lady in red

Dear DianeChef, Don't let negative comments spoil your joy at doing the right thing for yourself, it seems to be human nature to bring a dark cloud to every picnic. Just put up your "umbrella" and shield yourself from the rain. There will be other people to react in a negative manner due to jealousy, envy or just plain mean spirits. The way you described their (your in-laws) reaction to your situation, it sounds like just maybe your mother-in-law might suffer from one or more of these emotions. Is she struggling with excess weight too? That might be a possible explanation but certainly not an excuse for the hurtful way in which you were treated! Please allow yourself to heal and forgive because anger and bottled hurt will act as a daily dose of poisonand serve as a self-defeating illness that you don't deserve. Most of us banders have learned to eat when hurt and now we will learn to heal and to help others as well. I wish the very best to you and I know you will succeed. Rose in Texas

The only solid food that works so far without pain is fish and I have been eating it for 2 1/2 weeks daily. I think I'm starting to grow scales. I was banded on 9-29-2005 and although this is my 3rd week, should'nt I be able to eat more solid foods? The soft foods are fine, but earlier I tried to eat chicken salad and almost passed out from the pain. What's up? More oatmeal and cream of wheat? The sugarfree Jello pudding is great, but how much longer until I can eat "real food?" Thanks Rose from Texas

Congratulations! You will succeed because you are motivated. The band is a very useful tool and I think it is the best thing to help people escape the fat prison. I love my band and I am beginning to feel "normal". I mean I'm not completely obsessed with food anymore. Sometimes I feel afraid because my dependency on food was so all consuming that it feels like mourning the loss of an old freind. Sounds pretty silly huh? I guess it's okay to be silly, what the heck, at least I'm not eating. Best of luck to you. Rose in Texas

Would I have the bypass? I a word Noooooooooooo! I have 3 friends who have had the bypass and 1 has gained all the weight back after 4 years and excess skin removal with major complications, 1 has begun to gain the weight back after 2 1/2 years and the 3rd one is just now 1 year post surgery. She lost 153 lbs. in 9 months and has to fold her stomach in half to put her pants on because her weight loss was so rapid that her skin is empty, bless her heart, she has aged 10 years. She is completley unfamiliar with the band. These results are heartbreaking and very common. These poor ladies wanted what we all want-to fit in and be thin without the bondage of excess weight and the side effects of obesity. Please research all of your options and make your decision based on the facts that you gather and not on mine or anyone elses opinion. The very best to you whatever decision you make. God bless you dear. Rose in Texas

Hey new dad, don't give up and don't forget to pray, you're never alone in anything. My insurance is Blue Cross and last year they turned me down, we have private pay and there is a total exclusion for weight loss procedures. In May I ran into an old friend who had the band 18 months ago and was down almost 100lbs. I suddenly found excess motivation and was banded on Aug.29,2005 and am down 21lbs. My doctor uses Capital One Healthcare Finance Company and we were able to choose a 3,4,or 5 year loan. To me this was a gift from God, because my family suffers from the same health risks. This company does everything over the phone and it took less than 2 hours for an answer. Please don't give up, there are options. Best of luck, Rose of Texas

The best things I enjoy are Jello sugarfree pudding (it's made with Splenda) and instant grits (yes, grits) made with skim milk and light butter with salt and pepper. These two things have been like manna from heaven to me. I was banded on Aug. 29, 2005, the day of Katrina. I have lost 21 pounds and have 122lbs. to go. Mederma 3x a day on the incisions works wonders!

Your joy is my joy

Congratulations! You deserve to be happy. I go next Monday, 1 week from today and reading about your progress and sensing your excitement encourages me to let go of my fears and "go for it!" Keep up the great work and stay joyful. Rose in Texas To be banded 8-29-2005

Well, I never thought I would say this but, I'm actually sick of cheesecake! My banding is August 29,2005 and I have been eating like a maniac at the advice of a close friend and fellow bander. She loves her band and has has great success 85lbs. so far, and encouraged me to eat now because I won't be eating later. She assures me this is a wonderful occurence and not to be afraid and if I want to eat now, I should, so who am I not to follow the advice of a close friend and former fellow prisoner of fat? Even though the cheesecake in the refrigerator is decadent and overindulgent, I feel it's my duty as a temporary guest of the cushioned world of padding that I live in to finish off that darn, delicious dessert as soon as it sounds good again- at least an hour or less! No more self-hate afterwards though, my journey is about to begin and I am so ready. Till later fellow banders.

Well congratulations! You must be very happy and I am so happy for you. When do you think you might go to be banded? My surgery date is August 29,2005, I can hardly wait, I feel the need to eat every meal as if it is my last, silly huh? The very best to you. Let's stay in contact, okay?

Please don't feel sad, it will get better, I promise. Just give it a little time and you will be feeling great. I am going to be banded on August 29,2005 and several of my friends have been banded with great success, so hang in there and "no worries mate" okay?

I will be banded on August 29,2005 and my current weight is 277lbs. I am 5'6 inches tall and my body mass index is 45. I chose this procedure because of the success of a close friend and the success of recent friends at my doctor's office. I am looking forward to watching the success of all of you and offering and recieving encouragement when needed or just because you or I need a "hug". I am 41 years old and quit smoking 5 1/2 years ago and have gained 100 pounds. Although I have always struggled with excess weight, this has been a brutal battle. If not for the fact that 5 people in my family have died from smoking, I would have started again. Now I am so glad to be having the band surgery so soon. My insurance would not cover this, weight surgery exclusion, so this is a self-pay through a 3-year loan. After all the money spent on weight loss failures, this is well worth the money. Thanks for listening to me type, I wish each of you great success and even more happiness! Friend in Texas, "Rose"