HOWLUCKYAMI

You're awesome, Pete! Keep up the amazing job you're doing!

Hi there...I saw your post and as I am a "lovely" person, I would heartily recommend my PCP, Dr. Bala Annadurai. She practices out of Fremont, across from Washington Hospital. She is pro-LB and RNY....I have been a patient of hers and she knew of my long struggle with my weight. She was all for me getting LB and did many of the required tests in her office. I would also heartily recommend Valley Care (Pleasanton) Bariatric Center. They deal with Anthem BC PPO ALL THE TIME and know exactly how to deal with the paperwork. My authorization went through very quickly and they didn't jerk me around. As long as your plan doesn't specifically exclude WLS (you should check this before starting anything), I think you'll find that Anthem BC PPO is very easy to work with. My authorizations for fills are turned around in less than a week! It's great! My surgeon was Dr. Andrew Lee. He's a very nice man and made me feel comfortable with the process. His partner is Dr. Estakhri and I know of some people who aren't thrilled with her bedside manner. Dr. Lee is great and will take the time you need to answer any questions you have. Please let me know if you decide to use either of them. I'd love to talk with you if you have any questions or concerns. Just PM me. Take care, Emily

Hi Shelly, I could have written your post myself! I'm in the same boat as you. It was so easy at first, but now I really have to watch myself. I have spent the last few months at the same weight, expecting to magically start losing again. But I have come to the realization that my body is going to need exercise and a lot of it to get this weight off. When I exercise regularly I see success on the scale. Back off the exercise and I struggle. Like you, I have been fortunate not to gain weight, but that's not why I wanted lapband. I want to lose! So, it's step aerobics for me (I used to teach) and while I really enjoyed losing without much effort, I know that I will be truly healthier when I combine diet with exercise. You hit the nail on the head....it's a tool, but its no magic wand. Sounds like it's time for us both to get back to work! Best of luck to you~!

It happened to me. I went in for my first fill and my doctor had trouble accessing my port. It was clear from the flouro that it had flipped. I have since had it revised and had a fill at the same time. I am much more sore in my port area this time than the first. My doctor says this is normal since he had to extract the original port and then stitch in the new one. I have continued to lose weight at a slow and steady pace. I attribute this to staying between 1100-1300 calories most days, even when I know I could take in many more. I eat Protein first and I think that is key to being satisfied on less food than I could eat. Tell your hubby there is light at the end of the tunnel and this is but a bump in the road. If I can be of any help or if you have any questions, feel free to PM me. Take care!

Good to hear from you! I felt exactly the same way when I was looking at banding. LBT is a great outlet, but having people close by has been wonderful! I have a mentor that I met through my LB program at Valley Care and she is also involved in our luncheon support groups. We are a small group right now...typically between 3-10 people each luncheon, but we are looking to grow our group so that we all have exposure to different phases of the LB journey. Just PM me when you know if you can attend so that I can make our reservation! Hope to meet you soon! PS...I grew up in Morgan Hill and am very familiar with Gilroy.

Hello fellow San Francisco/Bay Area California bandsters! I wanted to let you know that there is a small group of us who meet for lunch each month for support, encouragement, and general lap band discussion. We're also the San Francisco Bay Area online support group for Bandsters:http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/BayBandsters/ . Online, we're a regional support forum where members can discuss their banding experience and support each other while making new friends, with a special emphasis for Bandsters residing in or near the San Francisco Bay Area. Offline, we're a group of really nice people who like getting together with each other to share our common issues. As a user of lapbandtalk.com, I thought it would be a great idea to reach out to those of you who are in the area and see if you would be interested in joining our informal support group. Our next luncheon is on March 14, 2009 at noon at TGIF in Union City at the Union Landing shopping center. If you are interested in joining us, please PM me and let me know you are coming so that we can make the appropriate reservations with the restaurant. I hope that you will consider joining us for lunch! It's a great opportunity to meet face-to-face with other bandsters in all different phases of our journey. Hope to see some of you there!

Hello fellow CA bandsters! I wanted to let you know that there is a small group of us who meet for lunch each month for support, encouragement, and general lap band discussion. We're also the San Francisco Bay Area online support group for Bandsters:http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/BayBandsters/ . Online, we're a regional support forum where members can discuss their banding experience and support each other while making new friends, with a special emphasis for Bandsters residing in or near the San Francisco Bay Area. Offline, we're a group of really nice people who like getting together with each other to share our common issues. As a user of lapbandtalk.com, I thought it would be a great idea to reach out to those of you who are in the area and see if you would be interested in joining our informal support group. Our next luncheon is on March 14, 2009 at noon at TGIF in Union City at the Union Landing shopping center. If you are interested in joining us, please PM me and let me know you are coming so that we can make the appropriate reservations with the restaurant. I hope that you will consider joining us for lunch! It's a great opportunity to meet face-to-face with other bandsters in all different phases of our journey. Hope to see some of you there!

Hello fellow CA bandsters! I wanted to let you know that there is a small group of us who meet for lunch each month for support, encouragement, and general lap band discussion. We're also the San Francisco Bay Area online support group for Bandsters:BayBandsters : BayBandsters . Online, we're a regional support forum where members can discuss their banding experience and support each other while making new friends, with a special emphasis for Bandsters residing in or near the San Francisco Bay Area. Offline, we're a group of really nice people who like getting together with each other to share our common issues. As a user of lapbandtalk.com, I thought it would be a great idea to reach out to those of you who are in the area and see if you would be interested in joining our informal support group. Our next luncheon is on March 14, 2009 at noon at TGIF in Union City at the Union Landing shopping center. If you are interested in joining us, please PM me and let me know you are coming so that we can make the appropriate reservations with the restaurant. I hope that you will consider joining us for lunch! It's a great opportunity to meet face-to-face with other bandsters in all different phases of our journey. Hope to see some of you there!

I agree...you can really see the difference! Keep up the great work...you're lookin' good!!!

It's a good question you pose. I'd suggest that some people simply lack confidence in their own opinions and feel the need to seek confirmation from others in order to justify their own thoughts.

I don't think she was protesting too much as she was perhaps trying to let you know that your posts come across as overly judgmental. I doubt that is your intent, but I would agree with the poster that you might want to wait to see more poll results before critiquing those who vote. If you refrain from making generalizations so early on you're likely to have more people actually answer your question.

Hi Amanda, The first couple of weeks after surgery for me were pretty easy. I had no appetite what so ever for atleast the first week. The second week was a bit more challenging in that my head started craving food like eggs and mashed potatoes, but my stomach really was fine on the Protein shakes and Soup. If I had that phase to do over again I would make a batch of homemade chicken soup and live on the broth. When I finally did, I only had a day or two left to sip it before moving to pureed foods. As for the protein shakes, I lived on Myoplex Original ready to drink. I wasn't good about making time in the morning to make my own shakes and the Myoplex ones have a very convenient twist on top that made them easy to take with me. I like the chocolate Fudge flavor the best, but it was nice to have a few vanilla and strawberry Cream on hand to mix it up a bit. One can (actually it's more like a juice box than a can) has 42 grams of protein so if you can get one and a half down you'll likely have met your protein goal for the day. Make sure you sip all day long and get your protein in. It will really help with your energy level. Remember, you're going to be taking in VERY small amounts at a time. Don't waste your intake on Jello or broth if you can help it. Get your protein in first and supplement with other items if you still feel like it.

Hi Amanda, You and I started about the same weight and have about the same to lose! I know what you mean about feeling blessed. I have felt blessed each day of this journey, and I've even got a flipped port. But I still feel so lucky to have had this opportunity, because I believe in my heart of hearts that it is going to work for me. I feel 'guided' through this process, and am. I thanked my boss the other day for providing us with the exceptional insurance coverage we have. The hospital billed over $62k for my surgery of which $58k was written off by Blue Cross as being above the negotiated rate. In the end, the amount I ended up having to pay? $310.90! I was expecting to have to pay $3k. If that's not blessed, I don't know what is. That savings sure makes buying new clothes much easier to do! Blessings to you!

Awesome! Way to go!

I lived on Myoplex Original Ready-to-Drink shakes. Loved the Chocolate Fudge and Vanilla Cream. Strawberry Cream isn't bad either, but I can only do those every couple of days. They have 300 calories, but its a 17 oz container, with a very convenient twist off top that is resealable. I used to bring them with me anywhere and could drink all day long. 42 grams of protein, 6 grams of fiber and only 2 grams of sugar. They pack a lot of punch and taste really good. One and a half of these a day and I'd pretty much met my protein goal.

