SticeLane

I had surgery on Monday and went back to work Thursday. If you have a sedentary job, two or three days is sufficient. I can understand more time off if you do physical labor, but I do not understand posters here who have said they need two weeks! It is minor outpatient surgery (and yes, I had the hiatal hernia fixed too).

My doctor doesn't place any restrictions either. I'm a little suspicious of those who do. I mean, a fill is not major surgery. I've always wondered if recommending liquids for a few days is a trick to force a quick weight loss and thus encourage the patient.

There are at least two in the Chicago area (self-pay, of course). I was banded at 30-31.

I drink a skinny cinnamon dolce latte every single day, and it hasn't hampered my weight loss efforts. Plus, a venti has 15 grams of protein!

In suburban Chicago, self-pay, of course. There are two providers I know of in the Chicago area who will band at 30.

Just wanted to chime in (butt in) and say that I had a band put in last September, at a BMI of 30 and, according to my doctor, 43 pounds to lose (I'd like to lose an even 50). I have not regretted it for a second, and am thrilled to have lost 40 pounds. I seem to be stuck at 40, but being stuck at this weight is so much better than where I was before. I met a lot of resistance, but just didn't care what anyone thought. I also don't care if anyone is saying "Sure, she's thin, but she cheated!" Welcome, and I wish you the same easy recovery I had. PS - the 40-pound loss has been pretty much effortless. I figure to lose the last 10 I will have to work at it, which is OK. Summer is coming and it will be easier to be active.

I have flown often with the band and never had an issue.

I am in for 10, which will put me at 143 . . . five pounds below my doctor's goal, and one pound above my personal one! I gave myself a "free" day yesterday and ate a million pounds of chocolate - I feel like I never want to eat it again so I hope the feeling lasts!

If I wore a bikini, you would be able to see the port. I think it is probably kind of gross, but again, I am so happy about being relatively thin that I don't care. Maybe I will care in a few months? I have heard of people having their ports moved at goal. I don't see myself every having the band or port removed, but has anyone ever heard about having it shoved behind a rib or something, so it doesn't stick out?

Yes, mine is very visible, and I can definitely feel it. I am down to 150 lbs (goal is 141) and it's seriously sticking out. At this point I am so happy to have lost weight that I don't care.

I am also in Illinois and also paid $14,900. Wonder if I had the same surgeon as the poster above!

I am 6.5 months out and have lost 40 pounds, but I only have 10 left to lose (yes, I was self-pay!) These last ten pounds do NOT want to come off.

I've taken both, before and after the band. I don't think the band has any bearing on whether they are safe or not. The mechanical band doesn't affect how the drugs work in one's body. But I can tell you from experience that neither is effective on a long-term basis and both have nasty side effects. You already heard about those of Alli; phentermine gives me terrible insomnia and never works as well as the first time you take it.

I lean over and bring it right up, no finger down the throat needed. I've become rather adept at the art.