FDATrialGuineaPig

I've always told the truth. Even if I had to explain. Once you start really losing enough for people to notice (trust me--it always takes them awhile anyhow) you'll be so jazzed about your band you'll be chomping at the bit for people to ask you about it. I think it took about -60 lbs for people to start going, "wow--you've lost weight!" But that was just me... Robin

Nicky, nothing wrong with lurking . Glad to see you posting though! Robin

Chris, welcome! I think all of us fear failure no matter how far we've come. But it's part of the game. I had to look at it as though doing nothing was far worse than actively pursuing treatment and failing. You know? Chances are better however that you'll do amazing . Robin

I just have to say that I went into the psych eval with one purpose in mind: to get approved for surgery. This isn't a credit check. They aren't going to research your life 20 years back to make sure you've given accurate information. They'll look for evidence that you've dieted...it's not like a life insurance underwriter looking for dirt..the insurance prefers to NOT find out info so that they can deny you as opposed to finding out TOO much info that proves your case. All I have to say is...think carefully about what you choose to disclose. It's not an honesty contest and half the time the psychologists are more screwed up than we are and have no clue what they're trying to determine in the first place. If they've never been morbidly obese how would they know anyhow? Just sayin... Robin

I was told that liquids meant anything I could suck through a straw. I lived on split pea soup during my liquid healing phase--very filling! It's hard but try to hang in there, it's important for your band to anchor well as you're healing! Robin

Hi momhapp! I took 2 days off of work--spent Thurs/Fri in the hospital and came home Sat morning, went back to work Monday. I also had 3 small children to care for. It was hard, but not impossible. I was just sore and the medication really did help keep the pain minimal. Good luck to you! Robin

Lori, great website!!!! Robin

Holly, good luck with your consult! I know that this Lapband was the answer I needed to get my weight under control . Robin

Care, Welcome to the board, I hope you find the answers you are searching for... Robin

Hi D, welcome to the group. I'm a kind of old timer who still posts. Congrats on your weight loss! I've heard nothing but good things about Dr. Ren's practice . Robin

Jen, nice to meet you and see you enter out of lurkdom! Your weight loss is great!!! Keep up the good work! Robin

Alexandra you're normal. It's a gigantic life decision! I think that most of here however would say that we don't regret it for a second and wish we could have done it ten years ago! Just realize the surgery is the easy part...the hard part is just around the corner (kinda like childbirth...you think that's the hard part but the real fun is just beginning!) Robin

Hey A! Welcome to this board . It's kind of new but is growing...

I'm here..banded 8/24/00. Doing great! Have lost 145 lbs pretty much at goal but wouldn't mind losing another 10 or so. Nice to see you all... Robin 310/165 5'9":D

I finally updated my website. It' s been awhile!

Here's the scar...it's still pretty dark but as you can see it's not visible underneath underwear.

I asked my surgeon once about the Lapband and a car accident and his reply was "the Lapband would be the least of your concern." Having actually fallen down some stairs and not had any problems with my band I can attest it can take a lot of abuse! I've also ridden EXTREME roller coasters for almost 2 days straight and it fared quite nicely. As for Water, water goes RIGHT THROUGH the pouch so there is no limitation to how much you can drink. I can guzzle as much water as I want. And if I had a spouse going through a band with me I would say do it together. Recovery is fairly easy and that way you'll suffer through the same stages together and hopefully keep eachother on track. I think it's WONDERFUL when couples do this jointly. Really special!

Wow, that's a great weight loss!!! Good luck to you!!!

I third the gallbladder suspicion!

As long as you're comfortable and it's not causing you pain, you should be fine .

Wednesday, very doable! Glad to see you over here and glad that your post finally went through . Still in awe of your triatholon self... Me

Nope, it doesn't matter! LOL I thought you were male, but didn't ever want to refer to you as him or he if it wasn't in fact the case! I'm just polite like that...

WOW, thank you Alex! That's quite a compliment. When I hear things like that I feel good that I included all the struggles along with the victories. That way people get a better balanced idea of what to expect. The best of luck to you! Btw--a stupid question...are you m or f? Not that it matters...I'm just curious and I can't determine it from your name.

Tonia, your weight loss has been great!!! It was great chatting with you, sorry I signed off, my mac froze...when I came back you were bye bye. Anyhow, keep up the good work! Robin

Alexandra: nice seeing you over here! Shannon: 230 after a year is EXCELLENT! It's taken me the whole almost 3 years to get here. But rest assured, it continues to come off, just more slowly. I think that my stats were something like year 1: 85 lbs, year 2: 35 lbs, year 3: 25 lbs. Then I had a tummy tuck and they lopped of 10 (whoohoo!) So fear not...you're doing great!!!! I have a website if you want the nitty gritty: http://www.geocities.com/robinh26/lapband.html I need a new picture desperately. The one on there was about 25 lbs ago...