Crystal927

Today my team at work went out for lunch. There was seven of us and one Minivan (that seated seven). Pre band I would have to ride shotgun.
Today, I climbed all the way to the very back seat. Yep I was one of the three in the back. I fit! I was so pleased that I rode back there both ways.
I love a good NSV!

Well I think I've just had the most mind blowing NSV yet (and I've had a lot of them!)
When I started this journey a year ago, I wore a size 46. I had to special order all my clothes online because I couldn't find clothes big enough to fit me in stores, not even the plus size stores. I gave up wearing blue jeans decades ago.
Today, for the first time in 20 years, I am wearing size 18 jeans.
I SO love my band!!!
(below is my happy dance!)

I have a 14cc band and yesterday I received a 2cc fill which brought me up to 8ccs. For the first time, even after loosing 72 pounds, I am finally feeling restriction!!!!
I LOVE the feeling and while I kept myself in check (and still will), I'm finally getting the feeling I've only read or heard about. I'm excited about my future success and getting to where I want to be on this journey!!

Hi guys! I'm on Day 11 of a 15-day pre-op and I'm down 28 pounds - 6 before the start of the diet and 22 on the diet. I've exceeded my own expectations. Just realized today that I got my BMI down under 50, so now I'm "only" morbidly obese, not SUPER morbidly obese - LOL. I'm at 306 this morning and hoping, praying, to get to "twoderland" before surgery day, next Wednesday. I think I can, I think I can!

I still don't have a date yet, but I'm already trying to get in that prep mode. Since I saw the nutritionist, I've been following her guidelines. I've cut out carbonated drinks, cut WAY down on caffeine (I'm a major tea drinker), cut out all sugar and food high in fat, getting 60 grams of Protein and faithfully been drinking 8 cups of Water a day. I've also started using My Fitness Pal to track my food diary. I've decided on a 1200 Cal intake. This morning after one week of this new behavior, I'm down 5 pounds! Granted, the weight loss is always greatest in the beginning of any diet, but 5 pounds is 5 pounds. My surgeon does not REQUIRE any pre-op diet, but I thought this might make the transition to post band eating easier.
BTW I passed my cardiac stress test yesterday! Last hurdle.....insurance approval.

New Years day! Snowshoe! Not very far (snow shoeing is twice as hard as hiking!) but it's a start, plus it was gorgeous! 3.28 miles!

You look great!!!!!! Keep up the hard work!

What has impressed me about this group so far, is that we all have a strong desire to feel healthy, not just look good. Kudos to you all!

What a joy to read everyone's story........nice to know I am not alone. I have had a weight problem all my life and am just so tired of being overweight! I decided to do LBS in July when a coworker who was getting gastric bypass told me our insurance covers it.....well here I am......I really did some soul searching and knew this was the help I needed. I am so thankful for this site and all the support that comes with it!

You look awesome. I hope I have this much success in 10 months. I know, I know, everyone is different, but I can hope and want, right?
Great work.

It really is hard work... People non WL people don't get it!!

2/14 here! Really anxious just hoping all the pre op tests come back clear and then also worried about surgery, I have anxiety so of course I'm worrying about a million things ( will my bp be too high to where they won't operate/will I be allergic to the drugs/will they do the wrong procedure on accident) just stupid things due to my anxiety. I keep telling myself that I'm not being forced to do it and its something I really, really want so surgery is worth it. Hope I'm not the only one feeling this way...

Hey! Now that I figured out how to "join the group" I'm posting my reply I was perplexed when it told me that I cannot reply to this topic.
Anyways, I'm Crystal from Alabama. Unlike many of you, I don't have a date yet for my surgery, I have to attend a BEGIN class next Tuesday and then they will call and schedule my surgery. I received insurance approval last week after doing a 6 month doc supervised diet. I really can't wait to have this journey even more underway!! Like Felecia, I struggled with the decisions to do WLS. Not sure why you struggled but for me, I was one of those people who felt like I'd be taking the "easy way out" I never thought of it as a tool that helps you along in the journey that you are indeed still the one making the food choices and exercise choices. So back in 2010 I gave this weight loss thing my very best effort...I worked out at Curves, did Zumba 2 times a week, got into fitness bootcamp, did >10 5k's and trained for and finished a half marathon. At my peak, I was working out 4 hours a day and working a fulltime job. It was an incredible year and I learned SO much about myself. I am strong and determined. When I crossed the finish line of that half marathon, it was one of the best days of my life because I had completed something that no one else ever expected me to, but worse than that, I never expected or believed that I could but I did. With God all things are possible! Over that year I lost a little more than 70 lbs. I absolutely breaks my heart to admit that in the last two years since then I have put most of that back on. Its just not realistic for me to live that like that year every year...I mean 4 hours a day? So the last two years I've thought and prayed over this WLS topic and I've done my share of studying and reading up on it. I think I'm pretty well educated in what's about to take place in my life so hopefully there won't be many surprises. I've found Protein Shakes that I like, I've been taking chewable vitamins for about 6 months now, I had my last carbonated beverage May 28...and I'm trying to make conscious efforts to not drink with meals and to take smaller bites and chew alot. I really just can't wait to get back into a routine and see some positive results...I look forward to watching everyone's journey and enjoying encouraging each other along the way! I'm ready to start making myself a "rewards" list for certain milestones along the way and achieving them one by one on the way to the life I've always wanted! Good Luck to all!!

I just wanted to share my 10 month progress.. I have ways to go but happy with where am i now. Its not easy especially the last few months staying about the same but I'm back on track now...

Sara, trust your doc Come check out our Feb Bandsters group http://www.lapbandtalk.com/groups/show/124-february-2013-bandsters/

I finally got a date. Was hoping for Jan, but it's February 6th. Nervousness set in now that I have a date.

I cant believe its tomorrow! Feeling a bit nervous and excited and scared.. If that makes sense?
24 hours ill be banded! Holy cow!

Kate, I guess I have the same concerns as a lot of people. "I've failed in the past. Can I do it with the lb?" While a part of me is very certain I can do it, there's also, a little part of me that's worried. But like Cynthia, this is about getting well for me. I have diabetes, sleep apnea, a low thyroid, etc. I'm exhausted all the time. And, I just don't feel good... I know that losing weight will help me to feel better physically, as well as give me a boost emotionally. For the first time in many years, I'm certain that a very positive change is coming. I'm glad to have others that are going through the same journey!

Welcome Susan!!! I know you are looking forward to getting your date in hand and starting the official countdown! I know I can't wait!! I, like you, two years ago shed about 70 lbs and have since put them back on, looking forward to the help the band gives!! Also, I haven't told many people, admittedly I have shared with a few more than you, but I'm single so my family knows and my most treasured and trusted friends. I was very choosy in who I told because I wanted support not judgement I have also had to rely on my faith through this because this wasn't an easy decision for me to make, I actually was kicking and screaming through it all lol but I feel like this is where the Lord has led me and I have that amazing peace that passeth all understanding about this procedure. Thats not to say that I won't be anxious as the time approaches..cause I know I probably will be freaking out (I've never had ANYthing done, so this is all uncharted territory for me!) I'm not afraid, I have no phobias or anything, I just really expect to be super nervous going under. Best wishes to you on your stress test today!

Hi all, I'm Susan from NJ. I'm a retired RN, married and a recent empty nester (3 children). I've done all the preliminary testing, with the exception of a cardiac stress test, which I'm having today. My surgeon required cardiac clearance as well as general medical clearance, because of my age (59). I don't expect any issues with the stress test. Tomorrow I have my final meeting with the surgeon and hope to get a date, at least a tentative one, since my insurance approval has not yet come through, but I don't anticipate trouble there either. I have hypertension, high cholesterol as well as major knee arthritis. I've already had one knee replaced.
I was scheduled to have the other knee done this past November and I came to my senses and cancelled it. I just couldn't do that again with all this weight. I was 80 pounds lighter when I had the first one replace three years ago. I had been on a medically supervised, very low calorie diet for 6 months prior to that and had lost 80 pounds. Three years later, I'm right back to the same weight. A week before that second knee date, I had an epiphany! I was approaching this all wrong and decided that the drastic knee replacement needed to be replaced by bariatric surgery.
Thus my journey into Lapband world started. My goal is to lose 110 pounds, get my blood pressure and cholesterol levels down to normal without medication and avoid having that second knee replaced. My husband is very supportive of my efforts. I've told no one else but my best friend, who is also extremely supportive. My main source of strength is faith in my Lord and Savior. Any other help I need will have to come from my fellow bandsters. I'm so grateful you are here. We're in this for the long haul.
Thanks for listening.

Great!!! And only a 3 day liquid diet - lucky you I have a 10 day pre op diet...its all good tho! Oh I so hope I have a date after my class Tuesday

You guys are inspriring me!! I think I will go home from work and have a Protein shake! I had a Soup and a small wrap for lunch and an egg this morning. I guess I will slowly work into all Protein Shakes before surgery. I am SO EXCITED - next Fri cannot come soon enough. I can't wait to get back and tell you all how it went!

I did luck out with only a 3 day diet. My dr said he doesn't do the 10 day diet anymore which is fine with me. I heard its one of the worst parts. I'm glad it's only 3 days. Now I just have to run everything with my boss and schedule my testing and surgery. Can't believe it's so close!!!

I found a fiesta nacho cheese Soup from campbells in my cabinet. I might try mixing it and cream of broccoli together, may get dangerous and add some cream of chicken to it and see what happens.
You never know we may come up with some new recipes for post-op diets and make a cook book. haha