ousooner

I have so many, but I have already acheived a lot as well. Yet to do: 1) Wear size 34 wiast pants 2) To not be considered obese or overweight on the BMI scale 3) To be able to fly and not need an extender or to crowd fellow passengers (have not flown since surgery) 4) Look in the mirror and see myself as normal Already accomplished: 1) No longer have to shop at a Big/Tall clothing store 2) Sit at any resteraunt booth 3) Sit in a seat at a sporting event or concert and feel comfortable 4) Have a better and more meaningful sex life with my wife 5) Have the energy to keep up with my kids 6) Not be seen as the jolly fat guy 7) Not be empbarrassed to have my picture taken I am sure there are others that I am not listing, but these are the highlites. Thanks for a great thread.

I had UHC PPO. I paid $200 hospital co-pay, $250 for the physicians assistant, and $250 to the sleep study. Besides the $15 co-pays per visit, that was it. And the approval process was seamless. I had my surgery 5 weeks to the day after my innitial consultation. I never talked to the insurance company, my doctors office did all the work. Easiest thing I have done in a long time! I just changed jobs and was pleased to find out I will still have UHC. I am sure it will be a little different based on the terms and exclusion from my company, but I know the UHC has been great.

Awsome - that is just the beginning of your new life

I feel the same way. Even at buffets I am ok with paying full price. I mean they didn't charge me double when I was huge and ate trice as much as most so I feel this is karma to pay for eating so little. Just being able to go out and enjoy myself, not to mention that I can fit in booths now and don't have to have an anxiety attack worrying about the seating arrangent. Small sacrifice to me.

The problem is that most people who have met goal don't come on here as aften as they used to, so you might not get the responses you are looking for. There are a few like Telly who still hang around to help us out and give us support. I think I will be able to make a healthy BMI. I am only 6 1/2 months out and have lost 122 pounds. I have no doubts that the band will get me where I need to be.

I tried them and thought they were good. Low Carb and fat and high in protein. I think they make good snacks! I agree that the chocolate is the best. I wouldn't mistake it for regular Jello Brand pudding, but a nice alternative to drinking a protein shake.

Good luck with your quest. Hopefully, your insurance will approve with no problems. We will keep our fingers crossed

Thats ok, My wife is a huge Longhorn fan. Can you imagine our house on the big day. I told her I was rooting for Texas against you Ags, but was secretely rooting for you! So to you and your husband - Thank you! :clap2:

Welcome Lucky Girl! Glad you were approved. Where in Texas are you?

Can't offer any advice as I have always been very open to everyone. But it sounds like there are some good suggestions. I know everyone is different and has person reasons for telling or not. Good luck

Drewslou - glad your doing well! I know you are going to thrive now that you have everything fixed with your port. Good restiction makes a world of difference. Is your soup the Campbells Soup at Hand kind? I almost bought some the other day because it sounded good.

I have met my doctors goal, but not my personal goal. I started at 331 and my doctor set my goal at 126 based on average weight loss with the band. I met his goal in about 5 1/2 months. I had originally set my person goal for 190, but I accomplished loss so rapidly that I lowered my goal to 170. I am at 209 right now, so I think 170 is very reasonable. Also, I bet I would loose at least 20 pounds from a lower body lift. I have a lost of loose skin in my adbdomin and thigh area. I would say that it has been very successful for me. Very satisfied with the results.

I will second everyone's concern here. I was on clear liquids for a week post op and full liquids for 5 additional weeks. I know every doctor is different, but I have not heard of any Doctors being ok with a regular diet a week out. From my understanding and reading post on here and other boards, the band needs time to heal and secure in place even if you can physically eat ok.

Nothing short of amazing!:clap2:

1, Date of banding. May 9, 2006 2, Weight/BMI on date of banding. I think it was like 48.6, weight was 331 pounds 3, What band do you have. Swedish 9cc Midband 9cc Vanguard Lap Band 4cc or 10cc :biggrin1: 10cc Heliogast 7cc or 9cc A,M,I soft band 7cc or 9cc 4, What was you own person reason for WLS Cosmetic :biggrin1: To look better and not feel like everyone is staring at the fat guy Health To lower my blood sugar and blood pressure. Both were high and doctor wanted to put me on meds for both 5, Why the band and not Bypass or DS. Safer, wife was not supportive of RNY 6, What were you’re expectations about the band. After much research and doctors advise, I knew I would have to work hard. This is a tool and not a magic potion to loose weight 7, What were you’re expectations about the impact weight loss might have on you’re life. Longer and happier life 8, What is you own personal target weight/BMI. 170 pounds 9, What is the realistic target/expected weight loss/BMI. 160 pounds 10, How much was you’re band and how did you fund it. Insurance :biggrin1: - about $500 out of pocket Re-Mortgage Loan NHS (uk patients) Savings 11, Do you consider the cost of your band justified or expensive. Yes, much cheaper than a lifetime of taking medication for health problems, not to mention doctor's visits and possibly hospital stays. Also much less likely to have to have joint replacement because of the reduced weight 12, How many fill’s/unfill’s have you had. 4 fills, 5cc I beleive 13, How did you have you’re fill’s Blind 3 fill's 2 unfill's Under x-ray all 4 done under flouro 14, How much are you’re fill’s $15 co-pay through insurance 15, Does your surgeon do your fill’s or a fill provider. Surgeon or Physicians assistand done at his office 16, If you travelled for your band why did you travel. N/A17, Did you experience any complications/Difficulties. No 18. When did the problems begin. N/A19, what problems did you experience were they resolved and how was they resolved. N/A 20. Would you be banded again or chose another op. In a heartbeat. Best thing I have ever done. I feel like the band has saved my life or at the very least made it worth living.

I grew up in Broken Arrow, but live in Dallas now. My parents and brother still live in the Tulsa area so I get back pretty often. My dad was looking into getting banded in Tulsa, but after talking to me and reading up on it, he realized he wasn't ready to make the sacrifice. He is still looking for the "magic" potion to take off the weight and not have to work at it. I told him he would have to work the band and it was just a tool. He gave up on it, but is so proud and supportive of me. Good luck on your journey. Its well worth the trip.

I have not tried it. I have tried to follow my doctors post band rules very strictly. But every doctor has different rules. Things are working so well for me so far so I am scared to go outside my routine.

I have never PB'd. But I have never felt tight or even good restriction yet. I am loosing well so far, so I am not going to push it any further for a while.

Hi Marcy, good to see you. 40 pounds is nothing to sneeze at! Good luck with the fill.

I may be too late to add a recomendation as you may have already chosen someone. I used Dr. Cribbens ( Dr Hamms partner) I had a great experience. I went for my 4th fill a couple of weeks ago and Dr Hamm did it. They are both great and would highly recomend their office. I have friends who have used both also. The link to their website is on my homepage if your interested. Good luck.

Great job Marz!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday. This is our first year being banded. Good luck to all. I am curious how I will do with all the food around, but I think I will be fine. Everyone knows I had the surgery, so I don't think my self-conscience will let me be bad in front of everyone. I am usually at my best when I am around people because of the accountability - I planned it that way and told everyone about being banded.

I used (and still do occasionally) Isopure no-carb chocolate with water ( by itself not very good) and added in a small banana and a spoonfull of "no sugar added" peanut butter and mixed it in the blender. Very tastee and filling.

I had my surgery on a Tuesday and went back the following Monday. I could have gone back on Saturday if I worked weekends. I have a desk job, so no problems with the lifting or anything.

I was told not to lift 10 pounds for 6 weeks. But with the baby, I know I didn't follow that very well and had no problems.