Kate rules

My size 10 ultra comfy abercrombie and fitch jeans. That's a start. I'm about 20 pounds. away from that. My gorgeous evening gown I only wore once. Then size 8 bathing suit (bottom) and 14 for my luscious top. I'm about 40 pounds away from that.

Congrats! You said you still want your daddy? I'm the same too. I still call him daddy and love him to bits! Looks like it all came together for you.

I said 120-125 pounds because I would like to be around a 21-22 bmi (hence the screen name). realistically, I work in public safety where it isn't always necessarily good to be skin and bones. The size 10 jeans are goal #1 because I know that at 163 pounds (bmi of 29) I fit into them. That means I'm no longer obese. I want that by September 1. That's 16 pounds in 7 weeks from surgery. I think I can do that! Then I have to go shopping for cruise wear for my caribbean cruise (Disney!) this December. I want to be around a 6-8 at that time. I want to get a short dress to wear to the adult club on a night when my parents have the kids and have my hubby wondering how such a hot chick picked him for life. Mainly, if I can achieve and maintain a weight of no more than 140 pounds, I will be happy. If I go below, that's awesome but I am not going to beat myself up if I don't break 130. Oh, but if I break 130, guess what? I'm getting a bra line back lift. Yeah, that's right. I'M BRINGING SEXY BACK!

Couple of things from finally reading more of the threads: 1) I got my psych clearance 4 weeks ago and I am continuing to see him weekly and plan to continue after the surgery. I have found it very helpful in dealing with my unhealthy relationship with food. I am also dealing with the self-esteem issues that stem from before I ever was heavy. I got his name from an attorney who said he was reputable. 2) I have a ton of skinny clothes. My #1 goal is my size 10 abercrombie and fitch jeans - no stretch, no muffin top allowed. They are in my dresser drawer, next to my size 18 and 20 pants with the elastic waist bands.

Please add Kate to July 5.

I'm Kate, I live in Northern Virginia too (Hi Lisa). I'm 30 years old, married, 2 kids, and work in public safety. I'm using Bluepoint Surgical Group. My insurance is covering the procedure. My starting BMI at insurance submission (although they don't do pre-approvals for outpatient procedures) was 36.87 with a weight of 205. My current weight (OM Goodness!) is 179, BMI of roughly 32. I have Type 2 Diabetes that is a little better now that I've been losing weight but my fasting sugars are still too high. I've been living the past 4 weeks of my life like I already have the band, but it sucks big time without the help! I am starving all the time but have become accustomed to the smaller portions. I still drink with my meals - probably the biggest hurdle I will have to overcome. I don't have to do the pre-op diet because I have lost more than the 5-10 pounds recommended by my surgeon. I do have an all-clear liquid diet for the day before surgery. July 5, 12:15 PM is the start of a new phase of my life. I'm so excited. Like many of you, I have lost and gained back (more!) the same 10-20-30-40-50 pounds over the past 13 years. I have some beautiful, yes, sexy, sophisticated clothes I can't wait to model for my beloved husband. His birthday is September 27 and I intend to be in my size 14 cocktail dress and strappy heels. And I don't want to lay down on the bed to get it zipped. Good luck to all and thanks for being here. It is comforting to read your posts and know I'm not alone. Kate

Sounds like we may have some keepers!

You go girl. Have you read this hilarious thread in the forum called skinny b***h? I hoping to be called one by Christmas! Here's hoping for us all! Happy 40th and many happy returns. Just in case we lose touch before Jan!

It can be hard at times to stay positive, especially when there are so many emotional aspects to the journey we are sharing. Long before we decided to get banded we struggled with being overweight and the self-esteem issues that accompanied it. For me now, I have fears that I will fail at the lap band. BUT on the other hand, I'm so freakin stoked about getting banded I don't know what to do! I even have a countdown timer on my droid so I know how many days I have until my new start. I took my size 10 abercrombie & fitch jeans out of storage and put them in the bureau. I even tried them on and learned I have around 19 pounds to get them buttoned, 30 for no muffin top. I'm also going on a cruise in December and I mean to wear a bathing suit with pride. Ladies and gents, we are all on our way to achieving and maintaining our goals! 14 days, 12 hours, 45 mins until my new start! Go July bandsters! Ut

I'm a police officer so I work with a bunch of in-shape people. I have struggled with my weight and during our basic training I was verbally and physically abused because of my weight. I don't have the energy to work out right now because of "the backpack" that's my nickname for the extra 55 pounds (formerly 79 pounds) I carry everywhere. I have recent memories of being thin and energetic so I know what is waiting for me. I just can't drop 55 pounds. And, more importantly, I can't keep these 79 pounds off of me. I really worry about dying young because of all the health problems associated with obesity.

I'm not telling people at work because I work with some nasty, petty juvenile people. My family and friends know but they are all supportive.they also know when I make a decision that it is usually well thought out and that I didn't come to this one lightly. I've lost, according to the scale this morning, 24 pounds in 4 weeks so it will not be a shock when I continue to lose weight after the band is in. I won't deny it, but will be evasive. "Wow, that's a really personal question. I'm not sure if I should be flattered or insulted, so I will assume you are giving me a compliment." I think that should do it.

My lowest adult weight was 149 pounds. I can't quite capture how it felt - kind of like I had springs in my feet and I got hit with a shot of hotness. You guys know what I'm talking about. I had energy out the yin yang and it was a positive energy that attracted people in a different way. My face stopped being chubby and my reflection matched what I felt on inside. Then I got pregnant with second child. Haven't seen below 171 in 5 years. Have a ton of skinny clothes I plan to wear! Hubby won't know what to do with himself! But, I have def lost same 10-20-30-40-50 pounds over the last 13 years. But now I have a new motivation to lose and soon will have a new tool to help!

I started with bmi of 36 - gained 10 pounds to push me over threshold for insurance. Now at 32 bmi going into surgery on July 5. I don't think it is frivolous for me to do this. Other people who told me I don't really need this don't prick their fingers 2 times a day and take metformin along with its wonderful side effects. They also don't have a genetic disease that prediposes them to liver disease and possibly requiring a transplant. So, I'm doing this so I can live longer with a better quality of life. Quality of life also includes living without discrimination that overweight/obese people face. Sorry for rant.

July 5 for me at fair oaks hospital virginia. Dr moazzez. Starting weight: 205, current weight 181 (no clothes). Eating less, losing weight, can't wait for band to help me stop feeling so crummy and hungry. My plan is to be hungry for next 16 days and then applying current better eating habits to my new pouch. Have diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Need excess weight gone so I can live to see great grandchildren born.

Hey Stuntmonkey, it's me (gonnabehotagain), I forgot all my account credentials so I can't sign in as me. I work for a gov't agency downtown but I am not bcbs fep. I have bcbs ppo and I am blessed to have fantastic coverage. the ppo does not pre-approve outpatient procedures so no preapproval of lapband. I'm a little nervous that bcbs will end up denying my claim but the ins coordinator at bluepoint seems to think I'm in good shape. Went to Dr. Robert Pinnar's seminar, seemed really nice but I didn't like the huge program fee. My total out of pocket has been 385 dollars, incl 2 $10 copays. The nutritionist doesn't participate with any insurance so will try for reimbursement. My surgery is scheduled for July 5. I got fast tracked! On way to gonnabehotagain. Well, I will settle for healthy. Hot would be awesome!