New to forum, not to Lap-Band

[Odi 0]

I grew up in the Windy City where eating is a way of life. pizza every Friday and every event revolves around food.

I was an overweight child and grew into an overweight adult. Lots of diets. Many bad eating habits. I was never huge, just big.

I decided after having kids and c-sections that weight loss was too hard to do alone. I liked the idea of gastric bypass, but didn't like the method. Then I saw banding and knew that was for me.

The job I had at the time didn't cover any weight loss. What a croc. I didn't want to pay for the banding seeing that it was going to cost upwards of $20K. I waited and got a job where it was covered.

I was nervous about getting it and excited at the same time. I found a Bariatric Dr from a search on the internet and went for a visit. I found Dr. Michael Johnell in Greeley Colorado. He's got a great record and has been doing both for years. His staff is kind and cognicent of bigger folks. Simple things like bigger chairs and bigger scales. They told me they would work with my insurance and find out what I needed. At that time I had a bmi of 47 with no co-morbidities. But I didn't want any!

I found out that like many of you, I had to do the 6 month dr supervised weight loss.:tt2: I was a little bummed out, but was ready. Every month I showed up to my dr's office to weigh in. She gave me some meds that didn't help with hunger. And every month after my appt the Bariatric dr's office called and urged me to keep going. I did. I was really suprised to hear that most people just stop going. DON'T. Just show up. Get weighed and prove to the insurance company that you can make and keep an appointment. If you don't, they win!

I finally got done with that and didn't loose any weight, no surprise. What did they think I wanted the band for? I went for all the Psych testing the bariatric dr requires and I was ready. I got my date March 23 2006.

I can't remember when the dr told me he would like me to loose 10%, but I did end up loosing about 13 lbs before surgery. He wanted 15. They ask you to do this because when your overweight, your liver swells and it makes it harder to do the surgery to work with the liver.

I was dead sick that day. Worst Migraine I ever had. Throwing up and all. After the surgery I was fine. And the days and weeks after was relatively easy. I found the way the lapband works and the way they tighten it, is such a good pace that there is no drastic sense of loss.

My biggest hurdle has been exercise. I am so tired most of the time. This was a problem b4 I had the surgery. I was just diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome last month that has been around for 4 years.

I've lost weight, but not enough to my liking. I went from 285 to 235. I was down to 220 but got the band loosen and gained some. So it is true you can gain weight with the band. But at least my BMI has dropped. Now down to 39.

I am very glad I had it done. I can admit I haven't exercised much. Just with feeling so tired. By the time I get home from work, I'm exhausted. And then there are kids to take care of etc.

I have no more aches and pains. My clothes are easier to buy and wear. Went from size 26 down to 18/20. I can actually wear a L at times. That feels good.

Looking for some inspiration and looking forward to hearing others stories.

[socalgal3 4]

Welcome Chanter!

This is a great place for support. Check out some of the specific threads for your age group, your BMI or the month/year of your surgery. Those have been a great help to me.

I wish you the best of health and continued success with your band!