VegasGrace

Hey, so exciting. This site is a great resource and hope you find everything you are looking for. Like me, you were a lower bmi starting out. My weightloss has been slow, didn't start until 10 weeks after surgery (with a fill and restriction). I have lost about 15 pounds and all this after my 2nd fill. I have about 30 to go. Good luck!

I lost my first pound 10 weeks after surgery. That's like 70 days, right? You are at 6 days. Some lose, some don't - that is until you get restriction then I think EVERYONE loses.

Hmmm.... just ask him. Then if he is evasive... ask again. Keeping on point and no rambling...just keep asking. He will think you're a nut or answer your question.

My legs and now it's coming off my face/neck area - thank goodness. My arms/shoulders/pits and all...those are my worst.

Hey, thanks. Do you by chance have any coupon codes for any of these... Marco...they charge a 'setup' fee...just to have something printed on the pen... hate that!

Gosh, hate you have been going through this. As I'm a cut and dry type of person I'd say.... take your business elsewhere. Money talks and they listen (sometimes they could care less - especially if you are 'locked' in...that's why I'm against a packaged plan of aftercare and fills included in the price of surgery...it's like they KNOW they have you so they don't give you the attention and personal care you deserve.... aka cell phone contracts)

Wow, good idea for a thread but being banded hasn't interfered, helped, hindered...anything me being single. I do have more self confidence now...that's for sure. But I still haven't been on a date in 8 year and don't plan on it. I have an awful personality and am very ...plain looking. (only reason I can come up with for me not being asked out)

I own a small business and thought it would be neat to order some personalized ink pens. I've not done this before and sites I've googled just confuse me even more. I'd like a hundred or two...maybe 500...but I need them really inexpensive, like a dime or something. Anyone ever had pens done up before? Anyone know where I can get a good deal? Thanks for your help.

Hi, I'm about 30 pounds away from my goal and my weight loss has been very slow....EXTREMELY slow. But hey, it's going. It's taken 3 weeks to lose 1 pound. Does it slow down like this as the goal is approached or am I just hitting a plateau? I'm at optimum restriction so a fill isn't in order. Thanks for your advice as I'd like it to go faster, but don't want to complain.

My surgeon required an evaluation. But luckily his price included everything. I'm not insured and he gave me a great price of $7,000- best money I've ever spent.

Get your book out, the manual and next time you go in for a visit... use the words out of the book in conversation. If he doesn't give you a fill then....somethings not right. On the flip side you are doing so well. Congrats.

Hi courtknee, aka mike's girlfriend...cute. I didn't have insurance so I did the research and found a great place that was all inclusive for $7000. I had an overdraft line of credit on my checking account and just used that. So if you finance, just remember you have options and don't get stuck with a high rate. Good luck and keep us posted!

Yes, it's rude. There's always folks who 'know' more than others...but there are folks who 'know' more than them. Key is to be humble about what you may know and if the opportunity comes for them to share their knowledge...fine. But forcing it upon others is rude. Other examples are obese people... is it rude for a thinner person to 'correct' someone who's eating? Of course. But given the right setting, could a thin person and an obese person share...and the obese person learn.... definitely. There is a time and place for everything.

Donate them as well. There is an organization here called Deseret Industries, haven't seen a goodwill...so that's where I take them. Hopefully someone can get some use out of them.

Know what you mean, two year ago I watched as my weight steadily climbed. Each doctors visit was 25 pounds more than the previous... I was 136 and ended up over 200 again. {entire family over weight and 136 came only after a year of Atkins} The band halted my weight gain and after the fills kicked in, has slowly reversed it. Hang in there and pray about it. You will make the right decision for you.

Hi and welcome. You are doing the right thing by researching not only the medical aspects of weight loss surgery but the emotional side as well. Ginny, I was terrified of complications as I'm a single mom of 3, have had other surgeries in the past...and they say the more you have the more likely it is something will go wrong. My twin went through this when she had the RNY...worrying about complications due to having so many other surgeries. Well, we were both off the mark as having babies, gall bladder removed, etc...really don't count. :Banane35: I'm addicted to food. PERIOD. And when I was upset I'd binge even more. Drive thru McDonalds then BK, then Taco Bell...all within minutes of each other. Gross, huh? But when I was happy... not! The band has helped me help myself. I can honestly say I no longer have the desire for Pepsi. And that's a BIG feat. And only once since being banded did I binge. But the next AM I woke up to over half the bag of chips remained and only a few sips was out of the Mt. Dew. So was that a binge? hahahah But so far I've only done that once where that used to be normal for me...binging (entire bag and 2 liter). Good luck on the research and keep us posted with what you decide to do.

Before I make a decision I'd have it measured. Look in the handbook and it tells you exactly where it is to be positioned. My doc-family doc, said it was sitting on my esophogas. I almost paniced... but I took out the book, then when I went back for the Barium Swallow- brought the book and showed the radiology tech and radiologist who said it was within the range. Whew!

Mine is touch and go. Certain salads go down, others are expelled. I've found Olive Garden's salad will go down. Perhaps it's the coating of the dressing versus 1000 Island that doesn't cover the lettuce.

Hey...just thought of something... ya'll want to do a fundraiser? I do these all the time for schools and teams around here and have done a few in other states. I'll even match profits (luckily I own my own business) so this will be a non profit thing for me. I'll donate my time.

Count me in.

You'll hear people say it's the anesthesia.... there may be some truth to that; however, anyone losing weight WITHOUT surgery can have hair loss. - no anesthesia there. Went on the low carb diet a few years back and half my hair fell out by 6 months... dropped 70 pounds, too. But it all grew back, the weight came back. It's all about nutrition, or lack thereof. Now that I'm banded, my hair is coming out again but slower this time...and wouldn't you know...my weight loss is slower.

Congrats. Sounds like you are getting married. :Banane35:

Saw the VA mentioned as I'm 100% and use the VA...they aren't worth the drive! Move is a joke...but makes the dept happy they can SAY they have a program. I went to Mexico and was banded. Too bad the VA won't compensate me now I no longer need the meds for the comorbids I had... I'm saving them a ton of money! oh well, I'm glad I took the step and got the band on my own.

I loved Curves, but moved and there's not one inside my living room so I don't go anymore. Get a 2 week free pass and try it out.

Wow, thanks for sharing the story. We leave to much up to the docs. I was also banded in Mexico, use fillcentersusa. I read my instruction manual front to back several times. I knew going in that I was going to receive a 2cc fill. And I knew going back that I'd get around .2-.5...I got .2. The book explains it all. But that's true, the fillcentersusa doc only does my fills...nothing else. If I need something done with the band I'd go to my surgeon or go to the fillcenter doc as a patient...not thru fillcentersusa. I'm 30 pounds away from my goal and this was the best $8000 I ever spent! {airfare, surgery, surgicenter, fills, everything}