VegasGrace

Just keep on keepin on. I had just 2.2cc and lost my excess weight. Had .3cc removed for maintenance but have lost another 5lbs. If I go below 140 I'll get another slight unfill.

Take out the term Scientology and substitute any other religion name like Christian. I just did and unless I missed something, I respect him for his convictions....not that I agree w/ Scientology. I've always looked at Scientology as a blanket religion...as in a Christian can be a Scientologist, a xxx can be a Scientologist. I'm Christian so I don't know much about other religions. But wow!!!! Being single all these years...I'm thankful to the Lord for putting Tom Cruise on this earth.

Well, you are healing still....but if it's so bad, call the nurse. I don't recall mine being so bad. I sleep on my stomach and in the beginning I had to place my arm just so around the port area....but now, it's nothing. Good luck.

Since being banded, I've not had a successful meal out. What I mean is...for me now...others don't have this issue. If I eat until I'm satisfied....I go to the bathroom several times and about time 3 is when I've had enough....getting up and going that is. Or, I just get a meal, pick at it and TAKE HOME BOX. I used to enjoy going out to eat. Now, I don't. But isn't that a good thing? I find joy and fulfillment in staying home with my family, preparing a home cooked meal with fresh ingredients. I'm happier now than ever!

BINGO! Travel expenses, per diem, etc. All can be deducted.

I was in your shoes. 1st I found the cheapest docs while looking for the best docs. I made inquiry and the best doc gave me the cheapest price. Whew! Location, location, location! Someone can spend more just by getting to their destination. So a flight into LAX and a short drive to SAN (the gas was cheaper than the airfare/even bus fare was cheaper) and the doc's shuttle came to pick me up. Southwest Airlines was the airline I chose. So when picking dates, get a date when airfare is cheapest. Tijuana was cheaper for me. But for financing...be creative! I did the research...those w/ even a lower fico can go thru American General or some other HIGH INTEREST company. I requested a CLI, credit line increase on my overdraft protection thru my credit union. BINGO. I used that line of credit to pay the $7,000 for my surgery. The airfare was $159 RT. Good luck!

It's insurance companies that created the BMI rule. Do the research and you'll find the makers of lapband suggest even those with a lower bmi of 40, even 35 are candidates. Do the research and talk to your doctor.

Oh, I even didn't stand so straight when getting my height checked. Hey! An inch is an inch and skews the bmi.

I did thinking that same thing...got so sick of fast foods. But you only have to worry about that if you are trying to get insurance to pay. Silly me. I was self pay and ate all that for nothing. Was tastey!

Don't think I get in 60g. I'm sure some days I may. You'll be advised to get in .... whatever. Take a look at the food pyramid. Just do what you can and remember if you are about ready to eat something with no nutritional value except fat and sugar...then put it down and eat something with Protein, Vitamins, etc. Good luck! Oh, I was one of those who tried the protein drinks but gave up on them after a few weeks.

This topic is mentioned in several forums but am concerned those researching the band may get the wrong message. It's like this... do you tell everyone when you are going to go for a root canal, filling, or other dental work? Do you just tell your mom and a best friend? Or do you tell no one...just that you have to get something taken care of?d This approach can be used with not only the dentist, but bariatric surgery as well. Do not feel obligated to tell anyone about your plans. But on the flip side, you may be so excited to have found something that's going to bring you great results and you may be bursting to share. It's all your choice. {For me, I didn't tell anyone as I don't tell anyone anything about my medical/dental visits anyway. I was on the phone with my twin sister and mentioned being away for a few days so she won't be able to reach me. She asked, I told her Mexico for lapband and she freaked! She flew out in 2 days and went with me. (she was so impressed with what she witnessed she has shared the experience with her colleagues -she works at a hospital as a nurse) So, keep quite? Sure. But how nice it was to have someone to know and take this long road of weight loss with me.}

Stephanie my scale is my best friend. I weigh myself about 15 minutes after getting up in the morning. This has proven to be the most accurate weight. In the evening? Forget about it. I weigh 2-4 pounds more.

Starting? You are now starting? Hmmm.... you've had that knee/joint pain for a while now, right? CHRONIC Do you wake tired? Sure you do! Others have told you that you snore, right? Possible sleep APNEA All the times you've been to the doctor, you can recall times your blood pressure was up, right? High Blood Pressure These are just a few examples. There is NO CHECKLIST to qualify for the band, however, there are guidelines. You can definetly go to INAMED's site for the lapband, read up and recognize anything....anything that pertains to you. When you go in to see your doc, use those words and phrases in your discussion. Your doc will be your best ally when it comes to getting insurance to pay. Good luck!

You are so right! Love the way you worded it...REHAB. That's basically what's going on....rehabilitation of eating habits. It's tough...there will be withdrawal symptoms. I went through the ringer, slept alot, angry, lethargic, etc. Towards the end I said to a nurse, "I fell like I'm dying". She said, "you are". Getting the body to shrink fat cells is the body dying.... degenerating. Luckily fat cells are overabundant and can stand to loose them. Good luck! I found sipping Mt Dew daily kept me sane.

Yes, I've noticed as well.

Pondimin was pulled about 15 years ago... Don't even mention it! They will soon be removing anything related OFF any print material, I'm sure of it.

Liquids/mushies? me? are you kidding! I ate mushies day 2 and 3 and by weeks end was eating solids. You will find out really quick what you can't tolerate so take it really easy. 1/2 bite, then another a minute or so later. If you feel weird...don't eat anymore. I didn't do any damage...but it could happen.

I'm in Cedar City now. Had a slight unfill for maintenance... let's see what happens now!

A waitress bringing Water is nothing new. It's being polite. Go for a coffee, sometimes they just put down a glass of water. Order a milkshake w/ a meal instead of soda at Applebees...they bring a water. So, to stop the questions and to make you feel more at ease, just order water. You don't have to drink it. They ask if you want lemon...say 'sure'. The scent is nice to go along with your meal.

Welcome to the world of medicine! hahahhaha

Nah, I don't buy that a bit. Her sharing her success caused the loss of friends. That's what friends do! What caused the friends to take off is: COMPETITION. They are no longer the skinny ones, the pretty ones, the attractive ones. They felt comfortable being seen w/ someone larger than they were. So, they really weren't her friends!

You sound like me. Tight, but not too tight for an unfill...but when you get under the weather....the pipes get cut off. I sipped Mt. Dew during those times as it was the only thing I didn't foam up. I suggest waiting it out. Enjoy your favorite beverages through a straw and COLD...COLD as you can get 'em. I found the colder, the better when trying to keep down fluids. Keep us posted! I'm on maintenance, had a slight unfill and I foam up juice and pb'd yesterday. I do have a runny nose today.... pb'ing and not keeping anything down alerts me to the fact I'm getting sick.

I actually thought I'd have to do Atkins once I hit my goal. That's the only way I KNEW I could maintain and not gain the weight back. WRONG! The band keeps me in check. I ate at pizza Hut today and had quite a bit to eat. Slimed up the salad...not the pizza. I went into ketosis a week or so after being banded...not trying to mind you, it just happened.

Here! Here! So many make this procedure out to be as big as a wedding or some other event. All I needed was sleep. I had to run to the store for a butterfly tape but I think that was about it.

Yes, I did mine in June during school break. But was up and about the next day and just a few days felt normal. The flu knocks me out more than banding.