Charlif761

I haven't been banded yet, but am also considering Dillemans. I have a medical background,a nd have seen his professioal resume,and find it quite encouraging. In addition, my friend just had a gastric bypass performed by him about two weeks ago. SHe met many patients, and was really impressed with him. If you want to message me, I can see if she is willing to share her experience with you. :-)

Hi Bella!!! I sent all of my forms back tot he NOK (Nederlandse Obesitas Kliniek...God how I hate that name!!!) last week. I got a call within three days with an appointment for this Tuesday!!! It is my screening with the doctor, dietician and psychologist. Any idea what they are looking for to say no?? I am so afraid they will not grant me the surgery for some reason. I have Agis for a health care provider. I have been told that after this, I should have a surgery date within 3 months. I really want to talk to you about your experiences.... Feel free to get in touch via my email , or to give me a call. It would be nice to have someone here in the Netherlands to share this journey with...Sort of an AA...only OA...Obesity annonymous! lol I hope to hear form you soon. Sorry it too me so long to get back to you again. My numbers and email are in a private message to you.... Charlotte

That is the funniest thing I have read on LapBandTalk!!!!!! WAY TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Since everyone else is putting up doggie pics, here is mine. First is my doggies (Bailey and Samantha) spying at my neighbors under the fence.....We just put up a solid fence and they are PEEVED that they can no longer see what is happening in the neighbors yards...so they look UNDER the fence! lol The second is the DH with our boy, Bailey, and his THIRD 1st place trophy in advanced obedience training!!

Donna: You can break open the capsules and squirt the oil out...I do it ocassionally because I don't like to take the capsules sometimes. There is no taste. The other thing you can do is buy flax oil in bottles from the health food store. Buy cold pressed flax oil, cod liver oil, evening primrose oil...whatever they have. They are all oils with Omegas. Also, add salmon to your diet. Lots of omegas there. The hair loss is normal with a dietary change as drastic as you have had with banding. As your body adjusts, everyone is right, it will stop..... Charlotte

:hungry: Anytime is the right time for chocolate Cake!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.................................................... Or venison bake, for that matter!!!! :huggie: OK, GAG!! Venison bake!! :huggie:

A long time ago, I had a thought about MY two brothers who were also horrid to me. I asked myself this question, "If they were my friends, would I tolerate their behavior? Would I put up with their belittlement, unknd words, and hatefulness?" The answer??? A resounding, "HELL NO!!!" If they had been friends, they would have ceased having the right to have a relationship with me long before Soon after that, I told them that just because they were related by blood did NOT give them an express right to abuse, humiliate and judge me. If they wanted to continue, they could talk about me in my absence. I then moved on to begin my life without their toxic behavior. It's been four years since I spoke to either them, or their wives. In the beginning, it was painful, but the longer it has gone on the more free I feel. I no longer have this poison in my life, and I can feel free to be my own person. Most importantly, I can surround myself with people who love and support me. If I feel like getting beat up on, I can do a mighty good job to myself. But, that will be MY choice. I think everybody is ok with the decision, and if they aren't, who cares? I am at peace, and don't have the drama! :clap2: I wish you the strength to face your own situation and find your own unique way of dealing with these cowards who call themselves your brothers. Remember, the most important person to have the respect of is YOU!!

BitterOldHag........I know you didn't mean the above how it sounded, but be careful making statements like that. I happen to live in Europe (my dh's grandparents were part of the Dutch underground, which secreted Jews out of the Netherlands, and lived about 30 minutes from a camp where Jews, including Anne Frank, were shipped to their deaths in the tens of thousands). I think in America we have a tendency to be detached from the reality of the Holocaust, but that doesn't mean we can compare the judgement of being a smoker with a reign that cost millions of peoplle their lives and dignity. Come to Europe, vist these places and talk to the people who lived through these deportments...saw their neighbors shipped away...entire families...never to return. I don't believe you will use that example again. I may have before, but I don't after experiencing the reality so close to the "heart of the Holocaust." And, for your second point...there are no "civilized countries" when it comes to being fat. Americans are known to be some of the fattest people in the world (and I have been to MANY countries)....and we are looked at that way. In most of Europe, the Middle East, Asia, etc. they are FAR LESS ACCEPTING of obesity. You think seats are small there and being fat isn't accomodated...try coming here where I cannot buy ANY clothes... You are doing fine where you are. I miss being somewhere where I can hide amongst people like me!

One of the reasons you might be "shedding" so much is the lack of fatty acids (good fat) in your diet. You should try taking a combination of Omega 3's (fish oils) and Omega 6's (Evening primrose oil, flax oil). THis will help your shedding problem, and also has some GREAT "side effects".....they can help speed your metabolism, leading to enhanced weight loss, they will help with dry skin, stabolize your moods, help with pre menstrual pain and mood swings...... All thing I have heard some people are experiencing more frequently with the lap band..... You can these oils in gel capsules, or in bottles in health food stores. I even give flax oil to my two Boxers every night. I am SHOCKED by how much hair they lose if I run out and don't give it to them for a few days....I have white floors, so I really notice!! I hope this helps!!! Take care of youself and stay away from your best friend (FOOD!!) :scared:

Terry, I wish you all the best on your surgery and hope you heal quickly. Charlotte

I am stillworking through the process of getting a Band. The deciison has been a very personal one and is involving a lot of emotions, as you guys all know. I recently had a neighbor have the surgery, and she is friends with my next door neighbor. I made the mistake of telling the next door neighbor I was thinking about it also...after making her promise she would not tell anyone. Well, she informed me she told her husband....bu tthat was ALL. Then, about a week ago, the mother of the girl who is banded stopped me as I was walking down the street. She proceeded to ask me how my doctors appointment was.... I had no idea what the heck she was talking about. Turns out that my friend/neighbor told them that I was having the surgery!! I am none too happy, I can tell you. I am a very private person, and people on this street are HUGE RUMORMONGERS. Last thing I want are neighbors I don't even speak with watching me everytime I come and go. In fact, I haven't told anyone else except my dh, a friend who is a nurse, and another friend whose father in law is a surgeon (I wanted advice about the surgery). And, now I plan on going back and saying I have changed my mind, and lyig to my next door neighbor about where I am when I go to have the surgery..... If you can't keep your ppiehole shut, I will not tell you anything! I still cannot believe someone would share such a personal decision without my consent..... By the time I go to surgery, it will be only 4 people who know.

My bad...copy paste is only as effective as the user. :spider: I fixed it.

To learn more about Dumping Syndrome, follow this link: http://health.yahoo.com/topic/digestive/overview/article/mayoclinic/606E816B-2A5D-9994-EFB0A3B7E59F69E8 For information about PBing, as well as other complications resulting from banding, please follwo this link: http://www.obesitycontrolcenter.com/lapband_weight_loss.html I think the above link is also good for people like me, considering banding, because it will alleviate your fears and prepare you with information that will help you NOT have complications.... Hope this helps. :update:

Great question...I was wondering last night if I was going to have to give up popcorn after being banded......

<TABLE borderColor=#6699cc cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD bgColor=#6699cc colSpan=9> Match your BMI on this chart to determine what your BMI means. </TD></TR><TR><TD width="9%"> Under 16 </TD><TD width="10%"> Between 16 and 18 </TD><TD width="10%"> Between 19 and 25 </TD><TD width="10%"> Between 26 and 29 </TD><TD width="11%"> Between 30 and 34 </TD><TD width="10%"> Between 35 and 39 </TD><TD width="10%"> Between 40 and 49 </TD><TD width="15%"> Between 50 and 59 </TD><TD width="15%"> Over 60 </TD></TR><TR><TD width="9%"> Underweight </TD><TD width="10%"> Thin </TD><TD width="10%"> Ideal </TD><TD width="10%"> Overweight </TD><TD width="11%"> Obese </TD><TD width="10%"> Severely Obese </TD><TD width="10%"> Morbidly Obese </TD><TD width="15%"> Super Morbidly Obese </TD><TD width="15%"> Super Super Morbidly Obese </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

You can spend your energy worrying about stuff that hasn't happened yet (what if my band slips? what if it erodes?), or you can spend your energy "wishing" (to lose faster, that it was easier, that you could still eat chocolate cake and lose weight), but that's just a waste of energy. Instead, put that energy into making positive changes in your life. Cindy Cindy: THat is the attitude that will get you where you want to go in life! You haven't just gotten baded, you have changed your way of thinking. Congratulations on your positive spirit AND your weight loss.

