Catherine55

I totally agree with Libriteen. Taking the high road is the only way to go. Clearly your cousin must know how hard it is to lose weight and keep it off, since she struggles with her weight, too. I think it's bizarre that she was trying to act like it's so easy when she clearly can't do it on her own any more than the rest of us could! I got around this issue by not telling everyone about my surgery. I did tell most of my family and all of my closest friends, but I didn't tell a few people who I knew might make petty comments. I just was not going to sign on for that kind of thing. I also did not tell people at work in order to keep my work/life privacy balance. That's been a little harder because I really like several people here, and they have been really supportive. I'd like to tell them, but I also know that the best way to keep a secret is to keep it to yourself! Hang in there & ignore the haters! :biggrin: Catherine

That is fantastic!! I love that you look totally psyched in your photo/avatar! You are in for a very exciting year. :biggrin: Best wishes, Catherine

I was really nervous about my pre-op diet too, but it actually wasn't bad at all. The thought of my liver sliding around during surgery if I didn't stick to the diet kept me on the straight and narrow! The hardest thing was being around other people who were eating. I'd recommend that you try to avoid those situations during the pre-op diet week. I did carry boullion cubes in my purse though, and it made me feel more calm to be able to make some broth when I had to be with people who were eating. As for the shakes, you can go to GNC or Vitamin Shoppe. Most of the shakes are pretty gross. I agree that Slim Fast ones are good (I like the Cappuccino one), but they don't have as much Protein as some of the others. I hope that it goes very well for you! Catherine

I had my surgery done by Dr. Rumbaut in Monterrey, Mexico and had a great experience. There are photos of the hospital on my blog (link below) -- it was really nice. Also, Dr. Rumbaut has relationships with a few doctors here in NYC (and elsewhere), so I was able to schedule my post-op visits at NYU Hospital (great hospital, great doctors) before I had my surgery. A few things I really liked about Dr. Rumbaut are that: - He is banded, so I felt like he really understood where I was coming from and what I would experience post-op; - He has done more than 6K of these procedures; and - His staff spent a lot of time with me on the phone answering my questions and helping me coordinate with NYU before my surgery (Cathy in particular is fantastic, and she was also banded by Dr. Rumbaut. If you are interested, you might give them a call to see if they have a relationship with a doctor near you. Here is a link to their site. Obesity Surgery Center - Dr. Roberto Rumbaut Best wishes for your decision, Catherine

I wish that I would have known more about Bandster Hell. I wouldn't have been so stressed about the surgery and corresponding changes if I'd known that, without a fill, I could still eat like I'd always eaten. Not that I want to do that -- it was just a relief to know that I could if I really wanted to.

Hang in there. Take a look at some different bandster blogs and, if you think your husband is up to it, share them with him. I'm pretty sure that he'll be amazed by how successful the surgery is and how dramatic the results can be! As a bandster, I have found that to be really inspiring! Best wishes, Catherine

Actually, it looks like I posted the pro/con list back in May. Here is a link, in case you want to see it (and my thoughts post-op on the things that freaked me out before I had my surgery): Chronicles from Band Land: Reflections on my Pre-Op Journal

Hi! I had some moments of doubt before my surgery. One thing that really helped me is that I wrote out a pro/con list and would look at it whenever I was waivering. Once I had put the pros & cons down in writing, the decision was so obvious to me. I put my list up on my blog during the last month -- feel free to take a look. I love my band -- it has been such an amazing tool for me. While I still have to work at exercising and planning my meals, it basically makes it impossible for me to overeat. I still enjoy good food and nice wine, but in smaller quantities. I am 9 months post-op and am down about 53 pounds. I'm literally in the best shape of my life, and I feel healthier, more energetic and more attractive than I've felt in YEARS. Hang in there! I can recommend a book for you -- Weight Loss with the Adjustable Gastric Band (they sell it on Amazon.com). It really helped me to figure out what to expect. Also, reading blogs was a huge help for me when I was making my decision -- and they are still a big source of information and inspiration -- there are a bunch that I read on a regular basis. Best wishes to you! Catherine

I had a 3-day Clear liquids diet for pre-op (clear liquids + Protein shakes) and that worked out just fine. There seems to be a LOT of variation among doctors re what they require pre-op. Catherine

My friends have been really great about the surgery and have been very supportive. Most of my core group of friends go back 15 or more years (I'm 38), and I'm actually the only overweight person in the group. A bunch of my friends are seriously into working out, and it's been so great to get their encouragement and praise for how hard I've been working out and the results of that and my reduced calorie intake. I'm glad that they see that this isn't an easy way out and recognize the hard work I have put in to get this far along. One funny thing though is that one of my best friends recently told me that they thought I didn't need to lose any more weight (mind you. . to get out of the "overweight" BMI, I have to lose a minimum of 23 more pounds -- and I'm still in a size 14). To put it in context, this friend is about 135 lbs and wears a size 6 or 8. I thought that was surprising. She wasn't aggressive about it or anything -- I am sure she meant it as a complement. When I told her that my goal is BMI-based and that I want to get to a size 10 so that I can have more shopping choice, she relaxed about it! Catherine

That sounds like reflux to me, too. Maybe your band is too tight. I think that people differ in what they like and view as good restriction. For me, it's when my band is tight enough that I can't overeat, but not so tight that I can't eat in front of people who don't know I'm banded without them freaking out about how little I'm eating. I like the band at a level where liquids go down reasonably normally (though if I take a big sip, it takes a minute to go down the hole). I have 2.85 ccs in my 5 cc band, if that helps at all! You should call your doctor if that feeling doesn't go away by tomorrow. Sounds like you might need a wee unfill. Catherine

Drink a little water -- you're probably totally fine. It doesn't sound like you are stuck at all.

Definitely walk around as much as possible -- it's a big help! Congratulations on getting banded! If you haven't done it yet, be sure to take your measurements and take a few full length photos as soon as possible. It feels so good as you are losing to be able to look back and see how far you have come! :crying: Best wishes, Catherine

Hi! My starting stats are similar to yours! I started at 230 with a BMI of 37 (I am 5'6). I chose the band because I had met two people who had done it and had great results. Also, I wanted something that I could un-do if I hated it (which I don't). I haven't had any complications so far, and I'm 9 months post-op. The only side-effect is that I've lost 50+ pounds and counting! :laugh: Honestly, I feel like this is the best thing I've ever done for myself. Wishing you the best for your decision, Catherine

Welcome!! I am glad to hear that things are going so well for you! I read the blogs of two girls (ok, women!) in their 20s and thought you might like them too -- here are links: i am in repair... (she just put up a great vlog that you might find interesting -- I thought it was really inspirational, very honest and gives great insight to her process) The other one is: Changes I hope that you enjoy this process and wish you the very best!! Catherine

Congratulations on your decision!! I hope it goes really well. Welcome to bandland! :laugh: Catherine

One more thing I forgot to mention! This site is actually a HUGE source of support and information for me. If you aren't getting the kind of support you need from friends and family, I think you may be surprised to find how great the support you get on here is. :laugh: Catherine

I didn't tell most family and friends until after I'd made up my mind -- and some I didn't tell until after the surgery. There were a few select people whose input I really wanted to consider in making my decision, and I was lucky that they were all really supportive. Honestly, I'd expected a fair amount of nay-saying and "why can't you just go back to Weight Watchers" in the mix, but I didn't get that at all. For me, getting banded has put an end to YEARS of feeling bad about my weight and feeling powerless in the battle of the bulge. Even though on the way up, I felt huge at 177, now I'm thrilled to find that I fit into size 14 again, and shopping has become fun again. I know myself well enough to know that there is no way I could have adhered to any diet for the nine months it has taken me to get to this point. And even if I'd been able to make it through nine months, I can't imagine that I'd still feel as motivated, positive, and ready to get the rest of the way to goal (and keep it off for life) that I do now. I'd recommend that you keep researching the band and show your husband the blogs of bandsters who write about their progress and post their photos (you're welcome to show him mine, and I'm a big fan of many others, including Lise the Loser and all the other ones that I follow). Also, there is a book called Weight Loss with the Adjustable Gastric Band (sold on Amazon.com) that I found really helpful when I was making my decision. By the time I talked to most family and friends, I had really done a lot of research about the surgery and weighed out the pros and cons. I think that helped show them that my decision was well-reasoned and thought out. I'm not sure if you used that approach already, but if not, give it a shot! With best wishes, Catherine

P.S. If it makes you feel any better, I actually gained 5 pounds during the period you are in right now. But it's long gone now! Catherine

Totally don't worry -- you're just not at good restriction yet! Hopefully they will get you there on the 4th. Once that happens, you'll start losing and will be out of "Bandster Hell" for good! Best, Catherine

I didn't have this with someone who was mean to me, but just had one with someone who totally broke my heart last weekend. I saw my ex-boyfriend at a wedding -- the whole time we dated, I was in the 220-230 range. He never took issue with my weight and told me all of the time that he thought I was beautiful. THAT SAID. . . running into him 50+ pounds thinner and feeling fit, healthy and vital was really great. He looked totally blown away and told me several times how great he thought I looked. I actually posted photos from the event and some before/after shots on my blog during the last few days. Feel free to take a look! Catherine

Good luck! It's a great tool! Sometimes I think of my weight loss in terms of years (i.e. years of damage I did by gaining so much weight). I'm pretty much back in 2004 at this point! :biggrin: Best wishes, Catherine

Hi! What you are feeling is totally normal! I went through the same thing. I even took the time to write out a pro/con list, which was really helpful. I looked at it whenever I was doubting my decision, since it set out all of the facts plainly and made it plain to me that getting banded was the right thing for me. If you want to see the list, you can find it here: Chronicles from Band Land: Reflections on my Pre-Op Journal. I'm sure you've got your own pros & cons, but writing them out can be a big help! Best wishes, Catherine

Congratulations! I went with a doctor who a friend had used (Dr. Rumbaut in Monterrey -- I was self-pay) and who had very good reviews on this site and an incredible amount of experience. One book that I really found helpful before I had my surgery was this one -- Amazon.com: Weight Loss Surgery with the Adjustable Gastric Band: Everything You Need to Know Before and After Surgery to Lose Weight Successfully (9781600940026): Robert Sewell M.D., Linda Rohrbough: books -- if you're looking for a good guide on what to expect, mentally and physically, I found this to be a great resource. I hope it goes well with your Dr! Catherine