Lori Ann

I have been banded 1 year and 3 months....I am below my goad weight and I love my life. I agree with Julie Geraci...my relationship with food has totally changed. You have to stay current with your fills and stay on top of it...request another fill if you don't have restriction. It took me 4-5 times and I love the retriction I have now....I can only eat 1/2 cup of food at a time....and am very limited as to what I can eat....I don't even think about eating now....I eat to live as Julie posted....not live to eat. What a difference that is for me.....I was angry the first 2-3 months because I loved food....and when I all of the sudden couldn't eat what I was used to....my relationship with food changed....I had to work on acceptance and I knew this is what I wanted in my life....I wanted a new relationship with food and that's what ended up happening after getting good restriction whether I liked it or not...then habit happends and you get used to it....it is wonderful....good luck

I continued to have fills as often as they would let me until I felt complete restriction....you will find what you can tolerate, but I loved having good restriction, but it took 4-5 times.

I just updated my profile so my weight ticker would update.

I attended a seminar with the group that performed the surgery...which is what they required. Then I made an appt. with the surgeon and they told me step by step what they required...after all the appts. were made, they submitted everything for me to Blue Cross Blue Shield and within 10 days I was approved.

I would also do it again in a New York minute. I had thoughts just like you and even after I had the surgery for the first few days, I said what the hell have I done....I was so upset.....I really didn't think I would miss food that much, but my life today is the best it has ever been. You will go through a couple of ups and downs after surgery, but I am here to tell you it is short lived........I no longer have diabetes anymore, don't take Diabetic medicine.....in fact, I am no longer a Diabetic....woo hoo! My feet don't swell and don't hurt when I walk. My legs don't ache, I no longer take blood pressure medicine.....my blood pressure stays at 115/70. I love to shop for clothes....I don't mind seeing myself in pictures anymore....,I love getting out of bed....I can cross my legs now (and they stay crossed).....I am healthy......I love being me and don't want to be anybody else anymore.....you are in for the time of your life.....Please don't short change yourself! We will be here to help you along with your journey.....Happy traveling!

Welcome, welcome, welcome..... I am here to tell you this is the place I come to for support and advice....there is a phenominal (sp?) amount of knowledge here and experience. Good luck on your weight loss journey. Your story sounds exactly like mine and many others here......we had success with dieting....but no long term success. This is the first time in my life (and I am 46 years old) that I have ever kept my weight down. I have struggled my entire life with my weight until now. I love my life now. Keep us posted on your journey and we are here for you.

Sorry about that I hit the wrong button, but anyway I was 2 weeks pre-op liquids 1-2 weeks post-op clear liquids 2-4 weeks post-op liquids (cream Soups, be careful of the calories, NO SOLIDS) 4TH WEEK

I was two weeks pre-op

Yes, Yes, Yes....I would do it all over again. I feel better than I have ever felt in my entire life. I no longer have diabetes, nor do I have high blood pressure, etc. I take no medication and I can go to the clothes store and try on normal clothes....I have always been a plus, plus size....now I am a size 4 or 6......my self esteem .....well, I have some now.....well, I could go on and on about the benefits, but I'll shut up and let some other people tell you the perks.

Isn't that funny...I have tight days too. Some days I have very restricted eating and other days I don't. I have learned to live with it and it really doesn't bother me. I really am grateful that I do have days when I can't eat anything......it really is a nice balance for me. I have maintained my weight for 4 months now....loving it!!

What kind of surgery did you guys have in TJ? I am curious as to how much you had to pay. Thanks for the info.

Dr. Scott Steinberg did my surgery on May 24th last year...I am extremely happy with him. Great doctor, personality and he is head of the Bariatrics at Dekalb Hospital. I have had 6-7 fills and Dr. Steinberg has done everyone of them and it took no more than 5 minutes to complete and he always does them under fluoro...he has never missed and is very accurate. Check his credentials. etc. He is absolutely the best...I think.

CONGRATULATIONS.....I know what that feels like....it makes it so worth it. I know you are so excited. Those are beautiful words....YOU ARE APPROVED!!!! Keep us posted on your surgery date.

You have more of a chance from dying from your current condition than from surgery. You will go to sleep and wake up and it will be all over with. Trust me because I have had the surgery. You will be sore for a week or so, but the benefits and the years you will add on to your life and the improvement of the quality of life you will have.....there must be no question....you need the surgery. Get out of your head and quit thinking about it.....you are doind the right thing

Do you mind me asking what are they saying is the medical necessity? I am about ready to also go see the plastic surgeon, but I was informed insurance never covers this type of surgery.....I have heard in the past though of people getting infections under the flap of skin causing bacterial stuff, etc. and that you need to document and take pictures over a period of a year and then they will say it is medically necessary. I have had seveal bouts of the skin under my flap turning red...but then it gets better...red, then it gets better, etc., etc., etc. I am blown away that you have lost 275 lbs.....hell, if anyone can lose that much weight, they should guarantee plastic surgery for you....you are a miracle and such an inspiration. Good luck on your surgery and please keep us informed as I will follow your posts, because soon I need to start the journey and I would love to know what to expect. I have been following both of the Julie's posts and they are also remarkable and both are miracle's.....I dream of plastic surgery one day...I just don't have the money right now.....

