Tonks

Actually one of my coworkers told me the other day that he was worried ...... he thinks I'm anorexic! Obviously he doesn't know about the band. I told him I'm just fine. I want to feel and look great, not better than before.

I'm almost there..... 19 pounds to goal!!!!!! I'm soooooooooooo happy. i hope I reach my goal before Christmass (I lose weight very slowly)

DrPhil, this is all too new to you, but believe me you will get used to this and you will come to love your band and the new you!!!! good luck on your journey!!!!!

I can totally relate to this. When people aske me if I will lose more weight, and I tell them that i still have to lose 19 pounds they start saying that I'm ok that I don't need to lose more weight and go on and on..... At first I noticed that people where really happy for me, but as I'm reaching my goal some people are starting to make comments that sounded more like jelousy or envy..... even people who are thin and mostly women.

I also paid myself. I had my surgery in the Dominican Republic (where I'm from), and paid about 7,500.00 fills included for life. Insurance does not cover bariatric surgeries in my country. it was the best decision of my life. I used my savings. While I'm losing weight I'm saving for the plastic surgeries I may need after I'm done. Go for the surgery, I feel so much better and so much healthy.

First of all: relax. Take things as they come and try not to compare your progress with others, since everybody is different. For me, it was hard at first when I look at my first meal after the surgery I said to myself: "What?!, how am I going to get full with that amount of food?", and that worried me, but right now, when I look at someone else's plate I think to myself: "Wow! that's a lot of food! how can anyone eat that!" Believe me You will get used to it. And once you start looking at yourself in the mirror and getting smaller, that will be an awesome feeling... at least it was for me

First of all.... CONGRATS Shadowmanhi !!!! Hi Jetti, the procedure is not very common in DR since it is expensive and is not covered by insurance. But there are very good doctors, my two surgeons graduated in France and are excelent!, if you whish I can give you their contact info so you can reach them if you need anything while you're here. When are you going to be banded? To what part of the country are you coming on vacation? maybe we could meet !!!!

Less invasive procedure It is adjustable Better for pregnancy My doctor told me that for me it was better to lose the weight slowly. I went back to work 4 days afte the surgery. I had no pain But it is your decision. I hate puking too, and it has happened to me a couple of times.... it's not that bad. Just get all the information before you take a decision..... and good luck in your journey!

There are risks with every surgery, that's what my doctor told me, but if you have no medical problems, if all your tests are ok, you will be just fine. I'm such a coward in so many ways, and like you I was a little scared. But for me the important thing is to trust your doctor. And also just imagine the changes in your life and the things you will be able to do. I had no pain after, and was feeling Ok, I even had my surgery a Thursday and went back to work the next monday (couldn't stay home much longer, I was soooo bored), and It just took a couple of days for me to recover.

That is true not everybody is the same, for example, i have one year with my band, and I had only 3 fills !! I don't know if this happens to everybody but at first I used to be hungry, and I was eating small portions like every 3 hours as my doctor indicated..... now i can say that I have only 3 very small meals a day, and not getting hungry.

NIkki_S and Beck, Concerning the issue of being able to lose all the weight, I believe is possible, I am only 19 pounds away from my ideal weight. (I believe that is like 9 Kg, but I'm not sure)

I have two: A Star of David on my right foot (that hurts a lot!) A blue rose with black leafs on my back, between my shoulders. I plan to do two more once I reach my goal. A blue butterfly as a symbol of my transformation and my father's initials (which are also my initials).

You look amazing!!! congratulations and good luck !!!

At first, with all the special diets you have to follow, I felt like I was dieting...... right now, I don't. I can enjoy dinner out with friends and parties... but i just eat small portions. In another topic in this forum we were talking about how in restaurants waiters keep looking at you when they seel your plate full, sometimes they ask if you dindn't like it if you would like to change it for something else.

I've lost 74 pounds..... and I am only 19 pounds away from my goal. And I don't regret having the LBS.

That one, meant a lot to me!!!!!!

I got a house keeper too!, she comes twice a week 9tusdays and fridays) I have my hair done every sunday. I have my nails done every two weeks. I had my hair cut, i used to have my hair long and blond, now I have it short and black, and is so funny when people look at me and don't recognize me, because of the weith lose and the different hair.

Clothes!!!!!!! Is not easy to find modern clothes in big sizes, and also was no fun to enter a store to find out nothing in there fits you. I'm only 19 pound away from my goal, and i am soooo happy when I go out shopping with my friends 'cause I can try on the clothes, and don't feel ashamed, and actually find really nice things to buy. And also have my selfsteem up to the roof is a good thing too.

Good luck with everything..... And come back to share

Hi! As nikki_s said, the experiences are different, but overall I can say that my LBS is working, and I'm very happy with the results. i just joined this forum yesterday, and have found lots of information. Welcome and keep us posted.

Hi, I'm new to this page but very happy to find people to talk about it. I was banded on October /2006, and have lost 74 pounds. good luck!

Hi Kimmi... I'm new to this forum too, but I have my band for a year now... you will probably feel a little scare at frist because you don't know what to expect, but believe me you will get better soo soon.

jajajajajaja. I usually have in my bag thing that I know wont cause me any problems on the street, like an urge to go to the bathroom.

Wellcome!!!! I'm just like you, new to the forums but I've been banded for a year now. I don't lose the weight fast, but very proud of what I have accomplished in this year (I was banded on oct. 06)

That happened to me once... I talked to my doctor and he unfilled the band a little and problem solved! You don't need to be ashamed to go to your doctor for advice. Mine, must be tired of me, I ask so many questions!