Gone4Now

Congrats! I know waiting, for me, is always frustrating. (I'm not all that patient.)

This site is great! I passed it along to my friends....It's sad, but it seems theraputic to those who send in. Good stuff. thank you.

I had to pay for the evaluation out of pocket. I ended up w/a qook that I really didn't like. But, he "passed" me...Mine was recommended by my doctor, and at an appt. the doc asked how I'd felt about the psych eval. I told him I didn't like the doctor that did it, that it was impersonal, etc... He said he'd consider stopping recommending him because I wasn't the first person to say something. Maybe you can talk to your insurance company and complain. They may or may not care of it, but if they do it would benefit you. Good luck!

My friend just sent this today, and I had to post it. She's talking about a coworker of hers who had a client in the lobby. "...She comes up to me and tells me how great my skin is looking, then said she loved my hair. That the cut looks good. Then follows all that with "If you lose a little weight it would be a good package" What the F*$%!!!! In front of a total stranger. I just said "Thank you I'm working on that."

I think I posted this before, but I've been fat since I was 10. If I could have done it just by dieting, I would have already. I needed the help, something to get me going. If your sister won't go and won't learn about the surgery, then I think that's too sad for her. Is she overweight, too? Is it jealousy? Or is she thin, and doesn't understand about being overweight? As always, in the end, you have to do what's best for you. No one else can make the decision for you, and they shouldn't think that they can.

That's awful! What was your relationship w/them after that, if you don't mind me asking? My ex-bf was skinny all his life, then gained a lot of weight when his mother moved out of state. At Christmas time she was visiting when she pulled out pictures of him and his ex girlfriend and was passing them around. She was saying to everyone, "Look how skinny he used to be! Can you believe that's him!" Over and over.... I'm a brat, so when she wasn't looking, I swiped the picture and tore it up. He didn't want it, and I didn't think he deserved that, but was too embarrassed to say anything to the family. Everyone else just hmmm'ed and ohhh'ed. What do you say to stuff like that???

I am in the Order Management department of an Oil Tool Company based in Houston, TX. I love it! I moved from VA over a year ago and this was my third job in Houston. I found my niche! :eek:

That's the worst...having to laugh it off when you really just want to tell someone to go to hell.

I love this thread...It's a little theraputic for me. Grandma's: I had the same situation. My uncle's 3 daughters are about a size 3-5...they take after their mother. My grandmother used to crochet the 4 of us the same pattern sweaters. I was about 10-15 and I could never fit what she made me. At Christmas we'd open the gifts and have to try them on in front of everyone. How embarassing!!! I hated it. I think my Grandma took some sick pleasure in that...But that could be my own twisted thought! Doctor: I went to a back doctor because I had a lump on the base of my spine. It took him 5 seconds, he looked at it, felt it...then sat down and started writing on his pad. I asked what it was and he barely looked up at me to tell me it was a fat deposit from me being so overweight. His recommendation was to lose weight. While I'm glad it was *only* a fat deposit, it was very embarassing to sit there in the room, in all silence while he's scratching on his pad: FAT DEPOSIT. :eek:

Oh, yes...that was the first infraction...I think she took my comment back as an attack on her! She was always nasty to me when she'd come in after that. One year she didn't come in and I it was because she had passed away. I'm not normally nasty, but I just couldn't bring myself to go to the funeral w/my coworkers. Afterall, I'd be waaaay too fat to sit in the chairs and then I'd have to see all her "thinner and thinner" chicks? No, thank you.

I used to work in the front reception area for an accounting firm. One day, an older lady who owned a modeling agency came in. We were talking about other things when another employee (a very thin, attractive woman) from the back office walked through. The lady turned to me and said, "The ladies here get thinner and thinner!" Then, she looked me up and down and said, "It would be for you, too, if you backed away from the table once and a while." I was a bit upset and replied, "Well, since I left my feed bag at home I have to use to trough." She didn't say anything else, and our relationship was strained ever since. Why do some people think fat folks just sit and graze all day? I eat less than some people I know who can't put on weight. I used to work with a lady who had MS and was, maybe, 80 pounds. She tried hard to put on weight, but couldn't. I've been made fun of since high school, when boys thought it was fun to say, "Grab the harpoon! It's moving!" So, I've grown accustomed to making fun of myself before others do it first. But, when I'm not expecting it, someone will surprise me with how rude they can be.

My story is that I listened to my ex about not getting the lapband. This was about 4 years ago, and we were together for 6 years. My friends mother had surgery and I started looking into it. My insurance at the time would pay for it, and I was ready to go! But, I let him talk me out of it. Now I think if I'd gotten this then, I'd be at my goal weight now. I wish I had just done it, and not listened to him. I would try my best to educate him and find out his reasons why he's against it. Is he scared for your safety? Is he overweight and would be jealous? Is he insecure? Etc... I've been fat since I was about 10 years old. If I could have done this with diet and exercise I would have since then (I'm 32 now). I am trying to eat right now, and it's easier because I get full quickly. I do have to exercise and I have to MAKE myself exercise because I do hate it. But, I do it because it's what I want for myself.

Okay, I feel better about some of the thoughts I've had about stupid people. Several years back, a guy claimed he was going to jump off the Wilson bridge near DC. Traffic was backed up for over 6 hours!!! All because the police and officials catered to the guy, trying to talk him out of it. Save the people who want to live; who deserve to live. I was so mad. If he wants to jump - LET HIM. One more wacko we don't have to deal with later. Why in the world was all the time, man-hours, and money put into this guy? Yet, my daughter's school doesn't have enough money for paper/supplies. The whole system is upside down.

I was thinking of joining, too. I haven't been banded that long (9/5) but since then I've only lost 12 pounds and holding. I'm not eating poorly, and I'm exercising daily. From other posts that I've read, people drop 20 pounds here, another 10 there, etc...and I'm afraid that I won't lose anymore. I'm worried I won't feel restriction, since I'm not really feeling it now. I get full quicker and I'm sure a buffett would be out of the question! But, WW is healthy and the reason it never worked for me before was because I was never full enough. I was always hungry. So, those thoughts have been rolling in my head. I even bought a frozen WW dessert box for when I really need something, and it went down easily enough. Plus, you get the support for weight loss, and that's always been a plus for me. Let me know if you decide to join. Like I said, I'm still debating. The drawback is the weekly fee!

Hi there...I was banded on 9/5 and I was in pain for the first couple of weeks. My port burned and I twisted funny once and it felt like I had ripped something out. I never took the pain meds because I really don't like being on medication. But, the gas pain and port pain were terrible. I, too, felt that maybe I shouldn't have done it. I even said that to my bf, that if I'd known this I wouldn't have done it. But then it just went away. One day I woke up and everything was just better. Not 100%, but definitely I was at 95%. I took Wed the 5th through Friday the 14th off of work, returning on the 17th. I was a little stiff and HUNGRY! But overall, the pain was gone. I know everyone's different, but it's only been 9 days for you, so just give it time. Next week, you may be telling everyone: I LOVE MY BAND! I know I do every time I step on the scale!

What I've heard is that for every cup of coffee you drink, you need to drink a glass of water to counter the caffeine. I think same goes for tea. But, that's just what I heard. I know in WW they always said those counted as water, but at least 1/2 of your daily intake of water should be pure water. But, I've wondered if the same thing, and if WW water rules are the same for the band.

May I ask - what diet are you following? I was banded on 9/5/07 and I'm only down 12 since the surgery. I've been following the mushies stage, and exercising. Don't get me wrong - I'm crazy about the 12 pounds gone, but I get anxious when I see others dropping so quickly. Am I doing something wrong? My fill is Oct. 12.

Several years ago my family and I took a road trip through Michigan and up to the Upper Penisula, then into Canada. I remember Michigan was so beautiful! Actually, I think most states have living appeal. I can see that it's hard to chose just one unless you have a heartfelt connection to it.

I don't know how to fix it...I'm tired, too! I was never this tired before. I had my band done on 9/5, and every night since I've tossed and turned. There's no pain now, so it's not that. My friend said it could be that I'm not eating enough protein. But, I've been going to bed when my 10 yr old does! I feel so old!

Valstar, How do you get through the best friend comments? I'm going through the same w/my bf and it gets worse every day. How do you handle the comments?

I'm sorry to hear about your marriage. If you don't mind me asking, is it related to your weight loss? My BF is very supportive, but he has said once, "You're going to lose weight and leave me." I'm not sure he really believes that, but he may think that because he's overweight I'll want someone thinner. I don't think that will be the case, but what if he can't handle it? What if it's HIM that changes and wants a fat chick??

There was another post who said that they blend in more now than they did before. I think we think we're blending in, but really we're not because our size draws attention. Only it's negative attention that we get. Unfortunately. I've been "warned" by co-workers not to change. I've heard stories that women lost the weight and then left their husbands/families for a new fling, etc. There is so much pyschological warping done when you're overweight, that I'm scared I'll change if I get thin. Will I be conceited? Will I be modest about it? Will I be scrutinized by coworkers? (There are a lot of politics where I am, and I'm worried about jealousy.) Also, I'm worried about losing my best friend of 16 years. My food buddy, who is already starting to say negative things, even though she's trying to be supportive. It hurts her to see me lose weight. Ack! I'm rambling...but really I just wanted to let you know -I'm there. There a ton of things I'm scared of, and mainly because I've never been thin. BUT. I want to get into a bathing suit next summer and swim with my daughter. I want to ride the ride at Six Flags that I was kicked off from because the seat restraint wouldn't fit (HOW AWFUL THAT DAY WAS!!!). I want to be healthy and normal, and that's pushing me past the fear.

LOL! I have a 3 way, folding mirror in my bathroom, and sometimes, when one isn't shut all the way it scrunches my reflection and I look thin. It's the best moment of my morning.

I wanted to do this 4 years ago, however my ex talked me out of it, citing the same kind of horror stories. Now we've been separated for over a year and I had it done 2 weeks ago. It's the BEST thing I've ever done! I keep thinking, "Why did I wait??? I'd be at my goal weight by now." In the end, you have to do what you think is best for your health and future. I know he's probably scared and worried about you, but like the one post said, educate yourself, then him. A lot of people just don't know the details and facts. Take him to a seminar, show him websites...etc. The thing I liked the best about the LapBand is that it is reversible. If you do have trouble, it can be removed.