2bthin

Do any of you ever have those days when you just feel full all the time? I've had a couple of days like that and I wonder why am I so full today when yesterday I felt like I was starving? I'm eating about the same amount of food daily, but every now and again, I feel that I just can't eat at all. Also, I've noticed that my tastes have sure changed. No longer do I crave chips or (my personal favorite) Cheetos! The thought of having that oil in my mouth just turns my stomach. Confession time: I went with DH to costco the other day. They were giving out samples all over the place. At one place they were giving out small cups with samples of Maui onion flavored chips. I thought... it's only a couple of chips; it won't hurt. I took one chip and it was so greasy that I thought I was going to barf! I gave them to DH and he ate his and mine. On one level, I'm so glad that I don't want them anymore, but on another leverl..... sniff.... they were my friends! 2bthin -32 and counting

The only "negative" side effects I can think of happened last night. I tried eating some shredded beef for the first time. Ohhhhh... a little bellyache! And, today didn't really feel like eating AT ALL. I'm sticking to my chicken, thank you very much. It's just not worth feeling bad over. I eat much less than I have in the past, and like some of you, I've become very particular about what I eat. Since I know that my limit is restricted, I am making better choices. I eat Proteins first, veggies second, and have no room for nasty empty calories. I have many more "positive" side effects. No GERD, ACID REFLUX, NEXIUM! More energy. I am HAPPY and PEPPY, and I'm just feeling so dang good about myself. I wish I had done this earlier, because it has been so easy. I really can't believe what a 'no brainer' this is. 2bthin -32 and counting!

Hmmmm.. slippage... My doctor pulled a small part of the larger part of my stomach over the band and stitched it so the band would not slip. Has anyone else's doctor done that? 2bthin :banana:banana:banana+2 lbs gone!

Jennifer, I was banded last month... I've never regretted it a minute! Welcome to "the club". 2bthin

Terri, You and I were banded around the same time. I know what you mean about the weight just falling off, but remember: during that time you were on liquids. I don't care if they were full liquids or what. They were liquids, so of course, we lost weight fast. Have you ever started a new diet and the first 10 pounds just melted off? I've done that so many times, I just can't even remember how many. We don't live in a perfect world, so why on earth are you trying so hard to be perfect? As for the Peanut Butter. I was told that I could have a little bit. True, it does have some fat, but it also has a lot of Protein. Now... how about being my buddy? We can both keep our chins up (all of them!) and support each other!

Before I had the LB, I went to my GP to tell him what I had decided to do. He looked at me, and I think he had a disgusted look on his face that I just couldn't lose the weight on my own (even though I am completely synthetic thyroid dependent and I still haven't found the magic combination). Being thin all his life (he's known me for 20 years), he went into this big speech about how the LB was not a magic bullet (yadda yadda yadda), and said, "We'll I've known you for 20 years and nothing else has worked (I even did 12 weeks of Optifast--lost 65 pounds and then gained it all back) so you really don't have anything to lose. (interesting pun, huh?) He sent me to the cardiologist for a stress test to make sure the ole ticker was in good shape before the surgery (the cardiologist, by the way, was very supportive), and said that he wanted to see me in 6 weeks. Well, that is going to be next week, and I am really looking forward to seeing the look on his face when he sees that I've lost 30 pounds since May 27th! 2bthin

Having been banded for less than a month, I am finding that I am more conscious about what I actually eat. I know that I can only consume so much, so the band is forcing me to realize that I must make good decisions about what it is that I do eat. I eat my Proteins first, because I know that this is what I need to lose weight and feel good. By the time I do that, I really don't have much room for anything but my well thought out veggies. Absolutely no room for starches, that's for sure. Maybe I'm not "doing this right", whatever that means, but what I'm doing is working for me, and I'm happy about it. I return to my doctor on the 21st of this month for my first post-op checkup and fill. I'm excited about it. I'm so glad that I did this, because I don't have to count calories and worry about sneaking anything, because I know what could happen if I did. I've never had slime, or PB or any of the other things (thank goodness) that I've read about, and to be honest, the thought of experiencing any of that scares me to death, and that is what is keeping me honest. Also, for the first time in years, I do not have heartburn, acid reflux or gerd. I can sleep in any position I want (and sleeping on my stomach feels wonderful) after having to sleep sitting up with 5 pillows because the gerd was so bad! I'm free of my Nexium and life is good! 2bthin

I don't know if this will help or not, but when I get the urge to splurge, I go to the freezer and grab a sugar-free, fat-free popsicle. It sure has been a life saver. At only 5 calories and none of the other bad stuff, I figure it just can't be all that bad. On another note... I tried eating some fried zucchini (rationalizing that it was a veggie, right?) Well... after 3-4 pieces, I had to give the rest away. It just didn't taste all that wonderful to me. And because I had to chew it to death, whatever little amount of oil it had absorbed, sorta congealed on my teeth. Yuck! Not a pleasant feeling! 2bthin

The doc who performed my LB surgery has had a band for over 5 years. He lost 120 pounds and says that he's never going to have it removed, because he knows that he'll just gain the weight again. So now... he's drop dead gorgeous ...and 180 pounds... nice.:Bunny 2bthin

Yeah! Hi Everyone! I'm back from Monterrey with a beautiful lapband, courtesy of my wonderful doctor! What a time! Everything went beautifully, and then.... while doing "the viewing" my doctor discovered that I had a 5cm hiatal hernia! Wow! He fixed it and then went on to proceed with the lapband installation. Today, 4 days after my surgery, I'm still sore, but, hey... what's a little discomfort compared to how healthy I'm going to be and oh, baby, how good I'm gonna look! Thanks for everyone's well wishes. You all are the best! Oh... and if you doctor wants you to go on a liquid diet before the surgery, do it. Mine did and I lost 20 pounds of ugly fat (and I will admit water) prior to surgery. He was so impressed and said that it really does make it easier for the surgeon if you can do that. So now I'm going to find myself a nice looking little ticker and start plotting my weight loss. Thanks! 2BTHIN Dr. Rumbaut 6/7/05

Okie Dokie! Here I sit, suitcase on the way to being packed. I leave for Monterrey in the morning... tests in the afternoon... surgery on Tuesday. My wonderful hubby informed me that Tuesday is a special day. I said, "I know. I'm getting my surgery." He said, "Yes, but it is also the 11th anniversary of the first day we met." (swoon). Wow! A man that remembers! No wonder I married him! I'm so nervous about this. I know that my doctor is considered very highly in the field, but geeez... it's SURGERY! What if he pokes a hole in me? What if my band eats through my stomach? What if my port pokes out of me? ARGHHHHH!!!!!!!! Anyway... keep me in your prayers, everyone. This sure is life altering. I know the road won't be easy, but it's just something I need and want. Okay.. I'm better, but I sure wish I had a tranquilizer! Hugs, Joan still waiting 2BTHIN

Okay, guys. I think I'm gonna rot in hell. I just got off the phone with my dear 87 year old daddy and when he asked, "what's up?" I said, "nothing much," changed the subject and then towards the end of our conversation told him that DH and I are going away for a couple of days and that I'd give him a call when I returned. I prayed that he didn't ask where we were going, because I didn't want to tell him MEHICO, because he would have gone on and on about the "frito banditos" (my deceased mother used that term) and how I would have to be careful and for me to call him when I returned (and I will anyway), but he will make me feel guilty about not being totally up front with him about what I was doing. It is so difficult, even after all these years, not to be totally honest with him. grrrrrrrrrrrr. Joan waiting 2Bthin

Actually, I'm on summer vacation from my 'regular teaching job'. I still have my online college courses, but I can do those from home/wherever I happen to be. I start working next Monday for Harcourt Assessment, which is 1/2 mile down the road from me. (Hey... we gotta pay for all this somehow, right?) I always wanted to be a member of a band.... hehehehehehehehe Hugs, Joan waiting 2BTHIN

I live in San Antonio. I have been told that Dr. Rumbaut has an associate now in San Antonio who will do any aftercare. Yes, I'm a little nervous, too, but I just keep coming to this board and read all the wonderful things that are going to be taking place afterwards. So, while I'm nervous, I'm also excited and waiting to get it over with. My husband is going with me. Joan waiting 2bthin

Oh, Thank you. I've heard so many wonderful things about Dr. Rumbaut. I'm so anxious to meet him. I've spoken with Dr. Gonzalez, who is the pre-op doctor, and he is so nice. Everyone associated with Dr. Rumbaut has been so professional and helpful. His US contact, Cathy, is a doll. She has been my rock these past couple of weeks. Joan wanting 2bthin;)

Another thing that really chaps my hide is the way people treat the obese. Don't they realize that we all have feelings and that discrimination hurts? Am I being overly sensitive? I wasn't always this heavy and I sure was treated much nicer when I was thinner. I'm secretly (well, not so secretly now) wondering and planning and plotting of just how many pounds I might be able to lost before I go back on August 15th. That's about 9 weeks from the date of my lap band. Hmmmmm Looking forward to seeing the expressions on everyone's faces when I walk in. And.. no... I ain't tellin' anyone! :devious

Hi! I'm also getting my Lband in Mexico on June 7th! Who is your doctor? Dr. Roberto Rumbaut is doing mine in Monterrey. 2bthin

Hi Everyone! I'm getting my LapBand this Tuesday (06/07/05). Is there anyone here from San Antonio? Joan

