Donna113

I'm so sorry you had to go through something like that, but remember, they don't matter. You are awesome and the ones that matter know that about you.

Do you know if Obesity Law.com can help in cases where the employer has the WLS exclusion in the policy?

Congrats Ghostbuster! I can't wait to become overweight either! LOL sounds insane, doesn't it?!?:biggrin:

Wow, 3 months seems a long time to wait for a fill; in lurking around here the average is 4 -6 weeks post op for the first fill. I'm only 16 days post op but plan on scheduling my first fill 4 weeks out. It seems docs won't do fills if you are losing adequate amounts of weight without struggling with hunger. Being hungry is what starts the cravings for most so the key is to help us control our hunger. Docs who won't help with that and say you're doing fine without a fill don't sound like docs that should be doing these kinds of surgeries. If we could control ourselves, we wouldn't have needed the surgery in the first freakin' place!

Congrats to both Mindy ad isign. I'm always thrilled to see people close to their goal on this site. My doc keeps saying that loss of 50% of excess weight is the norm and we should be hapy if we achieve that.

What does it feel like when something is stuck? I'm 16 days post op and don't believe anything has been stuck but at times I've felt a bit of tightness but I feel that with or without eating so not entirely sure that something is stuck. Every once in a while I get a bit of an ache below my left rib cage but it's very mild and goes away (feeks like a very mild case of stitch in your stomach). Any ideas what that could be?

In my early 20s when I weighed 108, I still had a bit of a pooch below my navel. It looked cute on a 108 never been fat frame but I'm betting when I lose the weight, that pooch is not going to be so cute so I fully plan on getting lipo and lower body lift.

You may want to avoid beef for at least a week before surgery, if not the entire month. I was told that it takes an average of 3 days to digest beef so although I was not on any pre-op diet, I was told to avoid beef, rice and pasta for at least 3 days prior to surgery.

I'm sorry to hear your husband flaked out on you. So glad to hear your doctor was kind and understanding, so many are simply insensitive. We're here for you, so lean on us as much as you need.

I'm sorry Lafroga. Hopefully this will fix the problem and you'll get your energy back.

That's a good point. The band will help us lose weight, we are eating less and the weight will come off bit by bit.

You must go to the doctor; especially if you've drastiscally slowed down on your weight loss so that he can adjust your fill. You are not the only one to fall off the wagon and the doctor has seen it many times. The worst thing you can do is start avoiding the very people who can help you get back on track. I have a co-worker who was banded 2 years ago and started on that slippery track you are on now and her results are that she needed to lose 125 lbs, but only lost 50 and then had her fill taken out altogether and gained back 15 lbs. She hasn't been to her doctor in over a year and has given up. Don't walk away or hide because things got a little tough; go to the doc, admit you're having problems and let him help you.

I KNOW, I KNOW, I KNOW!!!! I just can't help myself!!! It is an obession! Every time I use the bathroom, I weigh myself. I know it's crazy!!!! I know it's getting really bad when at work I think I can't wait until I get home so I can weigh myself..... OK, I admit it, I'm crazy!!!!!!

I'm with Penny on this. One of the things I read in the official book and heard in the seminar and grilled my doctor about was why is the expected weight loss only 50% of excess weight? He said because those are the statistics worldwide. Clearly there are some that do better and some that do worse but the average person will do 50%. I kept grilling him about why because I just couldn't understand why only 50% of excess weight loss. He finally said it's because the band only helps you control your hunger, it doesn't control you. If you eat liquid calories (chips and ice cream, etc.) your scale will reflect that; if you don't exercise, your scale will reflect that. So it appears that the average bander eats less but probably still eats junk food and they probably don't exercise. The successful ones here are a testament to healthy eating and they all are obsessively exercising so if I want to reach my goal weight and maintain it; I have great examples to follow. Thank you for being on this forum and continuing to provide your guidance. If this forum only had newbies 6 months or less, then it would not be nearly as valuable.

I was feeling very weak and dizzy 5 days post-op and called my doctor's office and spoke with the nurse (she said it sounded like I was dehydrated and needed more sugar). Anyway, I told her at the time that I was terrified of stretching my band and she said it's really difficult to stretch your band on liquids and soft mushies.

It's 3 weeks for me and I feel the band in the same way that Aubrie says she does. I'm hoping over time I will not feel it but then again maybe it's good to feel it as a constant reminder to not stray too far off the path we've chosen.

Did you gain a lot of weight after your hysterectomy?

neverB4, did you lose all your weight post op or was some of it pre-op?

Good luck and check back in with us just as soon as you can. I'm missing Orea...

Orea, where are you? Let us know how you're doing, please.

Wow! 120 lost in only 7 months! Fantastic! Way 2 Go!

What a bummer! Do you think the doctor was just being an ass because you got your surgery in Mexico or he was just saying that so he could get more money out of you? Have you checked with other doctors in the area?

I was told by my doc's office no meats at all except flaky fish for the first 4 weeks; especially avoid beef.

Dr. Schulman, are there any board certified plastic surgeons specializing in weight loss body contouring you would feel comfortable recommending in Houston, Texas?