dfav3412

The procedure lasted longer than the original surgery due to scar tissue, I think 1 1/2 hours, I could be wrong about the length of time. I got a new band as it was positioned a little higher up. I got extra stiches so I was told. My surgeon told me that if I slipped again that the band would come out for good but that it shouldn't slip. I had to go the 6 weeks like I never had the band before I could be filled, like starting over. Of course I had to be filled in increments just like being new to the band. And of course had to be on the liquid, pureed foods just like I was new. Food wise it was a little rough going because you don't really know how the band helps you until you lose it or have to start over as in my case. I was hungry until I got my first fill from the rebanding....and then it took another 2 fills till I got to the sweet spot. I was at goal when I slipped. The surgeon told me that I would most likely gain wait until I got a fill and not to worry about it that it would come back off. I gained 7 lbs which I felt was really good as I know of some people who gained much more just with an unfill due to problems. Hope all goes well with you just like it did with me.

I guess it is different for everyone but I was off 9 days when I was rebanded. My port was ok so surgeon didn't have to mess with it. Wasn't any pain, probably could have gone back to work right away but my bariatrics team is conservative.

Patty, that is the sad part so many people believe in our Father but don't live their lives that refects a relationship with him. It's the darkness in the world that tries to distort the truth but there is only one truth, One Lord-Jesus, one faith-God's faith, & one baptism -and that is into the Lord.

STARS, Here is the break down for the arm lift: 935.00 Anethiesoligist 1937.48 Hosptial Services (oper room & 23 hr room stay) 3200.00 Plasic Surgeon 6072.48 Total

I live in Southern Indiana, right across the river from Louisville, KY, had the surgery down at Clark Memorial, great hosptial, in Jeffersonville, Indiana.

I had the operation in April and am very pleased. It cost me a total of 6200.00 which included everything even an overnight stay at hosptial. No pain at all for me. I wanted this done more than tummy and boobs which I had done earlier this year. Am pleased with that oo.

I had tummy, breast lift, and arm lift all done this year. I am 56 and am very glad that I had it done. It really brightened even more so how I felt about myself after weight loss. I'll the the first to tell you my body isn't perfect but I'll also tell you that I am pleased with the way I look.

besides all everyone has mentioned, some people have to pay for fills, those who don't have insurance to cover that. Fills can cost in the range of 100.00 to 300.00 per visit and the visits can be many times a year for 2 years. Good new is that you eventually get to a point that fills aren't necessary and maybe just maybe you will be one of the lucky few who don't require them.

To or not to tell is a choice and I repect anyone's choice. I told everybody but then again I didn't care if what they thought about MY surgery. Anyway, there have been 5 people that have had this surgery because they saw my results...Enough said.

I didn't find the 2nd surgery any different from the first. Now the time after the surgery....unlike the 1st time around, I was constantly hungry until the first fill. It took 2 more fills to get some restriction. Bottom line I was glad that I could be rebanded as I know that I would regain my weight with out it.

MSANGEL, Medicare does cover lap banding, go for it.

Hummingbird, ask you bariatrics surgeon for a referal. He/she usually knows someone who is expierenced with the lapband. I had my arms done and was off 10 days which was plenty (that included the weekends).

vjack, I had my surgery Aug 2007. Other than being a little sore like after you've done a whole bunch of exercise I was fine, no pain. I was up walking as soon as I was taken to my room. I took off 2 weeks but to tell you the truth could have gone back to work in a week, I have a desk job. You do need to give your body time to recover from the surgery. I am very pleased, I am at maintenace. I have lost 135 lbs. Just this year I've had plastic surgery on tummy, boobs, and just 3 weeks ago had an arm lift, I am done with the plastics....lol. Lap band has been fairly easy for me. The main thing I really like about it is this, although I get hungry it is not the same type of starving hungry that I had while dieting before lap band. The best tips I can give you are: do not compare your weight loss to other peoples, if you are losing a pound a week then that is great. The other tip I can give you is to listen to your surgery team, if you have a problem of any kind then call/go to them.

It is exciting isn't it, even still exciting for me and I am an old timer with lap band. If you need to ask anything I'd be glad to answer you.

I love food, still do, I was a volume eater. Food was important in my family, big dinners, celebrate holidays, birthdays, promotions etc with it. Here is what I don't get now, I was called fat in high school but now I am the same weight and it's you are thin, you don't need to lose anymore weight. Now why is that?

tkay, you really need to measure your food and not eat until you feel full you only need to eat until you fill satified. You shoulld be eating 1/2 cup. Yes, it is true you probably don't feel restriction just yet but do the 1/2 cup at each meal. If you are truly hungry between meals until you get another fill then have a snack on some type of protien. You need to work with your band. You don't need to stretch your pouch out by overeating or hurt because you have eaten too much. Talk to your surgery team and let them know how you and the band are doing as they should be there to support you.

jensmallwood, amen to what you said. You are a very wise bandster.

I don't get the clothes size thing either. I was a 26/28 and now a 14/16 after losing 134 lbs. Some people claim after they lose 100 lbs (and was in 26/28) they are into 8 and 10's, I just don't get it. I am happy where I am and I look good. I will say it takes your brain about 2 years after you lose the weight to catch up with your size in the mirror. The best feeling was about a month ago when I stepped out of shower and caught myself in full lenght mirror from side----said to myself wow you are getting thin.

Maryb, you need to up your calorie count to 800 - 1000. What you are going to find is that you will not lose any weight being 200 to 400 calories. Your body will go into starvation mode and will not give up any pounds. You need to talk to your nutrictionist.

I had tummy and boobs done but didn't have to be unfilled, am getting arms done tomorrow and still don't have to get unfilled. Guess it is up to surgeon as to whether you need to have that done or not.

Bell, when you can eat 1 cup of food then that should be the signal that you def. need a fill. Cynthia, you should measure and not eat more than 1/2 cup, just because you can doesn't mean you should. However that being said and this is for Cynthia, if you are hungry between meals right now (this is not for later on) you should eat something high in protien. You haven't gotten a fill yet so your restriction level doesn't exist except what you might have from the intial surgery. This time for you is more about healing than actual weight loss.

It's all a personal choice, some people do better weighing everyday, me for one, and some people do better weighing every week or two. By weighing everyday it helps keep me in control, if I need to back away from food (calories) then I do so. I do not stress over weighing a pound or two heavier one day. However, I do know me and I do know when to back away from food/calories when I need to do so.

I told everyone and didn't care if they were negative or not atleast not on the subject of lapband for me. Fast forward 2 1/2 years, 4 people have gotten it done because they have seen my sucess and several more have checked into it.

If you cannot drink or can drink now but can't eat, you need an unfill.

You know the sad part is from what I can tell just reading these post, you don't have any support system within your surgeons office. First of all, patients at my center can go to the bariatrics coordinator once a week for a one on one, usually lasts about 5 min. You are weighed, blood pressure taken, asked questions and if you are not losing, she interpets what is going on. If she thinks you need a fill then she sets it up, if she thinks something else is going on like sugar resistance (why some people are slow losers) then she works with you about the types of food you eat. I've beeing going once a week (for the most part) for 2 1/2 years and am told I can do this forever. I just hate it when a bandsters is just hung out there on their own but it does seem to be the rule not the exception. I wish the best for all of you, I truly do.