HappyMamma

Good Morning, I am glad i found this forum. It has been 6 long but meaningful years of my life. Just wanted to share my results with people who have gone a similar road as me... I hope you like it. Thanks, Maria https://plus.google.com/115997421400295293801/posts/W3eDzj2uQag

Hello Everybody. I been gone almost 4 years. I just wanted to share my progress.Please follow me on youtube channel Maria-Victoria Franco. I'm gathering pics to make another video!!! Please read my update... Thanks for your support. https://plus.google.com/115997421400295293801/posts/W3eDzj2uQag

Hello everybody, I have worked extensively to produce the following video to show to the world my success with LAP BAND. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do. If you you like my video, I appreciate if you click and leave a comment... The more support I have and more views, the more I can keep contributing to a local support group and people who watch me. Thank you and God Bless you. Maria. https://plus.google.com/115997421400295293801/posts/W3eDzj2uQag

Thank you everybody !! Love this place....

This is my Before and After... Just wanted to share...thank you for your support.. https://plus.google.com/115997421400295293801/posts/W3eDzj2uQag

@@2muchfun Thank you for your kind words. Yes, I love the ocean. I wish I could live near it. The song is called DARK FIRE by Strunz & Farah I just love their music. I am glad you took the time to watch my video and enjoy the music and pictures. Actually I have been looking for pictures in cd's, files, etc,etc in order to have a good number of data to work with. It is amazing the change, and thank god I am OK and well from all the surgeries I have had to repair, Hopefully I am done with surgeries because enduring all that process is also hard and emotional. Let's keep in touch, Thank you, Maria V

hello!! I think I should have posted here in first place, I am still learning how to navigate on this board. I apologize if you have read me before. Please read my story on this link, and follow me on youtube as I am making a new video with current pics. https://plus.google.com/115997421400295293801/posts/XrKviw1xjzk

Thank you for letting us share our journey. Here is my Before and After.

Congratulations... I can relate to you regarding the results of being banded, loose weight and deal with the extra skin. Great and motivating story.

I agree, you have gone through so much lately. It would be good idea to go back and see the Band Dr. and start from zero again; probably the amount of weight you have lost is not yet enough for your hormones to be in balance and carry a successful pregnancy. I would focus on regain my health, emotions, carry out my weight loss successfully before trying again for a baby. Don't be afraid of gaining weight with pregnancy, you will be fine and you are fortunate to have a precious tool that will help you along... Go for it!! make that appointment and start your new journey! get motivated and visit this forum often to let us know your progress, it is all good and we need to take care of us in first place. Good luck. Maria

I agree with the previous post. It all depends on the person. But remember that once you start loosing weight all the fat around your stomach is gone and the band starts to feel loose, so you won't feel restricted any more, you will Plateau and stop loosing. Sometimes a person just need less than 0.5 cc fill in order to feel restriction, as incredible as it seems, it happens, sometimes 0.5 is too much and 0.2 is nothing... In my personal case, I started to feel on the green zone with the second fill, but as much weight was gone i started to feel less restricted and I starting to go more often for fills. I am currently on 7 cc's, maintaining and feeling OK on portions and appetite control. I've been with these 7cc's for more than a year. Also remember, as the quantity matters, it is very important to eat the right foods. If we want to loose weight, we need to forget about carbs, sweets, milky shakes, fry foods, pizza, breads and sodas. Those items are a No-no regardless you have a band or not, but your band won't tolerate that behavior on your part. Remember is only a tool, but you have to make the right decisions. Allow yourself to one indulgence a week. It really works! Good Luck. Maria

God Bless you. You have gone a long journey to have the band removed. I hope there is a new way to go through this, I imagine can be frustrating and sad; but nowadays insurance companies are harsh and don't realize that a simple repair is much better than having a patient with tons of medical issues due to overweight. I hope you can have your extra skin removed soon, and the hernia repair. You will feel incredibly and amazingly on top of the world just not having to deal with heat and your pants fitting better. Good Luck.. Maria

