serious

If I follow the bandster rules with eating: solid protein first, then veggies, then carb, I get full fast on a few bites. I have not had my first fill yet. I define full as slightly uncomfortable and unable to eat any more solids. If I wanted to, I could probably eat some ice cream, (soft foods), after that, but not because I would still be hungry, but because I know there is some in my fridge. If you read the "instruction manual" for the band it is designed to give a feeling of satiation when you eat "bandster meals." It works best for volume eaters who follow the rules most of the time. It doesn't stop you from eating around it nor does it make decisions for you on what you decide to put in your mouth. A friend of mine decided against the band for that reason, she has decided to get the gastric sleeve. I would rather follow the rules and do the work required to make my lapband successful than have 95% of my stomach removed.

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.

I am reading this great book "Singled out, how singles are stereotyped, stigmatized, and Ignored, and still live happily ever After," By Bella DePaulo, PhD. Her research is great. I don't agree with everything she says, for instance, she feels some of her married friends made her feel less than...I have not experienced that, my friends are my friends, married, single, divorced, gay, whatever, but her book is great and I recommend it. KristiB, as you get closer to your weight loss goal, and thus your transformation, you will date more, it takes time to feel comfortable in your own skin. I haven't tried any of the online dating sites yet, but I have friends who do and swear by them. They don't go on looking for their "soulmate" though, they go on looking for friends, then they weed out from there. The same with me I guess, when I meet men,I take a while to get to know them , I don't do one night stands. I also read this book, "Why men love bitches" and use that as my dating quide and get good results. One of my girlfriends who went through a horrible divorce is in the process of transforming herself. She is having plastic surgery to celebrate her divorce. I plan on having cosmetic dental surgery this summer. I want that white straight smile. I have a picture in my head of how I want to look by Christmas, so I am a work in progress. This weight loss is just the beginning. I am beautiful now, just wait till the end of the year!

Audree, Dr. Rumbaut and his nutritionist told us to eat for 30 minutes, then stop, even if you have not completed the meal. I got banded exactly a month before you did. I go for my first fill back in Monterrey on Monday. My family has a history of MO, heart disease and hypertension. I want to lose 60 lbs.

Chrispygal, Don't get me wrong I enjoy dating too and love being in a relationship. I am currently dating two very interesting men. My point is that as single women, we have got to get past the stereotypes: we are not lonely spinsters waiting for someone to marry us to make us complete. We are part of the fastest growing consumer group in this country. I am not anti marriage if that is what people want, but I want us, especially as women, to start being comfortable with all of our lifestyle choices. Some of us will choose to marry, some of us, like myself, choose to stay single and date. Some of us will choose to stay child free. We have so many options these days. I just want people to stop equating singleness with loneliness; Some of my married friends are the loneliest women I know.

HI lower BMI Bandsters. I was banded 12/5/06 by Dr. Rumbaut in Mexico. I go for my first fill this weekend back in Monterrey. I am 5'2" and weighed 192#, currently 1 weigh 185#. When I was finally able to start on solids after the mushy phase, got full on two bites of food. Still am having some tightness in my throat with some of the meats if I don't chew really really well, even without a fill. When I was in Monterrey before my surgery there were other preops there who questioned my getting a band. They said things like you don't look like you need to lose that much weight! Well, I like some of you have tried diet after diet, you all know the story, and I have a family history of MO, so I want to nip this in the bud before it gets totally out of hand. Audree, thanks for starting this thread for the lower BMIs.

I think this may be a bit of a hijack...I am 38 and "happily single", and so are all of my single friends. I have never lacked for male companionship and date frequently. I am a lower BMI Bandster, and paid for my lap band because I have a family history of MO and saw where I was headed...wanted to nip this in the bud. In the US, the latest polls shows 51% of women are now choosing to remain single. My friends and I have our own money, (I have a great job, and was able to pay for my lapband without any sacrifice), our own cars and can go and do as we please. I see marriage as a lifestyle "choice", but not mine. I was banded on December the 5th by Dr. Rumbaut. I'm making plans to go this weekend back to Monterrey to get my first fill, and I'm making a mini vacation out of it. I plan to shop and have a good time and spend even more money on myself. I love Monterrey, I love my lifestyle. I love the fact that I can afford to do this and don't have to have my choices "approved" by a spouse as so many of my married friends do. I plan to fly back and get all my fills done in Monterrey, and thank God I can afford to do that. I say enjoy your life, live life to the fullest as you continue on your weight loss journey. I do.

On July 15, 2004, the United States Department of Health and Human Services announced a new policy from HHS' Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) removing language in the Medicare Coverage Issues Manual stating that obesity is not an illness. According to the press release "This step allows members of the public to request that Medicare review medical evidence to determine whether specific treatments related to obesity would be covered by Medicare. By law, Medicare covers specified medically necessary services for illness and injury. The prior manual language, because it stated that obesity was not an illness, could prevent Medicare from covering treatments for diseases related to obesity."[27] This is what they were lobbying against, a change in the language.

There reasoning is that if Medicare pays for WLS, it is like saying there is something wrong with being fat. They do not recognize being fat as a "disease" that needs to be treated, like, for instance, heart disease. And I agree with that viewpoint...when I was 20# overweight, I was fine with it, everybody is not meant to be skinny and that has never been my goal. I was considered fat by some people's standards, but not by mine, and I certainly didn't think I had a disease. But 20# turned into 60, and my blood pressure started to creep up and my knees started to hurt. I started seeing members of my family, including my parents, die at an early age secondary to obesity related illnesses, then I had a different take on it and realized that my weight was indeed affecting my health.

Perhaps flamed is too strong a word....I think it's obvious if you re read my post that I am not stereotyping anybody, I have already stated that ANY group of a given community can and will have divergent viewpoints. I was referencing a particular website and program I saw on TLC. I realize that those viewpoints don't represent the entire community. Last year members of The Fat Acceptance Community lobbyed Congress to try and prevent Medicare from paying for weight loss surgery. If These type of measures go through, it does not personally affect me because I was self pay and have already had the surgery, but it can certainly impact others who see this as a viable option and this would be their method for paying for the surgery.

Well, skyeblu, you should then read "The BIG FAT BLOG" which is one of blog sites for the size acceptance movement. They are very anti-WLS. The Size Acceptance movement itself, acknowledges that they are having trouble staying afloat as there are so many divergent views about what they should be about, as was referenced previously. As far as being tons of people who are anti WLS who aren't part of the size acceptance movement, I know, I was one of them. I have not been fat my whole life. But after trying diet after diet and gaining more and more weight, I had to give WLS a fresh look. After doing three years of research, I changed my mind about it and found it to be a viable option. Anyway, this thread is about what we think of the size acceptance movement, so that is why I specifically addressed the anti-weight loss sentiment I have found among a group of people who are also part of the size acceptance community. Are all of them anti-weight loss? No, of course not, just like our group has different opinions about what works: some in the WLS community think the Lap band is not helpful and prefer RNY, some like DS, some think Gastric bypass surgery is the way to go,etc. In any group you are going to have different views. As a multicutural female, I have been around people from different cultures and ethnic backgrounds who complain when they are discrimminated against. But it doesn't make it right for them to turn around and do the very same thing to the groups they are complaining about. My point being, as has been my point throughout this discussion, that if you want people to accept you, then accept them. I have chosen, as an overweight person, to use the tools available to me to try to overcome my weight problem. I don't realistically expect the Fat Acceptance community to embrace me, but to be accepting of my choice, as I am accepting of my overweight family and friends who are happy with their weight and choose not to have surgery or to diet. I am very surprised that I am being flamed on a lap band surgery site.

I was a self pay and had my surgery done in Mexico with Dr. Rumbaut. The price was 10,600, airfare not included, but the preop tests, hospital stay, hotel and transportation to and from the airport was. Could not get the surgery done in the US because my BMI was too low. I did not want to have to gain 40# to have the surgery; the Mexican docs will do lower BMI patients. Also, I did not have to have evidence of having dieting or any psych eval, thank God. I plan to go back to Dr Rumbaut for my fills. However, I do have a doctor here just in case I have an emergency.

I went to Monterrey, Mexico to be banded and will be going back to my wonderful doctor for my fills. Bitteroldhag, you should read on the "net" something called Medical Tourism. It has always existed, but now is growing in leaps and bounds as more and more Americans and Canadians are going to other countries to get surgery, dental care etc. While I was in Monterrey, I met several Americans who were from Southern Cal who told me everybody there goes to Mexico to get their dental work, because it is just too expensive in the US. I researched when I got home, and you would not believe the number of Mexican dentists who have practices where over 60% of their patients are Americans or Canadians. Stem cell research will continue....whether people here want it to or not. We no longer have the best healthcare system in the world, just the most expensive.

Laurend, I see your point. Being fat is only one aspect of me, and for me it really doesn't define me, because I feel with the help of the lap band, in addition to some other things I'm doing towards self-empowerment, I feel I have a fighting chance. However, I realize that it will be a constant battle, but a lot of things in life are... Don't apologize Marjon9, you also have the freedom to express your opinion. What's great about this board as opposed to some others is that people seem to respect that. We can agree to disagree. To me, if we as a society could have more open discourse like we do on this board, then there would be more tolerance and acceptance of everybody.

laurend, what you are saying here, "weight doe not define you as a person," etc, seems to run counter to what you said under the "Vanity" thread. There, you acknowledged that being overweight limited you both professionally and socially, as did almost everybody else who responded to that thread. I second what Marjon9 and Wheetsin are saying. My problem, again, with the size acceptance movement is that they have their own biases against people of size who choose WLS. And here, I am not only referencing the website I ran across, but a program that I saw on TLC. In a perfect world , everyone would accept everybody regardless. However, that is not our reality. Having WLS in all its various forms is not an easy decision, nor is it the easy way out as I know we all here can attest, but it was my decision, (and my money), and it was the best decision for me. I have a sister that is morbidly obese. She does not choose to have WLS, and I respect her decision. However, she acknowledges that if she was smaller her life would be more manageable, (like for instance, she would be able to tie her own shoes), but she prefers not to have surgery, and that's her choice.

I went to one of the "size acceptance" websites, and they literally slam the WLS community. From the majority of their posts, they see us as sell outs. They had one person on there who just asked a legitimate question about WLS, and they flamed him and told him to get off their board. I agree, he should have come here or to one of the other WLS sites, but he was not promoting WLS at all. So, I am saying all that to say this, if the fat acceptance people want people to "accept" them and their choices, they should be more accepting of others who have made different choices, like WLS.

Marjon, I traveled from Georgia to Monterrey, Mexico to have my lapband surgery on my own. First time ever in Mexico and I don't speak a word of spanish and I did fine. Plan to go back by myself to get my first fill. Just use common sense: I took one piece of rolling luggage with me, so the weight of it was not an issue. Also, Dr. Rumbault has you stay in the hospital after surgery and the next day, then the next day you have to stay overnight at the hotel, (he provides transportation), then you have to be seen by him at the office before you are discharged. So, I had a couple of days to recover...by the time I was discharged, I was ready to go and felt fine. Keep in mind that there are probably going to be other people there getting banded too. I met about 15 other Americans and they kind of "adopted" me and we all hung out together. I experienced no problems and have no regrets.

All of the above. Vanity : because I was always one of those women who women hated and men loved because I was so pretty, I never lacked for male companionship, and I loved going out, I had a very active social life. Now, I spend a lot of time staying home because I refuse to buy any bigger clothes, and my self esteem is shot to hell. Health: because my right knee is beginning to ache, and my blood pressure is starting to edge up. Family: I have a family history of heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, and of course, obesity. Career: Because as has already been stated, the world we live in is very image conscious, and if you do not look the part you are not going to get the job.

Hi Jason, welcome to the nursing profession. You are so right to want to get control of things now...I love my patients and I know how hard it is for them, thus my decision to get the lapband since nothing else was working, and my weight continued to creep up with every new diet. You bring up an interesting point that some prebanders need to know. The lap band isn't only a tool to help you lose weight, but it also helps prevent or reverse some of the comorbidities that come with the weight gain. I have had my lap band now for 3 and 1/2 weeks, so am still new at this...but I am happy with my decision. I have healed quickly and am getting ready to take a long walk in the park...I think this will be a good tool for you to help you take back control of your life.

Maurdan, it happens. But just get back on the wagon. The day before I left Mexico, Dr Rumbaut had several of us in his office and told this horrible story about "pizza girl." He said she went back to the hotel after being banded, ordered a pizza, stuffed it down and started throwing up blood, then they had to rush her to surgery. I don't know if it's true, maybe he told us that to scare us, but it created a helluva visual for me. When I got hungry on liquids, I just remembered that visual, and went and got another sugarfree popsicle to get me through.

Deckedout, you are so right, healing comes first. thanks for the post, it helped put me back on track.

Hi. I received my lapband on December the 5th of this year. It was a Christmas present from me to me. Was banded by Dr. Rumbaut in Monterrey. Have been lurking here for a while, both pre and post band. Actually researched the band for three years before deciding it was the right choice for me. (Kept trying the usuall, weight watchers, personal trainers, etc. You all know the story), was very pleased with Rumbaut and staff. I know I am newly banded, but have not had any problems as of yet, and honestly, don't expect any.

My BMI was 35.4. I am 5'2" and weighed 191, now I weigh 181. I was banded by Dr. Rumbaut on 12/5/06, and am now currently on mushies. I usually try to walk in my neighborhood once a day. Feel better everyday, and my scars have healed.

I was banded in Monterrey by dr Rumbaut and could not be more pleased. I found him and his team to be professional, compassionate and very knowledgeable. During the last visit with his office, a day before he was to release us, I was sitting in his office with several other bandsters, and I got a severe migraine. I suffer with menstrual migraines, and was a little surprised as it was not time for my cycle, but found out from this site that sometimes, after the surgery, the cycle comes on early. Anyway, He saw me rubbing my temple, stopped his discussion, and said I need to see what's wrong. He brought me into his inner office, where I proceeded to cry, telling him I had a migraine. He called his anesthesiologist, (because he said a lot of women in his office suffer with migraines, and he knows some tricks), took me in the back, let me lie down in a dark room, and had the receptionist walk across the street and get me Imitrex. My migraine was gone in about 15 minutes after the treatment. I have been a critical care nurse since 1991, and, trust me, US doctors would have referred me to whoever I see for my migraines. They would not have treated it if it was not within their specialty. A lot has been said about being able to "sue" doctors in the United States, so they are more accountable. Oh really? I have worked as a Legal Nurse Consultant for the last 5 years in California, Georgia and Louisiana. MOST medical malpractice settles, (98%), without the doctor ever admitting fault. In addition, I was a travel nurse for a while, and have been in over forty hospitals in the United States. WarmMorningSun, I thought the point you made about JACHO was so right on. Loved the article. I have been in so many hospitals that were "JACHO accredited" that needed to be shut down because the quality of care is so poor. Too many people ensuring their paperwork looks good for JACHO, instead of doing patient care. The JACHO designation is not everything it's cracked up to be. In choosing a doctor, I did what I have always done. I researched the lapband and the doctors for three years prior to having the surgery. When I want to know who is the best person to perform a procedure, I think the best people to ask are nurses who work in that specialty area, and patients, especially patients who have had the procedure done by the doctor your research tells you is the most qualified. Having said that, the person who came up with bariatric nurses that I talked with in the US was Dr. Rumbaut in Monterrey. There is a bariatric doctor here, 10 minutes from my house, the nurses call him Dr. Slash and Dash. In reading the posts on this and other boards, one name comes up over and over, again, Dr. Rumbaut. I know that a patient here had a bad experience with him, but believe me NO DOCTOR is going to have a perfect track record. Anyone who thinks that is highly unrealistic. I plan to return to dr. Rumbaut for all of my fills, partly because he is the one who place my band and I feel most comfortable with him, and partly because I loved Monterrey, and will be going back as a mini vacation. However, there is a possibility that an emergency can arise in relation to my band. So, I do have a primary and a gastroenterologist close to home who are here for me should the need to arise. I would not want to be in an ER anywhere with some inexperienced (with lap bands), physician making matters worse, believe me, that happens more than you know, and yes right here in the good ol United States. Better safe than sorry. So, my advice, do your research. If you decide to have your surgery either out of the country or out of state, have a physican knowledgeable about lap bands who is willing to work with you close at hand in case of any emergencies. Sorry my post was so long, but I think I have a wealth of experience in certain areas and thought that it would be helpful.

Maurdan, I was also banded by wonderful Rumbaut and the Mcdreamy team on the 5th of December. I was very hungry on the liquids, and did a lot of sugar free jello and popsicles, and made my own protein shakes. I am on my first week of mushies and believe me, it gets better. My shoulder and port pain are gone, my scars are healed, and I am actually getting satiated on small amount of mushies. Who would have believed it?