tharris48

I just got back from a week in Germany and also traveled through Austria. I just tried to make a point of eating my proteins first then any veggies or salads. I did gain 3 lbs while on vacation but that was because I could not resist the wonderful breads!! But I am happy to report that I have lost the vacation pounds and back on track :-). Yes, bring protein bars for those in between meal snacks!! Enjoy your trip, Austria was beautiful!!

I just got back from my first fill and happy to report all went well. Doc gave me 2cc to start with and back onto the liquid diet for 2 days, then soft foods for 3 days. The actual fill was fine, he did not "numb" me and even then it was totally tolerable. There was a "stick" feeling like when getting a shot and then he had to locate the rubber spot on the port for injection but that wasn't even bad either. I am feeling restriction right now and will see how it goes over the next few days. Good luck to you all!

I was also banded on 2/25 and my first fill is on April 6 as well! Yes, I am eating more than I want to, but man, I'm hungry!! Hopefully this fill will help us all out. Good luck to you and let us know how it goes! Terri

Coldwater Creek or J.Jill would be awesome to be able to shop at, but then again, I will be happy to shop anywhere in the regular size section :-)

I am riding my stationary bike about 3 times a week and plan on increasing the frequency in the coming weeks. What type of exercise do you like to do?

Yeah, I agree, everyones journey is different but thank goodness we have LBT to come to for support!!

Hi! I was also banded on Feb 25 and so far have healed up quite well. I am down 19 pounds and started back on solid foods a little over a week ago. I am going in for my first fill on April 6. How has your band journey been so far? Terri

Hi, I am retired military myself and use Tricare Prime. I just got banded 2-25-09 at Portsmouth naval Hospital. I started the process last spring with a visit to my PCM and I had to have 6 months of documented nutritional guidance (i.e. WeightWatchers) or some sort of documented weight loss attempt with a nutritionist, which is what i did. I met the BMI requirement of 40 and had no co-morbitities. It took almost a year (10 months) for my particlular case because my surgeon got deployed and i had to wait for his replacement. I can only speak for Portsmouth Naval Hospital and they have done a wonderful job taking care of me through the process.

I just got banded last week at Portsmouth Naval Hospital after waiting 11 months. They did an awesome job and was worth the wait. I would start the referral process through your PCM and see how long it takes to get scheduled for the PNH seminar. It is truly a blessing and worth all the effort pre-op. I have heard great things about WLSC as well so you have two options to consider.

I am retired military and have Tricare Prime. I went to my PCM at Ft. Eustis and told them of my interest in the LB surgery. That was last spring and on Feb 25 I had my surgery at Portsmouth Naval Hospital. You will need to first check in with your PCM and see about a referral to Portsmouth. I think the Bariatric Center there is pretty overwhelmed with surgery requests but you have to check it out. Go to the hospitals website and see if they have more info for you. BTW, Portsmouth did an awesome job and were very easy to work with. I would highly recommend them.....

I got my band 2 days ago and feelng pretty good so far. I am on clear liquids for a few days like everybody else. A bit uncomfortable in the tummy area to be expected but overall feeling pretty good. Had my surgery done at Portsmouth Naval Hospital and they really took great care of me and my new lap band buddies I met there while going through the surgery. We stayed overnight and came home yesterday. Looking forward to the days ahead and less of me!!! Good luck to all my fellow February bandsters!!

Hi all! Do any of you know of age limit for those thinking of having the lap band surgery? My Mom, bless her heart, is in her mid 70's and has yo-yo dieted her whole life with no real lasting success. Well after my 2 sisters have had GB surgery and I am getting ready for my LB surgery, she is feeling pretty down and out about not being able to have some sort of surgery herself. I'm not sure if she has even asked her Dr about it or not. I know its a self esteem issue but it sure does make me feel sad to think of her being so down with her weight. It has kind of put a dampner on my excitement for my upcoming surgery in Feb. She is heavy around her lower half of the body and works out at the local YMCA about 6 days a week. Do any of you know of age limits? Thanks

