samiam

Kim, I registered on this forum just so I could respond to your post. I usually only read other's comments but I could tell that you were suffering in the same manner that I had been and I knew that I could give you the hope that you need. I was banded on May 29th at OCC by Dr. Ortiz. I weighed 170 lbs on that day and am a little over 5'5" tall. This was not my highest weight. I lost 50 lbs about a year and a half ago, but like all the other times that I had lost the weight was returning. I was within 10 lbs of regaining it all! I did the preop diet and had lost 8 lbs before arriving at the clinic for the banding. I was that serious about following the regime. I didn't realize at the time that I didn't actually have to follow the liquid preop diet. I too, was afraid that they would say that I didn't need the surgery. I want you to know that I was treated just like everyone else. I was relieved that I didn't have to wait until I had regained all the weight and then some to qualify for the surgery. They were very understanding of my delima. I didn't have all the health risks of many of the members of this forum but I did carry most of my weight around the middle of my body which put me at risk for heart disease. I was afraid that this option/intervention may not work for me if I didn't have a 100 or more pounds to lose, but I'm here to tell you that I have followed the directions to the letter and I have lost 10 lbs and 2 inches around my waist in the 2 weeks since surgery. My BMI was not 30 on the day of surgery and no one turned me away. Even just 10 lbs less has made a world of difference in how I feel. While I may not have as big a challenge as other members of this forum, I am just as grateful for the opportunity that the OCC and Dr. Ortiz have given me. I was able to lose weight in the past but I have never been able to keep it off long term. I am sure that I will be able to find some stability in my weight and health with the lap band. Please don't hesitate to contact Lori or Carolyn, they were very supportive as was all the OCC staff. I am going to return to Tijuana for my fills as I feel a little embarrassed going to a fill center in the States. I don't want anyone to tell me that I shouldn't have done this, it has changed my life. Whether it's 50 or 100 lbs you want to lose the feelings are the same. Wishing you the best of luck!