notateechanow

Be forewarned----everyone has strange/bad experiences with the psych eval, Hamivici. She's odd. She asks strange questions and never stays on schedule. It's required by insurance and that's about it. Never admit to any issues or it'll just delay you. Be sure to say yes to everything regarding support from your family and friends....even if you don't plan to tell anyone. It's not a real psych eval. It's simply to see if you're mentally stable enough to make the decision to do this. The surgeon would have stopped somewhere had they thought you weren't a good candidate......Glad to hear you were able to get your appointments!

I'm shocked. Jennifer is usually fantastic. I'd ask if she were on vacation but it seems like it's been going on for more than the length of the standard vacation. Just keep calling back. Don't wait. I actually asked her about that when I first started working with them. If they don't call you, call them. It's not pushy. Just be polite about it. I think they get so swamped that they forget.

Viv, Good news---you don't have to give up your favorite foods! Stop the mourning. You truly can learn to incorporate your favorites back into daily life again, just in smaller portions. (You'd be surprised at how satisfying a few tablespoons of Ben and Jerry's can be, rather than scarfing down the entire pint!) While you'll need to exercise more moderation, you will be able to eat just about everything. All of us have different food intolerances, and some vary from one hour to the next----but I'm pleased to hear you've focused on what will be, not what you won't have again. 2 days.....good luck! :thumbdown: Paige

I was always active.....but for a while I had stopped. A year before surgery I got started again. I'll take your pics for you! :thumbup: I wish I took some before I had surgery..... I'm running my first AND only 5 K next Saturday.....I hate running. This will be it for me. I'm hoping to have foot surgery this summer.

I only lost about 15 pounds during the pre-op diet. My weight fluctuated after that---you gain after surgery from bloating. I didn't weigh myself for a week or two. (Nearly impossible, I know!) My weight stayed the same over the next two months, despite working out over an hour a day and keeping strictly to 800-1000 calories. So, while I didn't gain, I didn't lose, either.... Good luck! :thumbup:

I have to say that of all the responses, Citygirl couldn't have been more on target for me. I'm 16 months post-op and I noticed that just around 75 pounds down or so (I'm about 105 down now) I stopped feeling the pull of the food. However, it coincided with me moving out from my non-functional relationship AND starting to see a psychologist. I have a degree in counseling, so I know all about replacement behaviors. I worried I'd become an alcoholic or a shopaholic as I've seen on Oprah....so I started going to the gym at night, when the urges were greatest. It was also when I was loneliest and most tired..... Having an outlet for my feelings was--without a doubt--the greatest thing I have done for myself. I have very little restriction and I've intentionally kept it that way. I have few foods that I can't tolerate, and that's really what I wanted with my band. But, because of that choice, I have to use more control over not eating when I'm not hungry. As you get more restriction, it gets PHYSICALLY easier, but let's face it....you wouldn't have been a candidate if this was strictly physical. Keep up the great work. The desire to pick and eat "wrong" foods never goes away...but your control over those things does get stronger as you hit your stride. Don't give up!!

WELCOME, Viv!! While there are definitely times when we've all questioned our own ability to succeed, I think your commitment to having this done will encourage you more than you can ever expect. This isn't the easy way out. The band won't do the work for you---however, it WILL provide you some control that you likely haven't been able to sustain for long periods of time in the past. The first few months after surgery are undoubtedly the hardest. You will know the band has been implanted, but it doesn't seem to "do" anything initially. Be forewarned that it may take a few fills before you experience any restriction. With the help and support of those who have been banded, I have been able to finally lose weight AND keep it off. While family, friends, and even the staff of the program can be helpful, no one can truly know the frustration of living with this weight and the agony of feeling the sense of failure again....when it doesn't happen instantaneously. This website, along with the actual support group meetings have been the key to my success. Whenever I felt like giving up, there has always been someone to pick me up and drag me along---but someone who has been through the same experience. Know that your "marathon" won't be easy, but I expect it will be worth the effort. We're here for you and wish you the best of luck! Keep us posted!! :thumbup: Paige

Jessica Rae, I admire your willingness to come back and explain yourself. Remember you're "young" in this process. I did everything I was told to do, then 10 times more. I ate only 800 or fewer calories a day for the first 3 months. I worked out at least 5 times a week, sometimes 6 or 7 days for at least an hour to an hour and a half a day. I'm not talking about waddling on the treadmill. I was a scholarship athlete in college. I know what it is to work....and after three months? YES, I lost 25 pounds post surgery. Yep, that was it. I was beyond frustrated, but at that point, I was never happier with my decision not to tell people. Many people don't understand this surgery. They expect you to lose weight instantly, as with Gastric Bypass. They ask questions like, "Should you be eating that?!" It's bothersome. People police you, whether intentionally or not. I didn't want any of that in my life. Aside from that, my primary care physician told me she didn't think I'd lose the kind of weight I needed to lose with this surgery. She was worried that I would lose the 40-60% of my excess body weight after surgery and still be over 230. She thought that having surgery wasn't worth that. I'm 16 months out and have lost over 100 pounds---However, it wasn't steady and it wasn't fast. I lost 40 of those pounds in 2 months after moving and leaving my live-in boyfriend of 3 years. HE was the only person who knew about my surgery at that point..... So.....while I admire your willingness to share, I will assure you as you go through this process, there will be times when you will wish that you didn't tell people. I, on the other hand, had times when I wished there were people I could confide in. My process was tremendously lonely. I did it all by myself. You're so lucky to not have to go through that, but now....I'm there. I'm still about 30 pounds heavier than I'd like to be, but after suffering my entire life with more than 60+pounds to lose (even at my lowest....) it's amazing that I'm finally this close. I'll get there, one pound and one day at a time. I would be lost if not for my support group. Good luck with your journey.

I'm dying to know how you arrived at your "goal weight". Dr. Robinson has never before given me one....I'm finally going to see him this month. I made an appointment because I can not only EAT a ton, but I AM eating a ton. I have felt for a few months, but appreciated having the ability to eat anything I wanted, but kept it in check. I'm no longer keeping it in check. thankfully, I've been running a lot, so I haven't gained weight. However, I'm only down about 7 pounds since January. I also finally accounted for an entire day's eating and figure out that I'm eating far less than I thought.....who knew?! Jay, so glad to see you're back. I'm sorry you're having a tough month. How's the weightloss going? I thought of you today when I had a piece of sicilian pizza---or I should say, 4 bites of a slice. Yeah, it's doughy and I decided that I didn't really need it, so I stopped at 4 bites. I should have planned better and brought something healthy, but in the past, I would have had a few pieces instead of my 4 bites. Hope you're all doing well. What is the date of May's meeting?? I'm hoping to go. Anyone find out when the Plastic Surgeon is coming in June???

Catherine, You have to consider the source. First, she's 26 years old. Maybe she doesn't have much life or worldly experience. We were all pretty narrow minded in our own way at that age. More importantly, she was banded less than 10 days ago. For her to believe that this band is anything other than a simple tool is because of her lack of experience. I hope the original poster will re-read this thread in say----OH, another hundred pounds---and see how she feels about the weight loss not being due to hard work and nutritional changes. I've had my band for 16 months. I assure you that if my overweight friends restricted their caloric intake to merely 800-1000 calories a day AND exercised for over an hour a day at the intensity I do, they, too, could lose a hundred pounds. The band is not the reason I've lost the weight.....it was simply a tool that enabled me to stop compulsive behaviors and focus properly on what needed to be done. You can't be offended by what someone says when she comes ill equipped to judge....

I chose not to tell anyone for a variety of reasons. First, my mother claims to have had her own weight struggles. Being 20-25 pounds overweight to me does not constitute a struggle....Growing up, my father had two nicknames for me--thunder thighs and fat sh*t. My uncle called me Buddha. Ironically, I went to a division one college on a full athletic scholarship. I have had success other plans and have lost 75+ pounds several times. Unfortunately, with each new stress in life, I managed to gain it back at one time or another. I knew my family would not understand my very personal struggle with my weight. The hardest part has been realizing that my brave outward face has been a well received facade that people prefer to see because they would not want to know the real pain I faced. My primary care doctor called me after giving me a referral initially. She had done some more research and decided I would be more successful with the Gastric Bypass and that I would never lose the amount of weight I want to lose with the band. I am now down 100 pounds. I surpassed her expectations and my own. I had enough self-doubt and didn't need any detractors. After about 14 months, I told my best friend. I knew she would support me unconditionally, but I also knew that another friend of hers might benefit from my experience. I told my mom and dad a few weeks ago because my mom voiced concerns that I might be bulimic. They were supportive, but only because they have seen the success I have experienced. They haven't been privy to my struggles. They don't know how hard this has been. I would have liked to have a support system, but when you're the person others lean on for support, you can't do that. I don't have room to be the needy one in my life. I have to be the provider....so with this in mind, I have gone to my support group meeting religiously. I have made some fantastic friends who support me unconditionally there. I did what I needed to for my own reasons---yes, some shame, but mostly because I have never voiced the pain I've lived and I don't think people could understand this journey.....

Ladies, the benefit of the Faulkner is the single rooms---NO roommates! Good luck! Enjoy the meeting. :smile:

Thanks Singing. I just want/need to warn you--I'm not looking forward to wearing a bathing suit either. Down 100 doesn't reinstate self confidence when things hang where you'd rather they didn't. It's still just as hard to buy clothes, if not more frustrating. At least before I always knew to just grab the largest size and move on.... OH, and I found the worst store in the history of the world to shop at when you're feeling less than confident.....Frugal Fannie's. Thought I'd stop in to pick up a few things, but at 300 pounds I never tried stuff on....so I didn't know about the OPEN fitting rooms. Yeah, not a good day to wear bad underwear. WHO thought that an open fitting room would be a good plan? Oh, the heathen......Didn't realize I wore a thong----probably because I forget I'm wearing it. I think I nearly gave the old geezer beside me a heart attack. With the right shirt, you can't tell I'm wearing it from behind. While I didn't look as bad as the lumpy broad beside me, that old lady nearly died. Finally annoyed by her staring, I suggested she invest in some thongs--told her that her lover might appreciate them. :crying:

OMG am I STUCK! I now get it. I've been lying on the bathroom floor for like 30 minutes, waiting for this to pass....NEVER had it this bad before and now truly understand why it's called "sliming". So even though I had issues with being tight before, I've never had this happen. I wish I had a great story, as Jay would, but I don't. I was simply watching tv with my goldfish and not paying attention to how much I was eating when I suddenly felt this pressure in my abdomen. So, it wasn't something I didn't chew well enough---just too much, I assume. Now I see why people worry they're going to choke and die. It definitely feels like it affects your breathing, though I know logically it doesn't. Usually I just take a good drink of something and wash it back out, but that's not working this time....SO I'm nearly a year and a half out and finally, I get it..... No meeting for me tomorrow night. I'm hoping to go out. Have fun if you do go, and find out which meeting the Plastic Surgeon is attending in June, please? Thanks. 70s on Friday, 80's on Saturday. Bring on the warm weather...

Fanny, I'm down just about 100 pounds. I still have at least 30-40 pounds to get to where I want to be, but I may re-evaluate that when I lose another 20. I haven't lost but a pound or two since January. I have good restriction and run at least 20 miles a week. I'm training for a 5K. I'm consuming around 80 grams of protein a day and still struggle. I'm now finally ok with losing slowly. Like Christasha, I felt really slow initially, but I'm getting where I want to go....just slower. We will get there!! Keep up the great work!!!

OH, I'm with you. I started to use the kitchen sink, though, because often when I use the toilet I get splashed. GROSS! I had a piece of pizza for lunch---YES, Jay, just ONE. (And, while I think of it, Jay...you're definitely still in need of restriction. Keep at it. You'll get there. I have a tough time getting down one small piece.....) No issues, no problems. Went to dinner with my best friend and couldn't get down chicken, which is never a problem. Even the peanut butter icecream pie came back at me afterwards. Not a good eating night....but ate only a piece of pizza all day long.....go figure. Just when I thought it was getting better, tonight sucked. :rolleyes2: Oh, tomorrow is a new day. Maybe I just need get in a run. :crying:

Pearley, You've come to the right place! I'm sorry to read of your struggles and while I can't pretend to understand your frustration, I can certainly empathize. I have had issues with being too tight/too loose and back and forth several times. Is it possible that you're just feeling restriction again for the first time in a very long time and need to re-adjust to your new fill level? My dr. only checks to see that water can pass through and I'm on liquids for 2 days after a fill. Take it slowly and reflect on all of those rules you were told way back when you were banded. It's been a while. Go easy on it. The great news is that you KNOW you're capable of losing those 34 pounds. You need to do so slowly and carefully. You'll get there. Give it time. If you're like the rest of us, your battle against the weight has been life-long. A few months set back may be frustrating, but it won't kill you. You have the tools, but now you have to use them carefully and appropriately. You CAN do this. You've done it before. Good luck and stay on here for the support you need. We're here to help..... :rolleyes2: Paige

Glad to hear you're feeling better, Tiny! I had the most gut wrenching pains today---felt like I was being gutted with a dull spoon. I don't know if it was gastric stuff or female related, though I'm not PMS'ing...all I know is it went on for a few hours and I thought I was gonna die. (It was definitely lower than my band....somewhere between my hip bones) I don't know if it's band related. I had soup for lunch then moved on to a protein shake after working out. Haven't felt much like eating, but have done a lot of lying around. No vomiting today, though! I think I'm probably due for a fill 2 pounds in 3 months is killing me, but I'm ok with that for now. I'm hoping that after running the 5K and going back to walking instead of running, I'll drop another 10-15 pounds.....UGH.....

K8, Whatever you do, DON'T diet before your initial consult appointment! He is going to tell you that you'll need to lose a certain amount of weight before surgery if you're approved....and the weight that will determine EVERYTHING will be from that first appointment! If I had known that, I would have eaten a little more before hand, just so the 30 pounds I had to lose pre-surgery weren't so hard to lose!!

I looked at your link---just a heads up that it's only 6 grams of protein. That might be enough for now, but that's the same amount as in 6oz of fat free yogurt. The unjury has 20 grams of protein and is only 80 calories. I will say that the unflavored is strange. I tried mixing it into mashed potatoes and it turned them to liquid, though they weren't hot!! 6 grams doesn't seem like much protein if you're going to buy a protein powder.....Designer Whey protein has 18 per scoop, though I've only tried it flavored. It's nice because it mixes with Water. Good luck with your surgery! May it be quick and as painless as possible. :drool: Paige

You know, Cathy, I laughed REALLY hard when I read that. I remember so clearly when I was given the green light to have "food" again. It was as if I had lived on an island without food for 3 years! It's all psychological! I actually have a tough time with stuff like mashed potatoes now....I don't know if it's because I stuff them down too fast or eat too much, but I fare much better with food I have to consciously chew!!