AmIDoneYet

I've been lurking on this site since my pre-band days and finally got up the courage to register and post. A little history - I was banded in March of 2007 (atlanta) and am about 5 pounds from having a BMI that is "normal." I'm 30 and single. The guy that I was with during the band is long gone and knew about it. He's now using it as an insult, telling the new girl (that he was cheating on me with) that she shouldnt be threatened by me because I am so fat that I needed surgery. I know, I shouldnt have been with him - but I do acknowledge that I was settling and am well past that stage in my life. Anyway, I met this really great new guy. We've been out a couple of times and have danced around the small portions at dinner. I've avoided the nice restaurants he wants to take me to because I just cant eat. So, my question. At what point do I come clean about the band? My coworkers and family dont even know about it. I'd love to say nothing, but avoiding dinners isnt going to be possible forever. I'm afraid this relationship wont move forward because I cant do the things he wants to do and without explanation he doesnt understand. At the same time, telling someone that is really into fitness is something I'm truly afraid of. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

So, I went ahead and had the revision. It was fully covered by my insurance (I was concerned because I have lost all my excess weight) and am very pleased. The "tummy tumor" ridiculous bump is completely gone and despite prodding I cant find the low profile port even though I know its there! I have one incision that went through the old scar. Love it! The surgery was still rough and the pain was similar to getting the band initially but I'd do it again in a second!

The giant bump on my right side that protrudes is what I generally refer to as my "tummy tumor". Because I didnt tell anyone about the band thats what it is affectionately referred to as. :-)

How long was the recovery? Do you still have a "tummy tumor" from the old port?

I think this is exactly what I need done! I cant deal with the pain anymore! Did you have the procedure, did it fix it!??!

So I'm at my goal weight and have suffered for some time with my port occasionally banging against my ribs (I think) and causing a tearing sensation that can be sore for days. The port is fine, its firmly in place. It seems that because I'm short there just wasnt all that many places to put it! Now it sticks out something awful and a few times a year sends me to bed for 3 days in pain... My doc has suggested that my port be switched for a "low profile" port that will be slightly lower on my belly. It can be done under local and, assuming that my insurance gives its blessing, is no big deal. While I'd love to say that I'm not bothered by the bulge I am. The pain removal is really the main driving force. But, really, more surgery??? Has anyone else had this issue?

Sweets have always been my downfall but I found a few ways around it. My biggest success was with "knox blocks". Its basically a mixture of jello and knox gellatin. I mixed 1 box on Knox (all the packets in the box and dont buy the generic) and 3 boxes of any flavor sugar free jello. This made a gummy-bear like substance that you could pick up with your fingers and doesnt have to be kept cold. It gave you the feeling of chewing and didnt give me any band issues. If youre throwing up a lot maybe youre too tight - it was always better to lose slow and easy than be tight and miserable! But welcome back on the wagon!

This may be the wrong forum to post this in, if it is I'm sure the mods will move it, but I wanted to share a wonderful story with you guys. I've lost 80 pounds since I was banded in March of 2007. I am a professional woman and have to wear a suit to work everyday. Needless to say, the cost of clothes has been a serious problem as I've been coming down over the past year and a half. In February I ordered about $400 worth of clothes including a whole bunch of their button down no-iron shirts. They were great (I prefer the brooks brothers shirts but the cost was too much considering they wouldnt fit for long). I wore the shirts for about a month and then... as expected... they were too big. I called back and ordered a whole bunch more in a smaller size. Three weeks ago I called to order (what I hope is) my final size. The really nice rep on the phone helped me find the order number for the style I wanted (no longer online) and she saw the past orders. I mentioned that I had lost quite a bit of weight and the clothes no longer fit. She told me that they will take them back even though they were worn and there is no time limit! So, I re-ordered the clothes and promptly mailed back all of the clothes from the two previous orders. I got the credit on my card today. I only wish I had known about their policy sooner! You dont need to keep the receipts, just keep the order number (or store it online). Hope that helps some people out there look good!

True... and although I love the tax deduction from dumping stuff at goodwill, I'd much rather have clothes that fit without maxing out my credit cards!

I'm pretty bad at drinking and it bugs me quite often. I have found that the temperature of the water makes a huge difference. I can drink quite a bit (half a bottle) of room temp water in a couple of gulps but only sips of hot or cold drinks. I have to make a concious effort to drink between meals and often catch myself dehydrated.

I had this problem after a fill in July. I had a beach trip planned and was freaking that if I took the unfill I'd gain some weight back so I dealt with the reflux until it got unbearable - then had to take .4 ccs out. In the end it didnt matter, I still lost weight. I totally understand the fear but you have to trust in yourself. The band is a great tool and it teaches all of us how to eat and when we should stop. But its still just a tool - it cant do it alone. Trust in your judgment and allow it to work without hurting yourself.

I get this almost daily at work when people put out the plate of cookies/cake/fudge etc. and I walk by it. They comment on my "will power" and make off hand nasty comments about how that must be how I did it. The "stop losing weight or you'll disappear" comments come too and are starting to be a daily nightmare. I want so badly to forget the years I spent "fat" and wish they'd stop. Part of my problem is that I lied about the band and didnt tell anyone at work (or family) about it. So many of them need a band but I cant tell them about it now! Its pure jealousy that I succeeded where they failed but nonetheless, it hurts.

I'm getting REALLY self concious about the port. Its amazing. I go from freaking out because I hated my (fat) body to freaking out because my port makes me look like I have a tumor. I cant believe I'm worried about this but I want so badly to be comfortable in my own skin.

I like to think that's why things fizzled as I got smaller, but probably not the case. I think I just got emotionally stronger and he couldnt deal with it. Either way, I'm way better off! As for the new guy... I'm not sure if its something I want to just blurt out. We all make snap judgments about people early on. I want to hook him first!