Stitchy

Sounds like you need to do some more investigating. Not an exclusion for what? Gastric Bypass? Lap Band? A lot of insurance companies are just not up to date with Lap Band. I know fellow whose company said that it was *experimental.* He fought it. Got the letter from whoever the government agency it is that approves these things (I'm having a mind fart right now and can't think of it's name). Eventually, he won and three more people from his company had the surgery. You might have to be a pioneer.

I lost pretty quickly right after surgery because of swelling and only eating liquids. When I started eating more solid-type foods, the loss slowed way down. Even more when I started *real* food. When I went three weeks without any loss, I got my first fill at 9 weeks. Then the loss started at an average of 2 lbs/week. My port stayed sore for a long time. Even now, at 3 months out, it's tender if I push on it. This whole thing was major surgery, even though it doesn't look like it with only 5 little scars.

Remember we are all different in how our bodies react to surgery. Apparently you are retaining a lot of water. It will take care of itself. The first several weeks are about healing and not about weight loss. If you lose, that's a bonus, but mostly try to follow your surgeon's advise and take care of yourself. Heal!

:welcomeB: We will be here for you during good and tough times.

Nervous is normal. Just hang in there and soon you will be in bandland.

That's a tough question. There are so many variables. Size of band, how much they will give you to start. YOU! Some folks take 6-8 fills. Others 1-2. Others seem to do well with none. Check out the signature lines of posts as you read. There is a lot of information there.

Cpngrats. Jenn. Surprises are so fun!

I haven't been able to buy clothes at Costco for years, and I just hated it. Today, I found a white summer skirt that fits just right - maybe even a little loose, but summer's nearly over! And I got a velour top and pants for this fall. I could try the top on in the store and it just fit, but the pants are too big. I'm going to have to return them for a smaller size! NSV rules!

Stagger Lee - Welcome to bandland. :welcomeB: Glad you joined us.

My DH and I tend to eat at the same usual restaurants out of habit so I practically know the menus by heart. At a new restaurant, however, I do get overwhelmed at times. But, it's just food. I order what looks good (within reason), and ask for the *doggie bag* I really don't care if it's not classy. That food is expensive and I could make 2 more meals out of it.:hungry: I loved Carol's information about fine food preparation and just talking to the server.

Connie :welcome: We are glad you're here.

:welcome: Welcome, Luna. This forum has so much great information. Just keep reading!

I just love that, too. Those that I actually work with don't really say much (at my request), but there are lots of people that come in and out occasionally, and they are starting to notice. I had to lose over 40 lbs for it to happen, though. I think you are right. People just have a general concept of our shape and don't notice the details (like having a waist!) like we do.

Kind of like a rite of passage?

My scales are evil! Weighed twice this morning at 189. After a shower (and nothing to eat/drink), I put a pound back on! C = 190 (-42 total, -3 this week)

Telly - you look wonderful. Like I said, Sinead O'Connor! Rock on!

When I went in for my 2nd fill, my fill nurse announced that I was half-way to my goal. I told her that 160 lbs was not MY goal; it was the goal of the person that was filling out the form. When I told her mine was 140, she said that was reasonable and doable and she would speak to the form-filling out people (whoever they are). She said the goal should be the patient's goal. I was so afraid that they wouldn't give me more fills once I reached "goal." Maybe I won't reach it, but I sure feel a lot better having MY number on the chart.

I'll bet Telly will look hot no matter what she does to her head! Go for it! Think Sinead O'Connor.

I'm outta' here. Not fun anymore. See ya' on another thread!:bandit

I didn't tell my coworkers that I was having weight loss surgery, but I did tell them that I was having surgery and it was very personal and that I really didn't want to talk about it. I work in a small office and we are all very close. We have lunch together every single day. It would have been hard to hide the fact that I'm eating very differently, so I just told them that I had to eat carefully for awhile. Eventually, I did tell them, but added while I don't mind talking about it occasionally, I didn't want it to be the topic of all conversation. They have been great about it. In a larger office where you don't eat together, it would have been easier to keep the whole thing quiet.

Welcome to the forum - officially. Contratulations on your upcoming surgery.

Careful, Wheetsin. You might kill your own thread!!:heh: :heh: :heh: :heh:

And you can buy papaya tablets, where?

1. What does your BMI have to be to be a candidate. For insurance purposes, above 40 and/or 100 lbs over ideal weight, unless you have some comorbidities. If you are self-pay, you can be lower. It depends on the doctor you work with. 2. What is a "fill" I am assuming that they blow up the band or something like that There is an access port near the skin surface that is attached via a tube to the band. Saline solution is injected and the band gets smaller. I don't have a numbing shot. It is a tiny tiny prick and it's over. 3 Are the vast majority of you happy you did it and would you do it all over again if you had a choice?? Absolutely would do it again. No question. 4 how hard is the recovery?? I have 2 little ones and cannot be down long. Depends on you. Some folks are back at work in a day or two. Others need a couple of weeks. I am older and I think for that reason my recovery just took longer. I was back at work in one week, but it would have been better to have taken another one off. 5 Any canucks out there specifically in the Vancouver area that would know about local doctors? I think there is a Canada Support forum in here somewhere. Look on the main page, near the bottom. You might want to check out www.thelapband.com They are in Everett, WA. Self pay is about $17,000. Includes one year follow up and free fills. Lots of canucks come down here for their surgery.

Hey, Wheetsin Thanks for starting this thread. We always talk around it so delicately, and it isn't delicate. We need to know what's happening. When I get the golf ball, I also get slime - foamy stuff. I can usually coax it out, but I don't pb. And I wish I could. I'm sure I would feel much better.:cry