notmzperfect

As far as to tell or not to tell....yes it is an individual choice, but people that would judge you are going to judge anyway. This is not something to be embarassed about, it's something to be proud of and know that you are doing something to help yourself. Just wait till you start losing, you'll see how supportive people in your life will be. It's a wonderful journey and you should be comfortable with your decision. I told anyone and everyone and have not had any negative feedback. As a matter of fact it has given hope to others around me and I was such a positive influence that 3 people I work with have either already had the surgery or are embarking on the appt journey and they thank me every time they see me.

hi guys...Janet you look amazing in your recent pictures. If that's not a testimony to what we can do for ourselves then I don't know what is. Thanks to you for being an inspiration to us all. Alice....I was banded Oct 2008, to date I have lost 47 pounds, my dr's goal for me is a 50 pound loss, my goal is 65 pounds. I have not had 1 fill yet. Even though my loss has slowed down to about 1 pound a week, my dr's beliefs are that we have to work with the "tool" and he feels I am right on target with losing. I am just happy to have lost these 47 pounds and I trust in him so I'll work with the band and continue to lose slowly. The amazing thing is that because the weight is slow in coming off, it looks natural and people comment to me that I look like I am getting smaller, they have no idea I'm dieting, it's a great feeling. Phyllis....I am so tired of running around trying to get my wii fit (it's sold out everywhere here in NY)...that I just got one on ebay, I can't wait to get it and use it. have a great day and keep cool.

Hope everyone is enjoying this first day of summer. Just a quick question to Phyllser....are you enjoying your Wii Fit ?? Here in NY it's impossible to find them, did you say you got yours online?

I was nervous about PBing too...and in the 6 months that I have been banded I have not PBed once. I am really careful about the bites I take and how full I allow myself to get. Being nervous about it has made me conscience about how I eat.

Congrats Denise....and Welcome to the new little one.

I'm down 44 pounds in 6 months....and thankfully I found it easy to lose.

actually...I saw the PA for my post-op visit, but I was lucky enough to have Dr. Geiss do one of my every 6 week visits, usually I see a PA for that too. I have no idea who I'll see for a fill, I'm almost 6 months post-op and haven't had a fill yet.

Janet...all good ideas for curbing that sweet tooth. Another healthy fruity dessert I like is: I slice a banana add a tsp of low fat sour cream, add some equal and i really feel like i'm having a banana split. It's a healthy snack and filling. Satisfys me every time. Anyone else have any good snack ideas they'd like to share??

Janet.....you always have the best info and tips, i look forward to reading them every day.

kserafin....try Gas-X...i don't have the bloating now (i am 4 months post-op) but it helped in the beginning with the gas pains in my shoulder after surgery. Welcome to "banderland".

Congrats Janet....I'm looking forward to joining you in the overweight catergory.....

It's amazing to me how many fills some of you get and how early after being banded you can get them. My Dr. keeps telling me that as long as I am losing I don't need a fill. I am almost 4 months post-surgery and haven't had a fill yet. I have lost 38 pounds without one so I guess I shouldn't be complaining. Actually I am needle-phobic so the thought of getting a fill scares me to death anyway. Keep up the good work all you amazing people. Your progress inspires me.

Janet...you look GREAT!!! Congrats on such a wonderful achievement. Your hard work has paid off big time.

Hi guys, I love this new posting format..... Denise....sorry you had such a bad experience with getting food stuck....I dread that happening to me... Indio...you are such an inspiration to all of us...i read all you have to write with great interest, your experience and weight lost journey has gotten me through those rough days of being banded. To update on my progress....I was banded 10/29 and have since lost 35 pounds. Yesterday, I weighed the least I have weighed in 24 years, what a great feeling that was. I am <-----> this close to being able to shop in the regular sizes departments. To the rest of you....keep up the good work and just know there are people out there that are being influenced greatly by all we are writing in these posts. As always you guys have helped me over many a hurdle. Good eatting to all....

Hi guys, I love this new posting format..... Denise....sorry

Happy Holidays.....hope all of you are enjoying the time you are spending with your family and friends. I was banded in October and I am down 28 pounds. I am so thankful to the person that discovered the band. What a wonderful invention and a lifesaver to so many of us that constantly struggled with yo-yo dieting. This will be the first New Year's that I am able to make a resolution to lose weight and "know" I will actually keep the resolution. I feel great after Christmas feasting and wasn't scared to step on the scale after all the festivities. Hope you are all doing well this holiday season and enjoying your new, even more beautiful selves. Happy New Year.........enjoy!!

Hi all....had my banding by Dr. Geiss on 10/29, home recuperating and each day is a new adventure. I have had an adequate share of discomfort and am finally able to get some sleep at night. All of a sudden last night I started having terrible shoulder pain, it's lasting this morning too ( I think it's probably gas pains) but I didn't experience it until day 3 after surgery, is this unusual?? Another question I have is it typical to feel the band?? I get some discomfort in the band area, and I'm not sure how to alleviate it. I'm not getting in the amounts of anything I am supposed to in a day, I'm either not hungry or feeling so full I can't drink another drop. Post-op isn't fun, but the end results will be. (I keep having to tell myself that)

What a difference a day can make....I actually slept last night and was able to move around much better....I think I was sleep deprived, starving and hurting so I was more then cranky. I didn't actually get pills stuck it was just the feeling I was feeling. I didn't realize I was going to feel the band the way I do. Thank you for all your responses, without this thread I'd be clueless as to what to expect next.

oh gezzz I wish I had read these threads a little closer when it came to the aftermath of the surgery. Not that I wouldn't have done it but I wasn't as aware as I should have been on how much discomfort I would have. I am finding it difficult to sit or lie down, I just can't get comfortable. Please tell me this passes quickly. Also I feel like I have swallowed some pills and they are stuck in my esophagus, is that the feeling from the band?? How long does this take to pass?? I am expecting to go back to work on Monday, will I feel better by then?? I do know the end result will be exactly what I'm expecting, and I can't wait till I feel better and actually can appreciate all of this. Thanks for any answers and encouragement you can give me.

I am so excited, it's finally here yeahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!

Good morning all.....I am new to all this and have been reading your comments for about a month now. You all have been a tremendous help to me and very informative. I received my banding date and it will be on October 29, by Dr. Geiss on LI. I am so excited as I feel this is a renewed lease on life for me. I know it's been addressed before (somewhere in this tread) but i can't seem to find it...I need to know what to bring with me to the hospital. I remember seeing things like pillows, etc....and would love if you could tell me one more time. Congratulations to all of you and I applaud your jobs well done. I only hope I have as much success as you have had. Thanks again for all your help.

I got my banding date today....it's going to be October 29, by Dr. Geiss. I am so excited. Let the journey begin....

I just wanted you all to know that you have been a great help to me in my journey to get the lap-band surgery. I have been reading your boards for about a month now and I am almost done with all my mandatory appointments. Just a stress test and upperGI series, then the support meeting and voila....I can sit and wait for the date of my surgery. I am sooooooo excited and wanted to thank you all for the information I have been gathering here. I am being banded by Dr. Geiss and as you confirmed in these boards...I am in very good hands. Thanks again and I hope to meet some of you at the support meeting on September 4th. 1 question....whats the typical wait time from end of appointments to surgery date in Dr. Geiss's office???