I am new to signing up but not new to the forums. I have bben following them for about a year now and think it's great that there is some place to go for additional info. I hope to have my surgery sometime in the next couple months. Already went to a seminar and have my psych scheduled for next weeks. I am soooooooo happy to see that Tricare is now approved the lapband. I have been following y'alls forums and love to see all the progress everyone has made. It actually brought me to tears when all the Tricare carriers were finally approved. I am so happy for them hopefully I can be approved too. I am right at BMI 40 and right at 100 pounds over so hopefully everythings checks out.

Congrats to all that have done so well with their surgeries and great hope for all those who are waiting. :rolleyes2:

Great news cnshawk! I met Dr. Richards at the seminar and he seems like an awesome surgeon, I requested him, but they gave me Dr Melvin, then I had to have it done in a hurry because my approval came in 2 weeks before my insurance was changing and ended up with Holzman. I didn't care either way and he is great, but like I said I think he is way too busy to see all of his patients.

Hi all! My name is Tasha and I am from Memphis, TN. I am preparing to be "banded" in December or January. I learned of the post from my husband who had a patient today, he works in post op at a local hospital, who was having her band REMOVED! That did make me not want to have the surgery, but I wanted to be in contact with others like me and this forum is the perfect way to do that. I look forward to learning and sharing with you all!

tashanicole1271

Congrats CnShawk!! It will be here before you know it. I had my second fill with Dr. Holzman Tuesday. He put another 2 cc's in my realize band. I am scheduled for another in 4 weeks. Of course he was booked up in 4 weeks but they worked me in. I really like him. He also said if it wasn't enough to call him sooner. The problem I have had is, I had such good restriction for so long and then my fullness changed from being in the upper chest area to back down in the my stomach. Even with the fill I can't tell much difference. I may call him next week if it doesn't get better. Good luck to you Beckio too!!

2Btiny---how much weight have U lost since being banded? U were banded in early May right? Did your restriction stay pretty good, until you lost how much weight? could U tell right away that your restriction was much lower? I'm just trying to get an idea of what to feel for.

Do they have U follow a liquid diet for 24 hours or so after a fill? Hope things get better.

I lost 8pd on the liquid diet before surgery and then I have lost 14 since. It doesn't seem like a lot but I have probably never lost 14pd before in 6 weeks before. I was at a stand still for a couple weeks too. I didn't measure myself but should have. I exercise every day so according to my clothes I have lost inches too which ultimately is more important then weight. My restriction was really good until about 2 weeks ago. The first 24hrs is clear liquids and then full liquids for 2 days and then mushies for 2 weeks and then soft foods. I think it is very doable. Did you go to the nutrition class yet? I have absolutely no regrets! It is the best thing I have ever done!!

14 lbs is great. I'm with you i've never lost that much ever at one try period. And your right the inches are what's important when your working out because muscle weighs more than fat but takes up less space. Your doing wonderful!!! How's the fill doing, are you feeling better?

I did go to the nutrition classes. I have to start the Carnation instant breakfast 6xs a day for 8 days on the 18th. Did you have to do CIB? I think it's going to be so hard to do when your used to chewing your food. I've done a liquid cleanse for 3 days but never 8. Should be interesting but it can be done.

I did the NIB for 8 days with a little cheating. I ate some carrots, jello, green beans, lots of chicken broth, and even a slice of turkey 1 day there may be some other things, but it was 6 months ago. I told Holzman about my cheats and he didn't seem concerned and I don't know what kind of condition my liver was in before the diet, but he said it looked great at the time of surgery.