MsButterKup23

Sorry I missed out.. I'm always up for some good Mexican food and good company.

Two questions... How much is this therapist making?? I work in the medical field and we advise people all the time to lose weight. I even give "the speech" to those who are MO and need to consider other options than traditional diets (surgery). Secondly, is he overweight? Getting banded was one way I finally took charge of my life. I am no longer controlled by food or portions. I eat and go on. Best of luck to you!

I like the Isopure Dutch Chocolate, I usually drink it during my commute to work.

Here is after pics of almost 125lbs down and 1 year out. I'm still not happy with the skin issue, but I'm happy with the overall weight loss. Before: AFTER:

It's the installation charges that hurt. I would hate to go to a surgeon that allowed you to bring in your own band, I wonder if he would charge surcharge because you didn't purchase it from him. If I recall though the band and port were sold seperately in the auction.

I spoke with someone today about it, they told me to find a surgeon that is in network and have them submit a benefit advisory. So they didn't say no. My problem is I just started a new job a few months ago in the medical field (a field that is not too understanding of time off from work) and I don't have time to heal from another surgery with school, work, housework and a little one. :mad:

I've lost almost 125lbs in just over a year. I am within 21lbs of a normal BMI and I just don't care anymore. I mean I'm fine as long as I don't gain weight, but I don't care if I ever see myself at a normal BMI I am just tired of being labeled the person who had weight loss surgery and lost most of her weight. It seems that weight loss is all people talk to me about anymore. Anyone else having a hard time mentally after losing a great deal of weight? It's a very strange place to be. I am smaller now than I was in 5th grade and it's a lot to soak in. Mentally I still feel like I am 300lbs.

I'm probably not the person to ask, but I have lost 122lbs in just over a year. I have not given up a lot of my bad habits. I do take a lot of high quality Vitamins and drink 50 grams of Protein each morning with a bowl of Cereal for Breakfast. I have broken just about ever "band rule" I drink full blown fountain coke, eat what (only less because of restriction) and I continue to lose weight. I think the main factor in my weightloss is the fact that I have an extremely active job and lifestyle now. I keep up with 4 surgeons each day at work and have a 2 year old at night. Lap band surgery is not a cure in itself and you don't have to be good 100% of the time nor do you have to give every joy up in life in order to lose weight. I'm not saying that I eat ice cream every night, but if the mood hits I do. Lap Band surgery is not the end of the world, I had many last meals and have proven to myself I can handle a dinner menu without over doing it. I eat where I want I just know what I can get away with and if I have a craving I eat a bite or two and move on because I know what made me 300lbs.

My PCP faxed over my records for the past 5 years to prove I have been overweight that long and have tried to lose weight. Other than that he had nothing to do with my surgery. He is very supportive now, but I never spoke to him about it. I am his poster child for Lap Band.

Skin is a big problem for me. I still feel very obese even though I am not and it's because of the extra skin. I am paying the price for losing as fast as I did w/o toning up.

Genn welcome to the forum and to bandland. I wish you the best, it's great to see you here!

Who is her carrier?? Personally I wouldn't go through with him if he already has such a negative approach to the band. Dr. Barker, Dr. Powell, or Dr. Benavides are the 3 I recommend the most to our patients.

Drink some Water and get out of the house and away from food. Easier said than done I know, but go to a park or somewhere that you can focus on living without food instead of dwelling on what you don't need. Remember they did surgery on our tummys not our head so it's a mental thing that you have to overcome. Best wishes!

Everything you said sounds completely normal. Please know that after you dramatically decrease the amount of calories your body gets it's normal to go through a depression period. Focus on getting better (healing) NOT the scale at this point. Things will get better I promise!! ((((HUGS))))

Mine too said 18 months, but congrats on the pregnancy. Please keep us posted and best of luck to ya!

Maybe it's because I'm used to all the questions, but it doesn't bother me. It might be because I already plan on getting my excess skin removed after baby #2 in a few years. There are haters out there and the best thing you can do is try to educate them and go on your way. Best of luck to ya!

Ice cream is my weakness too. Be strong and take care!

I agree it is a very personal decision. I decided to get the band instead of GB because of the mortality rate associated with GB. The fact that I was sent home instead of ICU means a lot to me. The GB is an American Standard for the most part, it is rarely performed overseas as it is often considered a drastic surgery. Again personally I believe if you are able to be active and under a bmi of 50ish then the band is the way to go. There are some exceptions, but like I said it's a very personal decision and one YOU must make, not a shrink or co-workers. Best of luck to you!

I have a 4 cc band and hubby has the larger band. I've lost weight easily and he is still having a hard time finding the "sweet spot" for him. He is in need of another fill as he has restriction at first shortly after the adjustment and then loses it. Please know it is harder to find that right spot in the larger bands. Best of luck to ya!

yeah what she said.

Congrats on your success!!

I still have a hard time with the weight loss thing. I look at my body and think I am still obese, I have a lot of extra skin and have lost weight porpotionately (sp) to what I was before. I don't take compliments well because I still don't believe I am thin at 177.

Congrats I can't wait to see pics!!

If we go to a regular resturant I try to get hubby to split a meal with me. He is still in the eyes bigger than the belly stage. I have found that I can eat anything in moderation. I know that if I eat too much Pasta or anything that swells I will regret it, but I am still human and I crave it. I have found that giving in every now and then and having a bite or two is better for me than eating too much or going crazy wanting something. So far it seems to work.

I too have looked at the memorial page. I have yet to find anyone that was on there that had Lap Band and died as a result of it. I have heard of one person dying shortly after surgery and she was a city councel lady I believe from Chicago who's surgeon messed up. Something you really need to think about is the risk of staying obese. Meaning what are your chances of developing diabetes, heart disease, strokes etc vs risks that happen from surgery. I found that the risk of me dying from being obese was much greater and I went for the surgery. You also have to look at quality of life for yourself and your child. I actually play and chase my daughter around. :Banane56: Trust me I know the jitters, I was going through heck this time last year as I am almost 1 year post-op and down almost 120lbs. I am still overweight, but I have a lot more energy to play with my almost 2 year old daughter and my quality of life has improved. Would I do it again?? In a heartbeat. Please take care and keep us posted.