aubrie

I met with my surgeon on Friday. he was explaining the differences between the bands and the sizes. I asked about the VG band. He said he wasn't currently using them, but plans to switch to them in September. He said that VGs are a "low pressure" band and the possibility of the band breaking or leaking are much higher in a high pressure band. It's also harder to get the saline into the port. He was switching because he felt the VG band was a superior product with less chance for problems, and a little more advanced. He also said that travel or changes in pressure in the cabin of an airplane would be less of an issue with the low pressure band. I told him I was considering having my surgery in September, and said, "Hey, you can be my first VG patient". He has never lost a patient and comes HIGHLY recommended. Despite that, I'm a bit nervous being his guinea pig, regardless if he feels the VG band is safer. what do you think? He's been doing bands and bypass for 9 years. I'm sure he's competent, I'm just insecure.

I married one of each. I married my best friend first, to be practical. It was more like being married to my brother or son. He wanted a "Mommy". It wasn't that great. I then married my high school sweetheart who turned my world upside down at age 16. We've now been married 17 years and he still does it for me!!! I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm totally smitten.

Yup. He said VG band. Should I be worried? Now I don't know what to think. Should I tell him I want the old one? what should I do?

My family doctor was the one that originally suggested I have gastric surgery. He wasn't for one over the other, just for me being healthy. I went to the seminar, and it covered both but seemed to lean towards bypass. I mentioned it to my Rhumetologist and she was very supportive and told me it would definately help the arthritis in my knees, hips and lower back. When I finally met with my surgeon, he pushed bypass. It made me a little insecure with my decision for a band. then I went to the required support group meeting, and every last person in the group had bypass. I felt totally out of place and uncomfortable. I went for a second meeting with the surgeon on Friday. We talked about it for a good while. He sat directly across from me, took both my hands in his and told me that he never meant to push me into something I didn't want to do. He understood my misgivings about the risks of bypass, and told me that dumping was a potential problem of bypass and there was no garauntee I wouldn't suffer with it. He said, with bypass I would definately not suffer with hunger, with the band, I would still have to worry about it. Hunger is not a problem for me, so not an issue. He also said I would definatley lose my weight a lot faster with the bypass. I told him, I PREFER to lose slow as I think that's healthier and also want my skin to have a chance to catch up with the loss. He said that was true. He also said I would have to really work toward the end of my goal. But also said that 5 years out, the outcomes would be about the same. So what's the big deal? If the end result is the same, I don't care to have my insides rearranged.

It's no one's business but your own. You don't owe her any explanation, except that you're taking sick leave. I had a boss once who demanded that I fill out a form stating exactly why I was going to be out on sick leave. She told me it was necessary for my personnel file. Not knowing any better I did, and it was humiliating as it was surgery for "feminine" reasons. The superintendent of schools found out she did that to me and BOY WAS SHE IN TROUBLE!!! Apparently, that information is protected by law. I could have filed suit had I wanted, but hell, the damage was already done. If your boss gets huffy and slams the door for not telling her, slam your door shut and go back to work. Sounds to me like you already have a case for a hostile environment!!

I don't eat a lot of sugar. No cokes, cake, etc. Only ocaisionally. But I REFUSE to eat artificial sweetner. #1 I know what it does to you. #2 I know how it tricks your body into dumping insulin. #3 It is vile tasting. The aftertaste is even worse. #4 It gives me headaches. I looked at the diet for post op and was schocked at the amount of artificial sweetner in it. If I forego the artificial sweetner, there is almost nothing left for me to eat. I've met with my doctor and told him about this and he said it was wonderful that I didn't like it, but didn't give me any suggestions. I'm looking at having my band done the first week of September. He only requires 3 days of pre-op liquids, so that's not so bad, but I'm concerned with the post-op liquids and creams. Suggestions?:help:

:confused: Okay.... Here's the deal. Years ago in my skinny college days, I had this adorable black and white sun dress. I LOVED it. It made me feel totally feminine. It was my favorite dress, and my favorite pictures are taken in that dress. I haven't felt that way in years. A couple weeks ago I saw an almost identical sun dress in J.C. Penney. My mouth literally watered. I'm not scheduled for banding until September. Would I be punishing myself if I went ahead and bought it in a size I could possibly wear next spring or summer? Kind of like a goal? Or would that be setting myself up?

