Belle joufflue une

This one really irritates me. I can barely handle sipping my Water slowly, and feeling full after a couple of sips. Its like....water making me full? Huh? Well, anyways, I am getting used to this band thing still. My husband comes and sits down next to me with leftover pizza and begins eating it, and breating through his nose really loudly, and I was completely disgusted!:cross-eye I was horrified! :eek I almost suggested to him that he needs a band too, but I held back. Now that REALLLLY irritates me! People who eat food I want to eat-when I want to eat it-and they eat it LOUDLY!:cheeky Joan

I wanted to let everyone know I got the band surger today. Everything went fine. For those of you who read about the fellow requesting I lose 6lbs, well, I sure showed him! I weighed in today 10 lbs lighter than I was on Monday! Well, I'm sore, and need to rest. You all take care! Joan

Reading your postings on snacking is a real testament to how much the band helps regulate eating. I mean...think about snacking before the band, and now after the band. I bet it has changed a lot! I like the suggestions you gave. Especially nuts, which I love! Joan

Okay, I got the surgery, yea! I wish to look as good as all of you bandsters who posted your pictures! I have a list of things going on with me...and I am wondering if you could tell me if they are normal, or not. This will help me greatly. Here goes: 1. Well, the clear liquid diet going okay. But, I have been noticing my BM's are liquidy too. Like, watered down. Is that normal? 2. My left side (where the port is) feels weird, like if I laugh too hard the port will pop out! Is that normal? 3. With my flu, when I cough, I feel like I could move my band. Is that even possible or just paranoid on my part? I have been sick with the flu-since the day after my surgery. So, I have a symptom double wammy. I even had to go back to the hospital for dehydration. The band and everything are okay. I am just trying to sip my fluids, and the pain from the incisions gets better every day. Keepin' on keepin' on, Joan

Dear Kelly, Hey..take a look at yourself. Look at how far you've come. Many people have trouble losing that "last 20". I wonder if you are being too hard on yourself? I am wondering what that last 20 lbs represents to you. Is it more than just weight? Joan

What a wonderful accomplishment. I only hope to do as well as you have. I would like to hear how your life has changed in comparison to when you were heavier. Congrats to you! Joan

Thank you all for sharing your stories about food. It helps to know that I am not alone. I didn't start gaining weight until I moved in with my husband in 1997. I was 175 then, and now.... I attribute it to the fact that I would eat more to feel as if I was getting my fair serving. He would eat so much more than me, and I had this feeling inside of me like he was going to eat it all up and now leave me any at all. So, I would eat even when I wasn't hungry so that I felt that I would have my share in the end. Even to this day, when I see him eating something I like...I worry if he will eat it all and there will not be any for me at all.

I heard the Atkins shakes were great. It is my understanding that you must watch out for the sugar in those supplement drinks....so you may want to compare sugar and calores. I think skim milk has a good deal of Protein by itself. I liked the suggestion of making your own-by New Hope. That way-you know exactly what's going into your body-and you are not spending a fortune. Joan

You know...I know what you mean about planning what to eat next. Before the surgery--and very recently indeed-my days would be spent thinking about what yummy things I would have at the next meal...rather than if I was truly hungry for the next meal! Those days are gone...and GOOD RIDDANCE. Here's to thinking about food in a WHOLE different way...like as a source of energy. Joan

I think it is always better to err on the side of caution, than to go for a long time coping with pain, discomfort, etc. Please see the doctor and tell him your symptoms. Hey-the worst that could happen is that they will take a little out of your band, or they will tell you that you have the flu. Either way...tell your Dr. what is going on and I hope you feel much better soon! Joan

I am posting this because I wanted to get something off of my mind, and I thought you all would be the best people to tell. It is kind of a detailed story, so please bare with me. So, I had my pre-Lap Band final visit on Monday (2/7). Everything was going great, and then the fellow came in. The fellow is the Surgeon's fellow-a Dr. who helps out. I thought it was funny he was a fellow, and a fellow!!! He came into the room and said, "We have a problem, a big problem." Keep in mind, my surgery is this Thursday, and there have been no problems so far. So, I was a little startled. He said that since I have gained weight (6 lbs) since I first came into the clinic-that they couldn't do the surgery unless I lost 6 lbs by my surgery date. Here is a little background. I came into their office the first time in August 2004 and I weighed 310. My surgery was supposed to be in November, but got rescheduled because of a cyst I had. Then, it was rescheduled for December. Incidentially, I began to have second thoughts, and rescheduled the surgery again after I had fully decided I wanted to do it. Alas, we arrive at my surgery date-Feb.10th. So, I am all excited, and then the doctor tells me this. I think it isn't fair at all. It has been since August that I gained 6 lbs. and there is a 5lb limit. So I am over just by one, and he still insists I lose 6! I felt it was so unfair that I just broke down crying in the office. Also, look how long it has been since my first appointment there. He also told me that I must have issues , and must not be serious about losing weight since I gained 6 lbs. He didn't only have bad news, but the way in which he delivered it was rather cruel. How do they train these fellows on bedside manner, anyway! Geeze! So...now I am not evey eating Jello, or broth (I have been on a 10 day clear liquid fast before surgery.) I have just started the California juice diet thing-you know-up to 10 lbs in 2 days. Hope it works. Not eating, drinking only the juice fast stuff, diet soda, and Water. Hope I can manage 6 lbs in 2 days.... Please pray for me, or send me good vibes. :nervous Joan

I think it's great they are able to get all of those tests done in a day. I didn't know they could do it! I had to jump through a whole bunch of hoops. First, I had to have Barium Swallow test, esophageal manometry test, Psych eval, EKG, and Bloodwork. Just make sure you get all of the test you need for your surgery to be safe, and for any problems(especially with stomach/ esophagous) to be detected ahead of time. Good luck, happiness and good health to you! Joan

Hey you all! You know what...I have tears in my eyes again. From reading all of the supportive posts you gave me. I could share this with no one else and get the same reaction as I have gotten from you. You all understand. I agree with everything you all said. Why should we have to prove we are serious? I thought considering surgery was as serious as it gets! My husband asked me if he was a little man. I said, "Yes." ( I was wondering what he meant by that when I answered) And my husband said that he probably has a Napoleon complex. If that is true...maybe he is trying to show his power and control by being mean to fat people like me (who are bigger than he...) hehehehe If obesity is a disease...is it fair to blame the patient? I feel so much better now. I feel empowered, and I am so glad I happened upon this support site. Thanks to you all for your help, support, and encouragement. I am crying again because no one would understand like you... Joan

Freudian slip...I dated a guy..not a gut.:cheeky

I dated a gut-about ten years ago who was a closet FA. He dumped me because I was not fat enough for him. Huh? Well, I got married, had three kids, and am REALLY fat now. We spoke by email recently, and it turns out he is out of the FA closet now, and he is a Feeder. I guess a feeder is someone who gets his/her jollies off of watching someone overindulge in eating. Well, he was really excited I weighed so much now, and he admitted that he always wished I had been fatter. When I told him that I was getting weight loss surgery he stopped emailing me! My husband now is constantly sabotaging me in my diet. He says he wants to see me happy, and knows just what will do it. I told him tonite that he has to help me to make sure I don't sneak anything (I am supposed to be fasting before my surgery). And he said he would help. Watch....when he tries to help me I will get mad at him for holding me back..... Ahh...this relationship with food. I want to end it. It never got me anywhere good... Joan

I read about all of the problems you had, and I felt so badly for you. It is a sad statement that women must take potential health risks going over the border (this is not to say that there aren't some great surgeons, etc.) But, what about quality aftercare, and support-which is so important. I was really lucky that my husband's insurance covers the whole procedure, and I don't know exactly how much it costs. It scared me to read your post, and I am glad you did it so you could help everyone to make a better informed decision. Joan

I am new to this board, and have a question. Why does everyone go to Mexico to get their Lap Band placed when there are so many qualified surgeons in the U.S. who specialize in it? I am going to get mine from Dr. Santiago Horgan in Chicago, and he only charges $250 for fills. Joan

I remember going to my Doc at 260lbs, and telling him I would like surgery to cope with my drastic weight gain-a few years back. He told me "Why don't we put you on a diet low in calories (yea right..never thought of that before), and increase your exercise." Uh, huh. Excercise. At my weight...exercise is cleaning my kitchen floor, walking from the parking lot to the university, and doing laundry! There is a new day on the horizon. This is for all of us-because we are still alive! Joan

I think that Erin seems a bit "clueless". I can't imagine someone carrying on with food the way she seems too....the part about cooking with the documents was really something! The sad truth is that no one can change her, or even influence her, if she doesn't want to change. It's hard to accept, especially if the person we are dealing with is the obnoxious sort! But, you have done great on your Quest, and can only take care of you. You have done a great job of doing that... The evil side of me says you should post nutritional facts from various food items she likes, and tape them to the cabinets in the kitchen, or the fridge. But...something tells me she would pay them no mind at all......... Joan

Hi. I am getting my surgery on 2/10/05 at University of Illinois in Chicago with Dr. Santiago Horgan.:banana Okay, here is my question. I am currently a graduate student, and am completing my internship to become a professional counselor. I am also a mother of three darling kids, ages 1, 3, and 9. What is the recovery period like, and how long will I be out. I really can't afford to be out of the loop for too long, because of oblicagions-but I don't want to rush it either. Please share with me your individual experiences of recovery and how you felt so I can get a better picture of what I can expect as I prepare. Thanks, and good will! Joan

Well Dawn Loui you could see Dr.Santiago Horgan in Chicago. He is on the Gold Coast, and also at UIC. I think they do fills at both locations now. -Joan P.S. The cost is $250.00 per fill.

I am totally going to get a tummy tuck if after I lose the weight-"the apron" is down to my knees. I will even go as far as to run naked in poisen ivy so I get rashes to prove I need it!!!! ;>)

I am going to get my band on at UIC by Dr. Horgan. I have had all of my dealings with the staff at UIC, like Lauren, Maryann, and Celia. They are all SUPERB. For instance, from the very start, ever since before insurance approval and all, Lauren would respond to my questions via email immediately. This is true for the whole staff in the Nutrition and Wellness clinic. If anyone has any questions regarding the process, etc. please email me and I will be glad to share with you any information I have.--Joan

Dear All, I am Brand New to thos board, and am very excited and eager to post! The before and after pics were PURE INSPIRATION! I wanted to say that I have GERD, or reflux. The other night I woke up and thought I was having a heart attack because the pain was so bad. It happened because I ate White Castle. BTW-I don't have my band on yet....I get it Thursday! But it is like the WORST heartburn ever. It feels like a painful pressure in the esophagus area. It gets bad when I eat late at night, or eat crap (like White Castle most specifically). I am not treated for it yet...and I hope that the band will help (because of lifestyle change and restriction.) Well, I look forward to posting, and you all take care!