I thought it might be a good idea to have a thread where we could discuss the different challenges/issues we face as being single and banded.

I'll start with introducing myself. My name is Chris, I am 32 and live in a suburb of Boston. About a year ago I got out of a 5 year relationship and have just casually dated (online dating) since then. I have decided to take a break from dating for a bit, so I can focus on myself and adjust to living life as a bandster. (I was just banded on 10/2). One of my biggest concerns when I start dating again is if/when to tell that I am banded. It's not that I don't want to tell people, it's just that my idea of great dinner conversation does not include discussing my weight. Overall I would say that I have a great life. I have a good job, a very supportive family, and lots of friends. I am happy to be taking control over my weight and issues with food, and am excited at the prospect of my future as a not-so-fat woman.

I look forward to meeting more single bandsters and hope this thread takes off!

Chris :cocktail:

I like this thread too. Some of the other threads tend to be so negative concerning the band. I was reading one the other day where this doctor was talking about failure rates with the band...then I had to remind myself that this particular doctor is very pro GB, and in fact, practices that type of surgery, so he definitely has a conflict of interests. Another person said she has had the band two years and has only lost 7#. But I got up from the computer, took a walk, and put things in perspective. The band is just a tool, not a magic wand. Some people, with any surgery, wt loss plan, diet what ever are going to fail, that is a statistical fact. But conversely, there are also going to be people who succeed. I got my positive outlook back, because I plan to be a success story. I am willing to put in the work to make that happen. I'm sorry if I deviated from the intent of this thread, just had to vent, and I like you guys.

No apologies needed serious! We like you too. AND I'd like to add that I plan on being a success story too! How long have you been banded?

Hi Chrispygal,

I was banded 12/5/06. I go for my first fill on Monday in Monterrey. I need it because my appetite has come back with a vengance, however, I have maintained a 10# weightloss since being banded.

That darn appetite! You're doing great so far - good luck with your fill!

I like this thread too. Some of the other threads tend to be so negative concerning the band. I was reading one the other day where this doctor was talking about failure rates with the band...then I had to remind myself that this particular doctor is very pro GB, and in fact, practices that type of surgery, so he definitely has a conflict of interests. Another person said she has had the band two years and has only lost 7#. But I got up from the computer, took a walk, and put things in perspective. The band is just a tool, not a magic wand. Some people, with any surgery, wt loss plan, diet what ever are going to fail, that is a statistical fact. But conversely, there are also going to be people who succeed. I got my positive outlook back, because I plan to be a success story. I am willing to put in the work to make that happen. I'm sorry if I deviated from the intent of this thread, just had to vent, and I like you guys.

Serious,

I am glad you went for the walk and got your positive attitude back. You will be successful with the band because you wanted it so badly. I'm not banded yet, but I can tell you that I'm going to be successful too. It's a frame of mind that makes you fail or succeed. I will not fail at this. I have to make it with the band. That's my outlook and I'm sticking with it. Some people are very negative about any kind of WLS. I just tell them I'm going to do it rather they approve or not, so they can just get over themselves. It seems to work for me! LOL Good luck with your fill and have fun in Mexico.

Hi Everyone,

I have some sort of bad news. I went to see my cardiologist today because my blood pressure was up when I saw my PCP Monday. Well, he wants to do another CT Scan and a PET heart scan before he will clear me for surgery! I want to get this surgery scheduled and done. I know it's important for me to be healthy enough to get through the surgery, but I don't like this waiting game. It's driving me crazy, and as my family always tells me, I don't need a full tank of gas to get there. Just wish me luck. The tests are both scheduled for February 2nd, two weeks from today.

HAAA about not needing a full tank of gas to get to crazy!

Very sorry about your news but I am sure you will pass the tests. It is only a matter of days for those tests and probably a matter of weeks before your surgery.

Once you get the surgery then you will be able to start off knowing you are in pretty good shape and you are going to be able to make the most of your band in becoming healthier!

Hi Wootsie73,

My blood pressure was borderline hypertension pre-band. I had my preop in Mexico with Dr. Rumbaut's internist. I told him the increase in blood pressure is from the increase in weight. He put me on a anti hypertensive and I still was able to get the surgery. You'll do fine. There are people on this board that have all kinds of co morbidities; sleep apnea, asthma etc. and they are still able to get the surgery. Go to the grocery and get your stuff ready for that two week liquid phase, I practically lived off of sugar free popsicles. Good Luck!

Hi Single Bandsters, need your help!

My hairstylist who has been doing my hair for the past couple of years is very good. She has become somewhat of an associate of mine in that we meet for lunch or dinner. The problem is there is another hair stylist who works in that shop who I would love to go to have do my hair. My hairstylist is always in a bad mood (with the other stylists), always complaining about the least little thing. Like I said, I like the way she does my hair, but it's discouraging to have to sit there and listen to her latest gripe about anything and everything. She's nice to me, but some of the things she gets upset about, I'm like what is the matter with you? Anyway, the other stylist, who also does a good job, is always upbeat, fun, cheerful. I want to switch, but don't know how to gracefully do it without hurting my current stylists' feelings. We do see each other socially. I am also going to post this under lower BMIs, I need lots of feedback.

