PrettyThick1

Hey Stephanie...how's it going post-surgery???

Congratulations and good luck!!! I hope you don't have to do the full 6 months of WW and are pleasantly surprised that you'll not only have your band but have begun losing weight with it by your 22nd birthday! You jumped in at a good time in your life sweetie! You have 3 quarters left to be smokin' hot! I'm jealous...

I also love swimming and fortunately my gym has a pool. Don't worry about how you look in your swimsuit right now, you are there with a purpose - not to just play around. People respect that and you shouldn't be ashamed. I wear a swim dress mostly and it hides all of my less-than perfections. It's amazing how swimming can make even the best days even better, when I'm stressed I get in and leave it all in the water. I hope you can find another indoor pool close to you - always check the YMCA, ours has an outstanding indoor/outdoor pool and there are hours reserved strictly for fitness. Good luck fellow mermaid!!!

Did you lose weight okay before the surgery???

Thanks Kime-Lou, you have just helped to put my mind at ease!

I have allergies and my sinuses are draining into my throat which causes me to cough like once or twice every couple of hours. Is it safe to have my surgery in 2 weeks?

I know this might sound silly to some of you, but the preop diet my doctor gave me doesn't sound like much of a diet at all. I have 2 shakes and 2 meals a day! I didn't know I could have food, but I can! After looking at the diet, I don't know how on earth I could lose weight before the surgery - this is more food that I expected. I think I'll be a bit more strict than the suggested plan, I want to feel as though I am really doing something! Today is Day 1.

I've just returned from my pre-op appointment and it went very well! I'm starting my pre-op diet tomorrow (2 Protein shakes and 1 quality meal a day + water) and now that I know I get to have one meal a day I feel much better about my chances of not screwing it up. If anyone is getting banded by Dr. Christopher Reilly in Houston, beware: he is way hotter in person and if you look directly into his eyes you'll be hooked for life. He's very funny and I feel very comfortable with him performing my procedure. If anyone was wondering, my insurance covers the procedure 80/20 - my out of pocket expense is $1,400.00, plus $215.00 for the surgeon's fee. Not bad...not bad at all! Have a great day guys...I'm finally on my REAL count down!

Oh wow...you are a fellow Libra! My birthday is October 6th. Without knowing another thing about you, I know that you are a sweetheart and you have a ton of support...because that's the role you would play in someone else's life.

My BMI is 40, but I don't look "fat" to my friends and family. Although they are supportive, they never skip the opportunity to let me know..."you've lost weight on your own before, you sure you don't want to give it another try" or "you're not heavy enough for that surgery, they are just taking advantage of your insurance benefits..." blah, blah, blah... the truth is I am fat on the inside and now have been diagnosed with Type II Diabetes. I have to remind them that I am not doing this for vanity - I think we all agree I am cute enough . But I have a child to live for and just because it looks normal on the outside doesn't mean that all is well on the inside. Good luck to you, I'm on the fence about this...I've mulled it over and over in my mind but what it all boils down to is that I need help, I've been overweight my entire life and I want to know what it feels like to be a "normal" weight. My surgery is June 19th, so I'm just a day ahead of you. Let's keep in touch - I'm adding you as a friend so I can check in on you from time to time. Hugs, Gwen

Here we are...finally down to the wire, Pre-op appointment tomorrow and surgery scheduled on June 19th. The time has gone by so quickly at times, at others it seemed like this time would never come. At the onset, I had every confidence that I had made the right decision - I've wavered a couple of times already and now that I'm finally here, I'm getting cold feet. What if I can't change my eating habits? What if I pick up my other bad habits again and hurt my health (smoking)? What if I do something that turn this into a nightmare that hinders my health further? What if I don't lose any weight? What if I can't stick to the plan? What if... I am so afraid that I will be one of the few that the band doesn't help and I'll be in worse shape than I am now. I'm so used to being a cheerleader for others on this forum, but now the shoes are on my feet and I can't think of anything to snap myself out of it.

Congrats! It doesn't matter how long it's taken you, 81 lbs. is PHENOMENAL and I know you look great!!! I hope to have the same success, I am so worried about my bad habits though. I will be banded on June 19.

June 19th - my pre-op appointment is tomorrow, going to have a steak and lobster tail afterwards, then start my diet. Wish me luck!

