annieM

Laura, I just responded to your post a few lines up. With a lower BMI, check into Cincy weight loss center. Doc Osborne will operate on lower BMI people. I don't know what the costs are with docs out of the country, but being in the same state may even out the costs. It's also a same day thing with them so you don't have to stay overnight. (unless you have other health problems...) Their web site is www.CincyWeightLoss.com. I found them from a commercial during the Dr Phil show lol.

Where in Ohio are you? In Cincy there is cincy weight loss and in Dayton there are docs who do the band at miami valley hospital and kettering hospital. I don't think any doc who does bands would object to doing your fills even if another doc did the surgery.

I look at the band as the BEST way out, not the easiest. My husband had an easier time of losing weight with his gastric bypass, but he is paying for it now with all the malabsorption troubles. Eating less, way less, than the people you live with and eat with is not easier. I just don't mind it because for once, after I lose the weight, my band will keep me from gaining it back. Saying that wls is easy is just another way for people to be mean to the overweight. When will people learn that "mean" isn't funny?

Maybe your excess weight was protecting you in some way and now that you have been losing it, you are losing your protection too. Fat can insulate us from other peoples expectations, men, our own ambitions, you name it. Take a breather and think about how you really want your ideal life to be, and how you want to feel in that ideal life (out of breath or energetic). Losing weight is so much more than just losing weight. God bless

A message about hurt feelings on another thread reminded me of one of those moments when a zinger hits you without warning. I thought that probably everyone has had one of those moments and venting it here may help remove some of the punch. After all, it's not the sort of stuff you can vent in normal conversation. One of my moments happened when we were on a four hour hike through the mammoth cave in kentucky. At mid point through the cave the guide is supposed to tell interesting stories and facts about the cave. He asked if anyone had any questions, so since we were two hours hike in both directions from the exit, I asked what they would do if someone had a heart attack there in the cave. WELL, He said, "they would die. AND ma'm I don't want to hurt your feelings but obesity is the main cause for that." :embarassed: The group was about 120 people, all of whom became quiet and wanted to see what obese person had asked that question. I was mortified. I hadn't been feeling all that "fat" that day (you all know that "fat" is a feeling like sadness), and as I always notice whether or not I am the largest person in the room (that day I wasn't), I suddenly became so huge that any interest in the rest of the tour was impossible. If you are ever in mammoth caves, avoid the skinny old man tour guide who brags about his 28 inch waist. He is a jerk.

We bandsters need to come up with some cutting comebacks for people who don't understand our struggles. I didn't tell my dad about my band because I didn't think he would get it. I sympathize, negative weight comments always hurt. All I can say is that you have all of us to support you, good days and bad days.

GOOD LUCK TODAY MINDFUL! Be sure to post and let us know how you are doing. Today is the first day of the rest of your life......!

I bought it! Taking time to just sit and read will be my reward for doing what needs to be done in the house (post christmas clean up). Can't wait!

Hi! I LOVE Martha Beck! I didn't know she had a new book out! She writes for O magazine every month and she has such an unusual way of solving problems. Her book" the Joy Diet" was very good too. I'm going to read it, Thanks for the tip!

The health club is having an eight week challange for excersize and weight loss. I signed up. Me, standing in line to be measured with all the health club folks (who all seemed to be in good shape...) I found out that I am 88 lbs of just fat. Yuk. It will be hard to get moving, but I need to do this.

The health club is having an eight week challange for excersize and weight loss. I signed up. Me, standing in line to be measured with all the health club folks (who all seemed to be in good shape...) I found out that I am 88 lbs of just fat. Yuk. It will be hard to get moving, but I need to do this.

Don't Freak Out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's normal to be second guessing yourself before surgery. Don't worry about Cincy weight loss or Dr Osborne. He was a vascular surgeon before specializing in wls and is very skilled. Don't delay your journey because of offhand comments here on the board (even mine). Call them and ask for another meeting with the doctor or with one of his nurses (Jenna is also very nice). The people at the surgery center were also great and the Doc doing the annethesia (sp?) spent a long time with me. Hang in there. Remember also that many posts can be negative because the people who are out there being satisfied tend not to post. Cincy wt loss also has a support group meeting tomorrow at 6pm (call for the location, I don't remember it offhand). Don't delay the start of your new life!!!!!!!!!!!

How did you lose 50 lbs so fast????? Are you drinking enough? Wow, keep up the great work!

Hi! I had my surgery at Cincy weight loss and have not had any trouble. I have had just one fill and am not restricted yet. It can be hard to get in because I think they are very busy, but everyone has been very nice to me.

Huggggs! You did the right thing! Now that you are taking care of yourself, isn't it easier to stand up to other people?

