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Just banded and new to here.



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My name is A.J., and I am a 34 year old male. I just underwent the Lap Band Procedure on 11-19-2010, and have already lost 21 lbs since the week before that. Dr Jamie Ponce was my surgeon and I have to say that he and his staff are AMAZING!!!!!!!! I am married and have two little boys ages 4 1/2 and a 21 month old. We live in Hixson Tennessee, which is just outside of Chattanooga Tennessee. Unfortunately our insurance did not pay for the procedure so we were self pay. But at least with self pay, it was about a three week turn around from the first consultation to the actual procedure being done. I have very little pain and have been really suprised at how good I already feel. I was glad to find a site that is dedicated to those that have had the procedure or are thinking about having it. I was diagnosed three months ago with type 2 diabetes and was taking 5 shots a day. I have not had to take any insulin for the last 3 weeks, mostly because of the liquid only diet. But Dr. Ponce feels that within 6 months I should be off of insulin completely. I decided to undergo the surgery not only for my own health, but for my wife and kids. It is not fair to them to have a father who does not have the energy to do things with them. The way that I look at it is that on 11-19-2010, I was given a second chance at life and a second chance to be a good father and good husband. Take care and I will keep everyone updated on my progress.

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Welcome! Congrats on your weight loss! I am newly banded as well. I had my surgery on November 15th. I am down 18 lbs. and feel good as well. I am scheduled for my first fill on December 9th. This forum is great so far in answering my many questions. The support is important as well. Best of luck!

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Congratulations to both of you. I started lurking around this site about a week before I had surgery 16 months ago. The best thing you can do for yourself is find a support group to join and go to on a regular basis as well as visiting this site as often as you can. It is important to be in touch with people who are going through the same things you are.

My Doctor's support group was too far away for me to go at night due to work and traffic so I found some people on this site who lived in my area and we started our own support group. We meet once a month and talk on the phone and e-mail each other. It has helped us all so much. We are all different ages with different bands, differernt Doctors, and have been banded for different amount of time.

Good luck to you both.

Cheri

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Welcome!

Type II diabetes is nothing to mess with. I'm so glad you are taking it's threat seriously and turning your life around so you can live for your kids. Many congrats on your weight loss thus far, terrific work. How much do you have to lose? I am four years out from my surgery and have done very well. I'm maintaining about 10 lbs from my goal and all my co-morbidities are gone. It's wonderful to feel healthy!

Keep up the good work!

Good luck on your journey,

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Good job on the self-pay... that's one more incentive to make it work!!! I was banded on 11/22/10 and feel totally normal now. (not so sure my quick healing is a good thing.) Go get 'em, Tiger!!!

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Hi,

I am just outside the chattanooga area also. I haven't scheduled my banding yet, but when I do, I am sure I will have lots of questions for ya! Hope you have had continued success!

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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