Mindful Eater

My surgeon is Dr. Forgione. He is a really great doctor. Overall, I've been really happy with him. His office does have a program that you have to go through which includes an application. If you application is approved (if you appear to be a good candidate), then you must attend a large info session to decide if the surgery is right for you. If you want to go ahead with it, you need to meet with thier psychiatrist and determine that you are mentally stable and can handle the surgery and follow-through with the diet and exercise. If you pass that step, then you meet with a dietitcian. If all looks good there, then I think you finally get to meet Dr. Forgione and start your process. They will most likely ask you to lose 5-10% of your body weight beofre your surgery to show them that you can stick to diet/exercise. You'll also have a few "homework" assignments along the way as well as a practice liquid diet. So the hard part for me was working with Dr. Forgione's office and getting through the program itself. The easy part was my insurance, they were super easy to work with. Also life after being banded has been great. Along the way, I have learned to eat diferently and exercise more regularly. I don't regret the surgery at all. In fact, I recommend it to anyone who is interested in making a serious life change. We are about the same age (I'm 28). Feel free to contact me directly if you have any questions. I remember feeling lost, confused, excited and aggravated during the first few months.

Hi Haley 8203! Vermonters are still on here. We are a really quiet group. Welcome to our world :-)

My surgeon told me that the horrible hunger doesn't go away until you hit your sweet spot. I was banded in March and currently have 4 cc's in my 11 cc band and I feel like I'm starving all the time. I eat 1200-1300 calories a day with a minimum of 80g protein and I'm still hungry. Once you are cleared for solid foods, don't eat any slider foods. Stick to foods that are going to linger around in your stomach for a while. Good luck!

You will lose the weight, but you have to wait it out. I had surgery on 3/24/10 and I lost a lot of weight right before and right after I was banded. Then I plateaued big time about two weeks post-op. I was losing and gaining the same 3 pounds for over a month. It was soooo hard and I started to regret my decision of getting the band. I was having great success just watching my calories and exercising before I was banded. I only just realized that my body took about 2 months to heal from the surgery and adjust to life with the band. I no longer have random pains when exercise and I am feeling younger and healthier than I have in years. The scale is finally starting to move again and I couldn't be happier. Bandster Hell is incredibly hard, but just stick it out and get lots of exercise, water and protein and the weight will start coming off again. Your body just needs some time to heal.

Hi Jill! I'm in th same situation. I was banded on March 24th at 213lbs. I plateaued about 2 weeks post-op and the weight has been coming off very slowly since then. My weight has been lingering between 201-203 for the past month. This week I hit 200.2 pounds! It's so aggravating being so close to 199, but unable to get there on just will power. I have no restriction what-so-ever. I have my second fill on Thursday (I just have 3 CC's in my band), I'm hoping that helps me to reach my 1st goal of onederland. Good luck to you on your journey!

Hi Everyone! I am new to this thread and wanted someone to share my super exciting news with. I just received my surgery date!!! I will be banded on March 24th. I am so excited, I can't stop doing the happy dance! I'm 27 years old, 5' 2'' and currently at 220.6 pounds. My heaviest was 268. I lost 30 pounds using alli and exercising like crazy. Once the weight stopped coming off, I decided to go for lap-band. I lost 18 pounds in my surgeon's pre-surgery diet program (1200 cals/day and exercise for at least 150 min/week). Here is my info: Date of surgery: March 24th Where surgery will be: Burlington, VT Doctor/Center: Doctor Forgione, FAHC Bariatric Seminar date: August 2009 1st consult date: October 2009 2nd consult: November 2009, I had an appointment with their nutritionist and nurse once a month. Consults and tests completed: Psych eval, EKG, EGD (horrible), monthly appointment with nutritionist, 6 month supervised diet with daily food and exercise journals, behavioral eating class, nutrition class, required monthly band support group meetings, 3 day liquid diet trial, 3 day belnderized diet homework, lost the required 10% of my body weight! Tests still needed: Pre-surgery appointment with surgeon, nurse and nutritionist on March 11th. I believe that they need to run some blood tests at this appt. How is surgery funded? Insurance, BCBS of Vermont. Wondeful insurance company. They approved me 2 days after receiving the papers from my surgeons office. Concerns? Learning to eat soooo very differently. No drinking while eating! Reason for banding? I don't want to be fat anymore. I'm done with it! I want to feel hot and sexy again.

As of today, I am down to 221.4. My second Valentines day goal was 224 and I passed it! Whoo, I feel great! Let's keep up this weight loss.