MySkinnyDream

Hi, I am currently at the same stage of my journey as you. I have been obsessed with reading and researching about plastic surgery. With that said, I have found some information that might help you find a surgeon in your area. Try www.asbps.org for help with your search. The American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons has been established by plastic surgeons that specialize in body contouring surgery specifically for patients that have lost significant amounts of weight through non-surgical means such as diet or exercise or through the various bariatric procedures. ASBPS's goal is to help these patients find an knowledgeable and experienced plastic surgeon to help them.

I know exactly what you are talking about. I have found that the thinner friends / relatives are very happy for me about my weight-loss and mention to me all the time how much my looks have changed. :biggrin: On the other hand, my over weight relatives that are struggling with their own weight issues NEVER say anything to me about my weight-loss. The only thing I can figure is that it is jealousy. Maybe, maybe not!

If you lie on your back and do a half crunch, you should be able to feel your port with your hand. This is how my doctor feels for it when I get a fill.

Most likely, it is your port that you are feeling. Is your large incision near your belly button? Your band is actually up near the middle of your chest at the bottom of your breast bone.

I was banded by Dr Wilkenfeld in The Woodlands, TX on 11/17/09. Yesterday was my 6 month Bandiversary!!!! Down 82lbs so far with only 18ish pounds to go. :thumbup: I was self-pay which included one years worth of fills and I am able to go to either his office or at the True Results clinic downtown for my fills. I have went downtown 3 times and 2 times at the Doc's office. Both places do fills under Fluroscopy. Good luck to everyone here.

Here is a link to several abbreviations commonly used in LAP-BAND® world. :thumbup: ...http://www.lapbandtalk.com/faq.php?faq=abbreviations#faq_lapbandabbreviations

I watched a couple of fill videos on Youtube to get an idea of what to expect. Just type in LAP-BAND® fill. There are also videos of the actual LAP-BAND® surgery there as well.

Happy Bandiversary!!!!!!!!! I am right here with you. Tomorrow (5/17/10) is my 6 month mark. I am down 82 pounds from 238 on Nov. 1st and surgery weight was 228 on Nov. 17th. I am 5'6", goal is around 130ish. I too LOVE my band!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey Cali... I have heard good things about Dr. Hollis. If you dont mind me asking, how much have they quoted you at the downtown TR? How is your pre-op diet going? Do you have a surgery date yet?

Hi Cali.... I went to Texas Gastric Banding / Dr Wilkenfeld on College Park in the Woodlands. He is affiliated with True Results. The True Results Center where they do the surgeries is downtown at the Physicians Surgi Center off of Main and Holcombe. I have also went there for fills 2x. They are great there, very friendly. I was self-pay, so I can get my fills at the clinic on College Park or downtown and they are covered for one year. I think if you are covered by insurance, he does his surgeries at the Conroe Hospital.

I was self-pay in Houston, TX. It was $11,900 with out-patient surgery and 1 year of fills.

I hear you! :tt1: I have had 4 fills, all under fluoro. I really think it is according to how aggressive your doc is with the fills. I am at 5.2 in a 10cc band. Very frustrated with the last fill, only 0.2cc, WTH!:smile: That did absolutely nothing for my restriction. I should have turned the car around that day and went in for another fill.:thumbup:

Hi all, I was banded by Dr. Wilkenfeld at True Results in Houston in Nov '09. Everyone is great there.:eek:

Hi ladyj0514... I was banded on the 17th as well. :thumbup: I found this book called " Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery" that has wonderful recipes in it. You can get it on Amazon.

Any updates to share from the November 17th bandsters? We are just 2 days (well 1 1/2 days) left til our big day.:tongue2: Things are going great so far. The surgery center is supposed to call me Monday morning with my surgery time. Can't believe it is also most here! :wink2: I am sooooo excited!

Was wondering if any of you have weighed yourselves since starting the pre-op diet? I am too afraid to step on the scale, I used to be addicted to the scale many years ago and I don't want a number to mess with my head . We are just one week away!!!!! Very exciting :tongue2:

My band date is Nov 17th as well. This is soooooo exciting!:w00t: I am in Houston, TX. My doctor is associated with True Results. I started my pre-op diet on Nov 1st. The first night is vomited from 7pm til 3am. I dont know if it was because of carb withdrawals or if i ate something that didnt agree with my stomach. I am on 2 Protein shakes and 2 high protein, low carb, low fat meals a day. I feel much better now ( one week into the pre-op thing). I keep telling my self that it is all about willpower at this point. I can do it. This is just one phase of my journey. The next phase starts on Nov 17th!!!!!!!!! Best wishes to all the other future bandsters on OUR day!:wink2:

I thought i would offer a little help here... you can see alot of Lap-band acronym abbreviations by going here: 1. click on the FAQ tab at the top of the forum 2. select the Lap-band Abbreviations link 3. then select the Lapband-specific forum abbreviations link 4. happy reading! :thumbup:

I am starting my pre-op diet on the 1st too! :laugh: I am getting banded on Nov. 17th. My doctor's recommended pre-op diet is 2 protein shakes a day and 2 high protein, low carb meals a day. That doesn't sound too hard. I have done the Atkins thing in the past, and once you get past the first couple of days, it gets easier to manage. I will be thinking of you tomorrow as i down my first shake. :Yawn:

Hi, Here is a link for a comparison chart on the Bariatric Advantage website. Bariatric Advantage - Product Comparisons

Hi all, I looked on Youtube and found a video for you showing a routine Lap-Band®® fill. There are other videos on the subject that might help ease your mind. Here is the link:

I just love this thread! :crying: It just made my morning. I will definitely have to think about this one. I agree that we should also name our ports, as our band does have a partner in this relationship. :thumbup:

Hi to all the November Bandsters! I will be getting banded on November 17th, one day after my 40th B-day. I figured it is my way of starting the second half of my life on a positive note. :thumbup: My 2 week pre-op diet consists of 2 Protein shakes and 2 healthy meals a day... doesn't sound to bad. I have decided to start it on November 1st, just to jump start my weight loss journey. I would like to wish everyone good luck to your successful LAP-BAND® Journey!

November 17th is my date in Houston, TX. I'm counting down the days. Good luck with your journey :thumbup:

So here is my update after Wednesday's seminar... Since I will be self-pay ( exclusion on my insurance policy :frown:), I guess I am what you might call "on the fast-track program". Seminar and first consult: 10/07/09 Pre-op meeting: 10/19/09 Surgery: 11/17/09 The doctor schedules surgeries every Tuesday with a two week pre-op diet, so they said to just pick a date. :w00t: I turn 40 on 11/16/09 :thumbup:... so i picked 11/17/09 to start the second half of my life on a positive note. Yay me! Thank for all the support... LBT is a great place :sad: