Kathi

I have a Weight Watchers scale. It is the best and definately most accurate one I have ever owned. It has alot of features, and you can select different users. I got it at Linens N Things for around $60. I love it.

O.k... I am not a long time member of this board, but I love it here.... My computer had a meltdown and I went without for 3 weeks until I could afford to replace it. I install my new computer and was not prepared for what was waiting for me at my FAVORITE wls SUPPORT site.... All the love is riddled with ALOT of bickering and really ill-spirited posts. I don't want to say much else, because I don't want to make myself a target now, but it is really sad to see other people needing to spread hateful comments towards others. I hope that everyone gets past this and we can just all start to get along, share our opinions (agree to disagree) and keep the cussing and nastiness to ourselves.

Sign me up for the p'nut love-fest. I am happy that she is here with her straight talk, and honest opinions. I am hoping she sticks around a long time. She has done some of my favorite posts.

I am 5 weeks post-op and have been able to eat anything for weeks now. Aside from the occasional reminder from my port in the form of pain, I can't tell that I had surgery. I get my fill next Thursday, and I am just hoping that I can have some restriction finally. It is very discouraging. BTW... all the post-op weight I lost, I have gained back.... so see, it could be worse.

Hi to all. I was banded on April 19. I did fine on the liquid and mushie stage, and am on regular foods now. I am so hungry that it has suprised me, even though I had read some other posts of people who are also eating out of control before their fills. I have NO restriction at all right now, but did have some in the begining (from swelling, I'm sure). It has been a struggle. What weight I lost post-op, I have gained back. I am just trying to do my best until I get my fill on June 1st.

I am very happy for all of the bandsters before me, BUT it is finally my turn! I leave tomorrow for San Antonio, for my pre-op appointment, and surgery is on Wednesday. All of my pre-op tests were good and I have followed the pre-op diet faithfully, so I know I am ready physically, but I am going through all of the emotions that all of you had too. Thanks to everyone for their support on this forum. I really enjoy this site and have learned so much. I can't wait to see you on the other side!!! Bandland here I come! Kathi:)

I did really good, but only because I am on the liquid pre-op diet right now. But WOW was that Protein shake yummy! NOT! Bad timing by having surgery so soon after a food related holiday... It was really hard to not indulge just one piece of the kid's candy! I swear that a chocolate bunny was calling my name all day just to torment me!!!

My surgery is Wednesday! I will let you all know how it goes when I get back home later this week. I have a cluster of thoughts in my head, dealing with the surgery emotions, plus I am a single mom to 4 kids and am worried that all of their needs will be met while I am away for the next 3 days. I hope they remember to come home to feed the dogs! Kathi

I think that each person needs to look at what motivates or frustrates them... I am motivated by the thought of being a size 12. I am 36 years old, 260 lbs and 5'7", and gave birth to 4 kids. I know that a size 12 feels great! It is a goal that I know will take alot of work and dedication to attain, and the payoff will be awesome WHEN I get there. I am certain that I can reach that goal. I know that if I set a goal to be a completely unrealistic size 6 or 8, that I would be frustrated with myself because I couldn't make the goal. Frustrated for me = eating too much. Punishing myself and a self defeated attitude. I believe that if I chose to have an unrealistic goal then I would be setting myself up for a failure. BUT... Of course I would like to be a 6 or 8, who wouldn't????

I am being banded on Wednesday (4-19)... My doc said that because of the scar on my abdomen it increases the chance that he will have to do an open surgery. (I have a 12 inch scar from having my gallbladdar removed when I was 7 months pregnant) I know that most are done laproscopic, but can anyone whose had the open procedure done chime in here and tell me how the recovery was??? Did you still get inflated with gas??? Was the incision stapled? Thanks, Kathi

I have been looking for Isopure at the stores, but have had no luck in finding it... Can anyone tell me where they buy it?? Thanks to all... Kathi

O.K.. here goes my two cents...I can go both ways about this. I can COMPLETELY understand about how you feel in regards to your own attractiveness, and your husbands response to it. It is hard to feel sexy, or to expect somebody to respond to you sexually if you do not see it in the mirror. I have looked at my own self many times and thought that there is no way in hell that I find myself attractive, so how in the heck can I expect for someone else to see me appealing??? And I do feel that when you begin a relationship, then a major change occurs in the person that you are, then it is very difficult for the other person in the relationship to just have to accept the change. I am talking about all types of changes, not just weight. BUT... I must say, that if the only change in you is your size, then it is an issue of he should love the person you are deep down. That standing by someone's side through the difficult times and ups and downs is the true meaning of marriage. I also think that the DH should be cut a little slack because it is traumatic for the mate to endure the hardships of our weight issues. They do feel the frustration as intensly as we do. sorry if this was wishy-washy. ((hugs)) kathi

My surgery is in 3 weeks, and I am also a self pay. I know EXACTLY what you are saying about barely being able to pay for the initial surgery, and what do we do about any future problems. I too am fretting. I have heard that if there is a slipage / erosion and if your PCP will admit you into the Emergency Room that you regular Insurance HAS to cover you for repairwork.... This is only what I heard, not for sure if it is true. I am just going into this with as positive of an attitude as possible, I will follow my Bandster rules. If / when a problem arises, I will face that too. One thing for sure, I have made a commitment to myself that I will loose enough weight to be healthy. If I have Band complications and must have it removed, then I will have further WLS. Best of luck to you! Kathi

Hi Sheree! I too am scheduled for April 19, here in Texas! How is your DH doing on his pre surgery dieting?? I am eating tons of Protein, but I am worried that I am eating too much protein, even though I am allowed to eat regular portions. I am supposed to eat 6 times a day, and I am shocked that I am able to eat that much!! I am also supposed to exercise 6 days a week for 30-45 minutes. I am doing pretty good with that one, but sometimes it is tough to be tired and know that you still have to exercise before you call it a day. SO I am gonna exercise on my lunch break today and see if that helps. All of this dieting is kinda hard to do without the band yet, but I know it is preparing me for "the big day". AND I have learned that it is possible to live without pop and bread. Best of luck to ya'll. Kathi

Count me in for April!!! I am having surgery on April 19. I am 36 and have about 80 lbs or so to loose. I had to already start my "practice eating" for the whole next 4 weeks until surgery. I follow a regular bandster diet with the exception that I can have regular portions. I also have a liquid diet for 6 days prior to surgery.. I also have to exercise 30-45 minutes a day, six days a week. I was really leary about all of the diet and exercise before having the band to help me along, BUT I am convinced that it is absolutely the way to go. I know how to eat before I get my band, I will be more "fit" before surgery to help with recovery, and I already discovered that it is possible to live without pop and bread (and I didn't think I could live without those two). I also discovered ALOT of people on the message boards who seem clueless as to what they should eat after surgery. It doesn't seem like they have even spoken to a nutritionist, or have any follow up care at all. I know that the surgery itself is a big step, but the follow up on the surgery will get me to my goal. Anyways, the best of luck to all my fellow April bandits!!!!!! Kathi

Why the heck doesn't Inamed have to pay for somebody's replacement/removal if it was due to faulty equipment, ie; a leak??? I can understand them not paying for a slip or erosion, but why not a leak?

Hey guys... I just read on another site that a bandster was told that you are not supposed to sleep on your side for weeks following surgery because it can help cause your port to flip??? Anyone else hear this??

My feet have been really painful for about the last year, and YES, I am at my heaviest. I do, however, have a temporary solution that has worked for me... I went to our "Foot Solutions" store here and bought the pricey incerts for my shoes. Also, I have learned to buy "stiff" shoes, and shoes with better heel support. It has made a HUGE difference. Best money I have spent, but only because my band isn't installed yet!

I was on it for months... No problems with elevated blood pressure, or anything. It quit working and I felt like it was a waste of $$... It wasn't covered by my WONDERFUL insurance company.

Everybody is too funny... I thought the same thing earlier today. I mostly lurk around, but I definately miss his two cents!

I agree with "fabfatgrl"... Use this now, as it is the safest. Your anatomy will still be intact for anything new that they drum up for us with MO. I also feel like being banded is the next step for me in my battle with weight loss, that this is my next step to progressively handle this. I worked my way up to this WLS by failing to maintain my weight loss with other diets/pills. If I need a more drastic surgery in the future, then I guess that I will do it. BUT at least I gave myself the chance to try the least invasive type of surgery available.

I am using The Wish Center in San Antonio. I am a self pay, so you gotta do what you gotta do. They are charging $10,700 right now. I have read alot of their reviews, not all are good. No complaints about the surgeons capabilities, though, and I feel like that is the most important factor for me. They received their $$ today, so I am going in Monday for my first visit. I will post once surgery is done to update you on how much, or how little I liked the center. Best of luck to you! Kathi

I am a "self pay" also... I am to be banded at The Wish Center, San Antonio. It is costing me $10,700. Includes hospital (1 nite), surgeon, anesthesia and pre-op testing. Fills are $110, but I am lucky because my PCP is able to do them for me in his office. They just received their $$ today, so I go in for my 1st consultation next Monday. I will let you know after I have surgery how it goes. Good luck to you!!

I had mine removed 13 years ago... I did a round of Nutra System, lost 45 lbs, and got gallstones. I ended up pregnant very quickly, so they actually took my gallbladdar out while I was 7 months pregnant with my 13 year old daughter. The doc was sure it would rupture during childbirth. I will never forget the pain that happened when I had an attack, alot of nausea, and it felt like some one was stabbing me repeatedly. I was in so much pain that I couldn't move (try doing that 7 months pregnant). When the attack was over I felt perfect. It was weird. The big scare for me to have the gallbladdar removed, of course, was worrying that something would happen to my baby. She is perfect, well a bit sassy, but I am glad that I don't have to go through that again. I am not banded yet, but will be in two weeks. Can't wait.