Dreamingof139

I had surgery on Thursday morning and my doctor has me on liquids that will go through a strainer for four weeks.

I just got my date today - August 7th. It does not seem real yet. I had a band in in 2010 and out in 2012 and have regained all of my weight so I am ready for this. I have to travel for mine, so I leave home on a Tuesday evening and return home the following Monday evening.

If you cannot afford an in person therapist, there are several websites that offer therapy by licensed therapists for a VERY reasonable rate. Something to consider if cost is an issue that is preventing you from seeking help.

The only bariatric doctor that I know of in Spokane does not have the best reputation. What is the name of this surgeon?

Please remember that everyone is different - if WW worked for us, we would not be considering or have had surgery. I think that the point to be taken here is that the band is not a magic fix - we are still accountable for our choices. If you get your Protein in and get an exercise program on that works for you, you will see results 99% of the time.

And I can personally attest that Chris is WONDERFUL! He did an unfill for me a few months ago and he is an expert. So thankful to have found the New Image Clinic in Kalispell.

Hello - yes, you are very normal to be a bit nervous! I flew home from my surgery, so I was on an airplane less than 24 hours after surgery and even had to make a connection. It was just fine. I did have my doctor give me a small fill in surgery - you may want to ask yours to do the same. Good Luck - shopping without looking at how things drape is wonderful!

So sorry to hear that you have had to deal with this. I am six months out and have told very few people and very slowly because I was afraid of the backlash. I already have one person in my life telling me that I took the easy way out, so I figure the less people I tell, the better. I appreciated what you said about finding out who people really are to be a gift - great perspective!

For anyone in Kalispell and the surrounding areas, I have found the most amazing follow up care. New Image Clinic, right next to the hospital does fills. I had a fill yesterday from Chris, a wonderful PA and it was the ideal situation. Quick, accurate and just a tiny pinch. Given that I live hours from any kind of care, I was just delighted to find such a great clinic and provider within a days drive of my home.

My six month band anniversary is on the 24th of this month. I started this journey with a BMI of 34.7 and today my BMI is 26, still overweight, but getting closer to being a new healthy me. I love my band!

For me, the band has done two things. First, I was not aware of how quickly I was eating before the band. The band slows me down, because if I eat too quickly, it is uncomfortable and I sometimes burp up what I have eaten. This is an unpleasant experience, so this has modified my behavior and I tend to do that less often now. Second, diets worked, but I rebounded after and gained not just that weight back, but 20 or more pounds for good measure. Being on a diet for me is torture and cannot work permanently. With the band, I can eat anything that I want, but in a small, thin person portion. I am down 54 pounds - my surgery was 9/24/10. I was 215 when I started at 5'6". I am now one size away from my goal in about six months. Something that I could not have done without the band. I also had the thought of why not just diet and stick to it? I liked the post where the person noted the quote about the definition of insanity. This is VERY true in this case. Good Luck regardless of what you decide to do - my only regret is that I waited so long to do this.

I asked ahead of time because I have had complications before from the cath and was told that they do not use them because the surgery is so short. I was very thankful and had no issues with ambulating to get to the restroom when needed.

My grammar is excellent - occupational hazard. Nothing amiss with my post - not sure what you are referring to. Perhaps it is how you changed my post above to give the impression of an error. Go back and look at what I initially posted - it may not be the best sentence that I have ever constructed, but it is grammatically sound and correct. I write for a living and hold advanced degrees in English and in Education. Yes, you may call me doctor. Sorry, I do not general spout my education, but I wanted to explain the position that I am coming from. And before someone goes there, the Masters is from a top 20 and the PhD is from an Ivy. Real schools - very expensive too. I find it so interesting that people pipe up and jump in, yet fail to assert a valid point or actually find anything wrong with what I am writing. So very interesting to watch this unfold.

My post was polite and respectful. I find your comment interesting in that you 'heard' rudeness in polite conversation.