.Maria.

My name is Maria and I have been banded for a year now... my surgery was 9/27/10 in Melrose Park. My start weight was 298 and I now weigh 204. I still have about 45 pounds to lose. I am available to anyone who needs support, has questions, needs suggestions, etc. You can email me or find me on facebook: bandedprincess@gmail.com.

- Maria Azalea

My name is Maria and I have been banded for a year now... my surgery was 9/27/10.My start weight was 298 and I now weigh 204. I have had many up's and down's along my journey and it's been a little crazy but I am fortunate enough to have two of my very close friends on this journey along with me. They got banded right around the same time. So I understand how crucial it is to have a good support system. I am available to anyone who needs support, has questions, needs suggestions, etc. You can email me or find me on facebook: bandedprincess@gmail.com.

- Maria Azalea

Hope everyone is doing well and having amazing success with their band. I'm still here if you need someone to talk to.

FYI: Im on Facebook. You can look me up under bandedprincess@gmail.com

Have him go to a salon that supplies Dermalogica so that he can get Face Mapped (like Ulta). A certified skin therapist would be able to help him out with a few products made with natural ingredients. Hope this helps!!!

Thank you both for your help! I really appreciate it! I'll let my brother know and hopefully one of your suggestions will work for him!

LMAO! Here's my experience....

I was banded by Dr. Reishus, an amazing man!!! I couldn't be more grateful for how he handled my journey.

The one day he wasn't available I had to see Dr. T.... NEVER AGAIN! The way Dr. T spoke to me caught me by surprise, I felt like a freaking 5 year old and I barely got a word in... and like Peacefulband said, he was there for like a minute and then vanished, lol. Two of my friends and I also had issues with Cecilia and had to involve the Office Manager. Cecilia tried to give me the run around a few times and just brush me off. If you want her to get things done then you really have to be on top of her, no joke. SMH! And if you ever need any advice about the band don't call her. Make sure you speak to Julianne, the Bariatric Coordinator at West Lake or Christina at Dr. T's office... they are both sensational women!!! Also, Sherri is extremely helpful as far as nutrition goes.. and she's always at the meetings... another amazing woman.

Good Luck and hope to see you all at the next meeting!!! July 18th....

Im in the Humboldt Park Area. Not really familiar with the south shore culture center or that area. But Im here if anyone has questions or needs support

hello maria thank you for your reply, where are you located in the city i am southeast side. by the south shore culture center here is my email address deneice.franklin@yahoo.com

I was banded by one of his partners, Dr. Reishus

Hey!!!! I'm still here if anyone needs support, has questions or wants to meet up in the city

I'm from Chicago

so I told friends and family (except my husband) I got my gallbladder removed.Ive been banded since January 21, 2011, and i am struggling with my weightloss. It may be due to the fact that I am covering up. If there is anyone in the chicagoland area that wouldnt mind being a big sister or big brother to me that will be much appreciated. we Can workout, plan meals, grocery shop... whatever. Or even if your not in reaching distance even be a pen pal..or email friends (or is that the same thing 0_o) I know motivation starts with me. But i would hate to think I went thru all this, not to reach its full potiental!

LOL!!! You remind me of me before my surgery!!

You cannot wear any type of jewelry. I had to take out my nose ring also.

You will probably be with family while they get you set up, like with the IV and stuff, you are also going to get an injection in your belly to prevent blood clots. Then they wheel you off to a room where they pretty much give you everything through the IV (happy drug 2 calm ur nerves. And yes, I felt a lot better) then the anesthesiologist comes in and speaks 2 you about how its gonna go down. Then he does his thing (again, through the IV) and they wheel you off to the operating room. They are going to have you move over to the operating table while they listen to all the gibberish coming out of your mouth (you'll be all groggy @ this point, lol) till you knock out completely. Then next thing you know, you're waking up to a nurse calling your name. Once you're fully awake they take you over to your room where your family will be waiting for you . *I had my husband play Florence's : "The Dog Days are over" while they took me to my room. That was my way of knowing I was still alive and that they were there for me. Silly I know, but I needed the reassurance *

I had surgery Sept. 27, 2010 (I was 25). It lasted less than an hour @ 10am and I even started walking that same day. I went home the next day after they ran some xrays and I was able to drink a glass of Water. And you have no reason to freak out. Just follow the doctors orders to the T. Make sure that you do everything possible on your end to have a successful surgery. You will be fine!!!

thank you for your response..am i not allowed to wear jewelry during surgery? I've never been put under either and im scared of it..with the "happy drug" did you feel better? and do they give you the anesthesia in the operating room with ur family there or what? Im SO TERRIFIED! When did you have your surgery? how long did you surgery take you? time you went in? and when you left? Im freaking out, and im only 18 and want everything to be okay

I'm getting it done hopefully on May 24th..any advice for me?

The scariest part for me was the anesthesia. All I could think about before the surgery was "What if I don't wake up. What's going to be of my son without his mommy?" It was my first time going under and one of the scariest moments of my life. I was thinking about that nonstop.

But here I am!!! Awake and 65 pounds lighter!!! Its going to be fine. Before they put you under they give you some type of "happy" drug to calm your nerves. And while you are under you have an anesthesiologist monitoring you during surgery with a machine to make sure you are ok at all time. That is the least of your worries

Good luck and congrats in making the choice to turn your life around...

I'm really interested in vegetarianism. I started out by buying veggie patties, vegan hot dogs, etc. But one of my big concerns is Protein intake. Any suggestion on that and maybe a good recipe book?

I'm not juicing... but I really want to!!! I am one of the unfortunate ones that cannot eat raw fruits and vegetables (which I really loved before the surgery ). So I also want to know some of your favorite juice recipes .

I just had surgery 2 days ago. If you guys want another person to join you for lunch, let me know. I'd be happy to meet other bandsters.

Hey!!! Welcome to the other side ... and we would love for you to join us, the more the merrier . Where did you get banded?

Oh, and I just need to know what saturday works for everyone...I can do any saturday except for 12/25 & 1/1

Alright Ladies... we need to get this ball rolling!!! What Saturday works for you?!?! AND any suggestions of where we should meet?

Hope to hear from you soon

-Maria

Yuuummm!!! I love pickles. I don't really have an answer for you, sorry.

But I have been craving milk, I drink like 3 or 4 cups of the 1% everyday which is weird cause I never drank milk like that before and I know I take enough of the chewable Calcium daily. Hmm, Im going to ask my surgeon...

Congrats!!!! And I love the idea of the charm bracelet!

I was told to take them 4hrs apart....

It shouldn't be. Just make sure you tell the nurse while they are prepping you. They will give you like a mesh panty and a pad to wear during surgery.

P.s: Congrats on your surgery!!!:thumbup::thumbup::laugh:

How about a Saturday? Does that work for everyone?

I'm still reading it. Can you PM me the lunch plan details please?

Hi Katy,

We have yet to pick a date... What works for everyone? I can do Mon- Thurs.

Hi Ebony... How has this journey been for you?

Btw, How far west are you? 2 of us are getting together for lunch and maybe you can join us? And everyone else is welcomed... that is if there is anyone else reading this thread :rolleyes2:

Wow...70lbs is amazing!!! Can't wait till I can say that I lost 70... Im at about 33 now... its coming off slowly but its still coming off. So I have no complaints, lol.

lunch would be great... its the easiest time of day for me :thumbup: (my son is at school and my hubby is @ work).

How exciting!!! Im thinking of getting my husband (*insert fake cough here*) this game counsel for xmas :frown:. That zumba game sounds fun... maybe I should get me, i mean HIM that game for xmas as well .

Hi fabulous@fifty... Welcome! Im Maria and I have been banded since September :frown:. I live near Humboldt Park in Chicago. How have you been doing since the surgery?