Chuckles

Hi, I haven't seen this thread before. At least I don't think I have.

I love the escalator man! WOW what a gift from God!

I have had the band for over 2 years now and it hasn't been easy at times. In the very beginning I had a leak in the band and had to have the whole surgery done over again. But through it all I give him the Glory. This is his gift to me and to you. We all need to remember that.

Welcome to all you new and soon to be bandsters. This is a wonderful journey. Remember to take pictures monthly so you can see for yourself how your doing.

A Christian woman told me when I found out that I was going to have the surgery, to be sure to ask the Lord to let me see the real me when I look in the mirror. We all know how Satan has such a strong hold on us and our bodies. There have been days when I ask him and it's like I see 2 different bodies. So keep that in mind as you go on your journey. He is even with you in the mirror and if we ask he will show us what he sees.

God Bless and Merry Christmas.

Wow, SUnsett, what a great prayer idea, I will certainly do that, although I am not banded yet, I still need this prayer!!

So are there two different Christian bandsters threads going, or what, somehow I got lost in them?!

Does anyone know?

Sunsett,

you surely are a blessing to many of us! You had your band 2 years ago and you still come on here to help people, I pray God richly blesses you for your dedication and self-less time-giving! And I look forward to talking with you!

~M

StepOfFaith,

You suggested a really great way for candy to handle that, it is so great that we can come here for help! It really is incredible!

I would also ask for you guys to pray and believe God with me for a way to get the Lap-Band surgery. Thank you.

~M

step of faith, Yes, I misunderstood. But, You are on your WAY. I'm so glad for you.

I've been kind of down today. Got into a minor scrap with my daughter. She blamed me this morning because she slept through her alarm and I called out to her to tell her to get up and didn't pursue it. So, when she woke up an hour later, she blasted me for not making her get up, and said it was all my fault.

Things are really mixed up at my house. I've been married for almot 21 years, but for the last year my husband and I have been separated. He sleeps on the couch, I sleep in the bedroom. Neither one of us can afford to move out or get a divorce. My daughter blames me for all of it (she is 20). So, everytime anything goes wrong, I'm always to blame.

And, what did I do? I stopped at the store on the way home and bought reeses. Something I didn't need. Now I know I will pay for it! I know that's not helping me reach my goal.

But, I know it's not the end of the world, and I have to stop feeling sorry for myself. I will start a new day tomorrow, and pray for God to help me be strong and endure what I have to go through.

candy, you are in my thoughts and prayers!

And Ms.Peace, that truly was a great prayer!

~M

I know some of you may not feel like sharing yet, but would you guys tell me what waking up out of surgery was like, how long you were there, if you stayed overnight, etc.? I am curious. Thanks, I hope all you recent bandsters are feeling better.

~M

Ok, I am not getting banded in February, and I don't know if it is too late to enter a new name in the poll to name the February bandsters, but I have another idea. My idea is what about the: Victorious Valentines ?????

Ok, so I don't know if anyone else likes it, but hey, I threw it out here.

~M~

Oh my Goodness, I am so glad I found this Christian bandster group!!! I have only been on here a couple of weeks and was trying to find this!!!

I am a Christian from Texas, originally from Illinois. I am a 28 year old newly married female, and although I am sure this is what is right for me, and I want this sooo much, I know only God can make a way for this procedure to happen. I have returned to college for my bachelors degree in Psychology/Social Work, so my husband is the only one working now. Needless to say we are on a tight budget, and due to our past credit history issues stemming from school loans, getting the Lap Band surgery financed really isn't an option. My husband's work doesn't offer insurance. All of our extra income goes toward my schooling, so there really isn't anything to save right now. As you can see, I am asking God to make a way, even though I don't see a way.

So if everyone would please pray and believe with me, I know the Lord is bigger than everything, even this! I am asking for God's timing, as another Christian bandster suggested. I do believe if HE wants it to happen, then it definitely will. I ask in Jesus' name for a way for this surgery to happen. If I focus on God and his kingdom first, he will give/add all the desires of my heart!

