fiabulous

Spivak, spivak, spivak!!!!! I can not sing that man's praises enough!!!!!!!!!!

So now that I have met with Dr. Heller, he told me that I could very well have the surgery tomorrow. I wanted to lose and additional 20 lbs before, which is perfect b/c my surgery date isn't till mid august, but I am finding that it is so hard to keep motivated b/c I could do it tomorrow.... does this make sense or have I finally lost my mind? I have come so far and I DON'T have so far to go what is wrong with me??????

my surgeon asked my why not bypass either, and at first I was pissed off, i had taken a long time to make up my mind and then he questioned me???? then I realized it was a test. The bypass essentially does the work for you and the band is just a tool. He wanted you to think long and hard about whether or not you were prepared to work for it as well as have the band. good luck. you'll make the right choice.....

I just bought a house and one bedroom I am designating an office but I 'm thinking of making that a mini gym, which would be healthier than sitting on my but and surfing the net. Where did you find an eliptical for 189????????????????????? what make is it? I mean that is an awesome price!

i too am suffering from massive loss of the boobage. However, losing that fat around the heart is really good!!!!!! Also, haven't you ever noticed that women who have size zero waists and have circus boobs look fat no matter what they do? I just really looking forward to being proportional!!!

So, my medicine cabinet now looks like walgreens, with all Vitamins and supplements I'm now taking. but the question I have is that I am taking tums for my Calcium intake, and I was wondering if taking an antacid for calcium is ok, when i don't have a reflux problem. the other day I got a very odd type of nausea, and I didn't know if perhaps that was causing it. granted after a bottle of Water I ate and felt much better. Anyone else taking tums for calcium? Sorry for ranting, but needed to ask!

i have the exact same feeling sometimes. but do not get discouraged. I had a mini break down a few months ago b/c of the same thing. But I realized something. I'm now used to banded life. I'm now accustomed to smaller portions, so I take less, and when I clean my plate I freak out, but realize I only took a little to begin with. Also I crave healthier foods. And trust me just when you think you can eat anything, and you think the band isn't there. It will remind you!!!!!!!!! breathe, make good choices and get a fill!!!!!

I'm afraid I really can't give you a straight answer, I can only share my experience. I was never a big drinker and always used driving as an excuse to not do it in front of peers. But when I did it, there was usually 1 goal and it was to not remember anything!!! I haven't had a sip of alcohol since my surgery, for a few reasons. 1) I'm afraid smelling it will knock my out, 2) the majority of what i enjoyed is carbonated, and most importantly there is now way I can justify all those calories!!!!! 1 long island iced tea has more calories than I normally consume in a day! It's weird how when you are banded you think of everything by the way of calories!!! Best of luck with everything!

I am a little further than half way to goal, and my lap band surgeon said that he wants to see me in 20 lbs and then I should have my consultation with a plastic surgeon. I was banded by dr. Spivak in Houston and he reccomends dr. Heller. I was wondering if anyone had used him, and any advice or anything they would like to share. Thank you!!

what is an nsv?

so today is my weigh day and I hit my half way mark! not too bad 55 lbs in 3.5 months, but today I am not seeing a difference. I mean don't get me wrong, there are days I put on clothes and weep b/c a) it was a favorite piece of clothing and it doesn't fit anymore and then later OH MY GOD IT'S WORKING!!!!. But today I don't see it. I guess I'm just discouraged because I thought at my half way point I'd really see it. maybe I'm having a bad image day, I dunno... But does anyone else have this problem? the scale shows it but your eyes can't adjust? I guess I just want to know I'm not crazy!!!!! Sorry for rambling.

Wow, this is quite a heated thread... I can only share my experience I was banded by dr Spivak on Aug 13. In 3.5 months I am down 50 lbs, and feel confident to say that as an out of state patient he was the best choice. The on the phone advice and service I've been given is amazing, the office was organized, and had ALL my info ready to go, the staff expected me, and was excited to meet me! I have been nothing but supported by Dr. Spivak and his staff and patients, more so than some of my friends. They even set me up with some of his patients in my area for support. I say Spivak all the way!!!!!

I guess I have been pretty lucky. I've been able to eat about anything. I haven't tried rice or Pasta since my surgery since I live so far from my surgeon. Everytime I'm near bread I only have a bite or two and that really satiates my craving. Oddly enough the one food that I have had problems with are certain cold cuts. Like some of the harder meats and any thing with a casing around it, that tends to hurt.

I think I an do it. I have my family making me a "low fat version" Like no cream or butter in the potatoes, and healthier veggies rather than starches like corn. I'm thankful I have LBT to go to when other people wouldn't understand my standoffish-ness for Thursday!

you know that has happened to me. I thought it was because I was just really out of shape, and I was spitting up what I called "lung Butter" I didn't even have Water in me when it happened. It was towards he end of my workout and I thought I was just tired and working too hard....huh.....

This is my first Thanksgiving as a bandster. I am more nervous about dinner thursday night, than I have been this entire process. I know that 1 meal can't undo 3 months of hard work, but isn't thanksgiving dinner a gateway drug to holiday foods??? These next six weeks are going to be brutal. Any advice as to what foods are may be be tough going down, and or experiences with holidays would be helpful. Thanks!

strange but I can feel my bones. it's like there is more to me than just fat!!!!

I am from Sugar Land, but now live in Albuquerque, NM, where there is not a single bariatric surgeon in the entire state. I was banded 8-13-07 by Dr. Spivak in Houston, and he really is great. It will be 3 months tomorrow and I am down 47lbs. He is not that far away, and he is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it will be worth 30 minute drive!

i was banded by dr. spivak exactly one month ago. Good luck friday, you're in great hands!!!!!

my surgeon kinda did the same thing. at first I thought his motives were purely financial as well, but the more we discussed I realized it was because I wanted hard core fast results, abd the bypass is geared for just that. I think he brought it up to make me question myself so i would know whether or not I trully wanted the band, and was dedicated to work for it. Your doc is taking your life into their hands, they have to play devil's advocate, for two reasons. 1. so you can't sue them later and 2. so you know exactly what your getting into. I was doubting my choice about 24 hrs before surgery too. Just trust yourself and all will be fine! good luck!!!