Peaches78

Welcome Corey! I think we can all sympathize with you..... at least I know I can!! I had a similar moment with a picture of me and my kids I had developed around Christmas I was like who is that fat person with my kids! I agree with you, no need to be a 'hot mom' or anything, I would just be happy to just not be "big", be able to shop in a regular department store and not embarrass my kids as they grow up (my daughter is 13, my son is 6) amongst other things. Good luck to you... this is a great forum and lots of support. I started my pre-op diet today (all liquids) in preparation for surgery on the 26th... so far so good, I don't feel hungry and the shakes are decent too. Keep us updated and keep up the great work Faith

Brenda, Here's to an easy surgery and a speedy recovery. Let us know how everything went and how you are doing! Faith

Congrats Jess!!! I'm scheduled on the 26th! Keep in touch

I just learned that some people, who live near Massachusetts, call people from Massachusetts "Massholes". I laughed out loud when I read that. What a funny play on a state name, lol. Yes they do They call them that because they drive bad!! Especially in the city......everytime I have to drive into the corporate office in Boston I am a wreck because the driving is so bad. People also call it "taxachusetts" because of the high state tax.... that I can agree with as well, I don't like in MA anymore but I did and because I work there I still pay the tax It is funny though.... people around here call New Hampshire "Cow hampshire" because it is much more like the country..... lots of cows LOL! There are a few farms on my way home AND there is a horse farm at the end of the road I live on (its a dead end road).

Well lets see...... I am 32 (will be 33 this week!) and I have 2 children (Kristen, 13 and Wesley, 6) and a husband. We also have a dog, she's a retired racing dog we adopted (greyhound) named Blastoff, she's brindle colored and beautiful.... and very spoiled now! I have always been a "New Englander". We bought a house in New Hampshire were we have lived for the past 7+ years but I have also lived in Massachusetts and Vermont while growing up. I work for Cabot Corporation (not the cheese or paint company ) its a chemical company actually which makes Carbon Black amongst other materials but this is the core product which is used in tires, electrical conduets, ink pigments, etc. I have been there for just over 10 years and work within the Human Resources function but specifically I manage the health and welfare benefits for all of our US employees. I have to travel often and like you Woodslass I dread getting on the plane and having to ask for that seatbelt extender! I would love to not have to shop at a Lane Bryant or Fashion Bug but instead be able to just pick something up at a "normal" department store like JC Penny or Macy's. I'd also love to be able to cross my legs. It seems silly but I can't remember every being able to do it (since I was old enough to want to or care about those types of things). Also, my husband is totally thin which is depressing sometimes and I always feel so huge next to him. My major motivation is for my family in general.... I want to be around for them for a long time and if I don't get control of my weight then I'm certain I won't be. My whole family is big and many of them have really bad health problems because of it. Many of my aunt's and uncle's have had gastric bypass surgery but only 2 are relatively thin still. I didn't like the idea of cutting out and re-routing peices of me so when my doctor suggested I look into the Lap-Band I was eager to. I love the idea that its still me doing everything but that I just have a constand "little helper" with me to remind me when to stop etc. This will be a big accomplishment for me. I reached my highest weight ever in December last year and decided that it was now or never so I went to a seminar in January and haven't looked back! Next Monday I start my pre-op diet and will be only 22 days from surgery and a new beginning and a new me I'm looking forward to this journey and am very thankful that I found this site and people who are going through the same things I am and can help keep me motivated, answer questions and provide support when I need it! Good luck to everyone! Faith

Hi Spot That really sux about the cookies. I would have been pissed too! Well I hope it was a lesson learned for your husband and that all was ok from then on. I told my husband... NO MORE KLONDIKE BARS IN THE HOUSE because its the one ice cream/chocolate snack we used to have and I don't want to be tempted so hopefully he knows I mean business

I have to do 3 weeks of liquids. They have me taking opti-fast during that time to shrink my liver. You are right, I'm not sure I'd be able to stick with it if it weren't for the fact that I could cause myself pain if I don't..... its good incentive! I will find out on Thursday 3/31 (the day after my birthday!) how many shakes per day, etc. when I meet with the nutritionist. Then I start my pre-op diet on either monday 4/4 ir tuesday 4/5...... I'm so excited I'm not nervous about the surgery, I've had 2 c-sections and my tonsils/adnoids removed so that doesn't bother me. I'm a little worried about the pre-op diet and have already told my hubby that I'm gonna need lots of help! Everyone is VERY supportive though so I'm confident I will be ok. Good luck to everyone.... lets stay in touch and see how we are doing April 26th can't come fast enough for me!!!!!!!!!!! Faith

Good luck to everyone! I will be starting my liquid pre-op diet on 4/5 (3 weeks before surgery) and my surgery is on 4/26..... I can't wait. I'm a little nervous about the shakes (I have to use Optifast.... for liver reduction) but its only 3 weeks of my life, I've had to do less pleasant things before There is a good tip about SF Syrups to add to your shakes if you can to make it a little different. Also, my doctor told me that if I want to add coffee to my shake in the a.m. (vanilla) to make it more of a mocha coffee or add some vanilla extract, etc that would be ok as well. Its great to have this thread to keep in touch with all of the April bandsters and check in! Again, good luck to all and let us know how you make out with your banding. Faith

Congrats Pam!!

UPDATE: Got my surgery date yesterday..... April 26th! I'm so excited!

My banding is scheduled for April 26th The only thing I'm worried about is that I have to do the liquids for 3 weeks prior to surgery... I hope I don't feel hungry because that will seem like a long time to me.... my husband and a few of my trusted co-workers are on-board with helping me though. Between them and you guys here I think I will have enough motivation and support to stick to it Lets definetly all stay in touch and keep each other motivated Good luck to everyone being banded in April! Faith

I'm scheduled for April 26th! I start my pre-op liquids on April 5th...... I am very excited for the time to come

There is a forum on this site for people who have 200 lbs or more to loose..... My surgeons office has a weight limit of 475lbs but that is only because of a peice of equipment that they use that has that same weight limit just in case they need to use it otherwise they would still operate. Also, if someone is over that weight they will work with the person to get down to the max weight before surgery and then do the surgery. I think you will be ok. I wondered myself, I have about 158lbs to loose and was worried that I might be "too big" to have the surgery but turns out that I'm not Good luck to you!

Welcome! You were right to come here.... there are so many great people and really great advise and experiences shared! I am getting banded soon as well. I have my appointment with the surgeon tomorrow to find out when Good luck in your journey to a new you.

I was worrying about this as well.... I see a lot of people who have 80 or 100 lbs to loose and I wondered if I can do it. I have just under 160 lbs to loose to reach a good BMI weight for my height! Thank you so much for posting this, it has been great to read that other people have had this much and even more to loose. We all can do it, I'm not going to worry now. I haven't been banded yet but I see my surgeon next Friday to schedule my surgery date (YIPEE) so I'm very excited about that. I've read that if you do small things to alter your portions and diet prior to the surgery it makes things a little easier to I'm starting now to try and shape my new diet. Thank you again, this site has been so inspiring and informationational. I too live in the middle of nowhere and don't have an opportunity to attend a face-to-face meeting so this is my "meeting" when I need help or information. Faith

I meet with the surgeon next friday 3/11 and will find out my surgery date.... I'm hoping either late March or early April!!! I can't wait to find out..... I am counting down the days Faith

Hi Wendy, Thats so good to know, I am a side and/or belly sleeper. I am not too worried about the surgery part, I have had c-sections with both of my kids and that was very uncomfortable so although I know there will be discomfort I'm not going to dwell on it. Someone else in this forum mentioned using the "belly band" from being pregnant and I think I am going to do that.... it sounds really funny but it was very helpful when I was recovering from having my kids. I've heard that there is a lot of gas for some people I'm going to get gasx strips for afterward just in case. No surgery scheduled yet but on the 11th I will have my appointment w/ the surgeon and will schedule my surgery date then so I'll definetly keep you posted So have you been feeling hungry since being on the liquid/mushy diet part? I'd be interested in seeing how that has been. Has your gas pain subsided yet? I hope that you are feeling well! Thank you so much for the support. Faith

Hi Jessi, On the 11th I have my final meeting with the surgeon and they will schedule my surgery date. I'm glad you are doing well but I can understand the TV Commerical thing as strange as that sounds I have already started trying to eat more Protein and cut down on my portions. Its weird but I think my body is ready to be lighter too because I have not been having too many issues with the changes I've made which is amazing! I'm was hoping that doing this now would help me to prepare and it sounds like I'm on the right track..... My husband and I have decided to get a treadmill too since my schedule is very hectic and where we live is not really good for walking outdoors especially during the winter and spring (which I like to call mud season). That stinks that that you had to go back to protein shakes but at least you found one that you like and it will only be a few more days. I read someones story on lapband.com and they had a good motto I liked.... they said "nothing tastes as good as being skinny feels". That kind of resinated with me and its so true. Thank you so much for sharing. I really appreciate all of the information, I will keep you posted! Faith

Hi I'm fairly new to the site and have an appointment with Dr. Dupuis on 3/11 .... final step in the process and will get my surgery date then, I'm hoping to have it done by late March or early April! I was so excited to find this forum. I'd welcome any feedback on the surgery, post op, and my doctor Congrats to all who have been banded I hope everyone is doing well!

I haven't been banded yet but from what I've read on this site you are not alone! People "fall off the wagon" but the band is still there for you, just pick yourself up, dust yourself off and get back on that wagon...... YOU CAN DO IT! I plan to come to this site for a lot of support both pre and post surgery and from what I've read from all of the posts on this site...... there are many people to help support you! Even if its just reading what others have written, it can be very helfpul. Another site I've found that will be helpful to track my progress is www.lapband.com. I've registered there as well! They say its good to create small short term goals so that you can have something attainable to keep you going and it will build self-confidence too (which I definetly need!). Congratuations on your choice to start over... you are making the right choice and its great that you have a husband that is understanding and supportive My best wishes to you for success! Faith

Congrats... best of luck to you! Keep us posted after you are back at home

Hi, Congrats on your decision... I have made the dicision to get banded as well. I am at 288 and am tired of having all of this fat on me!! I have done a LOT of research on this and have come to the conclusion that this is the tool for me. I have an appointment with the surgeon on 3/11 and can't wait to find out when my surgery date will be. I'm thinking it will be either late March or early April and am very excited and a little scared. My family and friends have been very supportive, I don't think that I could do this without them. Good luck again..... this is a great forum with a lot of support. Keep us updated on your progress. Faith

Thanks Wendy! Its good to know that I won't really be "starving" during those few weeks. Although you're right I'm sure it will get old once the date starts getting closer. I just met with the dietician and health counselor today and have my appointment with the surgeon on 3/11..... I am so very excited! I hope your banding went well! Let me know how you are doing... maybe we can stay in touch My email is fkreisz@gmail.com Thanks again Faith

Congratulations! In less than 2 months you are going to be on your way to a new you. If you think this is the right thing for you then you should do it... I say you should listen to your 'gut' and not what anyone else who thinks they know what is best for you says... that's my 2cents Just because you were big at birth doesn't mean you are destined to be forever so go for it!!!! Best of luck to you.... I hope you have great success

Agreed! I work in benefits and to be clear the surgery itself is not "covered" from a medical perspective under FMLA however, the time off from work (job protected) due to the surgery is covered and in most cases after a 5 day waiting period (+/- depends on company policy) the person would be covered under STD as well most likely. There were some good posts with regard to what FMLA is and is used for here but I would caution anyone to look up the Act on the DOL website (any company with 50 or more employee is required to comply) and also check with their HR and/or Benefits departments. Also, not all companies require you to use personal/vacation time first but some do that is why its very important to check! I know I will be having my FMLA paperwork filled out by my physician very shortly