honu

That's in addition to the FillCenterUSA in Pocatello, I gather. Neither one is a quick run from Boise, but a bit closer than others. I was just at the Seattle Bash a couple weeks ago and learned that there will be a FillCenterUSA in Boise very soon, like probably in March. That will be a good option, and they will have fluoro. This from the VP of FillCenterUSA, so think it will really happen. One of these days I'll have to get over there to see the eastern Idaho bandsters. dan

NO ONE should expect to lose before at least the first fill. Some do, but do NOT expect it. If people have to do pre-op diets, they'll generally lose some. As to number of fills before losing, all depends on how filled you are, and the most important of all..... ARE YOU COMPLIANT? That's the real tough one for most of us. You can always beat the band by liquid calories, soft calories (chocolate, for example), and so forth. The band just HELPS us be compliant, it doesn't MAKE us be compliant. cheers dan

I understand the anger, but..... The person who brought the cake doesn't deserve any crap about it. He isn't responsible for you and your feelings or your hunger. Saying "I'd rather you didn't bring cake since I'm trying to diet" is one thing, but an "ear full of hurt" is another. One of the things we all have to learn is how to deal with "bad stuff" around us, since it will always be there. It is our problem, not theirs. It is a bitch, and it isn't fair, and is just one of the many things we don't like. But I know your mama didn't promise you life would be fair....because if she did she was lying or stupid. I know you'll learn to deal with it, even though it is hard. Just another part of learning to live with a band. You'll make it, dan

Well, if the group owner has gone away and doesn't confirm you to join (since you have to tell them your weight and BMI to get added) you're out of luck. If someone abandons a yahoo group, it just goes along by itself. And no way will yahoo tell you who the manager is (though sometimes you can figure it out by looking through ancient emails) nor will they turn it over to someone else. I understand that from yahoo, but is still a pain. I'll see if I can get anyone to wake up over there. dan

Hi Ginger, Yes exercise and toning helps, but when you've got a hundred pounds lost there will still be a bunch that won't ever "just go away". Look at my website, and at the tummytuck part in particular (or the other pix too) and you'll see what I mean. The tummytuck took about ten pounds of skin and fat off of me. And I've always been a gym rat, even at 355 pounds. So exercise will help, but won't make all that loose skin go away. And fat cells never die, they just shrink...so they're still there. dan

I wouldn't think anyone should need any more pain meds than tylenol (acetominophen) after the first couple days. And that won't cause the dizziness as long as taking a normal amount. Remember, no aspirin or ibuprofen or similar. dan

You've only been banded five days. Back or shoulder pain is normal. It is a referred pain from your diaphragm, which gets stressed and stretched during the surgery. It will pass, though the more you walk the quicker it will go away. As noted already, you've been on drugs...anesthesia, and that's probably it. And you're perhaps dehydrated. You're NOT starving, except mentally. You could go a month with NO food. You wouldn't be happy, but wouldn't die. Now Water is VERY different. Just be sure you get in a couple of quarts a day. dan

Yes, the band is ONLY a tool. I can still drink milkshakes, eat ice cream all day, have lots of cream soups, all sorts of "evil" things that would make me gain rather than lose. Last year I DID gain 25 pounds eating comfort food and drinking LOTS of Starbucks Vente Hot Chocolates. Yes, I did it consciously, knowing I could get back on track later. Was spending lots of time with my dying brother, then his funeral.....then a couple months later my dying mother, then her funeral. When I needed a break I took this laptop to Starbucks and spent a few hours.....drinking.... But the tool still works, and I'm back below where I was 14 months ago before all that started.... Whenever you're ready, the band is ready (at least when it has a proper fill). dan

Yes, the photos are pretty dramatic. Both the weight loss ones and the TT ones. Still need to get up the SmartLipo ones, but that'll probably wait until this weekend. I can say that after two weeks I can see the difference (and unlike regular lipo this takes time for the dead fat cells to be absorbed, since they don't suck them all out) and feel the difference. Still not fond of the girdle/device, but....that too shall pass. dan

Yeah, I'm a guy, but just had my boobs SmartLipo-ed a couple weeks ago. Whatever you decide to do or not do, be sure to get AT LEAST four consultations. Just as with band, don't go by price alone. The most expensive doc I talked to for the TT was the least useful in my opinion. I ended up with a mid priced one, but went by what he said and discussed and examined, not by anything else. Website shows some of it, though not yet the SmartLipo. Will try to get that on web soon. Oh, also, some have to have boobs redone, but the newest and best silicone boobs (made by same company as made your band) appear like they'll last longer. But like anything in life, no guarantee. Some also find that there's still enough fat/tissue left after weight loss that they don't need implants if they're willing to have them be lifted but not as "perky" as they'd be with an implant. dan

After 4 years I can't imagine going back to life without the band. And you do NOT get the band removed. It'll go with you to your grave, same as an artificial hip or whatever.....assuming you take care of it. It'll definitely last longer than you will, and you'll last a lot longer WITH it than WITHOUT it. Really. You DO have to learn to eat differently. VERY differently. But that's a good thing. dan@riverofdata.com if you want more info. Or look at my website to see what it has done for me.

This is a great place, but if you want more/different support on the same topic, check out ExtraordinaryBandsters@yahoogroups.com Some of the same people, many different, all started with BMI over 50, some up into the 90s. dan

There are MANY, mostly legitimate and related to insurance, reasons why US docs won't do foreign fills. There is supposed to be a fill center in Pocatello, but don't know if it is still there. The one in Eagle closed as far as I know. Why not join IdahoBandsters@yahoogroups.com for more local info. dan