lyndeeboo

Congrats!!! What an amazing feeling that must be!!! Good luck with everything!!!

I haven't been sleeved yet, but just wanted to say a huge CONGRATS on what you have already lost! I can't imagine how frustrating it must be to have stalled and still be doing everything correctly, BUT, don't forget that you didn't gain all of your weight in 4-6 months, don't be down on yourself for not losing it in that time frame.
Keep up eating right, exercising right and don't give up. 61 pounds is great...go by the butter section at the grocery story and pick up a POUND of butter....Chic, you've lost SIXTY ONE of those...SIXTY-FREAKIN-ONE!!!! You're awesome!!!!

First, just because you spoke about sex doesn't mean you've already jumped in to bed with this guy. It's never too late to change how far you go until you've already gone 'there'. If you're already regretting going too far in a conversation then tell him this. If he doesn't want to meet you because of it, then he really wasn't THAT great of a guy to start out with. Him not being receptive to your feelings and wishes now should be a HUGE red flag that he only wants one thing.
I don't know you or him, BUT, if you've only been speaking a week and you're already having doubts about how far you should go, DON'T HAVE SEX YET. END OF DISCUSSION. if you're already regretting going too far in a conversation, imagine how you will feel Saturday morning after actually doing the deed.
If you truly are looking for a relationship and not just a boy-toy I wouldn't jump in to bed with him yet. Is that me saying that no great, long-term relationships start out having sex the same week you meet? Absolutely not. My husband and I actually slept together much sooner than I normally would and we're now happily married...BUT, I was in college, looking to have a good time and wasn't going in to the night emotionally clinging to the hope that we would fall madly, deeply in love with each other and have lots of babies together. I wanted FUN and I got FUN. It wasn't until much later I got the ring and babies and all of that.
It sounds to me like you're wanting LOVE...which is GREAT! Everyone DESERVES to be in a loving, long term relationship if that's what they want - - I just know a LOT of girls who are wanting the exact same thing you're wanting, they find a guy, give him what he wants right away, and then he's gone....that, or he ONLY wants them for sex, not a long term relationship because that is what they TRAINED HIM TO EXPECT!!! If you jump in to bed with someone right away they don't HAVE to get to know your likes and dislikes, they don't have to do sweet things to earn your respect and body.
Just ask yourself this: Are you hoping for long term or a one night stand? If you're hoping for long term, don't sleep with him this Friday and tell him how you're feeling silly and regretting speaking about it so soon. If he feels more about you than a bootie call he will laugh at your honesty and you'll be good.
If you just want fun, and you're not going to regret anything should things not work out, then go have fun

My thought is, although having surgery, the only way you will be successful IS modifying your diet and exercising, so even if you didn't mention you had surgery, telling someone you're seeing a nutritionist and doing a doctor supervised low carb, high exercise diet isn't lying!!! Not to mention, anyone I do tell (very few people) will KNOW that they're one of the 'chosen' few and wouldn't think I was being a liar, just not telling ALL of the information...since they will know my decision is on a need to know basis I'd have to think they would expect such an answer

My thought is, although having surgery, the only way you will be successful IS modifying your diet and exercising, so even if you didn't mention you had surgery, telling someone you're seeing a nutritionist and doing a doctor supervised low carb, high exercise diet isn't lying!!! Not to mention, anyone I do tell (very few people) will KNOW that they're one of the 'chosen' few and wouldn't think I was being a liar, just not telling ALL of the information...since they will know my decision is on a need to know basis I'd have to think they would expect such an answer

That's great to hear that he's come highly reccomended! I really haven't heard ANYTHING negative about him...just wanted to put his name out there one more time in case anyone knew of any reason I should find a new doctor. That makes me feel GREAT that no one is speaking up!!! Who are you using as a surgeon?Thank you for your response. Good luck with your procedure!!!