Here is my update. Follow me on my Youtube Chanel María-victoria franco https://plus.google.com/115997421400295293801/posts/W3eDzj2uQag

Hello, I had LAP-BAND® on May 2008. I have had success with my band, I am only 6 pounds away from my goal. This summer I went to my country of origin and I had PS. I stayed there for 2 whole months with family. I had a great experience and that is why I wanted to share my final results after 5 months of PS. FYI, I had the following procedures done at the same time. My surgery lasted 9 hrs. I had Full Tummy tuck with 6 packs defined and waist defined. I had Whole over the body high Definition LAser (VASER) Liposuction I had Brazilian Butt lift I had Breast Augmentation with high profile cohesive silicone gel. Just wanted to share since i am a different women, more confident and now I am enjoying my new figure. I feel very happy. I will be happy to read your comments...

Hello I am having the same issue..I was banded May 2008, but I decided t have an endoscopy just to have peace ofmind since i was throwing up contantly....during the procedure the dr found out that the band was a little bit slipped,and decided to take all Fluid out (Jan 6), then I went for a Barium last Thursday and waiting to see him next Thursday Feb 2 to fill again if I am ok. I was wondering what is going to happen if I am not ok? As you I have been able to eat everything and I see it like a Band-vacation as I never had it before, so it has been nice to be able toe at steaks and pizza and coke.... Let me know what is going on with you and what is your next step... Best wishes Vicky

I had a total body Lipo...The recovery time was 2weeks. I had 2 drainage massage per day and it help a bunch, also we speed things up with Ultrasound therapy. Vicky

Hello Just my 2 cents...My port was repositioned to the side since it was in the front, so after TT just looks like part of my new six packs. My PS did it himself, he said it wasn't a big deal, and i haven't had any problems with my lap band fills. However my PS was done in Colombia, Southamerica. I feel great with my new TT and six packs.. Regards, Vicky

Thank you for all your responses; I went to my country of origen Colombia-Southamerica. I have my surgery done in Bogota, for one of the most prestigious plastic surgeons, he has been the surgeon of many TV celebrities in my country, top models, etc.etc. I traveled because I have family overthere and i could stay with out any rush, this type of procedures need TIME TO RECOVER... The cost was 10.000 dollars for everything including a nurse for 12 days 24/7, post surgical drainages (10), girdles, silicone implants. My surgery was done at Fundacion Santa Fe de Bogota, which is one of the top 5 hospitals in Latin America and one of the best in Colombia. The name of my surgeon is Felipe Amaya, Cirugia plastica en colombia, lipoescultura, cirugia de senos, cirugia de nariz. He is very fluent in english for those who don't speak spanish, and As far as i know he has the ability to find you an apartment while you need to be there, however, as I mentioned when you do an extensive procedure like I did, you need at least 5 weeks in Colombia to fully recover.... well, if you have any questions, please ask me, I have been very open about my journey and i am happy to share my experience. Vicky

Hello: Somebody asked for the before pics... Here they are, Thanks for all your replies... Vicky

Congratulations on your successful story. I am on the same boat, almost at my goal, sometimes I go over 150, then i go back into the 140's...But i guess I need to be more consistent. I am happy for you,

Hello Mindy, Not at all...I have been attending the group since September and everybody is very, very supportive and respectfull about the desicion of others in having any type of surgery. But I understand your point, it is completely valid for me too. We still can get together, I am open to do that too...I was just passing oot the info about the group since it is already going on. Please if you form a group, let me kow to see if i can attend your meetings. I would love to... Thanks Vicky

Hello, The group has members from all different types of surgeries, lap band, gastric bypass, and gastric Sleeve; we talk as a whole group first and then we separated into small groups per surgery type and then we discuss or ask questions to our mates. The next meeting is next Thursday feb.12,2009 @ 6pm. Vicky