Pianoman

Thanks for that info! During the evening, I am a piano player - sometimes professionally, sometimes just for fun. I play at weddings, in restaurants, that sort of thing. Of course, the problem with playing the piano is... I'm sat down - it's probably the worst instrument for weight loss.

So, the question I must ask is... Does it go away, and how long does it take?

Yesterday, I had a fill. It seemed to go well, and the floro indicated everything was normal. The odd thing is... Last night, I was kept awake by odd, gurgling noises within my stomach. Most Perculiar. I can drink fluids with no problems, and I feel fine - will these odd noises disappear, or will I be forever watching cable TV at three in the morning? (as unpleasant as it sounds).

It's gonna be my second fill next week, the first one was a little short of the mark. Cast your mind back to your first successful fill. What did you tell/ask the doctor prior to the fill? What do you wish you'd asked the doctor in retrospect? It's under floro, does that effect what I can ask the doctor? Go on, help a fellow bandster out, here! :confused: Ta!

I'm from the UK, Lincoln to be precise! Did you see the program "Dying to be thin"? The surgeon who operated on me was Roger Akroyd, the chap interviewed on the program. I hope everything goes well for you, and I'm sure it will do.

You gained over the holidays? So did a lot of people, I suspect! I don't know what Christmas is like in the USA, but here in the UK, we Celebrate Christ's birth by eating our on weight in chocolates, and sitting on a couch, watching the TV.

Although your underwear is removed, the surgery should provide disposable underwear for the procedure.

I can't speak for the other guys, but the site of me in a pair of speedos isn't something you'd want to see, I can promise you that(!)

Well, I don't need to know I've got my sight back (i.e. there's nothing obscuring my view)

Yes, I have. I think that's my blood pressure coming-down - it affects the effectiveness of an erection, apparently.

Unless his question was "Which guys on this forum are the hottest", I suppose Magic's questions have gone unanswered. I'm kinda wondering what constitutes male only questions when it comes to WLS - Us men are an uncomplicated bunch at the best of times. The only male-specific thing that's happened to me since I was banded is... I can now see my er... "manhood" (before, it was obsured by my stomach). I was aware that it was there, prior to the operation, but only by using a system of Braille! (sorry for bring the conversation down a peg-or-two)

Yes, we men should stand up and be counted - I didn't know what being in a minority felt like until I had my lap-band. I haven't had any male-specific problems with the band, I have to say. Unless you count getting chest hair caught on the surgical tape.

I'm a UK bandster, and it is very different to the US - very little is known. I find myself constantly explaining the op the people.

Reading the Lab-band forums sometimes makes me panic! I know they're a very useful tool, and great for finding information/support, but people tend to post here when they've a problem, giving the impression that "slipped bands", "band erosion", "flipped ports", and "no weight loss" are very common, when they're not.

Thanks for the info, Kathy. I had the fill yesterday, so I'm on liquids for the next few days. They seem to be going down okay, I'm pleased to say. Not sure about bald being cute - However, it's better than some of the daft haircuts I used to have - you name it, I wore it! (the last "do" being a "comb-over", not a pleasant site).

I had my first fill the other day - 4.5cc's (apparently, my band takes a total of ten). Now, that only leaves me with 5.5cc of expansion. Could this represent a problem? Should I be concerned? Thank you in advance, Andy B P.S. On the positive side, I notice one-or-two people are worried about hair loss. Personally, before the band, I had less hair than a shaved egg, and I'm fully expecting no change:)

Thanks for all your thoughtful responses. I have to say, no, I wasn't expecting a miracle cure, I appreciate it would still require effort on my part, but I was hoping to feel fuller a lot quicker. I had my first fill this morning, and hopefully, over the next fortnight, I should see things falling into place. (fingers crossed). It was a 4.5cc fill (quite a lot, compared to some people, I should imagine).

Thanks for the positive note, Mandy - that does make me feel a bit more optimistic!

I'm going for my first fill on Monday. (I've been banded for three months - it's a slow process with my doctor). I've just read about someone else in my position, who quite legitimately asked what to expect from their first fill. Most people replied "You don't get much restriction after your first fill", or "Don't get your hopes up", or "It took a couple of fills to find the sweet spot". One even replied with "I still have to rely on dieting". So what was the point? I'm starting to look like a bit of an arse with friends/family... Can I expect to become pleasantly full a lot quicker after my first fill? The fill will be done with the aid of an x-ray/barium meal - Will that help? Sorry to sound cynical - at this stage I'd love to hear some positive news about the first fill. Thanks!

Thanks. Later on I'll lie down and have a fiddle.

Hmm... That is my largest scar, but it's quite high up, not where the port usually is at all. Still, this evening, I shall have a fiddle!

I was banded on August 23rd. Now, I've read one-or-two threads on LBT talking about how a port feels. My question is this... Is the port usually put in the same place from person-to-person? If so, where can I find it? I know it's in there somewhere! (it's like trying to find a needle in a large, blubbery haystack) It's not that I'd like to spend hours examining myself, you understand, I'm just curious!

Hey there! As a chap myself, I've noticed there's a distinct lack of WLS men on this site. Not that I'm complaining - I'm a computer programmer, and that's all guys - It's nice to be in a female-heavy environment for a change. For some reason, computing tends to attract men, and a specific type of men, too - I can no longer count the number of Star Trek related conversations I have had.

I don't drink at all, never have done... This kinda surprised the consultant who performed my op. Maybe he recalls his days as a drunken medical student with fondness and can't imagine anyone being teetotal.

I hope everything goes well! I was banded on August 23rd. I've 30 pounds (american money) so far, but I don't get a fill until 12 weeks after the op! I'm halfway there!