First, just because you spoke about sex doesn't mean you've already jumped in to bed with this guy. It's never too late to change how far you go until you've already gone 'there'. If you're already regretting going too far in a conversation then tell him this. If he doesn't want to meet you because of it, then he really wasn't THAT great of a guy to start out with. Him not being receptive to your feelings and wishes now should be a HUGE red flag that he only wants one thing.
I don't know you or him, BUT, if you've only been speaking a week and you're already having doubts about how far you should go, DON'T HAVE SEX YET. END OF DISCUSSION. if you're already regretting going too far in a conversation, imagine how you will feel Saturday morning after actually doing the deed.
If you truly are looking for a relationship and not just a boy-toy I wouldn't jump in to bed with him yet. Is that me saying that no great, long-term relationships start out having sex the same week you meet? Absolutely not. My husband and I actually slept together much sooner than I normally would and we're now happily married...BUT, I was in college, looking to have a good time and wasn't going in to the night emotionally clinging to the hope that we would fall madly, deeply in love with each other and have lots of babies together. I wanted FUN and I got FUN. It wasn't until much later I got the ring and babies and all of that.
It sounds to me like you're wanting LOVE...which is GREAT! Everyone DESERVES to be in a loving, long term relationship if that's what they want - - I just know a LOT of girls who are wanting the exact same thing you're wanting, they find a guy, give him what he wants right away, and then he's gone....that, or he ONLY wants them for sex, not a long term relationship because that is what they TRAINED HIM TO EXPECT!!! If you jump in to bed with someone right away they don't HAVE to get to know your likes and dislikes, they don't have to do sweet things to earn your respect and body.
Just ask yourself this: Are you hoping for long term or a one night stand? If you're hoping for long term, don't sleep with him this Friday and tell him how you're feeling silly and regretting speaking about it so soon. If he feels more about you than a bootie call he will laugh at your honesty and you'll be good.
If you just want fun, and you're not going to regret anything should things not work out, then go have fun

First, just because you spoke about sex doesn't mean you've already jumped in to bed with this guy. It's never too late to change how far you go until you've already gone 'there'. If you're already regretting going too far in a conversation then tell him this. If he doesn't want to meet you because of it, then he really wasn't THAT great of a guy to start out with. Him not being receptive to your feelings and wishes now should be a HUGE red flag that he only wants one thing.
I don't know you or him, BUT, if you've only been speaking a week and you're already having doubts about how far you should go, DON'T HAVE SEX YET. END OF DISCUSSION. if you're already regretting going too far in a conversation, imagine how you will feel Saturday morning after actually doing the deed.
If you truly are looking for a relationship and not just a boy-toy I wouldn't jump in to bed with him yet. Is that me saying that no great, long-term relationships start out having sex the same week you meet? Absolutely not. My husband and I actually slept together much sooner than I normally would and we're now happily married...BUT, I was in college, looking to have a good time and wasn't going in to the night emotionally clinging to the hope that we would fall madly, deeply in love with each other and have lots of babies together. I wanted FUN and I got FUN. It wasn't until much later I got the ring and babies and all of that.
It sounds to me like you're wanting LOVE...which is GREAT! Everyone DESERVES to be in a loving, long term relationship if that's what they want - - I just know a LOT of girls who are wanting the exact same thing you're wanting, they find a guy, give him what he wants right away, and then he's gone....that, or he ONLY wants them for sex, not a long term relationship because that is what they TRAINED HIM TO EXPECT!!! If you jump in to bed with someone right away they don't HAVE to get to know your likes and dislikes, they don't have to do sweet things to earn your respect and body.
Just ask yourself this: Are you hoping for long term or a one night stand? If you're hoping for long term, don't sleep with him this Friday and tell him how you're feeling silly and regretting speaking about it so soon. If he feels more about you than a bootie call he will laugh at your honesty and you'll be good.
If you just want fun, and you're not going to regret anything should things not work out, then go have fun

Thank you ALL! You've all confirmed that I'm making the right decision!!!

I know I can just google this, but what is a Nike Fuel band?

