kespy74

I want to do the Zombie 5K Run
I want to do the Disney 1/2 marathon
I want to do Zumba without every joint hurting and running out of breath
I want to look in the mirror and like what I see
I want to wear a bathing suit
I want to wear high heals again
Ths is just a few items on my list.

Congratulations and good luck!! I haven't started the referral and approval process with my insurance but I'm hoping it will be a smooth process.

You look wonderful! I hate having my picture taken and usually avoid it at all cost but I think i will take some pictures before I have my actual surgery so I can reflect in the changes as I go through my journey.

I wish you the best of luck and much success!! Way to go!!

Before and after pics are EXTREMELY helpful. When you start to feel down it shows us what we cannot see in the mirror. Don't let your hatred of cameras keep you from doing it. You will regret not taking them.

I was talking to my boyfriend about some of the people I've met on here, and being all the way on the other side of the world, I doubt it would ever happen, but in terms of people who have supported me, inspired me, challenged me and made me laugh, I have to say, given the chance, I'd love to meet some of my fellow bandsters like bayousgirl, Mystic Highwayman, carolinagirl, hazelbliss, bandedblake, Solacspree and some oldies like Jachut and elcee (who actually live near me lol), BigLou, maenchen and rolltide, though there are plenty more.
Some of the friendships I have made on here have been amazing, and online or not, they have been true friendships.
One day I hope to go to the beach with bayou, or see Vegas with Mystic, or go spend time on the farm with hazel or party with maenchen and rolltide, but until then, I hope they know that they continue to be some of my best support and great friends.

Not so glum chum! I think a majority of people who have gone through this process felt the same way. I know I did. You have chosen a GREAT time of your life to do this, I wish it would have been an option for me at your age - I would have gone for it in an instant. The time is right because:
Your weight hasn't begun affecting your health.
Your body can recover from damage that was done from carrying extra weight.
You'll feel better.
You'll look better.
Your self esteem will skyrocket.
You'll have greater career opportunities.
When it's time to become a mommy, your baby will be healthier.
You'll be able to enjoy theme park rides.
You'll want to do things you were afraid to do before.
You will be more confident.
You will inspire others.
You'll like buying clothes much more.
Your clothes will be cuter.
You will have a sense of accomplishment.
You will feel more in control of your eating.
You will be motivated to try other new things.
You'll get to know some awesome new people...like me!
Is that enough? If not, I have more...we can do this all day girlfriend.

I got it on my kindle and have just started to read it. I like how it is broken out by the different stages. Since I am just beginning, i am reading from the beginning. I am just trying to get as much information as possible so I can be well informed and be armed and ready when i go to my doctor and request the surgery. Good luck on your journey Fit!!

Hello we are neighbors I attend church in Fayetteville. Good luck and keep us posted. Are you excited?

One of the most important words in this journey for me was and still is Patience. It's not always going to be that you eat correctly, correct amounts, get some exercise, then jump on the scale and see 10 lbs per week/month disappear. It just didn't work that way for me. Its been 4 years this month for me.....and I STILL get frustrated when I don't see that scale move as fast as I want it to. But...it's going the right direction.
I was thinking just yesterday, as I was going to a run event....where would I be if I hadn't stuck with it....if I'd given up and said it won't work? Probably 350 lbs....or more! And it literally brought a tear to my eye, almost four years after surgery. I've never felt healthier in my life!
SO many people have been where you are right now...and have become VERY successful. You'll read on here from people who have lost tremendous amounts of weight....but most of those have probably had a time when we thought the same things you are saying right now. But one thing is for sure....if you have the desire and determination...you will be successful too! Just never, ever give up!

Well I used to say that I've tried everything to lose weight, now I have to retract that statement because I would never ever try that!! That be crazy!!

I hope not too, because that was what I was planning on doing once I got banded.

Ultimately, the decision is yours. You pay her salary, explain why you want to procedure and if she isn't on board find someone who is. You qualify for the surgery and with your BMI and comorbids your insurance will likely not deny it. I would go to the seminar first, then go to your PCP with your new found knowledge and literature on the procedure. Again, if she won't recommend it, go to a doctor who is pro-band. This forum is huge and I've heard of a few physicians who have been banded. You just might run into someone at the seminar that can refer you to a new PCP if that's what you have to do.
I am so glad I had this done! It has made a huge difference in my life after such a short period of time. I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes and Severe Obstructive sleep Apnea this year and both of those conditions have improved tremendously since I've been banded. Not only that, my blood pressure is a textbook 120/80 and I can't say enough about the confidence I have, the compliments I get and the heads that I am starting to turn. You've done enough research to know that this is something you can do to change your life for the better, now go for it and don't let anyone stand in your way.
Good luck and stay in touch!

I don't know how to talk to my doctor about needing the lap band. When I initially started to think about doing the lap band in October 2011, I let my doctor know but she was kind of dismissive because she didn't really know the process and at that time I wasn't ready either. Now I am, and it is something I really need to get done. Yes I want to lose weight to look better, but I want to feel better mostly. I want to sleep better, breathe easier, and not be in pain all the time. I go to the seminar on the 21st but I'm not sure if I need to make an appointment with my doctor first and then go to the seminar or go to the seminar and then make an appointment with my doctor. My husband is Active Duty Army, and I have Tricare Prime (remote) since we are not close to a post. Fort Benning is the closest and it is an hour and a half away. I have already been diagnosed with sleep apnea and try to use a CPAP, I have asthma that isn't managed well with medication, and severe joint pain. My BMI is 41.1. Any advice would be helpful to talk to my doctor and help her understand the process.
Thanks

It was May 27 th of this year when I decided "enough is enough". I weighed in that day at 475 pounds and vowed I was done doing this to myself and my family.
Forward 10 weeks to this morning when my scale told me in that computerized voice (yes, it talks) -"399.8 pounds". There was something about hearing the number start with "3" instead of "4" that almost made me cry. Then I remembered I was a 42 year old man and not a 14 year old girl!
When my weight is on the way down, it fluctuates 2-3 pounds a day, so I may see a "4" tomorrow, but just seeing that "3" made the surgery and everything that's gone with it seem ok.
Everyone on here has been so helpful and I hope to pay-it-forward. Thanks to everyone.

Alright, I admit I am not know for being the most mild mannered person. I have a bit of a temper but have always taken steps to ensure my temper remains in control (breathe in, breathe out). I do not normally lose the plot. Then there was the incident today....
I went into the office today (been working from home for the last two weeks). Three of the women I work with stopped by my office together to tell me how great I was looking. Was enjoying the ego stroking immensely!!! I have been very open about the fact that I have had band surgery. No reason to hide it. While we were chatting another female colleague walked in.... lets give her a name to protect her privacy... Broomhilda.
Broomhilda ( the _itch that she is) listened to the gals feed my ego a bit and then decided to give her unsolicited two cents worth. And I quote "Amber I can see you lost some weight. You were so huge before. I mean it was time that you did something about it right? I just would have expected you to have lost more by now. I mean bigger people are supposed to lose weight faster right? What exactly are you eating? Are you getting out from behind your desk at all? You know diet only wont move those pounds. You have to exercise to. I don't understand why it took you so long to do something about it. I have been tempted to say something to you about your weight for awhile. I guess even a little weight loss is better than nothing right?"
The other 3 gals got quiet and waited..... The old self conscious me with the dented self esteem might have nodded and smiled and ignored her. Possibly taken her to the side later to tell her she hurt my feelers. The new me..... not so much. Watch out world the Amazon princess is in the house. If she felt it was okay to be rude to me in front of others why should I be the one to restrain myself?
My response:
"Broomhilda I appreciate your candour. Your right I am overweight and am taking steps to ensure that I healthier and happier. Since we are being honest here I just wanted to mention that no one has ever been so rude as to approach me in the way that you have and give such demeaning feedback. Did you have a horrible childhood? Was your dog run over on your way to work today? Honestly the only reason I am asking is that I am trying to come up with a reason as to why someone feels the need to make others feel bad in order to feel better about themselves. Did your parents teach you manners and you just chose to ignore them or were you raised by wolves? Yes I am fat and in time I will lose the weight while my friends support and encourage me. You on the other hand have allot to learn and I only hope that people choose not to be as honest with you about your faults as you are with them. Now get the hell out of my office I want to have a donut!!" (I of course did not have a donut was just pissed off) Needless to say she scurried out of my office. One of the three gals that were still there just looked at me and said good on you!!
What did I learn from this?
1. My anger management skills suck
2. I am no longer willing to allow others to demean me simply because I am fat
3. True friends will encourage and call you out when your getting off base - the secret is understanding true friends will do it out of a place of love whereas _itches are doing it for their own benefit
4. I have value and worth regardless of whether I am fat or thin. Allowing someone to take potshots in order to avoid conflict does not help the situation. It simply makes them feel that their comments are acceptable.
5. Maybe I am a bit of a _itch myself
I saw her in the car park as I was leaving. I did not run her over. All of you are my witnesses/alibi. If anyone asks I was writing this post. The red stains and bad blonde hair dye on my bumper are from a poor unfortunate cat........ Lets stick to the story people.
Thanks for letting me vent.

Hi I am also tricare prime. I am 44 and have a bmi of 36'. It went very quick. I saw my pcp in May he put paper work in for a surgeon. Had my appointment June 26. He waited 3 weeks before he submitted his paper work. It came back approved in 3 days. Then I had to eight for the nutritionist and psych evail. Finished them on August 12 had my date by the 16th. I live near fort hood so the nutritionist there spotted it up by doing one on one. Push the fact you need for medical reasons. It made them move faster as opposed to I just want to lose the weight. I am diabetic out of control sugar, high blood pressure and had a stroke. Praying for you... good luck!

I have 9 tattoos. I got my first when I was 27 and I am now 39. I wanted one ever since I was in basic training for the army but decided I would wait to make sure I still wanted one. After 10 years, I still wanted one and my first was a butterfly on my calf. I also have a butterfly on my foot, on my ankle, lower back, wrist and back of my neck. I love butterflys. They symbolize change and beauty to me. I also have scooby doo on my right sholder. Scooby doo was one of the first cartoons I watched when I came to the United States from Honduras. I also have an armband of Mayan hierglyphs to signify my heritage and my kids names as a Bracelet on my wrist. I want to get my dog's paw print on the inside of my forearm next and butterflies fluttering on my side once I reach my goal weight.

My husband has been having more fun on me since my lapband, than he has been having on the patio. Just saying...

Hello everyone. I actually joined in October 2011 because I was considering the lap band then, but I didn't feel ready to take that first step then and wanted to try to lose the weight any other way than surgery. Well, nearly two years later, and I am back because I have come to the realization that I need some help. Here is a little information about me. I am 39 years old and am 5' 2" and currently weigh 225 pounds. My BMI is 41.5. I'm scheduled to go to the seminar on the 21st of September in Fayetteville, GA. I have Tricare Prime and I am hoping I can get banded by the end of the year. I have already been diagnosed with Obstructive sleep Apnea, and use the CPAP (not successfully either), I have Asthma and medication has not be effective in controlling it. I also have severe joint pain. This year alone, I've tried weight watchers (only lost about 10 pounds in 8 months), I go to Zumba, I walk, I stopped drinking soda for a long period of time, and none of it really worked. I am ready now because I need the help because nothing else is working for me. I am fotunate because my husband is very supportive and so are my kids. I'm nervous and excited all at the same time. I hope my insurance will approve it and I can start my journey soon.
I would love to meet new friends on this journey and hear from anyone that can give me advice, support, and just a shoulder to lean on when I need it. If anyone is in the Peachtree City/Newnan/Fayettevill Georgia area, let me know.
Thanks

Welcome aboard. We are one big community who like to share thoughts, get q's answered and live the lifestyle with one another. Just drop us a line if you have q's, need advice/support or just want to give us an update!

You can do this! You are in the right place, just like you we have all been in your shoes, with no where else to turn, with hopes and dreams of a better life. Ask as many questions as you can and take all experiences in. Many of us have blogs...READ them!!
Good luck =)

Hello...are we separated at birth? The things you are experiencing are similar to mine, I was also diagnosed with Type II Diabetes in February. I'm happy to say that the band is a dream come true for me and has eleviated all of my comorbids - I no longer need any medications, no longer need my CPAP and I feel like I did in my 20's again.
Good luck on your journey, you're doing the right thing and you'll be a new person a year from now. It only took a couple of months for me...I hope your results are similar or better than mine.

Hello everyone. I actually joined in October 2011 because I was considering the lap band then, but I didn't feel ready to take that first step then and wanted to try to lose the weight any other way than surgery. Well, nearly two years later, and I am back because I have come to the realization that I need some help. Here is a little information about me. I am 39 years old and am 5' 2" and currently weigh 225 pounds. My BMI is 41.5. I'm scheduled to go to the seminar on the 21st of September in Fayetteville, GA. I have Tricare Prime and I am hoping I can get banded by the end of the year. I have already been diagnosed with Obstructive sleep Apnea, and use the CPAP (not successfully either), I have Asthma and medication has not be effective in controlling it. I also have severe joint pain. This year alone, I've tried weight watchers (only lost about 10 pounds in 8 months), I go to Zumba, I walk, I stopped drinking soda for a long period of time, and none of it really worked. I am ready now because I need the help because nothing else is working for me. I am fotunate because my husband is very supportive and so are my kids. I'm nervous and excited all at the same time. I hope my insurance will approve it and I can start my journey soon.
I would love to meet new friends on this journey and hear from anyone that can give me advice, support, and just a shoulder to lean on when I need it. If anyone is in the Peachtree City/Newnan/Fayettevill Georgia area, let me know.
Thanks

This is my last pre-op post. (well. Prob not !). I am on my way to surgical suites to be banded in one hour twenty minutes. The nerves have set in. Tears have started .... It's all good. Just nervous. Will be over soon. ( sooner if I could SMOKE!!! And have a DIET DEW.). But those are of the past.