rapunzle

Hi, What's up? I'm five months out and loving my band. It's definately a journey full of unexpected mountains to climb, but I wouldn't change a thing. If I can help let me know. Kimberly

I just hit true, consistent restriction with my 3rd fill, a week or so ago, 4 1/2 months after surgery. This put me at 6cc's in a 10cc band. The first few months can be tough. Just focus on switching over to healthier food choices, low fat meats, fresh fruits and veggies, cultivating a love affair with physical activity, and if you are doing counseling do you work there. I eat SO much salad now: taco salad, chicken fajita salad, salmon salad. Here's the catch though, when I finally got REAL restriction eating became a challenge. If I eat the wrong thing, or too much, or eat too fast I PB, and then am miserable. So, with restriction comes the challenge of truly learning your band. For me this means drinking something warm before I eat, choosing my food carefully, taking small bites, chewing, chewing, chewing, eating slowly, and LISTENING for the signal to STOP NOW, before it's too late. Also, when restriction hits slider foods look REALLY attractive. Just be prepared. When it comes, so does the requirement to change. Hang in there. It really does work!

My Dr. said to eat 3 to 4 small meals (3-4 ounces each) per day. I really didn't want to put all of my food in a measuring cup, and I certainly didn't want to overeat, so I went shopping. I found a cute little plate in a kitchen store. It's about 4 inches square and has a lip on it. I found it in the Asian section, near the Asian teapots and the Sushi dishes. I asked the guy who owns the store to test how many ounces it holds. It holds EXACTLY 4 ounces. So. . . I just load my cute little plate with 70% protein & 30% whatever else and know that I am eating the right amount. I love it so much I'm going to buy two more so I have one at home, one at work, and one in the car, so I'm never without. Just an idea that has helped me stay on track until I get a fill or two.

I started in November (4 months before surgery) walking with a friend on my morning break, just 15 minutes, and it killed me. My legs burned. My heart raced. I sweated something awful. But then it wasn't so hard any longer, so we added our afternoon break. Then we added in our lunch. Pretty soon our co-workers noticed and started joing us. Then we changed the route to add in some hills and go further. Now we have a group of six of us that walk morning and afternoon. My friend and I also walk on our lunch. We're walking a 3 mile loop now that has significant incline. Then another co-worker who has foot problems and can't walk decided to start a biking group. So. . . today we had our first "Wheeling Wednesdays". We plan to explore the pedestrian/bike trails within our city. Then, on our walk one day one of the ladies mentioned that she has been belly dancing. I have always wanted to do that. So. . . starting next week one of the walkers and I are taking beginning belly dancing classes. I find the more I lose the more I want to claim my life NOW. I'm not waiting any longer. I want to learn to play tennis, and take a tahiti down the river in my town, and learn to salsa dance, and run, and. . . I don't know what else. Ask me next week, I'm sure there will be another activity calling my name. I would say follow your interests and keep an open mind to new opportunities. Oh yeah, I really want to rollerblade with my kids. I'm hoping to do that some time this summer. You'll figure out what works for you.

Hi Southernbelle, I attend weekly sessions with a therapist who specializes in bariatric before and after care. She is a bariatric patient herself (8 years post op and at goal). I found her by doing a search of obesityhelp.com. She is a talented therapist and has helped me uncover some important core issues that were contributing to gaining, and keeping the excess weight, things like; self care, self worth, safety. All, for me, go back to a childhood that involved alot of neglect and abuse. I didn't realize how much of that stuff I was still carrying around. Anyway. . .you asked if anyone uses a therapist. My answer is this. For me a therapist is ESSENTIAL. I wish you progress on your journey.

Add me to the list. I was originally scheduled for April 20th, but got a call on Thursday that there was a cancellation. So. . . here I go. Fortunately I had started the liquid diet early due to gall bladder problems. Eating just makes me nauseated. Take care girls! I'll see you on the other side.

I'm so sorry to hear you are having such a miserable time. Has anyone checked your gall bladder? I have been suffering with nausea and vomiting every time I eat for about four months now. My gastroenterologist did an ultrasound of my gall bladder and said it looked fine, but my Bariatric Surgeon ordered a HIDA scan with ejection fraction, and low and behold my gall bladder is trying like crazy to eject bile, but having very little success. The net result is pressure, nausea, and vomiting. Just a thought as gall bladder problems are often linked to rapid weight loss. Good Luck.

Hi, I am sorry that you are having a hard time. I believe they call what you are experiencing "bandster hell". Have you checked out the December 08 bandster forum? Those folks will understand where you are. Bear with it. Hopefully some old timers will pop up soon and give you some encouragement about how to get through this time. Good Luck, Kimberly

Wow, your story reads nearly exactly like mine. I've lost 40 to 60 pounds FOUR separate times in my life. Then I lost 110 pounds and kept it off for two years. But as always, I gained it all back. I have chosen the band in large part because I know I have it in me to really work the tool. I know when I have made a decision to loose weight, to make better food decisions, to exercise daily, to drink water, that I absolutely will do it. . . for a while. The last time I did it with reasonable consistency for four years. I cannot tell you how much I wish I had a band back then, so when I started to fall off the wagon I could call my Dr., discuss "the rules", perhaps do the 5 day pouch test to shrink the pouch, and consider a fill to nip the re-gain in the bud. I will love having the band to loose weight, but really I am choosing it for the long term maintenance assistance. That is why I made my choice. Only can make a your choice. I wish you success. Kimberly

If you're willing to travel over 2000 miles to go to Mexico (2090 miles from Chicago per google earth), you also might want to consider Dr. Tersigni at Bay Bariatrics in Coos Bay, Oregon (2341 miles from Chicago). Bay Bariatrics is a certified Center of Excellence and Dr. Tersgnin recently lowered his self pay price, in the surgery center, to $10,000. Bay Bariatrics - Steve Tersigni, MD - Coos Bay, Oregon I wish you success in your search.

RAMS0509, I would agree with you that price is certainly not the criteria upon which I would want to select a surgeon. I have selected Dr. Tersgini based on his standing as a Center of Excellence, which is not an easy bar to meet. It is nice that he is so competitively priced. Also, if you continue reading Oregon posts on this forum and others you will find he comes highly recommended. It is not difficult to find positive reviews of the Dr. as well as his staff and if you are watching results, many of his patients are experiencing success in reaching their "sweet spot", an essential element of long term weight management. I wish you luck in your research. Keep reading. Kimberly

Barbara, I live in southern Oregon and when I saw my PCP this week she told me she had three patients who used your surgeon and had similar frustrations. Once they switched to Dr. Tersigni in Coos Bay they were able to achieve restriction and begin losing. You might try him. . . Kimberly

His website actually quotes $12,500 for self pay in the surgery center. They told me it's $17,000 if you have to have the procedure in the hospital (50+ BMI requires this). Also his practice, Bay Bariatrics, is a Center of Excellence. Thanks,

Greetings, My name is Kimberly and I am headed to my first seminar tomorrow. I have three friends who have had bariatric surgery and all have reclaimed their lives. Their bodies are no longer a burden, a prison. I've lost weight in years past, over 100 pounds, but somehow I found it again. So. . .I believe the lap band is for me. Insurance won't cover it, but between my HRA/VEBA, my medical Flex Spending account and a second job I believe I can make it happen my mid year. I have read your posts, drawn on your stregnths, noted your advice and now I just want to say I am so glad that this community exists. I will have to be patient and persistent to make this happen.

I have been thrilled for them, but it has been hard to play the role of spectator. Ironically, they all sat on the sidelines and watched me lose over 100 pounds a few years ago. I have watched and supported them while they reclaimed their lives. I can't imagine waiting literally years. Great job for hanging in there!! I have only just begun. Thanks for being the first to respond to my first post.