I don't understand why people can be so mean about those of us who are "fluffy." I teach school at an alternative placement center (punative middle school where students go to school for 60 days as punishment for things like drugs, alcohol, knives, guns, threats, etc... some for doing stupid things like pulling fire alarms, etc.). I love my job with the kids.... if someone gets mad at me and calls me a "fat (whatever)," I don't even flinch. I reply... with "Oh, really? Tell me something that I don't already know." or... I prefer to think of myself as fluffy. Frequently, I'll say something about being fluffy or fat so they will think calling me names with regards to my weight won't hurt my feelings. (I mean, at 350 pounds don't you think they'd know that I'm fat?!) Anyway... I digress.... What really hurts is the comments made by my fellow teachers. One time a student called his art teacher by my name (hey, it happens... sometimes they call me "mom") and her reply to the student was, "Oh I couldn't be Mrs. W. I'd need two chairs to sit on!" The students were so enraged by her comment that when they came to my class the next period they told me what she had said and wanted me to fight her! :-) It put me on the spot, because I had to tell them that it was okay, that 2 wrongs didn't make a right, etc., etc., etc. The more I kept saying that we weren't going to talk about it anymore, the more they insisted that I tell the principal and the more upset I became-- not at being called fat, but because it angered them so much. I was so touched by these kids, who really don't have such a great homelife, who really don't care about anything or anyone, and they were so angry that some adult should say something like that about me. So... I started to cry (and one of the teenage girls came up to me and hugged me and said, "Oh, poor thing," in Spanish. I'm going to get my friends to beat up that "b". This made me laugh, but it took over a year for the kids to forget about this teacher. Then another one, who heard that I was dieting made a comment to her friend... "Oh, she'll never lose that weight." The moral of this story is that I haven't told many people at work. They just don't understand, or want to understand. To those people I just have to learn to accept them for what they are. They will have to deal with their own demons. Well... I've ranted enough. Back to my Serenity Prayer. 2BTHIN

Oh Dear! I am with you guys. This clear liquid is gross. I need to CHEW on something (and Fido's chew toy is beginning to look awfully good right now :lick) I'm taking Protein shakes (which aren't really bad) and clear broth. Last night I went to Wal-Mart with my bodyguards(son and hubby to keep me from cheating) and bought chicken, beef, veggie broth. I'm hoping that will help because the bouillion just wasn't cutting it. Maybe the different broths will make me feel like I'm really eating food--with veggies! I'm being banded on Tuesday. That's just 4 days away. I can do this, right? I don't think I'll have trouble afterwards, because I'll be so afraid of doing something to hurt myself or damage my band that I know I'll be a good girl for as long as it takes--but right now.... (here Fido.... here Fido....) 2BTHIN Waiting for banding in Monterrey Mexico by Dr. Roberto Rumbaut

I love the title of this forum: Why are YOU fat? After giving this a lot of thought, I have to be honest and say the reason I'm fat is because food has given me such comfort throughout my life. For whatever reason, I have always been outside the "in" crowd. I was never really obese in high school or college--usually weighing around 150 pounds, but I have a "german build" (whatever that means-- thick waisted) and at 5'7" tall, never looked "thin" like my friends. (of course not--they all weighed around 100 pounds! :-) ) I was not popular with the boys--I was the type of girl that was your friend--not someone you dated seriously; didn't date at all in high school or college (I was also the quiet, shy type) and married my first "real" boyfriend out of college. After a very rocky 25 years of marriage, in which I had gained 100 pounds, I finally left. I met my present husband, who, for whatever reasons looked at me the very first time, said, "you are beautiful," and my heart way his forever. We have been together for 11 years (married this month for 9 of those years) and as much as I love him, I still continued to gain MORE weight! During that time, also, I've had my gallbladder removed, and have become hypothyroid (being completely dependent upon thyroid medications because my thyroid--instead of being the size of a walnut, is the size of a very small pea and is not producing anything!). I love my husband very much and want to live a long and happy life with him, but I have another love--food! It doesn't even have to be good food! So, here I am, looking forward to being banded on Tuesday, June 7th in Mexico with Dr. Rumbaut. I know that this isn't the magic bullet, but I know that this will enable me to make better choices. I've been on a liquid diet for the past several days in preparation for my surgery. I've seen my cardiologist, who did a stress test (my heart is normal--thank you, God), my general practitioner, who isn't very encouraging and I think a little upset that I'm having this done in Mexico. My wonderful husband, who, at 16 years my junior can still eat anything and not gain weight is so supportive. I am hopeful. I have a good attitude. I found this wonderful forum yesterday, and I am prayerful that this will help. Keep me in your prayers, everyone. I must succeed with this. I WILL succeed with this. 2BTHIN Dr. Rumbaut June 7th, 2005 :-)

Hi Everyone! I just found this wonderful website! I've been searching all over Yahoo, but I really like what I've seen so far here. I am getting my lapband on Tuesday in Monterrey, Mexico with Dr. Roberto Rumbaut. I'm a little nervous and a little scared, but I'm going for it! I will leave on Monday morning with my hubby. Has anyone had the experience with Dr. Rumbaut? I'm a self-pay lady; my insurance would rather pay for my doctors, cardiologist, endocrinologist, orthopedic surgeon and a bag-full of pills and procedures than pay for my "obesity-related" surgery. Go figure! I think I'm prepared. I've read so much literature on this type of procedure that at least I feel prepared. I know this isn't a magic bullet, but after trying everything (and I do mean everything) else, this is my last hope. Please keep me in your prayers next week. 2bthin