Juliana

Hi! Good luck on your journey :cursing: This is a great place for advice:) I take chewable vitamins. I take chewable calcium and multivitamins. I buy mine at the wellness center where my nutritionist is located. I used slim fast during my preop diet, but make sure it is the slim fast LOW CARB DIET!!! , otherwise, it is loaded in sugar and carbs. Now, i use the Body Fortress Chocolate powder and i mix it in the blender with "Hood", low fat, low cal, low carb chocolate milk. It is yummy, and low carb and low calorie. Makes a great chocolate protein shake. I love this chocolate milk and it is not bad for you. Hope this helps :huh2: Keep us updated Take care, Julie

Hi Birdie!!! You are not alone honey!! I wouldn't worry too much about what is happening. I think it is nerves. During my 6 month supervised diet (was required by my inursance), i kept gaining weight. My doctor did some blood work, and i was positive for diabetes. No wonder i couldn't lose!! From the time i had my first consultation with the surgeon until my preop visit, i had gained 40 pounds!! On my 2 week preop diet, i lost 15 pounds and have been losing ever since surgery!! So, you can do it. The band will help you. If we could do it on our own, we wouldn't need the band would we?? lol .. The band is a great tool if we use it the right way :cursing: Welcome to this site. There are great people and great information on here. Keep us updated :huh2: Talk to you soon Julie

Hi vsnowrn. Welcome. I am a nurse also. I was banded june 2. I didn't have hunger until about 9 days post op. I just stuck to the diet and knew it would get better. I have a lot of hunger now, and get my first fill on thursday. I just continue to eat what i am supposed to and eat small amounts. I just remind myself that i didn't go through this surgery for nothing, and i want my life back and to be able to have children. That keeps me going and that helps me fight my cravings... You can do it! It is not easy all the time, or a bed of roses, but it will not be as hard as you think. And just think about your goals and why you are doing this, and you will be able to have control. I love my band and have no regrets. I would do it again anyday. Good Luck :tongue2: Keep us updated :cool2:

Hey memommie!!! Don't give up!! It will happen. My whole process took one year....it's a long story..... 6 month supervised diet, then my doctor had not charted correctly, then i had to have my gallbladder taken out in the meantime.. (so many other things kept happening) but anyway, it finally happened. And it was worth the wait. Just stay on them about the papaerwork!! I will say a prayer for you!! Hang in there honey. Keep me updated!!! Talk to you soon Julie

Welcome Lory!!! I'm still new on here too.. I was banded June 2, 2008 and it was the best thing i have ever done for myself. I wish i had done it years ago. I have dieted most of my life..up and down, in control, out of control, and was more out of control than ever before i got my band. I'm already feeling better.. And you and i have some of the same interests.. :thumbup: I can't wait until i can water ski again, go to water parks, fit on the roller coaster rides, and go horseback riding...and my number one, is i can't wait to be able to have children!!!! We have so much to look forward to! Good luck and keep us updated!

Good luck to you honey!! I was banded on June 2. I'm just a little further out than you. This is a great place for information. I'm still new on here too. I too have dieted almost my entire life, been up and down, in control, out of control, and before i got the band, i was more out of control than ever. I have a long way to go, but it has helped me so much so far and i already feel so much better. We are all in this together! We are on our journey of getting healthy. I'm ready for the next part of my life and hopefully being able to have children. I wish i had done this sooner. It is the best thing i have ever done for myself! You can message me whenever you want! I wish you the best! Julie

Welcome Jeff! No one can make your decision for you but you, but i will tell you that getting the lap band is the best thing i have ever done for myself. I am only 2 months out, but it has helped me so much already. I have dieted most of my life and been up and down, in control, and out of control and the past few years of my life, i too had become a fast food junkie. And i loved the euphoric feeling i got while eating. I hated what it did to my body, but i loved the way it felt to eat until i was almost sick and then crash. ( i know that sounds crazy, but i think we all understand) I do miss food, but it is getting easier. My body is changing, and i'm feeling better, so it is worth it to me to give up my chinese food buffets, my cheeseburgers, my taco bell. And i think it will get easier and easier as time goes by. Especially as someone else said, when i am able to do things again that i haven't been able to do in so long, i really think it will be worth it and i won't care that i can't eat much anymore. I want to be able to water ski again, and go horseback riding. And to go hiking with my friends. I am 32, (which is a lot older than you), but i am too young to feel this old. I also want children with my husband, so that keeps me going. And i know that with every pound i lose, i am that much closer to becoming a mommy. I also agree with poodlecamper, i wish i had done this a long time ago!! I have a long way to go, but i feel like i can do it this time. The band is the tool that is going to help me get healthy and keep the weight off. I'm ready for the rest of my life to start!! Good luck to you. You seem like such a good guy, with a great sense of humor! Keep us updated!!

Congratulations Michelle!!! You are doing great!! I was banded on June 2 and I too am already feeling better. I was also suffering from infertility due to the obesity. I am 32 years old, and i want children so bad. I can't wait to be a mommy. So with each pound i lose, i am closer to getting healthy and to hopefully getting a baby...(After i reach my goal weight of course). Good luck with everything and keep us update!!!

Hey memommie and slimkim!! I'm from decatur, alabama and was banded 2 months ago in Huntsville, Alabama. Just wanted to say hi to my fellow alabamians!! Good luck on your journeys. We are all in this together

Hi Wendye!! Good luck with your surgery!!! Keep us updated!!

I'm so excited for you!! I think the band is going to help you. It has really helped me so far and i love it!!! We have struggled long enough and now we are getting help!!! woo hoo!!! Keep me updated :frown:

Thanks for sharing!!! I get my first fill next tuesday... i'm excited and nervous at the same time..I'm a nurse, and you know nurses make the worst patients...lol I'm excited hoping that it will help my hungry tummy. My surgeon doesn't do the first fill until 12 weeks post op. So believe me, i am ready!!! I've been steadily losing, but have a lot of hunger!!! Good luck girl!! Keep up the good work :frown:

jessica....you are such a beautiful girl and you don't let anyone tell you differently. I too have suffered with self esteem issues my entire life. I was always the fat and ugly kid according to my elementary classmates... i grew into myself as a teenager but out of control during my adulthood and have yo yo dieted for years. I was banded on June 2, 2008. I have a long way to go, but this was the best thing i have ever done for myself!! I feel so much better already. It has helped me so much. It is a tool, not a magic wand, but it is helping me be able to eat right and be in control! And just remember....we are beautiful!!!! and one day soon, our bodies are gonna be healthy!!! Good luck honey and keep us updated!!!

YAY!!! That is awesome!!! I cannot wait until i get down to 200 pounds!!! I am 269 and counting down :frown:

YAY!!! Congratulations on your 10 month anniversary!!! You should be so proud of yourself for your accomplishment!! That is awesome. Keep up the good work girl. :frown:

You are so right missinkkie!!!! One day, it's going to be about ourselves!!! and not about food and not about being fat!!!! I can't wait :frown: Good luck girl!!! Keep me updated after your surgery, and if you need anything, let me know!!

