Chuckles

Suzanne and Loseweightin08, Congrats on getting banded! thisledo, are you now banded? How did it go? Just curious, my thoughts are with you all. greeneyez, any better with the pain yet? ~M~ :smile:

Hey you early January bandsters, I just wanted to see if everyone could give the rest of us an update?

Ross07, Congrats, I am so excited for you!! I hope to be banded one day, but at this point, I have no idea how it's gonna happen. I am sure there are many people on here who would help. Although I am still relatively new, I would be glad to help in anyway I can. Good luck, and blessings on you!

Welcome everyone! I am still relatively new myself, been here for a couple of weeks. There are some really great, extremely compassionate people who really care to help. You can also join certain groups depending on your age or state. Good luck, don't be afraid to ask questions!

DawnWhite, Great, it would be so cool. I just had a thought that made me nervous. Depending on when we all meet up, I may be the only one in our group to not have been banded yet??!!! I just keep reminding myself one step at a time, baby steps. ~M

Hey Everyone... I was just curious as to how you all are doing? Dawn, the 23rd isn't far away at all! I am so excited for you. SO how is everyone else? Also, I was thinking, eventually after we all get banded and are on our way to our goals, that we should all meet (other than the support group meetings.) By then it would be so great to see all of our progress, and to meet faces to the names on here. Would you all be interested? ~M

lisaG, what is the freezing out problem you mentioned? Are you really cold blooded now? Thanks.

Ok, just trying to understand some more here. So correct me if I am wrong anyone, or add whatever you think may help me understand. Ok, so fills are injections into the port which fills your pouch up with silicone, therefore making us feel fuller faster, so we eat less??? Is that right? So unfills, would mean that the doctors take out what we have in, making it where we think we need more food to feel full. And how often people need a fill or unfill varies from person to person. This is just what I have learned from reading around. How am I doing? Am I close or way off? So how is everyone doing, pre-band, post-band, and the newbie group like me? I am so thankful for this site. I really need the support. Thanks everyone! ~M

thistledo and saleel22, Good luck to you both on the 16th, there will be several people thinking of you guys! Wow, I am so excited for everyone, we have like 5-6 people (at last count) going to get banded on the 16th! You guys have your own cheering squad over here!! LOL. I I really am so thankful for this site, it really convinced me that this is what I need, and even though it sounds like it may be tough for a little while, I can't help but to think that it is just temporary. I mean many of us have struggled with this battle for years. Just think when we all start losing, how different we will feel. It is going to make such a difference in our lives. It will add years, and memories! I am so excited for you guys (if you can't tell)! LOL. I wish I knew about this years ago, so I could have already saved up the money since I am self-pay and now I could just go get it done!!! Blessings to all!!!! Can't wait to hear from everyone!

dlollie, My thoughts and prayers are with you! Your one step closer sweetie! You can do this!!!!

With HIS Help, Same goes to you too, as I told SMR100, my thoughts and prayers are with all of you on your big special day! (Sorry, if I missed anyone, still learning how to get through the threads! ) Also, this is off subject but could anyone add me to their buddy list on AIM, or even send me a private message and explain to me how to do the quote, min-quote, and quick reply thingy? I feel like there must be an easier way to make sure I am responding to the right person, but I can't figure it out exactly. LOL. So, to all of you 16th bandsters, good luck!!! ~M~

SMR100, My thoughts and prayers are with you on the 16th! Your one step closer!!! YAY. Let us know how it all went when you can, take care.

Tpagern, Believe me, I sure will keep praying. I really need this surgery, and there just doesn't seem to be any way yet to get it going. Because of my past credit, a loan is way out of question. I have went back to college, so all the extra we had goes to that, and that means besides substitute teaching around T-town, DeKalb, Nash, etc., I am unemployed. I refuse to give up though, (I guess I am kinda stubborn like that sometimes), especially when I know it can make a life and death difference. There just has to be a way. Once again I am asking God to provide a way, even though I don't see one! Thanks for helping me stay encouraged here Teresa. I really do appreciate it!

