LastOptionAtty

When I went to the informational they made it clear that surgery is only a tool. In fact the Dr. said during her presentation The Weight loss success is based on 3 things 1. Diet/Nutrition 2. Exercise and a DISTANT 3rd she said was surgery. She said people can 'trick' the band and people can stretch the gastric pouch if the lifestyle has not changed it will come back for sure.

Many CONGRATS!!!!!

Well the info session went very well. The Dr is very, very funny. I like her. :crying:

Have you tried greek yogurt? Its thick and creamy some are like a soft ice cream texture. I eat Chobani they may sell it in your area. As for cheese I use laughing cow spread. They come in plain and onion, herb, garlic flavors they are great on crackers or an english muffin. I don't even eat sliced cheese most of the time. Hope that helps! :crying:

Hi there! I know on the other post you said your insurance company will start covering lapband in Jan. but did you call them and did they say you would need that kind of proof? I thought I would and a referral from my Dr. and 3-6 motnhs of monthly visits to her as proof too but it looks like the insurance companies change rules from time to time b/c I was looking at old posts and others in my area w/ the same company have said they needed a few things and when I called they said I do not need a referral and all I needed to demonstrate was that I had a BMI over 40 and go to the Dr. I wanted b/c she was in their network. So call and check if you have not already. But if that is the case I would make an appt with my PCP asap and get the ball rolling. Good Luck!! Looking forward to your updates!

Oh wow that's great that your insur. will start to cover it! Let us know how your Dr. appts go! Ajn. 1st will be here before you know it!

Since there are a few newbies (like myself) maybe we can do a roll call of sorts to see who is still around and where you are in your journey!

I faxed my information packet Friday

Andddd I am going to my first informational tonight :eek:

I am about 99% sure this is what I am going to do b/c no matter how focused I try to be I tend to fall off the 'wagon' case in point I made it back to the gym yesterday :thumbup:after a 30 day "break." I packed my lunch, Snacks, etc and I still went for the iced lemon cake and chips :thumbup: I have about 100 calories left for the day and its only 1pm I know I need help & I am tired of fighting the facts; but that's a good thing! I am really inspired by the stories I have read.

What about you? Pre-op, Post-Op, Weight loss thus far,etc.

Thanks Soror April!!!

Great post! I feel like I eat allllll day long that would be a nice change. That is my most biggest challenge with WW by like 3 pm I am done with my points even if its a good food day! Thanks so much!

I really enjoyed that issue! The fashion was off the hook. I am going to get a pair of the jeans from LB I think they fit with the same concept as Apple Bottoms so the waist doesn't gap in the back.

Mo'nique does look good and we'll never know what she had done but let's me honest we are all professional women, some with a hubby and kids if our "job" was to tell jokes and act and that would be easier (not saying easy b/c we all know Oprah's deal) but it is a lot harder to work a 9-5 and keep all these balls in the air and take care of ourselves and cook and clean and wash and cater to different things and we can barely find time or $$ for a personal trainer so it is what it is! I don't knock artist I wish I could afford a chef and a personal trainer on call but alas that's not my deal in life! But she does look good plus her new movie sounds so dark but a good break for her!

Hi All!

Thanks again for the warm welcome! :w00t: I have found so much helpful information here! I am still in the ‘research’ stage although I have pretty much made up my mind to have the surgery. So I was wondering can you all share what a typical day (or a few days) is like in the life of a person with lapband is like in terms of your food (portions, etc.), Fluid intake, and exercise routine. I am still playing catch up on some posts but I thought since some of you are at various post-opt stages it would still be a good re-post if this has already been discussed. Thanks!

Thanks so much EbonyRose!!!! I really do like the vibe on this board I am happy I found it! I have learned a lot already reading the old post. WOW you process seems to be moving fast I heard/read about people waiting 3-6 months so that is wonderful! I hope my process will move as quickly.

ETA: You inspired me to call and see if I can fax the informational form they said yes so off it goes!

I agree - my mother had GB and she lost a lot of weight, but she didn't change her eating habits. She didn't work out. So she didn't lose as much as she could have. She is now working with a personal trainer and watches what she eats so she is getting better. She attempted to have the "band over bypass" surgery, but there was too much scar tissue around her smaller stomach that they couldn't do it. So she is having to work hard and she actually likes it because she is seeing results. With the band you HAVE to adjust your eating habits or nothing will happen. With GB most people aren't given dietary restrictions, just eat smaller portions.

I heard that is becoming more & more popular (getting the band after gastric). I really think that is why the lap band is the only form of surgery I would consider. That's great that your Mom is seeing results again!

Hello Soror Kia. I am new to the forum but spent today reading all the post. I am so sorry to hear about the band and your fiance I got this from another board.

Ephesians 2:8-9

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast.

INSPIRATION

The phrase, God is good all the time and all the time, God is good is a simple yet effective way of explaining the grace afforded to you every day by God. It is gift that cannot be exchanged, returned or re-gifted. The grace God gives is just what you need to accomplish today's goal. I bet you have already felt God's grace this morning; now accomplish today's goals.

Skee Wee, My Soror, Skee Weeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!

Trust me we are all in this together. When I read your post, I felt like I was talking about myself. It's been up and down over the past few years and I just can't keep it off. It's hard to have to admit that this item that you place on your "To Do List" just can't get done. I've always been able to set a goal and achieve it and move forward.

Keep your head up and move forward. Trust me, it's not that you failed in any fashion, but our lives as women are so busy that we fail to care for and love the one person that we should....ourselves!!! I know that you are weary of the surgery, but I know that it will be a great move for you.

I'm not sure where you are located, but if you need a friend or better yet a sister, then Soror I am here. My husband and I both had the surgery done in June and he has already lost 50+ lbs. I'm at 30+ right about now, but I'm thrilled at the weight loss. I have gone from a 22-24 to a size 18 in this short time. I can't wait until December for Christmas, as I have promised myself a brand new wardrobe. :smile2:

It's time to put yourself first, and that first step might include saying "I can't do it alone" and that's ok. That's why this forum is here.

Soror Jen

Thanks sooooo much Soror Jen!!! I needed to hear that :smile: That is so impressive it took me over a year to squeeze into some size 18 jeans from Ashley Stewart. Now they are in the back of my closet :mad:. I am going to take your words to heart and admit I do need support/help on this journey (that is so hard for me!) so Thank You "for we know there is no other..."

Welcome to the forum LastOption,

My advice to you is to do what is best for you! This is your body, as well as your decision. It took me a long time to come to this decision. I've been there done that, you name a diet, I bet I've tried it. I also lost weight on WW, approximately 40+ pounds, and guess what, yep gained half of that back. I started the band process before I had the chance to gain back the other half, and I must say, although I'm only three weeks post-op I am very happy with my decision. Good luck in your journey, and remember you will always have our support here on LBT!

Thank you so much for the warm welcome and support! I spent most of the day catching up on all the post WOW 3 weeks? That's wonderful I am looking forward to seeing your progress! Thanks again!

As others have said they had gastic bypass surgery. That is why I am looking into and have basically made up my mind to go with the lap band. With gastric the weight comes off faster but you can stretch your new stomach back out. A friend in law school had the (gastric) surgery she went for a size 30/32 down to a 12/14ish and went back up about a year later to a 22/24. In class she would eat bags of microwave extra butter popcorn, candy, fast food, juice, and slowly but surely the weight came back on. Granted she was still smaller than when she began but she had several complications and to still regain so much. That just let's you know its not just about eating less and moving more weight loss is mental as well.

I think that is why I am looking into lapband b/c the restriction stays in place as long as you keep getting your fills. I need that long term option to be successful.

LOL I love this thread! You all are ladies after my own heart:smile: I'd say:

NY & C, Vicky's, Black House White Market, Lilly Pulitzer, and I will own a black Gucci dress and wear it for my 35 birthday party!

Hi All!

I've been lurking around this website for 2-3 weeks and just found this forum! I am happy I did it seems like a nice mix! Well a lil about me

*I am an Attorney for the Federal Government

*33 never married/no kiddies

*5'2''- weight is up & down between 270-280s from a high of 290's

*dating A LOT lol and having some fun

*This week is my 3 year homeowner annivesary!

*Love to travel-I've been to Paris, Scotland, Jamaica, and all over the UK

*I am a Soror of Alpha Kappa Alpha as well (Skee-Wee Sorors!):cursing:

*Very involved with my sorority

*I adjunct teach part time

*and the list goes on and on :-) typical sista with the world on her shoulders while putting on her MAC lipstick! lol

Well I've always been overweight however in the past 10 years it has gone from bad to worst. In 2006 I checked off eveything on my 'To Do List' up to that point and saw the only thing left was to lose weight! So I rejoined Weight Watchers for the millionth time but with some serious focus and had wonderful results; I lost about 50 pounds!!! I went from an all time high for 291 pounds to the 240's a weight I have not seen for a long time-pre-law school.

Along with WW I became a serious gym rat sometimes working out 2 times a day 3-4 hours day. I also got the bomb therapist and began woking on some 'issues.' I went from 26/28 to 20's it was wonderful! I was feeling great about myself and about life!

Then I kept trying to do more and more and slowly regained weight and that threw me for a tailspin. I was fighting the same 5-10 pounds for 6 months then I went on a 5 day cruise and gained 11 pounds!!! I was embarassed and didn't go back to WW for another month or 2 and gained another 11 pounds! So I regained 1/2 of what I fought so hard to lose.

I did some research and realized for some people who have been overweight while they may lose weight the bigger battle is keeping the weight off and it isnt about will power its really how the body and mind work when it comes to losing weight.

I am not 100% sold on lapband but its a means to an ends. I know I do not want to be overweight anymore and I have given 110% and got results but here I am struggling to get motivated to fight again. That is so hard.

I told my Mom, Dad, and sister I was thinking about it last New Year and said when Dec 2008 comes around I will see where I am and make up my mind. Everyone was super supportive. The thing is I really want to be able to do this on my own. I think that's just my ego but I am looking at it as just another tool just like LSAT prep for law school, BarBri for the Bar Exam, a real estate agent to find a home, etc. to get me to my goal.

I call BCBS and I do not need a referral from my Primary! Even though I will tell her when I see her Friday. We have discussed it and she has seen me go up and down so I know she will be supportive. I meet the requirements and I am going to the informational next Monday. I finished the forms and I will mail them Friday and go from there.

Like others have said, I am not telling anyone but I know I will need support along the way so I think this is a great place to be.

Sorry I am so long winded but I'm a lawyer and we used to get paid by the word you know? lol