DRP

Hi everyone! Congratulations for starting this journey. I am sooooo happy I got my band. I had it placed on Thanksgiving day of 2010 in Mexico. I was a size 18 and am now a size ten and can at times wear an 8. I have lost about 50 pounds altogether. I did go and get a tummy tuck after I lost the weight, again in Mexico, and am completely happy with myself and my body. In honesty, I could still easily take off another 20 pounds, but am content with where I am. However, if I set my mind to it, I may at some point really put some effort into those last 10 to 20 pounds. I wish everyone out there luck in reaching their goals. My question is to some of you that have had your band for awhile.......How long have you had it? I heard a few stories where bands had to be replaced. My band is just fine and I am not having any problems with it......just curious if this is something that I might have to do in the future. I would replace it though if necessary. It has helped me change my life. Love my band! DRP

Des Moines, Iowa

Wow Fordgal! You look awesome! Your pre pictures look very similar to myself. What great results!!!! I am scheduled for a TT and arm lifts on September 27th!!! I am really pysched! Congrats on your new look! Are you willing to share where you went for PS and how much it all cost? I would be curious to compare my costs. Also, did they have to empty your lapband for the surgery? DRP

I know...I have had a bad two months, not gained, but not lost, but I am still getting comments about clothes looking nice, and looking thinner. Lots of people know I am trying to lose weight. Not sure what is going on, but not complaining. I haven't lost in two months! But, I just made a post saying I am back on track. I'll take looking thinner however it comes, pounds or inches! Inches are good!

Great job!

After two months of not dieting or no exercise, (crazy and busy summer), I am back on track. I lost three pounds this week by eating the way it is recommended and exercising! YEAH! I really love my band so much! Even though I got off track, I did not gain ANY of the weight back bc it stops me from over eating. It was just my choices of what I was eating and lack of exercising that was keeping me from losing. Maintenance is good though. Love, Love, Love my band. Without the band, I would have gained back much of what I had worked so hard to lose! Back on track and serious! I need to take off another ten to twenty pounds by the end of September. I am scheduled for my TT and arm lifts at that time! I can do this!!! DRP

Hi. I have a 4cc band. Still losing weight when I try! Sometimes I am not doing well, but it is my behavior, not the 4cc band I have from Mexico. I have lost 30ish pounds and happy with it. I love my band because even if my behavior is not causing me to lose weight, my band keeps me from gaining it back. I am trying to refocus because I still need to take off that last 20 pounds! So, 54Shirley...how has your journey been with the 4cc band since 2006? I would love to hear more because the 4cc band is not used much anymore! Are you happy with it or are you disappointed? What is your progress since 2006? DRP

I am sure this doctor is fine. However, I was someone who hoped to get after care only, (I had my Lap Band placed in Mexico). He will not see those who he did not do surgery on, as is the case of most Iowa doctors. His/Their loss! However, I did get aftercare via Weight Loss Surgical Center in West Des Moines and they have been awesome! I just post this information to help others from Iowa who might be in a similar circumstance. Please don't blast me with emails about how terrible going to Mexico is. I had a fantastic experience having my surgery there and would do it again. And I saved thousands of dollars!

Has anyone out there used the Perfection Medical Spa in Cancun, Mexico for any plastic surgeries? I am considering a tummy tuck and Arm lifts there. I would love input from anyone with knowledge of the place....positive or negative. Thanks in advance! DRP

Has anyone ever used the Perfection Medical Spa in Cancun? I am considering this for a TT and Arm lifts. I had my LapBand surgery in Tijuana, Mexico and had a very pleasant experience. I was wondering if anyone that had used this facility would be willing to share experiences, both positive and negative. If not this facility, do you have recommendations for other Mexican facilities? DRP

Try Leslie Sansone Walk videos. Great way to start! Good luck! DRP

Hi! I had my Lap Band placed on Thanksgiving day of 2010. So far, slow but steady weight loss. I am now at 25 pounds lost. I wish it were more, but I am still very happy with it. The first month, it came off easiest. SInce, I would say I am averaging a half pound to a pound a week. On the weeks that I am committed to eating carefully and exercising, of course I do better. I have had two fills. All this said, I am still very thrilled with my weight loss and hope to continue for another 30 to 40 pounds! I would love to hear how others are doing that were banded around the same time. DRP

Thank You!

