auntlucy

Lilbit, Dr. Hamn is at TX Center for Obesity Surgery in Plano, TX (Parker and the Tollway). Dr. Cribbons is his partner. Their website is: Obesity Surgery - LAP BAND - Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, - Texas - TX I live in McKinney. Be pacient and perhaps your new insurance will cover it. I know you want it to happen now, but use this time to prepare yourself mentally and emotionally. Also, why don't you go ahead and start a low fat, low calorie diet. That way you will be making some progress and won't just be in "wait" mode. I use www.thedailyplate.com to track my food and Water intake every day, and I highly recommend that. Plus, it's free! Good luck to you!

Kizzie, my surgeon didn't put me on a pre-op diet of any kind. I know it's unusual on this site, but they are all different. After the surgery I did feel full with just very little liquid. But, over time, I started wanting a little more. It was easier than I thought it would be getting through that liquid diet, but there were days when I felt very hungry (if I'm being completely honest). I just kept telling myself that it would be worth it in the long run. And, so far, it has been! And, when I tell people that I'm eating less and exercising more, it's all true! We each have to find the way that works best! Let us know when you get your surgery date! Doesn't it feel good to do something wonderful for yourself!

The reason for the liquid diet post-op is to allow your body to heal. You really need to stick to the liquids now so that your body can heal properly. You will likely be hungry during this time period. Until you get the magic fill (it takes some people more fills than others), you may not feel much restriction. I still don't feel as much as I think I should after 1 fill. So, for the sake of your health and your new band, please please please follow the doctor's instructions. You will be on solid foods soon (I know it doesn't seem like it now)!

Good for you kizzie! It sounds like you are entering this with the right frame of mind, and that is going to help you be successful! Good luck to you as you go down this exciting journey! It certainly has been a good move for me. I too have told very few people. More and more people are beginning to notice that I've lost weight, and when they ask me what I'm doing, I simply say, "I'm working really hard on eating right and exercising." And that's all true...my band is just a tool that helps me along the way.

It definitely is a small world skatkat!

Good for you losing it in ne! Keep us updated!

Yes, I feel great! I definitely have more energy and want to do more than I did in the past. I don't think I've reached my perfect restriction. I feel like I could eat more without negative consequences, but I don't. I've been really diligent about following the program my doctor and nutritionist laid out for me. And, surprise surprise, it's working! I only got 2.5 cc in my first fill (I'm not sure how much my band holds, but am planning to ask my doctor when I go for my next fill 7/8.) It's great to meet you too! Feel free to reach out to me any time, and let's keep posting here over the next few weeks as we reach that 299 mark! We are doing so good!

Thank you for sharing your story Nance! You should actually feel proud of yourself. Not for the fact that you started a bing, but that you caught yourself and stopped it! I'm assuming that is probably something that didn't happen much in your past. You did good! And by the way, my favorite sandwich has always been Peanut Butter and bacon on toast...it's so delicious! But, you don't find many people who have ever had one. Of course, I haven't had one in some time, and they may not even be as good to me now. My tastes have definitely changed!

Hi Tess! It looks like we were banded on the same day and have lost very close to the same amount. Plus, I'm 8 or 9 pounds (6 pounds without clothes) away from being in the 2's! So, yes, let's work together to get there. We can do it!

I like the New Whey Protein Bullets (order them online). They come in different flavors, and I would describe them as the consistency of jello (before it sets). I like the fruit punch flavor the best. I add it to fruit punch crystal lite, and I've had no problem. I didn't think I'd be able to do the protein powders b/c I was on miedifast for 6 months when I was in high school, and I grew to hate it so much that I couldn't get it down. Plus, 21 g of the bullet is less than 90 calories (I think).

Missrach, my surgeon didn't have me do a pre-op diet, and I did gain 3 or 4 pounds before the surgery. It's been almost 3 months since surgery, and I've lost 45 pounds as of this morning. I think I'm losing 2-3 pounds a week now. Good luck!

That's great! Moments like that keep us all motivated. I've been wearing some of my clothes from 6 or so years ago that I now fit in again. I know some of them may not be completely in style right now, but it still feels great to wear them. Plus, I don't really want to go shopping b/c I know that before long the'll be too big!

I know that many surgeons do require it, and I think that's a good, responsible policy. I actually went to a counselor that I've gone to in the past to get through a rough time in my life. My "evaluation" was really just a conversation about what I wanted to achieve with the band, why I was doing it, what my concerns were, what obstacles I saw ahead of me, and what was I going to do to overcome those obstacles. I had thought so much about I think I did most of the talking. She didn't really need to ask me that many questions b/c I think I gave her many of the answers. Plus, she knew me very well (I've known her since I was a teenager), so I'm sure mine may have been a little out of the norm. In terms of advice I would give you...just be open and honest. You shouldn't have anything to hide. I found it extremely helpful to talk through some of my concerns. Even if they don't require a psych consult, I encourage you to find a good counselor or something to talk with before. That way you will have someone to reach out to post-surgery if you need it! Good luck!

Lilbit, I am also in the Dallas area. Dr. Hamn is my surgeon, and I've been extemely happy. I've also had great results. I'll hit my 3 month mark on 6/10, and I've already lost 45 pounds since my surgery. Since one of your biggest concerns was vomiting, I can tell you that I have not thrown up or PBed even once. When people on this site talk about PBing and sliming, I'm not even sure what that truly means yet b/c I haven't experienced it. Perhaps I will as I get future fills (only had one so far), but hopefully I will continue to not have problems. Of course, I have followed all of the guidance of my surgeon. It has been a great life-changing move for me, and I'm glad I did it. I also looked into the surgery more than once. About 3 years ago I looked into it (even had a surgery date) but then backed out. I just wasn't ready for it at that time, and I'm glad I didn't go through with it then b/c I don't think I would have been as successful. I understand your concern about your family. I am very close to my family, and while sometimes I shouldn't, I care about what they think. I took my parents with me to a seminar so they could understandall of the procedures available and understand the risks. Because of the much lower risk of the lap band, they were very supportive of it. The point is that they got the education they needed and were able to ask questions directly of the surgeon. Also, everyone doesn't have to know you had surgery. I've been really private about it. Only select members of my family know, my best friend, and very few people at work. I wouldn't have even told the work people, but I'm in a lot of lunch meetings and I thought it better to let them know. My point in saying all of this is that if you do it, YOU are in control of who and when you tell. Some people are completely comfortable telling everyone, but that's a personal preference. Sorry for the long post...your message just hit home with me! Good luck in your decision! I would never try to talk you into anything, but ultimately you need to make this decision for YOU!

Hi Lin! It's great that you are thinking through all of this. I considered the surgery about 3 years ago, but ultimately I wasn't ready for it yet. I even had a surgery date and backed out. But, over time, I came to realize that it was more important to me to be healthy than to continue my habits. I finally decided that it was worth it to me to give up certain things (bread, diet soda, etc.). I was banded 3/10/08, and I have not regretted my decision even once. I have not tried bread again, but I do eat some crackers. I also haven't tried Desserts, partly b/c it just doesn't fit with my new healthier lifestyle. That doesn't mean I won't ever try them or have them occasionally, but I just haven't felt the need. I find that fresh foods now just explode with flavor when I eat them. My tastes have definitely changed. I have not had a problem with anything I've eaten. Yes, I go to restaurants. Last night I went to a really nice restaurant and ate half of a wedge salad with blue cheese dressing and 3 sea scallops. I know it doesn't sound like much, but it was delicious and I was completely satisfied. Take your time making your decision. Decide what's important to you. If you decide to move forward with the surgery, I encourage you to not think about what you are giving up but what you are gaining (or losing!).

In my opinion, your ED should play a role in the surgeon's decision on whether or not to proceed. You should definitely bring it up in your psych consult. A lot of people get the band to facilitate their ED. I think you should get help from a good counselor for your ED and get that under control before you even consider surgery. I wish you all the best as you go down this journey to self improvement!

I have seen others on the site reference joining weight watchers. You might want to do a search on the site to pinpoint the specifics.

That's great! Congratulations! It just goes to show you for next time that when you hit a plateau, you can push through it!:tongue2:

I don't have the pampered chef ice shaver, but I did buy another ice shaver when I was on liquids and used crystal lite with it (sometimes added my new whey protein bullet to it too). I loved it! It felt like I was treting myself to a shushy!

shalloway, I was banded a few weeks before you. I did feel tired for about the first month, but since then I've seemed to have more energy. I make sure I get all of my Protein in and am exercising. Are you getting your protein and exercise? If not, I encourage you to try that. I have felt a little depressed at times, but not really for the last month or so. I think that is normal. I would do one of the following things when I was feeling down: journal, pray, talk to my best friend or mom. I also know that I can call the counselor I saw for my psych evaluation if I need to, but so far I've been able to snap out of it pretty quickly. I've also found it therapeutic to post on this site!

alv2008, I have to remind myself almost daily why I did this--for my health! I did not do it to get into a certain size of clothes or to be HOT (both would be great side benefits though). I did it to be healthy! Being healthy includes eating the right foods to get the fuel that my body needs to function. So, I encourage you to shift your thinking from "I want to be skinny" to "I want to be healthy". I do agree with everyone that you need to really watch these signs. If you think there might be a problem, I would try to get the help now (when it's still early in the game). You will be in my prayers!

You should be so proud of yourself! This is just the beginning for you!

Try not to feel discouraged! You have done great and have obviously been an inspiration to people around you! As far as your larger size clothes go, I say dump them! As long as they are in your closet, they will be a crutch you can go back to. You might want to look into the "clothes exchange" thread that is on this site...people sharing their clothes with people who need other sizes as they lose weight.

I didn't have one

BeckyinTexas, thank you for your offer! I added you to my contacts. You should be so proud of yourself. It looks from your signature like you have done fantastic. I too have quite a bit to lose, but I feel like I'm doing really well with it. Feel free to reach out to me as well if you need any support.