carolel

AngelaT, Go for it if you feel like it. I don't think there's a time..just when you feel well enough. :peep: Enjoy...it gets better and better as the weight comes off. :)

HI, I was banded on Oct.3rd. I decided to do it about 6 weeks prior to this date and researched to no end beforehand. I was at my breaking point. I had to do something drastic. I was tired all the time, have had 2 total knee relacements, hypothroidism and was recently diagnosed with diabetes..all of this at age 48! I was/am tired of being the fattest one in the room, tiredest one at any event, the one who couldn't keep up with others, the one who couldn''t ride all the rides at amusement parks with my kids, the one who always stayed with the "overweight" kids on field trips ( I'm a teacher), the one who everyone looked at when the topic of activities involving movement came up......like they knew I couldn't hold out..... , tired of not being able to walk thru clothing stores without bummping into racks, tired of wanting to get a wheelchair when shopping and being too embarrasssed to get one. Just tired of all of it. It was time. Now 6 weeks later, I'm 30 pounds lighter, I walk 2 miles a day, feel better than I have in many, many years and look healthier than I ever have when I went on a diet (I was on every one you can name). Of course, the morning of surgery, I was apprehensive but not to the point I wanted to back out. I was afraid I'd never get to eat another hamburger or steak. I'm addicted to food. I love the taste. But this isn't the case at all. I can eat anything I want..just not much of it.I savor every morsel and enjoy it. I really taste it this way. Do I regret it? NO WAY!!!!! Would I do it again? In a heartbeat! Plus I'm a self-pay. It's been worth every penny of the $330.00 per month I have to pay on my second mortgage. I truly think this band will save my life. No regrets!!!

This is so funny. :grouphug: I was banded on Oct.3rd and have been spitting into a napkin real often. I thought I was having sinus drainage!!!! Now I realize what's going on.

Hi TexasTeacher, I'm a Ga. teacher and UHC denies all requests by teachers that pass across their desks here in Ga. It's bad but there is an exclusion in our policies. I self-paid since many teacher friends had already been thru the hassle. My doctor also said that he had never had UHC pay for surgery for a teacher.I just wanted to get it done an dget on with my life. We took out asecond mortgage on our home. At least it's tax-deductible and I can write off the entire surgery cost this year.It's the best thing I've ever done for myself. Good luck.

Thanks Kathy, It had me a little concerned. I have a wonderful doctor and trust him completely. I felt if something was wrong, he would have told me. What you describe is exactly what I experienced. My port is also easy to feel. He was pushing fairly hard and moving the needle so this is probably what was happening. BTW...that needle was NOT small. I was a little surprised when I saw it. As for the eating at night.....about an hour after dinner I start on the SF popsickles. Sometimes by bedtime, I feel like I'm floating. I'll try the warm tea. That may be good. Thanks again, Lynn

I'm sorry you're feeling pain. Honestly, it was a piece of cake for me. I had surgery on Tuesday and went back to work the last 1/2 of Thursday. That Sat. and Sun. I just laid around but was up and getting around well by Monday. It is different for everyone.Like others have said..walk, walk, walk. It really helps.

Hi , I went to see my doctor this morning. He was sort of iffy about doing a fill. I am losing 2 pounds a week but I know how much I can eat.....and I could really eat alot if I let myself. Especially at night. He gave me some pointers on my exercising/walking and a book on exercise.We finally decided to do a slight fill and combine it with my new exercise routine to see if that helps my eating habits at night. He did a 1 1/2 cc fill and it really was strange. It didn't hurt, but when he inserted the needle it made a funny popping sound...twice. He sort of grunted and said he was sorry. I asked what was that and he didn't say anything. I wondered if that was a normal sound. Does anyone know?

Hi, I'm an interrelated K-12 special education teacher. This means I can teach any disability and any age. I presently teach students with behavioral challenges, students who are learning disabled and one student who is blind. All of these are in grades 3-5. I LOVE my job.

Hi vlb11752, I'm 5'2" and began at 295 pounds, now down to 264. I'm wearing No Nonensense control tops and love them. The most trouble I had putting them on was getting them over my toes. I have 2 artificial knees and they don't bend as well as real knees. To everyone else...I had no idea that women hate pantihose so much! I've always loved them. Especially the sexy looking ones with lace. My hubby likes those too.I remember crying in 5th grade because my mom wouldn't buy hose for me. Maybe it's because I'm light-skinned and hate to see my white legs sticking out from under anything. I have to work all summer to get the slightest tan. Anyways...I can't wait until I can cross my legs too!!!

