Chickadee: You, long winded? I can't believe you think you are long-winded!! HaHa...BUT we all love your posts so keep on puching those little keys.
With the .6cc fill I actually feel just a little more of a restriction, which is better than it was b/c I was able to eat alot before the fill. This band is wacky though. Some days I swear I can eat a horse and other days a protein shake will fill me up. I am learning little tricks to slow the food intake and know better how to read my body now so I don't get "sick" as often. I learned that this is a PROCESS, this is not an overnight fix...Stay well. Phil

Will Phil feel full from a fill? Say that ten times fast!

Bands are fickle little beasts aren't they? I know exactly what you mean, although with this last fill I have very few days where I feel like I could eat a horse. In fact last night I was at a concert/picnic and tried to eat a piece of fried chicken. Apparently, I am dumber than dumb, because I KNOW chicken gives me trouble. I know it will hurt like **** and that I will regret trying to eat some. I have done this at least four times, but had to try again last night. It hurt so bad before I finally excused myself and PB'd it up. How lovely! I'm not even blonde . I am going to get a tattoo across my forehead that says "No Chicken For You!" (think Seinfeld's Soup **** episode).

Keep it up Phil! Sounds like you're doing okey-dokey and learning all the lessons the band is there to teach us.

Chick
(when you go to the doctor, does she say "Fill Phil"?

with the bypass, eventually things stay down better. i can actually eat chicken most of the time now. but for you guys, does it ever get better? or does that constant adjusting feature keep things as they are?

just a question.. this inquiring mind wants to know..

and maybe filled-phil wants to know!!!! <sorry, i had to throw that in. out.>

That's the beauty of the band - you can adjust to your heart's content (at least up to the band's limit) so that you can be really restricted or not so restricted. I like my current level of restriction and how it makes me really think about what I put in my mouth. So, to answer your question Oh Mighty Moderator, I'll pretty much have trouble with certain foods for a long time because I have good restriction. Once I get to my goal, I'll probably have a bit of an unfill, but not much. I'll let you know when I'm there.

Ms. Chick

Just had to put this out there in cyberspace - I'm down 55 pounds! I'm doing the happy dance.

Your soon-to-be-smokin'-hot-Chickadee

Way to go Chickadee!!!

Hot D@## Way to go Chickie

Hello to all! I am new here to the WLS board - though not new to 3FC. I am here because at this present time - I am considering the Lap Band procedure to assist me in my weight loss.

I have spent the last two days doing research, and so far, this seems like a good option for me. I have lots, and lots of research to do though.

I've read through all of your posts, and you all seem like such a great, supportive group! I can't wait to get to know all of you!

Monday - I will be contacting my insurance company to see if they cover this procedure. I will also be scheduling a dr. appt for a physical soon. My BMI is currently at 53.2 (yuck) and I think I currently weigh 310 lbs. Not cool.

I think my number one concern right now with the band is complications. I haven't read about too many complications, but I'm sure there are some.

Have any of you bandsters had any complications during, or after the surgery? I hear that the risk is much lower with the band, than with the gastric bypass.

If you can share any of your experiences with me - that would be wonderful!

Well - I look forward to getting to know all of you, and congratulations on all the weight you have ALL lost!!

~ Kari ~

Hi Kari,

Since you've already read through all the posts, you know that I LOVE my lapband! I'm so happy I was able to have it done. One of the things that made me decide on this procedure was the complication rate. They are so minimal compared to bypass surgery and frankly, I'm a big weinie! I wasn't willing to take that risk. The complications I have read about are flipped ports, stomach erosion, and incision healing problems. I have been very fortunate and haven't had any problems at all. From what I've read, complications are rare and easily fixed if they do occur. Sometimes I read stats from bypassers and get a little jealous because they lose so quickly, but I knew that I wouldn't lose as quickly going into this whole thing. As long as I'm heading down, I'm pretty happy! The other big sell for me on the lapband (besides the lower complication rate) is that there's no "window of time" in which to lose. If we stop losing, all we have to do is go in for a quick fill and the pounds start dropping again. I really like the adjustability factor.

Some insurance companies are real bears about covering the band. They consider it experimental. I was so lucky that I was able to switch to United Healthcare. They're one of the better companies for coverage. At one point, I thought there was no way I would be covered (with our old insurance) and had my ducks in a row to go to Mexico for surgery. I mention that because there are a lot of people who have it done there and are really happy about it. I know there is a yahoo group called Mexican bandsters where there's lots of discussion about various docs there. There's also a lot of valuable information at Obesityhelp.com. You can find out what doctors are in your area, what insurance companies are band friendly and there are message boards.

Good luck in your quest! Post often and I'll be as helpful as I can be.

Chickadee

After that long ol' post, I thought of something that I just had to say. You know what's so wonderful about losing weight? I can work my *** off!

Yesterday I cleaned out (a BIG chore with a softball-playing, cheerleading, show-choir singing, chauffered-around-a-lot daughter), vacuumed, window-washed, Armor-alled, hand-washed and waxed TWO cars! All by my lonesome! If this had been six months ago - no way! Energy is a good thing!

Clean-riding Chickadee

Hi Guys,

I'm Stephanie and I'm new to the group. I have researched the band for the past 1year and half and have decided to go ahead with it. My insurance company will pay 100%. I go in on Wednesday and get all my bloodwork done. I'm hoping to have the surgery next month. Has everyone been happy with the band? My BMI is 57 and I weigh about 360lbs. Has anyone started out this heavy and had good success with the band .

Steph

Hi Steph,
Good name - my daughter's name is Stephany.

I have read posts from people on other sites who have started out at your weight and higher who are doing just great with their bands. I think there's a yahoo group called extraordinarybandsters that is made up of people who started out with BMI's over 50. You might want to check it out.

That's great that your insurance company will pay for the whole shooting match. I wish more would! I absolutely love my band and do not have a single regret, except that I couldn't have it done sooner. I feel better than I have in years and am looking forward to even more weightloss. It's been a wonderful journey so far and I'm looking foward to the next half, since I'm halfway to goal now.

Good luck to you and keep us posted!
Chickadee

Woo Hoo, I got another fill! I am now at 2 cc and I think I have pretty good restriction. Let the losing re-begin!

For any lurkers out there who wonder about the fill process let me tell you this - it's easy! All they do is find the port and stick a needle through the skin into it. It's a tiny prick (hmm, maybe I shouldn't use those words together - bad Chick!) and that's it. Fill complete! Very little to no pain involved.

Later,
Chickadee

Hey Chickadeedee

We are proud of you for doing so well and sweating your buns off in your gym.
You put in sooo much hard work and it is SHOWING.

In the immortal words of Chickadee:

Now just get off your butt and work it!

I am going to have Chickadee's sentence tatooed on MY butt!

Chick I can testify that a fill is easy. The place where I go to get weighed and to get my shakes deals with both RNY and lapband folks. The nurse said it is about a 50/50 mix of both surgeries. They also do the actual FILLS there and the LAPBAND folks come out of the room looking just FINE after their fills.

--Pookadee