redheather

Well guys, I did it!!! I made my first goal today--to be under 300lbs. I weighed in at 298lbs...I did it!!! I am so thrilled!! I feel like I am a new woman today!!! So, what did I do? I gave myself a treat --unsweet tea from McDonald's. It seems insignifigant, but to me it is the greatest treat and the greatest accomplishment in my life at this moment. Please don't get discouraged out there--I know I have just started my new life, but I know that if you look at the path you are on instead of the destination ahead...you get to enjoy the flowers that line it!!! Set little goals along the way to the big one!!! Good luck!! Love yourselves!!!

Well guys, I did it!!! I made my first goal today--to be under 300lbs. I weighed in at 298lbs...I did it!!! I am so thrilled!! I feel like I am a new woman today!!! So, what did I do? I gave myself a treat --unsweet tea from McDonald's. It seems insignifigant, but to me it is the greatest treat and the greatest accomplishment in my life at this moment. Please don't get discouraged out there--I know I have just started my new life, but I know that if you look at the path you are on instead of the destination ahead...you get to enjoy the flowers that line it!!! Set little goals along the way to the big one!!! Good luck!! Love yourselves!!! :thumbup:

I have had a few friends go to Dr. Shina and they have had mixed reviews. I hear that he should stick to doing bypasses and not banding. Also, I was not very impressed with his attitude overall. I have also got a few friends that just LOVE him...they have all had the bypass, though. STAY AWAY FROM DAVID GELLAR!!! This man is a nightmare!! He brags about his "skills", but has botched 5 women that I know (2 have bands, the other 3 have bypass). His ego stands in his way of treating people with any kind of regard and he gets very angry with his patients when they have complications--even if it is not their own doing. Watch out!! I had Dr. Vince Lusco...he did an excellent job, but better still--the staff @ St. Mary's was beyond exemplary!!! They are true blessings!! Their program is surely the best one in the city!! I have investigated all of them. AND, he studied with Jeffrey Allen (who I love as well). If you want to talk about any of this, please feel free to send me a message. Good luck!!!!!

Do not take any laxatives, honey!! As my doc explained to me, the all-liquid diet is not to torture you. It is to shrink the size of your liver. Obese people have large livers, due to the fat content of our bodies. It is extremely crucial that they reduce the size of it because they need to slightly maneuver it to place your band. If they cannot safely get around it, they will probably just stop the surgery and postpone your date. Depending on what and how much you ate, and when you ate it--it will probably determine how much of a setback, if any, there will be. I would just tell your doc and see what he/she recommends. Just remember--keep your eyes on the prize!! I was on my all-liquid regimen over Memorial holiday and had a friend I had not seen for 15 years in--talk about hard to avoid temptation!! Party, party, party is all that we did...but I stayed focused. You will too!!! Just have faith in yourself!!! Good luck!! :incazzato: :driving::huggie:

Oh my heavens!! You are really being dragged over the coals!! Honey--I am sooooo sorry for your plight. Have you gone to the media??? You need to go on a hard core letter writing campaign to any and everyone you can!! Newspapers--local and national, bombard the news channels, contact the insurance commissioners, congressmen, etc!! And do NOT be afraid to name people by name!! Trust me, with a little noise--you will see things come to fruition!! You are so in my prayers, please don't give up hope. My journey took over 4 years!! :thumbup: url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wcUHBPL/] [/url]

Well, I've only had my band for 9 days, but...for about a week, I thought my butt was broken. But then it happened!! Seriously, though--it will be basically none for about a week, then will gradually return, loose at first. All of my other friends who have had it say that "things" will resume, but in diminished volume. Just remember to use your benefiber-type supplements!! Good luck, honey!!! You will be glad you did it!!:tongue2:

I have just started my little journey--my op date was May28th, a little over a week ago. I started at 327.5 and my doc wants me at 145. Quite reasonable, I do say. I try very hard to NOT look at the numbers...they seem so overwhelming and scary on paper!! Instead, I am trying to focus on what I have already lost. Is that reasonable?? Instead of fearing the long journey ahead, I am enjoying the journey that I have already travelled and smiling at the path under my feet. :thumbup:

