VegasGrace

Wow, I don't consider eating junk food cheating. I have a cookie when I want, or half of one. It's not cheating. It's not like I used to do...eat the whole bag.

Thanks for sharing your experience. It's so important to work with your doctor on getting the best restriction but not going overboard. It's best to have too little than too much. Hope things go well.

The risks are the same. The risks are the same. It's like buying a car locally or farther away...it's the same car but what if something goes wrong? You'll have to drive far away again or go to someone different close by. But, the costs are so different. You could buy 3 cars farther away to the 1 one in your home town. The US has something anywhere else doesn't have.... call me on it if I'm wrong.... the AMA. You are supposed to be able to check any doctor as they are supposed to be licensed. (say supposed to be because the AMA is definitely not what it used to be) I found the surgicenter in Tijuana better than many in the US. I found my surgeon to be more skilled than any in the US.

About 300 and that's with fluro. I guess if I didn't have that it would be around 200 or so.

Hi, thanks so much for your thoughts and prayers. I couldn't go now, even if I wanted to, I am a single mom of three...2 in college- but young. If, when Mother passes, we already have the 'plan' on what to do, who calls who.... bag w/ funeral dresses is packed...I text my kids and they have 1 hour to email all their professors and get to a certain location for pickup. My thing was....the stress.... I wanted to stuff my face so badly. And hate to say it, I did. I ate a hotdog, well, half of one, some tots, soda, candy. I was a nervous wreck. Fortunately, the band had my back and wouldn't let me eat all that mess. Being banded is a lifestyle, and I usually don't call on my band but it's nice to know it's there when I need it. Mother was given oxygen and put on bedrest. DNR is her code. Do not reccusitate- however you spell it. The baby is a girl, 8 pounds. What a day. I'm going to bed - it's 7pm. But I think I deserve some good rest!

I feel the need more than ever to binge. I used to do drivethrus, McD's then BK, then TB.... all within an hour of each other. That's how I got fat. Now, I'm on maintenance and my niece is in the hospital this very instance, fully dialated now...pushing. Just spoke to my mother, she stopped breathing and help is on the way. (she's been on hospice a while now and it's no shocker it's happening...but now? Today?) Don't want to sound selfish...but I'm at closest 10 hours away by plane or 2 days drive to BOTH my niece and mother....they both reside in states on the east coast. What to do? I want to eat...

I do not need anything done and am on maintenance. Dr. Huacuz really knows his stuff. But, if I did...I wouldn't hesitate to see him for whatever I need.

Well, that's tricky. A slip, erosion, anything related directly to the band...of course they won't pay. But...malnutrition and need potassium supplement...sure. Pneumonia and flu alot because of weakened immunity...sure. Ulcer, sure. These things are 'diet' related and not band related. So, something lifethreatening..sure, they'll cover it. But if it has to do with physically touching the band...no, I don't think they will.

Can't see mine. Can't feel it. Don't even know it's there. But everyone is different.

Thanks for the post. I've heard of this and looked...even asked..but they don't respond to the post. Anyone with a slipped band.... how did you know? Were you symptomatic? And what were the symptoms? Pain?

Day 3. I was itching so bad and couldn't help but scratch. After removing them, the itching went away. My largest incision opened...yuck. Went to the drugstore for the steristrips/butterfly... I started itching again...it was the adhesive. So I just bandaided it. It's fine ... been almost a year.

I haven't had my band removed. Is that the norm, after you have the band removed that you can't have soda? I'd like to know, too.

I'll try that....but I am skeptical that weight, or lack of a Water absorbant surface is indicative of Protein.... the results are.... mine is floating and my daughter's is floating. I took one of her's fresh. I just took one of mine that has already fallen out....I'm shedding again.

I chatted with someone last night who had this happen...band slipped and just now got the band back. When you get the stomach bug, pray you don't vomit. But if you do...go get an unfill immediately! In a week or so, after it's over, you can go back for the adjustment. This is what I will do if needed as it's easier to get the unfill and go back a week later than suffering, letting the band slip, having it removed, waiting and having it put back in...all that time and money when a simple unfill would have done the trick.

