ChicagoRose

Congrats...I can't wait to "feel your pain" LOL.

I am pre-band and tonight I'm eating spicy chili and thinking....I know one of the ten commandments of banding is NO drinking with meals....so here is my question... I know that drinking during meals makes the food flow throught the stoma faster thus loosing the optimum band effect, but if you need a SIP of water in the middle of eating something spicy, would that be okay? Maybe take a sip to clear your mouth and eat something else if spicy food makes drinking during meals too much of a challenge? Any and all advice would be great!

Welcome! I too am still in my pre-band life and I have been "qualifying" 7 months now! I , still have about two to go so I'm hoping January will be Happy New Year to me!! Good luck, you have come to the right place =)

I feel the same way. I am also pre-band and right now my stomach looks like a stretch-marked fat mess and even if I'm left with scars or some sagging(which I have now anyways right now also after two c-sections)after surgery it will still look better under spanx in a size 10 dress than right now in a size 22 dress. Luckily, I had two easy c-section recoveries and I had posted a few months about about the comparison and 9/10 comments came back the lapband is much, much easier. My doctor said he RARELY even needs to keep anyone in the hospital overnight. GOOD LUCK =)

That's what I was thinking. I did google the ROAD ID bands and I see how important they could be. Eventually post-band I would like to maybe do a 5K or something so maybe I'll invest in one just to have around in case I ever go walking or jogging on my own....I'm still a FAR CRY from that stage though LOL. Thanks everyone!

Does anyone here wear a medical ID bracelet? The "Bandwagon" book says that although they are a pretty good idea, the cuter ones look too much like regular jewelry and so the medics might miss it anywys. It also says that the only real pertinant info is the no nsaids, and no blind tube which in life or limb situations are going to happen regardless. Just curious...thanks for your help =)

That was fantastic!!!

Welcome, I am in the same stage as you so I understand!! You will find a wealth of good information on this forum and I also highly reccomend you order Jean McMillan's book "Bandwagon"...I wish I had bought it sooner when I was dragging through my six-month mandatory weigh-ins!! Good Luck, you came to the right place!

I just posted the same thing so you are definitely NOT alone....we didn't get overweight alone and we shouldn't lose weight alone. Good Luck!

I went into my first surgical appoinement 100% sure that LBS was what I wanted to do. I am now 7 months into my qualification process and have been on this forum and researching the whole time. To be honest...the surgeon scared me. He wasn't discouraging the LB at all, just talking about the pros and cons, the statistics, how people havce to have slips and ports repaired, how if my insurance changes it may not cover the device and then I'll be stuck with this device in my body, etc. Deep inside I know this is what I need and want to do....but I'm not gonna lie, I am second guessing myself also =( Is this the same thing as having cold feet before you get married and I need to just chill out and do this for myself?? Thanks in advance to anyone who replies.

FINALLY after my 6 month of weigh-ins, getting my refferal, and waiting for my appoinment day i am MEETING THE SURGEON today!! 2 hour appointment: 1 hour with surgeon, 1/2 hour with nurse, 1/2 hour with dietitian. Thank you "my people" I couldn't get through these hoops without you =)

We are all here for different reasons, and yet we are all here for the same reason too.....because we have tried to loose weight on our own and failed, have lost weight and gained it back and then some, are feeling unhealthy, and have reached our emotional limits with our body. I have not been banded yet (should happen this fall!!) and although I believe 100% this is what I need and want...some days I still am afraid of the unknown ahead. Asking questions on this website has helped me tremendously get the honest answers I have needed. Good luck on your journey!

I agree with all of thee above that said if you aren't ready to wait and do it in your own time. It won't help you to just go through the motions because someone has told you to do it. That being said, keep it as one of your very realistic options. No one says it has to happen in the next few months. I just finished my 6 month weigh-ins with a dietitian and it was a great time for me to continue to get informaion, talk to people who have had success and complications, go to seminars, etc. This is a very big decision. Good luck and we are here for you!

It's all about NSVs!! Congrats!

Yes! The ever popular "Pop Cake"....There are so many combos...white cake is good with diet 7up, diet Cherry 7up, diet Mountain Dew..etc. Chocolate Cake is good with diet Pepsi/Coke, diet Dr.Pepper, and diet Root Beer. You can also do cupcakes for better portion control. Good luck and ENJOY your B-Day =)

That is fantastic progress!! Such an inspiration, thanks!

Okay, after reading a few posts I had to ask this on my own. I have not been banded yet, so here goes... It sounds like that full, pants don't button, have lots of gas, nausea, feel like you are going to blow up is NOT a feeling you should have when eating (properly) with the band. Someone explained it to me as a feeling like you have to burp, that's when you know you are full or what your NEW full feeling should be? I know I have to exercise control on my own, but I am hoping that I will also feel my limit sooner if I am following my diet properly. Any help on the subject would be apreciated =)

Yes! Same day, same time! I even weigh more after a shower!! (Must be all the moisture in my skin and hair LOL) Frequent checks are okay just to keep you on point, but the only one that should matter is your scheduled one. Good Luck!

Congrats! You are down 23 pounds! I wish I could say the same thing (I haven't been banded yet) You can do this. you don't wan to loose any faster or it will be harder to maintain and I think your body won't adjust as healthily. GOOD LUCK =)

I would start in your own doctor's office. Even if you think you can't afford it, you may be suprised to see if you qualify or not. Also, there is a feature at the top of this website to search for surgeons. You may want to put your zipcode in and see who pops up and call them for more information. I hope that helps!

Whoo Hoo! I can't wait to be in your shoes...GOOD LUCK =)

I also just finished my 6-month diet and my appointment with the surgeon isn't until Oct 23!! I was hoping to be banded by the Holidays so we'll see!!

I have not been banded yet so I am not speaking from experience, but I have heard that it's possible for those who have true food addicitons to transefer to other addicitons after surgery such as with alchohol or even shopping. I do not believe however that all overweight people are true food addicts. I feel like I eat as much as my family when we are sitting at dinner and unfortunatly my body can't metabolize food like other's can. Everyone is different and I'm sure you will be fine. You are ahead of the game just talking and being open about it. Good Luck **

I am choosing to be honest because my friends and family who know me will see the big changes I am making and will also want to know what my "secret" is. I also think that will keep me acountable. It's your choice of course, I just can't imagine not blurting it out!

I have never met you in real life, but you are my people. I have only gotten through the last 6 months of my boring, paperwork only, required supervised diet because of reading your posts. Instead of being scared or unsure, everytime I have come to this site I have felt more and more like I am doing the right thing, like I belong here with you guys. I have not been banded yet (soon, soon, soon!), but I know that with your help, I will get through it and I will be successful. Thank you, my Lap Band family, for just being you. Sincerely, Rosie from Chicago