isabelle290

:tt2:HI, I finally have restriction at 7, but I am starting to be able to eat more already! Ahh! Just keep getting your fills. You will start to see restriction!

Hi everyone, I was just curious how many other bansters started their weight struggles as a child like I did. :biggrin:

I was the same as you, except I stayed a member for 3 years. It gets really boring doing the same thing over and over. The hours suck, too. I like to workout on Sunday afternoon to get a jump start on the week and they aren't open then. Plus, I didn't really like jogging on those boxes. I felt like an idiot! The owner at mine would always get on my case and say I wasn't working hard enough. The women at mine were oppossed to weight loss surgery and I would hear them rant and rave about how it is the easy way out. One lady even told me when I was considering the band that a friend of hers drank one coke and the carbonation made her band explode in her stomach. I got out of there before my surgery so I didn't have to hear stories like that anymore. Now that I have my band, I have switched to 24 hour fitness. I like that I can go anytime and there are lots of choices if I get bored.

heberz, Anyone who makes the choice to go to Mexico knows they would have to return to their doctor for complications. Who was your doctor? What was your complication? There are lots of wonderful doctors in Mexico who care about their patients. If you are going to post something like that, please give us enough info so we know you are making a ligit claim.

YEA for you both! The lapband has changed my life for the better in SO many ways. There is work you have to do, but the lapband keeps you on track. Before, I would lose the weight, but just put it right back on. Now, the weight is staying off and people are really noticing. I think I have had about 5 co-workers I didn't tell ask me what I am doing to lose the weight just this week. That has never happened before. You are making a GREAT decision! I can't wait to hear about your success in the near future!:cool2:

Just laugh it off! Men will be men. I think it is great they are talking about your weight loss! :biggrin2: Your hard work is paying off.

I agree. Mexico was a great experience for me and I have had no problems whatsoever. More and more doctors are filling band patients from Mexico, too. There are so many great doctors in Mexico! They have been putting in lapbands for lots longer and have more experience than doctors here in the states.

I use Dr. Arturo Rodriguez and he was a WONDERFUL doctor. He only charages $7,900. In fact, on of his patients, MELVA is on the realize band website as a sucess story. (The Johnson and Johnson lapband just approved in the U.S.) Read Gastric Banding Success Stories - REALIZEBand.com Dr. Rodriguez was one of the kindest, most caring doctors that has ever treated me. As was his staff. He changed my life and I am forever grateful to him!

Too Funny!:redface:

I have had severe weight problems since I was a young child. I was forced to go to Weight Watchers, too when I was in junior high. I was NOT ready for that. I felt so out of place. I also felt so horrible about myself that I was being made to go. Another thing, it didn't work! I kept getting bigger and thankfully my band has finally got me in control of my eating. Is it possible that maybe you could join the YMCA or a fitness club together? I think if you let her know you are working on this as a team, it will be more successful. I always felt so alone. Exercise and NOT buying the junk food is key. Now that I have a band, all of my family eats better. I don't allow all of the bad food in my house anymore. I don't want my young girls to go through the same hell I went through being a fat child. I have my girls in physical activities like gymnastics and soccer. That way, we are out of the house AWAY from food. Try talking to her and see how she feels about the situation. She is the innocent one here. Only you can help her change. It is hard, I know, with three children of my own. Good luck and keep us posted.

I have 8.7 in my 10 CC band. This has created my sweet spot. Everyone is so different. My fills are done under flouro, so my doctor knows what I can tolerate. If you feel you can eat too much like it did, a few extra CC can really help you out. I can eat about half of what I could last week before my latest fill. Good luck!

You will all do great! I was so nervous too right before. It is the best thing you can do for yourself. Overeating is an addiction and the band allows you to get control of your compulsion and live your life again. You won't regret it!!!! You will be sore for a couple of days, but the pay off is completely worth it. Congrats and good luck to everyone.:clap2:

You can put them in the blender to get out the carbonation. I sometimes mix a Diet Dp with a vanilla protein shake and it tastes great! I don't really care them too much anymore. Every now and then, I take a sip and think- Why was I so addicted to diet drinks before?

Please help with some advice. I have my first fill and NOTHING happened. I just had my second fill two days ago. I can' really tell yet if much has changed. Please tell me how you knew you had restriction and how long it took for you to know you had restriction. THANKS!!!

My band has the exact same pattern. It gets tight and then lose. It has a mind of it's own. My doc said that hormones from your period can change how tight it is and that it is normal. I have noticed that right before my period I am not as restricted. Congrats on being so close to your goal!

I am from Texas, too. I have honestly found Mexican food to be the easiest to eat. Even though I have lots of restriction right now, I can still each chips and green sauce, as long as I take small bites. I just order a cup of torilla soup instead of a meal. I can eat nachos pretty easily, too. I love Mexican food, and I am so happy it is easy to eat!

I read that they now think erosion is caused from a tiny tear during surgery when the doctor is placing the band. All the more reason to really, REALLY research your doc's record.

Just letting everyone know a trick I found out about! If you want a carbonated drink, put it in the blender and it will get out the carbonation so you can drink it. Of course, it is not exactly the same, but every now and then it is nice. You can mix it w/ a Vanilla protein shake and make a float.

I have to pay 200 w/ flouro.

What did you think of ED drooling over Janelle?

I had my 1st fill last Friday and have gone back to eating regular food. It actually hurts to swallow certain foods (especially anything bread related). Is this restriction or is it just a side effect from swelling? I want to make sure this is normal. Thanks!

Thanks! I thought I was doing good by going to Subway and getting a lowfat sandwich, but it was too painful to eat the bread!

I have had my band for about a month and still have to wait 1 more week for my 1st fill. Now that I can eat normal food again, I have noticed that bread actually kind of hurts when I swallow it (mainly as it gets close to my stomach). Of course, I don't eat it now, but I was wondering if this is normal. Is that "hurting" feeling what getting something stuck feels like? Thanks,:help:

Try going to Fill Centers USA and see if they have one there I have my first fill w/ them in a couple of weeks. You doctor in MX should be able to set you up w/ someone. Good Luck!

I was just banded too. It was painful, but I couldn't be happier! It has been fun reading all of your posts!