For the past few years I've wanted to get banded. I go to Church with a woman who was very successful and she inspired me. My insurance doesn't cover any procedures so after I was done having kiddos my husband added me to his insurance policy. I officially became covered January 1st, so on Jan 3rd I had a consultation with two surgeons, Dr. Nicholson at the Nicholson clinic and then I had an appointment at True Results, Dallas.
During my first appt Dr. Nicholson suggested I consider the sleeve procedure and for a few seconds I considered it...until I walked in to True Results and they told me how dangerous it was, how it hadn't been on the market long enough, etc. etc. I guess since I'd wanted the band for so long they told me everything I wanted to hear.
I continued going to True Results for two more months, but in the back of my mind I kept going back to what Dr. Nicholson had said. He told me about problems with the band that were just developing and told me that since I lived so far away from a bariatric facility (I have a 3 hr drive, one way) that the band was more than likely not the route I would want to go. He always maintained that if I wanted it he would gladly give me one, but that he just didn't think it was the perfect fit.
I continued to have thoughts that the band probably wasn't the best thing for me, but once i started visiting True Results I felt "stuck" in the sense that I didn't want to waste all of the time I'd already invested. I asked True Results if they offered the sleeve and they said they did, but that their surgeon didn't do as many of them because the band was "better".
About a month ago I started really researching the band vs the sleeve and kept coming across numerous people who had the band, then had problems and revised to the sleeve. I didn't want to be one of those people. I want whatever I choose to work for life and i want to be happy with my decision forever. I also didn't want the surgeon that performed my surgery to do them every once in awhile, I wanted my surgeon to be the best of the best.
I prayed about my decision and asked God to lead me in the right direction, whatever that direction was. The same day I was searching a forum who specifically pointed out True Results and the surgeon that I would have had and said if you're considering him/that clinic to run as fast away as possible. She wasn't speaking to me, but I felt as though she was if that makes sense.
I then decided to contact Dr. Nicholson's clinic and see if they would even take me back. I'd only gone to one appointment and then had "chosen" another doctor, so for all I knew they would tell me tough nuggets. Nope. They said that they loved it when patients researched other doctors and that they were happy that I had "shopped around" and then returned to them.
Lastly, I had been upset that the 2 months worth of nutritional appointments would be wasted in a sense, but had decided that in the long run, what was 2 months of my life, if it meant my life and happieness? Just for the heck of it I thought I would ask the Nicholson clinic if there was any way they would give me credit for the nutrition appointments and sure enough they will!
Everything is falling in to place and I really couldn't be happier and more excited about getting the sleeve. I'm ready to change my life for the better and looking forward to this journey!
Now if I can just jump through the flaming hoops for insurance and get my surgery scheduled

For the past few years I've wanted to get banded. I go to Church with a woman who was very successful and she inspired me. My insurance doesn't cover any procedures so after I was done having kiddos my husband added me to his insurance policy. I officially became covered January 1st, so on Jan 3rd I had a consultation with two surgeons, Dr. Nicholson at the Nicholson clinic and then I had an appointment at True Results, Dallas.
During my first appt Dr. Nicholson suggested I consider the sleeve procedure and for a few seconds I considered it...until I walked in to True Results and they told me how dangerous it was, how it hadn't been on the market long enough, etc. etc. I guess since I'd wanted the band for so long they told me everything I wanted to hear.
I continued going to True Results for two more months, but in the back of my mind I kept going back to what Dr. Nicholson had said. He told me about problems with the band that were just developing and told me that since I lived so far away from a bariatric facility (I have a 3 hr drive, one way) that the band was more than likely not the route I would want to go. He always maintained that if I wanted it he would gladly give me one, but that he just didn't think it was the perfect fit.
I continued to have thoughts that the band probably wasn't the best thing for me, but once i started visiting True Results I felt "stuck" in the sense that I didn't want to waste all of the time I'd already invested. I asked True Results if they offered the sleeve and they said they did, but that their surgeon didn't do as many of them because the band was "better".
About a month ago I started really researching the band vs the sleeve and kept coming across numerous people who had the band, then had problems and revised to the sleeve. I didn't want to be one of those people. I want whatever I choose to work for life and i want to be happy with my decision forever. I also didn't want the surgeon that performed my surgery to do them every once in awhile, I wanted my surgeon to be the best of the best.
I prayed about my decision and asked God to lead me in the right direction, whatever that direction was. The same day I was searching a forum who specifically pointed out True Results and the surgeon that I would have had and said if you're considering him/that clinic to run as fast away as possible. She wasn't speaking to me, but I felt as though she was if that makes sense.
I then decided to contact Dr. Nicholson's clinic and see if they would even take me back. I'd only gone to one appointment and then had "chosen" another doctor, so for all I knew they would tell me tough nuggets. Nope. They said that they loved it when patients researched other doctors and that they were happy that I had "shopped around" and then returned to them.
Lastly, I had been upset that the 2 months worth of nutritional appointments would be wasted in a sense, but had decided that in the long run, what was 2 months of my life, if it meant my life and happieness? Just for the heck of it I thought I would ask the Nicholson clinic if there was any way they would give me credit for the nutrition appointments and sure enough they will!
Everything is falling in to place and I really couldn't be happier and more excited about getting the sleeve. I'm ready to change my life for the better and looking forward to this journey!
Now if I can just jump through the flaming hoops for insurance and get my surgery scheduled

