JenB78

I agree with you all that at times its exhausting with everyone knowing. I feel like I am on display everywhere I go. People have heard about me, and want to talk to me about it. They want to know EVERYTHING i can eat and cannot eat. They even want to see scars lol. Try eating at one of these events. I feel like they might as well put me up on the big screen so everyone can see whats on my plate, and observe me eating LOL. Im exagerating a big, but people do talk to me about it alot. I dont really mind though because I am still so excited about it, 2 years later. If they didnt say anything, I would think wow, they cant tell that Ive lost 123 freaking pounds?? haha... Honestly, some people dont even recognize me, and THAT is a great feeling I undersatnd that telling everyone is not for everyone... and not everyone gets support like I have been given... but getting the band is awesome, even if its your little secret

Good Morning,

I had to respond to this because I am the girl who has told EVERYONE about my band, even people who probably dont care lol. I am the girl who blogs about it, and even mentions it in my online dating profile. That might be why I cant find any good ones, but thats a whole other topic! haha. Honestly, I never even considered keeping it private. I am 2 years post op. I honestly feel like it would have been difficult for me to keep it on the down low because of the way that I eat now. People that are close to me would have figured it out for sure. Also, telling everyone has kept me accountable to some point . I am a very open person, and being open about the band has allowed me to meet some amazing people who are considering the band to. I always say that I "witness" about my band to everyone that I can beucase I believe in it so much, so i have become the "go to girl" in my circle of friends for anyone who is considering weight loss surgery. I have been able to help so many people, and that makes me feel so good about it!!! I would say that only one person in my life has not been that supportive about it, and that is my boss. He was looking at it from a financial standpoint( I paid cash) and he thought I could lose the weight through other methods and I didnt need to spend all this money to do so. He has never been fat a day in his life, so his opinion didnt matter that much to me. If anyone else has been negative about it, i havent heard of it. I dont care what people think to be honest with you, because its my life. this was by far the best decision i ever have made for myself, and my only regret is that I didnt do it sooner. Good luck!!!!!!

jennifer

Hi Mellie,

I am 2 years post op, and I will tell you that you are not losing your mind LOL. The band is a very fickle little fellow. There are some days that I cant eat anything solid until around 1 in the afternoon. Other days I am like an open chute (those are the scary times) Sometimes my morning coffee makes me gurgle, some days it doesnt. You have to learn your band, and that totally takes time. You just try everything carefully.... because honestly you never know. I know that when you get a fill, it can take several days for everything to "settle" per say. So whenever you get a fill, dont make any hasty decisions until at least a week after the fill. And then the fun part start right before you are about to start your period. The week before my period, my band is crazy tight and things that I had been able to eat previously make me puke. I love my band to pieces, but he sure cant make up his mind and that gets annoying at times. But my lil band has helped me lose 120 pounds, so the love outweighs the hate Good luck, you will be fine

Jen

Your right. He used to be part of weight options for life in Rancho Cucamonga, but he is no longer affiliated. When he did my surgery, he was still in Rancho, and my surgery was done at The Rancho Cucamonga Specialty Hospital. He does most of his surgeries at St B's now. INCREDIBLE doctor. I cannot say enough good things about him. I am almost 2 years post op, and I have lost 115 pounds, thanks to Dr Krahn and the lap band

Hi! My name is Jennifer. I live in the So Cal area... Inland EMpire really. I have been banded for almost 2 years, and Dr. Douglas Krahn was my surgeon. Ive lost 115 pounds, and I am 30 pounds from my goal You arent alone!! Where are you from??

All i can say is be careful... and do your homework. I am in the So Cal area. My surgeon does not speak highly of 1800 get slim... see a few surgeons before you go any further

Hi! Ok... so here is my advice. do NOT go to 1800 get slim. I have several friends who have went through 1800 get slim, and their stories scare me! I live east of LA, in the inland empire. I had surgery by Dr. Douglas Krahn. I cannot say enough good about him! Check out his website. Its www.westernbariatric.com. Also, I know Dr. Coon, and he is a very well known doctor as well. I trusted Dr Krahn with my life, and I have had no negative side effects from the surgery. I was banded in April, 2009, and I have lost 115 pounds. I have 30 more to go, and they are coming off, slowly but surely! I am not sure about the insurance that they accept becuase I was a cash patient. Dr. Krahn's staff is very helpful though and they can answer any insurance questions that you may have. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Thanks!

Jen

Congrats to everyone on the weight loss! The band is truly an incredible weight loss tool!!! I was banded in April 09. I was 308 the day I started my pre-op diet, and now I weight 193. Ive lost 115 pounds! I have about 30 more to go until I am to my goal, but I have learned that slow and steady wins the race! My dad had gastric bypass in June 2010, and he has lost 100 pounds. Sometimes I am jealous because he lost his weight so fast, but my skin looks better than his And he is looking a lil sickly at this point. I never had that to deal with so ultimately I am happy i chose the band over the bypass. Keep up the good work everyone. Work out, and dont forget to take progress pics so you can see how far you have come!!!

Hi Carla!

I have been banded for over a year and a half, and I have lost 116 pounds, and counting Every single month right before I start my period my band gets crazy tight. This lasts around 5-6 days. I am a little different than you though because I love those times! I am certain to lose during those days. I can still eat a lil, but mostly just Soups and such. During the other times of the month I am ok, but my band does fluctuate a bit. Who knows what causes it, but some days I am just tighter than others. The one thing that I knowt hat has helped is around your period, try taking a Water pill. The reason you are extra tight is becasue your body, including your stomach is retaining fluids. I have found that a water pill helps a bit during that time if im crazy tight. Unfortunately I dont have the option that you have to go back to my doctor as often for adjustments. I was a cash customer, so each fill costs me 175$. So on tight days, I take it as a blessing, and i lose a pound I like losing pounds LOL..... Good luck... I dont know if there is a concrete solution to this problem, but knowthat you are not alone

Pink,

Sorry that I am so delayed on responding. Dr Krahn is the best one around if you ask me. I may be a lil partial to him though I had surgery about a year and a half ago and have had no complications. I have lost 112 pounds, and am SO happy with the results that I have seen with the help of the band. Dr. Krahn is a very busy man, but every time I see him I appreciate that he doesnt rush me in and out. He always remembers me and his bedside manner is superb. His staff is very helpful and always friendly. I hope that you at least meet him and consider him to do your surgery. You won't regret it!

Dr. Douglas Krahn did my lap-band surgery in April 2009, and I have enjoyed being his patient.His bedside manner is very comfortable, and he is dedicated to each patient to make the band work to the best of it's ability. I have lost 70 pounds since my surgery, and he has always been so good at guiding me in the right direction diet wise. I HIGHLY recomend him if you are considering having lap-band surgery in the Inland Empire. His staff is incredible, and I get excited when I have an appointment because I love seeing all his staff and meeting new fellow lap-banders.