Alfie

Hi Georgia girl, I went through a similar situation. I was thinking of the band but found out that my coverage would only cover gastric bypass. Lots of people where I work got the gastric bypass but I felt that was too drastic for me. Then, lo and behold, my coverage is now covering it so I am very happy about that. I don't have the band yet and am supposed to be getting gall bladder surgery in about 3 weeks then 4 weeks later...the band. God bless you all in whatever stage you are in on your Lapband journey!! Regards. Alfie

I tried at least 30 times to get on. I kept thinking "Oh no, maybe they took down the site altogether. I was so happy this morning. I guess I didn't realize how much I enjoy this site. Regards, Alfie

Hi I just read your post. Are you feeling better? If not, call your doctor. I'm not banded yet so I can't give you any insight on that. Keep us posted. Alfie

Even though I'm not even banded so who am I to give an opinion but I'll put in my '5 cents' anyway. I totally agree with Cindi. This is my opinion only but it sounds to me like you are eating like a 'normal' person which is what the band should do. You are losing because you are eating less then you used to. Bravo. And the guilt feeling you are getting is because of your life before banding. We have programed ourselves to be guilty if we eat something that is not 'healthy'. I think what you are eating now is how people eat that don't have food issues. I wish you all the best!

Hi Ginaki, I know there are risks with any surgery, but just to let you know how small the risk really is, my doctor and his associates have had not one death in the 2000+ lapband surgeries and have not had to go to open on any of them.

That's what I call the fat in my lower abdomen. I know I probably can't get rid of the entire thing, but will exercise improve it? What about these flabby looking thighs and knees? Has anyone had experience with this? With regular exercise, has it really improved? Thanks :faint:

Hi everyone, I am being banded by Dr Nishamora who is part of the group with Dr Vohra at South Nassau Communities Hospital. I don't have a date yet because I also have to have my gall bladder removed which he doesn't do it at the same time. Wow, this Dr. Geiss must be amazing. I see his name in so many places at this site as well as with Dr Ren from Manhattan! Did the different meetings at restaurants fizzle out? I'd love to attend if I'm free on the night.

Hi Chimboree, You said "Sometimes it's supernaturally and immediately. Other times, it comes through medicine or surgery" I can't begin to tell you how much those 2 sentences have encouraged me and I want to thank you so much sis!! In Him Alfie

I am so happy that this thread was started. This was the one thing standing in the way of my having surgery. I was wrestling with the whole thing of would God approve. I had already made my decision to go forward but it really helps to get a take from other Christians. Thanks, In Him. Alfie

Hi there brothers and sisters, I have struggled with the same questions regarding the lap band surgery. I have gone through all the same things in stuggling with the question of would God approve of lapband and would that not be trusting in Him. If we had some deformity that could be corrected by surgery would we question it? Probably not. So I am thanking God that He has given doctors the wisdom to be able to help us. Thank you so much Laurend for that link! In Him, Alfie

Hey you all, I am feeling jealous that I am not banded yet. I can't wait.

Re: chicken from grocery. Right now, not being banded I can eat the entire chicken in one sitting. I will be so happy when I can take a few days to finish a small one.

Hi Wasa, Thanks for the tips. Cutting out white flour is a definate plus. You go girl!!! Regards, Alfie

Hi Bubba, I am in the same boat. I am trying to get together my 6 month journal. The gal in the office told me to just put something together but I want it to be true so I've gotten all the notes from my doctors office for the last 8 months. You're right they must not have a clue..if we are overweight, how do they think we got that way.

hi Bubba I'm sorry for yours and your daughters loss of your wife and her mother. I wish you all the best with your daughter and also your lapband journey. I have Type II diabetes and have not yet been banded but the nutritionist has me on Optifast. As you can see from my Ticker below, I have lost some weight. I was on Metformin and Actos. I am now off all medication for diabetes and am hoping to come off BP meds eventually. Regards, Alfie

It's terrible that the doctor hasn't returned her calls. I would call and be very firm with the office that you need a call back asap. How many times did she call them?

Whatever your doctor tells you to have...listen to him. He know best. If he says to have milk then by all means, he is the professional not us!! Hope you feel better really soon. Regards, Alfie

"My lapband doc will be doing the surgery--I trust him!!" Sweet Violet, They must have lots of experience because I've heard that so many people that are banded or getting banded get their gall bladder out by their lap band surgeon!

I have had gall bladder problems for years. The doctor that is doing the lap band is also going to remove my gall bladder but not at the same time. Funny enough, when I went to get my abdominal sonogram for pre op, the tech told me she could not see any stones. I was diagnosed years ago with sand in my gall bladder and it wasn't bothering me often but when it did...watch out. I also have thrown up and am usually up all night in pain. Now, since I was put on Optifast, my gall bladder has been acting up but not as severe as usual. I'm going for an appointment today and am hoping to at least get my gall bladder surgery date (I'll ask him about the sonogram and why do I have this pain if there are no stones present).

Hi NYC, He must be good at it with all that practice!

Hi Miss NYC, Nice to meet you. How are you doing with your band and who did you get banded by? I know you must be on mushies by now. I still don't have my date but I am w-a-i-t-i-n-g!

Okay, so I'm on a modified Optifast because I have to have Gall Bladder surgery (my doctor doesn't do it together). As you can see from my ticker, I've lost some weight. I know that in the past I have not been able to keep it off, yet I am second guessing myself. I basically stay very strict with myself for 5 days during the week and do my own thing on the weekends (which doesn't feel too good afterward) and I go to the gym 5 days a week. So (please) tell me someone else has vascillated like this. This second guessing..it's driving me batty. So many emotions going on!! :cry :cool: :faint: :help: :phanvan :heh: :embarassed: :rolleyes :whoo: :huytsao :cry :omg: :paranoid :biggrin1: :guess :tired :hungry: :nervous :nervous :think

thanks Jenne, It's nice to know that others went through the same thing. It makes you realize that you're not so strange or alone. I am moving forward with the surgery. I have just the psych dr left. I had an appointment but canceled it because I didn't want to spend the $175 to tell him that I had second thoughts. The office told me to hold off until I was sure, as this could cause the psych to tell them that I wasn't ready. So now, I've been spending a lot of time on the boards and in chat with others. I've also been struggling with staying on the optifast although I've been doing okay with that. In a way that part is good as it is showing me flashes from the past of not being able to do it on my own, which I needed a reality check. Thanks for all the comments.:whoo:

Hi, I had my cardiologist appt for pre-op requirement yesterday. The cardiologist was very nice but she didn't understand why I (or anyone) would get any kind of bariatric surgery. She is a young woman, very slim and tiny and was trying to talk me out of the surgery. She told me that all I have to do is stop eating sweets and don't eat after 5pm, then each month give up another food. For example, month one, give up rice, month two give up pasta. I listened to her but she really didn't have a clue about what we go through. After she was done, I told her that everything she said would be great if one could do it. She did give me some good tips on exercise but when I told her I go to the gym 5 x a week she told me to increase it to 6 x a week. I decided to dismiss what she was saying because I know that although she is a specialist, she really doesn't understand what overweight people go through.

Hi, wasa, no actually it was my PCP that referred me to her. He set me up with all of my appointments. The gastro dr is so happy that I am getting the surgery as is my PCP. The pulmonary dr thought it was a great thing but the tech that did my venus doppler test said she didn't think I should get the surgery (not that I asked her)...everyone has an opinion!