They have added a forum for us - let's post here... So we can share with the new people....

Welcome all newcomers!!Hope you have a great journey, join our little "oldies" group, and jump right on in with questions or answers! Karen(kll724)

Hi everyone

Glad I found this thread its really great. I guess this may have been covered before but I was banded on 15th October and only told my boss and one friend. I had my gall bladder removed at the same time so I didn't have to explain the time off work but now I find it difficult not to mention things about the lap band and am wondering if I should have told people before. How did others handle telling friends and co workers. Thanks for any advice.

Hi everyone

Glad I found this thread its really great. I guess this may have been covered before but I was banded on 15th October and only told my boss and one friend. I had my gall bladder removed at the same time so I didn't have to explain the time off work but now I find it difficult not to mention things about the LAP-BAND® and am wondering if I should have told people before. How did others handle telling friends and co workers. Thanks for any advice.

Well, I am retired, so no problem there. But, others, it all depends, who and how close a friend they are. Some who have asked, I just say, dieting or thank you for noticing my weight loss. Others, I have confided in. Good luck on your decision of whom you want to tell or whom you do not want to confide in. It is,after all, no ones business. KAren(kll724).

Hi everyone, Glad I found this thread its really great. I guess this may have been covered before but I was banded on 15th October and only told my boss and one friend. I had my gall bladder removed at the same time so I didn't have to explain the time off work but now I find it difficult not to mention things about the LAP-BAND® and am wondering if I should have told people before. How did others handle telling friends and co workers. Thanks for any advice.

It really is a personal preference, but I'm someone who just sort of lets it all hang out... so I told anyone who wanted to listen!! And probably some who didn't!! I think it provides an extra measure of accountability, so if you can handle people "watching" you for progress and asking, "So, how are you doing??" when you KNOW what they're asking, go for it! That didn't bother me at all.

So... now we're back in the desert for the winter and as others are returning they're saying, "Wow! You look great! So how much more have you lost??"

And I'm being very honest with my answers....

"I haven't lost anything this year. I'm just maintaining.. But I intend to lose another 50 lb!"

Thanks Phyl and Karen. I think I will just be careful who I tell, I expect it will get out gradually but I dont want my friends to think I was being deceptive with them

I'm a guidance counselor at a high school so I told people what I was doing to explain the sudden weight loss. If I did it over, not so sure I would have been so open. While I appreciate the concern about my health, I really hate being "watched" all the time. The other day we celebrated a birthday in the office and I had a small piece of cake....you could imagine the quiet gasps in the room! lol I guess I'll have to toughen up!

I kept it pretty quiet at first, but this is a small town- the day of my surgery, a friend was in the next room and a third friend came to visit her, saw my name on the next door, and the secret was blown. Turned out to not be such a big deal- some people know, some people don't, most people are pleasantly pleased for me, those that aren't are either too polite or too scared of me to say so. :thumbup:

I've had a slow down in weight loss recently thanks to thyroid problems: real honest to gosh ones; I have to have the left lobe removed. I hope this will take care of things like being constantly cold and sleepy, not to mention bump up the rate of weight loss. Anyone got experience along these lines?

I kept it pretty quiet at first, but this is a small town- the day of my surgery, a friend was in the next room and a third friend came to visit her, saw my name on the next door, and the secret was blown. Turned out to not be such a big deal- some people know, some people don't, most people are pleasantly pleased for me, those that aren't are either too polite or too scared of me to say so. :thumbup:

I've had a slow down in weight loss recently thanks to thyroid problems: real honest to gosh ones; I have to have the left lobe removed. I hope this will take care of things like being constantly cold and sleepy, not to mention bump up the rate of weight loss. Anyone got experience along these lines?

Not me, Llyra, but just wanted to wish yu good health. The thyroid problems are scary to me, as is any health issue. But, as you said, it may also help on the weight loss, which is a great side effect. Best wishes. Karen(kll724)

going for my third fill today.hopefully this one will work.so far i feel i have no resrtiction.

I tell everyone. Part of recovery is accountability. Helps me walk the straight and narrow. Also want to inspire others. Gave up caring what people think a long time ago.

Cheri

I too have told all my friends and family. I don't mind being watched, it kinda helps me make the right choice's. I am down around 15 lbs in 4 weeks and can't wait until my first fill on the 10th of Nov. Everyone here talks of 1 or 2 cc or ml, but my Dr says the first will be at 6. That seems like alot. Guess he doesn't fool around. Hope I don't have any problems, his office is a 3 hr drive for me. So I am looking forward to it and dreading it at the same time. I need it, because I am eating more at each meal than I should. HELP!!!

I told everyone, mainly so they would not invent some type of traumatic disease as to the reason for my weight loss. Plus, I have no concern about what folks think of me. The unseen benefit of telling everyone for me was the amount of support and good will that has been thrown my way! People I work with are so good...come potluck time, folks have asked me what it is that I can eat and then several make sure that there is something there for me. We even have smaller paper plates so my spot of food doesn't get lost in the bigger ones! People go out of their way to compliment me on the changes they see. I am blessed!

The only person that i held off telling about the surgery was my mom. Her health is not the best and she has had a life long fear of surgery so I told her after the procedure. She was a tad bit mad at me for trying to protect her, but alas, she loves me and wants me to be around long after she has left this world! (her words not mine!):sneaky:

Thanks for all the support! I know I'm 51 and still worried about people judging me over my weight, that's probably why I ate myself into this situation:biggrin: I love this forum and it helps me know that I am not in this alone! I think I may put my scales away for awhile and just go by how my clothes fit....that may help my compulsion to weigh all the time and judge my life by that silly number:thumbup:

I too have told all my friends and family. I don't mind being watched, it kinda helps me make the right choice's. I am down around 15 lbs in 4 weeks and can't wait until my first fill on the 10th of Nov. Everyone here talks of 1 or 2 cc or ml, but my Dr says the first will be at 6. That seems like alot. Guess he doesn't fool around. Hope I don't have any problems, his office is a 3 hr drive for me. So I am looking forward to it and dreading it at the same time. I need it, because I am eating more at each meal than I should. HELP!!!

The actual procedure is just mildly uncomfortable. They usually start by deadening the area. Then all you really feel is the pressure as they access the port. 6cc sounds like a lot, but they will undoubtedly not let you go until you drink a glass of water to make sure you're not too tight. Since you're 3 hrs away, I think I'd hang around a while and make sure everything is okay. Like maybe go somewhere for a bowl of soup....they'll probably want you on liquids only for at least the rest of that day.

I told everyone, mainly so they would not invent some type of traumatic disease as to the reason for my weight loss. Plus, I have no concern about what folks think of me. The unseen benefit of telling everyone for me was the amount of support and good will that has been thrown my way! People I work with are so good...come potluck time, folks have asked me what it is that I can eat and then several make sure that there is something there for me. We even have smaller paper plates so my spot of food doesn't get lost in the bigger ones! People go out of their way to compliment me on the changes they see. I am blessed!

The only person that i held off telling about the surgery was my mom. Her health is not the best and she has had a life long fear of surgery so I told her after the procedure. She was a tad bit mad at me for trying to protect her, but alas, she loves me and wants me to be around long after she has left this world! (her words not mine!):thumbup:

I'm sure she's forgiven you and understands your wanting to protect her. My Mom is a worrier, so I understand.

Thanks for all the support! I know I'm 51 and still worried about people judging me over my weight, that's probably why I ate myself into this situation:biggrin: I love this forum and it helps me know that I am not in this alone! I think I may put my scales away for awhile and just go by how my clothes fit....that may help my compulsion to weigh all the time and judge my life by that silly number:thumbup:

I was pretty sensitive about my weight when I weighed 325!! But not anymore even though I am still not at a healthy weight. I'm pretty open about telling people I am hovering around 200 lb and want to lose another 50!!

going for my third fill today.hopefully this one will work.so far i feel i have no resrtiction.

«hi «donna, how large a band do you have ?? a 4 cc or a 10cc???