Greeneyz, Thanks for the info. What time is it there? I live in Texas, USA, and it is 1:00 a.m. Wednesday morning, Central time. I guess it is day over there huh? Aw, I am so sorry to hear that you are alone! You don't have anyone around to help? If I was close by, I would come and help! I believe everyone needs help some time. Well I send you warm wished and prayers up. Hopefully you will feel better tomorrow! Take care.

Hi ChrisAnn, Curious to see how the doc appt went, and if you are felling better, I pray for you a speedy recovery.

Hello Red, Just wondering how you have been doing? Are you still in your post-op diet phase? If you don't mind me asking questions that is.

Greeneyez, I forgot to ask, how much is 70 kg, and if you don't mind me asking, what pre-op diet did you have, and what kind of post-op are you on? Just curious, as I am still learning about Lap band.

Greeneyez, So glad to hear that your surgery went okay. I was thinking of you all, since I think there were a few also getting banded this week. I can't wait, I keep praying for a way for this to get done. I am so fearful that I am going to have to wait years since I am going to be a self-pay. Can't wait to hear specifics, when you feel like sharing! Good 4 u! I just know from reading others' comments that it will get better and better for you! Take care!

TamiSCool, If you don't mind me asking, what was the total cost for your procedure. I am a self-pay, and was looking into going down to Shreveport myself, if it might be a little less expensive than Doctor Heikyl and Doctor Keilin in Texarkana. So were you one of the first patients there to get Lapband? Thanks.

lo2us, Thanks for the info, it was very helpful. So if you don't mind me asking how often do you get fills, and is it accurate that you get the first year of fills free with Drs. H & K? Do you attend the support group meetings? ~M

Hi again. I know there are tons of people in here from Texas, and just wanted to hear anything from those in my state. I live in North East Texas- east of Dallas. It looks like I will be self-pay, and was wondering if any self- payers around my region was given a really great price, or wanted to share who their doctor was? Thank you.:welldoneclap: ~M

Green Eyez, Just curious to find out how you are and how your procedure went? I have been on here for just about a week or so now, and I can tell you are just super cool, and have a sense of class. I look forward to hearing from you. Good luck!

Hi everyone! I was wondering can anyone tell me what the pre-op diet is for Dr. H and Dr. K in Texarkana? Is it 1 week or 2 weeks? What does it consist of? Sorry to be repetitive, I read the post earlier, but I can't find it again (I guess I am a little challenged figuring out how to navigate around these forums sometimes.) :smile: It sounds like many of you have had great success with the band. Also, do you Texarkana Bandsters all ever meet up with each other? I know there are meetings people can attend, but do you all ever meet up outside of the meetings? Are those meetings required? Also, I have questions about the post-op diet Drs. H & K order? Clear liquids is like just water, whereas liquids in general can be anything pureed right? Just trying to get a feel for what is typical. Sorry to bombard everyone, I am just full of questions. Since I will be a cash patient, it may be even a year or more before I can have the surgery. It seems like such a waste of time to wait, maybe I just am impatient??!! Sorry if I am rambling here, my emotions have just been really getting at me lately! :eek: I just really want this to happen for me, and I am sad because it seems so far away, or even impossible that I can get this done. I have already prayed and asked God for a way for this to happen, I don't know why it wouldn't be in his will for me. I am praying for hope, because I know that nothing is impossible for God. Even this! Anyway, thanks for reading everyone. I appreciate it. ~M~

Hello DJArnold, I am considering having the band surgery with the doctors you had. I am new to all this as well, and will be waiting to hear how you are doing!

Hippmom, thanks so much for the info! So I guess this hubby and wife couple are experienced with the lap band procedure. That is good to know! I am thinking of calling up there. I wonder if they offer payment plans, or if I have to have the whole lump sum up front? How often do you get fills now, if you don't mind me asking?