GratefulHeart

I find that hard boiled egg whites (if you like them) really fill me up, BUT I also find that they can get stuck easily, so be sure to chew them up or like Oregondaisy said, make into an egg salad. But the whites are satisfying. If I REALLY have the munchies I make sugar free jello (not pudding, the gelatin) and eat all I want. Sometimes it's just the eating that helps.

Mine was going to the doctor for a routine visit and finding that I had a blood pressure of over 170 over 130! Yikes! That day I started seriously pursuing it, though I had been thinking of it before. That was in September this year and I have lost about 44 pounds (I think) since about October 10. Not super fast, but sure feels good, and my BP is below normal (because of the meds I'm still on). WOW!

Took a month from the time I met my surgeon until I was approved. I didn't have to do a diet, but I had to fulfill other requirements...see my signature line below. It has all the dates there. It wasn't too bad, but when approved on a Friday, the surgery was the next Monday so it was tough to get everything ready at work in time. But soooo worth it!

You are all sooooooo right! I was banded October 20 and even had regrets upon waking up from surgery...but it was just the jitters from not knowing how things were going to work out. The band is a tool, it's not magic, and you still will have to do the work. BUT it enables you to stick with it by no longer being a slave to hunger, and by being satisfied with less. It's the least invasive way, and very effective long term. While statistics show that bandsters don't lose weight as quickly as gastric bypass patients, they also show that long term, bandsters do reach and maintain their goal weight. If you have truly tried to stick with other diets and have not succeeded, the band just might be the tool that will work for you the best. Take heart...everyone gets cold feet, even afterwards. But for me, it's been SOOOOOOOOO worth it!

I'll go for 20 pounds...51 days...I haven't lost much weight in the past week because I've been in too much pain to exercise. But I think I'm okay now and can get caught up exercising on a daily basis and be able to lose more weight. SO - 20 pounds!

I was banded by Dr. Owens on 10/20/08 and am completely happy with him and his staff. I went to Rancho Specialty Hospital and the staff there was great too, though the room was ice cold that day. Doesn't matter, I'm totally pleased with the whole process and Dr. Owens team. His costs are reasonable and he's very good at what he does. I didn't even feel my first fill (3 weeks after surgery).

Welcome! I had the Lap Band done also by Dr. Owens, this year on October 20. While I'm not losing as fast as I would like to, I am still happy with my decision and will continue the process of losing the weight. I'm so glad it was successful for you, and that Dr. Owens did the procedure. The scarring is very minimal, and the port is in just the right place. I would definitely recommend both the procedure and Dr. Owens to anyone! Welcome!

I did a search on Google for "success statistics of Lap Band" and found the following: LAP-BAND: Statistics subframe Lap Band Success Rate If You Are Considering Lap Band Bariatric Surgery Then You Need To Find A Good Surgeon There are probably plenty more out there; this is just what I found after a two-minute look on Google. There might be some really good stats out there....I just didn't have time to really look. Hope it helps!

I am seeing Dr. Milton Owens in San Pedro. He's at Coastal Center for Obesity - Coastal Center for Obesity, Gastric Bypass and Lapband Weight Loss Surgery in Los Angeles and Orange County, California - and had my first fill today, didn't feel a thing. Maybe he can help?

My first fill was today! I felt absolutely nothing, not even when he put the needle in. It was just like some others said. He put a pillow under the small of my back, had me crunch my head up like I was doing a sit-up, and "poof"! it was done. Didn't feel a thing.

I'm three weeks out and my scars (and bruises) are much smaller than they were just after surgery. In fact, I didn't really have any bruising. The only bruising I noticed was from the IV and it was gone within the week. How much bruising do you have?

LOL - I just had surgery on October 20, so not a lot has changed except a few inches here and there on my body - but the first thing I noticed is that my eyelids aren't puffy! I noticed that when I put makeup on that the skin on my eyes is tighter! Is that weird or what? Maincat - the thing I've always noticed about your pictures is that you look so much happier, rested, and super kind. I don't know you at all, of course, but by looking at your picture I'd sure say it would be a pleasure to get to know you, were I to just meet you on the street or in a meeting somewhere! I'm hoping that most of our pictures, when we're at or near goal (or even on the way down) show the real person we are inside like yours seems to!

Oh Fanny, you are SO blessed to have family like that! I think most of us have had well-meaning parents who tried to "make us thin" when we were growing up. Mine, at least, felt it a moral obligation to make sure I knew I was getting fat and that I should stop. My mom and dad still have a hard time with their comments, but my siblings are all very supportive. So I, too, am blessed in my own way. Somehow, though, the parental comments seem to dig deepest. I think my siblings and I have all just learned that our parents are like that and to take it all with a grain of salt... Thanks for your very kind comments and observations about family!

Hi Pontiac! I had a HUGE hiatal hernia, the largest my PCP had seen in over 30 years of practice. I'd have to say the improvement in what I feel after surgery is more from the repair than from the Lap Band itself. With that said, the hernia repair itself is painless and doesn't add or detract from the rest of what goes on with the Lap Band, at least in my experience. The only possible exception to that is that I had some referred pain in my left shoulder (go figure) maybe a little longer because the hernia repair was so extensive. But as far as healing from it and feeling the effects, I'd say it's negligible. You'll have enough to think about with your new lifestyle with the band, and the hernia repair is so minor it's almost like a band-aid in comparison to the lifestyle change of the band. Nothing to worry about! Enjoy the journey!

Welcome to the site! Let us know how things progress and any of the struggles you have or overcame in the process!

I've never heard of it but did a search on Google and found this: Surgical Weight Loss 5 Day Pouch Test Is this what you're looking for?

I don't know if Dr. Owens does fills on patients he hasn't banded, but my surgeon's office is in San Pedro. His website is Coastal Center for Obesity, Gastric Bypass and Lapband Weight Loss Surgery in Los Angeles and Orange County, California - maybe give him a try!

Welcome Vickie! I didn't have to do Optifast, just liquid protein shakes, so I don't know how yucky it is....but welcome anyway! This is a great place!

Where in Southern California are you looking for a fill doctor?

Sure, anything is possible, but it's far less likely that you'll be able to stick to it without the band. I can't speak from personal experience yet, because I have no restriction yet in my band. The whole point is that the band is a tool to help you do what you know you need to do. When you get the proper amount of restriction, you'll have the added advantage of less hunger, which means you won't be as driven to overeat as you otherwise would. Yes, you still have to use your own choices to work the band, but the band makes it easier to stick to something that you (and the rest of us) have already proven we can't stick to on our own. There will be tough times, as the band is not the total answer; it is just part of the answer. It won't always be easy; but you'll have a surgeon and his/her staff on your side to help you along the way. They, unlike your family, understand what you're going through and what's happening with your body, and have helped lots of other people succeed in losing weight when they otherwise couldn't. Have your dad (and anyone else who will go) attend a seminar with you. I have heard that a lot of people's minds were changed after hearing the information at a seminar. It's worth a shot!

Hi Channing, Welcome to Lap Band Talk! There are SO many answers to your questions that it would take a book to answer them all. Some of the answers depend a lot on what your surgeon does - whether you spend the night, etc. I don't think anyone would recommend going back to work the next day; I'd give it a week at a minimum. Of course, I'm not 37, I'm 56, and thought I'd be able to work on the fourth day. But I found that I really needed a week to recuperate. Anyway, I'd recommend looking at a lot of different sites to get the information you need about the lap band in general. These are some I looked at: Home Coastal Center for Obesity, Gastric Bypass and Lapband Weight Loss Surgery in Los Angeles and Orange County, California Obesity Help - Weight Loss Surgery, Obesity Support Groups, Obesity Forums, Surgical Procedures The second one is my surgeon's web site, and he has some information you can download about the surgery, what happens before and after, etc. The first one is on the surgery itself by the makers of the Lap Band brand. The third one is just a general WLS website. Then I'd just read, read, read all the posts you have time for. There's a lot of personal experience documented here on this web site. Jump in with specifics when you can; there's lots of people here who are willing to help. Hope that helps!

Seems it would be easier to just be honest and up front with your current PCP - meds, lap band, the whole thing. She might surprise you.

Sounds super! I am not in Orange County but live just one exit away from OC off the 57 freeway. My doctor is in Anaheim, and he said he would recommend Dr. Milton Owens over anyone. He does do surgery out of Chapman Medical Center but visiting him is a long way - San Pedro - but I would recommend him highly as well. He has been doing bariatric surgeries since 1987 and I believe helped develop some of the techniques with Lap Band, Gastric Sleeve, etc. He is also associated with Dr. Oliak who is in charge of the bariatric program at Chapman Medical Center in Orange. I have Definity Health, which is a program within United Healthcare insurance, and so far, so good. My surgery went flawlessly and I am about 12 days post op. As Tami also indicated, there are lots of other great doctors in OC. I think it's a matter of finding one that your insurance will cover, one that is a COE doctor (Center of Excellence), and one who has tons of experience with the band. I have heard of where some doctors put the ports, and my surgeon seems to have put it in a place where it doesn't interfere with clothing or any other obstruction. In fact, I'm not sure I know exactly where it is, though I think I can feel it. I haven't seen him post op yet so I'll get more info when I see him on the 13th. Anyway, look for a COE doctor and one who has LOTS of experience with the band.

I don't think I can answer all of your questions, because it's true - the motivation has to come from within you. With that being said, I had the band surgery almost two weeks ago and have to say that for me, it has made a big difference in the hunger I feel, and therefore makes it much easier to say no to food that my family is eating around me. While they are not eating food that is bad for them, I still do not personally feel the need to grab a bite of whatever they're having. The Protein shakes keep me full enough. I did try the Protein shake diet before surgery, and was successful with that as well, but I did feel more hunger. Every case is different; there are some folks who have been banded that do feel hungry after the surgery (affectionately known as "Bandster Hell") - until you get to that "sweet spot" where you no longer are driven by physical hunger to overeat or eat too fast. Of course I'm not there, as I haven't had a fill yet. But I don't feel as hungry as I used to, as often, either. The band is a tool that will enable you to resist eating more than you should because of physical hunger. Your family is right, though, about the "head hunger," or what makes you eat whether you're hungry or not. So it's really a combnation of a very effective tool if you work it, and your own motivation to keep working it. No one is perfect and follows the plan exactly, but the point is that it sure makes it easier to get back on track if you get off track. At least that's what I've been able to gain from reading the posts here. The bottom line for me was discovering what motivated me to eat, handling the hunger, and at my age trying to make the rest of my body healthy to live long enough to enjoy maybe another 30 years or so. My own personal motivation is the high blood pressure I suddenly developed, as well as wanting to be able to do things I can't do now. But your own motivation has to come from within yourself, not your family. You CAN do it, and the Lap Band IS an effective tool. It's not magic, it won't do the work for you, but it sure will make it a lot easier. Good luck in whatever you decide to do...this board is a great support for you too, and most people are more than willing to help wherever they can.

****NAME***********START WEIGHT*****CURRENT WEIGHT*******GOAL********LBS. LOST ****:tt1: *******************:tt1:****************** *******************:smile2:**********:tt1: 1day at a time.........................259........................259........... ....................239...................0 gratefulheart.........................241...........................241..............................225...................0 laurigee ..............................170...........................170....... .........................158...................0 leslie2lose...........................215...........................21 5...............................199...................0 Hope this is how it's done!