*susan*

I did phentermine about 5 years ago. I had major hot flashes, was dizzy and it made my mouth extremely dry. But, it definitely worked at speeding up my metabolism and decreasing my appetite. I did not stick with it though because of the way it made me feel. I tried Meridia a few months ago, I thought phentermine made me feel bad, but the Meridia was ten times worse.

I look forward to saying goodbye to: Being out of breath everytime I climb the stairs. My husband's ex-wife referring to me as "the fat lady". Lane Bryant and Avenue. Not chaperoning field trips with my kids because I don't want to embarass them. Worrying if I will be able to fit in the seats in public places. Looking at food as a hobby. Being uncomfortable because I am always the largest person in the room. Not going to the beach because I feel like a beached whale. Wow, this could go on forever.

It sounds wonderful, can't wait to be a bandster and experience it, not. :think lol.

Dody, I hate Water too and am also most stressed about giving up my diet coke. I am also concerned about not drinking with meals. I usually drink 2 glasses of diet coke with dinner alone. As far as the rest, I am not having any real nerves to speak of. Then again, I don't have a date yet. I am meeting with the doc tomorrow and hope to have a date before I go home. I do worry that I will be the person to screw this up. I am going to be private pay and really want to succeed and have this be money well spent. But, I crave food, especially crunchy, salty food. I don't eat because I am depressed, bored, happy or whatever, I just love the way it tastes. Hmmmm, maybe I am more nervous than I thought. I am sure once we all have our bands, we will be glad we did it and find it is the best choice we have made for our health and lives.

My husband is my greatest support. And, I told my children, parents and one lady that I work with. For now, I think they are all I plan to tell. Like some of the other posters, I hate feeling like I am under a microscope and that everyone is watching my every bite and expecting a weekly report on how much I have lost. Maybe, as time goes on, I will share my story with others. Especially some of my other friends that are overweight and could benefit from this. Of course, I have not been banded yet, so my plan may change once I am doing the liquid diet and start dropping pounds, lol.

I agree, if it were as easy as that, there would be a lot thinner people and obesity would be a thing of the past. My thing is that people just don't understand how hard it is to lose weight. I hate hearing comments like it is just a matter of willpower, etc. If I had willpower, I wouldn't be where I am at now. Granted, I have been know to eat because I am stressed, or depressed. But my primary problem is just that I like food, especially things that are cruncy and salty. I eat just because I enjoy it. And, I need this tool that I am hoping to have soon to help me with that.

Sugar1, where are you from? I just had my consult with my nutritionist yesterday and she said that the doctor I am going to has a specific drink he likes his patients to use too, and that it will cost about $150.00. She also said I will have to drink five per day. I am in Jacksonville, Florida and just wondered if we are using the same doctor.

Hi All, First off, I love this site and am so glad I found it. All of you here offer such wonderful advice and provide great inspiration to those of us just starting this process. I am going to be self-pay, so I don't have to jump through all the insurance hoops, thank goodness. Tomorrow I go for my psych. eval. and on Wednesday I meet with the nutritionist. After that, I will be meeting with the doctor. I am just wondering what kind of things they are going to be asking, looking at, etc.? My BMI is 45, I have back problems, bone spurs, borderline diabetes all related to my weight, so I am confident I am a good candidate. Thanks.

I will have to remember these tips. That is one of my biggest concerns for after I have the surgery. I drink a lot with my meals and can't imagine not doing it.

Oh my goodness, I haven't heard of the Cambridge diet in years. I followed it in highschool (yes, sigh, 20 years ago). I was in the shower one morning and passed out. My mother took me to the doctor and he said I was suffering from malnutrition and to take me to breakfast and make me eat pancakes, eggs and bacon. I do remember even back then it tasted good though. And, I am sure it has come a long way in 20 years.

Wow, thanks for all the great information, I love this site! I had my psych. eval. today. It lasted for about 1 1/2 hours. I didn't have to take any type of quiz. We basically just sat down and talked. She wanted to about my history of my weight, how I handle stress, my ability to cope with change, etc. She also was very interested in my support system and how much I knew about the surgery and that I had been looking into it for awhile as opposed to have just making a quick decision without putting much thought into it. When all was said and done, she said I am an excellent candidate and she is definitely going to recommend that I am ready to do this. Whew, that was great news. Tomorrow I meet with the nutritionist and after that, the doctor. I can't wait, I am so ready for this.

If Tony had done what Gordon had done, he would probably be minus points and possibly sitting out a race. But, Gordon has been Nascar's golden boy for so long, he'll probably just get a verbal warning and nothing else.

Jess, your puppy is adorable. What a sweetie. I have a new puppy too, she is a 4 month old german shepherd. I also have a 3 year old chocolate lab and a five year old longhaired doxy. Can you tell I love dogs???

I had mine done when I was 20 years old. My surgeon told me I would never be able to breastfeed because I would not be able to produce milk. So, 4 years later when I had my baby, I declined the pill they give you when giving birth to dry up milk because I was told I wouldn't make any. Well, lo and behold, the day after I got home from the hospital I started leaking milk like you would not believe. They wouldn't let me breastfeed because they couldn't guarantee the quality of the milk. It was too late to take the pill, so they made me bind my breast. They were so swollen and sore, it was the most miserable two weeks of my life waiting for them to dry up!

I had my reduction surgery in 1988 and was so unhappy. I completely lost all sensation. I also keloided and have large scars. A friend of mine had hers done two years later and had no loss in sensation. Of course, I am sure they have come a long way since 1988.

That is fabulous, congratulations! I wish my insurance would cover, but apparently very few in Florida, if any do.

My vote is for the I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Spray, that stuff is awesome!

:clap2: That is fabulous. I don't have my band yet, but sure do love hearing how well it is working for people. A size 8, wow....I don't know if I even fit in a size 8 when I was born.

What a fantastic post. It is great to hear inspirational messages like yours, especially for us pre-banders. Thanks.

Hi Everyone, I just thought I would take a moment to introduce myself. I have not had lab-band surgery, nor am I scheduled to. I am actually just starting the research process on it now. I am going to attend a information session on it at our local hospital on Wednesday night to hear two physicians speak about it and learn more about my options and if I might be a candidate. I am married to a wonderful man who is very supportive of me. I have two beautiful kids (13 and 15) and three lovely stepchildren as well. I have been fighting obesity for 20 years now. I am approximatley 140 pounds overweight and am starting to experience health issues related to my weight. I have tried numerous programs without much success. Which, is why I have decided to research lap-banding. When googleing it, I found this site and hope to gain a lot of insight here from others who are going through the approval process and/or have already had the surgery done. I look forward to getting to know you and learning from you. Susan

Hi Melody, I enjoyed the meeting. I had pretty much done all my research and knew everything they discussed in the 6 months prior to the meeting. But, I wanted my husband to hear it. It went very well. The doctors provided a lot of excellent information on what they would expect of us and what we could expect. After going to the meeting, I am even more pumped and ready to be a bander.

That is too cool. Photo Shop, here I come. I definitely see a new picture to hang on the fridge.

Ok, please humor the newbie. I am trying to learn as much as I can about this process. I am confused, why do pancakes get stuck and cause problems, but tortillias don't?

Wow, this is an interesting thread. I have about 140 pounds to lose and am just now researching lab-banding. Of all the WLS out there, this seemed the least scary with the fewest side effects. Now I am curious to hear from other members of the board who have over 100 pounds to lose their opinions of the band. I am going tomorrow night to an informational seminar at St. Vincent's hospital and hoping to have many questions answered there. Right now, I see my biggest optical as being insurance. If BC/BS won't approve me, there is no way I could afford to go private pay.

Hi Lisa, I live in Jacksonville too. I am going to the seminar at St Vincent's tomorrow night on lap-banding. Have you already been banded? Susan