GratefulHeart

You go, wendytip! Awesome reply! Aperfectwom, I don't know much about ADD, but I do know that it can be hard for anyone to keep focused, especially long term. I'm probably obsessive compulsive myself, so I focus a lot of energy on maybe one or two things at a time and usually beat it to death, lose interest, and go onto something else. With this WLS, it's been different because the band is permanent - it's a permanent reminder for me for when I eat too fast, or take bites that are too big. I hate the PB that results! As far as sticking to the overall goal, I have to make mini goals for myself. For now I have a goal that is probably too big to attain for February 14. Then I have another one for March 15, my niece's wedding day. I'll have to come up with another one after that. I also have to learn not to be impatient because I want it done now and I want to be healed of all that caused me to get this big in the first place! :confused: But I know that's not how it works and I have to keep focused on the goal. I also remind myself of those Bible verses where Paul is saying he has fought the good fight, he has won the race, and all that goes into winning. It's a combination of all these things - goals, inspiration, desires, and hopes - that help me to keep focused. Once a week (at least, but more because I'm so compulsive about it), I track my weight and measurements. I also had a scare with high blood pressure, which caused me to start this journey in the first place, so I remind myself that I'm doing this to live longer. I read web sites like this one when I can, and look at "theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com" for recipes that look good (especially for protein ice cream, since ice cream is one of the things I miss the most) and make plans for future recipes. It's just another way for me to focus, focus, focus. And remember my goals. I also have an exercise bike with iFit routines for weight loss that always remind me to remember my goals. And my family is a great support system for me, though my stepkids have no clue what it's like to be overweight, let alone obese. But they help nonetheless. All these things keep me going plus the hope that someday I'll look good in a dress. I keep picturing those small sizes....anything to remind me about why I'm doing this. Sorry to be so long winded, but it's probably all I can think of for the moment. Like wendytip said, Hang in there!!

I find that hard boiled egg whites (if you like them) really fill me up, BUT I also find that they can get stuck easily, so be sure to chew them up or like Oregondaisy said, make into an egg salad. But the whites are satisfying. If I REALLY have the munchies I make sugar free jello (not pudding, the gelatin) and eat all I want. Sometimes it's just the eating that helps.

Mine was going to the doctor for a routine visit and finding that I had a blood pressure of over 170 over 130! Yikes! That day I started seriously pursuing it, though I had been thinking of it before. That was in September this year and I have lost about 44 pounds (I think) since about October 10. Not super fast, but sure feels good, and my BP is below normal (because of the meds I'm still on). WOW!

Took a month from the time I met my surgeon until I was approved. I didn't have to do a diet, but I had to fulfill other requirements...see my signature line below. It has all the dates there. It wasn't too bad, but when approved on a Friday, the surgery was the next Monday so it was tough to get everything ready at work in time. But soooo worth it!

You are all sooooooo right! I was banded October 20 and even had regrets upon waking up from surgery...but it was just the jitters from not knowing how things were going to work out. The band is a tool, it's not magic, and you still will have to do the work. BUT it enables you to stick with it by no longer being a slave to hunger, and by being satisfied with less. It's the least invasive way, and very effective long term. While statistics show that bandsters don't lose weight as quickly as gastric bypass patients, they also show that long term, bandsters do reach and maintain their goal weight. If you have truly tried to stick with other diets and have not succeeded, the band just might be the tool that will work for you the best. Take heart...everyone gets cold feet, even afterwards. But for me, it's been SOOOOOOOOO worth it!

I'll go for 20 pounds...51 days...I haven't lost much weight in the past week because I've been in too much pain to exercise. But I think I'm okay now and can get caught up exercising on a daily basis and be able to lose more weight. SO - 20 pounds!

