lildarlin

Hi everyone! I'm writing to you from my NEW computer I just got my first home computer and connected to the internet tonight! It's quite intimidating, sometimes these weird messages come up and I don't know what they mean. So I'll be able to pop in when I'm at home! On the subject of banding, some of you may know I've been researching it. I have taken the first step, well maybe it's the 2nd (after research of course), but I've called my primary doctor for a referral to a surgeon I'm still kind of worried I will fail (by tha I mean that I'm afraid I'll mess up the dietary rules) and think that maybe behind my back people will say it was stupid of me to do this, why can't I just diet the weight off. But...I have to think positively. My family isn't 100% on board, my mother would just as soon ignore the subject. I went to a support group and she never asked how it went or anything. My husband didn't either for that matter. Sometimes I think I'll be flying solo on this adventure. It' almost midnight, so I guess I should go to bed. I ate dinner at 9:30 and I am not ready to sleep!

I know how you are feeling. I feel like I don't fit in at any kind of function. At work, when they have group gatherings (always involving food), I just stand there, nobody to talk to, nobody talks to me. I don't have any friends really either. I live my life for my husband and my kids. I work come home and take care of them. I don't have a social life or have anyone come visit me. I too feel like I've withdrawn myself as time has passed. I always feel like people are staring at me or think less of me because I'm heavy. I have actually thought to myself, if I died tomorrow, who would be at my funeral...probably nobody except immediate family! Take care of yourself, don't let yourself get depressed. I'm not one to give advice much, but try to keep your chin up I'm looking into the band, are you?

That's nasty Dianne! Must be in the air....last week my husband fixed my son a packet of hot chocolate. After 2 sips he looks down and realizes there are 15 dead tiny ants floating in the cup!!! The packet was never opened so it must have happened at the factory. I know the cup didn't have any ants, it had just come out of the dishwasher. I wrote to Nestle, guess what I'm getting.....like you.....coupons for more dead ants! I hope you are feeling better. Maybe your head is messing with your body. I don't know why, but sometimes just the thought that you might have swallowed something you shouldn't gives you the creeps.

I'm glad I checked here! I was wondering about pre-op testing. I am 3 1/2 hours away from his office and IF he would accept my insurance, I'm seriously considering going to him. I have nobody in my area that is very experienced with the band. I just feel experience is the key to success in surgery. I would like to see doctors locally for the testing if I end up travelling. I need to check into my insurance more to see if Dr. Kwon participates. For those of you that have had him, how does he do fills? Thanks!

Anyone here know how I can find out about the correlation between autoimmune diseases and the band? I'm curious because I'm sure I read somewhere that the band may not be good for someone with autoimmune disease(s). I have autoimmune thyroiditis, my immune system is attacking my thyroid and trying to destroy it. I'm seeing a specialist and getting my levels in the right range. I'm wondering though, would having the band placed make my immune system attack IT? Since it is a foreign object in my body, I wonder if that would happen. I don't know how to find out. I haven't consulted with a physician yet about the band, still doing my research. If anyone can help....Thanks!

That's reassuring - Thank you! I'll pursue this a bit further. Possibly get in to see a surgeon. So much to think about! Cross fingers that with the thyroid issue, it could be a go!

Thank you! I will see what I can find out.

I just read on the internet that if you have a sweet tooth, the doctor could tell you that he won't do the surgery because you won't be successful. Does anyone believe that? I'm quite surprised about that statement. I have a sweet tooth, but because I'm forever on the diet wagon, I don't indulge in sweets. I maybe have something like a cookie or whatever maybe once per week. I was on Atkins for almost 2 years and never had anything sweet, in fact the taste of sugar was horrible after not having it. So do you think it's true that someone who likes sweets will fail?

Thanks all

Yeah, I'm not sure I could have a lot of faith with them only doing 5. The only reason I might go to him is because they are in one of the most reputable hospitals in New York. If anything were to go wrong I know I'm in good hands. You can't find anyone because the insurance companies around here won't pay because they say it's still experimental. Figures, mine will and I can't find a doctor with more experience. I definitely wouldn't go to Mexico - just because I have small kids, I hate travelling too far and fear that nobody here would want to help me if I had problems. I guess that's why people end up having bypass, they can't get the band...

I agree, I can't imagine travelling to NYC as I know there is a center there that has more experience with the banding, but geez, I can't travel well over 100 miles one way if there is a problem that needs to be dealt with. I'm looking at a doctor about 50 miles away, not bad, but he's only placed 5 bands - not much of a track record.

Hi Nic - I'm in the Fingerlakes region. I'm still looking for a doctor also. I've heard of a doctor in Albany, Dr. Singh at Saint Peters. This is coming from a bariatric nurse in Upstate (Syracuse). Syracuse has only done 2 bandings, the nurse says that this Dr. Singh has more experience with it. I wish you luck, my hurdle is finding a doctor within a decent travelling range who has done more than a couple bandings and who accepts my insurance.

Cindy....are you ready.....I found this statement on the Inamed website!!!!!! Interesting huh? I think I want the band because I can't imagine going through life without ever being able to enjoy a piece of chocolate once in a while or my own b-day cake! The weight loss would definitely be worth it for bypass....by if you can't eat what is enjoyable in life, is it worth it?

I have IBS and found 3 things that help.....lots of fiber in the form of veggies, lots of water (almost a gallon a day) and no sugar or reduced intake of it. I haven't had any problems in about 3 years. I'm not banded yet, but I hope to not have symptoms of it afterwards. I used to have it so bad that I couldn't take long car trips and once we had to leave a monster truck show at half time because I was sick, I wasn't going to be waiting in line for a half hour at the restroom - I think I would have gotten sick right there in the hallway!

You can buy Biotin at Walmart for a couple dollars in the vitamin aisle. I've heard that it makes some people sick. I've never used it (not banded yet).

Thank you everyone! That's reassuring. I think by having the "tool" to help me lose, I will be more diligent and stick with the guidelines. I'm afraid I won't lose any weight. I am the person at my work who says no to bagel and donuts and cookies when they are sitting right behind me on a counter. Other girls, who are doing Weight Watchers, eat that stuff daily and then come to me and say, I lost 4 lbs this week! (I actually told one girl that I joke around with a lot, that I wanted to kick her ass, so she stuck it out and I kicked it!) I stick to the plan I'm doing and I don't lose anything. That's why I'm afraid the same thing will happen with the band. I have noticed though that if my calorie consumption is below 1,000 cals, I lose. I wonder if I just have a tendency to only lose on low calories. Oh whatever........ I'm going to make some calls to a surgeons office today and my insurance company....get the ball rolling! Thanks again!

How does the doctor determine what size band you need? Pre-surgery testing? Also, how would someone know their band is not placed right? I was looking at the pictures posted.....curious how you'd even know? Thanks!

Karen! Well put. Gosh what a powerful statement, for me it was! I'm not banded, but I'm thinking about it and I'll admit. I think about the "what I can't have's", or how I will eat afterwards. I'm afraid that I'll figure out a way to eat things that I shouldn't because they'll go through without any trouble. Afraid that I won't lose any weight at all after going through surgery etc. Afraid that I won't succeed, because I haven't succeeded at any weight loss plan I've tried for the past 30 years of my life. I guess I have a lot of questions that need to be answered, huh? How does one deal with all these issues? Does every obese person have these fears? I would love to hear from anyone that has....I need help.

Thank you Alex! Why would erosion be from doctor error? What could he/she do that would cause it?

Can someone define erosion to me? I have been trying to find information but maybe I'm looking in the wrong place. Is it that the band itself goes bad or is it your stomach that erodes?

I have about 140 lbs to lose Sounds like you big losers (no disrespect intended!) found the "sweet spot" I hear talk of! Congrats to everyone on your losses.

Sorry if this question has been asked before. I'm new and haven't had a lot of time to search the site. I'm curious about the rate of weight lost with the band. I happened to notice somewhere, someone who has been banded for maybe 6 months and has lost 10lbs. Honestly....I would be disappointed if I only saw a 10lb loss in that period of time. If I put my mind to it, I might be able to lose that much on my own. I guess I'm thinking that the loss should be a bit more rapid. Should it be more rapid than no banding at all? Definitely not as fast as bypass, I know. Just wondering. Thank you!

Do you feel the port all the time. Can you touch your side and actually feel it there? Are you able to lay on your side after a while without it hurting?? Luckily, I like to lay on my right side, the port is on the left, right?

Thanks Kim - your thoughts are very helpful. Can I ask one more question? You mention that you graze. Do you find that if you eat a typical small meal (one that leaves you satisfied). Are you hungry soon after? I'm thinking of my non-banded stomach, a small meal for me would equal hunger quickly. Or, is the length of time it takes to empty what keeps that hunger away? Sorry....one more question......what about throwing up when you have the stomach flu? Our family just went through this and while I was hugging the "john" I thought, how would this be with a banded tummy? Is it hard on you? Again many, many thanks for the answers. I don't have a computer at home, only at work, so I can't spend all day doing searches on my questions. I wish I could. I do a little bit each day to seek the answers.

I see a wide range of losses here, just from the before/after pics I was just looking at. The idea of being able to lose without the malnutrition is appealing to me. I don't know, changing the digestive process so drastically, forever, not sure if it's for me. I need to research the band some more, just wish I had more time!! Thank you for your thoughts