Longhorn

wintersunshine: You sound like my kind of gal! I'm really impressed with how you handled this thread! I saw my doctor for my initial consultation yesterday and will have the surgery on November 1. I had some of the same concerns you did, especially after reading some of the posts here where it sounded like people were still on diets. There's nothing wrong with that but I also wondered if this was going to be a "diet with the added threat of puking" -- sort of an "aversion-therapy diet." I asked my doctor and he said that the incidents of vomiting and sliming and getting stuck are probably over-reported here -- first, because it's not the same people every time but if everyone reported it ONCE, it would sound like a lot more incidents, and second, because we tend to come to a board like this when we need information and/or support, which we need more after a negative incident. Anyway, his experience with his patients is that these incidents are much more rare. He's pretty conservative in how much he adds during fills -- only two unfills in four or five years! -- which means I will need to be patient about weight loss, which I am. I just want to know that it will eventually come off AND, more importantly, that it will never come back! His food schedule of Clear Liquids, full liquids/pureed foods, and soft foods lasts four to five months just so that I can get used to the band gradually and have fewer of the negative incidents. I'm all for that! The nutritionist said that I should be able to eat almost any food eventually, only in much smaller quantities. She also said that I shouldn't be hungry so if I am, I need to eat something. However, I need to make sure that it is true hunger and not "head hunger," something that will take some learning. Good luck in your research and ultimate course of action!

I'm set for November 1! I barely made it into the November group! 1st PattyPoo Nessa3678 brandymom1234 Mom_of_Chuy Longhorn 2nd lindata lizzie_07 KristinaDawnB lindseyann2u 5th DLW Forest Cat Hungryforchange 6th ndmom jetti 7th Goldie1109 susieq125 shadst83 MyLady 8th anw5102 Cota129 needto 9th Banded4Life neen7171 maccy mariaxoxo4u 10th Selisejohnson omlagirl jen6740 12th jrsyshoregrl684 suebob 13th vanessav Princessannod1 CCFRA 14th dream'n2bthin 15th steph_cn 19th Mrs Smartypants 27th 731Shawty Julie-Ann 28th lukin 29th Sassafras

I think what wintersunshine was saying is, IF the experience is the same with the band as without, then why get the band? Frankly, that was my first reaction, too, when I started reading these boards. It's easy to get that impression when you read the same kinds of threads that you can find on any diet board regarding plateaus, counting calories or points, cheating, starving, etc. I'm glad this thread was started because the answers have been very informative. I think the point y'all are making is that it is possible to not lose or even gain with the band and that, yes, we still have to make healthy decisions about what, how much, and how often we eat and whether we exercise BUT the band, when used correctly, helps us by forcing us to slow down, eat less, and make better choices to keep us feeling full. I appreciate the OP, who has responded politely when asking for more information or clarification. We all want to make the right choice. When I read about some of the drawbacks, I sometimes wonder if this is right for me because I have a relatively low BMI. Is it worth it to possibly experience the unpleasant side effects to lose 70 pounds and potentially keep it off the rest of my life? If it was GUARANTEED that I would vomit in public, experience horrendous chest pains, and be very limited in what I could eat, maybe not. But the more I read, the more I believe that these things are not guaranteed but are possibilities. And I AM willing to risk the POSSIBILITY of these side effects if it means I can finally lose this weight and keep it off.

So are you going through Dr. Ganta? I just called his office today and I have a consult tomorrow! I'm so excited! I'm self-pay so I may be able to have my surgery in as little as two weeks. And it's only $12,500, plus pre-op expenses, but including a full year of after-care including free fills. If you haven't already, check out this article from the Austin Chronicle: The Austin Chronicle: Food: Enough Is Enough!: I've been a food critic for 15 years. I've been overeating all my life. Recently, I decided enough is enough! Let's keep in touch!

I'm a math teacher so I'll use a little math on you. Every pound you lose represents a greater percentage of your weight than the previous pound. For example, if you weigh 300 pounds, the first 30 pounds lost is 10 percent of your weight. However, the next 30 pounds is 30/270 or about 11 percent. The next 30 pounds is 30/240 or 12.5 percent. So the more you lose, the more an objective person will see it. However, we tend not to be objective about ourselves so we don't see it the way others do. That's why the suggested pictures can help -- for some reason -- maybe because we don't look at photos of ourselves as often as we see ourselves in the mirror -- we see ourselves more objectively in photos. Anyway, be patient. It's not a race and this time, we can be more confident that it's the last time!

I saw a commercial for something called Joint Juice that I'm going to check into for my glucosamine. I just need to see how many calories and how much sugar.

Hi, Kristina! I'd really rather stay in Austin, if I can. I teach at ACC and can't take off easily. But thanks for the recommendation and I hope all goes well for you. I'll be watching your progress!

My doctor's office called to reschedule my consultation. That's throwing everything off because I can't just cancel classes and take off so I won't get in now until October 30. He has also changed his protocol -- I can't get the pysch eval until I see the doctor which means they can't be done on the same day. I'm going to use this time to check into other doctors, just in case. This change is a reminder how inconvenient it is to go to another city, even one that is an hour and a half away, when there are good doctors right here in Austin! I still hope I get to be a November bandster!

I did that the last time I lost 70 pounds. Actually, I gave most of them to my sister who was also losing weight but was a few sizes bigger. I had to ask for them back but she had gained also and couldn't wear them any more. I don't expect it to be as much of a problem this time since I don't plan on regaining the weight, but I didn't "plan" to last time, either. I just ended up having to buy more clothes! It's fun when you're losing and very depressing when you're gaining! I'm afraid the weight can come back whether the clothes are there or not. And I really tried hard not to regain the weight, too!

I'm in Oak Hill every day! And we used to live there and our kids went to Patton. I hope you find a doctor you like. Feel free to PM me. Good luck!

I like this approach. I hope to be banded on the first of the month so why not weigh myself on the first of each month? Believe me, I haven't always felt this way but I don't want to be impatient about my weight loss. This is different from a presumably short-term diet -- I'm going to be this way the rest of my life. I might as well get used to it.

I've had weighing issues when I lost weight on Medifast a few years ago. I was a daily weigher but I was also a slow loser and this was very discouraging. It can be fun to weigh daily if the weight is falling off but after the first week or two, that never happened to me. I don't plan on weighing daily once I'm banded. It will be hard not to, though it's easier if you put the scale where it's a bit of a hassle to get it out. That's my plan, anyway! Good luck!

I think there's also the idea that the rest of your family can have anything they want and you can only eat these special foods and they want those, too! I've had that happen to me without a band! For as long as I've been dieting (my entire adult life!) I've bought special foods such as fat-free Wheat Thins or ice cream or pudding and THOSE are the foods my family wants! Anyway, even if the outburst was justified, I know you're sorry about it. I think it would be a good idea to sit down with your family and tell them exactly what you would like in the way of support. Sometimes we think it's obvious but it isn't. They do love you and want to help so tell them what will help. And leave it open that more things might come up, since we can't always anticipate what we need. Anyone who cares enough to ask the question, "Did I overreact?", is a good and caring person. Good luck!

Hi, Mindy! I'm working or I would stop and chat but I wanted to say hi. Notice I have an appointment for my consultation. I'll talk to you more later! :whoo:

Thanks! I just ordered a 90-day supply of multivitamins, calcium citrate, and Iron. I also found a source of chewable glucosamine at Vitamins: Alternative Health supplements & Vitamin Nutrition Supplements - VitaminShoppe.com. I think I'm set!

I love the Viativ, both Multivitamins and calcium. However, my nutritionist said I need to be taking calcium citrate and Viactiv doesn't use that. However, the multi-vitamin should still be fine. I just need to find a good source of liquid or chewable glucosamine that doesn't cost an arm and a leg!

That is, are you so uncomfortable that you'd rather not or does it actually feel good to get up and walk around? Or something in between? Thanks!

I suspect that your family and friends don't understand the operation. I found an ABC news story about Khaliah Ali's book about her weight loss due to lap-band surgery. The article includes an excerpt from her book in which she does an excellent job of explaining the surgery and benefits. I suggest you send out this link and/or print off some copies of the article to hand to your friends and loved ones to help them understand what you're doing. It might help you to read it, too. It helped me. ABC News: Excerpt: Khaliah Ali's 'Fighting Weight' Some people are uninformed, some are envious, and some are just mean or negative. And frankly, there are some people that would rather we remain fat for a variety of reasons. They may not even realize why they feel the way they do. It doesn't mean they don't love you or care about you but they're not necessarily showing it in the way that's best for you. If they take the time to read this and other articles and still have concerns, you can politely ask then to respect the fact that you have researched this, you know the risks, you are under the care of a doctor, and you would appreciate it if they would respect your decision, even if they can't support it. This is one reason why I'm not telling many people -- not because I can't handle it if they don't support me but because I'm not in the mood to educate others right now. Maybe later. Good luck! You're doing the right thing to come here for support.

Brewa: I don't have a firm date yet. I see the doctor for my consultation next Thursday but I have discussed dates with his office and I'm hoping for November 1. The date is available but I want to talk to the doctor about using the new band and if we decide on it and he has to order it, that could delay things.

I haven't been banded yet but this is the attitude I plan to have. I certainly want to lose weight but if I never gain another pound because of the band, I feel like it will be worth it. I plan to be patient and not even weigh myself that often. I'm not normally a patient person so I'm not saying it will be easy but at least that's the attitude I have right now.

I'm planning to go to Dr. Jorge Rincon. I've been in touch with his office and my consultation is next Thursday. I'll keep you posted. Good luck!

Thanks, Dee! I'll still be watching how y'all are doing. Good luck!

Thanks, JKR! I'm very excited and it helps to hear about experiences such as yours. Perhaps you could share some more about what it has been like for you when you have a chance. I'm learning as much as I can so that I, too, can be successful.

Hi, JKR! I don't have a band yet. I'm hoping to have my surgery November 1. Your results sound fantastic to me! I hope I'm as successful!

That's good advice. I just need to say it to myself few times until it comes naturally. Thanks!