Try Mederma...it is a very good cream to help reduce the look of scars.... I have a problem with scarring also....but not with Mederma! www.mederma.com/

I just read an article from a medical journal about gastric banding versus gastric bypass. For people who need to lose beyond a certain amount, ie: those who are Super morbidly Obese (where DO they get this terminology?), Gastric banding is not as effective for people in this category, as is gastric bypass. But, they still say that gastric banding is the safest surgical method avaialable. Something like 14% of gastric bypass patients suffered complications within the first week after surgery. Within the first year, that rose to 81%. I think it is an option for a reason...because some people feel that is the route for them. And, I applaud them for taking their health into their own hands. But, the risk of complications, coupled with the possiblity of malabsorption of nutrients, which can lead to other health issues, was enough to scare me. I am banding!! Now, if I weighed more, I can't say I would feel the same way....... AMEN to all of you who have had the guts to band.....or have a bypass!!!!!

Good girl! You have my support. I will be thinking about you on the 8th when you are getting your surgery. I will be having my second doctors appointment on my way to joining the wonderful world of banding!!!!

Hi Patti: I know you must be scared. I am just starting this journey, and have a ways to go and am already nervous. I have never had a baby, never had a major illness and never had any kind of surgery.....I keep wondering why I want ot do this...then I look at pictures of the me who used to be 140 pounds and turn aorund to see someone I don't know staring back at me form the mirror...... I see pictures of my mom who died at 61 of congesitve heart failure and think that at 37, I could be dead in less than 25 years, and will probably make that timescale if I keep carrying this weight around... Why did you want to do this??? You made this decision for a reason, and you will be A-OK. If it helps, journal. And, of course, you can always come back here for support. When I get my surgery in a few months, I will come looking for you! Big hugs. Charlotte

Man...... If you lose the sensation in your nipples from surgery, I am ALL FOR IT! I absolutely cringe when my dh touches my nipples. I have never likes it. If they are numb, he can strum those suckers like a banjo and I won;t care! WOO HOO!!! Where do I line up for the breast surgery?????

Care to share numbers Paul????? :bananapartyhat: Hehehehehe..I may be married, but I can STILL be a perv!!!!!!!!!

YIPPEEEEEEEE!!!! I am also proud of you! I cannot WAIT to be able to share stories of losing weight. I am so inspired by you!!!!!!!!!!!

If you have never been one to drink lots of Water, you will find that for the first few weeks you pee like crazy...Your body is flusing out toxins. After awhile, you can drink the same abmount and not have to go any more than you did before you were "hydrated". A good rule of thumb is to drink BEFORE you are thirsty. Once you are thirsty, your body is telling you that it is dehydrated. As for caffeine and carbonation, there are a few reasons to stay away from them: 1) caffeine can cause acidity in the gastric track, which you do NOT want with a LAP band. 2) Caffeine can stimulate the hunger response, leading to overeating 3) Caffeine inhibits the absorbtion of Vitamin D (a bone building vitamin). As you are eating less food, and perhaps not getting as much Vitamins through your food, any malabsorbtion is not good. 4)Sugar and artificial sweetners cause the same insulin response in the body, leading to increased hunger. 5) They have ZERO nutritional value, and take up valuable space in your stomach where you should be putting nutritious, healthy food that can help your body... The long and short is (and this is from a Coke addict who IS quitting), Diet drinks only fool you into thinking they are a better alternative....Most of us got fat by not making good decisions for ourselves, in regard to food. If your doctor says it is a nono, it is that. After LAP surgery, it is the time to face our addictions to food and drink, and find new healthier ways to eat and drink. I wish you lots of success...and agree about the Crystal light..I use a TEENY bit in water so it gives it just a slight bit of flavor and makes it easier to get down......I also bought a juicer, and it is FABULOUS!!! I recommend it if you are not lazy. Good luck!! :biggrin1: