ShhhhDontTell

I just found this thread. I was banded on 10/5... I had my 1st fill on 11/6... The 1st fill was so weird... He put in 2 cc's & it was sooooooooooooooo tight I could not even swallow 1 sip of Water. My daughter was with my (she is 11) she heard all the noises coming from me from across the room, she kept saying stop that... I said I can't... Then the doc came back in & said whoooaaa those noises, how did the water go down & how much have you had to drink? I said 1 little sip & it has not gone down yet... He said he figured from the noises. He took 1cc out & that was great... I got the water right down! He said now you know what it is like to be to tight! Ick I do not want that again! I have lost 27 pounds as of now... I am working out at the gym as much as I can. I am very happy with how this band is helping me. I did not tell my family I had it done. They have been mean to me my entire life & I figured it is none of their business, this is my life not theirs. I want to be there for my daughter & enjoy life. I also do not want to hear their bs that I took the easy way out. Although I do not think surgery is the easy way out at all... But I grew up with my mom calling me a walrus, my brother calling me a fat sweat (sister too) & my dad just saying you make me sick... And they are just 2 of the comments they would say... I never once heard that I looked beautiful & the sick thing was I was a size 10!!!! A size 10 & a walrus??? Sheesh I can only imagine what they said when I was at 289!! See I never measured up with my sister who has done movies etc & she is the perfect size "2"... Me, growing up with them at a size 8 or the 10 I was in high school was just walruslike to them... So I told them I had my gall bladder out... they never even asked when I was having it out... they did nto care... So I did not tell them the date... so then when they called to tell me my sister had her baby & when am I going to see her... I said when my doc says I can drive, I just came home from the hospital... she said ohh ok well she had a boy! They did not even say how are you feeling! lol yup I have a caring family don't I??? NOT!!! They funny thing is. my sister the actress & size 2 has 3 kids now & with each one she has gained more weight & never lost it... My hubby even said she is getting big, I think she is now a 12-14-16?? But with me previously being a size 24-26, she was still skinny... hmmmmmm I wonder... will I get thinner than her??? Will my parent then switch & call her the walrus??? Only time will tell I guess... anyway I have my hubby & daughter as support & hope that I can meet some new friends on here for more support. If I did not bore you to sleep from reading this, thank you for listening...

Hi there.... I had the lap band put in on 10/5/07. I LOVE IT!!! I have a "family" that treats me like a piece of crap. ("family" = Mother, Father, Sister & her husband & brother) My husband & daughter supported me. I have not told my "family". I had to grow up with the nick name of walrus given to be by my loving (LOL) mother. The sad thing is when I was living at home with them at my heaviest there I was only 160 pounds & a size 10!!!!! Yup a size 10 to my mom that equaled me being a walrus... anyway, I thought if I tell them they will ridicule me for the rest of my life... So, I called my mom (even though she lives 2 miles from me) I said, "Mom, I need to have surgery." She said "for what?" I said, "I need to have my gall bladder out..." She said, "ohhh, that is nothing..." then she changed the subject to her favorite one, that is talking about my sister, the golden child! So I gave her a chance to care, she chose not to... So, on 10/5 I had it done. My husband & daughter were by my side. They wanted what was best for me. I was at 289 pounds. I am 5'9". I am already down 30 pounds. I am very very happy!! I went from a size 24 tight fitting to a size 18!! WOW!!!!! I am so excited about this lap band! The surgery was not bad at all. I was scared, but I researched my doc & trusted him. I also said to myself if it is my time God will take me. I prayed & said please don't my husband & daughter need me. I had my 1st fill on 11/6/07. I had 1cc. they tried 2cc but it was way to tight. I could not even drink Water. I take my time & chew very well. I used to be the 1st one done dinner. Now I am the last & it takes me a while to finish 1/4 of what I used to eat. I am amazed that I can eat such small portions & not be hungry for more. The lap band is a tool. It helps you if you use it correctly is what my doc says. So, that is what I am doing. He said he is not like some docs & he does not make you wait forever for the 1st fill. He said a month after surgery you stomach has already gotten much smaller & you need a fill to for the tool to work right. It is working because I am not starving... I am losing... And I feel Grrrrrrrrrrreat!!! I would say go for it!! You can use my little white lie & tell your mom you are having your gall bladder out. I even told my doc that is what I told my family. He said good for you. e told me I did not need any one that is going to try to bring me down. He said if you ever need your gall bladder out then we will tell your family you are having surgery to fix an ulcer! I said Great!!!! I am considering 10/5 my new birthday. It is a wonderful thing! Good luck in your journey!

Thank you all... Your words mean a lot!!!

Thanks so much Carrot! I am not letting anyone bring me down! I am doing this & working soooooo very hard at it!! Thanks for your support, it means a lot!