I was stalled on the weight loss for 4 weeks, and FINALLY, the scale moved 3 pounds this week! WHOOP! WHOOP! 23 pounds lost in 3.5 months.

WOW! How did that feel? How did you know it burst? What did you have to do to fix it? That is really frightening! I also have a 4CC band, (from Mexico). I currently have 2.5 cc. DRP

Kerimhann, Your post is helpful! Although I have not eaten a whole pizza or drank soda, there are times that I have not made the healthiest of choices in this journey. My weight loss is very slow...at about a half pound a week, if that, but it is still very slowly coming off. I still eat more than I am supposed to, but not nearly like I used to eat. I also make better choices at least 70% of the time. I have my third fill today. Before this fill today, I have 2 CC in a 4 CC band. I am hoping that this one helps me find this sweet spot that everyone speaks of. Good luck to you! It seems like for me I can stay fairly focused for a week or two and then I have a couple of really bad days, and then I get myself back on track. It seems to be a vicious cycle with me! I am far from the perfect bandster, but I think that I could be much worse! DRP

$450.00 for first fill with fluor, then $250.00 there after. Still cheaper than taking off work and flying back to Mexico for a free fill.

In Mexico, you only have to have a BMI of 30 to qualify. I also heard on the news that there was some consideration here in the US about lowering BMI qualifications......probably is not something that would happen quickly though. I had a great experience in Mexico, great care, and I did find aftercare here in the states, although it was not easy! I would not hesitate to do it again. I feel full sooner and I stop eating! It is such a wonderful concept to me. I still probably eat too much, but am still losing. I will get my third fill next week. I am excited for it to happen! Good luck in your decision.

Hi. I had my surgery with a presurgery BMI of 34. No regrets so far. The weight is coming off slowly, but it is coming off. I am 19 pounds down in 7 weeks. I still have to diet, exercise and make good choices, or there is no weight loss. I was also self pay, but in Mexico. Good luck.

Thanks everyone!

My 8 year old daughter said today, "Mom, you look skinnier!" Now, "skinnier" I interpret to mean "not as fat" but I loved it that she noticed! I had my Lap Band placed on Thanksgiving day in Mexico. I am currently 18 pounds down in 7.5 weeks! I know this might be slow weight loss to some, but I am very happy with it. As long as the scale is going down and my clothes are looser, I am happy!

Thanks everyone. I did end up finding a place in the town where I live to do my fills. I called four places and they would not even talk to me because I went elsewhere for my surgery, but the fifth place I called scheduled me that day, said at least a fourth of their practice was with people who had their bands placed in Mexico. I was able to schedule that day and have already had my first fill of 1.5cc. ( I already had .5) And the great news was that the fill was under fluoro, and the cost did not break the bank. They said my band looked as good as any they had seen done here in the states. They also gave me a really fantastic consultation and told me about their local support group. I am very pleased for sure. I am happy to give this practice my money for the service they provided to me, and am glad to have nothing to do with the other snotty and money hungry practices that would not talk to me. For other Iowa bandsters that may be having a difficult time finding a place to do a fill, please feel free to contact me via email. Thanks, DRP

I would go see a dermatologist as soon as possible. Are you worried about scarring?

Read the "I'm stoked" thread. Really motivating! Hang in there!

Hang in there Calicoskies! And, by the way....Happy New Year to all of you out there!! I am surrounded by an ice storm so celebrating in peace and quiet of home! I pray that 2011 is my/our year for success in the battle of weight loss!