amruiz03

I am a contractor overseas and the new company that has taken us over. Stated at my physical that next year when I redo a physical something has to give. Yes I understand I am over weight, but my insurance company stated my BMI wasn't high enough for them to pay for it. I paid out of pocket, but I have been saving for this for a while now. I found a respectful doctor who I adore.

Now to answer your question I did this to be able to maintain employment and live a healthier life.

I had no hard time lying down. First few weeks it slept with pillows around to make sleeping comfortable. Yes you are sore, have aches and pains, but it is to be expected. I was banded in April of this year. I am feeling great and full of energy!!

I haven't told many people, but the one who makes comments about me losing weight at a unhealthy rate. I simply tell them not to worry I am under doctor supervision and I have been banded. They stop with the questions and are now my supporters. I love my firefighters and medics for keeping my faith up and trying to help me through the stages of this. Only other person who knows back home is my mom. My family has no clue what is been going on. We decided to keep my mom in the loop so we wouldn't worry her to much, this was my hubby choice. I was just going to surprise her when I came home for vacation.

Good Luck Moses.....

I was banded on May 2nd. I've had so much emotional support it's overwhelming but I'm sick & tired of the back pain. Drs say its gas pain but I've walked around & taken my sometimes it's better often times its the same.. I hit an emotional low yesterday- crying & fearing I had made a terrible mistake. It's effecting my sleep as well - sleeping in 4hr incrimendments.

I was banded on 12 of April and I did that the first few nights. My hubbs said it was almost like having a infant in the house. I took Phazyme to help with the gas pains. I went through the emotional roller coaster and just didn't want anyone to be around me. Until one day after waking up many times, I looked at myself in the mirror and told myself I will over come this. I will take control of my life!

Good Luck to you!

Wow long hours! I have a desk job so hopefully will be a bit easier! I'm not planning to tell anyone as I only started the job 2 months ago! Glad to here you feel great - looking forward to feeling that too soon :-)

I work for a contracting company in the Middle East. I am now the Fire Chief Admin. I am usually stuck at a desk or in meetings.

How did going back to work feel? Did you tell your colleagues? How are you doing now?

I work 10hr/6days and I was tired. Only person who knew about my surgery was the Fire Chief (I am not a firefighter, just a dispatcher). Everyone thought I was out sick for four days. I feel GREAT!!! Some co-workers still have no clue, but think it is unhealthy for me to be losing weight so fast. I tell them not to worry I have everything under control.

My doctor had me on a crash diet. I had to drink a mix of roman lettuce, parsley, spinach, and green apples blended with apple juice. I had to drink this every time I felt hungry. It was not the best looking drink, but I drank it.

FYI I don't like green apples either yuck!

I was banded on 12 of April. It was rough the first two days, but my doctor told me to walk as much as I can and not to over do it. I was back to work the following Monday.... which the first week I was drained. Some of you are lucky to get pain meds. They don't believe in pain meds here. I had to be one tough cookie. Good luck!

Wow Amruiz03- that is pretty cool! I bet you will never look at green apples the same way again!

Heathermarie0407- That is what most of my research suggests. A bit more Protein included and more specific caloric guidelines. You are certainly right! I am going to have to stay busy!

lol I don't even like green apples..this is the only way me and green apples work together.

Sounds similar to my pre op diet except I am allowed one lean meal.

Any high quality protien shake is ok just make sure it is low in fat, sugar and carbs. For me a good guideline is under 200 calories and at least 25 grams of protien per shake. I blend mine with fruit and ice or sometimes black coffee.

Another guideline that I was given is to get 800-1000 calories a day and 60 g of protien. Maybe three shakes and broth between meals for you? a key to this diet is to drink drink drink, stay busy and know that after day three it gets easier

I still from time to time drink the mix. I guess I got use to the taste and easy to handle on the go.

My doctor had me do a crash diet which I had to drink Roman lettuce, parsley, spinach, green apples blended with apple juice for 1 1/2 weeks. I had to drink this every time I felt hungry. It didn't look pretty but it helped with my liver.

Everyone around me noticed the weight loss, but I had a hard time seeing it. Until I saw the before and after pictures.

Hi Am

I have an uncle who was in Kuwait for many years now he lives in Iowa . He always spoke foundly of that place. How are you doing newly banded?

Really, contracting world is very small. I have been here since 2008. It is the only place in the world where doctors still do house calls. I am still healing, but I have a routine now. He recently gave me a fill 6cc and I have restrictions/limits.

My hubby hide the scale from me, but I was healing and didn't want me to get upset with not seeing results. I was banded on the 12th of April 2012 and received my first fill on 24th of April. Dr said he didn't want me leaving country right after my fill so he did it early just in case there was complications. Since my fill I have restrictions and moving right a long.

Just take it one day at a time. It is harder said then done, but keep your head up!

Will attempt to download. My internet is for crap right now since a sandstorm blew in.....Man gotta love Kuwait.

Hi from Memphis, Texas, but currently living in the Middle East. I was banded on 12 April 2012 in Kuwait.

After my surgery my doctor kept me on Clear Liquids for a week. (I was banded on 12 April 2012)

Your welcome.... One thing i always do is speak my mind... sometimes it's good...and ummm sometimes not so good. I have a few people on here that don't like me because of that reason... but i yam whos i yam... gagagaga

There is nothing about speaking your mind. I do it daily. Some say I have no feelings or I am cold hearted. It's neither, I am tired of listening to grown men or women throw 3yr old tantrums.

My motto where I work is "I wasn't here to make you like me, I am here to support the mission"

There is a hospital here in Texas that has a policy that they will not hire employees with BMI's greater than 35. So even though I am a hard worker, able to be on my feet 12 hours a day without complaint, & no health issues other than being overweight, I can not obtain employment as a nurse with 10+ years experience bc my BMI is 36.....that's what I call discrimination!

I understand that I work for a contracting company in the middle east. They told me I had to get my BMI level down by my next physical. Which is next year. I have to be under 30 to obtain employment overseas. Oh and I don't work in the RED Zone either.

I understand the feeling having insurance turn you down. My BMI was not in the right range. Doctors told me, I'm overweight...well no duh. My last company physical told me to watch my weight. I have been doing that for years. I am glad I found a doctor here in Kuwait that assisted me. I still had to pay out of pocket, but I was willing to do anything.

You can add me..

I recently had surgery (April 12, 2012). I can be your band buddy.

I didn't tell anyone until some started to notice my weight dropping. I didn't want my firefighters to treat me different. Once they knew what was going on with me the understood and they supported me. Some of them got concerned because of the rapid weight loss.

Good Luck....

I had issues with mine and I just was banded less then a month ago. I felt like my band was to tight and was very uncomfortable. I called my doctor he told me my hormones were out of whack and to take it easy. The first day was rough, but after that I was fine. Some say it is due to less calories and body weight dropping. My body was/is confused.

It made two for me this month. After the first day I had no problems. My doctor told me if I had any issues or concerns to call him. I am now back on track.