Thanks ya'll for your replies! It means a lot to me. I had a rough life but I am on the road to a new one now. I am so excited I got this band. my old birthday was 12/5, my new one is now the day I was banded 10/5! I just wonder if I do get thin if then I will finally be good enough for my family... Well even if it is, I will still remember that they are shallow & it is only about looks & money to them. The good thing about my sad family is the fact when I am at the gym now & on that bike I keep peddling & think I WILL BE THIN! So I keep going & going! The sad part is my mental feeling is to the effect as to: Will I ever really be thin? Will I ever make it to a size 10 or better yet an 8? Well I will settle for a 12 and dream for now... I guess you have to set the small goals first! by the way, I am wearing size 18 jeans today, down from a 24, WOOOOO HOOOOOO!!!! Thanks again for your replies!!!!

Thank you so much!! Yes it is true, all I need is who means most & that is my hubby & my daughter! Thanks & good luck to you as well!! How much have you lost so far?

Can you add me too please? I am 10/5/07 My name is Colleen

Good luck... Where are you having it done? I went to Penn Hospital with Dr Kirkland on 10/5/07. He is great.. I am doing well!

I used Dr Kirkland & love him... He is at Penn Hospital... Look him up on the net he is a great surgeon in all that he does. I was banded by him on 10/5 & I felt no pain.. He is great with fills & wants you to be succsessful, he had me come for my 1st fill the other day so I do not have to suffer through thanksgiving... I will go again before christmas. I love everything about him.

I have the same pain, I was wondering if it was from the scope, it is near the smaller incision on the left side... it did not hurt much in the beginning but I am a month out from surgery (10/5) & not it is really bugging me...

I am going for my 1st fill... What is it like? Does it hurt? Can you eat anything after or are you back on liquids again? Please let me know if you can. Thanks so much!

I am not sure, I am going tomorrow... It is in the docs office... can you eat after? Or are you back on liquids?

Hi there... I like you have been over weight my whole life... Lost it all gained it back plus more each time. I hated that! I lost a whole bunch of weight in 2004 but then I ended up way more than when I started, I said I would NEVER have a surgery... I was scared... But, that was the gastric bypass. Last October my brother that is 3 years older than me.. he is over weight now but wasn't when he was younger like me, well he had a massive heart attack... He almost died. they gave him a 10% chance to even make it because his heart was so weak & damaged. He made it! Well from that day on I thought I need to do something or I am going to end up like him or worse! I have been fat since birth! Then there are the people that give you the looks or talk about you... lets not forget about booths in restaurants, you no longer fit in them anymore, let alone rides at the amusement park... I thought this life is not fun anymore, you get out of breath walking up steps, you cant fit in a seat anymore, you get the looks, you get the whispers and to top it all off you are so unhealthy! So I said I am going to find out about the lap bad... I am so happy I did it! I am just beginning this new journey, but so far I am loving it! I only told my Husband, Daughter, & 3 of my best friends. The rest I told I had my gall bladder out. My parents would not understand as they have never been there for me... as a matter of fact they would call me a walrus, etc... And, that was when I was no where near fat. I am 5'10"... and when I was a walrus I was 145 -155 pounds and a size 10... but because I was not a size 2 like my little sister who is only 5'6" that put the label of walrus on me, how sick! And to think that is my very own parents, so ya see why I did not tell them??? I do not need their negative comments... At this time in my life it is about me and all of the positive energy and comments I can get!! So good luck in your search! Do not let anyone bring you down or talk you out of making a healthy decision to aid you through the rest of your life.

Ok well a couple people have said some of what I wanted to say... But I will repeat it too.... 1st of all, this is an addiction... Unlike drugs, smoking & drinking which you can live with out... eating you can't! You do not eat, you die! You have an addiction... I am sure they have some bad vices!! Ask them how they would feel to stop? And again, you need food to live... 2nd Plain & Simple, they are jealous... You will look better than them, more competition for them... Get over them selves this is about you! You need to think about #1, that is YOU!! 3rd, you can always ask them if they would rather you have a heart attack from being over weight, or any of the other problems associated with being over weight... 4th, taking the easy way out???? are they insane??? Is having major surgery every easy??? HECK NO!!! You are altering your life with a surgery, I would NOT consider that easy but HARD, & it's for the rest of your life!! You ask them if surgery is easy, if they say yes you send them my way, I'll fix them!! They do not sound like good friends, for a good friend would support you & give you their blessings.. And you know what, it is none of their business anyway... Tell them you are not gonna do it, tell them you need your gall bladder out... Then you go get it done. Then they will not judge you. Good luck!! I will also tell you I am sooooooooooooooooooooo happy I got it done. I thanked my doc for giving me a new life!

I can see mine sticking out some. I had my surgery on 10/5. I am just wondering if I need to lose more weight before it is hidden, or if it will always be sticking out. It is flat but you can see the raised section under my skin where it is. Just curious.

Mine is on the right side & it is the largest scar of them all.

stupid question, but, what is PBing?

I am starting to get hungry now. It is also tough because I have a husband that can eat anything & a daughter that takes after him. They are eating pizza etc. I know it is probably mental but WOW I smell it & go crazy. I am eating scrambled eggs while they induldge on all of the junk that got me where I "was". I had lost 12 pounds on my 2 week visit. I go back on 11/5 for a fill & maybe 1 more before thanksgiving depending on how I am feeling. If I am feeling ok then I get one before the holidays. I feel like I am not loosing anymore & I am afraid to eat. I have only eaten 2 meals the last few days because I do not want to gain. I am hungry but afraid to gain weight. I only have my husband & daughter for support & I feel like I am going crazy because they can eat anything. I feel totally alone. I am so glad I found this site, I hope I can get some support here, I feel like I need it badly. How is everyone else dealing with everyone around them eating what they want? Is it driving you as crazy as it is driving me crazy? Any tips?

When do you go for your 1st fill? Maybe you should call your doc... How many meals are you eating & how much? I am not eating as much as I should. I am eating 2 meals a day & that is it. I am eating an 1/8 of what I normally would. But I feel like I have not lost any weight. I guess I will find out on 11/5 my next dr's appt. I need to know I have lost more. The 1st visit at my family doc 1 week after I had lost 6 pounds (I was at that dr (family doc) the week before my surgery because of a cold), then the 2nd week I went for a follow up with my surgeon & had lost a total of 12 (from the last time I was there which was I think 2 weeks before the surgery). So I want to see how much he says I lost then get on a scale at home & then I will know how I am doing. But as of now I feel like I have only lost the 12. I guess that is better than gaining... I guess I need to know I did not put this weight on overnight so, it will not come off overnight. I just wish I could see some progress...

yes, that is where mine is.

I could not say that any better my self!! I am so glad I had this done!

Mine is on the right side under my breast, well I should say where the breast hangs to LOL.

That is exactly what I have. I have also lost around the same amount of weight. I guess we will have to wait & see.

When were you banded? What type of list do you have for restaurants? I love to eat out & that sounds like a great idea! I would love to have some ideas as to what is good to get while at a restaurant. I was banded 10/5. My 1st visit was 2 weeks later, I did not get or need a fill then. But I am needing one now. I have an appt on 11/5 & he said he wants to fill me then because of thanksgiving. He also wants me to come back in Dec to get one before Christmas.

I felt the same way. I was so scared. I thought to myself I need to get this done or I am going to die. My brother had a massive heart attack at the age of 43 he almost died, had a 10% chance of making it. It is a miracle he lived. I am 41 & thought is that how I am going to go? He was in so much pain. He is overweight, diabetes and more. I have the most beautiful sweet little girl (age 11) and I need to be there for her. She is my world! I thought ok I can die of heart attack or I can get this done. My daughter did not want me to have the lap band. I explained to her that mommy can die with out getting it done. My husband supported me in whatever I wanted to do. He is thin. Neither one of them understand what it is like to be FAT! I asked them both to come to a support group with me, they said they would be right in & never came in. I left crying. I said why did you guys not come in. They said they were scared. I said of what? It is me that is getting the surgery. They did not understand. So I told them I can die of a heart attack & during that time live my life miserable or I can get this done. I said even if I die I will be miserable because I bet I will not even fit into a coffin! They said but we love you as you are. I then broke out in tears, told them I am scared to death to get this done, but you 2 do not understand. I explained, when we go out to dinner I have to look at the booths, will I fit??? Will it be to tight? I said you know at the amusement parks why I do not go on some of the rides, because I will not fit! I said is that how you want me to live because soon it will be that I do not want to leave the house because why be embarresed that i will not fit? Not to mention how people talk about the fat person walking by. I hear it all! It is a creul world. So the day of the surgery in the hospital still with the fear, I said I need to go to the bathroom, my daughter came with me. I just went in there so she & I could talk. I told her this (while balling my eyes out) I said just know this sweety, I love you more than anything in this entire world & if mommy does not wake up I need you to know that. She said the same thing to me that she loved me more than anything & that I better wake up. I told her I trust my doctor, that he is the best in his field and I am in good hands. I said not to mention I prayed. So it is up to God. Her & I hugged, held hands & sat side by side. On the elevator ride up I went to the 5th floor they had to go to the 6th floor. I said I LOVE YOU 2!! Tears came to my face as I turned around as I did not want my daughter to see them. As I was put on the table I said my prayers & asked God to let me get through this as I need this, my family needs this, my family needs me. As they gave me the needle I thought of my daughter. I was terrified. Then I woke up. I cried & thanked God he helped me through this, then I smiled & thanked the Doctor for giving me a new life that started that day. I hope I did not bore you with my story. But I as you felt the same. It was all ok. It was all worth it. I have only been banded since 10/5 but I am so very happy I got it done. I lost 12 pounds in less than 2 weeks. I am not sure how much as of now that I lost because I do not have a scale. When I go to the docs I will have a scale to check progress in between visits. Good luck to you, try not to be scared. It will all be ok. You will start a new life all over again.