greytz

Oh. I too am a very upbeat person normally. I don't let too much get me down. I have had a lot of trials in the last year. I was forced to retire due to my health condition. That seems like a good thing but I was a workaholic around 100 to 120 hours per week so to just suddenly stop was heartbreaking for me. I couldn't drive for many, many months either and that was hard too. I still can't sometimes depending on my condition. It was difficult and then to undergo the band wasn't something I was totally sure of until I found the right surgeon. She and her staff made it all good and positive. It was a great experience and they support me all the time.

I don't think there is hardly a person out there who hasn't felt the same way. I kept thinking when I lost a little pre-op weight, well, why can't I do this all the time without the band? It entirely depends on your eating habits in my opinion. I turned to food for comfort and out of boredom. However, I looked at the surgery as a minor inconvenience for a Lifetime of Committment. I have the band simply as a tool to help me on my path to "Food Recovery". I also thought to myself pre-surgery, do I really want to go under general anesthesia for this? I have had a lot of medical problems recently (heart) and I have had to undergo several catheters and surgeries that put me under local and general anesthesia. I decided to look at this like any other disease or health condition. I have not hesitated to go under for those things so why was I hesitating to go under for the most important health tool of all? That was what helped me make my decsision. I was banded on 06-17-09 and I am very glad I made the decision. I have lost 17lbs. so far and have my first fill on 07-07-09. I can't wait. Hope this helps. Good Luck.

SpudMama, I am so glad you wrote this for everyone. Sometimes on this site the posts can get rather down and it seems like we miss the support for everyone. I am glad for you and everyone who has the band. I was banded on 06-17-09 and will have my first fill 07-07-09 and I can't wait. I haven't lost as much as you so far but I have lost 17lbs. so I feel good. Anything down on the scale is better than up I say. Andrea, It doesn't hurt that much. A little bruising and discomfort but it doesn't last very long. It was worth it to me.

Having to finance a lot of money for this is a very difficult decision and takes some thought I am sure. I was banded on June 19-09 so I am at my 2 week point and have begun eating the mushies. I was at BMI 34 and it is difficult for the first couple of weeks. You have to really want to do this and make up your mind that it is something you are committed to. You must consider it a Lifelong Journey and consider your reasons carefully. No one can honestly answer the question for you but you alone. I had a rough couple of days at first because I got stomach flu right out of the hospital. Once I recovered from that I was fine. There have been a couple of times when it was difficult not to go to my favorite pass time "food" but I had to find things to take my mind off of it. I started to write. It helped. It is truly something I have absolutely made up my mind I want to do. I went to several seminars and read a lot before I made my decision. I thought about it for quite awhile and found a surgeon and staff that I really love. I am truly happy with my decision. I hope this helps some. Good Luck.

That is all totally freaky. I would never touch my band myself. I understand if you are nurse and need to unfill on an emergency. You know what to do. But for a layman like me, NO WAY. I would be too afraid of screwing up what I just spent time effort and money to put in. I cannot imagine fill parties. What on earth???? Go buy a purse or something.

My surgeon also said "NO STRAW" period. Anyway, I love Ocean Spray Diet Cranberry. Be sure to get "diet" but it is really good. Also, diet Snapple Green Tea is good.

If you put your weight in and it says 2000 calories I would think that means 2000 calories to maintain your current weight which is not what you are looking for. My surgeon recommended 1000 calories a day. I would think 1000 to 1500 calories a day would be good. Can you check with your surgeon to be sure?

I'm just in the beginning stages and I have my first fill on 07-07-09. I got stomach flu right out of the hospital so it was iffy for a couple of days but I am great now and it was definitely worth it for me. Good Luck.:redface:

Totally agree with everyone. I lost some weight pre-op too. I think everyone pretty much does if they stick to the pre-op plan. It's ok. They want to shrink the liver down as much as possible and they have to put alot of gas in your stomach to insert the lapro tube. They just want you down as much as you can get before the surgery.

Thanks. Good to know someone is like me out there. Glad you chose the band also. Keep hanging in there. :redface:

I agree with Cathy. I have BCBS of Florida PPO but I have really excellent coverage with Federal. They paid 85% and I only pay $20 per fill. I still had to pay my surgeon $1,000 up front for admin fees, the cost of my Protein stuff, Vitamins, etc. They pre-authorized me through my insurance so I knew exactly how much I would have to pay. It's the only way to go. The only drawback was I had to stay inpatient in the hopsital one night. It's considered 23 hours which means overnight. They would not budge on that. If you call the toll free number on the back of your insurance card, the customer service department will tell you what percentage you will pay. You will need the code number or diagnosis code though. I got that from my surgeon. :redface:

I searched and thought for a long time like you about the right choices for me. I chose the band because it is completely reversable. Unlike you I am older (50 urgh) and had medical complications to consider. I didn't like the gastric bypass method because it is completely not reversible and if they have to take any diagnostic tests, since part of the stomach is cut away, it is very difficult to find anything that may be lurking in there. I chose the band because it can be reversed. Obviously, I didn't go through this just to have it reversed but it is comforting to know that I can in case the unforseen should happen. Everything from everyone I have read on these posts chose what they do for very personal reasons. I attended several seminars before making up my mind and chosing my surgeon. It was very helpful. Good Luck.

