juliegeraci

I don't have diabetes but I have heard great results getting off of the meds with lapband surgery. I wish you nothing but the best. Have a healthy New Year.

You shouldn't be able to eat that quanitity of food even if you think it is head hunger. You will definitely know when to stop after you get to the right fill level. I can only eat 1/2 of a hamburger at McDonalds and I've had at least 3 fills. I would consider another fill. Good luck to you. Keep the fill faith!

My top weight 2 years preband was 320. Prior to surgery I was at 282. I am now 250. I feel much better and I'm down 2 sizes on the bottom and 3 on the top.

I would ask your doctor but for me I was on solids pretty quickly. I think it was 3 weeks or so. I would start solids before you have a fill. With a few patients they find that sometimes you don't even need one. Good luck.

My surgeon said I could have anything that fit through a straw until my solid stage. Be careful for the chicken if you have chicken noodle soup. Good luck.

He forgave me. But I know I've been selfish because I haven't felt the level of regret I should. We are working it out but the process has been difficult.

Personally I wouldn't want staples either. For me it came down to availability, knowlege, feeling of obesity and fills. My doctor has great bedside manners so that was a plus as well. When I first sat down with him he also gained respect by telling me I wasn't losing my mind and that obesity was a disease. Just like having diabetes. You can die from obesity or obesity related disease. I also like the fact that he believe in fills and doesn't oppose them to just use will power. The band works with fills. Some people are lucky and they lose without a fill but I am not one of them. Good luck in your decision. BTW, my doctor has done around 300 surgeries. You may want to ask that as well.

My band is fickle. There are times I can eat only a few bites and other times I can eat a cup. I wish it was more consistent. Good luck.

Hi there, I had gallbladder removal 5 years ago and my lapband was placed in June. The incisions were at a different site. They hurt but it was minor. The incisions are not that big. Good luck.

I think my fill was 4 weeks out. I wouldn't wait if you a)feel hunger before 4 hours or b)you are eating more than you should c)not losing. You should be losing 1 lb a week. As far as her comment "the longer you wait the better", that is total BS. Waiting to have a fill can affect your weight loss. This is not about self control its a out the band working with a fill. They do not work (although some do have sucess)without a fill. They are not designed that way. Go for a fill if you suffer from a,b,c... above. Good luck.

My doctor said you can eat as little as a 1/4 cup or as much as a cup. I wouldn't let him scare you. Eat when you are hungry and stop when you are full. Good luck.

LaMadam, thank you for this thread. You are doing remarkable. I was wondering how things could be for those of us who have band removal. Its good to hear there is hope out there in the conventional way past lapband.

The approved me out of network for my surgery but it took a letter from my doctor stating he was the only surgeon within a 30 mile radius. They don't, however cover my fills.

I cheated on my husband and it was the worst thing I could have ever done to myself. Partly because I fell in love with a man who lives in NYC and I'm in CA. We work together. Our business trips would turn into romantic engagements. I came clean with my husband but it is still difficult because I care for the other man. I have only spoken to him 1 x in 7 months and a few emails. So now I am working on 100% abstinence. I can't contact him because I love him too much and it will destroy my marriage. In the end, I guess I'm a better person but truthfully I don't think it was worth the pain ...the pain I am still in.

I want to be in a size 20 I want to be able to have more sex and funnier sex with my husband I want to be able to walk and not get out of breath I want to be able to look back and say I exercised at least 3 days a week. I want to see my stomach again I want to be able to wear a pair of shorts and not be self conscience. I want to be able to ride in all airline chairs with an extender. I can do SOME now. I want to be in a size 16 top again. I want to look good in pictures I want to get up early in the a.m. and feel good. I want to just be able to love myself more while I follow the plan and to be healthy.

Lins12, you are doing great. I would take a few minutes and pray about it. Understand why you did this and pray for acceptance. Its natural to have the opposite sex notice you more. You are beautiful even before surgery. Don't take it personal. I would talk to your friend though and find out what he is thinking. That would bother me a lot too. Sometimes its not too bad to move a friendship into something else, but naturally it has to be what both of you want. Good luck. No more cheetos!

Diet only. I limit myself to 1 a day.

This is not standard practice. My doctor has a BMI index you have to meet. I think its 40%. I was 282 lbs at 5'8 so that might give you a feel. In any case, I think it is best to chose a doctor that support bariatric surgery. God only knows we can come up with some other diet plan we followed for 6 additional months ie. low carb, low fat, counting calories. Good luck to you. I know you probably are yearning to get this over with and move on with your band!

Hi Speck, I have mixed feelings about it. I think the lapband is more difficult to lose weight. I've lost 30 lbs since June but compared to some who have lost 30+ lbs it makes me upset. Keep in mind that the doctor only wants 1-2 lbs a week which would put me right on target at 1 lb a week. Some of the time I think gastric bypass may have been better for me. The main reason is because if I'm going to have the band for life why not go all the way. I think the reason I didn't go that was was fear and lack of knowledge. I don't know too much about what you can eat. I heard that you can no longer have alcohol or sugar as it will hurt you. Don't know if that is true. In the long run I'm sure I will be happy with my band but like I said I can't imagine being 70 years old and never have had to replace it, therefore gastric bypass might be better. Good luck in your decision.

Thanks Telly. I know it can be difficult to get the calories in but I support the way you eat to keep your metabolism going. Thanks for the input.

Hi Telly, I was reading this thread and saw what was recommended as far as food intake. Right now I am struggling in this category. How much intake do you have at your snack and meal time? Can you give me an example. I am having difficulty getting in 1k calories a day. My fill is just right, I'm just not hungry. Julie

Oh yes, the ol' tequila. Casadores is my friend. Yes in moderation, which is difficult for me if you know what I mean. Feels good to be back in the gym. I'm down 1 size since surgery but overall including what I did before surgery I'm down 70 lbs from my high. Feels good to be in a size 22 but now I am motivated for that size 20. Take care.

I went to Curves again today. I cut out all alcohol from my diet. I know that is a big no no but for me its the hardest, especially at this time of the year.

Hi Lauren, I've seen your posts before and I wanted you to know to hang in there. I know you have had your challenges but demand and get what you need from your doctors. I like the idea of driving down for the cc of your file. I hope you can get in with that other doctor quickly. It will be worth it in the end. I hope also you are getting the support you need from your family. Best of luck to you.

Hi Yvonne, I have bipolar. I've been on meds about a year now. I don't have the upsings like I use to and it seems the downswings have subsided. I take Wellbutrin and Lexapro in the a.m. and Geodon at night. I can't tell you how much better I feel. Good luck with your band.