Everyone here is great, thank you for the opinions.
You all were right, it would have a way of working itself out...and it has!
I'm back on track (mentally!) to be banded by True Results. I'm no longer upset that I didn't see/meet the doctor. From what I can tell he has pretty good results so that has me comforted. I still do really like the other doctor (in the completely other office) BUT, they said they would be mailing me a packet within a few days of my appt and I still have yet to receive it, whereas True Results has followed up with me and just seem genuinely excited about my surgery and my future.
So, it all worked itself out and I'm moving forward with being banded - - yay!!!

Wooohoo you're almost there! I like his analogy of a new Harley..and how sexy you'll be on the back of that new Harley when you get to your happy place
Good luck with your surgery. I bet now that you have a date the wait is even more hard...like a kid the night before Christmas

Thanks so much for the information you guys! I don't know why I had it in my head that I would "bond" with my surgeon before hand and that I would continue to see him/her afterwards. If this is somewhat normal then I'm not so upset by it
Because of the office staff at True Results I really AM leaning more towards using their facility....and it does help that some of you are current success stories from there!
Toddy, your story is the exact reason I've considered the sleeve - - these things don't happen to everyone, but happen enough that I know they exist....I'm glad that you're okay after all that you went through!
Thank you for the advice everyone!!! I'm off to do yet more research

I used true results in richardson too and didnt meet my surgeon until 5 min before i was being wheeled in for surgery. Dr. Benevides was my surgeon. Just call and request to meet with him. They have a complete after care facility that will care for you after surgery. This is where you will go to get your fills, unfills and any other problems you may have (its in the same building as the surgery center and where you went for your consultation). They are awesome. You will only go to Dr. Benevides office one time for your follow up appt and then if you have any major problems that aftercare can not deal with. I promise you will be taken care of from beginning to end with true results. Amanda is great isnt she? You will also meet Katie...she works in dr. Benevides office and she is just sweet as can be! Good luck to you

I had the band by true results in Houston. You do meet the surgeon in a pre op visit prior to surgery but as far as your after care it is done by the true results staff not the surgeon. Hope this helps.

I hope you've posted the same thing on the sleeve message board. It would be nice to get your info from people experienced with both procedures. I opted for the band because I didn't want my anatomy changed and it was completely reversible. But...
I've had some complications that were quite scary and required another surgery. I had two episodes of EXTREME pain (and I am NOT a pain weenie). I'm only about 25 minutes from my surgeon and relief I got with unfills, but I just can't imagine how I would have survived that pain if I had been farther away!! Turns out my band had slipped and it required surgery to restitch it. At the time of the second surgery, I opted for band with plication, which is similar to the sleeve, but without actually removing part of the stomach.
With all I've been through, I did opt to keep my band. I do wish that I had researched the sleeve as much as I researched the band. One way I've heard it put is that with the sleeve, if you're going to have complications, it's early on; with the band, the complications usually come quite a bit later.
I do love my band and what it's done for me weight loss-wise. However, knowing what I know now, and having experienced what I've been through, if I had it to do over again, I think I would opt for the sleeve. My daughter is thinking about wls and I would steer her toward the sleeve. I asked my doctor's opinion (after the fact) about what wls he would recommend for his wife or daughter, and he said his recommendation would depend upon co-morbidities, as some procedures are better for diabetics, for instance, and also on how much total weight a person needed to lose.
I posted this not to scare you, as I think my case is not the "norm". Even my surgeon, who I LOVE, was quite baffled, and I was the earliest slip they had ever had in their clinic. Just continue to do your research and good luck with whichever wls you choose!!

That must be the true results way, I didn't meet my surgeon until I had done EVERYTHING else to prepare for surgery. I honestly don't know if I would've stayed with them if I had met him first, nothing against him, he's just def not going to be someone I "connect" with. If this is important to you, then I'd go with the place where u actually meet your dr and decide if you connected with him, which it sounds like you did.

