The Whela

New member to the website, although found you all so helpful in deciding to get the band. Banded in Sept 2011 and fell into the category of the 30 BMI with 50lbs to lose, but no health problems. I self-paid and live in LA, so I went to TJ. Dr. Almanza banded me and was wonderful. I have been back for two fills and think they are fantastic and Dr. Almanza is soooooo cute I just like seeing him for 10 minutes. lol Please ask any questions about my experience there. I don't think their clinic is for everyone, but it was fantastic for me and I will give you the truth. I know in some forums "only" needing to lose 50lbs was criticized and mocked, but I found some positive comments here that helped give me the courage to get the band. Carrying the same 50lbs for 10 years was a problem I couldn't solve on my own. I'm down about 20lbs and now I think I need support to get to the last 30 off. First, I think I have about 2.4 cc's in with two fills. I am adjusting to realizing I can just keep on eating, hungry or not, with the same emotional issues as before. I do a lot of what I call "companion" eating. I am single, no kids and work and go to school. I eat out of boredom, loneliness and for a "companion." Nothing feels as good as snuggling up to a big hunk of chocolate cake, right? However, I still think I can eat too much quantity. Just struggling with restriction vs. length of time between hunger. About the only "restriction" I get is if I eat bread type stuff early in the morning or if I don't chew enough. Then it gets stuck, feels horrible and I sorta vomit up slim until it shifts. I don't really every throw up food, just the slime. Anyway, I am still working through eating well and not going to those comfort foods, but I think out of guilt of eating bad foods I don't think I "deserve" another fill. lol Getting the bad doesn't make us any less messed up, does it? Only two fills, so it can be that I just am not in the green zone, right? Thanks for any feedback! Oh, also, I don't have a doctor in LA. I just went and got the surgery so "go talk to your doctor" isn't a helpful answer for me. Just looking for personal experience and encouragement!

Oh wow, I never went down the pint of ice cream road! I actually went to counseling years ago at a clinic for eating disorders that helped. Currently in therapy, so hopefully will have some breakthrough soon. And yes, that is what I tell people about the band...it does nothing for the eating issues.

Ohhh Toddy, you sweet thing, if going to the gym was in any way satisfying in lieu of food, I would be all over it. lol It is not. I actually like to work out ok, I just work a lot and go to school and find lots of ways to not do it! I hope to become a person that loves exercise. I like working out with a kettlebell and found a place close to me that does classes, they are just super expensive and I'm not disciplined yet enough to warrant $150/mth. I work out at home some, but again have to have that drive to get off my butt and do it!

Thank you both. Because I didn't have a doctor here, I don't have any support network. Really just a lot of people around me saying "you did WHAT? What for?" Glad I finally am reaching out to a community where I can be of help and get it from others!