Hey, my surgery date is Feb 25 too! And we are almost the same age, I am 47! I am in Virginia, where are you? How long has the process taken you? It's been 10 months for my journey to surgery...... I am hoping to lose at least 75 lbs but 100 would be awesome :-) Keep in touch and hopefully we can make the next few weeks fly by... Take care Terri

Hello Yes the wait time is a bit longer at PNH but that has given me the time for my consults with the nutritionists there at Ft Eustis (6 months documented appts) and getting all the other necessary appts to get to this point. The Pysch eval was done at Portsmouth and final appt with nutrtionist there at Portsmouth as well. Lab work was done at Ft Eustis. I checked into the WLSC after they were recommended by other patients that I personally know. They seem to have a great track record. I tried to have my PCM give me a referral but she told me that Portsmouth was now doing the LB surgery. Since PNH sounds like their schedule is pretty full these days Tricare may very well refer you to WLSC and you may get it done quickly - cool! I wish you all the best and drop me a line if you have any questions. My surgery date is Feb 25!!! Blessings to you as well....

Hi all I just read through this thread again and noticed not too much being mentioned about exercising from many people. What do you all do for exercise? I got a exercise bike for Christmas and have started to get on it every day for at least 30 minutes. Looking forward to Feb 25!!!!!!! Terri

Hi Carla I'm a transplant too, coming to Gloucester courtesy of the Navy. We have been here just about 20 years now. Gloucester has sure grown over those years. The 2 ladies I know that had LB surgery are not related but I have known 1 of them for several years. I know they both have succeeded in their weight loss but are not at their goal weights yet. Their surgeries took place a little over a year ago now. Their experiences motivated me to check into the surgery for myself. Like I previously posted, both my sisters had GB surgery and I could have gone that route as well but feel better about the LB surgery for me. I think your progress with your weight loss is wonderful. It may not coming off as quick as some other people but it is coming off. Those are some of my fears as well. I have lost as much as 40 lbs in the past and only gone down 1 pant size. Thats pretty darn frustrating. I am pear shaped like my dear Mom and even losing my goal of 80 lbs I know I will still be pear shaped, just a smaller pear :-). I like your suggestion of a Gloucester support group. Heck it sounds like just between who you know and who I know there are at least 6 of us right there who have gone through the LB surgery. Lets see what we can come up with! Oh, by the way, I live just south of the courthouse, in the neighborhood behind Ken Houtz Chevrolet on Rt 17. So I am pretty centralized in the county as well. Good to hear from you, keep in touch! Terri

Hi Gina, We live right about mid county, by the Toyota dealership. We have been here 20 years. Navy brought us to the area and we stayed :-) How is your banded lifestyle going, especially after the holidays? I really enjoy reading up on peoples LB experiences on this forum. I am starting to test taste some of the Protein drinks, do you have any suggestions? Happy New Year! Terri

I am retired from the Navy and we use Tricare Prime. Last spring I went to my PCM at Ft Eustis to discuss a referral for a civilian doctor to do my lapband surgery. At that time my PCM told me about Portsmouth Naval Hospital now doing the lapband surgery. She gave me a referral to go to Portsmouth and am now waiting for my surgery to be performed in late February. The lead up to the surgery has been about 9 months. At the initial seminar they tell you that the wait time is 9-12 mos. So far everyone there at PNH has been great. My surgery got delayed from January to late February because my doctor got deployed and i had to chose a new doctor. Needless to say I am very excited to have my surgery date finally arrive and be able to move forward to a healthier me!!

Hello all! This thread has been very inspiring to read. I am scheduled for my banding on Feb 25 down at Portsmouth Naval Hospital. I have been "in process" since last spring and was told to expect a wait of 9-12 months. My original band date was about Jan 8 but my Dr. got deployed and now my new Dr. is getting certified. I was disappointed naturally with the delay but quickly figured out that that wouldn't change anything so I am just happy to have a date to look forward to. Like Carlag, I live in Gloucester. I know of 2 other ladies here that have been banded by WLSC and have had good experiences with them as well. I am fortunate enough to not have any co-morbitities but my BMI has made me eligible. My 2 sisters have both had GB with good results, I just don't like the GB for myself, l think banding is the right choice for me. Thanks for your wonderful informative posts and I am excited to join this great group of banders! Happy New Year!!