HappyMamma

Hello, The Seton Medical Support group is open to everybody. The meetings are held the second Thursday of each month @ 6pm. IMO; I think it is easier to attend that group once a month than trying to schedule another meeting with our busy schedules. If anyone is interested in attending let me know I will provide info and the topics we are going to discuss.. Just my 2 cents, Good Luck, Vicky B

Hello, I was also banded by Dr. Fass. I attend the support group of southwest bariatrics at Seton Medical center. We get together the second Thursday of each month and we discuss topics that we choose in the begining of the year. We only have one party a year and that is for Christmas and we eat bariatric friendly food. We welcome everybody. We can start a mini-group if we want to socialize more, and probably we can meet once every other month or so..I am open to do it. Just let me know, Thanks Vicky

Hello Everybody, I just wanted to share a short video I made about my success. As of today I am just 8 pounds away from my target weight. After having to loose so much weight I consider 8 pounds nothing.... I am very happy and proud... check it out, [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTrRxhIkgAg]YouTube - Lap Band Success Story...I did it![/ame] Thanks Vicky

Hello, Congratulations on your band and great recovery. I have a APS Band 10cc. Currently I have 6.8cc's on it. I have been up to 7cc's before but got blocked and The surgeon had to deflate it. I have been working my way up slowly. My last fill was on Oct.23 and I think I will go back after Thanksgiving for a touch up. I probably ask him to leave at 6.9cc's. I feel good restriction now but in the afternoon I feel hungry that is why I said "touch-up" Good luck and remember everyone is different and for me it might take almost 7ccs for somebody else 4.5 would be enough. So it really depends on your stomach really. REgards Vicky

Hello, I wanted to join the group. I went to TR-Austin they helped me a great deal. I had my surgery on may 27/08 with Dr. Fass and I have lost 50 pounds. I am in plateu right now. Yesterday I had my band adjusted to 6.8cc and so far I am feeling full today. We'll see I still need to loose the last 25 pounds and hopefully this adjustemt is going to help me. I wanted to share a video I made about my journey and my experience. It was made in September. There is so much hope with the Lap Band...Keep up the good work. Regards Vicky [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6A4Xoz9l7A]YouTube - Lap Band[/ame]

Congratulations on your 50 pound weight lost. I know how it feels to be able to loose that amount in this time frame. I lost 50 pounds in 4 months our of surgery and I have been with the same weight for a month now...I think I need a more agressive fill. Hopefully this thursday. I have 6.5 cc on my 10cm APS Band. Keep up the good work... Are you exercising? I am, and since I started I noticed I stop loosing but I haven't gained either....Could be muscle? Keep me posted, Regards, Vicky

The way I feel restriction is when I simply can't eat anymore, I just feel satisfied and with a little bit of experience you will identify that spot when you know if you eat more, you are going to get very sick. If you eat too much you start Burping Inmediately, and in my case sometimes stomach pain. For me, the most simple way to eat is just not to take risks and I messuare 1/2 cup for mealtime. If I feel hungry in 2 or 3 hrs. is because I need a small fill. Becareful not take any risk, is not worth it. Regrads Vicky

Hello, I go to my Surgeon's office. They are Southwest Bariatrics. I am not sure if they take patientes with procedures done out of US, but give them a call. Also you can try True Results in Austin. Please keep us informed about your progress, Vicky

I am planing to go back to my country where Plastic Surgery is more accesible to everybody and have a complete EXTREME MAKEOVER, and that means, Full tummy tuck, Six Packs difined, Lipo on such a difficult areas like hips, inner tights and arms, have breats augmentation and last but not least a brazilian Butlift. I have always dreamed of a fitness body and I am working on it. I am doing weight lifting 3 times a week and cardio 3 times a week, that way my results will be easthetic of a fitness body. I don't want to sound "material girl" but after all this weight lost, after being overweight for so many years....we all deserve nice clothes, nice bodies....and why not going to the beach with a sensual bikini and show off your hubby in first place and why not go topless....Just Kidding! but why not.... Hugs to everybody and workout as part of your new routines....it will give you better results. Vicky

My Pic...Before surgery, @ 40 pounds lost, and 50 pound mark! Thanks

I just wanted to share my success with the forum. I was banded on May 27,2008 and yesterday I reached my goal of my first 50 pounds. I made a video that I am happy to share to the world so you can see my huge change. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6A4Xoz9l7A]YouTube - Lap Band[/ame] Thanks Vicky

Thank you everybody for your kind words of encouragement. I have had a tremendous response to my Video and that makes me feel very good that people notice my big change. I feel more happy, I gained energy and now I am continuing on my next goal, the last 25 pounds to reach my goal... I am starting weigh lifting this week to tone up... Thanks everybody, I love this forum VICkY

I can understand all these frustations. For me it is only until now that I feel decent restriction and I have been able to loose more weight. In the beginning was very quick weight lost, then I stalled on the same weight and now I am with 7cc's on my band and I think that is the point where I should be. Don't get discouraged, sometimes our bodies need time to adjust and keep going. BTW, I was banded May 27, 2008. Regards Vicky

Just my 2 cents: After my surgery I had terrible gas pains, I even had gas behind my neck....And Old wifes tale, my mom told me that Ginger Tea would help. I bouth some at the chinese store and I drank my tea every 2 hours.... The gas dissapear in 2 days....Also, try going up stairs slowly and walking. I hope you feel better, Regards Vicky