Okay. I have one more question. Do any of you drink the Matrix Protein drinks? I found a website one day, but can't find it again. You can get free samples for just a few bucks. I saw the post on one of the other threads. anyway...

Kris

Hey Missy,

Here is the link to a site I found today. I hope this is the 1 you were looking for. I found out about it on obesityhelp.com lap-band forum. I hope this is the site you were looking for. Let me know if it is or isn't.

bariatriceating.com

Joan

Hi All, I am looking for an guy older than myself ,(36) who is a happy, sensitive and caring person. I do not need a control freak or someone who is angry all the time. I don't know that marriage is really my thing, but I want to have a baby/babies and live with a life partner.

Don't know if my perfect guy is even out there.

Susannah

HAAA about not needing a full tank of gas to get to crazy!

Very sorry about your news but I am sure you will pass the tests. It is only a matter of days for those tests and probably a matter of weeks before your surgery.

Once you get the surgery then you will be able to start off knowing you are in pretty good shape and you are going to be able to make the most of your band in becoming healthier!

Genius, you just crack me up. I laugh at almost every one of your posts. I know it is just a short set back, but I'm SOOOOOOOOO READY to have this surgery and get on the losing side of life! I already thought I was in pretty good shape health wise because of all of the testing, stent placements, etc I had done back during last summer. Oh well, hopefully everything will be ok. My doc said he is concerned about my stents because I'm diabetic now. That kinda scares me, but I'll just have to wait and see. Thanks for the encouragement!

Joan

Hi Wootsie73,

My blood pressure was borderline hypertension pre-band. I had my preop in Mexico with Dr. Rumbaut's internist. I told him the increase in blood pressure is from the increase in weight. He put me on a anti hypertensive and I still was able to get the surgery. You'll do fine. There are people on this board that have all kinds of co morbidities; sleep apnea, asthma etc. and they are still able to get the surgery. Go to the grocery and get your stuff ready for that two week liquid phase, I practically lived off of sugar free popsicles. Good Luck!

Thanks serious. I know I'm going to be ok, but I have almost every co-morbidity there is already. I have the hypertension, sleep apnea, asthma, diabetes, plus the three stents in my renal and iliac arteries. So, I've got them all to. I'm not concerned about not being able to have the surgery, I'm just wanting it now, damnit! Like yesterday! I will be ok, I'm just not a very patient person when it comes to these kinds of things. LOL

Hi Single Bandsters, need your help!

My hairstylist who has been doing my hair for the past couple of years is very good. She has become somewhat of an associate of mine in that we meet for lunch or dinner. The problem is there is another hair stylist who works in that shop who I would love to go to have do my hair. My hairstylist is always in a bad mood (with the other stylists), always complaining about the least little thing. Like I said, I like the way she does my hair, but it's discouraging to have to sit there and listen to her latest gripe about anything and everything. She's nice to me, but some of the things she gets upset about, I'm like what is the matter with you? Anyway, the other stylist, who also does a good job, is always upbeat, fun, cheerful. I want to switch, but don't know how to gracefully do it without hurting my current stylists' feelings. We do see each other socially. I am also going to post this under lower BMIs, I need lots of feedback.

Wow serious, that's a hard one. My question is, is she in a bad mood all the time, even when you see her socially? Just wondering, because that would make it a lot easier to leave her. I wouldn't like going to have my hair done or out socially with someone who was always in a bad mood either. I think if I were you, I would try to make an appointment with the new girl when your regular hairdresser isn't working. Then, you could find out if she does your hair as well as your regular girl does. You probably wouldn't want to change if she didn't do your hair as well anyway. If you decide you like her better, then you will just have to tell your current hairdresser why you are changing. Maybe that will help her change her attitude a little. You could always just ask her why she's always in a bad mood and hint that you are thinking of changing to someone else because of it. She may take the hint and at least act like she's in a good mood when she's doing your hair.

Joan

Wootsie73,

You know, that is good question, because, no she is not in a bad mood when I see her socially...Just in the shop. I used to to think that maybe her period coincided with my hair appointments, because I'm usually irritable and weepy that time of month, but I don't know. Like at Christmas time, the owner put a plant with a red bow on her station, it was cute, I thought. When I came for my appointment, she said, "Great now I have to worry about some spider crawling out of that plant!" Then Thursday, one of the other stylists said he was out of some product and was asking her how do they go about getting more, (she's been there the longest). She told him to just wait until the rep comes, sweetie. When he left, she said,"why is he asking me, do I look like the manager? I am so sick of him!" It's always some drama over the least little thing.