Bodacious Barbie

Congrats, Good luck!

If I lost a pound for every negative comment I got about my weight, or lapband and the decision to get it, I'd be the same size as Halle berry. When the receptionist at the pulmonary office said she was gonna call me Queen cause I reminded her of Queen Lateefah, I wanted to smack her. No offense to Queen Lateefah, shes a nice looking woman, but being looked at as big momma, Mammy, and anything else matronly is not flattering. Even compliments are half hazard. I dont want to be seen as some sex object, I just dont want to be looked at in disgust when I eat, and void of any physical attraction. Sorry, I was venting. Your trainer is a jerk, you may need to get a new one. Being over weight builds a tough skin we are scrutinized so much, but it also makes you bitter. I dont want to be bitter. Do what you must to make yourself happy, and dont let anyone steal your sunshine.

Cograts! I'm so happy for you. Its been years since I've seen a size 16. Dudnt appreciate it the, but I sure will when I get there this time. You should be proud of yourself. Good job!

Got approval letter yesterday from insurance co. Pre-Opt exam and appointment to sign papers is scheduled for this Friday with Dr. Goldstein. I am so excited!!!!!! Is a June surgery date realistic, or do you think its more likely to be scheduled for July? No date is too soon as far as I'm concerned. I'm ready to get this show on the road. Started this process January 4, 2011, 6 months later I'm more than anxious. Jerseygirl is it true Goldstein only requires a 1 day liquid, and day of surgery fast? I'm 264 lbs. I'm a little nervous about only losing 4 of the recommended 10 lbs pre-surgery. Hope it is not a problem when I see him Friday. My goal weight is 135, but depending on how I look and what size clothes I wear, I can be happy at 150 lbs. I'm 5'8" and dont want to look like a bobble head.

I'm in South Jersey. Dr. Adam Goldstein is my surgeon.

I had a psych eval w/ a Dr. who just started doing virtual lap band (hypnosis to believe you've had LapBand through several sessions, causing you to eat like you have the actual band). She ask me would I consider it. My first response was "Yes," Who wouldnt prefer that to actual surgery. But because my insurance pays only for actual surgery, And I cannot afford the other my decision was for surgery. The pros: even more les evasive physically ( no surgery, fills, etc.), no scaring, less expensive. (Averages around $850). The cons: Its farely new in the US, so its not covered by insurance companies, weight loss is alot slower than actual surgery, and I personally have issues with someone messing with my head. Reminds me of the movie "Shallow Hal" LOL! I'm so silly. What are your thoughts on virtual lapband?

@Phranp I feel They are more open minded in LA about plastic surgery and anything to enhance your appearance. It's really great that you have so much support. @ CheckYes Though I'm strong willed and always do what's right for me no matter what they think, it's just hurts when the people who you love and support don't support you. Accept for my one cousin who supports me in everything I do. Thank God for her. I do these things to improve myself and my life, not to impress them, but nobody can tell me it doesn't feel better having the support of those closest to them. @Fran I have a diverse group of friends of all races in my real life, and have my entire life One of my best friends who I have the most in common with is Caucasian, so hope I didn't give off the wrong impression. I apologize if I generalized with my comments. I can't speak for all, just the A-As I know. I've always been my own biggest cheerleader, and I'll continue to be throughout this lapband process. Thanks all. Your opinions were all appreciated.

Don't think of yourself as an island...think of yourself as a trailblazer!!

Thanks all! I really need to, it would help me pay them no mind much easier if I did. I caught hell (scrutinized terribly) for having another baby, by my husband of 18 years nonetheless at 42 yrs old. Having babies over 40 is also non-typical occurence amongst my peers. Like you guys said I just gotta do whats right for me, to heck what they think.

I was one of the first people to join myspace years ago, and Facebook. For years my husband shunned social networking and now is a member of Facebook too and loves it. It just feels that whenever I do or decide to do something noone else I know has done, I am discouraged. i was one of the first to go to college in my family while being a single parent at the same time, the first in my age group to purchase a home, each time they didn't think I would do it, or that I could do it, so Its not surprising that getting banded would be any different. I just think sometimes It would be nice if I got support from my family and friends. Its always strangers that give me the support I need. Thank goodness for this site and other forums like bandsters blogs or I would get no positive feedback from others about getting banded. The African American community is a little hesitant on any surgery that isn't a life threatening emergency. But i'm a leader not a follower, so I'm sure if they see how successful it has been with me in the future, hopefully, maybe more will consider it. Because it is no secret that obesity and the illnesses caused in association with it are high within the African-American community. I just hate always feeling like an island in my real whenever I do something different. Does anyone else feel like alone regarding their lap band or decision to get it amongst their friends and family?

I regret telling my neighbor, my 18 yr old son, my husband and my mom. But, it really doesn't matter cause I would of had to tell my husband no matter what and my husband's gonna tell anyone who asks him how am I losing so much weight. Even if I tell him not to, he just can't keep his mouth shut about things like that, unless it was him. My mom was okay with the idea for a second til my 18 protested and talked to her. My husband says I can lose it exercising, yet he is 100 lbs overweight. After my mom tells everyone in my family, I'm sure I am really gonna regret telling her. Now she says I should just work out more and change my eating habits too, and not get the surgery. She is my worst critic though, and somehow deep down, I think she doesn't want me to be smaller than her. I've been bigger than her for years, and she rags on me all the time. Calls me big drawers, says my behind is huge, embarrasses me in front of people about my weight and brags about me being to big to fit her clothes. I'm African-American and this type of surgery (any kind of surgery that isn't needed out of emergency for that matter) is not looked upon favorably. I've even had my son, who is mixed say that is surgery white people get. Can you believe it. They see it like its some sort of plastic surgery.

Congratulations! Good luck to you. You sound so much like me, and I am sure alot of other people here Mindy. I wonder myself the same thing. I have to lose 9 lbs in 2 weeks and am trying to diet, but my husband keeps sabotaging my efforts. I really have to build up my will power. Even though I've discussed it with him, he constantly forgets and does thing like this morning brought in Krispy Creme Donuts a friend gave him on the midnight shift. They were the first thing I saw when I came down for Breakfast. I tried, but darn it they were Krispy Cremes. I don't even buy them, but I have never turned one down when someone offered them to me after tasting them for the first time. See behavior like that has to end now. Before surgery. I just finished up with my pre-surgery checklist and awaiting approval from my insurance company. So I have about a month or two to work on that before the shock to my body of the liquid diet portion.