soon2bskinny

I believe this group has gone sour again. Anyone in the North Georgia area attending a support group. If so where and when, I would love to go.

I have met a mini-goal and am working toward my first big one. I have lost 75lbs and have 4 1/2 months to lose the other 25lbs to my first big goal. I will still have 82 lbs after that to be at goal. I know I can do it and hopefully I will lose more than that. I want to be at -100 by my one year anniversary.

Misty, I had my surgery in Mexico and the cost was $6500 but is now $7000 due to hospital costs increasing. Dr. Jose Rodriguez performed my surgery. My hubby and I took the Greyhound bus from Georgia to Del Rio which is five minutes from the border and the cost was only $288 for both of us. It was the most pleasant trip but it gets the job done. There are also quite a few financing options you can check in to. I am not sure of all the names but I believe one is Monarch Financing. Where there is a will there is a way. I borrowed money from my aunt and had my mother borrow the rest so I could have it done. Good Luck!

I THINK SO. I EAT EMOTIONALY ALSO AND STILL DO. BUT WITH THE BAND IT IS NO WHERE NEAR AS BAD AND YOU CAN CONTROL IT ALOT MORE. I STILL DO IT BUT I SURE DON'T EAT NO WHERE NEAR AS MUCH AS I USED TO. I USED TO BINGE EAT...YOU KNOW, I ATE EVERYTHING IN SIGHT. I WAS ALWAYS SORRY FOR IT AFTERWARDS BUT IT RELIEVED STRESS WHILE I WAS DOING IT, OR AT LEAST I THOUGHT. NOW WITH THE BAND THERE IS NO MORE EATING THAT WAY. THERE IS NO WAY I COULD EAT MORE THAN A CUP OR SO OF ICE CREAM, NO WHOLE BAG OF chips, AND NO MORE FIVE OR SIX SLICES OF pizza. I BELIEVE THAT NO MATTER THE REASON FOR YOUR EATING THAT AFTER YOU ARE BANDED THE REASON IS STILL THERE YOU CAN JUST CONTROL IT. I ALSO KNOW THAT IF THAT IS WHY YOU ARE EATING SO MUCH THAN YOU PROBABLY NEED TO TALK TO SOMEONE. IT DID HELP ME TO UNDERSTAND WHY I EAT FOR COMFORT. I WOULD ALSO RECOMMEND DR. PHIL'S BOOK, IT REALLY MAKES SENSE. GOOD LUCK!

I told and still do tell everyone. People are not stupid and most these days know about the surgery and know that once you've lost a signigicant amount of weight that something had to happen. Especially those people you are close to and know that for years you've not been able to do anything about your weight and now all the sudden your 50-75-100lbs lighter. I am sure you know best how the people you are around will react. I knew I could depend on family and friends to support me. And they do just that and are very excited for me. I do get the, "How much have you lost so far?" all the time but I love to tell people that I have lost 75lbs and I am still losing. I never get tired of saying it. If someone I haven't seen for a while asks how I am losing it I tell the truth. Lap-Band, eating right, exercise and a lot of hard work. I know there are sceptics and people who think you have taken the easy way out but do you really care what those people think???? I don't! Anyway, I think you have to decide what is right for you. I don't have an opinion either way. I respect everupme. those who decide not to tell and those who do tell, just for doing something about their weight problem. Good luck with your decision and I am sure whatever you decide to do will be the right thing. Just be careful about who you chose to tell if you don't want anyone knowing. Some people can't keep secrets. Best Wishes!

I have about five or six postcards that my kids and bought to send but we have recently moved and I misplaced your address. Can you please send it to me again. sandymills01@alltel.net Thanks a bunch and it is so neat that you collect postcards.

Thank you all for your support. And you will be happy to know (althought those die-hard bandsters may not) that I don't do anything special. I started out counting every bite I put into my mouth but that got old and didn't feel much different then the way I let food control me before. I don't want food to control my life in any way, shape or form. I try to eat lots of protein for breakfast and lunch but then I eat whatever I want for supper. Of course, I cannot eat anywhere near what I could before banding but if I want a cookie or a piece of cake I just eat it. I haven't even started exercising on a regular basis until just this week. I am not saying my way is good or that everyone should follow what I am doing but I do believe that you should not let food control you at all. Counting all those calories and keeping up with how many carbs......... all that is too much for me. I am consious of my calories and carbs but I don't count every one and if I eat something I shouldn't then I just try to do better the next day I don't agonize about it. I think everyone should exercise but to be honest I was so fat that I did good to walk around the house and do my household cleaning until I lost this weight. I am just now to the point where exercise is not such a painful experience that I don't want to do it. I am walking every morning and taking an exercise class three times a week. I will eventually start going to the gym but I want to make sure when I start it won't be painful and I won't want to quit. Thanks for all your support. And I think the biggest secret to success is to remind yourself everyday that you are worth every pound that you lose.

Has anyone else found that they have problems with certain medicines? I haven't really taken much since my surgery so when I pulled a muscle in my arm (or did something to it, not sure what) then I took some Advil Liqui-Gel tablets. It seemed to make me feel pretty yucky for a few hours. I decided the pain wasn't that bad and I didn't take anymore. Well, a few days ago I started having sinus trouble (it is that time of the year) so I took some meds for that and they made me feel queasy and light headed. I have always tolerated most meds well but since surgery it seems everything makes me sick to my stomach and my head feel yucky. I started on birth control pills (I had a norplant) last month and for five days I didn't even feel like I was alive. I was wondering if anyone else had these or similar problems since having the band or if it was all in my head......thanks ahead for your replies.

I was wondering if anyone else here has the habit of eating to fast, taking large bites, and not chewing properly. I am not a slob but I am in the habit of eating fast. This does not go over well with my band. I am already too full by the time my brain tells me to stop. I feel like I have tried every trick in the book but with no sucess. I tried laying the fork down between bites. I tried setting a timer so I would take 20 minutes to eat. If anyone has any suggestions on ways to slow down and chew better I would greatly appreciate it. I cut my food into small pieces but I find that takes too long...........it all goes back to being in a hurry. That is how I live my life and it is hard to slow down even when I have nowhere to be and nothing to do. Thanks ahead of time for your support. This is a great group of people!

My pre-op diet was low carb high protein for four weeks and then nothing to eat or drink after midnight. The diet for four weeks is to shrink fatty livers. I have not heard of a liquid diet for a week before surgery?????

I agree! Just stay away from those foods that make you vomit. It can cause your band to slip. I cannot eat biscuits, loaf bread, donuts or anything doughy like that. I cannot do rice (which I love) or any meat that is real dry. I too cannot eat first thing in the morning. Sometimes I try runny oatmeal but for the most part I do a protein shake. Usually in the evenings though I can eat most anything I want. I too feel changes in my restriction with the weather. When it is rainy sometimes I have to return totally to mush as I cannot digest solids. Funny but true. We all also struggle with taking smaller bites, chewing well, and slowing down. Perhaps this could be part of your problem. Good luck!

I had my surgery done in Mexico and the only pre-op tests (EKG and blood work) are done after you have been given "na na land" meds and they are done in the operating room. I also had no post-op tests before leaving the hospital. I had a liquid breakfast and when there was no trouble with that I left. I guess everywhere is different.

My surgery was performed by Dr. Rodriguez in Acuna, Mexico. This is right across the border from Del Rio, TX. The cost of my surgery was $6500 all paid to the doctor. He then pays the hospital. The cost has recently went up to $7000 due to an increase in the hospital fees. My husband and I took the greyhound bus to Del Rio ($288 for both) and then stayed at Best Western ($110 for 2 nights). Dr. Rod, all his staff and all the hospital staff were wonderful. I had good care and never felt neglected. I was never scared about what was going on and never felt uncomfortable. Do your research and remember we are here for any questions. That is how I found most of my answers....by asking other patients. Dr. Rod's website is www.joseband.com and he also has a yahoo group as do most of these doctors and their patients. Good luck in your journey!