I am facing the same dilemma as you all have. I have only been looking into this for a few weeks, and have not said anything to my husband or best friends. My husband and I are very close and open to each other, however, I know he is just going to say that we can't afford it. And I know that, but my health is priceless.

They are all slim and fit. They really do not understand what it is like to be fat and morbidly obese, not just a little overweight, or unhappy with myself. My husband thinks that if I just do what he does, then I will look like him. Which is not true.

I was kind of thinking about it this way, maybe this can help some of you too. Ok, just as the Lord wants us to come to him,

I see getting Lap band, as surrendering my self, not to food, but to the Lord, acknowledging that I am weak and cannot do it in my own self. I need more! (No diets work, I am sure you all have tried many different approaches to losing weight as well. ) I need help from the Lord.

Something else that I read a few days ago in here is that just as a mechanic has tools, this Lap-Band should be seen as a tool. I thought that was a neat way to look at it. Maybe that can help.

But another question I have been dealing with is, ok, does this mean I am doubting that GOd can help me lose weight without surgery? After thinking for quite some time about it, I no longer see it as doubting God's ability, for we all know he CANNOT fail, but WE do. I know see it as recognizing my limits, and my weight has limitations on me that I want to be free from!! I believe the Lord can free me from this as well, and I think the Lap band will be the instrument!!!!

Am I posting in the right threads? So what do you guys think?

~M

Suzanne and Loseweightin08,

Congrats on getting banded!

thisledo, are you now banded? How did it go?

Just curious, my thoughts are with you all.

greeneyez, any better with the pain yet?

~M~ :smile:

Hey you early January bandsters,

I just wanted to see if everyone could give the rest of us an update?

Ross07,

Congrats, I am so excited for you!! I hope to be banded one day, but at this point, I have no idea how it's gonna happen. I am sure there are many people on here who would help. Although I am still relatively new, I would be glad to help in anyway I can. Good luck, and blessings on you!

Welcome everyone!

I am still relatively new myself, been here for a couple of weeks. There are some really great, extremely compassionate people who really care to help. You can also join certain groups depending on your age or state. Good luck, don't be afraid to ask questions!

Yes Chuckles I would be sooo interested in meeting everyone! It would be nice to meet the people I chat with and get great information from. Sign me up!

DawnWhite,

Great, it would be so cool. I just had a thought that made me nervous. Depending on when we all meet up, I may be the only one in our group to not have been banded yet??!!! I just keep reminding myself one step at a time, baby steps.

~M

Hey Everyone...

I was just curious as to how you all are doing? Dawn, the 23rd isn't far away at all! I am so excited for you. SO how is everyone else?

Also, I was thinking, eventually after we all get banded and are on our way to our goals, that we should all meet (other than the support group meetings.) By then it would be so great to see all of our progress, and to meet faces to the names on here. Would you all be interested?

~M

Hey everyone!

Glad to see new people posting. Welcome.....

Chuckles, I think the fills for the self pay are free. I THINK! Ask the doctors or Mrs. Betty when you go back in. And hang in there, keep your faith.

Dawn, you hang in there too. The pre-op diet is no picnic. (sorry for the pun) You will get there. It's not long now.

Both of yall..... we are here to help. If you have more questions, ask. Someone will be on here to answer soon.

Now...... I saw Dr. H monday and got the answer to out freezing problem. We have lost our insulation and our bodies have not (hope I spell this right) acclimated. But the good news is.....they will. I just wish mine would hurry up. lol I know......don't rush it. And get this, he said something about a small UN fill. I just laughed and thought "Oh no, you didn't just say that!" But, he let me slide and told me to come back and get one if I started having problems.

Yall have a good day and stay in the box!!!

I just gotta get time to change my ticker.

lisa

lisaG,

what is the freezing out problem you mentioned? Are you really cold blooded now? Thanks.

Ok, just trying to understand some more here. So correct me if I am wrong anyone, or add whatever you think may help me understand. Ok, so fills are injections into the port which fills your pouch up with silicone, therefore making us feel fuller faster, so we eat less??? Is that right? So unfills, would mean that the doctors take out what we have in, making it where we think we need more food to feel full. And how often people need a fill or unfill varies from person to person. This is just what I have learned from reading around. How am I doing? Am I close or way off?

