Ninja

Holy crap, some of you people are mean. BayCity, Nancee, and larinShine, are you like that to everyone in your life, or just when you can hide behind anonymity? I've seen threads with this type of complaint many, many times, just like the threads that complain about grammar or about family members not understanding or what have you, but rarely do they inspire the vitriol that some of these posts have shown. The OP voiced a legitimate, reasoned-out, and common rant, but your responses were none of those things. That says far worse things about you than the OP's post does about her. ETA: MacMadame, I'd be sorry to see you go, but I understand your point. You're so well-informed and I always enjoy your posts, even though I'm generally a lurker.

You guys are doing so well! I've shrunk completely out of most of my bottoms (underwear even fell down once--fortunately I was wearing pants!), so I went shopping last week. I bought all 16Ws! Along with 2 14/16 shirts from LB! I'm not a 16W in everything, and I'm definitely still an 18/20 in most tops, but it's so awesome to be getting into smaller sizes again. Other NSVs: --I took 4 flights last week and had room to spare on the seatbelt on every flight! --I can cross my legs again!! --Everyone keeps asking me if I've changed my hair and telling me it looks great. Thing is, I *have* changed it recently, but I don't think that's the only reason I'm getting compliments. Keep it up, everyone! It's not easy, but it's soooo worth it!

Hi Kel, good luck with researching your decision on lapband. I think if you repost your question on the main board or in the "introductions" section, you'll get a lot more responses. You've posted in a small section of the website that won't get nearly as many views.

No one has posted in this thread for a few days, so I thought I'd bring it back. My NSVs of late: I have collarbones! I have just one pair of pants that fits me now (which kind of sucks, too, but I'm claiming it as a victory)! The bf has commented several times on my, uh, increased flexibility. Best of all, my blood pressure, which was at 139/90 in February, this morning was at 120/76! Woohoo! What NSVs have you guys had lately?

Hi all, I've had 2 fills for 3 cc in a 5 cc band. Third fill is scheduled for Wednesday, but it will really just be a tweak as I think I'm fairly close to the right level. I try to keep it at around 1000 calories a day, and I don't drink Protein shakes or other liquid calories. I think my main problem is trying to eat too fast and not chewing thoroughly. I've only had 2 pbs, the second this weekend when I decided to have a piece of fried chicken for the first time in a year, only to discover that chicken skin does NOT agree with my band. Other than that, though, I don't have any problem foods. Exercise continues to be a challenge for me, as I'm not getting into any kind of a regular exercise routine. I'll work out here and there, but probably not enough for it to make a big difference.

WeightWatcher, I have a 4 cc band. There is no benefit to having one size band over another--your surgeon decided which size to give you based on which brand he/she prefers and the size of your stomach. Bigger band does not = more restriction. And now back to the OP--the consensus seems to be that you should look for services elsewhere. I'm so sorry you're struggling, and that your doctor isn't providing the kind of support you need. Good luck!

I just wanted to step in and say that I completely agree with what Stefanie said. Froggi, Stefanie's post was very supportive and comes from a place of wisdom. If the surgery (or the idea of having surgery) is the only thing that's keeping you going, I, too, would worry about what will happen when you hit a stall or lose your motivation, even briefly. If you think that losing weight will solve all your problems, what happens when you discover that a thin you is still you? If you don't like yourself before the surgery, chances are that you're not going to like yourself much more afterwards. You've obviously done a lot of work in dealing with your problems of the past, and that's wonderful. You might find great benefit in working with a counselor regularly to continue that work. The psych evaluation isn't just a hurdle to be jumped; it's there to make sure that your mindset is a healthy one and you're psychologically ready for the changes you're about to undergo. Stefanie answered your post, as I'm answering your post, because she cares what happens to you and wants you to be successful. Realistic expectations are crucial to longterm success with the band, as I continue to learn. Good luck with your journey.

You don't say what size or brand your band is, but my fill doctor told me that Inamed's recommendation for the 4-5 cc band is 2 cc's at the first fill. Honestly, I think doctors who will only give out .5 cc fills are generally trying to ensure multiple office visits. Is this the doctor who performed your surgery as well? If not (and even if so), it would probably be a good idea to investigate other options. Good luck--I know it must be frustrating, but your progress has been fantastic!

I've just realized in the last several days that I can cross my legs again! YAY!!! Last weekend my boyfriend kept looking at me with his head cocked to the side until I asked him what was wrong. He said he was just admiring my new shape. Later that day when I made a self-deprecating comment about losing my boobs, he said that it's okay because he's happy to trade them for the hourglass figure I'm developing. :smile: Yay again!!

Nikkikki, good luck getting your band in June. Good for you for taking control of things while you're young. I think the '16' in the post you responded to referred to size and not age. That sounds very small to me, too, but I'm sure someone could find a doctor somewhere who'd do it.

Hi Sandi, I was self-pay too. I just want to say good luck and echo the other, excellent advice that's been given above. If you decide to pursue this as a self-pay, make sure you research your doctor thoroughly. If you decide to go the Mexico route, look for one of WasABubbleButt's posts--in her signature she has an excellent link to how to research a Mexican surgeon. Of course, there are a few lower-cost surgeons in the US, too, and quite a few people on these boards who've happily gone that route. One other thing I'll add is that doctors don't like treating someone else's patient. If you end up going anywhere outside your local area for surgery, whether it's Mexico or Las Vegas or Colorado or Texas or Timbuktu, expect it to be a hassle to find a local doctor who'll do your fills and follow-up. Especially if you go to Mexico, which seems to render you radioactive to most doctors in the US, nevermind that the care I received there was far superior to any I've ever received here. Anyway, good luck with your decision!

You know, I'm down 34 pounds in the three months since my surgery, and it's never once occurred to me to consider myself a 'slow' loser. Even if I'd lost 20 pounds in 3 months, that's still an average of 7 pounds a month, which is as fast as I've lost on any program I've ever been on. For how much of that 3 months have any of you had restriction? At MOST you could have had it for 2 months, and that's if you got your first fill at 4 weeks out and if you achieved restriction immediately. For heaven's sake, people, give yourselves a little credit and recognize that if you've lost anything in that time period, it's all you. Stop looking at other people's stats (people lie), focus on yourself, realign your expectations to reasonable ones, and hold the self-condemnation until the band has had time to do its job. I know it's frustrating to know you're doing everything right and not see progress on the scale. Believe you me, I know. But Ang is right that she's her own worst enemy, just as I am my own worst enemy, as are we all. I've been my worst enemy for my whole freakin' life, which is how I ended up morbidly obese, and unless I acknowledge and deal with that, I won't be successful with this. Telling yourself you're a failure when you're THREE MONTHS into this journey is exactly what the 'enemy' part of you wants. Focus on the good things you've all done over the last three months, on the positive changes you're making, and give your body the time it needs to figure out how to work with the band.

I know, Ang, I thought it was a funny (and very male) way to put it, too. Though he's right--my a** is definitely taking up less space in my chair!

Just now, as my boss walked by, he stopped and looked at me and said, "You look smaller today. You look more compact, somehow." He doesn't know about my band and that's the first time anyone at work has commented on my loss. Yay!! Also a mini-scale victory: this morning, I'm at 226, just one pound away from my first mini-goal of 225. Sooooo close (and boy do my toes need the pedicure I've promised them when I get there)!

I'm actually looking forward to paying taxes next year, as I'll have mucho deductions for medical expenses, between my surgery (self-pay) and its related expenses and about $4000 in unexpected dental work (no dental insurance), along with a couple thousand worth of other minor medical issues. Of course, I have to go through the pain of actually laying out those expenses first, but it makes me feel a tiny bit better to know that I should be getting back several thousand next year.

FairySaddle, I just noticed that we're band buddies--I was banded on 1/29 too! You've done incredibly well and far outstripped my rate of loss so far--congrats! I've got my second fill scheduled for Wednesday, so hopefully that will get things going again. Good luck!

Yes, yes, yes. I've been overweight since I was 6 years old (pictures show a cute but chubby kid, though definitely not fat). First physician referral to a nutritionist when I was about 9. First taunts for being fat at 10-11. Diet Center at 11. Then Weight Watchers. Then another nutritionist. And so on. I've struggled to figure it out, as I don't have any of the triggers others have mentioned. I have a great relationship with my parents, who were never critical of me and are still happily married; I've never been in an abusive relationship; I don't have kids. Other than moving around a lot when I was young, I had a pretty idyllic childhood, and I don't know how I ended up here.

Wow, great timing on this post--I did my first clothing purge this weekend, too. I tried on pretty much every single item in my closet for my very patient boyfriend, who offered suggestions for dividing the things into "Fits Now," "Will Fit Soon," and "Toss" piles. I've got at least two large trash bags full of clothes to get rid of, and I'm so glad to know I'm not the only one who's had mixed feelings about it. I sat there last night, looking at the mound of clothes, and I thought to myself with some anxiety that there's no going back now. Another unexpected effect of the purge was realizing I need to look at what I've got with fresh eyes. I'm starting to be able to fit back into some of the things I wore the last time I felt cute and sexy, five or six years ago. I was thrilled when one of my favorite shirts from that time fit again and I walked out to show it to my boyfriend, who immediately said it should go in the "Toss" pile because it looked dated. I was so excited about being able to wear it again that I didn't stop to think about whether I *should* wear it again. I'm going to have to look at my wardrobe with a more critical eye from now on.

FillCenters USA has an office in Richmond, I believe. Check their website-they might be a good option. Otherwise I know of a couple of doctors in Northern Virginia who will take Mexican bandsters. If you're looking for a number of names from which to choose, you may be disappointed; I live in DC, and could only track down 3 doctors in the entire DC area who will take us on. Good luck!

Gloucester, I feel for you and your daughter. I've been overweight since I was 6 years old, with my first physician-supervised diet at 9. We moved around a lot when I was a kid and I discovered early on that it was a lot more fun to read and get lost in books than to go outside and try to make new friends. So I got bigger and bigger, making it even harder to make friends, so I stayed inside more, so I got bigger, and so on. I don't remember a time when I didn't know I needed to lose weight, which led to a pretty screwed up relationship with food (lots of secret eating when I was a kid). It's like my brain wired itself to gorge on anything that I happen to like because I don't know when I can have it again. Rationally, I know this is ridiculous--I'm an adult and can choose to eat anything I want at any time I want. But the 9-year-old in me with the "rules" of the diet posted on the fridge and the Little Debbie stashed under the bed says that I'd better eat all of the ice cream or pizza or what-have-you before I get caught breaking the rules. I should say that my parents did everything right--they talked to me about health and never, ever criticized me or berated me or tried to make me feel bad about myself, but I did anyway. They were and are my biggest cheerleaders in life, but I think I decided at about 10 or 11 that my inability to follow the rules meant I was a bad girl and that I anticipated their disappointment in me if they ever found out how bad I was. If it helps, I think you're on the right track, encouraging her to play sports and get out and move. The journal is a great idea, and I know counseling probably would have helped me tremendously, but it was the early 80s and that wasn't an option. I also second the earlier recommendation to make it a family plan to eat healthy, rather than singling her out and making her eat "special" food. It sounds like you're a great mom, and you're very smart to seek out advice from people who've been there. Good luck!

Good question to ask--I'm always curious where people find the right level of restriction and how long it takes them to get there. I have a 5 cc band and had one 1.8 cc fill at 7 weeks out. I go for my second fill on April 19, and if I get there without having gnawed my arm off it'll be a miracle!

Melisa, I think you'll find, if you haven't already, that different surgeons give widely varying advice and instructions on lots of things. I did a little reading on the 'no-soda' thing, and I think the pouch-stretching theory was developed in the early years of the band and persists even though there isn't much evidence to support it. (If anyone knows differently, please correct me.) That doesn't mean it's necessarily a good idea to drink soda, as the carbonation can make some people very uncomfortable (me included). As always, it's best to follow your surgeon's instructions, but there's nothing wrong with asking him or her for the reasoning behind the instructions.

Hi Woody, I'd be interested in participating. I'm two months out and live and work in DC.

IWantBanded, I don't know where in central PA you are, but if it's the southern part of the state, I can recommend Dr. Susan Brinkley in Frederick, MD. I live in DC, so it's about an hour for me, and it would probably be about the same or just a little more from Gettysburg/Harrisburg. I was banded in Mexico in January and had my first fill with Dr. Brinkley last week. She's banded herself and actually went to Mexico for it and told me she'd recommend many Mexican surgeons over just about any surgeon in the US. She found my port on the first try, without fluoro, and it was $200. Good luck!

I had my first fill on Wednesday, 1.8 cc in an empty 5 cc band. She told me she starts everyone out at 1.8 because she found when she started people at 2 cc about 50% of them got "sick as a dog" (her words) from it being too tight to start out with. She told me the 1.8 wouldn't be very tight on me and that I shouldn't panic if I didn't feel a lot of restriction yet. I can feel a little restriction, but I know I'm going to be ready for the second fill I've scheduled for April 19.