Leslie P

How do you know there is swelling? Can you tell or have you just been told that there is swelling after?

I am just coming up on my 2 year anniversary. I was banded at McGee in March 0f 2006. Dr. Ramanathan was my surgeon. He was very good. I liked him alot. Things must have changed down there because I only went to one seminar before I started the process. I went for a check up today and I am doing great. I have lost 115 pounds. I am only 5' 2" so that is a real big difference for me. I hope to lose about 20 more, but I didn't get a fill today. I think I am tight enough. I don't go back for 6 months. Anyway, when I was there for the conference, I also met personally with a couple of people and they also tried to talk me into bypass because I am diabetic. i didn't want bypass, in fact if there was not such thing as banding, I wouldn't have considered surgery at all. It turns out that I made the right choice. My blood sugar levels are those of a non-diabetic. I am almost completely off insulin. Go with your gut. Don't let anyone talk you into something you know is not right for you.

I would be banded again in a second. I am so happy with it. Sure, the average and healthy weight loss is 1-2 pounds a week, but if I could do it on my own, I would have done it 30 years ago. I am never, ever hungry. I don't even know what that feels like anymore. I only eat because I know that I need my protein. I miss eating sometimes, that is how I know that I would gain it back if I lost my band.

Usually I ask for a take out box as soon as the waitress brings my food. That way there really are no questions. If someone does ask, I say "I had surgery and can't eat very much". Everyone I know knows about my surgery. They are always amazed at how little I eat. I guess after 2 years, I am just used to the questions. Try not to get too stressed about it. Rejoice in the fact that you are losing weight, no matter how it is accomplished.

I was also told I should have bypass because I am diabetic and bypass is more effective on diabetes. I said no, I wanted banding. I was told that I wouldn't loose as much weight. I started at 273 and after 23 months, I am at 159. Also my diabetes has gone away. Stick to your guns and find another surgeon who does banding laproscopically.

I get it now. Time of month!

I would like to know what TOM means too!

When I go for a fill, my doctor always draws out the saline to see what is in there and then he adds some on top of that. At my second fill, he drew out .7 cc's and then put in 1.2. So actually I got a .5 fill. I thought this was the standard procedure, but I guess it is not. If your doctor doesn't do this, I would ask him to.