question!?

DeLarla · April 29, 2004

Thanks for the response. Here's some happy informtion for you: I attended a seminar on LapBand vs. Gastric Bypass. They explained all the pros and cons in detail. Yes, bypass people lose tons of weight really fast. But they showed charts with long-term process. Bypass people stop losing weight while banded people lose more weight over a year or so. Can I ask how much you need to lose? Did you lose any at all? How can that be possible? I weigh 309 at 5' 10" and need to lose over 100 pounds. Are you saying you have lost nothing at all in 10 weeks? What about your sister, how much has she lost? Wow, now I'm worried. Flying to Mexico, handing them so much money, going through major surgery, the pain, suffering, etc., then not losing some weight? EEK.

GeezerSue · April 29, 2004

candy,

If I recall accurately, the Inamed list includes doctors who have SIGNED UP for learning how to do the surgery, but have not yet done one. Checking the list is a great idea. But make sure you also find out how many surgeries the surgeon has done.

Sue

CandyB · April 29, 2004

Sorry to give you the impression that we have lost nothing at all. It feels like I've lost nothing because it has been so long, 6 weeks, since I've lost anything. We each have about 110 lbs. to lose, and we have each lost 18 or 19 lbs. That initial loss was in the first 2 - 3 weeks after surgery while we were on liquid and pureed diets. After about two weeks, hunger returned, and the weight loss ended as we were able to eat more quantity and various foods. My sister hung on with willpower for awhile, but is now eating too much to lose weight, as I am.

The surgeon will not fill before 6 weeks, which is considered the appropriate healing time. My sister had a 1.7cc. fill at 6 weeks, and is not much more restricted than before. I missed my fill apt. on the same day due to a sick child at home. We're both scheduled for a week from today. Looking forward to being a "loser". Not regretting my decision to have the band - just feeling impatient and frustrated that my doctor is so busy that I couldn't get another appt. for 4 weeks.

I thought about trying to find another doctor for fills, but I'm hanging in with my guy because he is an excellent surgeon, and I have become comfortable dealing with him and his staff.

My best to you on your journey, candy

DeLarla · April 29, 2004

Well 20 pounds sounds great to me! But I can totally understand your frustration. But think - even if you only lost 20 pounds every 6 months, that's 40 pounds in a year, 80 pounds in 2 years. That's enormous success. I've been chatting with a girl that took 3 years to lose the weight. But realisitically, that's the best way to keep it off permanently. It took me my whole life to get up to 309, so if it takes a year or two, I'll be pleased. Plus, I hate... no, despise all the attention I get when I lose weight. Really pisses me off how people don't shut up (I've dieted & lost 60 pounds before.) People don't realize how painful it is. When they tell me I look great, it just makes me wonder about how they think of me at this weight. So gradual weight loss is good. I love this forum!

CandyB · April 29, 2004

DeLarla,

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I'll let you know if my outlook improves after my fill. I'm not looking for quick weight loss. I'm looking for weight loss due to a band that's working for me. The waiting is what's so hard.

Thanks, candy

DeLarla · April 30, 2004

CandyB. Now Tom Petty's "The Waiting is The Hardest Part' song is running through my head over and over. Waiting is just so very wrong, isn't it? Good luck, my friend. I'm on my countdown to surgery and have a big challenge today. I'm doing my preop low, low calorie diet. I didn't do well the first day, but I did pretty darn good yesterday. Today I'm off on a 6 hour car ride alone to go a-visitin' but I usually eat the entire drive. Plus the drive home. Gonna be a long drive... a lot of waiting to get there going on.

Alexandra · April 30, 2004

Originally posted by DeLarla
Well 20 pounds sounds great to me! But I can totally understand your frustration. But think - even if you only lost 20 pounds every 6 months, that's 40 pounds in a year, 80 pounds in 2 years. That's enormous success. I've been chatting with a girl that took 3 years to lose the weight. But realisitically, that's the best way to keep it off permanently. It took me my whole life to get up to 309, so if it takes a year or two, I'll be pleased. Plus, I hate... no, despise all the attention I get when I lose weight. Really pisses me off how people don't shut up (I've dieted & lost 60 pounds before.) People don't realize how painful it is. When they tell me I look great, it just makes me wonder about how they think of me at this weight. So gradual weight loss is good. I love this forum!

DeLarla, we think exactly alike!! I too DESPISE the attention I get when I lose weight. It's like, what, they spent all their time thinking what a fat cow I was before? Lovely.

And I agree wholeheartedly about 80 lbs in two years being terrific weight loss! My weight has been with me all my life and if that's the speed it takes to come off I'll still be MUCH MUCH better off than if it never came off at all. I'm LOVING this gradual process, because I'm still me through it all and recognize myself in the mirror and in my mind. :mad: