kathystrick

Hi and welcome to LBT! This is a great place for support and information. I hope you have recovered from your accident. How terrible! But exercise in any form (walking, riding a bike, etc.) is a very important part of losing weight, even with the band. I am 160 pounds overweight and not yet banded myself, but I still manage to walk at least 2 miles almost everyday. There are others here who have had trouble exercising because of their size, so you are far from being alone. Just realize that any amount of extra movement is beneficial, no matter how long you can do it. The main thing is to increase that activity level gradually over time. Check with your doctor before starting anything, of course. My LB doctor has a fitness coordinator that his patients consult with during the pre-op phase to develop an exercise program. If your doctor offers something similar, be sure to take advantage of it! Good luck and congratulations on making the decision to take control of your weight!

Hi, Barbie! Sounds like you are well on your way to getting your band. Good luck to you! You have found an awesome place for information and support.

Megan, Glad you have reached a place where you can feel better about your situation, as hard as that can be sometimes. Take care of yourself!

Hi Noella! You can do it! The road looks really long when you're standing at the beginning of it, but you will be six months out and on your way to a new, healthy, skinny you before you know it. Good luck!

I'm with you, Michele...I want to give a little of mine to every little skinny girl who has ever laughed at me and called me names.:drool:

Oh Lynne! I'm sorry you are having to go through so much trying to have your surgery. I hope the rest of your journey goes well. Keep us all posted on how you are doing!

Gld it got easier. Are you still doing well?

Hi SCBoy! Your date is only a week away!!! Hope you are doing well. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

I have been journaling through my whole process. It does help a lot with figuring out the reasons you eat and battling head hunger. I am also photographing/scrapbooking and using some of my journaling along with that.

The way they put it at my doctor's office is that you have a better chance of having a serious car accident than dying during band surgery. I spent quite a few nights while I was still researching and contemplating surgery lying in bed and crying, convincing myself that I would definitely be one of those who die on the table. Did I stress out this much when I had surgery for the first time ever 18 months ago? Nope, because that procedure was "necessary". I had to convince myself that this surgery is necessary too, and it is if I want to be healthy, do the things I love, and live to see my grandchildren born. I know if I obsess myself out of having it, it will be the biggest mistake and regret of my life. Good luck to you.

Congratulations Kat! Hope you are still feeling well and glad your experience was such a positive one. Let us know how you are doing!

Shamrockgirl, How did things go today?

Congratulations, Grace. You are such an inspiration. Take care and thanks for sharing.

Hi Nancy and welcome to LBT! There is so much information and so many inspiring stories here to keep you motivated. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress!!

Hi Beth! I am still pre-op, so really can't answer any of your questions, but wanted to say Hi and welcome you to LBT! What I can say is this: All of us here have some sort of issue with food, otherwise, we wouldn't even be considering WLS. If you aren't ready to deal with those issues, no weight loss program will be successful. The band is only a tool to help with weight loss. The work is still up to you. Yes, the thought of failing yet again is scary. As I move along through my own pre-op process, I am dealing with that fear too. But I know how terribly bad I want to be healthy, and as someone on these boards has said, "Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels". Knowing how true that statement is is my ultimate goal. Good luck to you and be sure to keep us posted on your progress!

Hi LaRay and welcome to LBT! You have come to a good place to find information and inspiration. The whole process can be overwhelming when you first get started, but hang in there, learn what you can, and good luck to you!

Hi Cajun and welcome to LBT! Good luck on your journey to Bandland. You have found a good source here for advice and support. Keep us posted on how things are progressing for you!

Donna and Rebecca, Hi and welcome to LBT! Good luck to you both and keep us posted on your progress.

Congratulaions! You will have a date and be on your way before you know it. Good luck!

My last straw came when I couldn't get a job after moving to Atlanta, and felt a lot of the reason was because of my weight. When you go in for a job interview having beent old on the phone you are a "perfect candidate", but are suddenly all worng when you get there and are being interviewed by a room full of "Barbies", it's kind of hard not to think your weight has something to do with why they won't hire you.

Hi, Emily and congratulations on your band. Hope you are feeling better soon. You are off to a good start!

Hi, Jamie and congratulations on your surgery! Good luck!

Hi, Goldson from a fellow South Carolinian! Where are you having your surgery done? I am using the Palmetto Baptist Weight Management Center. Good luck to you and let us know if we can ease your mind in any way.

Hi, Amy! Welcome and good luck to you! Keep us posted on your progress.

Welcome, ladies and good luck to both of you! Keep us posted on your progress.