So how is everyone doing, pre-band, post-band, and the newbie group like me?

I am so thankful for this site. I really need the support.

Thanks everyone!

~M

dlollie,

My thoughts and prayers are with you! Your one step closer sweetie! You can do this!!!!

thistledo and saleel22,

Good luck to you both on the 16th, there will be several people thinking of you guys! Wow, I am so excited for everyone, we have like 5-6 people (at last count) going to get banded on the 16th! You guys have your own cheering squad over here!! LOL. I

I really am so thankful for this site, it really convinced me that this is what I need, and even though it sounds like it may be tough for a little while, I can't help but to think that it is just temporary. I mean many of us have struggled with this battle for years. Just think when we all start losing, how different we will feel. It is going to make such a difference in our lives. It will add years, and memories! I am so excited for you guys (if you can't tell)! LOL.

I wish I knew about this years ago, so I could have already saved up the money since I am self-pay and now I could just go get it done!!!

Blessings to all!!!! Can't wait to hear from everyone!

Hello,

My Doctor is Dr Nunn and My surgery is for 1/16/08. Forget nervous, I am flat out scared because this is my second surgery date and I have other concerns just about how business is handled in this office!

dlollie,

My thoughts and prayers are with you! Your one step closer sweetie! You can do this!!!!

12 hours and counting! I've been alot more anxious today than I expected. Hoping I'll be able to sleep.

Good luck to us all. Will be anxious to hear other reports.

With HIS Help,

Same goes to you too, as I told SMR100, my thoughts and prayers are with all of you on your big special day!

(Sorry, if I missed anyone, still learning how to get through the threads! )

Also, this is off subject but could anyone add me to their buddy list on AIM, or even send me a private message and explain to me how to do the quote, min-quote, and quick reply thingy? I feel like there must be an easier way to make sure I am responding to the right person, but I can't figure it out exactly. LOL.

So, to all of you 16th bandsters, good luck!!!

~M~

SMR100,

My thoughts and prayers are with you on the 16th! Your one step closer!!! YAY. Let us know how it all went when you can, take care.

Tpagern,

Believe me, I sure will keep praying. I really need this surgery, and there just doesn't seem to be any way yet to get it going. Because of my past credit, a loan is way out of question. I have went back to college, so all the extra we had goes to that, and that means besides substitute teaching around T-town, DeKalb, Nash, etc., I am unemployed. I refuse to give up though, (I guess I am kinda stubborn like that sometimes), especially when I know it can make a life and death difference. There just has to be a way. Once again I am asking God to provide a way, even though I don't see one! Thanks for helping me stay encouraged here Teresa. I really do appreciate it!

Greeneyz,

Thanks for the info. What time is it there? I live in Texas, USA, and it is 1:00 a.m. Wednesday morning, Central time. I guess it is day over there huh?

Aw, I am so sorry to hear that you are alone! You don't have anyone around to help? If I was close by, I would come and help! I believe everyone needs help some time. Well I send you warm wished and prayers up. Hopefully you will feel better tomorrow! Take care.

Hi ChrisAnn,

Curious to see how the doc appt went, and if you are felling better, I pray for you a speedy recovery.

Hello Red,

Just wondering how you have been doing? Are you still in your post-op diet phase? If you don't mind me asking questions that is.

Greeneyez,

I forgot to ask, how much is 70 kg, and if you don't mind me asking, what pre-op diet did you have, and what kind of post-op are you on? Just curious, as I am still learning about Lap band.

Greeneyez,

So glad to hear that your surgery went okay. I was thinking of you all, since I think there were a few also getting banded this week.

I can't wait, I keep praying for a way for this to get done. I am so fearful that I am going to have to wait years since I am going to be a self-pay.

Can't wait to hear specifics, when you feel like sharing! Good 4 u! I just know from reading others' comments that it will get better and better for you! Take care!

TamiSCool,

If you don't mind me asking, what was the total cost for your procedure. I am a self-pay, and was looking into going down to Shreveport myself, if it might be a little less expensive than Doctor Heikyl and Doctor Keilin in Texarkana. So were you one of the first patients there to get Lapband? Thanks.