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What are SF popcicles and no...I haven't bought broth but do have a lot of chicken Flavored Ramen Noodle packets that we have saved because we never use the flavoring for the Ramen Noodles. P.S. Can you just go to the store and buy Broth? Never done that before....I always thought broth came with a Soup and that you couldn't buy it separately.

In terms of transitioning to regular life post surgery, have you gotten to the point....where living life with the band is normal and predictable? My brother says no because the band does what it wants and you always have to think about eating....chewing properly, small portions and listening to what the band will let you do (ect..). I guess I'm hoping (that if what my brother says is true) that he is wrong...and a lot of this stuff will be second nature and living with this band won't be high maintenance and drama every time you have to eat. Thoughts/Opinions?

2 weeks ago, I went with my brother to see him get a fill because I want to see how it is done but also introduce myself so hopefully he can help with my after care. My aftercare doctor is 4 hours away and my brothers LB doctor is only 1 hour away. Anyway, I noticed the doctor would not tell my brother how much Fluid he took out of his band. Apparently, this is his custom and practice with my brother. And I thought to myself, WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD A DOCTOR NEVER TELL THE PATIENT HOW MUCH FLUID HE TOOK OUT FROM THEM? My brother would press him...but to know avail. On a side note...my brother has done extremely well with losing almost 270lbs since having the surgery. The only conclusion is as follows: 1) Doctors don't want to deal with paranoid bandsters if some fluid was missing from the previous fill 2) They don't want attentive and organized bandsters documenting how much fluid is in the band...just in case something goes wrong (e.g. like accidentally poking the tube in the port area...causing fluid to drain). They can never be made accountable since the patient never knows how much fluid the doctor puts in or out....sneaky technique if a doctor ever had to go to court over an unintended issue with the band. I could be wrong...but there is NO GOOD REASON to not tell the patient how much fluid they put in the patient or how much he took out. The only motivation to not tell the patient (or if they did....be vague about it like saying....around 2 CC's) is protect themselves from a potential lawsuit down the road...should something go wrong. Nothing more than protecting their own *ss at the expense of an uninformed and uneducated patient. Thoughts/Opinions?

Congrats on your surgery Monday. Please keep us informed. Lord, we pray for Protection, Saftey and Wisdom to know how to effectively use this tool inside her. In Jesus Name We Pray ~ Amen. I have an aftercare doctor 4 hours away....but I recently met my brothers LB Doctor who is only an hour away. My brother is going to ask him if he wouldn't mind doing me a favor by helping me with my aftercare.

Where are you....I pray you are alright. I have my surgery in 4 days from now. Lord...I pray for my sister that everything is ok. We send legions of angels to cover and surround her right now. We pray for a quick healing and adjustment with this new band inside her. We pray for wisdom and strategies for her to make a living with the band feel normal. You said in Your Word.....you have not because you ask not....and we asking for these things right now for our Sister in Christ. In Jesus Name we pray ~Amen !

Bandsters: I'm getting banded by Dr. Kuri in Mexico on 10/17/12. Everything is set. My wife and father are coming with me as my mother is staying home to care for my brother who had the Skin surgery recently after losing 270 lbs with the lap band. So far I have the following: 1) Passport 2) Heating Pad 3) Nausene for nausia 4) Gas X 5) Polysporin Ointment for incision area 6) Cashier Check 7) Flight Itinerary and confirmation #'s 8) Hotel confirmation #'s 9) Cash for paying for medications, hotel and misc. 10) Lose clothing for flight back home and when leaving the hospital 11) Light robe and sandles to walk around the hospital rather than with that skimpy gown they give you after surgery 12) Papaya enzymes from GNC to help with any digestion issues if I have a stuck episode afterwords. This is definately after the liquid phase obviously. Please pray for me as this is a life altering decision for me as well as it has been for all of you out there. I pray that I'm making a wise decision and this band won't somehow bite me down the road of some unintended consequence that was unforeseen. I know you all know what I'm talking about. I just pray not only for a healthy surgery but that I will use wisdom in working with the band properly. I don't want to misuse or abuse this thing....its an investment in my health, my family, ministry, and financially with future medical and food costs savings down the road. P.S. Any advice pre or post trip would be appreciated. Also, any advice in making the transition with the band much easier would also be greatly appreciated. At the end of the day....I just need your prayers, encouragement and any wisdom you have regarding your journey and success. Respectfully submitted, MD

Bandsters: I'm getting banded by Dr. Kuri in Mexico on 10/17/12. Everything is set. My wife and father are coming with me as my mother is staying home to care for my brother who had the Skin surgery recently after losing 270 lbs with the lap band. So far I have the following: 1) Passport 2) Heating Pad 3) Nausene for nausia 4) Gas X 5) Polysporin Ointment for incision area 6) Cashier Check 7) Flight Itinerary and confirmation #'s 8) Hotel confirmation #'s 9) Cash for paying for medications, hotel and misc. 10) Lose clothing for flight back home and when leaving the hospital 11) Light robe and sandles to walk around the hospital rather than with that skimpy gown they give you after surgery 12) Papaya enzymes from GNC to help with any digestion issues if I have a stuck episode afterwords. This is definately after the liquid phase obviously. Please pray for me as this is a life altering decision for me as well as it has been for all of you out there. I pray that I'm making a wise decision and this band won't somehow bite me down the road of some unintended consequence that was unforeseen. I know you all know what I'm talking about. I just pray not only for a healthy surgery but that I will use wisdom in working with the band properly. I don't want to misuse or abuse this thing....its an investment in my health, my family, ministry, and financially with future medical and food costs savings down the road. P.S. Any advice pre or post trip would be appreciated. Also, any advice in making the transition with the band much easier would also be greatly appreciated. At the end of the day....I just need your prayers, encouragement and any wisdom you have regarding your journey and success. Respectfully submitted, MD

How are they different...please explain as I'm sure many of us can benefit from your knowledge.

In researching this surgery quite some time, no one has clearly been able to tell me that the nerve endings (in the top part of the stomach where the band is placed) helps you feel satisfied or have that full feeling. It would make sense that they did because when you eat normally (and your stomach is full) the food is near the top part of your stomach which says ...stop eating because your full. With the band....it seems when the food sits in the pouch area...it would be near the nerve endings which causes you to feel satiated. I mean SOMETHING has to cause you to feel satiated and my theory is the nerve endings (in the top part of the stomach area) is what actually makes you have the feeling of satiated or a full feeling. Thoughts/Opinions?

Anything else that you have learned? I've learned alot from even your last post. Thanks Kelly !

Would you mind expounding on what you mean by your post? I'm sure all of us would greatly appreciate your insight as we want to know what we are thoroughly getting into. I know for me...I'm getting the band in 4 days (still can't believe I'm doing this....little scary...but do it afraid right?_ Thanks Sis, MD

Has it been difficult adjusting to the new life with the band? Would love to here specifics from you. Blessings KH!!

Congrats....I'm getting banded by him in 5 days (Oh...NO ) P.S. Yes...JoAnn is straightforward and doesn't "push people" to get the surgery. She was also banded by him I believe...

I will be going 2 days before you. In fact, if you are arriving on the 18th for blood-work around 1:30pm...I should be leaving the hospital around then after staying 1 day in the hospital after surgery. After leaving on the 18th, we are staying an extra day at the Marriott (just in case something goes wrong one more day) and then proceed to back to the airport on Friday. My wife and dad are coming with me which I'm so thankful for. Blessings Elizabeth !

How is it going for you? How much weight-loss so far? Has been the transition to band life been difficult for you? Is it difficult to transition to eating smaller amounts of food. I'm getting banded by Dr. Kuri in 5 days and getting a little nervous. I talked to Mark (from Seattle who banded by him 4 months ago) yesterday and he has already lost 60 lbs

All I know is that my brother says his band is VERY UNPREDICTABLE and "does what it wants". He went from 429lbs to 155lbs. He just had that skin surgery today and is recovering from the anestetia as we speak.

