Baltimore2012

ok, so you faced that dreaded number.

when i first joined this forum, i didnt tell anyone what i weighed for nearly 3 months.....i was ashamed.

but its a number. so what

we gotta start somewhere right.

race is on......ok, i cant walk far/fast but i am def

bringing up the rear

I'm that way right now... just recently joined the site and am having the surgery soon... But i can't bring myself to put the number up there... I even went as far as to change my "nickname" on here just in case my nosy friends google my usual ID because I didn't want them to see all this personal stuff about me. This forum is public so it wouldn't be hard to find someone's private info... and my weight and lapband surgery is very personal to me and most people, i'm sure!

BUT -- I figure once i've had the surgery and see some success, I'll post it then because it'll be a number i'll never have to face again.

The people on this site are so supportive. This truly has been a blessing for me to find because i don't know a single person in my personal life who has had the surgery... So this is a place i can ask questions, vent, and learn without feeling embarrassed or ashamed. We are all here for the same purpose... It's nice!

I'm scared too... My doctor gave me literature that said this surgery is less dangerous than having the gallbladder removed and they remove those things all day long.

I bet your fear sparks more from the life after surgery... not the surgery! No matter how ready you are, it's scary! I've been fat my whole life... literally a fat baby, fat kid, fat adult, fat, fat, fat... so the thought of being thinner is total craziness to me... Completely different from everything i've ever known.

But imagine how wonderful you're going to feel and look and how much happier you'll be. You're going to rock this surgery and look back and laugh!

Best wishes to you! I have my surgery on Nov 6th...

Carrie

Congrats on your progress!!! 100lbs... WOW! You look amazing and I bet you feel so good!!

I am a cash patient so this process has been so much easier than what most have to deal with. I scheduled my surgery this morning for November 6th. Nervous, excited, scared, READY! I still have a few appointments still before it's "go" time... but at least I have the surgery scheduled!

I love this website and the people... It's helped me to be so much more informed that I had expected. I am glad that I found it.

Best wishes to everyone on their own journey whether it be just starting or long term success!

Carrie

Today is my first day of the shakes. The chocolate was awesome! Kept me full for 4-5 hours. The strawberry which I am having now kinda stinks. I don't like it. I can't wait to See how much weight I will lose! Anyone else starting pre op?

What brand are you using?

I'm in Cedar Park...However, I am not going through True Results. I have my 2nd appointment tomorrow. Tenatively scheduling surgery early November. I am a cash patient so I don't have all the roadblocks that insurance provides. Good luck to you! Would love to follow your progress!!!

This post gives me the biggest hope of all! My biggest question has been long term success! Congrats on your weightloss and for keeping it off for so long! I haven't been banded yet... I am looking at early November. This is the whole reason I wanted to be banded. I have been successful in losing weight on my own in the past, just never able to keep it off. I am so glad I read this post! Thanks!

Congrats! I'm not banded yet... so this is an inspiration. Great news for you!

CONGRATS!!! Way to go!!!

Petrified! My doctor gave me paperwork that said this surgery is less dangerous than having your gallbladder out! So that's promising! I more scared of after the surgery! Just learning what i can and can't eat, pain, just the unknown! Post-op diet...too! I think the surgery will be the easy part.

Green zone is that wonderful place where your band is neither too tight or too loose but just right! It can be hard to achieve but you know when you are there- you can go 3-4 hours without hunger or even thinking of food. You can keep down solid protein- meat- & veggies without vomiting or sliming or pain. 1 cup of food is satisfying- I am NOT saying "stuffed"- you are satisfied.

Stuck is what happens when you don't show your band respect- you eat too fast, bite is too big, or it's a difficult food to process like pizza or dry meat. It starts to hurt, feels like you swallowed a rock or need to burp. As it progresses it makes you sweaty, stomach churns, mouth fills with saliva, chest pressure, sharp pain & nausea. Sometimes it will pass on its own. Sometimes you will vomit suddenly & unexpectedly. It's awful but it teaches you to slow down & pay attention to your food.

