kathystrick

I have always had a weight problem. That only became more apparent as I grew up and became a teenager. No one wanted to ask out the fat girl, so while all of my friends were out on dates Friday and Saturday nights, I sat home with my friend, food. That was the way I always dealt with feelings I couldn't let out - eat enough and they will get buried. This pattern continued into adulthood, and before I knew it, the "big-boned chubby girl" was nothing more than just plain FAT. I topped 300 pounds easily and never looked back. Now approaching 40, I am surprisingly healthy considering how heavy I have been. Obesity is my only physical health problem; however, the mental problems caused by this weight are indescribable. I have very low self esteem, which negatively affects every aspect of my life. I fight depression everyday that I know will improve with weightloss, because it has in the past. I am ashamed to go into reataurants to eat because of what people will think when they see me going to a table, like I need another meal. Until I began doing research about Lap Band, I had never admitted all of these things to myself. Who wants to admit that food, something everyone has to have to survive, can have such an unwielding control over them? I surely didn't. That was a necessary step in preparation for surgery though. If I carry the attitude about food I have always had with me into surgery, the surgery will be a waste of time. I have to confront my "friend" and let it know that it is no longer needed in a negative way in my life. I have to realize that I am in control of myself and my body and that the only place food can have in that is as energy. Not comfort. Not companion. Not master of my mind. Just energy. This is a tough realization. But what is food? It has no more value than what we give it. My body and life has to become much more valuable to me than food ever has been. To me, THAT is the first step in having a successful Lap Band.

Congratulations and good luck to you! Keep us updated on your progress.

Good luck to all of you! Post and let us know how you are doing as soon as you feel up to it.

Congratulations and good luck to you both! Let us all know how you are doing as soon as you feel up to it.

Definitely call your doctor's office and see what they say. Better to be safe than sorry.

Is the appointment at your surgeon's office? If so, my first visit, I was weighed and talked to the PA about the Band and why I was choosing that over the GBP. She made sure I understood the differences between the 2 surgeries and answered any questions I had. They also took a medical history to determine what pre-op testing I needed and checked my insurance requirements. That was pretty much it for me! Good luck to you both!

Hi! There is a load of information here about the band. Have you been finding out what you needed to know? You can always post a question of not and there is usually someone hanging around who can answer it for you. Good luck and let us know how it's going!

Hi! Good luck to you on your Band journey!

Hi Crystal! Welcome to LBT! Good luck to you on your weight loss. Keep us posted about your progress!

Hi Jessi! Good luck with your surgery and keep us posted on how you are doing!

Hi Helen! Good luck and let us know how things are going.

Hi and welcome to LBT! Congratulations on your surgery! Sounds like you are off to a good start. Take care and keep us posted on your progress. Good luck!!

Hi Mary! Another Carolina Girl...Woo Hoo!! Good luck to you! I am going to the Weight Management Center of Baptist Medical in Columbia. Still pre-op, but waiting on insurance approval.

Thanks for posting, James. I just visited the site and there seems to be a lot of information there.

Hi Ruth! I am pre-op as well. There is a ton of information and support here, so browse around and feel free to ask any questions you might have. Good luck!

Hmm...sounds like I will have to think back to the tactics I used to keep my son full when he was a baby/toddler to make it through the liquid phase when I get there. LOL You are really doing well...keep it up!!

I should have insurance approval in a couple of weeks, but since I work in the school system, I am not planning to ahve surgery until June, after school gets out. We'll see how firmly I hold to that once I know the approval is there and all I have to do is say the word and I can be in Bandland!:smile2:

That's pretty much it. The length of time you spend in each stage and what foods are considered to be in which category varies by doctor, so be sure to check with YOUR doctor about his/her plan and don't go exclusively by what you read here. Doctors vary their plans to fit their thoughts and feelings on how our bodies recover after surgery, so it's best to do what yours says. :smile2: Good luck!

I am staying on plan today because it looks like it is going to be a rough day and I need to stay committed and away from all the bad stuff!

Good luck! Check out the insurance thread and you may be able to find osme information on your insurance company's policy. Let us know how you're doing!

Hope I have helped at least a little. Like I said, I am pre-op as well. Good luck to you and let us know how you're doing!

Definitely check with your doctor about his/her pre-op requirements. All are different about what they want you to do and occasionally there are some who don't require any pre-op diet. Good luck to you and be sure to let us know how you are doing!

Hi and welcome! 51 pounds lost?? Share your story!!

Haha Susan. It looks like great minds think alike!

Hi Wynd and welcome to LBT! Having surgery is a big decision and you are right to do some research before jumping in. Are there any support groups held in your area? That would be a good place to start. Usually a bariatric surgeon's office can answer that question. Also, check out this thread: Oklahoma Local Lap-Band Support - Lap Band Talk Forum - The largest forum for Lap Band Surgery Discussion and Lap Band Surgery Support . That's the Oklahoma thread. Good luck to you and let us know what you decide!