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:

Chrispy, I am glad you have been doing so well. Have you moved again since the apartment? You are doing great on your weight loss! And with the men it sounds like. No, this isn't my tattoo boy, he was a real winner, let me tell you. I sold those Rock concert tx to him, he still owes me 128 dollars for them and won't return my calls. So, that, obviously was a waste of time and money. My new guy is only 29 woo hoo for me! And he is absolutely wonderful, sensitive, goofy, funny, sweet, caring, and I love him a lot, AND I didn't say the love word first, so its the real deal this time.

JC, cant wait to hear about your check up.

Leona, Thanks for the compliments, you look great also! I can't wait to get to my new goal, but I guess I should get to my original goal first. My best friend has a masters in Trumpet Performance, and plays with the Philharmonic, and local orchestras, etc. She also played with the New Mexico Orchestra, and a few others. What do you play? I would love to learn the violin.

Denise, did you ever read that book I suggested to you, Ghostfox? Was just wondering if you liked it.

Pigsrflyin, congrats on the surgery and the new weight loss! Its wonderful to see it start coming off!

Me, I have had soooo much restriction since my last fill, I think my metabolism has slowed down due to lack of calories. I have been trying for 2 days to get more calories in, including waking up in the middle of the night to munch a bit. I cant even get enough water, it sucks. But, last night, I laid back down to sleep after a very very very teeny weeny snack, like one friggin bite, and an hour later I had some reflux, and I aspirated some of it. Well, now I will probably get aspiration pneumonia, and I can't have that. I coughed and coughed this morning, but I am still wheezing, so I obviously havent' gotten it all out of my lungs, yes lungs, because it went down both sides. Guess I will be going to my PCP for some meds this week. I hate getting fills.

Kristi

:faint:

I'm an opera singer... and no... opera singers can no longer be famous when they are larger- take Deborah Voigt for example- she had to have GB because she was fired from an opera house because she didn't look pretty in a little dress...

I went to Juilliard for my undergrad and am now at Manhattan School of Music. I don't think its too hard to be a bandster in NYC because everyone has their vice there... alcohol, drugs, food, shopping, sex, you name it. All of my friends know about the surgery and are supportive so thats all that matters.

You guys are rocking it! Happy Friday... I have a Sushi/picnic date planned for tomorrow. haha- weird combo, but whatever. its different.

Talented people are on here!!

That's cool, Leona!!

By the way, I wish I had the money to support a shopping addiction. That sounds fun.

me too.... my vices are just sex and alcohol lol

Is there anyone else on here that has to go through alot of hoops when it comes to the surgery? I am just curius because of all that I have had to go through. It was a whole program designed by my hospital insurance. I had to talk to my PCP first so he could send a referral to the Bariatric Dept. Then I had to meet "one on one" with a Psycologist, Nutritionist, The Head of the Bariatric Dept., and also my surgeon, all of which were seperate appointments. Then I had to take 4 "Lifestyle Classes" as well as one Maintenance Class each month until I have the surgery. Not to mention I have to lose 56 lbs before surgery (that is total from my starting weight in November 2006), then before I have the surgery I will have to take a pre-op class as well. Some of these classes and all of the appointments I have had to drive almost 2 hours away. Whew!!! I guess this will all be worth it in the end, but for now I feel like I am running around in circles.

JC - good luck to you.

Leona06 - I love New York and I'm jelous. I hope you do well in your career - opera is one of my passions and I hope one day to come and hear you perform perhaps at the Metropolitan Opera House or La Scala in Milan. Just think we could have a bandster trip to Milan so move it along will you?

Smilin_Apple - OMG will you get a degree after all the classes you need to take? Here in Canada we don't have to do any of it. Although the post-op support at my clinic is amazing....no classes required .

I wish I'd had the option of jumping through hoops.

JC - good luck to you.

Leona06 - I love New York and I'm jelous. I hope you do well in your career - opera is one of my passions and I hope one day to come and hear you perform perhaps at the Metropolitan Opera House or La Scala in Milan. Just think we could have a bandster trip to Milan so move it along will you?

Smilin_Apple - OMG will you get a degree after all the classes you need to take? Here in Canada we don't have to do any of it. Although the post-op support at my clinic is amazing....no classes required .

It is alot but I do have to say there is only ONE good thing about it all and that is I do not have to pay for anything other than my $10 co-pay for the Doctor visits... It is all covered under my insurance, I don't even have a co-pay or deductible for the surgery itself. But other than that if I had the money I would have just paid for it on my own somewhere else and could of had it done 7 months ago!

Hi everyone, here is the scoop, There is a problem, I go in for pre-op stuff Sept, 5. Doc said he will try to fix it first, but he may have to remove.

I may have been reading him wrong but he knows my sister, she works there, he looked like he just ran over someones puppy and was having a hard time looking me in the eyes.

I am, among other things exhausted. I will be gone all day tomorrow and will check back in on Sunday.

Hey Manatee, this is why I plan insane long distance bike rides and go jogging in lightning storms!! :-)

JC

Hi everyone, here is the scoop, There is a problem, I go in for pre-op stuff Sept, 5. Doc said he will try to fix it first, but he may have to remove.

I may have been reading him wrong but he knows my sister, she works there, he looked like he just ran over someones puppy and was having a hard time looking me in the eyes.

I am, among other things exhausted. I will be gone all day tomorrow and will check back in on Sunday.

Hey Manatee, this is why I plan insane long distance bike rides and go jogging in lightning storms!! :-)

JC

Hey JC - I am newer to this site and have been doing a little bit of reading up on things posted by everyone on here and I came across your situation. I just wanted to let you know that you have another person to add to your list of people that are hoping all goes well for you. I will say a little prayer for you and I know that no matter what happens, you sound like a strong willed person and I know you will make it through triumphantly in the end.

~April~

Thank you, April. You are lucky to have found this thread, there are some great people on here!

JC

I am noticing that! Have a great evening JC, and try to get some rest tonight...

Hi! Single here... and finding new places to chat in.

Oooh, you're an Opera singer? I've been singing all my life and I have huuuuge lungs that are apparently 20% larger than the avarage but the weight forced them to only work at half capacity. :/ So that's one of my goals for when I regain some of my old energy- to learn how to sing in that style. I can't believe the attitude is like that though, that's awful. >_<

Hey Kristi! Glad to hear this new guy is so great. My tattoo boy was a real winner too - note to all you girls on this thread - stay away from the tattoo boys! lol. I am in the same apartment I have been in since January, and I love it! I'll be here for a while no doubt. I'm fairly happy with my weight loss. I know if I went balls to the wall it could come off faster, but I'm moreso trying to really change my habits and lifestyle. I'm afraid to get to the fill point you are at Kristi. You sound over-filled to me. If you can't get your water down and you're having reflux, that's a sign to me. Just keep an eye on yourself, ok?

JC - so sorry to hear there is a problem. Even if they have to remove the band, remember that doesn't mean they can't put one back in after your stomach has had a chance to rest. Did they say why the slip occurred? How much fill did you have? Geez, I'm just noticing that you were banded 3 days after me and look how much more you lost than me! Wow! You really did rock and roll, didn't you? lol. But JC if there is anyone who can keep it off it will be you with all that exercise. You are such an inspiration!

Welcome to the newbies who found our thread. There are some really great people who post here.

So Mike and I went out last night for the first time in over a week. He has just been so busy with work, and where he owns his own business I can't blame him. I told him as long as he makes time for me once a week during his busy season I'll be ok. I can handle that for a couple of months. He told me last night he bought some deodorant and a toothbrush to keep here, but he forgot them. That cracked me up. We haven't discussed being exclusive, but apparently he's going to start keeping stuff here. lol. Too funny. I like Mike a lot, but have been feeling hesitant lately. I just want to give myself some time to get to know him and to make sure that he can really give me what I need from this relationship before I really left myself fall for him. Like I really have control over that, but I'll try. lol