Shanna H

That was funny!
Keep up the great work!

Thanks Kari! There was a time when I worked nights, 11pm to 7am shift. It was tough!
As for the CPAP, ay yay ay! I don't wanna! But, I've got to make it happen. I can pout all I want, but I have to start wearing it. Andrew told me that being sleep deprived is managable now because I am young (32), but that if I don't get my sleep and weight under control that I will die earlier than I should. He said that the quality of my life will go down as I age, but that if I get these issues under control now he expects I will be healthy when I get older. He said that I need to decide now what my life over the next 50 years is going to be like. He said that you don't see people in their 80s or older that have crazy sleep patterns and untreated apnea, that those people are all dead. I believe him because when I met him a decade ago, he was working at the sleep center in Santa Barbara that I went to. So, wow, that was a wake up call!
Getting my sleep regulated and eating breakfast are going to be really big challenges for me. My sleep pattern has been a mess since puberty. I've never ever had my sleep under control.
Anyway, thanks for the encouragement!
-Hilary

Hilary,
You seem to have a good attitude about your visit. I always get frustrated when I don't get what I want. However, he did make some good points. I work night shift and it is always hard for me to eat the way I should on the days I work. Sometimes I think it's even a subconscious thing that I just eat to try to find something that will make me feel better. I am a nurse and I hear all the time patients tell me they either love or hate their cpap. It really will make you feel better if you can get used to it. You have a great plan. Make it happen. You can do it!!
Good luck!
Kari

Thanks for sharing your story and being honest. You have helped me be honest with myself and to realize that my doctor knows his sh&% and wouldn't tell me what I needed to do if it wasn't for a reason. Thank you again Helen!

Ok so I see all these posts where people are ready to give up before their journey truly begins and it makes me sad. So I am sharing my store.
I was banded about 4 years ago. I didnt get it. I knew it would be hard but it was even harder then i imagined. And I did not have this forum or the chat room where I have made such good friends so I quit. I just stopped trying. It was too hard. I felt too bad. I suffer from depression and I just tucked the guilt from failing away and led a life of junk food and sliders. That is until I really reevaluated my life. Found this site and spent time reading posts. I came up with a plan. I talked to my family first and once I had their support I made a visit to my doctor. They made me get a flouro because it has been so long and when that turned out ok they gave me a small fill. This was the end of last October.
I got a sugery book from the np. I followed every one of my doctors guidelines and spent a lot of time on this site. It took me a while to realize that the senior banders just cut to the chase. They give advice from their own experience and we can either take it or leave it. I also cut out all carbonated sodas and quit smoking. You see on here a lot about "want power". You have to REALLY want this bad. You have to follow the directions your doctor gives you. I truly believe you must at some point see a nutritionist. You also in my opinion once you are on solids that is what you eat. You have to work very hard to manage your band. It is not magic it is a tool. This is not a sprint its a marathon.
Anyway, since back on track I have lost over 10lbs a month. I only started exercising last week. If I can do it anyone can. I know i keep mentnioning that I have a recipe group. I cant work right now so I really enjoy it. It is open for anyone all you have to is friend me at hely lb. I am there if you want to chat or if you are looking for specific foods. Let me know.
Please remember you are doing this for you first. Everyone you love and care for will reap the benefits once you find your path. Thank you to everyone on here who has supported me and kicked me in the ass when I needed it.
Helen

If I might ask, why only one fill in that time?

I gained 30lbs after my car accident too, but it was pre band and that was what started the process.
I'd look at it as, ok I survived and accident that could have taken my life, but I'm still here and it's time to make myself even healthier. Go back to your band way of eating, see your Dr for a fill if need be. You did this once, you can do it again.
Log what you're eating and stick to your plan.
You survived and car accident, you can do this too!
Glad you're back with us!

Congratulations on a couple of things. First the amazing weight loss! 180lbs is an amazing accomplishment. Second, congrats on recognizing that you are addicted to sugar and flour. This are big accomplishments.
Welcome to the lapband talk site. Everyone is very helpful. You will be given lots and lots of information and a lot of opinions.
I want to recommend MyFitnessPal.com. It helps tracks your food and exercise and what is great about it is you can add friends to support you. I can't remember my name (I think it is shaniko1970) on the site but feel free to add me or if you sign up (it is free) send me your id and I will add you.
Please know we are all here to help support you in your journey. Welcome again!
Blessings ~
Shanna

I'm sorry, who long did what take? If you are talking about the approval process, I am self pay. I attended the seminar on December 20th, and sub-mitted my paperwork the next day, was approved by the surgeon on the 26th, had my pre-op class on the 28th (where I started my pre-op diet), met with the surgeon for the second time on the 4th (first time was the seminar) had the surgery on the 7th.
Yes it was fast, but I did a tremendous amount of research. I brought my wife (She is a detail person and I needed her council) with me to the pre-op class and the pre-op meeting, and of course she was with me the day of surgery, I bought the big lap band book that is advertised on this site, and I spoke with my primary care physician as well.
My insurance carrier did offer wls with a 12 month Dr. supervised diet (which they don't cover). As I pointed out to my wife, if I could stay on a strict diet for 12 months, I wouldn't need the surgery.