For me exercise is excrutiating. I have arthritis everywhere. I'm not looking forward to HAVING to exercise, but the pool is less that a block away. It's the only exercise I can handle. I won't have an excuse unless I let my membership lapse. When I lose some of this weight, I hope I'm more comfortable. If so I have some plans. I saw an ad in the newspaper for ballroom dancing lessons. I can't think of a more wonderful way to lose weight!! What's that movie with Richard Gere? That's one of my goals. If I make it there, I will post a picture of me with a rose in my teeth!!!!

LOL at KarenG.!!! I love your solution. If it fits in the winter, take a trip to sunny Florida, or the Carribbean or Mexico..... GREAT idea. Thanks guys for the advice. Since you all say Go For It!! , I'm headed to the mall tomorrow after work. I just pray it's still there....

I have to agree with jet lag jane. In many cases, you are a different you. A confident you. A smiling you, a comfortable you, a satisfied you, a thoughtful you, etc. That definately shines through. I've been thin. I know I'm not the same person I used to be and it pisses me off when I catch myself and think about it. On the other hand, I'm also more sensitive to the plight of the obese now. Whereas I didn't think much about it when I was thin, I catch myself passing an overweight person walking or exercising and say to myself, "You GO GIRL!!" Or if I see one that's obviously in pain, I say a little prayer for them. Life is a journey, and all that has passed has taught me some little thing. Every day I'm a little different. A little more compassionate, a little more thoughtful, a little more aware of the here and now, and a lot more confident and a little more thick skinned. I know for fact I have less friends as a fat person than I did as a thin person. But it's hard to say if it's because of others' attitudes or mine. Did I pull back as a result of being self conscience? Did I allow my self esteem to dip? probably. As for letting someone in my life who previously didn't give me the time of day??? I'm mature enough now to be kind, polite and gracious, but I doubt I would let someone that shallow be my best buddy. My new found self esteem probably wouldn't allow it, but that doesn't give me license to be ugly. I'm better than that, and my journey through fat hell has taught me that it's not going to change what's happened. I would refuse to stoop to their level. I can hold my chin (minus the double rolls) up and smile! I can choose my own friends. I don't need the shallow aquaitences of my past. Get new ones!! There's a whole world out there waiting to meet you!

I think it TOTALLY depends on your height. 5'2" at 180 and 5'10" at 180 are totally different.

Thank GOD my best friend is banded. Funny, she was banded almost a year before she told me. (we don't live in the same town) I tend to be a health nut, and she's addicted to junk food. So she didn't tell me. I asked her about what she thought if I got banded and she busted out laughing. Then she told me. So we'll be bandsisters. She's going with me for surgery. Hubby will too of course. As for sabatoge, my mom is the one that is doing that. I told her I changed my mind so she would get off my back!!

I met a lady in support group the other night. she is 71 years old!!! she's lost 208 pounds in the last 3 years!! She is just precious. Brings her husband to group. she is going in for plastic surgery later this month to get rid of her skin and be sexy again. She was definately a hoot and an inspiration!!

Honesty, I'm still very sceptical that the band will work for me. I eat less than the normal person, watch what I eat, and have exercised religiously in the past with no results. I don't snack. I rarely eat dessert. I don't drink soda or carbonated drinks. I've been on 600 calorie a day diets under doctor's orders and took prescribed weight loss medication. The most I ever lost was 18 pounds. (I didn't cheat either) The depression I suffered from the frustration was worse than being fat, so I gave up. I felt defective. The band is my last resort. If it doesn't work, I am REALLY terrified of the depression that will result. So 25% of banders see no results????? That's pretty high. No one has told me that. Now I'm starting to doubt this will help me.