In YOUR opinion, why do you think you only lost 20lbs in 3 years? Surgeon related? Issues with the band? Bad food choices ? Lack of exercise? I'm curious as I can (as many others) can learn from you. Blessings, MD

I've done a lot of research on the surgery and have watched this surgery change my brothers life. He is literally HALF THE MAN he used to be. I'm so happy for him as he gets excited to try on cloths and girls looking at him.

I'm getting the surgery in 11 days and I wouldn't do it. However, given time, maturity with the band, comfortability, doctor's approval, and past results, I can see where one could feel at peace with doing it. Just buyer beware and know what you are getting into. Again, consult your doctor.

Although I wouldn't do it personally, my brother (who was 429lbs and is now 155) does it often. He has had the band for 7 years now and pretty much knows what he can get "away with" and what he can't get away with in terms of unfills. Fundamentally the answer to this question SHOULD BE NO. Its not good habit to do this. But becareful of being "too legalistic" with the topic. Just work it out with your doctor and see what is best for you.If it were me....I would play the safe card an not do it personally. Its just like when I was in graduate school studying for an exam. Fundamentally, I should have started a month before the test to study to get a good grade. But after going to school long enough, I knew what I could "get away with" to still leave enough time to get an "A" on the test. At a glance, this strategy or approach to studying the exam....may not work for many....but it sure worked for me. Bottom line...work this out between you and your doctor to see what IS BEST FOR YOU. We will all have opinions on this (as you have seen on this thread here) but you need to work this out with your doctor, yourself, your mate and your God. Just know that its not "text book" to get unfills for convenience and there could be unintended consequences for getting a convenient unfill.

I will be 6 days after you. Best of luck and may God's peace and protection cover you during your entire surgery and aftercare. P.S. How were you able to lose all that weight before surgery. Nice job girl...I'm proud of you.

Hey Liz: My brother got the band done and he went from 429lbs to 155lbs. And one thing that I've observed (and learned from) is he let the band BE THE BOSS. He doesn't force or fight the band....he lets it tell him what to do. Its like with people in life.....you can FORCE YOUR WAY on people...and chances are you won't bare the fruit of healthy relationships(if you do). Comparatively....FORCING YOUR WAY with the band and always getting what YOU WANT.... positions you to not be successful with the band. I'm not saying you are doing this (trust me...i'm not). But rather...sharing some wisdom that I've learned from my brother....and could encourage you if the situation fits with your unique situation. I FEEL YOUR PAIN....AS MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU. But if there is anything I can encourage you with is.....PLEASE DON'T QUIT SIS....we are here to encouage and help you...as well as your doctor and support staff. Respectfully submitted, MD

#1 - Pray to God for Guidance and (in the meantime) pray that God would give wisdom to the doctors so they could provide the right solution for you that will correct your problem. You have not because you ASK NOT (through prayer) is what the Word says. #2 Your health and saftey is #1 priority. It would be hard for me (who hasn't gotten the surgery yet) to guide you. But...if I lost all weight like you....(and despite the problems....you still really wanted to keep the band).....I would always error on the side of safety and get it removed. Please know that I share this ....wanting you to KEEP THE BAND....(as I can feel your pain ...if you had to give it up). But saftey should be always priority #1. Because (after all) you are special and lovely in God's sight Sis In closing...don't quit sis....my heart goes out for you. Know that you have us here to encourage and support you. Warmest regards, MD

They don't want you to lose more weight because the more you lose they more they feel insecure when they are around you. Your glowing from ear to ear (because of your weight loss) and they keep on getting more and more insecure.

I'm not doctor...but you are probably right. I just like to where extra clothing to sweat as it just makes me feel like a million bucks when I sweat. Plus...it heats up my body more...the more I sweat. Although it could help in assisting in [non water] weight loss....I do like to wear extra layers of clothing because it makes me feel like a million bucks when I sweat alot. In short, I feel it benefits my well being. I figure I can't hurt whether its real weight loss or water.... Hope that clarifies for you Wallflower, MD