Hi Cali Banders!!! I was banded on 12/16/08 and unfortunately my port flipped about 2 weeks later. With that being said I have to say that I LOVE MY BAND and would do it again in a NY minute! I finally feel like there is light at the end of the tunnel for me and my life-long struggle with my weight. I will be having a port revision early next month and from what I have read and heard from my surgeon it's a relatively simple procedure that's done on an outpatient basis. Here's a few threads that have been invaluable to me in my research and post-op band life: I'm Here to Help: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f260/im-here-help-64725/index130.html This thread provides you with information and advice from a 3 year post-op bander named Janet. She offers up advice and tough band love to all who ask for it! Don't be afraid to ask her your questions-she loves helping fellow bandsters out! Surgery Day Stories: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f178/surgery-day-stories-64287/index18.html This thread was very intersting to me because it gives an idea of what actually happens on surgery day. Of course, every surgeon is different, but knowing this information up front can help you to ask questions of your surgical team before your band-day. It can also help you to make sure you're prepared for your trip home and what it's going to be like once you get there (don't forget to have a pillow to hold between you and the seat belt!). Also, find your monthly bandster thread. For example, mine is December Bandsters. Your monthly thread can help you to make friends who are going through the process at the same time you are and you can get great advice and share your journey with others who can relate. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f178/december-bandsters-84755/index5.html I wish you all the best of luck and hope that each of you feel like I do...that the band is the best thing you've ever done for yourself and your health!

Hi Next! Great to hear that you're back on board with your band and that you've found LBT.com. There is incredible information here to be found and much support as well. I wanted to send you a link to what I believe is the best thread for all banders. I think you will find incredible support and information that will help you get back on track with your journey. You'll get tough band love, but it's what we all need to be successful. Janet is great and is amazing about answering literally everyone's questions. Hope you enjoy it... http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f260/im-here-help-64725-new/

Hi Gary, I just went for my first fill this morning (under flouro) and found out that my port had flipped. My doctor was extremely apologetic and said that a relatively simple outpatient procedure would take care of the problem. Basically, he's going to schedule me for a revision where I'll be put under again, though not as intensely as for the original surgery. Then, they open up the port area, turn and relocate it, then stitch me back up. He said I'd be off work a day and would have to take it easy thereafter, but he assured me that all would be fine afterwards, albeit a bit sore. Of course, I'm concerned, but I'm not freaked out about it. I know it happens and have a friend who went through the very same thing and has been incredibly successful with her weight loss. But I do know one thing for sure...I'm going to make him promise to sew that baby down like crazy this time!!!

You'll probably get tons of congratulations for your weight loss (and you deserve each and every one of them)! I'd like to congratulate you for recognizing your bad choices and taking responsibility for them. I'm a very new bander (12/16/08) and can see how I could easily find myself in your shoes. I hope that I am as smart as you are to get myself back on track like you are! Way to go!

My surgeon made that decision. It looks like you and I started the process about the same weight. I have a 10cc band. Best of luck to you! I can tell you that getting banded is the best thing I've ever done for myself!

I didn't tell anyone at work and don't really plan to. And the scars are minimal so unless you're wearing a bikini I don't see how anyone would even see your scars. As for weightloss, it's pretty gradual. If you were having bypass you'd probably have a harder time hiding your weight loss, but with the band it's not so terribly dramatic that you couldn't get away with telling folks you're watching your portions and exercising, especially if you start making changes now.

This is just a thought, but if you think you can get away with it, how about wearing ankle weights to your weigh-in? That way you will meet your weight requirement, but your body won't have to suffer the burden of the additional weight.

Yes there is light at the end of the tunnel, but everyone is different. If you're like me, you will enjoy about 2 weeks of no hunger at all! It was great. Once I moved on to the mushy stage I felt the hunger a bit more, but nothing unmanageable. I have had little problem keeping my calories between 800-1000 on most days. During full liquids I drank a lot of Protein shakes and they really filled me up, especially since I was sipping them pretty much all day and night long. I like Myoplex Original the best. I also sipped tomato soup, broth from Top Ramen (way better than canned or packet broth), other broth-based soups (homemade are the best) and drank soy milk (filling). Also, pick up some Kelloggs protein Water. You get 5 grams of protein and while you're drinking water. Best of luck to you!

Isn't it amazing the variance in the pre-op education some doctors require? I've met people who did a two hour class and that was it. My surgeon required 10 two hour classes prior to surgery. And then I was quizzed by a nurse at the hospital before I was released! The pre-op ed was a bit of a pain, but I am so glad that I did it now.

Are you sure? I haven't heard of anyone who doesn't have internal sutures. When the band is placed it is commonplace for the surgeon to fold some of the stomach lining up and over the band to hold it in place.