DJ53

I was banded in Jan 09 so clearly I'm learning here. I knew I'd be a slow loser because I'm 56 with a thyroid condition but I had hope. It took me 3 years to get up the courage to go through the surgery. I have lost about 20lbs with much pre op, fear of the surgery was a great motivator to stay on a diet. Now 6 months out and only 20lbs down, I'm feeling pretty bad. Band just didn't work for me. Another excuse! So I joined WW. Yes, AGAIN! Lost count of how many times I've rejoined. I am a lifetime member since early 1980's. But, a BIG realiaztion came. My thought was that I was eating well and really did not want to cut down any more on the amt I am eating, my body should be losing on this. Thyroid excuse here and then there's the age issue. Well can you imagine my surprise when I went to bed with real hunger in my stomach after eating all my points the first day? No, I did not eat it all in junk. They have what they call filling foods which I tried to use much of. I am writing everything down and I KNOW the cal/pts value of everything I am eating. In just a few days I have lost 2 lbs! Importantly, I read the 5 day pouch test someone gave the link to. I realized that I have gotten away from lean protein and gone more to the slider foods for comfort. Back to what I heard and dont want to accept, the band is just a tool. Using it may mean the inconvience of eating slow without ANY fluids and the discomfort of tightness. I knew this when I started now maybe I just want to have it MY WAY and let the band do the work. I'm finding out my way does't work. I REALLY believed my excuse that my metabolism was just slow because of my thyroid and age. Maybe that is the case and it is too early to tell but 2 lbs in just a few days give me hope again. And reading the 5 day pouch test along with using all my points and was still hungry was an eye opener. I realized how far I'd gotten away from where I am supposed to be on how much and what I eat. I was not eating everything I wanted so it was easy to tell myself I was using portion control. I mean what is wrong with a tiny pce of cheese cake. Oh, it was easy to forgot the few cookies I at at 10am and a handful of almonds at 2:00, they are healthy after all. Tracking and counting cal/points or some kind of accountability is key for me. I NEVER imagined I was eating more than WW would allow me. Never. Too, I have been doing just a sip or two of crystal lite with food.

I too struggled with this but ended up going with the realize. I heard a nurse that works with multiple surgeons at the baratrics center at the hospital say that the drs seem to be going toward the realize band more and more and that maybe will end up being the only one they use. I guess that is the tid bit of information that finally help me decide on the realize. I was about 50/50 back and forth until then. What ever you decide I wish you luck.

Banded 1/28/09 I saw where someone moved from clear liq to solid liq. and can now have protein shakes. Is protein shake not how we get the protien from the start? I am supposed to get 60g prot per day.

Lap band vs Realize Band. I am about to be banded this month with the Realize Band but last night spent most of the evening reading how people don't feel restriction until the band is about full 9.0cc. Can you tell me if you are feeling much restriction. I am afraid the restriction may not be enough for me as I am kinda low BMI but I also have little control over my eating so to watch what I eat is not the answer. If I could do that I wouldn't need the band. Thanks for any help you can give me.

I have my test for Monday 12/7 as well. I am told we breath into a machine to measure our lung function and there is no prep we have to do for it or no pokes or discomfort. When, where and who is banding you? I am supposed to be banded 12/17 but I am having pain so I am having gall bladder scan on Monday. My banding may be postponed Good luck

Brad are you saying your have lost 2 lbs since since Oct 2007 in more than a year?

I have tri care standard which does not require pre approval. I am borderline and I worry that after doing pre op diet I will not qualify. The dr. can not give me any info. I am worried that I will end up with a huge bill if my ins does not pay. any advice.

what is ap band. what can you tell me about the new Johnson and Johnson band, I hear it is designed for less slipage and smaller port. who is using it in mexico?

what is ap band. what can you tell me about the new Johnson and Johnson band, I hear it is designed for less slipage and smaller port. who is using it in mexico?

How much was the surgery in Mexico with Dr. Valencia?

<p>how much was the surgery?</p>

LUCARTWLUCY, I read back on your post and you said you had the band with Dr. Huacuz then you said you had the D...Switch by Dr. Huacuz. Is there a reason you had both done. Or is this just advertising.

This is what I am so afraid of. I too will be a self pay. I have talked about this for almost two years but now that time is near I am so afraid that I will not be able to lose. Sometimes it looks like the only thing people lose from is the liquid diet. Good luck and please keep me posted.