I want to add another suggestion. I have a really bad knee and may also need a replacement when I get the weight off. I was also planning on joining the Y, but I never seemed to do it.
I just bought a Gazelle Freestyle from the Tony Little exercise collection. It does not hurt my knee at all! It is a non impact glider--like an elliptical,so you can exercise your arms and legs at once.
I have lower back pain as well, however, I can use this machine.

This is amazing. You are such an inspiration to me. Thank you for posting these pictures.

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!)

Congrats! That is absolutely HUGE!

OK I just have to share. This is a very small victory but a victory still. I have been on my pre op diet since January 16th and its been going pretty well. I figured I made it past the hardest part with great success so it should be smooth sailing until banding on the 30th. WRONG!! yesterday I was craving everything... ice cream, pizza, chocolate, you name it I wanted it. My son had m&m's and I considered just one (what could it hurt right?lol). Now here comes my proud moment.....I MADE IT THROUGH THE WHOLE DAY WITHOUT CHEATING!!! Yaaaay! Like I said....a small victory for most but to me it was like climbing Mt Everest. Today I am back to feeling good about things and so far no cravings. I know there will be many more days like yesterday in my new future but I now feel confident I can get through them and still be here the next day to feel proud again. Thanks for listening to me "brag"!! :-)

Hi Everyone!
This is my first time posting. I had to do the 6 months (well 7 months) of weight loss/visits with PCP for my insurance. I have my last visit on the 29th of this month. I have all my "pre-op" testing done (labs, chest xray, upper GI), just have to do my last dietary appt (2/1) and psych eval (2/4) and send it off to insurance. I am hoping to get banded beginning of March. I work as a float nurse and sometimes go to our weight management clinic so I work with our lap band patients. I am familiar with many things about the band but of course since this is happening to ME I am nervous but so excited to be on here!!

Today I had a shower, as I normally would. When I stepped out and dried myself off, I realized..I could wrap an average size bath towel around my entire body! What a great feeling!

I need some ideas of really low impact exercise. I have had 6 back surgeries and have to have both knee replaced when I get the weight off. I want to exercise because I want the weight off of me. Please any advice is appreciated! Blessings ~

Do you mind sharing exactly what you're eating and drinking, how many times a day you're eating, and what caloric intake you're consuming? This is not to judge, it's just to help pinpoint what might be holding you back. (Also keep in mind muscle weighs more than fat). I am not a nutritionist, but I can tell you what works for me to keep the scale moving in the right direction at least every few days.

You guys will both be in good hands. This is a new exciting part of your lives. I am a little over a month out and it is the best decision I have ever made. Just remember to breathe and be honest with the pain. Let the nurses know if you are having any nausea or severe pain. Stay on top of the pain and don't let it get out of control. I know you will do great. Please come back and share your journey with us. Blessings ~

First, I want to congratulate you on make the decision of a lifetime to become a "bandster". Second, I can totally relate to your nervousness. I have had many surgeries and I still was nervous. It is the fear of the unknown but you will be in excellent hands. Just think, you are making a very exciting change in your life so you are probably nervous about that as well. We are all here for you and hope to hear about your journey to come. Feel free to write me anytime. xoxoxo ~ Blessings ~

I hate exercising, formal exercising, gyms all that stuff. I don't have a formal exercise program but i do move a heck of a lot more that before my band.
I started off slow, got a Fitbit (pedometer on steroids!). It motivated me to walk more each day and it tracked my stair climbing. Next thing I knew I was taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Now I'm doing the Challenge a fellow bandster posted (walk 100 miles in January). Go figure and I hate exercising.
Don't right it off, just see where this jouney takes you. You may surprise yourself. I know I did.

Sorry but I do not agree. I didnt do any formal exercise and lost 220 lbs in 23 months. While certainly its benefical if you exercise you can still lose weight with out it...I did. Granted I had to keep your calories at 1000 but I averaged a 10 lbs a month loss. When I started walking I still kept my calories at 1000 and I didnt lose any more or any less.
People who are bed ridden and cannot exercise will lose weight if they resduce their calories.
In my opinion, To say not to get the band if you arent going to exercise is short sighted because it can work.

So I just had to share this. My sons recently got an Xbox360, with this "game" called Dance Central 3. they got it home an started to play an convinced me to dance with them. Well... I love it!!
I have absolutely 2 left feet. I have tried aerobics, zumba an such but never could master the steps an always felt uncomfortable in front of others.
But with DC3 i love working out 4different levels tons of songs an I do it in the privacy of my own home.
I think this is one that i can stick with.

I think we all go through that questioning stage. I know I did.
Only you can answer if its right for you.
Can you do what is required of you as far as eating the right foods and limiting your portions?
Are you ready to change your lifestyle?
Whatever you decide, I wish you the best.

Thanks for your response. Again, I am no expert, but I would probably ditch the canned fruit in light syrup (since it's high fructose corn syrup) and the light yogurt which also has a lot of sugar. Also, some fat free foods have added sugar for extra taste. For me, sugar has been the enemy. I eat plain greek yogurt (which has tons of protein) with a dash of vanilla extract and a packet of (Truvia) stevia.
For fluids, I don't drink fruit juice or soda. I try to drink Water, and I sometimes sweeten it with Mio or those little 5 calorie packets. I try not to do that all day since there is so much controversy over artificial sweeteners. Try ditching the "light" yogurt and "light" canned fruit for a day or two. I will be very surprised if the scale doesn't move, or if it moves in the wrong direction. Good luck. :-)