NancySmiles

I second that!!! Maybe I can make some quick cash selling it on E-Bay to pay off my Christmas credit Card debt!!! :banana

I'm in too!!! If we can make it through the holidays we can survive anything!!! Trying to kick in more exercise and continue what I'm already doing!!! Bring it on!!! :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana

I'm Nancy and from the same Support Group as Greg!!! He's a real inspiration to us all!!! Always a smile! Me too!! I was banded by Dr. Hawasli on 9/24/04 and have lost 43 lbs so far. Feeling great!!! Hope to see less of you on here....hope you know what I mean! :-) Cheers! Nancy*

Thanks Michelle...I guess maybe I assumed that the fill is always 1/2 cc.....but it is very individual. I will check out the site and see what I think afterwards.... thanks again... Nancy

Thanks Zoe!!! For the play-by-play of the fill. It will definitely help me go through my first! Nancy*

Question - I see the doc on Nov. 8th and he is going to ask if I think I need a fill....how do you know? I think I might need one cuz I don't get full as fast....and can probably eat more. I usually stop when I "think" I've had enough! Is that how it should be? If I was banded on 9/24, is it too soon? I know it's only 1/2 cc usually; but what do you think? N*

Deb.....It was the best decision of my whole life and I am so glad I decided to have the surgery. It is awesome with portion control...!!! It's a great TOOL!!! Question - I see the doc on Nov. 8th and he is going to ask if I think I need a fill....how do you know? I think I might need one cuz I don't get full as fast....and can probably eat more. I usually stop when I "think" I've had enough! Is that how it should be? If I was banded on 9/24, is it too soon? I know it's only 1/2 cc usually; but what do you think? N*

You're doing fantastic!!! All that worry for nothing right??? See you at the Support Group on the 17th??? YAY!!!! Nancy* :-) :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana

Hi Shmeier, "I am really scared to write this because I feel like a total failure." WRONG!!! I DID notice something in what you wrote....and I hope you won't be offended if I give you my opinion.... You wrote: "My band is not working for me, and I am not letting it work I suppose. I am most definitely an emotional eater and the band hasn't helped with that at all." When I first had my consult for the surgery, the surgeon asked me what were my expectations...going on to say that the lap band is not a "Miracle Cure"....not a "magic wand"....that will automatically make you thin! He said that if that was my perception, then I am not having it done for the right reasons! He said, and you will read it everywhere, that the lap band is a "tool" to help you lose weight and keep it off. But ULTIMATELY, it's up to us to make it work, make it a success. The band should not have to "work for" us....and it's not up to the band to "help us" overcome emotional eating....WE are what makes the band work!!! The band is our TOOL; but we still need to change our behavior, change our habits. We still need behavior modification, as with ANY diet or weight loss surgery. The band will not "work for" us unless we are willing to give it a chance! It's all in the attitude! WE are the one who controls what we eat...and if it's emotional...then we need to find help to control our emotions so that we can eventually control what we eat!!! I found that I had my surgery EXACTLY when I should have had it. I waited months and months for approval from the insurance company. But I always say, everything happens for a reason. And if I had my surgery a day, week, or month sooner I would not have been ready, emotionally, psychologically, physically...and my attitude would have been way different than it is now. And I say things worked out exactly as they should have... What I am trying to say is this....You have been given this great "tool" to help you lose weight, feel better about yourself, be healthier, etc. etc. You've gone through the surgery, you showed that you can actually lose weight, so it's not a complete failure!!! And Neither are you!!! This will help you KEEP the weight off. And nobody said you have to do it in 1 yr, 2 yrs, etc. There is no deadline....it's a lifelong thing. It didn't take you a few months to gain it....so don't expect miracles. Find someone, ask the doctor for someone; talk to the Dietitian at his office and find some way to get yourself back in the frame of mind you were in when you decided to have the surgery in the first place. It's a LIFETIME COMMITTMENT!!! No matter what you decide to do it will be the same! You've come this far and have shown you can do this!!! Maybe you just need a little encouragement for your emotions. Start a new hobby or new exercise...when you are happier, you will be amazed at how fast it will work!!! Don't wait for the lap band to "work for" you....you need to work for and with the band so that you will be happier and healthier.....and WE are all here to help you!!!......Give it a try....and honest try...and see what happens!!! You will be amazed.....you will see what a precious gift you've been given....another chance at LIFE!!! And how many people get that??? You've got the TOOL.....now use it!!! Nancy*

The moment I decided to take control of my life was August 14, 2003. Recognize the date??? Of course you do, because it was the day of the BLACKOUT all across the United States. They sent us home from work shortly after 4:15pm. I worked at a hospital and had parked on the roof of the parking structure as always. It was 94 degrees and miserable, especially with no A/C anywhere....talk about taking things for granted. I had to walk up two flights of stairs to get to my car. When I reached the top, I was extremely short of breath. But it was different this time...I couldn't straighten out my left side....it was numb. I knew EXACTLY what had happened and I was scared!!! If I fell now, during this blackout, nobody would find me; and if they did, would they be able to save me? Would they be able to carry me on the stretcher at the weight I was? The silly things we think about when we are scared to near death. This was something I said could never happen to me...after all it was only 10 days before my 49th birthday, and this only happens to old people. I had suffered, what was diagnosed later as, a "tiny stroke". I was at the highest weight I had been my whole life and I had to do something about it. Why had I waited so long??? I was tempting fate and she was fighting back this time!!! I couldn't wait a second longer. From that day, I was on a mission! I was given one more "warning sign" and if I didn't listen this time...I wouldn't be around to tell you about my moment. I've been given one more chance to finally take this very serious life-threatening disease in hand and get it under control!!! How often do we get a second chance at life???

I can feel just how much you love your wife in ever word.....you are both so very lucky to have each other for support....I just know things will go well...for both of you........ My thoughts and prayers are with you.........and remember Gog doesn't give us more than we can handle....so you will both be there to take care of each other..... Hang in there........good things come to those who wait! Nancy* XOXOXOXOOX

I am just sooooo paranoid about PBing....I won't know when I'm ready for a fill cuz I eat only what I think looks like enough. Haven't really been hungry but I am sure I can eat more....just afraid to.....so how can I tell if I will need one?

undefined I was banded on 9/24/04 and the doc is going to ask me on Nov. 8th if I think I need a fill. How did you know??? How will I know??? I am transitioing to the regular foods slowly right now. I eat till I think it's enough. Afraid of vomiting so I stop when I think it's enough. Haven't really been hungry but I do feel like I could eat more. Just afraid to overdo. Any tips? Nancy*

Hey Greg!!! You are almost at your Christmas goal !!! WOO HOO!!! Way to go!!! Nancy*

Hi Nancy...I'm in Warren, Michigan. Pretty new to all this but doing great so far!!! Not sure how to tell when I need a fill.....Dr. is going to ask me if I think I need one on Nov. 8......how do I know? or will I just know??? Keep up the good work!! Nancy*

That is AWESOME!!! Congrats Kyleigh!!! After a year...can you tell me what your fill capacity is right now? I am just new, banded 9/24/04; but at our support group someone brought up that she felt after you have had the maximum number of fills....do you start gaining the weight back??? I know, silly question.....but just curious.....Nancy*

Nice to meet you! You've done great!!! I hope I do as well as you.....I was banded on 9/24/04, so not even a month yet....but feeling great and starting slowly on "real" foods.....any tips??? Nancy*

I am sure you'll do fine!!!...Just listen to the doc and the nutritionist! You will be great!!! N*

http://macombbariatrics.com with Dr. Hawasli and Dr. Meguid

Hi Ryan... Sorry you're going through all this...but I do agree with Neicy and have ALWAYS believed that "Everything happens for a reason". It sounds like what I have been going through since my first consult with the surgeon in February. "So, ulcers, spot on the lung, and a bad EKG reading."....I developed horrible neuropathy from my diabetes so had to add another medication; the medication made me too sleepy so yet another added to keep me awake; had an abnormal Pap Smear so needed to see a specialist to make sure it was nothing serious before the surgery; there was a big mix-up at the insurance company which delayed the surgery for 7 months because a lack of communication; had my endoscopy the first week on my liquid diet regimen before the lap band due to stomach pain and diarrhea so it was recommended then to do it before the surgery. I agree totally that the workup for the surgery is very thorough and like another bandster said, we would never know about these things if they hadn't come out now. I would rather find out about a possible cardiological problem now than on the table! My Stress Test came out fine....I think the palpitations were just a result of the stress waiting for the surgery!!! But just think....in a short time you will be writing about how well you're feeling and it will be post-surgery.......so just hang in there!!! All good things come to those who wait....and in the the words of Martha Stewart..."it's all good"....wait...maybe that was a bad analogy.....anyway....my thoughts and prayers are with you too! Nancy

Welcome to BandLand!!! So glad to hear how well your surgery went. I joined the banded just following you on 9/24. Your advise about the exercise BEFORE the surgery was great!!! I wish I had exercised MORE...but things still went very well. I can understand how it made things a lot easier. Congrats and Good Luck to both of us!!! Welcome to BandLand!!! So glad to hear how well your surgery went. I joined the banded just following you on 9/24.

Things went well with surgery Friday.....thought I would check in and say hello. Day 1 & 2 were a bit rough ....but it always is with any kind of procedure.....feeling better every day..... Thanks for all your support! Later... Nancy* :-)

Things went well with surgery Friday.....thought I would check in and say hello. Day 1 & 2 were a bit rough ....but it always is with any kind of procedure.....feeling better every day..... Thanks for all your support! Later... Nancy* :-)

...thank you all for your good wishes!!! They've changed the surgery time 3-4 times....it's now at 8AM... I'm ready!!! Nancy*

Getting banded this Friday, 9/24th!!! Excited and nervous at the same time!!! But...cannot wait!!! Hope to join you in Vegas next year at this time! There are so many things I am looking forward to when I lose my weight....but mainly is being healthy again!!! My "wish list": ***#1 is to get rid of all or most of my meds!!! I am TOO young! ***to look in a mirror and not be ashamed a the person staring back at me ***to run with my Grandkids (when I have them) ***to be able to take a shower and reach ALL the nooks and crannies! (don't laugh...you know exactly what I mean!) ***to be able to go to see a movie and actually fit in the seat ***to walk into a restaurant and not have to request a table...actually be able to FIT in a booth ***be able to walk from my car to a store and not lose my breath ***to be able to dial UP the heat in the winter ***to shop in a "regular" size clothing store ONE STEP AT A TIME.....we'll be there in no time! N*