Numbrgirl

I didn't tell many people of my decision so most people just see me eating less. The ones that do know will be watching to see if it ultimately makes any difference in my life. I am determined to get down to a "normal" size and maintain it there. Nothing too extreme - just athletic and healthy. I went to a wedding this weekend - it was the first time I didn't have any cake at a wedding!! It was a pretty cake but I had no desire to have any...........I did start my exercise this morning. I am going into my 4th week today. I started out slow - 20 mins = 1 mile and felt really good when I was done. I know this is not enough to make a dent but I want to ease back in to stay away from any injury and don't want to get burned out. I am amazed at the amount of energy I have these days. Not to be sluggish is such a blessing.

Salsa - WOW I am so impressed by you and your blog! What determination! I used to be an avid runner in my 20's and then I got pregnant and started working my own business - working like a dog for both myself and other people and never really lost the weight from the pregnancy and then just started compounded it over and over. I will be starting my exercise program this week on the treadmill. The doctor says I can do cardio - whatever doesn't "hurt" since I will be entering my 4th week banded tomorrow. Thanks for the inspiration - I hope that I can make a difference once the exercise is added.

At the beginning it seems like it is a more "drastic" step than it really is - at least for me. It is a useful tool that is always with me and helps me regulate my food both physically and mentally. Since being banded I don't even try to shove some of the same stuff down my throat that I used to (ie breads, pastries, etc.) also staying away from sodas and the fast food helps immensely.

Congrats - whatsarah!! Such a great outlook. I am excited for you! Now you won't be in your 40's, dealing with weight issues, bad joints, etc. Good 4 You!! 8-)

Wish I would have done it sooner myself. Oh how much money, effort, etc. I would have saved......but I guess all of our circumstances lead up to this time to help us strive for more success - finally a valuable tool to use to my advantage!! I know that we experience let downs, lack of loss, plateaus, etc. but have faith it will continually be with us! At least that is what I am telling myself!!

It is very interesting to eat like a thin person. It still feels a little foreign but good!! I am surprised at my ability to stop eating and push the rest away - of course it might help know that if I don't stop it will start to come back up!!!

Just don't look at it as a restriction - look at it as a boost out of the bad habits and choices that have been made to get you where you are! You have to be ready to make a lifestyle change and you will have so much more energy once all the junk carbs and fast food, sodas, etc are out of your everyday diet. I think I am the most amazed that the "sluggish" feeling has left me and I am only at the end of my 3rd week of being banded. It is such a useful tool. I hope you will put it to good use and be amazed!!

Gas seems to be a constant issue.............my husband will have to learn to live with it!!! 8-)

It is difficult to be patient for sure. It helps to mix the food up a little and eat a little more one day and then not so much the next day. This holiday weekend presents a perfect opportunity to do that!! Thanks to all the troops and those who have given their lives for our freedom and safety.

I am only in my 3rd week with the band but I too realize that I am not constantly fixated on food anymore. Today the office had a birthday celebration with all the wrong things for me, I was able to eat some of my mushies right along with everyone else and not feel like I was missing out on anything. I am so thankful for lapband. I wish I would have done it years ago.

I was told by my doctor's office today that I can start my "exercise" this weekend. Hoping that I can really incorporate this into my life again. I was an avid runner when I was in my 20's and then life got so busy I let it get away from me........I enjoy exercising once I get started - it is just getting started!!

Congrats Christy.........what a blessing to have the opportunity to use this tool. I was watching the operating being done on a medical show the other day and just sat amazed at how much progress has happened in medicine. God is good.

Congrats Braven - how did you lose so much?? CookieLover - I LOVE your list of things. Really Great!!

Wonderful - I will take you up on the offer!!! So nice of you.

Indiogirl ~ I was thinking of you this morning on my drive into the office. One more reason your loss and testimony is so inspiring is because I have heard from both my doctor's office and the various medical shows on TV ("Big Medicine" on TLC) that the lapband is not as effective as the full gastric bypass. The last statistics I heard on this show was that the patient should only expect to lose about 40-50% of the excess body weight. Now something is better than nothing but for an obese person - 40% is not quite enough to live a truly healthy life. So whenever I might be discouraged or fall back on "well 40% is standard..." I will know that there are exceptions to the rule and with diligence and hard work, I can be an exception!! So thanks again!! :biggrin2:

Wow - what an inspiration!!! Thanks for sharing. I too would have mixed feelings about being a poster girl - the procedure does change lives but like many, I have kept my decision to do this very private - only a few trustworthy friends and family members know - so I guess it really is going to have to be a personal decision on your part. What do you attribute most of your success to? lack of food, exercise ??? Give some of the newbies some advice!! 8-)

The energy level is surprising to me as well. It happens whenever I lay off carbs, soda, fast food, bread............

I believe you have to add it to your signature area.

Thanks for the encouragement! I am so glad to have found the lap band procedure and feel like this time it will actually be a permanent solution to this constant roller coaster ride!! Want to start enjoying life again. I saw a sign once that I have never forgotten...it read: "Don't give yourself an excuse not to live life." That is what obesity does, it gives you permission to sit on the sidelines and watch the world go by. But NO MORE!!!

Froggi ~ That was such an honest response. I share that same sentiment. Not that I don't do it thoroughly now but it would be nice if it was a little easier....things fit people never think about!!

I love your list!!!

Honestly, at first I thought it was Feb 2008 but even at 2007 time frame that is still good!! I have been wanting to take up some exercise and have been walking more - my doctor's office just told me to take it easy for another week or so. I like to inquire from everyone about their success to see if there is anything I can learn.

Tory - I am so glad my surgery story touched you. It was a real blessing to me and something I will NEVER forget. I am wanting to use this band as a tool to become the best woman of God I can be. I am the leader of our Women's Group at our church and also sing on the worship team every other Sunday and my weight just inhibits me on a lot of things and I think it really restricts my personality in many ways. I know God loves us all fat or thin - I have just been dealing with this issue for so long, I am looking forward to using the band as a necessary tool and giving God the glory for the stamina, strength and tenacity to make it work for me!! So many people judge by weight and appearance and there are those who will never relate or want to relate to a heavy person. It is really sad to me but I know that I feel better when I am not heavy and my personality becomes much more extroverted when I have more confidence in this area. Not trying to sound shallow - just truthful. I live in So California where the pressure to be Barbie is overwhelming. Now I will never be Barbie again (I was in my 20's and had no clue....) but I will be healthy and more outgoing throughout this journey!!

I know it is something to look at a huge pile of bread and butter (which I usually attack with great abandon......) and just decide not to deal with it. I think in my current stage I could get it down with lots of chewing and water but it is more work than I want to do over a stinkin' piece of bread and besides it is a huge reason for my weight issues. I have not had bread, soda or fast food since I was banded and I think that it where the majority of my weight loss to date has come from. Funny thing, I just don't miss it. Thank God!!

For me the pysch evaluation was an enjoyable experience. My doctor (Dr Solomon - how cool is that?) was a nice, professional man. He asked me a variety of questions about my weight, history, who my support would come from etc. He then asked me to look at a series of "ink spots" to tell him what I saw in each card and then I had to look at some real pictures and give him a story line, plot and outcome. It was a very interesting experience. I am sure everyone's technique and procedures are different but I left feeling like I wouldn't mind seeing him again!!! Before I left he gave me some personal feedback from my interaction with him which was very comforting and encouraging to me. I don't even think he knew how much it meant to me. But I did walk back to my car with big smile on my face!!