I was banded on June 6, 2008. Frankly, the whole story about how I got the band is pretty interesting.

I was working for a man who, for 48 years of his practice, never had a 'big girl' that worked for him. I was good at what I did, came highly recommended and so he hired a fat girl. Over four years I heard comments about my weight. He would give me cards to surgeons (I was a single mom, there was no way I could afford the surgery), he would have his friends - who were doctors - come and talk to me about my weight 'issue' and tell me that often fat people are fat because of some type of sexual disfunction. He would hang photos of skinny women in almost nothing bathing suits and put notes like "what real women look like" etc. One day one of the other staff actually said she would rather be dead than fat.

Now I have never written that in a public setting and I haven't told many people that story. Before you get riled about it and ask why I didn't leave immediately, it was a great paying job, I was a single mom and words are words - I can let them hurt me or I can not.

In January of 2008 my insurance, Aetna, decided to start paying for the lapband surgery. During the first 30 days predetermination was not required - because they had a flaw in their benefits. I had 30 days. I was misreable in my job and misreable in my body. I went to my boss (legal field, very established firm, crazy money) and just flat out said, "put your money where your mouth is" - I would get half the surgery covered but he would have to pony up the other half. He did.

So - I had the surgery February 8th - I left my job March 7th. I have to admit I didn't feel bad about it.

So - after I was banded I lost about 20 pounds, fell and injured my ankle, was on crutches, didn't get a fill, met the man I married this February 2011 and pretty much ignored having the band for awhile. I gained all the weight back.

In July 2009, I got my first fill. I've been filled twice since then.

It is not easy. The band is not a magic wand that makes it all better - the band is a tool for a journey.

To shorten the story, I have to really watch what I eat. I know that some foods let me cheat and if I do then it's not a weight issue - it's a me issue. I have lost almost 100 pounds. That's ten sacks of potatoes. That's a whole other person. I have about 50-60 more pounds to lose. These are going to be even harder than the first 100 - but look! I'm more than half-way there.

I joined this group because I'm beginning to excercise more, I'm really watching what I put in - good stuff in, good stuff out. I really enjoy reading this site when I google lapband questions and it seems to be such a positive forum. I like that.

Look forward to interacting with all of you.

- Simone

Hi Simone! I LOVE your story about how you got your band, and what I love most is that you left his office a month after you had the surgery. That's awesome

You're having an amazing amount of success. I'm sure you'll be able to lose the last "few" pounds. Welcome to the site!

Hi Simone! I LOVE your story about how you got your band, and what I love most is that you left his office a month after you had the surgery. That's awesome

You're having an amazing amount of success. I'm sure you'll be able to lose the last "few" pounds. Welcome to the site!

Thank you, Rachel. I'm excited about being around people that understand a lot of the ups and downs of the process. I chuckle with I read the part where I left too - he wasn't happy - but who deserves a witty, smart, professional fat girl around when they're such an associate.... without the ociate.

Hi Simone...I just read your story and enjoyed it tremendously. Your boss got what he deserved; it's a shame he didn't pay for the entire band before you left. All of those people in that office were a waste of your time, but, I'm sure you learned enough to help you on your next job. Good luck; you are doing well. Stick to it. I am thinking about restarting with my band also...have gained half of my 60 pounds back because I never got to a place where I felt banded or that the fills were effective...and then, there's just carelessness and lack of ambition on my part...

I wish you well. Let us hear from you

Grandy

I was banded on June 6, 2008. Frankly, the whole story about how I got the band is pretty interesting.

I was working for a man who, for 48 years of his practice, never had a 'big girl' that worked for him. I was good at what I did, came highly recommended and so he hired a fat girl. Over four years I heard comments about my weight. He would give me cards to surgeons (I was a single mom, there was no way I could afford the surgery), he would have his friends - who were doctors - come and talk to me about my weight 'issue' and tell me that often fat people are fat because of some type of sexual disfunction. He would hang photos of skinny women in almost nothing bathing suits and put notes like "what real women look like" etc. One day one of the other staff actually said she would rather be dead than fat.

Now I have never written that in a public setting and I haven't told many people that story. Before you get riled about it and ask why I didn't leave immediately, it was a great paying job, I was a single mom and words are words - I can let them hurt me or I can not.

In January of 2008 my insurance, Aetna, decided to start paying for the lapband surgery. During the first 30 days predetermination was not required - because they had a flaw in their benefits. I had 30 days. I was misreable in my job and misreable in my body. I went to my boss (legal field, very established firm, crazy money) and just flat out said, "put your money where your mouth is" - I would get half the surgery covered but he would have to pony up the other half. He did.

So - I had the surgery February 8th - I left my job March 7th. I have to admit I didn't feel bad about it.

So - after I was banded I lost about 20 pounds, fell and injured my ankle, was on crutches, didn't get a fill, met the man I married this February 2011 and pretty much ignored having the band for awhile. I gained all the weight back.

In July 2009, I got my first fill. I've been filled twice since then.

It is not easy. The band is not a magic wand that makes it all better - the band is a tool for a journey.

To shorten the story, I have to really watch what I eat. I know that some foods let me cheat and if I do then it's not a weight issue - it's a me issue. I have lost almost 100 pounds. That's ten sacks of potatoes. That's a whole other person. I have about 50-60 more pounds to lose. These are going to be even harder than the first 100 - but look! I'm more than half-way there.

I joined this group because I'm beginning to excercise more, I'm really watching what I put in - good stuff in, good stuff out. I really enjoy reading this site when I google lapband questions and it seems to be such a positive forum. I like that.

Look forward to interacting with all of you.

- Simone

Way to go Simone. I'm so excited that you are almost there! Please plan a nice visit to your old boss when you reach your goal and thank him for your fabulous new life - WITHOUT him in it!!! lol