Hey, I'm in the same predicament. My first fill is scheduled that day too. Do I really want to do that? I don't know. I know I want to eat something. Nobody but hubby knows about me having surgery so if AI don't eat, it's really gonna draw attention. I can probably get away with just eating a little and no one would notice. Hmmmmm....just don't know. My hubby says to wait until the next week. I'm kind of leaning that way too. llewis

Hi, I say to certainly get an appt. with a doctor.Even though your BMI is not real high....with continually failing at diets and adding more pounds on each time..it's just a matter of time before you do reach the morbidly obese stage. It's sad, but that's how some of our bodies work. I've dieted myself up to this weight. Lose 20, gain 40. Lose 40, gain 80 and on and on. You have a history of successes and failures and doctors take all of that into consideration along with your comorbidities. I've been banded since Oct.3rd, am a self-pay and already feel it's been worth the $16,000 it cost me. I feel GREAT! I've lost 30 pounds without a fill and can't wait until I do get one. This surgery has forced me to change my eating habits.No more junk food, no cokes, and no chocolate. I'm thankful for the restraints it has placed on me.I could not do it on my own. I tried. My lapband has also given me hope and in that hope comes willpower. I didn't have this much willpower when I was on dietpills.I was addicted to Pepsi and chocolate. Today my son forgot and left a full cold Pepsi with ice sitting on my desk. I threw it away without even thinking of taking a sip.It truly never even entered my mind. Neither does chocolate. When I think of my food...I always think first...what do I have on hand that's good for me. I look closely at what I eat now. That old adage..I eat to live not live to eat is finally true for me. So go for it. You won't be sorrry. I know if I'm not and having to pay out that $330. per month for my loan that you won't either! Good luck! llewis

Hi, I teach school and we just had our annual Thanksgiving lunch today. Turkey, dressing and all the fixings. I was banded on Oct.3rd. Today I had a few bites of white turkey meat, about 1 cup of soft, gravy laden stuffing, a bite of cranberry sauce and a few green beans. I know, I know....I should have had the turkey and no stuffing but this was my slpurge for the week. :success1: Everything sat real well on my tummy. No problems. I did feel "stuffed" though. I think the stuffing went down so eaily becaue it was so soft and had so much gravy on it. BTW....that stuffing was sooooooo.........good........ Maybe by TG, you can enjoy it too.

Hi all, I'm wearing pantihose again!!! YEAH!!! I was banded on Oct.3rd and haven't worn pantihose in years. I love the way control tops make me feel but I haven't been able to put them on cause of my tummy in the way. I've now lost 30 pounds and decided to try them today. I put them on with minimal difficulty.YEAH!!!! I feel like a woman again.:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

I agree with that it's most likely a stitch tear. I had a stitch to do that once with another surgery and it's scary. It burns like heck. I'd still be in touch with my doc. though. Maybe it won't be anything.

msltoe, I can sympathize with you. I've told no one about my surgery except for my hubby. I knew I wouldn't get support form any of them and would be talked about. My husband is not real keen on the idea of having to pay back $16,000. I'm self-pay and we took out a home-equity loan. My husbands' goal in life is to be debt-free so this certainly doesn't sit very well with him. He went to the support meeting and required seminar with me so he knows what I've done is going to be the best for my health. He does remind me though that this bill is mine. I think your husband will come around when he sees how much better you'll begin to feel. I was banded on Oct.3rd and have lost 30 pounds and gained SO much energy.I truly don't ever remember feeling as good as I do now. It's already been worth the $ to me. Good luck!

page001, I'm a teacher too and had 2 total knee replacements at the ripe old age of 45. That was 2 1/2 years ago and then this summer I was diagnoed with diabetes. That was the breaking point. I want to live. I'm only 48 but felt 80. I can't even imagine what I'd have felt like at actually the age of 80. I decided to do this and did it within 6 weeks of making up my mind. I had to self-pay ...$16,000. and have lost 26 pounds since Oct. 3rd banding. It was sooooo worth it! I feel better than I have in my entire life. I truly don't remember feeling this good even in my teen years. I think it's because I know I have such a great future ahead of me. I'm menatlly and physically changing daily for the good. Also, I'm eating better than I ever have in my life. No junk food, no bread, no sugar. I was addicted to chocolate and Pepsi. I took a sip of Pepsi the other day and it tasted awful. I nibbled on a piece of candy that I bought in the mountains and it tasted so sweet, it turned my mouth! I now crave fish. I never really cared for it before. It's as if my body knows what it needs (protein) and it signals your mind. It's like your mind and body come together to make this work. I don't think the band will work until this happens. I also felt like I just existed! Crawl out of bed, go to work, go by to get something to eat and come in and flop in the recliner until bedtime. Now, I'm busier than ever. I LOVE life now. good luck!!!! and remember that it's not just the band that has to do this...your mind is also in control. llewis

Janey is correct. You'll stay full longer if you don't drink. It washes the food on thru and you get hungry sooner. My doc. says you shouldn't be feeling hungry for at least 3 1/2 - 4 hours after eating. If you do..you may need a fill or examine your eating and drinking habits. I've found this to be totally true. llewis

Tired Old Man, I know.....I've given her way too long of a rope. You're right, I should have done something long ago. llewis

Hi all, I've been discriminated against too. I dress very professionally at all times because I don't want to be seen as fat AND a slob. That doesn't help though. They'll still do it. My most recent was just this weekend. I went into this store that I frequent alot. I need to start way back though. There's a lady who has been working there for 15 years. I find something to like about everybody but this woman just grinds me. 15 years ago, when my youngest son was 6 months old, I had him in a stroller and had a 6 year old tagging along, I was shopping here. I was overweight then too. Maybe 225 pounds. I had my arms full of clothes to try on and my purse and diaperbag hung on the back of the stroller. Well...the stroller began tipping over backwards with my baby in it. I was trying to hold the clothes and rescue him and keep the 6 year old from running away. A real struggle in a hot and crowded store. She just stood there watching me struggle. Didn't offer to take the clothes or anything. I finally dropped all the clothes in the floor and rescued my child. She immediately looked at me in disgust and said, "If you'd have asked, I'd have taken them". I lost it! I asked why in the world did I need to ask when she's there to help the customer and she saw that i obviously needed her to take the clothing. She began to cry and the manager came over and apologized saying that she was a new employee. Everytime I go into this store, this woman is rude. She's still there after 15 years, I don't know how. It's a chain. She never offers to help anyone and you have to hunt her down when you need help. If you ever return anything, she acts like the money is coming out of her pocket. Anyway, this weekend, I went in the store. I needed an orange shirt for Halloween. I was in a size 22-24 shirt before being banded on Oct.3rd and now I'm in an 18!! Yeah!! But anyhow... there was one orange shirt in this store and it was hanging up high. I hunted her down and asked her to please see what size it was. She looked at me and said " it's too small for you." I said, "if you don't mind, I'd still like to know what size it is." She sighed and went to get it down. She said "It's an 18! I TOLD you it was too small for you!" THEN she walks over and picks up another shirt that was a light peachy color and said "here, this may work for you. It's a size 28-30." I just looked at her, turned and walked out. I WILL NOT put up with this any longer. I will be sending a letter to the corporate office as soon as I find out her name. People are unbelieveable! I never once told her that I was looking for a shirt for myself. I would absolutely LOVE being an advocate for people who are overweight. If you notice..I didn't say overweight people but people who are overweight. First and foremost, we are people! We don't need to be identified that way!

This was the topic of coversation with my lunch group today (who knows nothing about me being banded by the way). We all know of 4 people within our work system who have the lapband. They ( the lunch group) ranted and raved about what addictions our co-workers were going to have now. About how we're going to see alcoholics coming in now instead of fat people. Thye were all laughing hysterically. :cool: This is EXACTLY the reason they don't know about my banding.

willow5880, I totally agree. I had posted something a few weeks ago and received harsh comments about my behavior and my doctor. As a result, I quit posting for a bit. I'm not wearing my feelings on my shoulders in no way but it would be nice not to be "blessed out" here too. We get enough of that from the world in general. When that happens, it's like the support we felt before disappears. All who make those harsh comments and those who are longtime veterans of the band please remember us newbies and that a harsh and negative comment can outweigh a thousand positive ones. llewis

sandranoelle, I was feeling a bit nauseous too but it was during my 1st week. I couldn't figure out if it was hunger or the band. I think now that it was hunger. My nutritionist gave me the go ahead to eat soft foods at 9 days out. Last week, my doc. gave permission to eat whatever I felt I could tolerate. I'm now 3 weeks out and eating whatever I want except for steak. I'm afraid of chunks of meat.I just can't eat much. I absolutely crave fish. I've never really cared for it before. Now, if we go out I want Captain D's everytime. I can usually eat 1 piece of their fish and a couple bites of coleslaw and I'm full. Maybe it's hunger that you're feeling.Call your doc. He may give permission to advance.

My diagnosis of diabetes this summer was the final straw and breaking point for me. I was 48, overweight,arthritis, diabetes, fluctuating blood pressure, two knee replacements, hypothyroidism and felt awful. The diabetes did it for me. I said "NO MORE! I'VE HAD IT!" I seriously looked into lapband and did it within the month.I had read about it and have 2 friends who have a band. I've tried all the diets known to man and knew I was at my last resort. Here I am now..3 weeks post-op today and feel better than I have in 20 years. I had to self-pay and it's already been worth the $16,000 out of my pocket. I'm down 24 pounds and have so much energy. I can't imagine how great I'm going to feel when I get another 50 pounds or so off. I'm already off the pain killers for arthritis and my doc. believes the meds for diabetes will be stopped too. This is the very best thing I've ever done for my body and my self-esteem. And no-one has to know that you've done this. Only my hubby knows and I have 21 year old and 15 year old sons living at home. I went to the mountains this weekend with 5 other family members and none are the wiser. I just told them I 'm cutting back. Go ahead and do this! You'll be so glad. llewis

I paid $15,950 for surgery in Ga. It includes visits with the surgeon, dietician, counselor and a year of free fills, a 6 month and 1 year check-up and also lifetime 2x monthly support meetings. This was only 70 miles from home so I felt more comfortable with my doc being nearby.

I'm a teacher with light duty work. I took off 1 1/2 days!!! I had surgery on Tuesday and went back on Thursday at lunch. I was very tired and weak but I was there. I needed to save my days. I don't have alot left. By Monday I felt great! llewis