Constance

It's been a week...no word yet.

This is actually from last July 27th...here is it: http://www.or-live.com/brighamandwomens/1372/index.cfm

I think this is it: http://www.or-live.com/brighamandwomens/1372/ However, it is July 27 of 2005. It won't be live but you can still watch the video.

Wanted to add that I DO think there are still many many men who are devoted and commited and would never cheat on their wives. The men in my life, granddad, dad, brother, husband...all examples of this. I realize that is a miniscule sample, but I think you can lose perspective if you are surrounded my 'bad examples' of a good man. Despite me 'good examples' I still fell for a bad boy early on and was so heartbroken by his cheating behavior. It was only after my Dad and brother had heart-to-heart talks with me did I realize, 'hey, not every guy is a cheating jerk! I can do better.'

I totally agree! My thoughts exactly. My husband and I have both been hurt by cheaters in past relationships. We know first hand how devastating it is to be in innocent, clueless one buying all the lies. I never want to put someone through that because I know how painful it is.

My crazy food fest has been going strong for like 3 months! I've been terrible! Tonight I had potato chips with onion dip, a bunch of oreos and a personal pizza. OK, the thing is, I don't even LIKE processed food like that. It's like I'm just doing it to have the forbidden fruit or something. I know that soon enough I'll be in Liquid Land and I can look back fondly at my indulging.

I'm 30. Can I just start getting them, just like that?

Bet, check out this doctor... www.lapbandrockies.com He has a package for 9950$ in Denver. I know DrewsLou used him and has wonderful things to say. From what I have researched, he is a very highly skilled gastrointestinal laproscopic surgeon, but is newer at the LapBAnd surgery. I met with him and thought he seemed very cordial and knowledgable. However I am waiting to hear on my insurance approval through another surgeon.

I have researched so many surgeons. I feel like I could write a book! There are a few with sterling feedback -just a few minor complaints. But for the most part, every surgeon has their share of unhappy patients and complaints. At what point does a bad feedback become a dealbreaker? How do you measure a surgeon's competence outside of diplomas?

OK, I know you were asking for long-term bandsters, which I am not. Actually, I'm not even banded yet. But I do have research up the wazoo! My view is that the sugery is serious but not drastic. I think it is far more serious to be morbidly obese. Also, my surgeon said there is NO data to support the 'stretched pouch' theory. The band will change as you lose weight. You may find you need fills as you lose, period. Honestly, I', 30 and I wish I would've looked into this 5 years ago. It gets progressively harder for your skin to snap back and I just hope I can avoid plastic surgery. Anyway, do your research, and decide what is best for you. I think for me, this is the best thing out there for safe slower weight loss. I think you PCP is just confusing bypass surgery - which IS really drastic!

Yes dovie, I went and saw my doctor and weighed in every month. She made notes about me exercise or diet as needed. I'm so anxious to just KNOW.

I want to wear my engagement ring. I'm SO not a jewelry girl and I never thought I'd be all into the bling. But my husband was so sweet and careful in his choice for me. It breaks my heart not to wear it with my wedding band. Secondly, I want to buy a trampoline and jump on it! The one I want has a weight limit of 175. Ok. I have more... -Cut my hair! I keep my long red hair to have one thing decent looking on my body. But I want a cute funky short do when I'm smaller. -Wear shorts - I stopped wearing them when I was about 10 years old -Bedroom confidence - yall know what I'm talking about -Boardroom confidence - ditto -Go dancing! We used to dance all the time in college...raves, clubs, whatever. We'd come home at dawn. I miss moving so freely and easily without fear of what body part continued to reverberate. I could go on and on!

Randi I'm so sorry. It can be so frustrating to feel like a number. And I know what you mena about not feeling like yourself and not speaking up. Sometimes with medical care, it's kind of like, you don't want to complain because then they might treat you worse. But if you can, do speak up, even if it is just to a receptionist or assistant. It will get back to the doctor eventually. UUgh, but I hate being lumped in with bypass people. It's like "you have a broken ankle and you have a broken wrist -- well, they're both broken bones right? You're all the same!" Thank you for sharing your experiences with us!

I deleted my post questioning you about being a doctor's rep or patient coordinator. Please understand my concern. It can be so hard to know who to trust when researching surgeons. Sorry if I came on too strong in my questioning.

Tonight I spent too long in a fitting room. I know all the 'feel good', 'positive body talk' rhetoric and how we should be kind to ourselves. But frankly, I was so grossed out. Who was that fat girl in the mirror? The heaving lower belly, like udders without nipples. The new dark purple stretch marks, crawling from above my bikini line like poison in my veins. Who IS that? The ill-fitting bra, confused as to where it should rest, over or under the back rolls. The lumpy cheese thighs, spotted with patches of broken blood vessels. The butt, which starts somewhere below the back rolls and ends somewhere above the meaty calves. The stance, awkward and pigeon-toed because the thighs are too large for the feet to get much closer together. Notice I don't say MY feet or MY butt. Because it doesn't even feel like my body anymore. The only good part of the whole interaction with 'The Body' was that it reinforced how much I would like to move forward with the surgery. My appt. with the surgeon is next week and I've been up and down with my feelings of certainty or lack thereof. In some sad but undeniable way, the fitting room, and so many other daily indignities may be what I need to muster up the ultimate certainty. I had hoped the decision would come rationally and organically. I do the research, attend the seminars and supprt groups, read the materials and BOOM, I'm certain. But it hasn't been that way. I hear about slime and PBs and scars and no eating of dounts (Ever. Again.) and I feel totally uncertain, afraid. Like I'm a 15 year old getting a boob job or something. Like this is just so dangerous, vain and uneccesary. Sometimes I regret reading every gritty detail of any and everything bad that can happen. I think overall it has muddied what should be a clear decision.

I did a ton of research and I've never heard of this doctor. How did you find him?

I just did some searching here and found this thread: http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?p=179684&highlight=joya#post179684 It doesn't really go into specifics...but might have some things worth looking into further.

Wow, that is really inexpensive. Why is that? I mean, yeah, it's in Mexico. But I know competitively speaking it's more like 8500 on average without airfare.

cool Brookins!! FD, I'm especially curious about how the trip back treats you. Was the plane ride and walking around the airport a huge drag...or no big deal?

:help: I am about 5 months into the "physician supervised weight loss attempt" and I have GAINED weight each month. Will my nsurance see this and say, "oh please, she can't be serious"? I know I am a good band candidate, but my compliance with the supervised diet is joke. Am I screwed?

I heard a saying once...like what Leila is saying. Unwanted food goes to WASTE or to WAIST. It sounds like something a 1950s housewife would say, but I think it works. My husband says "either it'll be the toilet or a landfill. Either way it won't be yours for long" Haha, pretty gross, but so true!

Check out this poll and read some of the responses, maybe it will help. http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=20135 For me, bypass was never on the table. I found it to be a very extreme procedure for a relatively simple problem...I eat too much and I never feel full. So something mechanically restrictive that simply limits the amount of food I can eat seems the most logical. I also liked that the complication rate was very low, the procudure is minimally invasive and totally reversable and removable. Yes, there are risks and no, we dont know how the band will behave in the body on 20 years. But people have artificial internal body parts for many many years and it is really no different. Probably technology will evolve at some point to provide a newer/better way to keep weight off. Until then, I think the band is the best choice for me. As for people failing to lose weight...I think that is a result of the band being a tool that involves choice and not involuntarily restrictive and malabsorbtive. Meaning, for the band to work you have to keep your fill level such that you experience restriction. Then you need to eat the types of foods that help you feel the fullness you get with restriction. One could conceivably get one fill, or no fills, eat whatever they want, etc. The choice factor is a 2 way street. Foods like ice cream and cake would have you really sick with bypass. You have the freedom to indulge somewhat when you are banded. But with the choice comes the responsibilty not to overdo it. With bypass, you face the penalty of being very sick when you have carbs and sweets. I would rather have more freedom to eat 'normal' foods in exchange for needing to keep an eye on over-indulging. It is a personal decsion for everyone. Don't let a doctor steer you. Do lots of research. Think about your lifestyle and diets you've tried. What types of things you can see yourself able to do for life? Can you give up many foods? Bandsters have to give up some foods, too so keep that in mind? Can you maintian the fills so you have restrcition? Are youc omfortable having Vitamin supplementation for life -- which is needed with bypass. How much weight do you need to lose? Are you in need of immediate surgical intervention and rapid loss that bypass can give you? Or can you take your time and have a slower loss with the band? Research, ask questions, and go with you gut, no pun intended!

I actually gained for approval. I still don't know if I'm approved. AND I just found out that you need a 40+ BMI for at least 12 months and for me it's just been in the last 2. It was only 15 lbs...ha, "only" but I feel like crap and have new stretch marks from the fast gain. Sadly, I don't know if it will even make a difference! Please consider what even MORE weight will to do your body and self-esteem. Was the extra 15 lbs worth 15K$ ? Yes, probably. If I don't get covered will I feel like an idiot? Yes!

I agree with the crowd. Though I'm not banded yet, I've found in my reasearching that the wheels that hurt, squeak. Meaning, there are thousands and thousands of bandsters out there with NO problems. They don't post or come to forums like this b/c they are just peachy. But there are more than just squeaky wheels here...lots of succesful bandsters come here too! Don't fret, it is statistically very safe and effective. P.S. There is something to learn from everyone, even the less successful bandsters or people who've had problems. Information is a great thing!

Fd that is awesome! Keep us posted!