Well, this is my first blog and I’m not good at this…so here it goes…. Like most of us, my weight had gotten out of control. I was 320 pounds… I squeezed into a size 26/28 and my scrubs were size 5x. I was miserable. I was so embarrassed of myself, and so physically exhausted from hauling all that weight around. I was 31 years old and felt about 90 years old. I physically could not do anything fun with my friends and i no longer could fit in the seats at the movies. I had given up so many things that i used to love doing because i didn't want anyone staring at me with disgust anymore...( i think everyone here knows what i am talking about).. I pretty much became a hermit except for going to work.. I had depression, I had trouble breathing, joint pain, back pain, high blood pressure, and had just been diagnosed with diabetes type II. :frown: I knew I needed to do something. I had been off and on diets since I was about 10 years old. I remember being made fun of for the first time at 6 years old. I had things under control for a few years as an adult (so I thought), then after a divorce, things got out of control. The next thing I knew, I was over 100 pounds overweight. I did a lot of yo yo dieting, and then finally lost 110 pounds between 2001-2002. By 2003, the weight began creeping back. I got married, went through nursing school, and began working night shift …By 2006, things were out of control again. I began researching the band and the bypass options. In 2007, myself and a co-worker went to a seminar given by Dr. Ravindra Mailapur. I knew at this point, surgery was what I needed to do. I never had peace about gastric bypass and felt the band was right for me. May 2007, my process started. After many hurdles (this will be a whole other blog) to get through (taking over one year), May 1, 2008, I was finally given a surgery date!!!! I lost 15 pounds on my 2 week pre-op diet. June 2, 2008 was the first day of the rest of my life!!! I got my band!!!!! YAY This was by far the best thing that I have ever done and I really feel that now i have a tool to help me get the weight off and KEEP it off!! I only wish i had done it years ago...But, it's all in God's timing... Surgery went perfect and I went home the same day. I had a lot of trapped gas pain, as most banders experience post op, but no big deal. I returned to work as a nurse in 10 days. I am a little over 2 months out and I feel great! I have lost 50 pounds (including my preop weight loss). I’m breathing better, my knees feel better and I no longer have to take my medication for high blood pressure or diabetes! I would do it all over again in a heartbeat!! I’m seeing a nutritionist and learning how to eat healthy. I do miss food, and still have the blah’s from time to time, but I know this will get better in the future. I will get my first fill on August 19, 2008. I’m excited because I know this is going to help my hungry tummy. My surgeon doesn’t fill anyone until 12 weeks out..not sure why…but I trust his decisions.. I have a long way to go, but I’m on my way…. I want to get healthy and to be able to have children!! I’m excited about this journey and so glad that I have beautiful people to share it and experience it with and so thankful that there is so much support and advice here!! :ohmy:

Well, this is my first blog and I’m not good at this…so here it goes…. Like most of us, my weight had gotten out of control. I was 320 pounds… I squeezed into a size 26/28 and my scrubs were size 5x. I was miserable. I was so embarrassed of myself, and so physically exhausted from hauling all that weight around. I was 31 years old and felt about 90 years old. I physically could not do anything fun with my friends and i no longer could fit in the seats at the movies. I had given up so many things that i used to love doing because i didn't want anyone staring at me with disgust anymore...( i think everyone here knows what i am talking about).. I pretty much became a hermit except for going to work.. I had depression, I had trouble breathing, joint pain, back pain, high blood pressure, and had just been diagnosed with diabetes type II. :thumbup: I knew I needed to do something. I had been off and on diets since I was about 10 years old. I remember being made fun of for the first time at 6 years old. I had things under control for a few years as an adult (so I thought), then after a divorce, things got out of control. The next thing I knew, I was over 100 pounds overweight. I did a lot of yo yo dieting, and then finally lost 110 pounds between 2001-2002. By 2003, the weight began creeping back. I got married, went through nursing school, and began working night shift …By 2006, things were out of control again. I began researching the band and the bypass options. In 2007, myself and a co-worker went to a seminar given by Dr. Ravindra Mailapur. I knew at this point, surgery was what I needed to do. I never had peace about gastric bypass and felt the band was right for me. May 2007, my process started. After many hurdles (this will be a whole other blog) to get through (taking over one year), May 1, 2008, I was finally given a surgery date!!!!:thumbup: I lost 15 pounds on my 2 week pre-op diet. June 2, 2008 was the first day of the rest of my life!!! I got my band!!!!! YAY This was by far the best thing that I have ever done and I really feel that now i have a tool to help me get the weight off and KEEP it off!! I only wish i had done it years ago...But, it's all in God's timing... Surgery went perfect and I went home the same day. I had a lot of trapped gas pain, as most banders experience post op, but no big deal. I returned to work as a nurse in 10 days. I am a little over 2 months out and I feel great! I have lost 50 pounds (including my preop weight loss). I’m breathing better, my knees feel better and I no longer have to take my medication for high blood pressure or diabetes! I would do it all over again in a heartbeat!! I’m seeing a nutritionist and learning how to eat healthy. I do miss food, and still have the blah’s from time to time, but I know this will get better in the future. I will get my first fill on August 19, 2008. I’m excited because I know this is going to help my hungry tummy. My surgeon doesn’t fill anyone until 12 weeks out..not sure why…but I trust his decisions.. I have a long way to go, but I’m on my way…. I want to get healthy and to be able to have children!! I’m excited about this journey and so glad that I have beautiful people to share it and experience it with and so thankful that there is so much support and advice here!! :thumbup:

Hi!! Well, it depends on what type of insurance you have, what they require you to do and what the surgeon requires you to do. All cases are different. It took me just a little over a year from start until surgery....ughhhh, i know , it's a long story and i'm going to make a blog about it... My case is not the norm, so don't base it on what i went through... But, i am 2 months post op, and it was worth the wait and i would do it all over again in a heartbeat!! Hang in there and hopefully it will not take you so long!! Hope this was helpful! Good Luck!!

hi and welcome!! Everyone gave you such good advice i really don't know what else to add. I knew i wanted the band, i didn't have peace about the bypass. My sister and friends of mine had the bypass about 5 years ago. What i see with my friends and family is they didn't change their mindset about food because they lost in the beginning no matter what they ate. Now, they are struggling with their weight. With the band, you are forced to change what you put in your mouth or you will still have a problem. It is not an easy magical fix, but it is a tool that helps you better control what goes in because of not being so hungry. I love my band and i would do it again in a heartbeat!! I'm learning to eat healthy and make good choices. I'm 2 months out and feeling great. Congratulations for starting your journey. keep us updated on what you decide!!! Good Luck :whatchutalkingabout

Yes, I had not heard good things of Dr. Facundus either. Me and a friend from work went to a seminar given by Dr. Mailapur and we really liked him. We are both nurses, and my friend knows nurses that take care of his patients and all the nurses love him and told us he is a perfectionist. This is a good quality in a surgeon, so we chose him . My friend chose to have the bypass and is doing great. Dr. Mailapur is very honest, and he does prefer that most people get the bypass, but he does do bands. He told me how disciplined i would have to be to do well with the band. He told me that he thought the bypass would have been better for me. I told him i appreciated his honesty, but i did not have peace about the bypass and i wanted the band. He was very nice and said he would do whatever i wanted. He just wanted me to know how difficult it can be. He also doesn't do the first fill until 12 weeks after surgery. I'm not sure of his reasons, but i trust him. I get my first fill next week!! woo hoo!! I'm working hard, and eating healthy and i hit the 50 pound mark saturday. 15 pounds of that was lost in my 2 week preop diet, but i'm proud of my weight loss especially since i haven't been filled yet. Anyway, yes, Dr. Mailapur's support group meets the first Thursday of every month.The next one will be september 4th at 6 pm. They are held in the wellness center at the medical mall at the corner of governors drive and the parkway in HSV. I guess most of his banders don't go because it is all bypass patients in there. Like i said, i am always the only bander! But i still go because i need the support. The nutritionist that leads the class is also who i have started using to help me and to go over my diet journal. It would be great if you went!!! Let me know if you need more details and i will keep you updated and remind you.

Hey!! Nice to meet you :wink2: yes, Dr. Mailapur is so sweet and he really is an excellent surgeon! How long have you had your band? I go to a support group once per month, but i'm the only bander in there. Everyone else is bypass patients, so it's hard for me to get good advice. Even though we follow pretty much the same diet, it is two different things. Thanks for responding! Talk to you soon

Hi! I'm from the south also and i make myself decaffeinated tea and sweeten with splenda! I love it!!! As far as carbonation: i was told by the surgeon that the carbonated drinks can stretch your pouch above the band, causing you to eat more, and making you more hungry. I was told to NEVER drink them again. I gave up diet drinks and i miss them, but i try not to think about them. The nutritionist told me that a glass of tea with caffeine every now and then would not hurt me as long as it was not on a regular basis. Caffeine can make you retain fluid. Well, good luck to you! I hope that information helped :tt2:

congratulations! I am 2 months out and feeling great!!! I too work in a hospital, but not a lot of banders where i am from. I go to a support group meeting once per month, but they are all bypass patients. I am the only bander, but i'm making it Good luck to you!!

Hey Lisa!! I just joined here a couple of weeks ago. Congratulations on getting your surgery date!!! I was banded June 2, 2008 and i would do it again in a heartbeat! I did something great for myself. I'm learning to eat healthy and i'm already off of my diabetes med and my blood pressure med!!! I really feel better already and i still have a LONG way to go! Keep me updated with everything and feel free to email me. Good luck!!