IAMOMX6

Hi everyone! I have been reading this forum for about a week now. So, I thought I should jump in and introduce myself. I was banded 9/30/2003, so if anyone else has started an email loop for September bandsters I would love to join! I have lost 12lbs so far. I thought the surgery was very easy. The only pain I had came from my IV blowing. The hospital was great. The pre-op staff were the most kind and caring people I have ever met. A few people at the hospital had some misconceptions, but hey, so did I before I started on this journey. I only stayed over night at the hospital. I wanted to go home the same day, but they had to do the upper GI before they would let me go. And that was the worst part of the whole process. They tell us not to throw up and then force us to drink that barium stuff? Gee whiz! I haven't told anyone that I had the surgery. The only reason I told my husband was because I needed a ride home from the hospital....lol. The reason for this is, when I first started out I was so excited I talked to everyone about getting WLS. Everyone told me not to do, told me to have more will power, drink more water, exercise more, cut out carbs, go to WW, get rid of everything white in my house, ect, ect. I'm sure you all have been there. Well, I decided since I couldn't have their support, that I didn't need their other junk either. A lot of my friends are over weight and many of them would benefit from this surgery. I sometimes have to wonder if that's not part of the problem. They are afraid if I'm succesfull with weight lose that I won't want to be with them. I know my one friend says she loves to go out to dinner with me because I enjoy food just as much as she does. I still do, I'll just be eating smaller portions, thank you. Okay, I guess I have rambled on long enough. I'm just thrilled that I found a place that I can talk to other bandsters. I do go to Obesityhelp.com, but most of them it seems have had RNY, and I really want to hear about others who have gone through this and hear back and find out if I'm normal. (that's a laugh!) Thank you!

Hi Alexandra, These are some good questions. I think the hardest thing at first, was being hungry all the time. I thought the band was going to cure the head hunger. That has gotten a lot better, because I too find that if I have a snack, then I'm too full to eat dinner. I also have a hard time remembering when I'm really hungry to slow down, and to save room for the stuff I really want. Last night at my husbands company dinner, I ordered shrimp, while we were waiting for our dinner, we were served salad and bread. Because I was so hungry, I started chowing down on this. About half way through, I realized that I was going to be too full to eat my shrimp. I never realized how much this was going to change everything about the way I see food. We are on a total fast food free diet. The whole family. I want to send the message to my children that food can be good and fun, without the junk. I don't want to become obsessed and start to make life miserable for everyone. It kinda reminds me when I tried to go all Kosher a few years ago. Living in Iowa it's a real hard thing to do. But it did teach me to appreciate the things I could have and to let go of the things I couldn't.

PammyPooh, Good luck with your surgery tomorrow. I hope everything goes well for you. Update us as soon as you feel up to it. Christina

Quakergirl, Congrats on your lose! You are an inspiration to all of us! Christina

Congrats on your banding Bright! How exciting for you. Sorry about the shave, I've never heard of that before. Good luck! Christina

Hi Terri, I got the same response from my family and friends. I wish they knew what they were doing to us. I hope you get the support you need. There are a lot of people on this board who have gone or are going to Mexico for surgery. Good luck! Christina

Hi Kelly, Do you feel tight now? I don't go in for my fill until the middle of Nov. I'm a little nervous after reading on here about how tight the fills feel. Christina

Donali, That's very wise advice, and I didn't realize how close it was hitting home until I read your words. I also felt very hungry the first couple of weeks and fustrated. But I knew I had to break the cycles that had started me on this path to begin with. Emotionally I think I'm ready to move on to the next step, a fill, but I'm going to wait until my body tells me it's ready for one. Beth, we had our surgeries on the same day. I didn't have many of the problems that you had, but I know about the starving feeling. I was very disappointed when I woke up so hungry and thirsty. I thought the band was going to make those hungry feelings go away. What a shock! I am doing a lot better mentally now that I am on solids, but yeah, the first two weeks were a ride!

Hi Julia, Sounds like you are on the right track to getting your band and moving on over to the losing side! Good luck! Christina

Hi C, I don't know much about fills yet, but from reading on this message board, that doesn't seem like very much. I hope you can get your doctor to give you what you need. Christina

Thanks to everyone who replied to my question about Mexico. It's very interesting that we are supposed to have the best health care in the world, but people still have to go to another country to get what they need. Good luck to all of you who are getting ready for your surgery!

Hello there and welcome to the boards! How exciting that your surgery is coming up so soon!! Good luck. Christina

Welcome Margaret! Wow, you lead an interesting life. My head was swimming from reading everything! It even sounds like you have some fans! Great to have you on the board! Christina

Hi Sheila, Welcome to the boards. I know your fustration. It took me almost a year to get an appointment with my doctor. Then she told me that my insurance didn't like the band. So, I was really prepared to fight and wait. But amazingly a month later they called and said I was approved! I'm sure this day will happen for you too. The insurance companies have got to get up to date with technology. Good luck with your fight! Christina

Hello there! And welcome to the board. Where are you having your surgery? How long have you been waiting? Christina

Wow! Congrats on your surgery!

Hi Shana! Good luck with your journey. Keep us updated to how everything is going for you!

Hi JCNY, I am biased too, but so far I love the band. I haven't been sick at all. I was able to go back to my life right away. In fact no one even knew I had surgery! I can't say enough good stuff about the band. Good Luck! Christina

Hi Weezie! You are going to love the band. At least I do so far. I do have a question, and this is for anyone who wants to answer. Why do some people go to Mexico for this surgery? I have seen other's on here say they are have been or are going there, and I was curious. Thanks. And good luck!

Hi Janet, That's got to be so hard going through all of this and only losing 10 pounds. I also suggest you talk to your doctor. That just seems really strange. Good luck to you, and keep us informed how everything is going.

Hi Jennye, Two weeks will be here and over before you know it! Hang in there, I know it is hard to wait, but it's worth it. Good luck!

Good luck with your surgery! November must seem so far away. Come back often and update so we can compare notes!

Hi Alexandra! Thanks for the welcome. My name is Christina. Sorry I didn't include that. The recover has been great. No pain, just a bit itchy. The nasty staples were the part I didn't care for. I do still have some doubts, but I think that those will start to fade as I lose more weight. I had my surgery in Omaha Nebraska. Dr. McBride was my surgeon. She was great!