I'd like to know how many people are being banded the same week as I am - June 19th? Not sure how many of your know the significance of this day, but I find it ironic that it will be the beginning of my personal liberation. Some say it's not a good day, considering the history - I don't see it that way. Although freedom came 2.5 years late for slaves on the gulf coast of Texas, it came and should be commemorated. Just as I have waited my entire life to be free from extra weight, it will be a day that I commemorate for as long as my band does what it should do for me. If you've never heard of Juneteenth, it was a pivotal time in our nation's history, even moreso for African Americans. In Galveston, Texas (where it actually occurred) it is commemorated by the original declaration of freedom being read on the same mansion steps it was heard from by thousands of Galveston, Texas slaves in 1865. (The mansion is so amazing, it's hard to imagine it being a plantation, it looks like a castle). There are theories about why it took 2 1/2 years for them to be freed - the most common belief is that the information was deliberately withheld - and why they had to ride through the entire state before making the announcement makes it even more logical since they passed millions on their way across nearly 800 miles. While it angers some, it is a part of history that should not be forgotten. Thanks girls and boys, I hope you enjoyed your history lesson for today!

You are in good company and we are thrilled to be on this journey with you!

Way to go Line Dancer, love it!

Sweetheart, you might want to reconsider his place in your life. If he loved you and was truly worthy of your hand in marriage he wouldn't let you down repeatedly. You are about to embark on what will likely be the turning point in your life, as such there are people that will no longer fit with the person you are about to become - this jerk sounds like one of them. Your body will transform and you will start getting so much more attention and will probably meet much better prospects down the road. If he isn't available for your emotionally right now, imagine how it would be when the time came for you to start a family. Stop the train wreck before it happens, love. Take care, Gwen

I'm just curious about scaring and hope you all can share your bandscar stories with me. It's hard to believe but I have no scars on my stomach - no stretch marks (even though I have had a baby), no blemishes, nothing...it's perfect - although fluffy. I'm a bit concerned about how many marks were made during your surgery and how did they heal? If you are completely healed, is there a scar? I know everyone is different, so all input is welcomed! Gwen

I would love to see your before and after pics...you've done a lot of work, some things I am also considering!

My coworker has had the band for almost 11 years. I didn't recognize her before picture, it looks nothing like her at all now (starting 365, current 155, 5'9" tall) . For lack of a better description, she is a living, breathing Barbie doll now and my inspiration for getting the surgery. She looks absolutely incredible, no extra skin, looks like she's been model pretty her entire life. She has not had any complications what so ever and as far as I can tell she eats whatever she wants to.

Hugs to you...no tears! If the people around you can't give you the emotional support you need, please message me or if you'd like I can give you my phone number. No one should feel as though they are going through this alone, there are far too many of us who are here and willing to walk with you through this journey.

Saying a prayer for you babydoll! I'm sure you're in la-la land right now, but we'll see you on the other side!

Good morning Bandsters! I really enjoy reading your posts and have one tiny request - I like to try to guage how much people have lost and how long it took them to lose it. There is no perfect science to this, but if you could all add your surgery ticker and update your weight loss/BMI tickers regularly that would be awesome! Thanks and keep up the good work...it would be nice to know how much we have all lost as a group. TONS UPON TONS I'm sure . Gwen

Good morning Bandsters! I really enjoy reading your posts and have one tiny request - I like to try to guage how much people have lost and how long it took them to lose it. There is no perfect science to this, but if you could all add your surgery ticker and update your weight loss/BMI tickers regularly that would be awesome! Thanks and keep up the good work...it would be nice to know how much we have all lost as a group. TONS UPON TONS I'm sure . Gwen

It totally depends on your doctor and insurance. You can skip the 6-7 month supervision period if you have already done something like that in the past. I tried several diets and went to Quick Weight Loss and did a medically supervised diet for about 18 months - both programs involved tons of pills, they worked but as soon as I quit taking the pills my weight gradually went back up. Again, I believe because I had already tried and failed, I did not have to do the typical 6-7 months supervision. My timeline is as follows: April 11 - Initial consult (blood work, vitals, ekg, urine, respriratory) April 13 - Psych eval April 20 - Package went to BCBS April 23 - BCBS Approved May 1 - Surgery Scheduled (long waiting list, doctor's vacation) June 4 - Preop Appointment June 19 - Happy Band Day! So, had I not chosen a popular doctor who will be on an extended vacation I could have gotten my band on May 17th. I look at the delay as a blessing in disquise because it gives you the opportunity to go through the range of emotions associated with such a drastic life change. I was upset about it at first - because I expected to have the surgery a whole month before I actually will, but again I am still going through many emotional changes right now and I know that this delay is necessary. Good luck to you...you are in good company!