DrewsLou

Hey Maysters!! Sounds like everyone is doing great! Linda... welcome back! Glad you found us again! Kim.... sounds like you are doing great girl. I haven't lost anything yet this week either but I have dropped 11 pounds since my port surgery Nov 2 so I can't complain! MissyC.... Welcome to the May group! Glad you found us!! So I went to a real live support group meeting last night. It was very interesting. I was kind of shocked at how little some people knew about the surgery they HAD ALREADY HAD. Everyone there had been banded for at least a few months, one for a year and a half. They had no concept of what the band is even made of! One lady asked me if it was painful when my tubing was leaking SILICONE into my body. I said well ummm.... actaully the band is MADE of silicone but is filled with saline and that won't hurt you. People were really suprised that I count my calories and excercise regularly. Of everyone there I have lost the most weight and the most percentage of body mass. I kept hearing them talk about how they PB everyday and they think that is totally normal. They couldn't understand why they aren't losing weight. I got the impression that they thought the band was a magic bullet that was going to require no effort on their part and the weight would just drop off. I had to keep myself in check so I didn't sit there with my mouth hanging open in awe. By no means do I consider myself an expert on the band but I sure made sure I knew what I was getting into before I had a major surgery done to change myself. I am going for my second set of interviews for the new job I hope to get this afternoon. Keep your fingers crossed for me! Have a great day!

Check with your doc to be sure but I started eating it when I was able to move onto regular solid food.

Sent you a PM Myra!

I had a BR about 5 years ago. I went from a DDD to a C. It was the best thing I have ever done (besides my band that it!) Recovery sucked and the scars aren't pretty but it was all worth it in the end. To find a surgeon I would recommend contacting your insurance company and finding out who is in your network and go from there. The PS should have books you can look through to see his work. Meet with a couple and go with the one that you feel the most comfortable with. When you speak with your insurance company also ask them what their requirements are to pay for the surgery and what your copay (if any) would be.

Like green garden salad? I wouldn't consider that a mushie. But pasta salad really well cooked I would consider mushie.

Your so welcome! I'm glad it FINALLY got there!

I always take garlic supplements in the summer. Skeeters don't like it at all for some reason! You can find the caps at any health food store or maybe even in your local grocery store. Good luck and have a great trip!

Count me in! I want to thank you so much Kat for putting all these exchanges together. I know it takes a lot of time and energy and I want you to know you are appreciated girl!

Let us know what you find out!

I have a 9.75cm 4cc band. I currently have 1.5cc of fill.

Did you have this done at a "Medicare Certified Center of Excellence"? From what I've heard that's the only way they cover it.

Hey Sunta.... can you PM me the website you got those sugar free mixers on?? Thanks!

I drank for the first time a few weeks ago and I was banded 6 months ago. I got tipsy sooooo much faster! Apple martinis... yummy! I was careful not to overdo it though.... throwing up is not fun and throwing up with the band scares the crap out of me! I don't think there is anything wrong with the occasional drink, a glass of wine or some sort of mixed drink. Do try to be aware of the calories and don't over do it and you should be fine!

Congrats! I remember how excited I was when I got my surgery scheduled. Keep posting and let us know how you are doing!

My hubby thinks I need to email Inamed and make a suggestion that they maybe make the tubing a little stronger to be able to resist a needle puncture. Makes sense to me... it should be a little tougher!

There is a hole in the front and one directly behind it on the back. We think it was probably punctured with a fill needle.

I know I promised these awhile ago but better late than never, right? My hubby had the awesome idea of injecting the port with red food coloring so you could see where the leak is. In the pics you will see the port and the tubing that were removed from me as well as the fill needle inserted into the port. Everything that is red is food coloring NOT BLOOD or marks on the port or tubing (we only had red). As the dye was injected into the port it leaked from both the front and the back of the tubing, as if it had a hole poked straight through it. Let me know if you have any questions!

http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=25257 Here's the link to the November chat. Sleepy... I had my port and tubing replaced because I had a leak. It has turned out great and I'm back on the losing side of things again!

I'd like a side of sex with my lunch please!

Here we are! http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=25257

I'm not sure what Inamed's exact process is. When it was discovered I *might* have a leak I emailed Inamed and they opened a case file to track the problem. They sent me a letter explaining this to me and asking me to send the part that was removed to them for examination. The person I was in contact there with was Steve Gonzales I believe. Let me know if I can help!

Hey sleepy jean! 6 months and 51 pounds lost!

Started at 280 and saw 231 on the scale this morning!!!!!

I just looked at your ticker... we started at almost exactly the same weight!

Awesome Julie!!! Just think.... a few more sizes and you won't need Lane Bryant anymore! I am looking forward to that day myself!