asheyrae

@@pink dahlia
I love shopping and I will for sure use weight loss as a good excuse to revamp my shoe closet!

and I am seriously hungry for real food. Kinda worries me so I am just sipping my Isopure like a good little camper.

I used to be a 7.5 med, then I gained weight after having my son, and gradually went up to a 9.5 med. Now after the weight loss I ve gone down to a size 9 med and sometimes an 8.5 med. I gave away several pairs of cute shoes , but oh well ! That just meant a justified reason to shop ! Have fun !

When I went I my primary care dr to get the letter to clear me for surgery her nurse came in to take my BP etc. when she asked why I was there I told her to get clearance for WLS. I am a little over 300lbs and 5'7" so I'm no "on the border" person. I am morbidly obese. She said to me "oh have you tried weight watchers?"
No lady I never heard of that program!!! I just sweetly smiled and said yes but I was not successful long term with it. So I think it was good practice for when I tell people.
I am a manager at work so it's unlikely I will tell many people. I have told only my husband and a friend at work who is also overweight and is uncomfortable about me talking about it so I generally don't. My husband is ok about it but has done nothing to research it etc. I wouldn't call him supportive in the sense that he's figuring out what will change etc. However any big change in my life has been done by me mostly alone with little support so this will be another one. In the end it's all about your change anyway whether people support you or not.

Lovelynne,
I also went thru TR in Austin. They did the EGD and band just last week. I feel great. Had my post op appt today. Do this for yourself. Don't worry about the opinions of others. I told a few people. Most were supportive, esp. my hubby. But I also heard these comments from other people: exercise more, eat less, and why go thru surgery w/only 50-60 lb's overweight. Well, I choose to do it for my health. And I'm so glad that I did. Keep your head up, ignore the negative comments, and enjoy the weight loss journey.
Here's wishing you success!

Amen!!!! Thank you!!

Ok I am going to put it out there who are you doing or why are you even thinking of getting wls take that in to consideration , ,heck I tell everybody now , why because I don't care what people think it was not any one's decision but mine and my family & friends that were with me before me being banded are still there , I for one have a healthier, movable life and I am not sluggish and tired all the time like I was , good luck on your journey .

Hello All!
Tomorrow morning is the day! I get banded ladies and gents. I've got my rx's, heating pad, liquids, gas-x, chapstick, loose clothes, and this feeling of anticipation. The day is finally here. For those of you who have speaking with me on the board you know that I have been working really hard to listen to my body. My goal was to begin retraining my brain before being banded. As with everything else in my life I find that if I prepare myself I tend to do well with what I do. I've learned so much just getting ready for surgery, being on the pre-op diet, and I've already had a few non scale victories. I managed to complete my pre-op diet with out trouble, I've listened to my body every step of the way and I feel like a million bucks. I work tonight and then I am off to surgery tomorrow. Any last words of wisdom.....

So today I had a meeting with my surgeon Dr. Lusco. He was so motivating and excellent at helping me sort through my concerns. I am now going to be on a 6 month waiting period that is required by my employer before insurance is allowed to cover my procedure. I am now going to go through 6 months of meeting with a dietitian and a nurse to allow them to decide if I'm ready or not. I have spent the last 2 years researching the Lap Band. I know I'm ready, and now I just have to get through this road block set in my way. I will do this.

You too?? I'm a 42H. The lap bar fit just fine .. no issues. But the shoulder harness just would NOT close. I tried EVERYTHING to get it to close. The jerkfaced kid checking the restraints told me "You should have tried the seat at the gate before getting in line". I asked him WHERE it was because I didn't see it at all, and he got really snotty and said "Well, then you weren't looking. There are several all over the place and one at the entrance." Of course I responded with "No, I wasn't looking for something that I didn't know EXISTED. I've never been here before, and you DON'T get to talk to me like that. I can't help it that my tits are too big for the restraints, but YOU can most certainly help your ATTITUDE."
Of course, my friends stayed on the ride while I skulked away and pouted. The damned things NEVER seem to get smaller when I loose weight. I just never knew that they'd be THAT much of an issue. Needless to say, I've not tried getting on any roller coasters outside of Disney again. Which reminds me. I've never had issues with the restraints at Walt Disney World. Just as an FYI.

@@CherieRyde The sad thing is I HAD tried the seat at the beginning of the line and it worked for me! I totally agree...Disney is the way to go. I have never had trouble on their rides. Of course I told my husband that once I have lost the weight we have to go back to Universal so I can ride that stupid Harry Potter ride!

@BandedSister_Lizz. Thanks for the tips! I will definitely be using you for more advice!

@jlj110 I'm waiting until I loose my weight before we even TRY any of the Harry Potter stuff. We are planning our next Disney trip for sometime in 2016, and I'm SURE that I'll be ready for ALL things FL by that time. I may even pack my bikini and show off all of my Mommy Stripes!
I think it'd be all kinds of fun to have a Banders' Day at Disney one year.

@@jlj1110
Get the gas ex strips they honestly were a saving grace for me. Yes surgery is something you are obviously going to bd nervous about but honestly within a week you will feel at about 60% for having had surgery that's pretty darn good! Also make sure you stay very hydrated the night before surgery it will help you fir recovery. My sister has her band and she gave me that advice and age was so right ! I am new to this but if you have any other questions plz don't hesitate to ask me!
Lizz

@@BandedSister_Lizz thank you so much! To be honest, I had a slip up yesterday and ate some bread. I plan on being really good now for the next 8 days!
Good luck with your first year of teaching! I am starting my 17th year...wow, feeling old!
Please let me know anything you think might be helpful since you have had your surgery! I'm getting a little nervous!

