Spydr

I to am hanging tough with my band. Got my 4 month check up on Thursday and am down 40 lbs. I went ahead and got a fill so as to try and find the sweet spot and keep dropping. I'm working out 3 or 4 times a week and eating a lot less. I'm excited but tired a lot of the time. I get hungry more often but eat very little. I guess that has helped kick my metabolisim into high gear. Don't give up November Bandsters. The light at the end of the tunnel is not a train, it's the skinny you!

If we are voting, My vote goes to Dr Jay! He is a great guy and think we would be friends even if I was not his patient. He is funny and down to earth and, even though he's thin, he seems to understand this fat girl's problems. His staff always talks with me and helps me calm down when in a panic. Many of them have been banded and they can relate since they were once there. He has a brand new office at Medical City and it is huge! I got my fill using the flouro and he talked me all the way through. No question is too silly or strange. Dr Jay will get my vote anytinme!

Thanks all! The best to each of you in your weight loss as well. I loved seeing my fill on flouro. The coolest thing ever!

Today marks 4 months of me and band hanging out together. I have lost 40 lbs to date and could not be happier. Just wanted to share some joy with the others out there. It can be done! How are the other November '05 bandsters doing?

Way to go DiDi! I knew you would be here soon. Enjoy the drugs as you only have one refill! Keep updated on your progress!

DiDi - By now you are banded and enjoying some the cities finest drugs. Good for you. I hope you long on soon and tell us how it went!

I was an outpatient and I like that. I would rather recover in the comfort of my own home. I was in at 6:15a and was home by 1:30p.

Anyone who sees WLS as the "easy way" has not had it. Gas pain, port pain, not able to sleep on your belly, scars and such werfe not easy for me. WLS is hard work. I too have encountered the "exercise and diet" people but the odd part of that is they are over weight! "How can you tell me that just diet and exercise work if you're fat?" They always say they don't have the disipline. What makes you think I do? I'm doing whatever I can to lose weight and that should count for something. I'm proud of where I am and what I've done and I will fight w/anyone who feels like it! Bring on your closed minded nature. I'm ready for it!

I am excited but it's hard to see your 72 lbs loss and not be a little green with envy! Hardly fair that you boys drop so much faster than us girls! I'll catch you soon so you better watch out!:devious

Banded on November 16th and have lost 32 lbs. I wish it was more but I know that's up to me. Don't worry, I'm on it!

I find it interesting that another topic on the board right now is that Star Jones won't go on the record with her surgery. Why can't she keep it a secret like others in this thread want to? Seems like a double standard. FYI: I think she should go on the record but that's not my point. Here is my point. If I had met someone a couple of years ago who would have told me about the LapBand, it would have saved me health problems and heartache. I figure, it's part of my journey to help others in this life. I may not be the best example but I am trying and I don't want others to suffer when I know there is an answer. Why be greedy with the answers? Loud Mouth Proud Banster!

I have told everyone, right down to the waiter at dinner last night. I'm not ashamed that I'm trying to save my life. I've given details about the surgery to anyone who asked and have a neighbor who is now getting approved! She said she didn't want the lapband until she knew of someone who had it. If I had been tight lipped, she moght have continued to suffer. The whole "keep it a secret" thing always bewildered me. We didn't keep our fat lives a secret, why keep the skinny ones secret? I guess I have no problem sharing my life in hopes to help others. If I screw up and eat the wrong thing, so what. I'm not perfect but at least I'm trying and the people around notice that if nothing else. Proud to be a Bandster!

I had several "last suppers" but the very last was lobster, queso and chips, ceasar salad with croutons, steak, shrimp, about 10 glasses of Coke and a large peice of Oreo mousse pie. Check it out, I didn't gain any weight between my 1st appointment and my surgery. How the hell was that possible?

My surgery was covered by Medicare but like others said, things are different state to state. Call the doctors you are interested in and they can give you more info. For example, my doc takes Medicare but some times they pay and some times they don't. My fee was $2000 and if Medicare doesn't pay, that fee covers all costs. If Medicare does pay, that fee covers fills and aftercare for life. Not a bad deal!

Sometimes I will brush my teeth. For some reason it works. Weird, huh?

My best advice is to find a Planned Parenthood in your area and run, don't walk, to their office. You need an exam and I gotta tell ya, you won't like it. A pap smear can hurt and the whole thing is very comfortable. I would rather have that than cancer so I get one every year. Part of the joy of being a girl! The good thing about Planned Parenthyood is they work on a sliding scale so insurance is not necessary. I don't have any! They are experienced and will not make you feel uncomfortable. They may need your history and a few tests but it won't cost an arm and a leg and they can help. As far as the period coming twice. I had that from time to time before I got on birth control. Birth control, in it's many forms, help regulate my period. I'm now taking the Depo shot and I don't get a period at all anymore. It's great! I hope you find the courage to go to the doc ASAP.

Hang in there Julie. It's hell and it sucks but you will make it. I always hate when people tell me it's not that bad. It is that bad but you will survive. Didi - I did not cheat once on the clear liquids. It was only 7 days out of a life where I ate everything in sight. I knew I could do it. Like I said, you want to quit and kill everyone around day 3 or 4. Day 5 I surrendered and felt much better. It's tough to deny yourself after giving in for so many years. Best advice, drink all day long. Change from cold liquids to hot liquids often. Eat all the sugar free popcicles you want. Have Jell-O every day. There will come a point where you may not want anything. That's okay. I was there. I did ask everyone I met what they had to eat that day and lost myself in the memory of food. Ahhhhh, food! It was worth it for me. I'm sure you will find the same true for yourself!

I have 6cc in 14cc VG band. I'm going in next week for more.

I had to do the liquid thing for 7 days prior to surgery. The thing was, I was on "clear" liquids, not "full" liquids. That makes the biggest difference. You will want to quit on day 3 or 4, I promise. Hang in there. Just surrender to the liquids and you will find by day 6 you are okay. Knowing that the light at the end of the tunnel is not a train but a skinny person helps your head. You can do it! I believe in you!

I just think of plastic surgery as part of the whole weight loss thing. If I'm willing to do the band, I'm willing to do it all. It's about a life change. I always wanted a set of "perky" ones!

My doctor charges Medicare patients $2000 flat. If Medicare covers the surgery, the money goes to fills and aftercare. If Medicare does not cover, the money covers the entire surgery and fills are $50 each. Medicare covered my surgery to the tune of $54,900. I say, good for the doctors for getting what they can. I now have $2000 worth of fills and aftercare. I should be set!

When I am in a resturant, after I finish my meal, I sabotage my food. I pour salt, sugar or pepper all over the plate so I don't go back and nibble. Does anyone else do this? It does seem a bit strange but, hey, it works!

I just my Medicare statement and they were billed $54,980. My out of pocket was $2000. Could not be lieve it but if they are willing to pay, I say go for it!

My first fill was 6cc in my 14cc band. I think I will need at least one more to find that "sweet spot" I've heard so much about. There is no exact science to getting a fill. Everyone is different and the spectrum is very broad.

Jini - How much fill did you get?