I never once suggested a lawyer and on that we agree.

Well, again it depends on a lot of factors and she shouldn't give up until she has tried everything just as you said. It can be discouraging but I don't think she has the kind of finances to do what some people are able to do. The appeal division is an option. If they say no, then they do but she can at least try it.

I agree. Sometimes misery loves company. Be proud of what you have accomplished and if it is good for you then it is good period.

Everyone on this post has good advice. I have one other suggestion. Take a picture of yourself and put it on the fridge, the pantry and anywhere you have food. You got the band because you don't want to look like that anymore. Pull up your bootstraps and get over it! YOU are the only person that can make it happen. No piece of plastic and no one else can make it happen. The band is only as good as YOU make it. Stop eating. Go to support groups and get some help with your habits. That is the only way you will break them!

Since you asked I will give my humble opinion. I don't probably feel as expert as some who have been through it for a lot longer but here goes. Find a doctor to help you. They are out there. I had heart issues and kept passing out. Had every test known to man and they could find nothing. After many tears and tirades and being sent everywhere, I didn't give up and found someone who knew what the he-- was going on with me. It was so gratifying to finally find someone who could help me and has helped me. When I decided to have the band, he was the first doctor I went to and he has worked in concert with my band surgeon to help my experience be as positive as it can be. I spent a long time chosing my band surgeon. She and her entire staff have been wonderful and I am sure has made all the difference for me. Please, Please I urge you to keep hunting until you find someone who can help you. It sounds as though something dangerous could be going on inside you and you need to find out what it is. Keep hunting until you find someone you are comfortable with that can help you. Even search outside your city limits and be willing to drive a little bit to find someone. Good Luck.

Hi Cheryl, I am Karen and I am 50. I was banded on June 17th so I feel your pain. I actually got stomach flu from the hospital so it has really been fun for me. I am fine now and I totally understand wanting to eat and not being able to. When you get to the mushies it really helps a lot. Get creative with them. You'd be suprised what can be mushed up with a bullet. Do you have one? They are great. You can get them at Walmart or somewhere like that for about $30 bucks or so. Just keep remembering why you did it. You had to have had a darn good reason to want to go through it in the first place. Believe it or not, getting back to work will help to. It will take your mind of off eating. Hang in there and write me if you want anytime you feel down. I am at kgibson6@tampabay.rr.com. Please feel free. Take Care

Being rich is always about money in my mind such as it is. Being rich to me is about being happy, healthy and with the man I love (my husband) for the last 20 years. I am truly blessed in that way. I have the support of him and my closest friends to help me on my journey to be skinny.

Agree with unflavored or chocolate or any flavor that hits your fancy. You can add it to vanilla or unflavored yogurt or just about anything mushy. Cottage cheese is fun with the strawberry. Get crazy and put your Protein in. It really helps burn that fat off.

Ditto for rescues. I have eight. I belong to Greyhond Rescue. Five Greyhounds, two Iggies, one lab all rescues. Love Them. They are part of my journey to lose weight too! They are very encouraging and never have a nasty thing to say. Love it.

I'm a girl in the Men's Room but I wanted to tell you about what made the difference for me in my selection of which band since that is the way you seem to be heading. I choose the "Allergen" band as opposed to the "Realize" only because there are two choices of size of band. When the surgeon goes in they can decide between a smaller band and a larger band depending on your specific needs. Also, the "Allergan" has been around just a little bit longer and has a new band out. Either choice I believe will be a good choice for you. You know, for anything elective or even not elective, you can go on the net and scare yourself to death. There are always pros and cons to everything you do. The important thing is to be committed to it once you start. Only you know what is best for you and only you can make the committment required for this lifelong journey. Good Luck to you. Please write back and let us know what you decide and how you are doing.

Way too go!!!! Good Job!!!!

I am about to have my first fill on 07-07-09 and I initially lost 17lbs which I am sure was part water retention and now I am slowly gaining a pound or two because I am eating mushies and not all liquids. It has a lot to do with your eating habits, exercise habits, stress, etc. You can't expect to consistantly lose weight. You will always fluctuate and plateau. Even when you reach your goal. This is a lifetime committment which means there are times that will be difficult just like anything in life. I agree with everyone else. Your beginning was stellar. Give yourself a break and don't weigh in so often. Once a week or even every two weeks is enough. You are doing great!

I am 50 and just got my band. I got fat in my later years and this is a godsend for me. I will have my first fill on 07-07-09. Lost 17lbs so far. Got 56 lbs. to go.