Jen,
I too am a teacher and I am so happy for you! I am going into my first year of teaching and I can not imagine having no energy to deal with my students! I commend you for sticking to your pre op liquid diet! I am sending you lots of light and positivity for you upcoming surgery date! I am four days post op and still feeling a Bit down but just remember everyday gets better !
Lizz

It is so great to read this thread today. I am feeling down tonight and needed it! I am on day 6 of my pre-op liquid diet in prep for my surgery on August 18th. Both my parents have had the lapband surgery and are so supportive of me doing this. My husband has also been supportive which has meant so much. It is my in-laws that I was worried about telling. I finally told them once I got my surgery date. My father in law is a doctor. Today my husband told me he had asked him if I had tried a really strict diet or other things to lose the weight. No...in 40 years I have NEVER tried to diet! How about I've lost and gained 80 pounds more than once! I just hate so much that people think this is the easy way out. Especially people who have never battled their weight all their life. I have told my principal I am having surgery, but don't want to say what kind to avoid idiot comments...
I have thought about this surgery for years, but just wasn't ready to do it until this year. I had the humiliating experience last summer of being forced to get off a ride at Universal Studios when the bar wouldn't come down over my chest (after waiting in line for 2 hours!) I'm also a science lab teacher, and just don't have the energy to keep up and do all I want to do with my students. I am so excited to start this new life! Let me just say I HATE exercise, but I have actually been dreaming about going to the gym, and I'm excited about it!
I just want to say I appreciate all of the advice and encouragement I read on this site, and will visit here often to stay motivated. Good luck to all of you on here! I hope we can all share our ups and downs along the way!
And by the way, this liquid diet is not fun! I am soooo hungry! I know...it will get better, but I really hope it goes quickly!
Jen

So today I had a meeting with my surgeon Dr. Lusco. He was so motivating and excellent at helping me sort through my concerns. I am now going to be on a 6 month waiting period that is required by my employer before insurance is allowed to cover my procedure. I am now going to go through 6 months of meeting with a dietitian and a nurse to allow them to decide if I'm ready or not. I have spent the last 2 years researching the Lap Band. I know I'm ready, and now I just have to get through this road block set in my way. I will do this.

He has become more understanding after educating himself on the procedure. His concerns were legitimate, but I'm extremely happy that I have gained his support. He simply doesn't think I'm overweight and need surgery. He asserts that he loves me the way I am, but I'm "doing it for me." Thank you so much for your support. I am amazed at how supportive everyone on this forum is.

I really hope that things go well for you in your journey. We are here to support you as you go through it.
That being said ... please do me a favor. Explain to your so supportive husband that this is NOT the easy way. There's nothing easy about being on a liquid diet for 2 weeks pre-op while you are still cooking regular food for your family. There's nothing easy about making the decision to permanently alter your lifestyle for the sake of your health. There's nothing easy about laying in the bed waiting for time to go into the OR. There's nothing easy about dealing with the post-op pain with only tylenol to dull it a little. There's nothing easy about having to rely on someone else to do EVERYTHING for you (including driving) for 2 weeks while you recover. There's nothing easy about finding a way to still be able to eat with your family when they want things that are NOT on your diet. There's nothing easy about making yourself stick to the exercise plan when you are so tired/sore/brain dead that all you want to do is go to sleep. This is NOT any easier than any other diet. The band is a tool like weights or a treadmill. Nothing more.

I feel the same way with Dr Oldham. He was actually at the seminar and I got to ask him several questions including sleeve vs lap band for my bmi and weight(51, 474) I feel confident in my decision. I appreciate your input. Good luck with your surgery, cya on the other side.

Thank you so much for the encouraging words. Over the years, especially within the past three, I've gained a significant amount of weight and the other day I just decided that I was done being miserable and unhappy with the reflection in the mirror. I also am genetically predisposed for high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart conditions. Since I've gained weight, I can definitely feel the impact it has had on my health, which also prompted my decision. After having one of many discussions with my husband, he finally said "I support you" which made me feel better. He was primarily concerned with possible complications, losing "too much" weight, and if it would affect our ability To conceive in the near future. I encouraged him to some research to ease his concerns. I finally can feel excited about it now that I have his support.

I saw another dr here in Shelbyville who works out of that hospital. I didn't really feel the right vibe. I had my knees done at Baptist. I loved the hospital so I figured id get it done there

Hello everyone. I recently decided to embark on a new journey in my life. After numerous diets, personal trainers, and gym memberships with little to no results, I've decided to pursue getting Banded. I have a consult with the surgeon on August 20th and I'm excited. I have already provided them with my insurance information and they informed me there is no waiting period (my previous insurance required 6 months of meeting with a dr and nutritionist). I can have the procedure done in as little as a month. I'm excited, but it's bittersweet because my husband thinks I'm taking the easy way out and does not agree with me having an "unnecessary surgery!"

You will be ???? it will go by in no time! Thank you for the kind wishes!
Lizz