I told my husband months ago that I was going to get banded. I'm not banded yet. He didn't ask any questions, he never mentioned it, he never discussed his feeling about it. I figured, okay I'm doing this for me. I don't care what he thinks. He's never really said much about my weight, and was always just concerned about my health, not so much how I looked. He didn't freak out when I gained 100+ pounds, and even said he likes a girl with meat on her. He hates skinny, bone thin women. Not attracted to them at all. Lately, I've been a little hurt that as my surgery gets closer, he hasn't said anything. Then yesterday, he said, and I quote: "Babe, how about I take you shopping today. Lots of sales and with your new professional job, you need some professional clothes. but we shouldn't spend a lot, because this time next year you'll be a lot thinner and will be needing a new wardrobe." WOW!!! I almost fainted dead away.He was actually supportive. Men are funny. sometimes you think they don't have feelings about stuff, don't care or aren't interested, when actually that couldn't be further from the truth. I think my hubby just didn't want me to be scared, or he didn't want to hurt my feelings in any way. As for your husband pulling away from you. did you ever think HE might be scared for you? My husband has seen me at age 31 and 130 pounds. He stuck by me for the gain, (age 48 and 255 pounds) I have to believe he will stick by me for the loss. Good luck to you. and TALk, TALK, TALK!!!!

You all are so wonderful. I wish I could have Scotty beam you all to the same place and we could meet once a month. Sometimes I need the hugs and a pat on the back. I KNOW I will need that once I have the band. thus the support group. (My surgeon requires it) It's just not a good fit for me though. I felt like such an odd ball, and didn't like having to defend my decision.

I'm not banded yet, but I have been "practicing" eating tiny bites and chewing until it's mush. I've read 20 - 30 chews. (which seems excessive to me at this point) But no matter how hard I try, it slips down my throat in a mushy liquidy form in tiny amounts before I even actually swallow. I'm not liking it much. The food loses it's flavor after about 10 chews, and the consistancy is disgusting. I just want to get it over with as quickly as possible. Does this mean I'm not a good candidate for banding?

UGH! Never taking motrin? I practically live on it now that I'm scared to take celebrex. What am I going to do? My knee pain is horrible. My Rhumetologist recommended the lap band to help with the pain. I have arthritis in my spine, knees, hips, knuckles and now my elbows and shoulders are giving me fits. It's supposed to help to lose a lot of weight, but my right knee has also been scooped out (Meniscus) and now it's just bone on bone. I doubt weight loss will help that. It sure will be nice to get up off the couch like a normal person though. I look forward to that and not dreading a flight of stairs. Jachut, I too hobble in the morning. My achilles tendon is tight as a drum and it takes about an hour to work it out and walk normally. I hate it. I noticed that both of my sons have this problem as well. So does my Dad. I'm wondering if it's not a hereditary structural problem. The doctors I've talked to about it, don't really seem to care or want to address it.

I don't think I could stand the seat belt pressing on my tummy for that length of time.

Don't crush or melt a time release. they are layered for a VERY good reason. so you don't get to much medicine at once. consult your doctor!!!

Hi ya'll!! My real name is Debbie. Aubrie is the name of the daughter I never got to have. I had her name picked out since high school, but ended up with two boys and two step sons!! Go figure.

What if you HAVE to take baby aspirin for your heart? My cardiologist said NOT to stop taking them once you start, as it will rethicken your blood and possibly cause problems.

At age 31 I was a size 8. Now at 47 I weigh 255. (Not banded yet). I've been a teacher, and nothing hurts worse than to overhear students you have grown very fond of and thought you had good rapport with, call you a fat cow when they didn't know you could hear. For the most part, my husband has been wonderful. He never says anything about my weight. He's concerned for my health, but never makes wise cracks. Just recently the family was watching the movie, NORBIT. When Rsputia came on the screen, my husband blurted out, "Hey, there's Mommy." I went to my room and cried. This cemented my decision to band.

LOL!!! I saw your post and was so happy for you!! I thought you meant a social date with someone new! Stupid me. I realize that so many of us have limited social lives. Either by choice, fear or just social stigma associated with weight. I know I have WAY fewer friends now than I did when I was thin. It makes me sick. But discrimination is a fact. Therefore the reason for my joy......

My husband and I flew southwest airlines recently. There are no seat assignments. You have an A, B or C boarding pass and board in groups and it's first come first serve. I like this VERY much if the flight is not full. My husband and I try to get A passes to board first. We go to the back of the plane and he sits on the isle and I sit at the window with a seat between. My husband is not obese, but he's a big man. We put things in the middle seat while others board. Most dont' want to be scrunched inbetween to large people so most avoid choosing the middle seat between us. Most of the time we have the whole row to ourselves and can put up both sets of arm rests and sit comfortably. It works for us.