Greetings! I am hoping to find some good exercise equipment soon. I am tentatively scheduled for Lap Band surgery on October 20, and need to find cardio exercise that fits with my BMI of 40, scoliosis in my back, and recent foot surgery - low- or no-impact cardio exercise. I was looking at ellipticals, but my husband would prefer a recumbent exercycle. My doctor (not surgeon) suggested the elliptical or some kind of bowflex that I can't remember the name of. I was wondering if anyone here has any experience with equipment that we can benefit from as Bandsters. What do you think?

I was banded by Dr. Owens on 10/20/08 and am completely happy with him and his staff. I went to Rancho Specialty Hospital and the staff there was great too, though the room was ice cold that day. Doesn't matter, I'm totally pleased with the whole process and Dr. Owens team. His costs are reasonable and he's very good at what he does. I didn't even feel my first fill (3 weeks after surgery).

Welcome! I had the Lap Band done also by Dr. Owens, this year on October 20. While I'm not losing as fast as I would like to, I am still happy with my decision and will continue the process of losing the weight. I'm so glad it was successful for you, and that Dr. Owens did the procedure. The scarring is very minimal, and the port is in just the right place. I would definitely recommend both the procedure and Dr. Owens to anyone! Welcome!

I did a search on Google for "success statistics of Lap Band" and found the following: LAP-BAND: Statistics subframe Lap Band Success Rate If You Are Considering Lap Band Bariatric Surgery Then You Need To Find A Good Surgeon There are probably plenty more out there; this is just what I found after a two-minute look on Google. There might be some really good stats out there....I just didn't have time to really look. Hope it helps!

I am seeing Dr. Milton Owens in San Pedro. He's at Coastal Center for Obesity - Coastal Center for Obesity, Gastric Bypass and Lapband Weight Loss Surgery in Los Angeles and Orange County, California - and had my first fill today, didn't feel a thing. Maybe he can help?

My first fill was today! I felt absolutely nothing, not even when he put the needle in. It was just like some others said. He put a pillow under the small of my back, had me crunch my head up like I was doing a sit-up, and "poof"! it was done. Didn't feel a thing.

I'm three weeks out and my scars (and bruises) are much smaller than they were just after surgery. In fact, I didn't really have any bruising. The only bruising I noticed was from the IV and it was gone within the week. How much bruising do you have?

LOL - I just had surgery on October 20, so not a lot has changed except a few inches here and there on my body - but the first thing I noticed is that my eyelids aren't puffy! I noticed that when I put makeup on that the skin on my eyes is tighter! Is that weird or what? Maincat - the thing I've always noticed about your pictures is that you look so much happier, rested, and super kind. I don't know you at all, of course, but by looking at your picture I'd sure say it would be a pleasure to get to know you, were I to just meet you on the street or in a meeting somewhere! I'm hoping that most of our pictures, when we're at or near goal (or even on the way down) show the real person we are inside like yours seems to!

Oh Fanny, you are SO blessed to have family like that! I think most of us have had well-meaning parents who tried to "make us thin" when we were growing up. Mine, at least, felt it a moral obligation to make sure I knew I was getting fat and that I should stop. My mom and dad still have a hard time with their comments, but my siblings are all very supportive. So I, too, am blessed in my own way. Somehow, though, the parental comments seem to dig deepest. I think my siblings and I have all just learned that our parents are like that and to take it all with a grain of salt... Thanks for your very kind comments and observations about family!

Hi Pontiac! I had a HUGE hiatal hernia, the largest my PCP had seen in over 30 years of practice. I'd have to say the improvement in what I feel after surgery is more from the repair than from the Lap Band itself. With that said, the hernia repair itself is painless and doesn't add or detract from the rest of what goes on with the Lap Band, at least in my experience. The only possible exception to that is that I had some referred pain in my left shoulder (go figure) maybe a little longer because the hernia repair was so extensive. But as far as healing from it and feeling the effects, I'd say it's negligible. You'll have enough to think about with your new lifestyle with the band, and the hernia repair is so minor it's almost like a band-aid in comparison to the lifestyle change of the band. Nothing to worry about! Enjoy the journey!

