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Neenagh - your loss is very noticable. Thanks for sharing. Glad to see your bruising has gone away. Looked painful.

I had/have UHC. I was approved and had surgery 5 weeks to the day after my innitial consultation. I think it was like 2 to 3 weeks for the approval to come in. It was a very seamless process for me. When I changed jobs, I was glad to find out that my new company also has UHC.

Gina, I get my fills from my surgeon - Dr. Cribbens. BooBoo Kitty - Thanks for the kind words.

I have lost 123 pounds so far and have lots of saggy skin. Mainly on my stomach and inner thighs. I have lost quite rapidly (just short of 7 months) so I think that palys a part in it also. Plus I have been overweight most of my life. 36 years of abusing the skin makes it hard to bounce back. But, I wouldn't trade the saggy skin for the extra weight for anything. I love what the band has done for me and if I have to have a TT, then so be it.

Drewslou - you look great yourself! :clap2: I am envious of the snow. We got just a dusting here in the Dallas area and people thought the world was ending. I love the snow.

Thanks Drewlou. I appreciate the encouragement. I have about 40 to go, but I think I would lose about 20 with a Tummy Tuck :confused: . I need to wait a while for that though.

Sherry, glad your doctor's are working to pinpoint your problem. I understand gallbladder problems are common with WLS. Please keep us updated and wish you the best.

Here are some from me. They were taken at Thanksgiving:

I have lost a lot of weight several times in my life too, the problem is keeping it off. I think I remember hearing the stat that like 80 or 90% (someone please correct me if I am wrong) of MO people who loose weight - gain it back. So the statistics show that this guy is very likely to gain his weight back. That is where I hope my band comes into play. I hope and expectation is that it will assist me in maintaining after I loose. And so what if it is the easy way out (though its not easy as we know). Everything else we do in life we always look for someway to make it easier - why do you think remote controls were invented ( to make it easier to change the channels). I can never remember my boss telling me not to find a more efficient way to do things. In fact, the goal of any business is to make things easier and more efficient. Just my 2 cents.

From a man's perspective, I feel normal again because I can shop at a regulare store. Rarely do stores have a "big/tall section. They make us go to specialty stores. I feels so good to be able to go to Wal-Mart and but a pair of jeans or t-shirt off the rack instead of going cross town to a big/tall store and paying 3 x's the price for the same quality colthes. Ain't the band grand! I am so happy for all the success us May Bandsters are having!

Thanks Drewslou for keeping this board going. Time since surgery has just flown by. Can't wait to see how we are at one year!

Another month down. Time flies! Before we know we will be having our one year bandiversary!

one word: Why?

When did you get the fill? My doctor always put me on liquids for a couple of days after a fill. Maybe your eating solids too soon.

Yes, I work at EMC too, I worked for a long time at Countrywide, left in August and just started at EMC.

Where do you work?

Thanks for the compliment and encouragement. Somehow I have will power. Lord knows where it came from. I think the band help my head as much as my stomach. I think my problem is that I have lost so fast, that the fills don't catch up to my shrinking stomach. I think the doctors are hesitant to fill too much because I am still loosing weight. They questioned me the last 2 fills becuase they were worried I would be too tight. I think I have about 6cc in the VG band. Don't get me wrong, I don't go too hungry, but I don't get that full feeling. I have just learned to eat until I am no longer hungry instead of eating until fullness.

I am not a young lady, but I can say that I know my skin will not shrink on its own. I do have stretch marks from a lifetime of yo-yo dieting. Wish it weren't so, but I can see PS in my future at least for my stomach. I can live with the rest of it. 36 years of body abuse (being fat) is too much to overcome for me.

I agree with Ms. Kitty As long as your able to eat the right kinds of foods and get enough protein and calories, sounds like you hit your sweet spot - a place I am still looking for.

I agree with your post. The only problem is that when you log into the front page it shows the threads, but doesn't show what forum they are in. I made the mistake of clicking on one last month based on the title of the thread and was offended and spoke up when I shouldn't have (knowing now it was in this forum). I like having this forum, I just had to learn the hard way to be more careful!

Very good post. I agree, I would be very disappointed if it had not worked for me. The thing the needs to be focused on is how many positive posts there are compared to the negative ones. I think that speaks volumes. Obviously, any WLS is not 100% effective. I found the right one for me.

Welcome! I used Dr. Cribbens. He is located next to Presby-Plano (North Tollway and Park (I beleive)) I am not sure if he does BCBS or not. He is in practice with Dr. Hamm. I have a lot of friends and co-workers who have used both and get good reviews. Their website is: www.yournewhealth.net Good luck in your journey.

331 in May 209 today!

Dumping Syndrome only happens to RNY patients. Its not an issue with the lapband. I am not sure exactly what causes it with the RNY patients. I think it has something to do with the sugar hitting the re-routed intestines, but I could be wrong.

Cindy - Amen. Great post!