Bella

I know just how you feel! I had to tell a million stories to friends and family and work. It was an intricate web and I felt horrible. In retrospect, I am totally entitled to my privacy and it is none of anyones business! I didn't even use savings, I put it on a credit card! So good for you for using what you've got. I think it is a good investment. I think of all the stupid things I've tried -- gym memberships, supplements, Weight Watchers...it surely is into thousands of dollars I've spent. This is realtively small amount of money to spend for health.

I told my work I was taking personal days. I told my family I was driving to New Mexico for a 'romantic getaway'. (If they knew I was flying to San Diego, for so few days, they would've been ALL up in my business). Then I told the people watching my dog that I was in fact, going to San Diego, for work, in case anything happened. When I was sitting on the plane, about to take off and embark on this surgery IN TIJUANA, I was just so overwhlemed by wanting to tell people. Luckily my husband was there to remind me how obnoxious my family can be and I held off.

I know it is a big step. But you (and all of us) DESERVE to feel comfortable in our own bodies again! Yes, it may take some 'creative storytelling' and some money, and some courage...but we are worth it! YOU are worth it!

If you know in your heart that this is the right thing, as I did, then go for it. Yes, there will always be roadblocks and risks. But we have to try and do what we think is best.

We are here for you!

Gosh,

I'm so glad to hear you were able to keep your secret!!!!!!

I plan on doing the same thing as I know people in my life (even work) will absolutely flip out! I would NEVER hear the end of it.

I am taking sick leave so I have to inform HR but they can't legally tell anyone.

I have 1 friend who went through it two years ago but she got the DS - so I will share my thoughts with her - as I'm keeping her secret as well.

Hi Stormgirl,

I was banded by Dr. Ortiz on 8/26/05.

I am 5'4" and on surgery day weighed around 183.5.  My BMI was almost 31, if I recall correctly.

The most I can tell you about the band is that everybody is different.

I have read on some of the boards that there are a few who never need or get a fill.  That seems to be pretty uncommon though.

You're not supposed to have carbonated drinks.  If you're really thinking you'll miss them, go look at all the flavored waters out there now that are sweetened with Splenda.  I thought I'd really miss soda, but I don't even think about it any more.

I eat really small bites and chew them up well.  I don't experiment with any new foods while out at a restaurant with other people, just in case it won't go down.  I have gotten the golf ball feeling and just excused myself to the Ladies room until the feeling passed.  Nobody has noticed anything about the way I eat.  I've come to the conclusion that people are MUCH more interested in what THEY are eating than in how you are eating.  And, if somebody comments, just tell them you're trying to take dainty bites and chew well in an effort to eat more slowly so that you'll feel full before you're too full.  It's not lying.  Also, if they notice you're not eating bread, pasta and rice, just tell them your knocking off the starchy, processed carbs because they're so bad for you.

If you find yourself in a pickle, like you need to PB or throw up, or something, in the middle of a social occassion, just excuse yourself and tell people you don't feel well.  There are lots of ways to navigate the social stuff.  And, if they're not close enough friends to be able to tell about the band, then you shouldn't worry too much about what they think about your eating habits.  So what if they think you've gotten a little strange with food?  When the weight comes off, they'll be begging you for your secret!

As for my success, here's my journey so far:

When filling out the paper work a month or two before surgery, I weighed in at 180.  By surgery day, I was 183.5.  I was supposed to have lost weight in the mean time.  Oops.  Just couldn't do it.  I spent the summer having this long goodbye to all the foods I loved.  The funny thing is, I can still eat those foods, just in smaller quantities. 

After I got banded, I was starving by week three.  I barely made it on full liquids through week four.  By the time I was allowed to eat solids I had absolutely zero restriction.  I went to Dr. Martinez for my first fill six or seven weeks after surgery.  He gave me 2.2cc.  Got no restriction from that.

I couldn't keep flying to TJ every two weeks (I live outside of Boston), so I found a fantastic bariatric practice who will do fills for Mexico patients.  She is in Manhattan every other Friday.  So, I've gone to her a few times.  Still no restriction.  I got so frtustrated that by early December (and having gained to 191 pounds) I went back on the Atkins diet to dim my appetite.  I got a fill in early December that finally had a little effect.  I went back on 2/3/06, weighed 175, for another fill, still could eat more than I should.  Went back again this past friday 2/17/06 and got some more.  FINALLY, I have restriction!!!  I am at 170.4 pounds and hoping this will last me for many many pounds.  If not, I'll go back and get some more.

So, I'm at around somewhere between 3.5cc and 3.7cc (sometimes up to .2cc can just sort of disappear).  I've been assured that the band can be over filled up to 5.0cc without any problem.

I suspect I needed so many fills because I started out at a weight that many have as a goal.  I got pretty frustrated there for a while, but figured this is a life long process that I bought into, so it wasn't going to happen overnight.  It's only been a few days, but I finally feel what everybody else posts about so often:  the golf ball feeling, the PB (yes, it finally happened to me), the feeling full for hours with no desire to nibble, etc.

I hope I haven't discouraged you with my slow progress.  I'm content with it, and I just wanted to let you know that, if starting out with a lower BMI means more fill, slower losing and more frustration, try to stick with it.  It really does start to work eventually.  If it does happen to you, you might think about going back to TJ for fills.  The Mex docs tend to be a little more aggressive with the amount of fill they will give at one time.  I have three little kids, so I just couldn't.  Plus, it's really important to have local after care lined up before you go.  Have you done that yet?  What part of the country do you live in?

Sorry this turned into War and Peace.  Hope it helped.

Good luck with your surgery.  Feel free to email me if you have any questions.  I don't check this board too often so email is more efficient.

LizzyD

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Hi, thanks for your story.

Question: if you were on liquids for the first 4 weeks ...how could you have not lost any weight during that time?

My story. I want the band badly. I'm going in for the first interview next Tuesday. My BMI is 37 which is low as well so I'm reading all I can about this process.

Thanks Bella!