josiek1988

Ok family I'm wired for sound and ready to go to the OR. Asking I'm asking for prayers this morning! Thanks and much love

Well, it is offical! I will become one of the banded nation on September 3, 2014!!! I am so excited! Wen this process began for me,my husband and I joined a gym. I went in with 2 thoughts, 1 was that I wanted to get myself into a routine so after surgery it won't be so hard. And the other is to try to firm up so I may not need to have skin removed once I meet my goal. I didn't like going to the gym at all until the first time I got on the scale! I was then put on a 1500 calorie high protien diet about a month and a half ago to de-fat my liver. I figured that it was as good a time as any to challenge myself to get below 300lbs. prior to surgery. As of yesterday I am 1 lb away from that goal! I can't wait to see how much more I lose prior to surgery!

Ok, so I had my pre op testing appt. Wednesday and I got on the scale......the last time I posted that I was at 301 and 1 lb away from my personal goal to be below 300 by surgery date. 296!!!!!!!! And I still have 5 days of pre op diet left!!! I almost jumped through the roof!! I can't tell you when the last time my weight started with a 2!!!!!

I am on day 3! My diet isn't liquid but I think it might be simpler if it was. I can have raw veggies, plain oatmeal, Sugar-fee pudding and jello, noodle soup. Even though I am eating, it is about the deprivation. We got this way because we love food! So naturally we feel as though life is over cuz we can't have the things we love to eat!!! My co-worker had left over rotisserie chicken and I was looking at the bones like it was a feast!! I just have to remind myself that the reward will be far greater than the taste of that chicken! I am so thankful for this site and all of you. It is such a help to know that I am not in this alone nor am I crazy for thinking and feeling the way that I do! I get banned next Wednesday 9/3/14 and am so ready!! Don't worry, you will be Great!!!

My pre-Op testing and diet started today too, with surgery next Wednesday as well!!! You will be fine!! I actually started my diet yesterday by choice!! I know that's nuts! But what is one more day. Just remember where you're starting from and what your goal is. I call it, "eyes on the prize!" You got this this!! Good luck and be blessed!

Well....I started my pre-op diet today and pre-op testing is tomorrow! I can't believe it is finally happening! I need to ask for prayers and words of encouragement to get me through this week of pre-op diet! I have nbeen doing really good on the 1500 calorie diet but I could eat a lot of different things! This week will be hard for me just because I get tired of the same thing quickly. But will be stuck eating that same things all week. I am whining!!! I can do this! I have come this far and have waited this long! I'm not gonna blow it now! God will give me the strength and motiviation I need to make it through! Thanks for the pep talk! You guys are the best!!!

lose4life2, I am scheduled for surgery September 3, 2014 and I haven't told my parents yet either. My mom can't hold Water, so imagine your mom x 6 = that is what I would get from my mom and siblings! I am right there with you in that, I too am HAVING THIS SURGERY! I am simply trying to surround myself with positive thoughts and people! You will be great!!! Heck....WE WILL BE GREAT!!! Good luck! I can't wait to hear about all of your success!

I may be the only person on the planet under the age of 70 that still has a flip phone, so I can't get MFP. But I have a Kindle Fire and it's not available. Anyone know of any other good tracking apps. Or do I just need to get a new phone!!!

Ok, I have to be honest and say that I have not told alot of people. I am scheduled for surgery on 9/3/14 and am very excited for the next chapter in my life to begin. With that being said, I have only shared this journey with my husband of course, a few close church friends and my grown sons. I am fighting an internal battle about whether or not to tell my parents. Part of me thinks I should just in case something were to happen during surgery. But the logical me says, "nope, don't do it" You see, I am the youngest of 7 and even though I will be 44 on Sunday, I am still treated very much like a child. Also, as much as I love my family, they are VERY judgemental. My mom can't hold Water, so if I told her, I might as well tell everyone. I am really trying to surround myself with positivity right now. I have heard all my life that I will always be a "BIG" girl and been called Big Momma or Fat Jo! So forgive me if I am not ready to hear my siblings tell me to, "just put the fork down and get away from the table!" or "Go to the Gym!" I am happy that you have the strength and courage to go public! Maybe with some prayer and belief in myself, I will eventually be able to do the same thing!

Well, I am scheduled to me with my surgeon next Thursday 7/24/14!! I am nervous but very excited. I have been on a 1500 calorie, high protien diet for the past few weeks. It was hard at first but I am good now and I have lost 12LBS so far!!!!! I have been assured by my nurse that once I meet with the surgeon I will be scheduled very quickly. My birthday is the 17th of August and I would love to Celebrate that day with sugar free pudding! I kow that may sound crazy, but cake is part of what got me to where I am now. This birthday will be just that a "Birth Day" for the new me. I am trying to make sure I have everything I can think of, so I am prepared. So I am asking for your help. Tell me what you bought, had or did that made your first weeks as a banded bandit easier, better or more comfortable. What were/are your MUST HAVES and things to stay away from? I look forward to this journey ahead,and to sharing it with you! Be blessed and thank you!

I'm in!!! This should be interesting.

Ok, I am starting to freak out a bit! I have been through my psych appt., met with the nurses to go throught the do's and don'ts and what to expect. I am now scheduled for my consult with the Dr. on 7/24/14. I have been assured that after that surgery will be scheduled fairly quickly. I am not nervous at all about the surgery or anything like that. I am very owrried about the protein!!! I am very sensitive to tastes and textures. I have been trying to find Protein bars and shakes that I can stomach but am having a really hard time. Can you all please help! Let me know what you are using, tips, tricks... anything that will help! Thanks tons!

I was told by the nurse that I had to get one before I left the hospital. God forbid, if you get in and accident, you can't have an NG tube.

I am just starting this process, with my visit to the dietician next Friday 6/13/14. While at church on Sunday, I was talking to a friend who had bypass 4 years ago. I was telling her that I had decided to go with the Lap Band. She immediately began telling me that it was a bad choice. She was telling me that I was too big and that I wouldn't loose enough weight. I tried explaining to her that I wasn't looking for the quick fix. I am looking for a lifestyle change. She continued telling me about people she knew and their horror stories. I had to take some time to really think about what she said. Then I thought, to ask you all! Please help!!

@@lisacaron, Thank you, that is just how I feel. I have been reading and researching for probably a year. I am not interested in the quick fix. I'm looking for a lifestyle change. I am happy to say that I have an amazing husband and the support of great friends. I am beyond ready for this next chapter and am thankful for this site. It is truly a blessing to be able to talk to people who have been there. Thanks again.

Tammie30, did you have WLS? If yes, which one, why and how has it been for you. I really want to hear from all sides of this.

Jenna, I am just starting the process as well. Do you have comorbidities, like highs NO, night cholesterol? Every insurance is different, but if you have other health issues due to weight it may be easier. Keep in mind, your surgeon may have rules of his own before he will agree to do the procedure. Hope this helps a little. Don't get discouraged, it took me 3 months just to get all of my paperwork together. Good luck

My name is Joann and today I am encouraged! I am 43 years old and am currently 316lbs. I am abodopted so I know nothing about by biological parents. I do know know that I look in the mirror and I see a smaller person hiding behind my face. That may sound weird but it's true. I just got married last May to my best friend! My husband is the biggest and best support! He loves me the way that I am but encourages me to be the person I want to be. If that is a smaller person than he supports me in that. He may be more excited for me than I am!!! I have two sons and they are both excited for me and this journey to begin. As for the rest of my family, I have chosen to keep this to myself for now. Although I love them, they can be very judgmental and I need support not critics right now. At this point, I have completed all of the paperwork and am waiting on my consultation with the doctor. Knowing that I am that much closer fuels my fire! I am getting antsy!!! I am soooo ready! I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, osteoarthritis, and sleep apnea. For a long time I had the attitude that I am a full figured black woman, this is my lot in life. But once I got married, I started nagging my husband to go to the dentist and doctor, to get himself together FOR ME! Then one day I looked at myself in the mirror and said, "Girl...you need to get YOURSELF together!!" And that was the day! Just like all of you I'm sure, I have spent thousands of dollars on diets, programs and gym memberships. I am over that. Now I ride my bike and swim, it's free and I love it! So, here we go! I look forward to reading more success stories and getting feed back on my progress and questions. I thank God for groups like this! May you all be blessed on your journey!

Karen, Thank you! I was adopted in Ohio and as of May 2015, all sealed records from 1969 and 1986 will be open. Between now and then all birth parents have the opportunity to file no contact requests as well as updating medical records. So if nothing else I will have access to medical history. But I could very well know the name of my biological mother. As far as my family goes, after 43 years I am use to the lack of support. As long as I have my husband, boys, church and friends, I'm gonna be GREAT!