME. Good luck on your decision. This forum is a great place to get support.

My doc (Benevides, Richardson, TX) put me on his Protein shake 2 times a day and a high protein diet (small portions) for two weeks before surgery. Had surgery one week ago today (11/3) and am now on ALL liquid diet for two weeks. I too have had a hard time with the liquid phase. What I'm finding is that it's a head thing. As long as I know I'm getting the right nutrients (to serve my body's needs) then the rest is in my head. This may sound harsh, but that's been my experience. I try to think about this as "it took me years to get to this stage of fatness, it's gonna take something radical to get me out of it". That works for me. Make sure your body is getting what it needs first ... healthy needs I mean ...

I'd like to introduce myself...Tootsie Chickentush! LOL, this is cute! anybody heard of your "porn name" one? here's how it goes: first name: the name of your first pet last name: the name of the first street you lived on I'd be Tweetie 10th

I'm really doing great with my recovery...very little problems. Question: I still have quite a bit of port site pain, not the incision, but the muscle underneath. Is that normal? I KNOW I overdid it yesterday, going to the grocery store, visiting friends at the office for Halloween...paying for it today with some aches and pains. Pain medication is a wonderful thing.

Hey Glitter! Glad you were able to finally get home and are feeling better. I was banded on the 27th too! Luckily, I didn't have the swelling you're talking about. They did a barium swallow before I could leave and all is well. No PBs, no nausea, the gas pains were gone by the 29th... This liquid diet thing is a drag but I keep working through in my head.."...it's only for a little while, what's a month out of your life to change it completely?" That helps me get my head on straight when I see the family eating pizza. Hope you continue to feel good!

Hey fellow October bandsters...I had my surgery on the Thursday, the 27th. Went home after I could do the barium swallow (not as bad as I thought it would be). Pain meds are a wonderful thing!! I too had gas pain, but it was ALL in my upper back, not my shoulders. Some GasX and a few major toots and I'm doing much better now. I find that I'm really good after a 1-2 hour nap then I poop out pretty fast (did laundry today) and need another 1-2 hour nap. This liquids thing is gonna get real boring, but I know it's part of the process. The fam had pizza tonight, I just sipped my chicken broth and smiled. I can't wait for mushies!

After exhausting the insurance route (they said no), I chose self-pay with Dr. Benevides in Richardson. $15K, fills for a year. Worth every penny...my surgery is tomorrow (10/27)

Ok, this is a weird question but here goes: I had liposuction on my chin (went from triple to about 1 1/2 chins). It helped at the time, now my question is will I see even more result in that one area (I know I'll see it other places too) after my lap-band is working (surgery 10/27/05)...??? Excited...2 more days!

It's funny, but I too work in a very close, friendly office. There is NO ONE in my office as big as me, all young (under 40), cute and skinny. I decided to come clean and told all. Interestingly, I've received nothing but praise, support and even with some who I thought would be the most critical, understood and thought it was good for me to do this for myself.

I went to the State Fair of Texas today (last weekend it's in town). I'm on my pre-op diet with Dr. Benevides. Only proteins, vegetables and protein shake. I managed to have the following: bottle of water, one Dolmas (greek food - meat wrapped in grape leaves), skipped the pita bread AND THAT WAS IT! Having been there 6 hours, I was really proud. I'm really ready for this Thursday for surgery!

This is a GREAT THREAD! How about wearing a front button shirt that fits across my boobs without falling off my shoulders... Wearing a shirt that is smaller than my husbands... Having my 12 year old hug me ALL the way around... Weighing less than my overweight cousin who thinks I'm fatter than her..not Not having people at work say, "...you don't need to lose THAT much..." (they're so nice, but so wrong) Having my husband answer "no" and I know it's true when I ask, "Do I look that like person?" Not being the fattest mom at the PTA meetings