Hi, Hargan!! I just received my band a little over a week ago, so I am not quite as far along as you are, but I have been doing soooo much research on this for over four years and have had several people tell me stories like yours. One of my good friends told me that when you hit a plateau like that, revert to the lo-carb type liquids OR add protein powder to your broth. This has always worked for her. Another thing I have been told is to step-up your exercise a tiny bit--UGH, I know. But one guy said that for a week or two, he will do five extra mins on the treadmill, or walk up and down his stairs 10-15 times in a row right before dinner. He said that is revvs up his metabolism and burns the calories he is about to ingest. If you can handle spicy food, start eating more of that as well. Good luck, and don't lose faith!!!

Congrats, honey!!! Hope the discomfort is easing up. I'll tell a little secret that has helped me beyond belief!! Gas-X strips, several times a day and Pepcid. TRUST me, it will help you with much of the discomfort. Also, I am having some pretty sharp pain on my left side where they had to go through the muscle. This is very normal and I found relief in a warm shower and intermittent heating pad use!! Good luck, sweetheart!! It is getting better!!!

Did anyone know I had a hipbone??? If you did, why didn't you tell me???!! I was lying there next to my friend the other day, just chatting and I had my arm laid along my side, when suddenly...I felt it... MY HIP-FAT HAD ALREADY BEGUN TO DEFLATE!! I jumped out of bed and ran, in tears, to my best friend. He, of course, was very concerned and inquired about my tears. "I am NOT ready for this!!!" Let me explain... For over four years, I have been actively pursuing the lap-band. I have done an unlimited amount of research, spoken to almost 1,000 people (I am not exaggerating), sought advice from doctors in every field, etc, etc...I could not have been better prepared mentally, physically, or emotionally for my "new life". I was happy to adopt this new lifestyle, the new diet, my new health!!! But, through all of this, there was one thing I am just not prepared for...my new size. I have ALWAYS been the fattest person I know. When I go to a bar, party, resturant, etc--I know how big I am and I also know that people know how big I am (I weighed 327 until yesterday). I learned to love my size--because it is the only body I have, and I use it as a defense. I know that guys won't approach me, people will gawk at me, and some will even avoid me. I feel powerful that I have this effect on people. They notice me...I don't notice them. And, for some reason, when I see a larger person, I feel a strange sense of "competition" with them. But now, that is changing--even as I type!! Through all of my soul-searching, goal focusing, and preparation for this...I never entertained the thought that I will be getting thinner. How ludicrous!! But, there it is, I never thought about how I will actually look. I admit, I am scared...my defenses are going to be lowered and I am not sure how things will be without my "fat fort". I am just trying to be optimistic about my new self-acceptance, and I thank God for the wonderful support structure I have. I have a lot of things to learn!!! Wish me luck, guys...whoever thought weight-loss would make you skinny??:thumbup:

I am so thrilled to read everyone's stories!! I just had my band put on 2 days ago (May 28th). After 4 years of jumping through hoops...my dream came to fruition!! My doctor was Vince Lusco III @ St. Mary's and Elizabeth hospital in Louisville KY. I highly recommend him, his group and the entire Sts M&E bariatric group to anyone looking for a surgeon in this area!!! I have never experienced such support and love from people as I have here!! There is even one of the RNs who had the band a couple of years ago--and she is a REAL help!! :w00t: My operation day was pure joy!! I was prepped, operated on and sent safely home in less than 8 hours!! AMAZING!! And I felt great!! The only "complaints" I guess I have are that my throat is a bit sore (from being intubated) and that my esophagus keeps spasming. But I hear that is all normal, so I am not terribly afraid.:tt2: I am so excited to get to start my new life!! A life free of diabetes, hypertension and, maybe sleep crapnea!!! I want to get back into high heels...and take ballroom dancing lessons with my Brian!!!:wub: