Coo

Yes, and I still take Xanax every day for it. I was banded in 2007, had my ups and downs, and for me the panic is not worse and not better before or after. I am glad I had it done, but it isn't a cure all, I can chow down as much chocolate as ever, but it is great for portion control. I didn't suffer after the surgery, but I did as I was told, to the letter. Hope you get it sorted out soon

Wheetsin, me too. I heard/read somewhere you can't ever get to see my surgeon, he was great and he did the first six months care. I found I didn't feel comfortable with a total stranger doing all this and discussing my issues, staff also changed. And then I found I seemed to be coming face to face with 3 people I seriously didn't want to meet unexpectedly in a doctor's rooms (anxiety attacks and acute embarrassment at banding which is a total secret) and I haven't been back. I pretty much pray the band remains in it's current status quo for quite some time.

Hi all I too have not been here for years, I couldn't even remember which year I had my surgery until I read Oregan Holly's post, and remembered her *waving! I feel my brain still overrides any success the band gives me. I don't have tight fills, and haven't had mine touched for over 2 1/ 2 years, probably a bit longer. I got down to within 30 pounds of my goal, but have succeeded in twice putting 20 pounds back on and then losing it and it's back now and I'm just starting again. So it's not the quantity for me it's totally the sugar addiction and comfort / stress eating. Like others, life's downs have tended to be my achilles heel, and I although not hungry all the old patterns are right there, sugar, fat and carbs. I have a bit of a tooth issue one one side, and have never been able to much up salads since the surgery. I can have finely sliced fresh stuff, but still often have issues as soon as I take on "healthy summer food". Winter in some ways is easier, Soups and veggies, not a lot of crunchy stuff to get stuck! I don't feel it was a total loss, and my surgeon say to expect 30% of what I wanted to lose, well, for me 60% will be an acceptable amount, but whether I can ever get back there, and stay there is in the future.

Hi Nicole, I dont' want to disillusion you too badly, but we were fully insured and were were about $1300 out of pocket. If this will be an issue for you, perhaps you can start a special account so it can build up slowly whilst you learn about the banding.

Hi Bandster 1007. Am I? In spirit, but can't seem to get back on track. I also wonder why my email notifcations are now going to spam :scared2:. I am not counting calories, which is just as well, as I'm thinking it is self sabotage, and no just mid winter (here) that is doing it for me. I am trying to count the good things........... like the weight lost, and the postives - I could be way worse and back where I started. I've also had a bit of extra stress and reverted to my old "comfort foods" which of course leave you feeling twice as bad later :wink2:. Thanks for starting this thread :smile:

I hope you can soon seen the plus side of your loss :frown: I was very strict with drinking for the first six months, and it was difficult. Then I asked the Doc for a 1/2 fill (no. 3) just to top up a bit as felt my portions will a little large and I wanted a bit more control. It was this the re-started my drinking - I have found so much discomfort that I have many things getting stuck, which didn't without that fill. So this Fluid eleviates this problem for me. Of course I haven't lost weight either. I have had to virtually give up salads, even before the cold weather, a fine excuse. However, was able to eat lots of crunchy stuff prior to this - I don't even attempt cucumber and apples these days, so at my next visit I am going to get the 1/2 fill out, and try and resume my non-drinking with meals again!

Another happy Camper of Doc Watson's here :frown: I am my own worst enemy, always have been, and it's nothing to do with banding or Doc Watson. I had virtually no wind pains, and always wondered if it were down to his surgical technique. I guess we are all different on the inside too! There wasn't a lot of pain in the big scheme of post op pain, and i like his relaxed after care attitude. You may have to wait to see him, but ya know the best things in life have to be waited for I HATED limbo land, which is where you are now, and that was capped off with the Optiyuk stage just prior to surgery. My BMI and weight was similar to yours. I have a whole box of vanilla Optiyuk if you want it! However I really liked the strawberry and Cappucino - more expensive but sooooooooooooo much nicer :eek: Good luck!

Well, I dropped back in here, finally and this was the first thread I saw in Oct 07 Bandsters! I am OFF TRACK, as I feared would happen. I sort of got half way, winter came, and now I just get by day to day. I need so much motivation, so I hope this thread will begin :frown:

:wink2: This is all excellent news !!! Mine is only a minor victory, seemingly, compared to these. My rope-like undies are now starting to slip, and I have bought some "decent" underwear - it never seemed worthwhile for so long. And, I gingerly tried on a nice pair of cord jeans from 3 winters ago, very doubtful I could wear them out last week, and the zip came straight up, and I felt so good.

Oh, Allison, I am feel so bad for you. You highlight exactly why I am in the camp of "Secret Keepers". I must be appalling having to live with your sister when she is so judgmental and lacking in understanding - your father too - we aren't all so damn perfect to be athletes - some of us have issues, and we must deal with them as best as we can. Big hugs for the journey, hang on in there, once you start to see results, I am sure you'll feel better able to deal with them and their negativity.

Glad you are back on the board, and of course home again Jen. What an ordeal you and your family have been through. I guess it will be a slower road for you than the rest of us. I am sure you have had a really limited diet in hospital and rehab, so I'm sure the odd treat will be more beneficial than detrimental. I find I need the odd thing, and that the best part is that I have control now and don't eat the whole packet. Hope your rehab goes well, and you soon have some more movement and freedom, not to mention peace of mind.

I have 5.5cc in a 10cc band - I just had a half fill as I just wanted a touch more portion control in the evenings - I get the eats during the evening, or during the day as my stress levels increase.

Firstly, THANK YOU for the timely reminder, that fast food isn't fast, you have to drive there, wait and come home again - its junk food, JUNK JUNK JUNK :biggrin: On the Shakes, true they don't taste like Burger King shakes, but I honestly, hand on heart, enjoy the Strawberry Optifast - but don't try me on the Vanilla *arghhhhhh - YUK!

I have heard its 2 years plus - and that you are often bumped further back if the hospital has more urgent cases and sometimes lists are cancelled - as this is elective surgery. Perhaps some thorough research with the doctors/consultants receptionists would give you a better knowledge of each hospital?

Hi I was October, as you can see, and my Doctor is very happy with me - surprised in fact. He thinks I'm "sensible" - if only he knew LOL! However, 27 k is a LOT for your start weight (I was 103) so you have done amazing stuff - I wouldn't be concerned, and perhaps you need to just have a change of types of food/recipes to kick your tastebuds into "yum" mode again? I know I get a bit habitual -same lunch, same Breakfast - its just easier you? I recently went on holidays and was amazed at new flavours LOL!

I agree - it is time for a good heart to heart with your Doctor. You may need to re-evaluate your whole food intake - particularly liquids and the amount of fill. Perhaps keep a strict food diary and your body 's reactions to each meal in the four weeks prior to your appointment, so he/she can go through this with you. Good luck:smile:

Hi Miss P, Congrats! I had Doc Watson too - he's just excellent. If you are in any doubt, either email or phone his office. He has new reception staff of late, but they will take messages. I couldn't last on the clear fluids, and had sloppy weetbix and tubs of fruit puree after a few days - but this was with his ok. I had a really hassle free surgery and post op, so as we are all anatomically different as far as the intricacies, its best to check. I know some people who have been on fluids that long and longer - but it's not fun. Good luck, and take it easy, mentally and physicaly over the next few weeks :biggrin:

Hi Becky, Umm Yes and No LOL! I am trying to work my way through a bit of a stress/menopausal/depression slump right now - so I've been have some poor food choices and my weight has stabilised. I was aware that a lot of marriages/relationships break up after the wife looses a lot of weight, but I think I'll be okay on this front. I don't have a big social life, so I dont' think that will be an issue either for me. I am VERY angry though......could be hormonal, stress or weight related, but I just want to growl and EAT people's head's off! Particularly work wise :teeth_smile:. I am feeling very very very intolerant of "users" in that respect. We run our own business, so have a lot of personal contact, and people just ring up and "use us" for free info and then shop elsewhere as we like to give good customer support and service. And over the last few months, I'm just OVER it. Could be hormonal though as I said, but I feel just generally less tolerant of being treated like I'm of no importance, except when people want something. So I guess that's a bit like fair weather friends. I was very ill for a number of years, a long while back now, and that sorted out the fair weather freinds, so I am thinking this would be no different as I think friends and family expect a certain behaviour and it might make them uncomfortable when one "comes into one's own" The future is for us ! :drool:

Hi Denise, 1 kg - 2.2lbs So I've lost 35lbs I understand what you mean, and thank you for sharing this with me. It makes it seem easier when you know there are others just struggling along too. I realised it was recently my 4 months bandiversary - and until I realised it was only 1 kg per week, I thought, oh, I'm doing okay, I'm half way. Somehow, that lessened my success But I think, even when feeling down, I feel the band is there for always, so that I won't just go back up again. :eek:

Congratulations Chickie :thumbup: That is fantastic, your progress is fantastic and your photo is fantastic. It must be great to be living, breathing proof that the band changes lives, for ever, for good.

I wonder if it really is to do with banding? I have had a lot of changes in my whole life since Banding, and I am going through periods of sleeplessness. I will be okay for a couple of days (nights) and then it will be several of being totally spun out with exhaustion and just can't rest/sleep. I don't do tons of exercise, and when I do it doesn't seem to affect this much, but maybe it is the subconscious thoughts/feelings that our life will be and is changing?

I wish I had words of wisdom, but only of understanding. I go along nicely coping, and then I get a stressful week/day/life, you know I'm sure! Or just cravings, or something triggers "something" and I think, "oh, NO, I'm still the same " But these days, I try and say, but, the band is saving you :thumbup: I had some chocolates in the cupboard since before Christmas, and there was five in a little box. and Yep, they disappeared in two days at the end of an incredibly stressful week where I just wanted to rock and cry. It wasn't anything terrible, just a "give me a bunch of hugs" week. So, I ate 3 chocs the first night, and then the other two the next day. I feel sooooo bad. And then I thought, but, that's all I did. I didn't go to the shop and get a block, and another, or a packet of Cookies or binge and binge. So from that perspective, I guess I did medicate with food, but it was a controlled five chocolates, and they are gone, and I don't want anymore. My band saved me I believe....even if I have an unhealthy meal, I don't feel so down on myself, which used to lead to a spiral of bingeing. Sorry, rambling.....I just feel that the band has given me time, and I don't feel so desperate, as I am more in control. I hope your plateau and mood lifts soon for you,

Yep, I suddenly felt like I should - for me :thumbup: I had been wearing "rags" for so long because I didn't fit anything, and then slowly I could get back into some of my older, large clothes, and I kept thinking, no, wait...wait..... Then an unexpected holiday came up, coupled with a change of season and that meant I could buy some not too expensive, everyday clothes to tide me over and make me feel a bit more presentable. I'm not a bit clothes buyer, in quantity or $, but it sure is nice to have some new things that make me feel a bit nicer and like I'm getting somewhere

What a classic comeback - and two of them. :rolleyes2: What did your sister say??

Well, yes - they can bugger off! :biggrin: I didn't have C sections, but I had four kids and I wanted anything to help me. Yeah, walk a mile in my shoes IMHO - all aspects of my life. I have enough trouble coping without their "holier than thou" attitude! Ahh, you're right - that feels better :rolleyes2: