Board Newbie

[Marimaru 7]

Hey all,

I'm new to the boards here and wanted to introduce myself. I was banded on 7/2/04 by Dr. Rumbaut in Mexico (I've already seen him mentioned here). To date I've lost 25 lbs. I have one fill and I'm at 2cc's in my band. After I got my fill I ended up in starvation mode. It hadn't even occurred to me that I might have TOO FEW calories. Holy crap! So, I eat more often in the day, and dropped 4 pounds in the last week.

I think I differ from a lot of bandsters in the sense that I don't have a goal weight/time. I figure if I lose like an 'average' bandster I'll probably be around 145 in about a year, but I don't have a date in mind, and the number 145 isn't anything magical to me. I guess I feel like I've beat myself up over so many diets in the past that I don't want to 'set myself up for failure'. Fortunately I haven't yet learned how to 'eat around' my band. So at this point the only way I can go is down, if I keep doing what I'm doing.

Anyway, just wanted to give a little background and say hi.

[New Hope 37]

Great job so far! So glad to hear how well you're doing! I really don't have a set goal either. I just want to be healthier and happier. I'm already feeling the good effects of my band. RXs, health problems drastically decreased. Physical and mental energy greatly increased. No complaints here!

[Iluvharleys 15]

Hello! I just wanted to say you have done a great job. You have a great outlook too!

Betty

[southerntoon 0]

Sounds good to me - Welcome!

[leatha_g 4]

Originally posted by Marimaru

I think I differ from a lot of bandsters in the sense that I don't have a goal weight/time. I figure if I lose like an 'average' bandster I'll probably be around 145 in about a year, but I don't have a date in mind, and the number 145 isn't anything magical to me. I guess I feel like I've beat myself up over so many diets in the past that I don't want to 'set myself up for failure'. Fortunately I haven't yet learned how to 'eat around' my band. So at this point the only way I can go is down, if I keep doing what I'm doing.

That's exactly how I feel about it. I think for most of us, it's pretty common. All I know is that I was sick and tired of being sick and tired.

Welcome to the group! Sounds like you're doing great!!

[blossom 2]

Hi! I'm not banded yet, but I will be soon. I love your attitude about not rushing things along and having no magic number. This is exactly how I feel about it! My goal is health, Health, HEALTH!!!

Welcome!

[whippledaddy 5]

I really envy you folks who had the courage to just get 'er done.

I needed to lurk here on this forum for a while to just make the decision to get it done!

This is a great group of people. They are caring enough to give each other the support we all need, and they are sane enough to help each other through the tough times, but they aren't so sane that they can't have a great time.

I've just had more fun here.

Good luck with your journey.

[Marimaru 7]

I guess I'm not quite as different as I thought I was.

whippledaddy- I read your prison post. That was really amazing. I really hadn't thought of it that way before, but it really does fit perfectly into how I am today as well.

I'm a really lucky person when it comes to my surgery. A little over a year ago I was looking into the Gastric Bypass, but thought that it was a little extreme for me. I was at 280, and I didn't want to stay that way, but it just seemed like too much. Anyhow, I later heard about the band, but dismissed it for lack of funds and insurance. Then I was going on vacation with my mom, and we were talking about a person we know who had the bypass, and I mentioned the band and told her a little bit about it, and she asked how much it costs, and I told her what I'd found, and she told me that she'd pay for it. Just like that. I started crying in the airport. I'm kind of a procrastinator when it comes to doing major things, but not this time. Whilst on vacation using the laptop we'd brought I submitted my profile/application to Dr. Rumbaut's office and got all the info I needed. I talked to my local doc to make sure that she didn't have any major aversion to the surgery, because I didn't want to have to argue with my doc about things like that. Then I scheduled it and was in just a little over a month after mom said she'd pay for it. She said it was the fasted she'd ever seen me do anything. lol...

And then, she tells me that I'm her hero. I laughed at her and said "I'm YOUR hero?!?!" She said that she knew alot of people who might have tried to find a reason not to do it, or put it off or whatever. It was a cool thing for her to say.

Anyway, I kind of went on a tangent there. Mostly I wanted to thank everyone for the warm welcomes.

[hagerteresa 3]

Welcome Sarah,

I had my surgery in Mexico also with Dr. Lopez on 5/8/04. I had done a lot of research on it once I had heard about it but couldn't afford it nor would my insurance cover it. My father in law finally brought it up and offered to pay for it. Like you, I was down there lickity split (within 2 weeks). I figured I had done all my research, had a list of doctors in order of preference and was ready to get it done with. Best of luck, Teresa

Dr. Lopez

5/8/04

362/300.3/???

no fills yet

[sassaay 1]

Hi Sarah,

Welcome to LapBandTalk... it sounds like you are doing a great job with your band. Congratulations on your loss!

This is a great site and the folks her are so nice and helpful. I hope you get as much out of it as I do.

Take Care,

[nightingale2u 42]

Welcome Sarah!

It looks like you have a very healthy outlook about your future expectations and what a wonderful gift your mother has given you! Wishing you continued success and health with your new band!

Darcy

[sheeanisland 0]

Hello I am getting banded By Dr. Rumbaut and I am starting to freak out. I am getting really nervous. Any last minute advise you could give me?

-Andrea

[sheeanisland 0]

oh and also did you go to Dr. Rumbaut for your fill?

[leatha_g 4]

It's very normal to be nervous. I think it's our bodies way of preparing us for something so big. Surgery is always scary. The thing that helps me the most is gratitude. Not everyone is fortunate enough to have this surgery. Either their insurance won't pay or they aren't able to self pay, but they still really need it. Those of us who can find a way have a really great opportunity to change our lives and to be an example for those who come after us. I think if you can re-frame that in your mind, it definitely helps going in.

I happen to have a higher power whom I thanked all the way into the OR and whom I woke up thanking on the other side. It helped!

You'll do fine! We'll be here waiting to here how it all went too!

Good luck to you!

Leatha

[GeezerSue 7]

Originally posted by sheeanisland

Hello I am getting banded By Dr. Rumbaut and I am starting to freak out. I am getting really nervous. Any last minute advise you could give me?

-Andrea

Yeah...relax. He is one of the most experienced lapband surgeons on the planet. He's a nice guy. And he knows from obesity because HE has a band. You couldn't be in better hands.