MsButterKup23

Congrats on your banding!! I wish you the best of luck!

If I remember correctly, the doctor only added infection and bleeding to the standard surgery form he made me sign before I was drugged and forgot everything... lol

I first checked into Dr. Benavides, but he didn't accept BCBS at the time I had my surgery almost 3 months ago. I called his office and they referred me to Dr. Robert Powell. So far I have been very happy with him. He has a lady in his office named Melissa who has lost about 95lbs with Lap Band. I had my surgery at Renassiance (sp) Hospital off S. Hampton and was pleasantly surprised with the hospital and staff. I've also heard great things about Dr. Barker, I know his office manager personally. She didn't work there when I had my surgery. Best of luck to you.

I have an addiction that I need help with. Lately I have been cheating with chips and salsa. There are times I would rather eat chips and salsa than a meal. I have to be more strong.

I lost about 25lbs right after getting banded, then I gained back about 5lbs once I went back on solids. I started losing again after my first fill.

I understand that you are in a hurry to get things done, but can you possibly change doctors?? Also where are you located at? I know that there are many people on this forum and someone should be able to recommend a "fat friendly" doctor. Best of luck to ya!

Glad to hear you are feeling better. I am on Lexapro (20mg) and have been since my daughter was born over a year ago. I had bad postpartum depression and anxiety issues to the point I couldn't sleep more than 10 minutes at a time for nights on end without checking on her. I am scared to death to get off Lexapro because I don't have any problems with depression or anxiety anymore. I started out at 10mg and all was well for about 8 month then I guess I developed a tolerance to it as I had to increase my dosage because of the very same symptoms you described (emotional, didn't want to be around others, etc). My only complaint is the fact I have absolutely ZERO interest in sex anymore. I sincerely wish you the best.

in a pair of my capris that were tight 2 months ago (size 24), I am down to a size 18/20 and have lost almost the equivilent of my daughter's weight x 2!!

I've had both staples and glue. I had staples when I had my daughter in October 2004 (c-section). You can barely see the staple "dots" but they aren't that bad. Honestly I was scared because I had glue that my guts were going to fall out or open back up.. funny the things you think when you wake up from anesthesia!

I have made my last purchase at Lane Bryant. They have forever lost me as a customer. I can still fit into their clothes at the moment DH and I went to the mall. I tried on pants at J.C. Penny, Sears, Dillard's, Foley's and consistantly wore a size 18 pants (sometimes 16's) and 1x shirts. I then went to Lane Bryant. I couldn't even get a pair of 20 stretches on my butt. I would have to buy at least a 22 or 24 to be able to button them!! I would have had to purchase a 22/24 shirt at L.B. as well. I don't know if they (L.B.) are wanting to make women feel like they are to fat to shop elsewhere or what. But that is a real morale killer in my opinion. I went back to Sears and bought a pair of comfy 16's. Anyone else have any experience like this with them?

I finally joined Curves and I LOVE it. So far I've gone twice and can't wait to go back tomorrow. I'm shooting for Mon/Wed/Fri at Curves and eventually working in walking on my off days. I've lost all my weight so far without working out.. I can't wait to see how my clothes feel once I start toning up and losing inches!

Thanks. You remind me of myself, when I believe strongly about something I have no problem saying it. I have to respect you for that.

I am trying to start an online clothing exchange forum on yahoo. If you are interested please go to: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/WLSClothingExchange/ I would love this to be a place where we can help each other out.

Carbonation doesn't bother me. The only time I can't drink a soda is while I am eating... I know I shouldn't be drinking while I'm eating especially soda!! I learned that lesson quite well when I had COLD soda coming out my nose when I got sick. Now I work hard not to drink ANYTHING while I'm eating.. I drink a gulp of soda here and there, I never chug it. I've always enjoyed Diet Sprite. I don't drink alcohol very often as I have a 1 year old and need to stay sober...lol

Something I have been thinking about lately is how I will be treated once I lose my weight. In 8th grade I was a size 20, I graduate high school a size 22. Before surgery (almost 10 years later) I was a size 24. I am now almost an 18. My doctor expects me to get down to 180 by Labor Day. I guess I've kinda hidden behind the fat at times. I am a very outgoing person, but to have someone say whistle at me I think "smartazz" instead of taking it as a compliment. I just hope I am not one screwed up skinny person when all this is done. LOL

Does anyone know of an active clothing exchange program in the DFW area? I need 20's and 1x, I have 22/24 and 2-3x.

How ya doing? I had my surgery on August 9th. I am doing well, just had my second fill today. Wondering how all the August Bandsters are doing.. I hope that everyone is doing well and is happy with their choice to be banded.

Hubby and I always go to the company Christmas party, trust me Microsoft throws wonderful parties. With it being just two months away I have something to work toward. My dress last year was around a size 24, of course I just had my daughter 2 months before and had lost a bunch of weight due to morning sickness during my pregnancy. Weight that I quickly put back on after I stopped hurling every day. I had my second fill today and I am ready to kick butt at Curves, walk and look darn good this year in my purdy dress. Thanks for all the support you guys have given me. I am back on the saddle.

Are we long lost sisters?? That sounds EXACTLY like my mom! I personally could never figure out how two skinny people (my dad never got over 150lbs and my mom at 105 lbs) had such fat kids! For some reason my mom can't sit still.. perhaps it's the 10 cups of coffee she drinks each morning!

I don't know the answer to your question. I had internal stitches and glue. Perhaps it's an individual doctor's preference?

Hi, Dr. Robert Powell did my surgery. I am also from the Mesquite area. They do have a support group for both pre-ops and post-ops at the Surgery Center of Richardson on every 3rd Sunday. I believe (not sure) it is at 2pm. I've heard a lot of great things about Dr. Barker. A former instructor of mine works for him now as his office manager, she will do her best to get you approved if it is possible. Best of luck to ya!

Congrats!!! Pre-op I was about the same size. I was banded almost 2 months ago, just had my 2nd fill today. If you need someone to talk to send me an IM, my AIM name is the same as mine here (msbutterkup23). Best of luck to ya! -Carrie

I can't offer you any advice that you haven't already gotten. I do have to give you praise for realizing you and your hubby need to change the way you parent him. That takes a lot of guts to admit. (((((HUGS))))) and best wishes!

I was banded on August 9th. I did okay for about 3 weeks and then started eating anything I could get my hands on. I gained back like 5 pounds. I had my first fill about 3 weeks ago, I am scheduled to have another on Wednesday. I feel no restriction which I know is normal after the first fill. I have lost about 25 pounds since being banded. I started my externship at a doctor's office. The drug reps feed us everyday, when you bring a tv dinner for lunch and have a mountain of food on the table it's hard to walk away. I am so scared that I will be the one this doesn't work for. I've even started drinking sodas again, (I only drink diet as the real stuff is way too sweet). My doctor forbids carbonation. I usually stop eating when I can't handle another bite. At least once every couple days I end up spitting up the extra food in the toilet. What the hell is wrong with me?? I want to join Curves, but don't know if I will have the time to go. I am looking for a full time job and will probably start night classes in January.

Anyone here a member? My mother-in-law goes and I am considering trying it out for a week for free. I am not doing any exercise at the moment and I am always tired. I need to get off my butt and do something. Ideally I would like to go to Curves 3 days a week and walk on the days I am not going there.