TheRealSouthernBelle

Don't be discouraged! Statistics are just that: statistics. I'm sure they include people who haven't lost any weight into those averages as well. Plus, I think doctors tell their patients this, so if they don't lose all the excess weight they can't say their doctor lied to them or they will be prepared mentally if they don't lose all the weight. I feel it is possible to lose it all! I have faith in myself (for once in my life) and faith in my band. I just CANNOT eat like I used to, the band won't let me, and that is one contributing factor to my current success. As you can tell from my ticker I want to lose 188 pounds. There are many people on here that probably look at that stat and gasp and say she will NEVER do that and there are probably some medical professionals that believe the same. Personally, I know that it can be done. I've seen too many success stories. I have NEVER been slim or a normal size in my life and I finally feel as though I have the opportunity to make that happen. I'm almost already to that 45 to 55% stat. Maybe I can hit a homerun and get that 100%. I'll probably already be satisfied with my body before I even hit that stat. I'm already fitting into size 20s. I don't like statistics anyway (I took too many stats classes in college). LOL!

I don't know if I'd be considered an old timer, but I've never gotten stuck or thrown up. But I've never had good restriction until my last fill. I can't eat in the mornings now (I tried it and the tightness in the chest is too bad), so I just drink a Protein shake. I'm in the green zone now! Hope to God I never do!

I am using it along with Bio-Oil. It is working good so far smoothing the scars and making them less noticeable. My scars are darker than the rest of my skin so I am going to try Clinique Dark Spot Corrector (it worked wonders on my face) to even out my skin tone.

I understand where you are coming from! My insurance had an exclusion for WLS, so I was on my own. The place where I went has a great cash price with 1 year of free fills at $9,900, but that was still a little too much for my budget. If I had a hiatal hernia I would only have to pay for the price of the actual band which was $5,500. I figured I had one because I started getting horrible heartburn out of nowhere everyday (that's one of the symptoms of a hiatal hernia). Turns out I did have one (thank God)! No, you are not crazy for wanting a co-morbidity if it means that you won't have to pay a dime for this amazing procedure, plus once you get it the sleep apnea should resolve itself, correct? If you don't have it hopefully they will be able to cover something (unlike my insurance ).

Yes, it's completely normal. A nurse from the center where I got surgery at called to check up on me the day after surgery and I asked her and she said that it's nothing to worry about. It's just annoying as hell!

My brake check was finding out if I had a hiatal hernia. I was so nervous! My insurance has an exclusion for WLS, so the only way I realistically could afford it is if I had a hiatal hernia. I just kept telling myself if I didn't have it I would save up $4400 more (I only had to pay $5500 for the band itself). Thank God I had a hernia, but God knows I was ready to take on a 2nd job, start selling stuff on EBAY, anything to find the extra money. $15, you lucky duck!

I didn't start it until I was under 300. I got my inspiration from watching The Biggest Loser. They are probably some of the fittest big people around, well they're slim now. I've never been a runner and always hated it, but I figured I'd do something to take me out of my comfort zone. I wanted to make sure I could "handle" it before I started, so I started off slow just walking, then powerwalking. I'm just on week 2 but I repeat each week 3 times and this week I'll repeat it 4 times because I don't feel comfortable yet, plus I'm starting to incorporate weight training in my workout regimine. They say what doesn't kill us makes us stronger. It will feel like you're out of breath and going to die, but it will get better, until you move on to your next week. LOL! Just make sure you buy yourself a good pair of running shoes if you don't already have some. You don't want to get an injury that could get you out of your workout routine all together.

Damn Jess who pissed you off? What's not a big deal to you apparently is a big deal to the OP and plenty of others who want to smooth their scars. To be honest you shouldn't have even responded if you didn't have any suggestions on what to use. Plus, plently of people have skin that doesn't do well with scars, so they probably WILL be noticeable. Haven't you ever heard if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all?

I am getting my doctorate, so I guess that qualifies me as a college student. LOL! I was extremely nervous about surgery as I have never had any kind of procedure or been in the hospital before. I had an EGD a week before the surgery so it was practice for the big day and I felt more comfortable. My anestesiologist made me feel so comfortable she was explaining every step and reassured me I'd be okay because she would be right their monitoring everything. The staff was so friendly and they were playing music in the OR (LOL)! A nurse asked me what I was going to dream about and the next thing I knew I was waking up in recovery screaming to the nurse to give me some pain medication. Will you be living on campus? Does it have a cafeteria? When I was in undergrad I loved the caf! If you are going to be at a big school (I went to LSU) there will always be something good, nutritious, and healthy to eat. You will be just fine if you can avoid those late night study snacks (I always had Krispy Kreme donuts) and drinking excessively (if you drink) when you go out (if you like to party). Also, most schools have a gym on campus and it's free to students! Damn you got me wishing I was 18 again. FYI my freshmen year I dropped 30 pounds and was the smallest ever (215). I took full advantage of the gym and the great cafeteria food. You will do great and good luck. Believe me when I say this will be one of the BEST times of your life.

Yes, that is what the pre-op diet is for. However, it does have side effects: moodiness, extreme hunger, depression, anger, fatigue, tiredness, weakness, etc. This is how I felt during my pre-op diet and my surgeon is very liberal about his (I have attached a link below). Of course I cheated (I guess within reason)! LOL! I went to Red Lobster and ate some grilled stuffed fish and a salad (with dressing), but I avoided the biscuits and I went to Cheddar's and I got a baked chicken breast and broccoli and green Beans. If I had the willpower to stick to a restrictive diet that has me feeling like I am about to pass out and snapping at everyone because I am so miserable I would not need the band. The lap band has curbed my hunger, which always plagued me while dieting. I would become so hungry I would get tired of it and just say fuck it and eat everything in sight. I knew the band would help and it sure has. I hope you can make it too, but do not beat yourself up if do wind up eating that chicken breast. I couldn't imagine sticking to nothing but liquids for 2 weeks. Good luck! My Surgeon's Preop Diet

I am going to pick me up a probiotic and some benefiber to ease my issues. I just thought I had to live with it. Thanks!

I don't have any issues with my band during my TOM, but then again that only comes every 3 months thanks to my birth control. I do get cravings however for no reason. I just give in. I guess that's not the best advice to give, but you do deserve to treat yourself every now and then as long as it's within reason. I'll get a Blizzard from DQ and relish in it, but that's only when I get a crazy craving, which is only about 2 or 3 times a month. If you don't want to treat yourself with something as calorie filled as that I would go for a lower calorie snack or treat. I found these ice cream bars that are 80 calories and there's frozen yogurt too, which is pretty good. Everyone gets off track now and then (we wouldn't be human if we didn't), but you will be okay.

Congratulations! I am soooo scared of slipping back into old habits. Like the old saying goes old habits die hard. What are the sites where you got these recipes from? That's about 9 pounds a month. I know you can do it. It will take all the hard work and dedication you can muster, but I have confidence in you. Keep up the good work!

I have horrible gas all the time and it is painful. I got my 4th fill this past Friday and since then it has subsided a little, but I have noticed now that I burp all the time. I can take one sip of Water and the burps start and don't stop until I'm through. UGH! It's very annoying, but these are common. I asked my PA about the gas and she said for some people it just never goes away. I couldn't go #2 for a week after surgery, but I wasn't eating anything. I had a little trouble a couple of weeks ago, but it eventually resolved itself. I was getting very scared. I would try to incorporate more fiber in my diet. I always see those commercials for Benefiber and it's supposed to dissolve in your water with no taste. I never tried it, but I would if I have another episode. If that doesn't get you going regular I would definitely see a doc. My old boss was having problems going #2 and eventually had to be hospitalized. I'm not sure for what, but she almost died. Not trying to scare you, but it can get serious.

I am currently using Mederma and Bio-Oil. I got both on EBAY for under $20. I am noticing that it is smoothing and fading the scars. I HATE the port scar it's way longer than the others! I am going to try some Clinique dark spot corrector because my scars are a bit darker than the rest of my skin (it worked wonders for the blotchiness and uneveness on my face) and hope that will fade them even more.

Yes, I have Cigna, but my insurance had an exclusion for weight loss surgery, therefore I had to pay out of pocket.

I cannot wait! It's like I'm rushing it because I have so much to lose. I have NEVER seen myself thin. I have ALWAYS been big (even though I used to think I was hot when I was 215). I could never get under 200, so that will be the 2nd big milestone right after getting to 248 (which is the weight I met my boyfirend at and a loss of 100 lbs.) I heard that your feet shrink, but I doubt mine will cause they're just big (I wear a 13)! Sometimes I say God cursed me, but it may be a blessing in disguise because I might be in the poorhouse if I could buy ANY shoe I wanted. Maybe I can go back to wearing 4 inch heels without worrying about when I will be able to take them off (since so much weight won't be on that skinny heel). Slow and steady wins the race, so in due time I will be able to see my new body and you will too!

Everyone has their own reasons for getting the band: health, self-esteem, tired of being obese, family, etc. My reasons were no different from anyone else's, but a person actually gave me the confidence and support to go through with it. Those of you that are already banded who feel comfortable sharing your story don't hesitate to do it at all, you never know who's life you may change. Just wanted to share with you guy's the commercials that this amazing lady has airing. True Results Commercials

VERY QUICKLY! As you can see from my signature my process was less than 2 months and I was self pay. I guess it just depends upon your surgeon's schedule and whether or not they require you to see a nutritionist, therapist, etc. As the old saying goes there's no time like the present! If you have too much stuff going on you may need to schedule this at a time when you are not busy because it indeeds needs dedication, committment, and you never know if you may have complications. Also, you must think about whether your trips will agree with your post surgery diet and you should give yourself at least a week to recover from surgery. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

No, it might be more painful though. I had mine repaired the same time I got the surgery and I had a horrible recovery week (or maybe I'm just a baby). Either way it goes you will be okay.

My doctor did not take me off birth control. I take the generic for Seasonale. I would have had a heart to heart convo if they would have tried to! They did not give me any shots to take either. Can't really remember how long my incisions ached, but I didn't get over general pain (although still a bit groggy) until that following Friday (had sugery Monday). I slept propped up on a pillow on the couch. I got the worst sleep of my life, but the pain meds made it bearable. I couldn't lay down in the bed. As soon as I started to recline the pain was unbearable. Unfortunately I don't have any suggestions.

I hate to tell y'all that it's probably not going anywhere! It's crazy because as much research as I did I never heard about permanent gas. Before surgery I had gas maybe a couple times a week now it's all day everyday. Thank God I have my own office. It's sometimes painful. I asked the PA about it and she told me that for some patients it never goes away, but if that's a side effect of amazing weight loss, well, I guess I'll take it.

First of all the doctor is an asshole and the nurse is a bitch! Some doctors think just because they went to med school they know everything and some nurses think just because they went to clinicals they are doctors. And that's no disrespect to the competent, caring, and PROFESSIONAL medical workers. I have never experienced this degree of total lack of respect from a doctor, but I have experienced doctors who didn't listen to my wants, needs, and concerns. It seems like they want to do what's best for you without consulting you or informing you of what's going on. Even though you are young you know what you want and obviously you have done your research. I think people have preconceived notions about WLS and once they are stuck on their belief there is no changing it! It was no reason though for him not to hear you and then totally disrespect you and discourage you from getting the procedure. I guess all the testimonials we hear are all lies huh and the stats at the bottom of my page are totally made up. I can tell you there would be no way in hell I would have lost over 60 pounds in 4 months without the band and anyone who is a non-believer can really kiss my ass. Everyone has different experiences with the band. I have also chosen to keep this choice to myself and I have not lost any sleep over it. I don't feel bad for not telling my business to everyone who asks how I am losing weight at all. I already have enough pressure on myself to make this thing work, I don't need anyone else watching my eating habits or constantly harassing me about my progress. I commend you for wanting to do something about this rather sooner than later. I first looked into this procedure when I was your age and didn't get it done because my insurance at the time had an exclusion to WLS, so I tried to lose it the old-fashioned way. I went from 320 to 299. Great, right? Well, in the span of almost 3 years balooned up to 348, so believe ME you are making the right decsion. Only fat people know how it truly feels and how hopeless they are (especially if they are like me and have NEVER been normal size, started my first diet when I was 10). To us it is something that gives up hope and a chance to truly change our lives. Why don't flat chested women get grief when they want a boob job? GEEZ!

I want to know how much weight does your family expect you to lose in less than 3 months time. According to your stats you've already lost 27 lbs., that's GREAT progress to me, especially since Lapband patients are only expected to lose about 1-2 poundes per week (realistically). After I began eating real food I GAINED weight, at least you haven't done that. I've read this board so much I knew what to expect and plateaus are VERY normal. No one gained enough weight to be a candidate for WLS overnight and there is no way that one will be able to take it off overnight. TKW gave some great tips! All you have to do is change up your routine and your body will respond accordingly. As far as being uneducated goes, you just have to educate yourself. Alot of Doctor's offices do not educate self pay patients because they aren't required to do so (like with insurance requirements). I loosely count calories, have never measured or weighed my food. I just find it very unrealistic (in my life) to have to do that for the rest of my life. Everything works differently for everybody. You just have to work with your band and it will start working for you!