lsullivan68

Just wanted to publicly say Happy 3rd Bandiversary to myself! This was by far the best thing I've ever done for myself and I'm so happy I finally did it! Couldn't be happier.

I am a Tricare bander and was approved within 2 weeks and in the operating room within 3. My entire process was totally smooth and I couldn't have asked for anything better. Good luck! On a side note - - - Tricare is proposing new regulations in regards to LAP-BAND®® and other weightloss surgeries. This is a good thing. They want to use BMI as a means by which to assess acceptance rather than just "100 pounds over weight". Until December 28th they are requesting comments for this change. All you have to do is go to Regulations.gov and then click submit comment towards the center of the page to leave your thoughts. You don't have to give all the address and govt agency info unless you just want to, that's just voluntary extra stuff. For more info on the topic check out page 14 of the November 16th edition of the Navy Times. It's in the section titled FastTrack.

I am a Tricare bander and have never looked back - on a side note, see below! Tricare is proposing new regulations in regards to LAP-BAND®® and other weightloss surgeries. This is a good thing. They want to use BMI as a means by which to assess acceptance rather than just "100 pounds over weight". Until December 28th they are requesting comments for this change. All you have to do is go to Regulations.gov and then click submit comment towards the center of the page to leave your thoughts. You don't have to give all the address and govt agency info unless you just want to, that's just voluntary extra stuff. For more info on the topic check out page 14 of the November 16th edition of the Navy Times. It's in the section titled FastTrack.

Tricare is proposing new regulations in regards to LAP-BAND® and other weightloss surgeries. This is a good thing. They want to use BMI as a means by which to assess acceptance rather than just "100 pounds over weight". Until December 28th they are requesting comments for this change. All you have to do is go to Regulations.gov and then click submit comment towards the center of the page to leave your thoughts. You don't have to give all the address and govt agency info unless you just want to, that's just voluntary extra stuff. For more info on the topic check out page 14 of the November 16th edition of the Navy Times. It's in the section titled FastTrack.

I am almost 1 year post surgery and I have lost a half size in my shoe size. It is pretty amazing!

Just thought I'd update everyone who's been so kind to respond. I'm able to drink baby spoon size amounts of liquids but still no food of any type. I'm going tomorrow afternoon for a slight unfill, which will hopefully make a world of difference. Thanks for all your support. Heck in just 4 days I've lost 10 pounds, miserably I might add, which I've never experienced since getting banded so I'm ready to return to the good old days before I got this last fill.

Today I had my 6th fill and I am 9 months post op. I've never had an issue of not being able to keep things down, well at least not until today. I drank an entire bottle of water in the office before driving home. Drank some more in the car and several other things throughout the evening, but now I can't get anything to go down. Any suggestions, comments or thoughts?

I started using the clinical strength brands that are now available to everyone over the counter. You could give it a try, it certainly can't hurt.

LJ I don't know where in Houston you had your surgery, but I was at University General and couldn't have asked for kinder soles helping me their either. Walk, walk, walk. It makes everything easier. Also for a few days I slept in my recliner because I just couldn't get comfortable in bed, especially since I'm a side sleeper. However, after a couple of weeks I was sleeping normally and doing great, which is exactly what I bet you'll be doing too. Hang in there and congratulations.

I've had a couple people ask me privately if it could be my port and the answer is NO. My port is about four inches below my right breast, so it can't be that. Gallstones huh? Also the pain isn't constant, it comes and goes. Do you have to have your gallbladder removed? Yuck, another surgery and then more time recovering and not exercising. :biggrin:

I am 6 months + 4 days from my surgery day and I am very happy with my weight loss. I haven't really had any problems (knock on wood) and I haven't had a regret one since doing it. However, in the last couple of weeks I have experienced some severe pain on my right side about an inch above my right hip bone and about an inch to the left. Does anyone have any idea what this might be? Has anyone had similar experiences? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Just wanted to update everyone. Somone locally from the message board contacted me privatley and we met over the weekend and I gave her all my old clothes that are too big for me now. It felt good to share. She offered to pay, but I refused. I just hope one day someone will repay the favor to me - - -sorta like pay it forward. : )

I'm happy with my weight loss to date and I've had to weed out all my 18's, 20's & 22's because I'm wearing 16's now and I just don't know what to do with all the ones that are too big. I've got to get the closet cleaned out so that I can go shopping. I'm looking for suggestions as to what "the experts" have done with theirs when they got too skinny to fit into them anymore. Thanks in advance.

I am not saying I'm ashamed of my band at all, I simply don't want to deal with the drama that comes with telling my mama! :tt1: I think many of us have felt the same way. Afterall, who wants to hear from their grandmother what type of underwear to wear after surgery. For some of us, not telling certain people makes it easier for us and I think that is OK.

When I first did it I only told my husband and daughter. Once I had the surgery and starting losing weight I began telling people and they were all very supportive. However, I have yet to tell my parents or siblings. They will be all "but you weren't that big" and I just don't want to hear skinny people tell me that, they are just being kind because they love me. I say, pick carefully who you tell.