Hope this helps. Good luck! :-)

What is "sliming"

I haven't had my surgery yet. I actually had been thinking about it for a long time. And finally after a long talk with my sister I blurted it out. I thought everyone would be against it and would make me feel bad for even thinking about it. To my surprise, she was very supportive which lead to me to discuss it with with my Mom, step-mom and best friend. Surprisingly they were all very supportive. I was most worried about telling my best friend (best friend of 22 yrs) because she is a health/exercise nut. But she was probably the most supportive. She cried with me when I found out i would be able to get it done (my insurance wouldn't cover anything so my stepmom has offered to fund most of it). She cried and said that she was so happy for me. I don't think i could do it without that support from her and my family. Ultimately it's my decision and my body. I haven't told my dad yet because i fear he'll act like your friend.

Honestly, i think people think this is a cop out. But when you read stats on obesity... you'll see that most obese people will never keep weight off without some sort of help from a doctor. Look around, can you see anyone who was obsese and is now thin long term - that actually did it all alone? I doubt it. THis isn't a cop out or some easy fix. It's a tool to help you be healthy. Don't let her bring you down. The fact that she may not understand the lapband process or even jealousy might be why she feels that way. Either way it isn't healthy for you if she isn't supportive. Tell her how you feel if you want to keep her friendship. Tell her to stop! If she keeps on, then maybe she isn't really your friend.

Thats my opinion! Good luck to you! I am very excited to start my journey but scared! I'd love to see your progress!!!

I am doing self-pay here in Texas as well.. I'll be paying $9990.00 when it's all said and done.

Congrats! I should be having my surgery around Nov 5th... I am very excited as well! I am a cash patient too. My insurance just flat out doesn't pay a penny. Humana sucks! Good luck!

Carrie

Hello Carrie! true results did my surgery aug 2011 I live south of Austin. I am very happy with my results after a year down 91 pounds. I too had no weight related issues but i know it was coming the longer i kept the weight on. I was self pay too. You will do great the hardest time is the time after surgery and before you start getting fills. Let me know if you want a band buddy.

olivepickles thank you for responding! Yes, i would love to be band buddies! I am so happy to hear of your success! Congratulations!!!! I have to admit I spent alot of time reading last night from here and got alittle scared from some of the stories... but i can see that overall most people are happy with their bands. I am excited but scared.

Tenatively scheduled for the first week of November. I am a cash patient so I don't have all these obsticles others have with insurance.

I am scared and excited. Good luck to all other November banders!

Hi Tom! Thank you so much for responding! You have given me alot of info to start with. I appreciate every word!!!!

I'm not sure how this website works or how to keep up with people since today is my first day.

I will go get these books this weekend. Thank you for suggesting them!

I have learned that the best info doesn't always come from just websites or doctors, but from the people who have actually experienced it. That's why i joined today. I have like a million questions running through my head all the time but can't think of one to ask you right now. except about the egg time distraction. I am very interested in reading that.

Do i email you on here? How does it work? Do i have a profile? I'm sorry if this is annoying. Just learning the ropes.

Carrie

Hello from Austin, Tx. I am Carrie, 35 year old, single female. I am currently in the process of doing my medical and psych exam before being banded. My surgery is tenatively scheduled for Nov 5. I am very excited to being my new journey.

I am fortunate to not have any weight related health issues and I want to make sure I never do. I would like to have a healthy relationship with food. I am active and actually don't mind exercising but it's not easy when with all this extra weight. I came to the decision to have the surgery after a tough year. After a lot of thought and research I finally decided it was time. Unfortunately I my insurance doesn't pay for a penny of this surgery. I am blessed to have a step-mom who is willing to help me with the cost. I am forever grateful to have her help!

I am happy to have found a forum of people who are in the same boat as me. And to be able to read success stories and other inspiring stories to help me. And it's nice to have a place where I can ask questions without embarrassment or shame.

I will admit I am a little scared about the pre-op/post-op diet. And some of the risks associated with the band. I hope that i don't experience any of those issues.

I want to start 2013 off healthier, happier, and on a positive note. I want to live a long healthy life with a healthy relationship with food. I have been successful in the past with weightloss through mostly exercise but haven't been able to keep it off. I need the tools to help me get there and stay successful. I am scared, but ready!