Welcome to bandland. You are off to a great start and you have found a forum with a lot of experienced bandsters here. I lived on this sight before and after I received my band. I got support here and answers that I couldn't even get from the doctor.....you just can't buy experience.....I love my doctor, but I come here for support and help. The people on this sight are absolutely wonderful....nurses that have a wealth of knowledge to share that are banded. Anyway, welcome and if I can do anything to help you...please let me know. I was banded on May 24, 2007 in Atlanta, Georgia. Good Luck on your exciting journey. :confused:

Please don't limit yourself to believing that you can only lose 30-50% of your excess body weight. I have lost so far 96% of my excess body weight.......If you follow the band rules and do what you are supposed to do, you can lose more than 30-50% of your excess body weight....I know you can!!!! Good Luck!

Please whatever you decide....get some help somewhere. Counselors that are trained in that area have so much to offer you....you really need to get to the root cause and then you will be able to you your tool.....believe me. You answered your own questions, by saying you don't know why you do it....therefore it's time to let someone help you understand that has expertise in that area. All of the other things mentioned in this thread will be of great help once you understand why you are doing what you are doing. I had the same problem and I had to join a support group. Believe me, you don't hate yourself, you hate your behavior. Love ya!!

I just wanted to let you guys know, my nutritionist from Dr. Steinberg's office came and did a lecture on how important the Omega 3 oils were and you could them from eggs, etc. and she suggested the Coromega Fish Oil which comes in the little ketchup packets....I absolutely hate a fishy taste, but I was surprised...the pudding packs (orange)...it's the only type I have tried tastes just like an orange creamsicle.....I swear it has no after taste and you would never, never know it was fish oil. I have taken it every day since I have been banded.....and believe me, if it had any hint of a fish taste, I would not take it. I get mine at GNC in a box of 90....with my 20% discount card, I end up paying $26.00.....thanks

I just sent you a personal email. Dr. Steinberg was my doctor. He is the absolute best and he is amazing when he does fills....very quick and right on the money. I love him. Good luck and talk to you soon!

Things will get much better for you...I promise. I love to cook, but I went through the angry stage, losing my best friend food. But you see I really didn't lose it....I adjusted the amount I ate of things. My entire life revolved around food, going out to eat, going with friends to eat, going with my family to eat, going to picnics to eat, going to parties to eat, cooking big dinners for people to come and eat, reading recipes all the time to think of new things to eat....eat, eat......I had to redirect my energies and start doing things that didn't revolve around eating....exercising, doing things around my house, reading, going places, shopping, etc. I absolutely love what the band has done for my life....I actually have a life now. I always wanted to be like that (have a normal life), but my life revolved too much around food......and man I was like a fish out of water when the food was taken away...I though I was prepared, but honestly you don't know until you have been banded......but before the miracle happens there is a little pain that comes first from losing your friend. I would not have been able to do this without the band......it will put a stop to eating large portions....for sure! Sit back and enjoy the journey.

You really don't think about how hard it is going to be until it is gone....It was amazing how much of my life revolved around food....going to restaurants, etc. My activities revolved around food mostly. You will probably go through the mourning stage and then your life gets soo soo much better....I guarantee it. But you have to realize this is like the death of a very, very good friend that has been there any time you needed it.....redirect your energies and honey hold on because the miracle is going to happen.....happy journey! Welcome to band land!

Carol, I know it's tough....I've been there, I've hit several plateaus during my weight loss, etc. You definitely are not alone. One thing that helps tremendously is writing down everything you eat....we can forget so easily what and how much we eat. If you track it, you become so aware of what you are eating. Don't beat yourself up when you get off track and you need to get rid of the old behavior "I will lose it when I get my next fill"...replace it with "I will try and do better tomorrow.....and then do better tomorrow. Good luck

I know exactly how you feel....When I first came home...on the 4-5th day, I cried...not knowing if I made the right decision, etc. I felt horrible and I was like......what the hell is going on. Remember, anesthesia plays a job on your mind and your body....plus this is surgery. Please hang in there....you will be amazed soon! I didn't think about how awful I felt until I read your post! Thanks for posting!

I have had several fills and the last 2-3, I have experienced the same thing....real tight for a week or so and then it slowly loosens up. My doctor told me that the fat pad around the stomach starts to go away as you lose weight and the band loosens....that's why we have to have fills......to tighten and continue to lose weight. I got my last fill 2 weeks ago, and I am just starting to be able to eat a little solid food....only if I chew, chew, chew. My doctor has me on liquids for 2 days after a fill (absolutely nothing solid in the soups). Hang in there....it will get better slowly. Now that I am at goal....there isn't much of a fat pad left....so this time I have remained really tight for a long time. You can always have a slight unfill if you are not comfortable......Remember, you need to always make sure you can drink lots of water or you are in grave danger of dehydration.