SAme here. I decided to got for the band mainly because it was less « permanent ». The idea of cutting pieces of me scared me. What if I regret it?? I’m still young, I dont want to spend the rest of my life regretting a decision I made. Still it is a personal decision, try not to be influenced by people around you. You need to read all you can find on both surgeries and figure the one you are most comfortable with. As for the surgeon, don’t base it to much on his personality, base it on his/her experience. Ask how many surgeries he/she did, how long has he been doing these surgeries, what is his success rate, if there’s any other patients of his you could talk to etc…My surgeon is not bubbly, warm or fuzzy. She is strict but is very professional. She takes her surgeries very seriously and wants you to be succesfull. She is also a bit different of what is discribed by many of you here. She has a different diet and methods but i’m totally comfortable with everything she says and if she’s confident, i’m confident it will work. So, my opinion is take your time, read everything and look at the surgeons competence rather than his personality. Be 100% sure of your decision. If you are not, take more time to think about it and do your research. Good luck!

I got the band after doing my research and deciding that it was best for me and my situation...mainly for the same reasons that you listed. I have no regrets so far. My gf has the sleeve and is very pleased with it as well. You know that this is really a personal decision..its great that you are doing your research and most importantly that you are doing what you feel is important to improve your health. Good luck..let us know what you decide. On another note, you will be able to meet your surgeon prior to your surgery and you can also begin researching him on your own. My surgeon is not all warm and fuzzy but he did a great job with my surgery! It was discovered that I have a massive fibroid, during my LB procedure. My surgeon gave me great followup/aftercare resources so that I can address the issue. My surgeon does not do my fills so I expect that my ongoing care will be mostly facilitated by True Results.

i went through the same thing a few months ago when i decided to pursue surgery, i read through all my options and met with 2 different doctors and eventually chose the lapband for the following reasons:
1- i am only 24 and want children in the future so being able to get the band filled and unfilled through out my life will work well for the many adventures i plan to have!
2- even after a sleeve your stomach can stretch back to a larger size and when you are not going to the doctor periodically for check ups then you can quickly loose focus on weight loss.
3- i live about 90 minutes from the doctor i chose due to the limited amount of bariatric surgeons who work with my insurance, i have not really had a problem due to the fact that i absolutly love everyone in their office.
4- the thought of changing my anatomy kinda freaked me out alittle, it was more reassuring knowing that the band could be removed if necessary downt the road.
hope this helps and good luck with your journey
Lauren

I would ask what their policies are regarding visits, band adjustments, nutrition after the surgery......
It may be hard for you to understand right now, but I would ask how aggressive He/she is with their adjustments (fills)
It is very subjective what is acceptable.....but I know people from another, smaller group I belong to that had to change Dr's after their surgery because their policy was not to administer more than .25 cc per visit, per month. (12 visits per year) ...that's no more than 3 cc's per year....
The people I know were convinced the Dr. was more concerned about the # of visits to bill the Insurance Co. ($$) rather than any results.....
But like I said, that all may seem confusing to you, just starting out.....but I would ask about post surgery visits, etc....

I believe, like many other posts above, that there is good and bad in everything. I feel that we live in a society that tends to focus more in negatives than positive... And I'm only saying that because take a look at the news. There are more instances of bad news than good.. We don't hear about all of the successful airplane flights everyday, only when a plane crashes.
When it comes to the lapband, I feel that you get what you out into it. I'm not banded yet but I have learned from here and my doctors that it is extremely person dependent. Of course there are times when the lapband doesn't work with someone's body by default. It can erode the stomach lining, cause an infection, someone may be allergic, or it can leak. However, there are times when people say the band doesn't work and that's because of poor food choices and the failure to change one's lifestyle. If you're eating ice cream all of the time, of course it won't get stuck, but you also won't lose weight.
I think my point is to understand the pros and cons from all angels. Accept that you will have good and bad days, just like everyone else, and even weight losses and gains, but as long as you do your part and change your lifestyle, this tool will work for you!

I feel a lot of those who were banded and lost forget where they began. Some post seem to be so disheartening when it comes to beginners. We are supposed to support one another. Not judge them and make snide remarks about things they may not be doing correctly. Remember the fat person who was constantly judged by others before you place judgement on people.