Just my 2 cents :thumbup: I have had PCOS since I was 19 years old. I was banded on May 27, and as of today my weight lost has been incredible, not to mention that the symptoms from PCOS had been slowing down. My mood is stable now, my hair growth has disminuished a lot I haven't waxed my face in 8 weeks...so is great and the most incredible achivement is that I think I am ovulating for first time in the last 17 years. I stayed away from sugars, with the band is diffciult to eat carbs, so it helps.. I haven't started my exercise routine...ooops...but soon I will be. This surgery is the light at the end of the tunnel for PCOS suffers. Hang in there, there is hope. Regards Vicky

Just my 2 cents! I was banded on May 27, and I had the same experience with Diarreah while I was on Clear Liquids. I was told that liquids in-liquids out is a normal stage and should last about 4 days. I was fine after that with constipation on the other hand.... So hang in there, you should be fine, just make sure you take your liquids in even if you have to go to the bath... I didn't take any medication for that, it resolved on its own. Regards Vicky

Hello everybody, I just can't believe it I am almost there! I received the most awaited phone call in the last 2 weeks. They told me I was approved and scheduled for surgery on May 27. I just want to give some words of encouragement, I am a low BMI (35.7) with PCOS, Infertility, Hypothyroidism, sleep Apnea and begining stages of Diabetes II. So I have the comorbidities, but still low BMI, so there is hope out there. Insurance companies seem to be approving faster now, I think because they see that with the lap band is one time investment in your health and form that point you will be healthy....Treatment of the Diabetes is very expensive and infertility just to mention, so they are thinking twice before they reject someone. Please keep trying, it took me 7 months from the begining of this journal, and at some point I was just tired of appoinmt. supervised diets, etc.etc everything without knowing if I was gonna get apporved or not... But I was persistent, with wishful thinking and hoping for the best. I will keep my journal posted, perhaps I will create a blog to keep everybody uptodate in this new road. good energy to everybody Good Luck Vicky Barberena Austin, TX Surgery 5/27/08 Current weight 202 Goal 135

I have a small LAp-Band Ap, I think the max amount the put in it is 10cc. I had to be unfilled @ 2 weeks post-op because it was too tight for me. Now I only have 2 cc ad I feel it is Ok for now until I recover 100%. I have lost 26 pounds in 30 days.. I feel comfortable like this. I won't rush it.

Hi: I just got banded 21 days ago, but the change is already impressive... I have lost 26 pounds since then....8 of them on pre-surgery diet. I am recovering well....

Hello, Yes, I went to TR austin and I had a good experience. In my opinion I couldn't done better, because they did everything for me, since the whole process of testing and submitting to Insurance co. So you are in goods hands in order to get approved the first time. They are sensitive, compasionate and care about you. I had great experience...Go for it... I was banded on May 27/08. Regards

I am happy for you. Certainly the Band will help you loose the weight you need in order to conceive naturally. In my own experience I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 22, I had problems conceiving my 2 kids, but I succed.... The only regret I have is not having done Lap-Band before....I mean years ago... So you are on track to loose all your pounds and be succesful. I was banded on 5-27-08 and in just 21 days I have lost 26 pounds...So go for it...It will only bring benefits for you... I feel better now, and I think PCOS is better now because I am lighter...My goal is to loose 40 more pounds.... Let me know if you need any type of advise and if I can help out. Regards Vicky

My Mom took care of me and she gave me GINGER Tea which got rid of all my gas pain in 3 days. I swear by it! You can buy the ginger tea or you can make your own just buying the fresh ginger at the supermarket, peel a little bit and pour some Water to boil with it, let it cool and drink slow.....you will be burping all that gas... Also, going slow up and down stairs helps a lot as well as massage on your back like you do to a little baby...That helped a lot.... Take care and let us know,

I am very sorry for your loss. I have done tons of reasearch about the Lap-band and at this point I am sure death is very rare with this procedure. When you go to the dentist you have also risks from the local anestesia they put on you, it can even go right straight on your brain....So I would really appreciate if we reserve these negative comments, especially for the people like me who are going to have surgery in a matter of 2 weeks. I don't want to sound mean or anything, but we are here for support....Alll of us should have a will anyway, since you never know, you go out in your car and you get hit and die on the scene...if that is the case....DOn't even try to drive anymore! Thanks:thumbs_down:

HI, I will have surgery on may 27th as well... I started my pre-op diet today.... Vicky Barberena

Hello, my name is Vicky and I am going to True Results in Austin,TX. Currently I am on my 5th month of supervised Weight loss program. I have already done the sleep study, EKG, Lab Test, Stress Trest, Physh and nutrition. Has anybody had a good experience with BCBS-TX PPO getting approved? How long does it take? I was told by True Results I have benefits from my Insurance but they will send the Whole package to the BCBS by the end of my 6 month weight loss program just to be on the safe side. I am low BMI= 35.8, but with comorbidities, like Diabetes II, infertility, amenorreah, mild sep apnea, Thyroid desease under medication, severe back pain. I have gain 75 pounds in the last 6 years, I have done all diets on the world and if I loose 15 pounds I gain 20 back. I don't feel satisfied at any time, I am always hungry. Can somebody tell me if I have a good chance to be approved? I am clue less....I just wish the say YES. On the other hand I think the people at True Results know what they are doing, if they would think I don't have a chance, then they wouldn't made all these test on me, right? Just trying not to loose any hope. Thanks Vicky B.:wink2: 203 Currently 130 Goal BMI= 35.8 Height= 5'2"