Just wondering if there are any of you from Illinois going here. If so I would like to know how your surgery went and how you are doing. Good luck to all of us on our journeys!!!

Since surgery I have lost 51 pounds and lost 29 during the amount of time I was waiting for my surgery. I lost 15 before I was approved for insurance and the other 14 on the pre-op diet. So altogether since December of last year I have lost 80 pounds. I didn't do any type of weight watchers program or anything like that, I just tried to eat less and better. I followed the pre-op diet to a T and did not cheat AT ALL when I was on it. I have had a few weeks here and there where I haven't lost any weight at all, but I try not to get discouraged because there are some weeks where I lose 5-10 pounds. It really just comes and goes for me. I felt restriction after my very first fill, and in fact I only have about 3.5 cc's in my band and I am happy with how it is going. Of course I would like to be down more than 80 pounds, but I am happy with being half way to my goal after less than 10 months from starting this journey.

Threekidsmom, how are you doing after surgery??

Ev1988, 80lbs in 10 mos is great!!! Congrads, your doing something right. How often did you get fills??

Tracyw2, how are you doing since your surgery, how much have you lost since your surgery? How often did you get fills?

I am nearly 3 years out. I have lost roughly 170lbs and I no longer get any fills. I actually just got a slight unfill a few weeks ago as I am now just maintaing and was needing to get more calories in.

I am feeling pretty good. I went back to work the Monday after.

Hi everyone, I am having surgery on Nov 13th at the Champaign office. I am a little nervous. I live In Mattoon. It didn't take long for me to get approved at all. First talk was on Sept 17, then the 3 appointments in one day on Sept 25. I go on Oct 30 for pre opp appointment. It is all going fast.

Hi everyone' date=' I am having surgery on Nov 13th at the Champaign office. I am a little nervous. I live In Mattoon. It didn't take long for me to get approved at all. First talk was on Sept 17, then the 3 appointments in one day on Sept 25. I go on Oct 30 for pre opp appointment. It is all going fast.[/quote']

Congrats. I am going to Clinton. Mine was also very fast. Best of luck.

Congrats. I am going to Clinton. Mine was also very fast. Best of luck.

Thanks Tootles and Best of luck to you also.

Hi everyone' date=' I am having surgery on Nov 13th at the Champaign office. I am a little nervous. I live In Mattoon. It didn't take long for me to get approved at all. First talk was on Sept 17, then the 3 appointments in one day on Sept 25. I go on Oct 30 for pre opp appointment. It is all going fast.[/quote']

U must have same doc and nurses as me cause they do champaign office also. My surgery will be in champaign on tuesday

I'm having my surgery in Champaign. The staff is great. My surgery is scheduled for Dec. 4th. I am so excited! Have any of you attended their monthly support group?

For some reason this thread stopped giving me reminders so I am sorry I missed the question about fills. I think I got fills every other month for a few months but really have only gotten 4 or 5 in the first year. All of them were extremely small because my body had trouble accepting a lot at once. At this point, I am down 91 lbs since surgery and 120 together with the Pre-Op diet. I do try to attend the monthly support group meetings in Champaign, and I find them extremely helpful and motivating. Everyone is so nice, and it is great to be able to get together and hear everyone's experiences. How is everyone doing lately?

I'm currently doing my process with the Illinois Baratric Center. I gotta say I'm really impressed with there staff and everyone is awesome! I'll be getting my surgery in Champaign also. Just got done with my 3 in 1 appointment today and now its a waiting game for a few weeks with insurance and paperwork.

Yay that is exciting! Congratulations on getting one step closer. I am definitely glad that I chose to do the surgery and that I chose to have it where I did. I couldn't be happier with the IBC! I also love their support group meetings on the first Thursday of the month. I feel like it really helps be stay on track, especially when I get discouraged.

Yeah everyone is so supportive and wants to help! I'm really glad someone referred me to him!! I live in Peoria and I wouldn't be able to make it there support group meetings!