We need a place where we can support each other through our "more than most" journey. Just as turtles don't get much out of hearing us talking about fast we're losing, maybe it would give us a nice break from "I'm getting banded because I need to lose 60 lbs".

I think we have our own unique challenges, expectations, baggage, etc. -- and we need our own little niche to support eachother. We all have a very long journey ahead of us, and need to band together.

Good luck to you nanniemidder. The journey is amazing and long but so worthwhile.

I too self-paid (not covered by any insurance in Canada and only a few provisional plans).

Dawn

Banded April 4th, 2006

Montreal

[/ur

Good luck Nanniemidder

I am also pre op . Thankfully I have insurance covering the majority. I Started my journey in July and waiting to be scheduled.Hopefully late December early January

Teresita,

10 pounds!!???!!! that is amazing!! Congrats! :clap2::clap2:

Ok uh... spent all last week in San Francisco area. Flew out on a Saturday, flew back home Saturday. Starting the first meal there I was TIGHT. Everything, and I do mean everything, that I tried to eat hurt. A LOT. Sometimes I'd be able to eat about 45 minutes after my first few bites, but for the most part the pain killed my appetite. Out of need to eat something I ended up pretty much living on Hummus from the local Whole Foods. The morning we left I had a very minor PB on a CROUTON off of DH's Breakfast casserole.

Scared to eat again before the plane left b/c I didn't want to end up PBing midflight. On the plane I ate a TINY bite of one pretzel over about 5 minutes because I was starving, but didn't feel safe eating. Even passed on the two fresh baked in flight Cookies.

Landed and drove an hour straight to the parents' - they were dog sitting for us. Mom had some buffalo chicken dip right out of the oven, so I took a bite, felt just fine. Starving at this point. Took about 3 more bites, still fine. They wanted to go out to eat so I ordered a cup of potato Soup. Did just fine. Nibbled on their wonton-like appetizer, did just fine. Few hours later had a small slice of Peanut Butter pie - did jsut fine. Did just fine all day yesterday.

I've taken probably 20 roundtrip flights since my banding in March. Three I've been so freaking tight the entire time I can't really tolerate anything other than Water or things that are the same consistency. The other times I've either been wide open, or it has come and gone... a day fine, then tight a few days, etc.

There's no rhyme or reason.

Uneblievably tight the first time was a week in Florida, literally didn't have a single meal without lots and lots of pain. The second time was a week in Illinois, I actually got stuck on soup. This time was a week in California... so it's coast to coast. No pattern there.

I'm going to start getting serious about logging my travel problems in relationship to TOM. I get really freaking tight before TOM, and pretty wide open during... this last trip was a week after... so maybe there's some kind of weird connection there.

:confused: I was just banded last Friday, November 17th. I had lost 50lbs before the surgery in the four weeks before surgery. I was so excited about that weight loss, my surgeon said it was a record!

Recovery has been great...haven't had any hunger pains:clap2: and I am adapting to the liquid protein diet very well. So far I have not missed food, by the way, did I mention I have alot:faint: to loose. I started at 481 and I am now 431. I haven't weight since the surgery, so I am anxious, but I am going to wait until Friday, my week anniversary.

I never had any pain from my wounds, just the port was sore. I slept in my bed the first night and have ever since. My sister flew in from Colorado and cleaned my whole house and painted my kitchen. I am so grateful to her. She has given me a great new start in my life and my house.:clap2: So if you want to chat please give me a shout...I can use the support. Thanks for listening...

Carole from Texas

:confused: I was just banded last Friday, November 17th. I had lost 50lbs before the surgery in the four weeks before surgery. I was so excited about that weight loss, my surgeon said it was a record!

Recovery has been great...haven't had any hunger pains:clap2: and I am adapting to the liquid protein diet very well. So far I have not missed food, by the way, did I mention I have alot:faint: to loose. I started at 481 and I am now 431. I haven't weight since the surgery, so I am anxious, but I am going to wait until Friday, my week anniversary.

I never had any pain from my wounds, just the port was sore. I slept in my bed the first night and have ever since. My sister flew in from Colorado and cleaned my whole house and painted my kitchen. I am so grateful to her. She has given me a great new start in my life and my house.:clap2: So if you want to chat please give me a shout...I can use the support. Thanks for listening...

Carole from Texas

WOW Wheetsin you are a traveling fool. Traveling is one of my goals once I have lost a substantial amount weight.

thompson632 great job!!! I am so excited for you and your next weigh in. Keep it up!!!! That was really sweet of your sister.

I'm so glad there is a thread specifically for me, a big girl!! It is wonderful to have others in the same boat as me. I was banded just shy of 2 weeks ago and I have about 200 more pounds to lose. It seems like such an impossible task but you all are an inspiration to me! :biggrin1: I look forward to taking this journey with everyone here!

Denise

Teresita - most of it is for work. I'm a virtual employee, kind of - so I work here in Missouri, but my team is based in Illinois. Let me say how incredibly awesome it is not to have a boss in the building, let alone in the same state. LOL There are two others in the same situation as me, in Florida. I love the arrangement, but the downside is that it requires a substantial amount of travel... seems like every month or two I have to go to either IL or FL, and for a while this year it was every other week. I don't go all the time, but frequently enough that the hotel staff in both places know me by name. And occasionally somewhere else for a conference, or training, or what have you. The few trips that are left over are ones for me & hubby.

I wasn't quite super size but i was BMI 48 veryging on 49 when i had my band fitted in May 2005. I am now BMI 45 verging on 46 and i can say i am totally dissheartened by this whole process.

its been a jurnery full of set backs and complications and i have now reach a stage were i just want it out.

Muggle,

I'm really sorry you seem to have had a bad band experience....can I ask what problems you have had/are having?

Hey Muggle I hope you had a nice thanksgiving. I saw in another thread where you therapist is willing to back you up in a revision. I hope that works out well for you.

:phanvan Hi Muggle and I am so with you....disheartened. I knew I needed more restriction and it took six weeks to get an appointment. I was so depressed throughout the six weeks and ate. Put some weight back on. Got a huge fill (I am now at 9cc out of a 11cc band) and I am doing okay...not great. As my surgeon is about to go into the port he says "you know the lap-band doesn't work for some people". Great. I didn't need to hear that. Why don't we discourage me. :cry Bypass is not an option for me b/c of other life circumstances. So my heart is with you!!!! Motivation?? Ha!!

Hang in there!!! :help: :help: :help: :help:

Ruthie

Hey! Im starting at 362 pounds, BMI of 53.5 @ 5'9". Very excited to start the process!

Good luck to you Chechnya!!!

The road is long but so worth it (at least my new size 18 jeans think so!!!!)

Banded April 4th 2006 (Montreal)

Fill June 9th 2006