I was banded on November 15th,2006. The surgery was very easy on me. I had worried mostly that I would not be fully 'out' and would feel something during the operation, but I didn't feel a thing. The next day I was tired, and a bit annoyed because they had given me an Rx that contained codeine, to which I am allergic. So, no big pain meds for me. Then again, I didn't really need it. The first two weeks of liquids didn't bother me. I was losing weight, wasn't particularly hungry, and was busy with Christmas shopping. Mushies were harder. What is mushy enoough? If you chew very well and wash things down, is it enough? That was hard, and I actually missed liquids because they are a no brainer. I was getting hungry though. Christmas cookies lurked everywhere. It was no use, I had some. My first fill was 1/4/07. I was worried about the nurse doing the fill (and was annoyed that I hadn't seen the surgeon after my surgery, I felt dumped). I needn't have worried. She hit the port in one try and I didn't feel a thing. I don't have any restriction either so I have made an appointment for my second fill a week from monday. At the office I had only lost 10lbs on their scale, and was very bummed. On my scale this morning, I had lost 21. I'll take my home scale any day! I'll just try to be good until the band starts to work and I will excersize too. I already feel a bit more energetic. ...still need naps... but getting better. annieM

I was banded on November 15th,2006. The surgery was very easy on me. I had worried mostly that I would not be fully 'out' and would feel something during the operation, but I didn't feel a thing. The next day I was tired, and a bit annoyed because they had given me an Rx that contained codeine, to which I am allergic. So, no big pain meds for me. Then again, I didn't really need it. The first two weeks of liquids didn't bother me. I was losing weight, wasn't particularly hungry, and was busy with Christmas shopping. Mushies were harder. What is mushy enoough? If you chew very well and wash things down, is it enough? That was hard, and I actually missed liquids because they are a no brainer. I was getting hungry though. Christmas cookies lurked everywhere. It was no use, I had some. My first fill was 1/4/07. I was worried about the nurse doing the fill (and was annoyed that I hadn't seen the surgeon after my surgery, I felt dumped). I needn't have worried. She hit the port in one try and I didn't feel a thing. I don't have any restriction either so I have made an appointment for my second fill a week from monday. At the office I had only lost 10lbs on their scale, and was very bummed. On my scale this morning, I had lost 21. I'll take my home scale any day! I'll just try to be good until the band starts to work and I will excersize too. I already feel a bit more energetic. ...still need naps... but getting better. annieM

Hi! My doc gave me a packet of papes with do's and don'ts and you will probably get one too. If you want more info, try the following books: Lap-Band For Life, The Complete Patient Guide to Success with the Lap-Band by Ariel Ortiz Lagardere MD (I ordered this through yahoo.com) and Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding by Jessie Ahroni Ph.D,ARNP (this I ordered through Barnes and Noble) and Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery by Patt Levine and Michele Bontempo-Saray (also through yahoo.com) Lots of info out there, but we are all individuals, so you need to do what works best for you. Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi! I live in Beavercreek Ohio. I have three teenagers and my husband had a gastric bypass about 4 years ago. We have two cats and two shih tsu's. I had my band in nov. and my first fill today! The weight loss has been very slow so far, but with the holidays I remind myself that I usually gain...I havn't started the excersize yet, I have arthritis and wanted to get a bit more weight off before stressing out my joints. Good luck everyone!

Today was the big day! The nurse did my fill on the first stick and it was a piece of cake! I can honestly say that the position of holding my arms overhead while doing leg lifts caused me more discomfort than the actual stick. I'm on my way to the sweet spot!

Clothing woes have been so hard for me. I found that Coldwater creek has interesting large sizes (AND if you can go to a store instead of mailorder or online, they put all the styles on the same rack from petites to the large sizes.) Land's End is great for bathing suits and everyday kindof wear. I look forward to being able to shop in normal stores and find things on sale like other people. I have two 15 year old girls (twins) who wear size 3 to 6 and they can't understand why I hate shopping!

Hi I had mine done by Dr Osborne of the Cinci weight loss center. They also have a support group in columbus (it's new) They meet on the 2nd Monday of the month at 7:30. at the Hilton Garden Inn, 500 Metro Place North in Dublin, OH 43017 Their office number is 1-800-979-6573. Columbus is a bit far for me to go for a support group (I still have three teenagers at home and spend my time feeding them or driving them places!) If you hear about any support group at Kettering, let me know. I havn't heard anything about Schumacher, but Kettering is a very nice hospital.

Good luck mindful! I live in beavercreek, it is the next burb to the east of kettering. I havn't joined a support group yet so I check this site a lot! If you find a good one, be sure to post it!

Thank you all for your comments. I feel better now.

I am due to have my first fill next week and I found out today that at cincy weight loss the fills are done by the nurse. This worries me a bit. I've been reading this forum too much! Should I fuss, and insist that the doctor do it, and risk being seen as a spoiled brat by the people I need to give me my "new life?" Please answer!:help: