ebony868

I was banded by Dr. Agos at Swedish Covenant Hospital. His nurse was banded by him and is doing great. I love my surgeon, his partners, clincal team and office staff. They're the best and very supportive. My aftercare has been wonderful. Best wishes to you.

My doc came to see me after surgery, but I only know that because my hubby told me. I didn't remember it. The dr's office also called after I got home, but didn't remember that either (pain meds). It's been more important for me that my surgery was successful and that I've been getting good aftercare. I've heard horror stories about these two things. Tell your doctor how you feel or at least what you feel you need from him or his office to be successful. If they can't or won't provide it, you may need to seek aftercare somewhere else. It's too important for you not to be comfortable and encouraged.

I did the Fat Smash Diet and lost very well. Hope this helps and good luck.

I am a recovering food addict. I lllloooovvvveee the taste of food. The band is not a cure all for this addiction. I have had to accept the fact that I have it and have applied some of the 12 steps of AA to help me with it. (My grandfather, who was like a father to me was an alcoholic so I was familiar with AA). I don't go to dinner with my fellow food adicts and I haven't been to my favorite soul food restaurant since I've been banded. Finally I don't have food in my house that tempts me. (People, Places and Things they call this) I have, had some of the foods I love sense I've been banded, but only while I'm out and in moderation. The band has really helped me with eating in moderation. There are times I have to force myself to eat so I get my calories in because I'm very rarely hungry. My nut says it's because I'm good about getting my Protein and Water in. That's been the key for me. If I do nothing else I make sure I have 40 - 60 g of protein (I love Isopure Zero Carb drinks - 40 oz of liquid Protein or 3 EAS Carb Control Shakes), 5 bottles of water before noon and 1200 calories per day. I can't guarantee these things will work for you, but they have for me. Take a look at the 12 steps for AA, NA or GA and see if you can convert them to help you and remember to follow the rules. Spending time concentrating on this and other healthy things like walking, etc. has meant I really have to make time to eat. Hope this helps and good luck.

Did you try Gas X strips and walking.

OK. I won't tell you it's going to get better, I will only tell you it did get better for me. I had my band placed on March 19. The first week, I thought what the heck did I just do to myself. While my surgeon was wonderful, my hospital stay was horrible and my pain was unbearable. I could not believe I'd done this. Week two I started to feel a little better, but still struggled with the decision I'd made. My hubby continued to be supportive and I leaned on my new friends I'd met on several of the boards. I wined and cried and they listened and supported. Week three I went in for my post op visit and I'd lost 10lbs. I felt pretty good and began to feel like myself again except for the continued port pain. I scheduled my first fill for May 1 and began to look toward the future. I'm in week four and my port pain is gone. I've lost more weight, but I don't know exactly how much because my scale committed suicide about 2 months ago. I could not be happier with my decision to have lapband surgery and I'm very excited about what the future will bring. I won't tell you it's going to get better, but I will tell you it did get better for me. 255/245/180 March 19 LapBand Dr. Agos, Chicago, IL Swedish Covenant Hospital

Your doctor should know what to do? Call them and ask them if they plan to appeal and what you need to do to help them with the appeal.

Honey this is what you call HATERATION. Hateration is a good thing....it reminds you of how wonderful you are. You see when people take time out of their busy schedule to do what they can to put you down, it's just their little cry for help. They don't want to wallow in their self-pity alone. Take it as a compliment because that's really what it is....petty petty jealously. The next time she calls you a cheater...tell her, "thank you sweetie for the compliment. If you want I can try to get you some help too, but working on your problems may take a lot more time, money and energy than what you or any psychotherapist may be willing to invest. Let me know if you'd like me to help you search for someone. Choi"....and put her in the nevermind column.

You have such a pretty face! I usually reply your face isn't half bad either, but you might want to start looking into some botox before it's to late.:heh: and Women talking to my husband as if I'm invisible....OH believe me it doesn't last for long when they do it. They catch the wrath, but it pisses me off to the highest of pistivity! :censored:

This will be an interesting race. I wish somehow he and Hillary could come to some agreement and get on the ticket together! That would be a :mad: for this country!

They can update the documentation and appeal!

My pre-op diet is full liquids. I ordered some Medi-fast before and did it for about 15 days. Lost 13 lbs, but still have a 1/2 a month sitting in the pantry. I plan to do that for 10 days.

I have a final appointment on March 5 and start liquids March 8. 10 long days, but that's OK. It's the first 10 days of the rest of my NEW life as a bandster and a loser....a GREAT BIG LOSER I TELL YOU. :mad:

I told my husband and an angel at my church who had RNY. I discussed it with my mother, but did not tell her I had a date scheduled. She's thinking about having surgery herslef. I don't want people "monitoring" me...I'm hard enough on myself.

My obesity started living in a household where meals meant happiness! My grandmother cooks 4-5 meals per day and she's happiest when "her girls" are sitting around the table laughing, talking and of course EATING. She loves to see us enjoy her food and we love to eat it. When I say meals I don't mean a little baked chicken. A typical day: Breakfast: Ham and cheese Oml, Homemade Biscuits, OJ and Milk Brunch: Homemade Muffins and fruit Lunch: Bacon, Lettuce & Tomato Sandwich, Homemade Soup Snack: Butter Pound Cake or Peach Cobbler or Sweet Potato Pie Dinner: Smothered Chicken, Greens, Sweet Potatos, Corn Bread Desert: One of those Snacks above Let's not forget the sugary Kool-aid with each meal! Equating food with happiness has made me an emotional eater. I have gained 10 - 15 lbs per year over the last 10 years trying to eat my way to happiness. Angry - eat, sad - eat, anxious - eat, bored - eat...oh and let's not forget happy - You have to eat when you're happy. I have changed this behavior before my surgery. I eat when I'm hungry, but at least two balanced meals per day. Still awaiting approval and have lost 7 lbs.

For your open and honest feedback about your experience with Dr. Horgan and his team. I can tell his staff at MIBC will not be very helpful during aftercare as they haven't been very helpful to date. I would like to at least see my surgeon though before going under and for follow-up care, so you've given me some information to consider. I've PM'd you with my contact information so we can chat more and keep in touch. Again thanks. That's what this forum is all about; hearing the good, bad and ugly.

Remember all surgery requires pre op testing of some kind. Remember these tests are for our protection and well being to be sure we come out better (not worse) on the other side. Believe me....pre-op testing saved my life. I was planning to have this surgery this time last year and had a date scheduled for last May when pre-op testing revealed something was wrong. Long story short....I had a partial hystorectomy which caught growing cancerous cells. We'll I'm back on now. Pre-op testing scheduled for by band the first week of March. We'll both be big losers soon honey.....just hang in there.

CoCo. We're in the same place. Both seem well qualified, but it's hard to get a handle on which offers the better aftercare program. I went with Dr. Horgan simply because I couldn't find any differences. I'm completing my preops the first week of March. Let me know what you find out and what you decide. I still have time to change my mind if it makes sense to do so. Feel free to email me directly.