Welcome to the site! Let us know how things progress and any of the struggles you have or overcame in the process!

I've never heard of it but did a search on Google and found this: Surgical Weight Loss 5 Day Pouch Test Is this what you're looking for?

I don't know if Dr. Owens does fills on patients he hasn't banded, but my surgeon's office is in San Pedro. His website is Coastal Center for Obesity, Gastric Bypass and Lapband Weight Loss Surgery in Los Angeles and Orange County, California - maybe give him a try!

Welcome Vickie! I didn't have to do Optifast, just liquid protein shakes, so I don't know how yucky it is....but welcome anyway! This is a great place!

Where in Southern California are you looking for a fill doctor?

Sure, anything is possible, but it's far less likely that you'll be able to stick to it without the band. I can't speak from personal experience yet, because I have no restriction yet in my band. The whole point is that the band is a tool to help you do what you know you need to do. When you get the proper amount of restriction, you'll have the added advantage of less hunger, which means you won't be as driven to overeat as you otherwise would. Yes, you still have to use your own choices to work the band, but the band makes it easier to stick to something that you (and the rest of us) have already proven we can't stick to on our own. There will be tough times, as the band is not the total answer; it is just part of the answer. It won't always be easy; but you'll have a surgeon and his/her staff on your side to help you along the way. They, unlike your family, understand what you're going through and what's happening with your body, and have helped lots of other people succeed in losing weight when they otherwise couldn't. Have your dad (and anyone else who will go) attend a seminar with you. I have heard that a lot of people's minds were changed after hearing the information at a seminar. It's worth a shot!

Hi Channing, Welcome to Lap Band Talk! There are SO many answers to your questions that it would take a book to answer them all. Some of the answers depend a lot on what your surgeon does - whether you spend the night, etc. I don't think anyone would recommend going back to work the next day; I'd give it a week at a minimum. Of course, I'm not 37, I'm 56, and thought I'd be able to work on the fourth day. But I found that I really needed a week to recuperate. Anyway, I'd recommend looking at a lot of different sites to get the information you need about the lap band in general. These are some I looked at: Home Coastal Center for Obesity, Gastric Bypass and Lapband Weight Loss Surgery in Los Angeles and Orange County, California Obesity Help - Weight Loss Surgery, Obesity Support Groups, Obesity Forums, Surgical Procedures The second one is my surgeon's web site, and he has some information you can download about the surgery, what happens before and after, etc. The first one is on the surgery itself by the makers of the Lap Band brand. The third one is just a general WLS website. Then I'd just read, read, read all the posts you have time for. There's a lot of personal experience documented here on this web site. Jump in with specifics when you can; there's lots of people here who are willing to help. Hope that helps!

Seems it would be easier to just be honest and up front with your current PCP - meds, lap band, the whole thing. She might surprise you.

Sounds super! I am not in Orange County but live just one exit away from OC off the 57 freeway. My doctor is in Anaheim, and he said he would recommend Dr. Milton Owens over anyone. He does do surgery out of Chapman Medical Center but visiting him is a long way - San Pedro - but I would recommend him highly as well. He has been doing bariatric surgeries since 1987 and I believe helped develop some of the techniques with Lap Band, Gastric Sleeve, etc. He is also associated with Dr. Oliak who is in charge of the bariatric program at Chapman Medical Center in Orange. I have Definity Health, which is a program within United Healthcare insurance, and so far, so good. My surgery went flawlessly and I am about 12 days post op. As Tami also indicated, there are lots of other great doctors in OC. I think it's a matter of finding one that your insurance will cover, one that is a COE doctor (Center of Excellence), and one who has tons of experience with the band. I have heard of where some doctors put the ports, and my surgeon seems to have put it in a place where it doesn't interfere with clothing or any other obstruction. In fact, I'm not sure I know exactly where it is, though I think I can feel it. I haven't seen him post op yet so I'll get more info when I see him on the 13th. Anyway, look for a COE doctor and one who has LOTS of experience with the band.