katylady

I also agree with the letter, but try to keep the lines of communication open to her, and let her know that your concern for her weight is not about looks. I have fought with my weight since having children and it depressed me to no end, and remarks like "you shouldn't be eating that" did nothing but make me eat more. Then with the weight gain came the diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, depression, etc. I had to start taking meds for everything, and Celexa for depression (Celexa RULES, by the way) and I started worrying about my health but kept it to myself and just got more depressed. Finally one day my husband told me that we needed to talk, he said "I'm afraid" and I asked him what he was afraid about. He told me "I'm afraid for your health, I'm afraid you are going to die and leave me alone, and I just don't know if I could go on without you". He then went on to say he loved me, no matter what I weighed, and would always love me, but that he wanted me be around to see our children get married, and to enjoy and share in having grandchildren together. He said he wanted me to outlive him and he was afraid that wasn't going to happen if my health go any worse. Well, that was a real eye opener for me. Not only was he telling me that he loved me unconditionally, but for the first time I realized how much of an effect my weight had on him and how it was affecting the both of us. I started researching options and found the band. I'm a newbie, have only been banded for three weeks, and I realize I'm having to make changes in my life, but seeing how he is supporting me has made all the difference in the world. Yes, I am doing this for me, but my other motivation is to grow old with the most important person in my life, the one who cared enough about me to be honest and understanding. I wish you and your wife the best on your journey. If there is any way to get across to her that there are so many people going through what she is going through, she may find that talking to some of us can give her hope.

Moon Goddess, Have you guys had any rain in the Austin area or around the lakes lately? Last time hubby and I went to check on our place on Lake Travis, we found that our Marina had to move the boat slips out to the middle of the lake due to the low lake level. Haven't been back in a month, so was wondering what the lake levels are doing.

Moon Goddess, The craving for Mexican food has been the hardest thing for me to deal with too, but I've never made it and need to find a recipe so I can make it at home. I did find that that Old El Paso brand makes a Tortilla Soup that is very good, and if you like, you can add a little avocado to it with a dollop of light sour cream, YUM!

I know you are right. I guess I just needed someone to say it to keep me from backsliding. That's the great thing about this site, it provids the support when you need it the most. I stopped the food "experiments" two days ago and started back on the mushies and soups and just started counting down to my first fill and being able to eat regular food again. 12 days to go...

I had my surgery on October 18th and will get my first fill on November 20th. I have slowly tried many different foods and so far have not found anything that I can not eat, as long as I chew, chew, chew and eat it in moderation. I realize this may change as I get my fill. So here's my question, is it going to hurt me in the long run, or cause complications if I have a piece of bread, part of a cheese enchilada, or eat something that is not blenderized as long as it is chewed almost to liquified form and taken in small bites? Am I doing something wrong in not blending everything or eating something a little more substantial than mushies? I don't want to do anything that will make my band fail, but I haven't felt bad at all, no PB's, no upset stomach and no pain whatsoever.

Linadu, I had my surgery on October 18th as well and I'm looking forward to having my first fill on November 20th. I quickly lost the first 13 pounds, then had a sudden stop of weight loss. This last week I have been fighting with losing and regaining the same half pound. I still get full after eating a small amount of food, but don't feel restriction like I think I should, but after reading through this site see that it's pretty normal before having your first fill because you really don't have much if any restriction at this point. I was hoping to lose at least 15 pounds before going back for my first fill, but we'll see how it goes. I'm glad that my fill is going to be the Monday before Thanksgiving so I won't be able to over-do it. So far, nothing has made me sick, and I haven't really been as good as I should. I tried meat, but it's just too much effort to chew and chew and chew, so it hasn't been a big deal to just stick with chicken or tuna or grilled fish. My problem seems to be with bread, what can I say, I LOVE it and have been able to eat toast and other breads without problem, but I'm trying very hard to stay away from them. Suger free popsicles have become my best friend.

Shelgrif, Hi, I am from Katy, TX too and was banded on the same day as you. I used Dr. Spivak and fortunately have not had any complications at all. I felt great the day after surgery and haven't had any problems swallowing or otherwise. I'm back at work today and feeling great. So far, I'm very happy with the way things are going. Getting a little tired of the mushies and am looking forward to being able to eat real food again. I've tried a variety of stuff, even had fish last night and didn't have any problems at all with it. This weekend I made meat loaf for my husband and it was hard not having any because I really like it, so I got myself about a tablespoon of it and chewed until it was mushy and didn't have any difficulty, but I was afraid to try any more than that because I don't want to mess anything up. I can tell that the thing I miss the most right now is BEEF. I've always been a meat and taters kind of gal. Breakfast has been easy, I can eat a poached egg and a half a piece of toasted bread without difficult, but I am very careful to take very small bites and chew and chew and chew. No drinking any Water for at least 30 minutes after a meal helps too. Oh, and I went to the Vitamin Shoppe over by Garden Ridge and found some great Protein drinks, Isopure I think is the name, anyways, one 20 oz drink has 40 grams of protein, so those will definity help with the problem of getting enough protein. I also found a liquid multi-vitamin there too. I looks really NASTY, green, gooey, murcky looking stuff, but if you shut your eye, swallow it fast and drink some water right after it, it's tolerable. :speechles

:clap2: Hi all. I was banded yesterday morning by Dr. Spivak. I'm feeling great today with very little soreness. I just wanted to share my experience. I was a little sore and a lot sleepy all day yesterday:notagree , but feel great today. The treatment at the surgical center was exceptional and they called today to follow up. Food today has been Protein Shake, grits, water and applesauce with no difficulties at all. I just hope your all have as positive an experience as I have had thus far! :)

Hi all. I had my surgery yesterday and today I fed great! Very little soreness and no pain meds needed, and I can do my regular activities - unbelievable. So far today I've drank my water, had chicken broth, a little applesauce, a protein shake & a couple of tablespoons of grits and I'm not hungry. Its amazing!

I'm having surgery in the morning. I am self-pay so there's no insurance stuff to worry about and as far as telling co-workers, it's none of their business. I told my boss that I'm taking sick days off for a surgical procedure that I've needed for a while, and that it is personal and female related. Nuff said, he didn't want to go there, and as far as I'm concerned, it IS female related - this female wants the surgery - so there you go! I have told my best friend at work, who also happens to be the HR director here, and she's very supportive with me. Heck, she had lipo a few months ago and pretty much did the same thing with the "it's personal" response. Legally, they can't ask you to elaborate on what you are having done.

Hello all, This is my first post in the October Bandsters. My surgery is this Wednesday, so I'm on count down and very excited. Did my shopping this weekend and got most of the stuff on the list. I'll check back and keep everyone posted and can't wait to see how we all do.

:clap2: Hi all, I went to see Dr. Spivak yesterday and already have my surgery scheduled! I am so excited but also a little aprehensive about the changes that this will mean. I was really impressed with the presentation at his office, and especially with having the opportunity to talk to the people in his office that have had the surgery and were so willing to share their experiences with me. Wish me luck! I'll keep you posted and try to figure out how to set up the little weight loss thingie that I see most people in here have.

Hi all, Well, I think I figured out the ticker thing. :clap2: I'm counting down and am really getting excited about the banding. I know that I'm going to rely on this site a lot to help me through this. I'm getting a lot of support from my family, and as for work, well, it's none of their business as far as I'm concerned. I've started the pre-op low carb diet, what I'm anxious to see is how I adjust to the new post op diet. I see a lot of people saying that they are simply not very hungry, and they feel full after a few bites. I sure hope that's true. I went grocery shopping this weekend and got everything I think I'll need post surgery, like Gas-X, plenty of healthy liquids, protein drinks, cream soups, broth, applesauce, sugar free puddings and other stuff like that. Now I just have to count the hours. I'm taking off work from Wednesday and plan on going back on Monday. Anyone have any problems getting around after surgery? Can't wait to get the surgery and start my count down. :high5:

1. How do I set up the ticker factory thingie 2. Where do I find the October Bandsters?

Hello All, I have been looking into banding for the past 6 months and think I'm ready to make an appointment. I have yo-yo dieted for years and the weight always comes back on. Now I have developed high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol. In the past 3 months I've started an exercise regimen with a personal trainer and am firming up, but not losing the weight, so have decided that doing the banding and working out will both benefit me. Our insurance company is BCBS but they have an exclusion in our policy, so don't think I'll be able to get them to pay for it, looks like self pay :cry My husband is concerned for my health, as am I, but he's not being supportive of the surgery. I've talked to him about it for a long time and finally just told him that I am going to do this for myself because if I don't I may not be around for him to worry about. I'm hoping to schedule this sometime before the holidays. I live in Katy, Texas and am interested in knowing which doctors in the area have a good reputation, and what kind of costs I'm looking at. I've heard anywhere from $12,000 to $15,000 or more. Any info will be welcomed. Thanks all

TexasBr@t, sounds like you and I have a lot in common. My husband and I have been together a long time. Although I was very thin when we dated and were married, the weight started coming on after the kids. I have yo-yo'd for the last 20 years with no success. He has stayed by my side the whole time and I have absolutely no doubt that he loves me. He has never said anything negative about my weight until the diabetes and other health problems began happening, and he still doesn't say anything negative, just that he is concerned for my health and doesn't want to be left alone if something happens to me. Too bad there's not a WISH CENTER in the houston area, I can come up with 10K much easier than 15k.

Hello TigerLiliy and TexasBr@t. Thanks for responding. Our BCBS is through my husbands union. Our medical coverage is great except for this. Oh well, I agree, it's my body and I'm going to do whatever it takes to be around for my family. TexasBr@t, how did you like Dr. Speigel? How long does it take to go through the initial process to having the surgery? Does his office provide info on medical financing? I'm ready to do this yesterday! I'm so glad I found this forum. Reading through all these experiences has me more convinced than ever that this is what I need to do. I am short, just 5'2" with a very small body frame. Finding clothes is a nightmare for a petite fat woman and I can't wait to be able to shop in a regular store and buy things that don't look like they were made for my grandmother! Don't get me wrong, I'm not exactly a spring chicken, but I don't want to look like an old crow. One worry, my husband has been jealous in the past when I've lost weight, and I think that may be why he's against this. Have any of you experienced you spouse being jealous or trying to sabotage your efforts since you've lost weight? How do you deal with it? We've been together for 30 years and he is my one and only, but I think it scares him. By the way, he's very fit and trim.