Walk, walk, and walk some more. That should help with the gas pain. It did for me anyways. Also, make sure you try to get your protein in somewhere with what little you are taking in. I don't know how much protein Boost has but I did protein shakes. I use EAS Carb Control shakes but there are plenty others. The protein keeps the hunger at bay and you don't risk losing your hair. Congrats on your surgery and welcome to the other side. Keep us posted and best wishes to you.

What a great post. It is nice to share things that are not band related. While we all think about it quite often it is nice to have a break from talking about it. And what a great thing to collect. You get to hear from friends, they don't take up much room, and they make great memories. Will be sending mine soon. My children love to mail postcards.

I agree with Alexandra. If you are not newly filled then the mushy stuff is not so good for you. It goes through your pouch too quick and leaves you feeling hungry sooner. Go for the good stuff....meats! Chew slowly and eat slowly. See if that helps you feel better and fuller. Best of luck!

Good luck to all of you. And nobody said you can't enjoy goodies on the Holidays. Sounds like if everyone has surgery around the same time you will at least be to mush stage. Just eat in moderation. If I want something I eat it......just not the whole bag or container as in the past. Keep us posted and best wishes.

Congratulations on your surgery! Sounds like you are doing great. While you may feel like you are waiting for a fill already I believe once you get to eat solids then you won't feel the same way. The liquid/mush stage does'nt do justice to the bands use. You will see......in the meantime concentrate on healing. Best of wishes!

I agree with the others. Protein will keep the hunger at bay a lot longer than the carbs. I added protein powder to my yogurt, fat free pudding, and anything that was still edible after I stirred it. I was never hungry while on mush or liquids after the first few days. This time is about healing inside not about losing. While you may feel okay on the outside that doesn't mean on the inside everything is well yet. Concentrate on following your liquid/mush diet so all goes well inside otherwise you may very well push your band to the limits and cause stiches to tear or your pouch to slip. Good luck!

Alexandra, My band is always that way. I never know from one day to the next how I much restriction I will feel. One day I can only do mush or liquid and then the next day I feel like I could eat a horse. I am usually very restricted in the morning and then by bed time I have to fight not to eat everything in the house. Good luck with your fill on Thursday.

I had my surgery in Mexico but the doctors here in Dalton at Hamilton Surgical Weight Management will see me. My doctor wasn't at all reluctant about me having a fill. Seems I waited longer than most of his patients. He put 4cc in the first time and 3cc the second time (11cm band). I don't think I have found that sweet spot yet either but I am getting there. I believe here they encourage you to wait 6 weeks between fills but they leave it up to you if you feel like you need a fill. That is how the band is designed to work. Perhaps you should do some research and submit your findings about those related topics to your doctor. Or perhaps you should print some posts from here where we have discussed such things as restriction and "sweet spot". Maybe he is going too much by the book and not enough on personal experiences from his patients. Good luck with your first fill and I hope it works good considering you will have to wait so long for another.

Sorry you went through that, you will not even think about all that stuff once your have had your surgery and the weight starts falling off. Keep us posted.

Is there not anyone from Georgia?

Perhaps you should give him a chance. Maybe supply him with a little more info, maybe something in writing. Some doctors are just opposed to the idea if they didn't come up with it. Maybe he really doesn't know about the band. Maybe he was intimidated by your knowledge of what you want and he wasn't prepared for your straight forwardness. Don't budge though, stand up to him and let him know you are not backing down and if he won't help you you can find someone who will. Perhaps that will get his feet and mind moving. Good luck!

Great Job! 40lbs is an accomplishment. It is very apparent in the pics that you have lost. Sometimes it helps to put inches into perspective. It appears you could have used a dress a couple of sizes smaller. I love having clothes that are actually too big, it feels good doesn't it? Bunches of Hugs!