DLW

I will be going to my very 1st doctors visit on June 7th. I am so looking forward to this. I just turned 50 this May. I have been on and off diets for the past 35 years! The last being the Atkins. I was at my heaviest (287) and was feeling like I was literally dying inside. My whole body hurt. I am 5' 7" and people said that I carried my weight well. Well, I'm really tired of carrying it. I lost 57 pounds on the Atkins Diet. I was on it for 3 1/2 years. I did not mind it because I really love meat. The reason I came off it is that I don't want to only be able to eat the meat and veggies the rest of my life. I want to be able to enjoy the "summertime" type foods. Salads and such. My problem is not so much the quality of the food I eat but the quanity. Even on the Atkins I planed off at 220, actually, I went back up to 230 and stayed there. No up nor down. It got frustrating. I came off about 2 1/2 months ago. Yep, now I'm up to 250. I have an acquaintance who had had the surgery 3 years ago. She loves it. I would really like to hear from anyone about the pros and cons of the surgery. My friend says that she has a tough time keeping down the meat though but is not a great fan of it. This is a pro for her. It wouldn't be for me. Please someone send some info. my way.... Thank you everyone and I am looking forward to new relationships. That is as long as I can figure out how to get in here after getting out. My e-mail address is dwalthall@claritas.com just in case. Thanks everyone. Blessings. Dianne

That's what my problem is. Not so much the quality of the food I eat but the quantity. I'm so hoping that I will be eligible for banding. I am 5'7" and 250. I have to be documented as morbidly obese in order for my insurance to cover the surgery. I think that I am borderline. Geez, wouldn't it be something if I had to gain another 10 pounds in order to have the surgery? lol That would be easy. My highest weight was 287. That is when I decided to go on the Atkins as a last ditch effort. I felt like I was literally dying inside from the weight. I got down to 220 then went off the Atkins after 3 1/2 years. Back up to 250 now. Augh.. how frustrating. Hopefully things will work out with the insurance and the doctors visit next month. We shall see. I really don't know what I will do if it doesn't. Probably go back on the Atkins. bummer.

Thanks Alexandra and Mannamay for your replys. I'm looking forward to getting to know people here on this website. The reason I was asking about the difference between the gastric banding is that someone had posted that they had wished they got the gastric banding instead. Maybe they had gastric bypass? That may be the reason. Anyway, thanks again for your replys. Alexandra... 125 pounds off! Wow! Way to go. Obviously you are glad you had the surgery? How has your eating habits changed? Banding slippage? Where did it go? Is the re-banding just moving the one that's there back into place? Is this covered - or do you have to pay for the surgery all over again? No guarantees? Sorry so many questions, hope you don't mind. Thanks again! Blessings, Dianne

You haven't been banded yet? I hear that there is a couple of different types of banding. Gastric banding and the lap banding? Is there a difference? Do you know? I'm here at work and leaving in 10 minutes; If you don't hear back from me, please check back tomorrow? Thanks for your quick imput. Dianne

What is RNY? I'm very new. Can you tell? Sorry. I just don't want to go the wrong route with this and I would love to be able to go to my first visit prepared. Thanks!