rosstheboss

Hi well, first of all after your band you will not be eating wings and drinking beer for some time. While Dr have different plans the first weeks and you slowly start to eat regular foods also some have a pre-op diet. Your friends will notice your weight loss etc. If they are they type to push food on you than you need new friends. The older I get the more I realize that most people are self absorbed and really are not going to be too concerned about what you eat or don't eat. If you have some Fat Eating buddies they may try to sabotage you so you do need to be careful about that. I was out on Monday with some guy friends at a pub for dinner each had 2 beers and dinner. I had my dinner no beer and the biggest difference was when we each got our checks! Mine was a lot less! So don't worry about it and good luck. Ross

Hi, I am in NC and have a lower body lift in Nov, my biggest concern about having the surgery done out of the country is after care! I had a lower body lift and some chest work done. Had 6 Drains, I really had no problems but still I was at the PS at least once a week for at least 6 weeks, even after my final drain came out I had some Fluid build up etc. So unless your PS in Mexico has some agreement with a Dr in your area for after care I would not want to go out of the country. Additionally about 3 months, the PS Did a small revision, due to the swelling my skin stretched a bit above my pubic area so he tighten that up too. All of the follow up was part of the surgery cost. The only cost of the revision was $200 for the surgical tray. I would since Nov I must have see the Dr at least 20 Times from Nov to April. So due keep this in mind. My surgery was $12K thins are a bit less costly in NC. Good luck to you. This is a major surgery so follow up is really important.

Sorry to hear about your insurance, you should talk with HR about the options you may be better with Cobra as I believe it is a continuation of your present insurance. It may be hard to get insurance on your own due to the Lap ban in fact any weight loss surgery can have the put you in to the High Risk Pool. But that in itself may not be bad and in some cases is less than individual policy. One thing to do ASAP is make an appointment and talk with the Dr. Office. And talk to the nurse and the office etc. I am almost 3 years out now, last summer when I went in for a fill they said I should be coming more often. My Dr charges like $800 as they due the fluoroscope also. The Nurse said that I was eligible for a special program when you were 2 years out and the cost was $500 for the year! So they may have a special program. Also you may want to check to see if their are any Fill centers! I understand that more and more of these are opening up. Good luck and keep up the good work.

Hi you seem to be doing great! I had a body lift about 3 months ago hopefully a good amount of the skin will snap back but much depends on your skin type and I think how long you have been overweight. A good PS will give you the proper advice as to if you should wait until after you have kids or not. I know my PS does a lot of Mommy Makeovers " Tummy Tuck" after a few kids especially if one has twins etc. I was always a fat kid and lost 100 lbs when I was your age, than over the next 25 put gained and lost over and over, I was looking at some pictures from my honeymoon and although at 54 I weigh a bit more than I did when I got married my stomach now after my Body lift is better than when I was 25. So you have a lot to look forward too, Just make sure to talk to at least 3 or 4 PS and get recommendations from your lapband dr and your PCP. Good luck to you

I occasionally make these too, they are not bad and just follow the direction, the fish smell is not much.

Hi I had a body lift in November, my port was much more visible before, not it is hardly noticeable. Took awhile before I could even feel it. My Dr advised that he does not move the port, to my surprise after the Body lift my port which was on the right was now on the left. Seems that tightening up the muscles the port ended up on the other side! Just shows you how much they were tightened. Think it all will depend on your weight etc.

Brooks " The Beast" is what my Dr. Recommended .

You look really good, I am now 3 months out from a body lift, for me the swelling took quite some time and you can really tell when the skin gets to the point that you can feel the muscles and bones below. it takes quite a lot of courage to do this but it is worth it.

Hi I have a summer home in Dennisport and come up in the summer also my daughter was just banded in Dec.

For me drinking water is no problem, i can gulp it if I need at the gym, when I work out is usually when I get most of my daily water in, I typically drink about 60 onz at the gym, 40 during my work out and another 20 after and on the way home.

Hi I am 8 weeks out from a lower body lift and Yes I would do it again, make sure you have a good support system the first few week are hard, not that you are in that much pain but their is a lot to handle. I am a Big Guy so it may have been a bit harder, and came home with 6 drains as I had some chest work done also. You really have to give yourself 2 preferably 3 weeks or more. You are up and around but you will not feel like doing much. Also I sleep in my Recliner for almost 2 weeks, It was just more comfortable. I was also working out 3 x week for 1 1/2 years did not realize what good shape I was in until the surgery when you really need strength in your leg and core. but it is so worth it.

Hi I like Jillian Michael s Chocolate, I mix it with Sugar free Almond Milk, Ice and put in my bullet. or I mix the Vanilla with Cold Coffee and blend. I have for Breakfast or sometimes after the Gym. A good way to up the protein with out the calories. Many Nutrition prefer you eat mainly real food. But I think their is a place for them in ones plan.

Just noticed this post hope you are doing well, the swelling does take time, I am 2 months out and most is gone but still comes and goes, hopefully you are doing better

Hi and Congratulation: I have been banded now 2 1/2 years and YES You will eat again and virtually everything! Do not rush it once you are banded, take time and listen to what the Dr and Nutritionist tell you. Key once you get the band is to keep your Protein up. So clear Protein drinks etc. Do not worry about not eating steak etc. I eat Steak, Popcorn etc. Not to say I eat this everyday and it takes time to work you way back to eating a steak, and you will not be eating a huge steak and you will need to chew more. The biggest change is that I am now the last person to finish eating when I go out! Rather that the first. I was recently at a business dinner and the Steak was melt in your mouth tender, and after a bit I realized I was the only one still eating and enjoying this fabulous meal. So you don't need a bucket list of foods, and you may find that some of them are things you will no longer even want. I eat well and healthy. Take Care ROSS THE BOSS

Good luck sure you will do fine, what a great way to start the new year!