I've been doing research on how my mother, retired no income, gets the Stimulus Payment....because filling out a return...everything is zeroed. Found it! For all those retirees, disabled, vets, etc..... here's what you do: File a 1040A, don't know why but the info I found said 1040A...make sure it's A and not just regular 1040. At the top of the page write "Stimulus Payment" Line 14a. Social Security Benefits _____________ This is where you put your 2007 Social Security, tier 1 railroad retirement, veterans compensation, disability and death benefits. You can round. Must be more than $3,000 to get the $300 check. Spouse? $300 Kids under 18, $300 each. Even though everything is Zeroed out, still put in your checking account and routing number and the IRS will direct deposit your money. Hope this is of some benefit, as I've been searching on how to get this done.

You too? I still see myself larger than what I really am. When I shop for clothing, I reach for pants or whatever I think I can fit. But when I look at the tag it says 14 or even 16. When I see the tag say 6 or 8, I look at the clothing and think to myself...I can't fit this. But I can and often times it a tad loose...but I won't buy size 4 clothes...I'd rather up the calories and fit the 6. Thanks for sharing your thought as I am in the same boat.

Stress causing tightening? Let's put it like this, when my 18 year old comes around and mentions boys.... I start sliming in the sink. Happens everytime. She was the one who noticed this. When she starts stressing me out...I slime like the dickens. You are in a pickle as getting a slight unfill may cause your non restrictive part of the day to be so loose you will eat too much. Yet, you find yourself not able to even drink at one point of the day. If this were me, I'd take some more time to figure this out and not run for an unfill. Just simply ...don't eat or drink when you are really restricted. And when you are looser, just be mindful of what you are consuming. Even though I'm on maintenance, I still find myself able to eat/drink easier at certain times of the day. Keep us posted on your progress as you are doing so well.

Yes, I did, too. My goal was 150 but when I hit that over the holidays...I couldn't get in for an unfill until Jan... I'm now 139. I modified it to the 140s...anywhere in the 140s is fine with me.

Hey, you've done great! I hit goal at 150 and got a slight unfill for maintenance. 3 months later I find myself 11 pounds lighter. I didn't want to be in the 130s so I upped my calories to maintain at 140. If I have a problem with continued weightloss I'll go back for an unfill. This is new, eat so I can gain weight. I like it!

Hi and congrats! You've done so well. Live the band.....hmmm... I'm not sure what that means. Yes, I do live with the new habits, but if I revert to the old the band is my backup tool. Not critical at all, I've enjoyed being able to eat normal foods and stop after 3 bites. This has been a feat for me. Congrats again and keep us posted.

Hey, congrats!!!!! My bandaversary is in June...haven't even thought about celebrating..yet. It is a good idea. Happy band day!

Take a waterhose and turn the Water on. Now take your hand around it and squeeze (if it's a soft one) you will see the amount of water decrease. Now kink it. Water stops, right? That's the band. My capacity in the band for Fluid is 4cc and I have 2. And I'm done already. Some go up to 3 or more...but your doctor will ensure you get the right sized band and just go for the adjustments....you'll get the restriction.

Just coming back to this thread to see if kim updated anything. I'm still curious as to what a slipped band feels like.

Sure you are doing fine! You are supposed to be hungry. You are supposed to be eating a ton. All you had was the lapband implanted...it's not operational, yet. Just wait till you get restriction and then you will be in a different world. And remember, that may not come after the first fill so if you can still eat like a horse after your first fill.....don't worry about it!

I don't know about his stats...but I can tell you this. My twin and I both had WLS. She had the bypass, RnY. The next year I had the band. 1 year later, I am 6 pounds lighter. I struggle more than she to keep it off as she can eat what she wants...and that must be true...her desire for food has decreased. Mine, I still want that stuff. But I do enjoy a healthier lifestyle and can say 3 bites of pizza and I'm done. I was self pay, $7000. She had a copay of about $1000. I saw the surgeon a few times, 3 adjustments. She had to go thru programs, see the doc frequently. Talk to patients of both. And then YOU decide what you want. But remember, you can have RnY if the band doesn't work for you...but I'm not sure about the band after RnY...so if that doesn't work for you ....you will lose out on the band. Good luck and keep us posted.