Catherine55

Hi! Welcome! I am 38 too, and from TX -- but I live in NYC. Glad to have you with us! Catherine

Welcome!! I don't know how to put in the ticker -- I just put my stats in my signature line. To do that, click on your profile, and in the line below your avatar (or where an avatar would go), you'll see "Customize Profile" or something very similar. Click on it, then select "Edit signature." Good luck! Catherine

BTW, that was freaking rude, uncalled for, and completely insensitive. Not nice! You may want to think very seriously about whether you will tell people about the band if you decide to get it. Lap band weight loss is slow and steady (which is the healthiest way to do it & gives your skin a chance to keep up). Also, during the first few weeks after surgery and before your first fill, there is a period called "Bandster Hell" when you can eat what you like and your weight loss is very likely to stall (quite a few people . . including me. . gain a few pounds then). Anyway, I can just see this girl saying something rude during your first month or so like "Wow. . all that money for weight loss surgery and you're barely even losing!" I wouldn't want you to feel demoralized by something like that. Catherine

Heidi, my starting stats were very similar to yours -- 5'6", 230 lbs and a BMI of 37. I was banded on October 23rd and am down 51 pounds as of this morning! I have gone from a tight size 20/1X to a 14, and am still losing and motivated. I attribute a lot of that to the benefits of being banded. The band has been a Godsend for me. Of course, I've had to watch what I'm eating and (finally) motivate to exercise, but having this little device that makes me think about what I'm eating before I stuff it in my mouth and that prevents me from overeating has been fantastic. It has kept me on the straight and narrow counteless times where, if I wasn't banded, I would have ordered the wrong thing or overeaten. I know myself well enough to know that I could not have been perfect on a normal diet for 9+ months -- much less still had the desire after 9 mos. to keep going! But, with the band, it's been so much easier. And, I know that, statistically speaking, I am going to keep off the weight this time, whereas more than 95% of regular dieters gain it all back and more. I hope you find a good solution for yourself! Feel free to check out my blog if you want to see how someone with a similar BMI & height did. I also have a link in there to Lise the Loser's blog -- she also has similar stats (and looks amazing)! Best, Catherine

Good for you for going to the meeting! That is great! I agree with Pachelton -- this site is a great resource -- not just for information, but also for support and encouragement! I put a bunch of posts about my surgery, post-op plan for success, foods that work, etc. on my blog. Feel free to take a look if you are interested. I did a lot of my pre-op research by looking at others' blogs -- there are some great ones out there, and it gives a good idea of what to expect. Best wishes, Catherine

Wonderful!! Congratulations and best wishes for a safe surgery and speedy recovery! Be sure to pack lip balm for the hospital. Also, definitely take your measurements (chest, waist, hips, thighs, calves, lower arm, upper arm, wrist, ankle) today and put them in a spreadsheet (or even just a notebook). It is so great to see how many inches you lose as you go -- especially if you get in a phase where you are not losing pounds (but are losing inches). It's very motivating! I put my measurements in an Excel spreadsheet and I also have my weight in there. I update every time I lose and do my measurements about every 10 pounds. I definitely recommend doing this! Best wishes, Catherine

Welcome to "Bandster Hell"! Don't worry -- just stay on your diet the best you can. This period will end as soon as you get a fill that gives you decent restriction, and you won't be so hungry anymore. Hang in there -- everyone goes through this! Catherine

I stalled a lot when I started working out seriously (I am wrapping up 8 weeks of a hard core Boot Camp workout program) and it really bummed me out. But, I had taken my measurements, so at least I could see that I was losing a lot of inches b/c I was building muscle and losing fat, even though the scale just stayed the same. Once my body stopped building so much muscle (b/c I was more fit), I started losing again. I did the math last night and will share it with you here: Up to May 21st (first day of Boot Camp), I was averaging 1.43 pounds per week. Since then, my loss has been as follows: Weeks 1-4 of Intense Workout: .55 lbs/week (with zero lost for 17 days in a row during that time!) Weeks 5-6 of Intense Workout: .5 lbs/week Weeks 7-8 of Intense Workout: 2.2 lbs/week So, take a look at your measurements for now and keep up the great workouts! Eventually, your body will get used to the muscle and it (since muscle helps you burn more calories) should speed up your metabolism and help you lose even better than before! Catherine

Thanks so much, you guys!!! Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, I'm down another pound this morning!! This is so great b/c it took like a week to get off the last .4!! It was so nice to see all of these great messages (and the poem and song lyrics people put on my blog)! I really feel fantastic and am so greatful for all of the support I get through this site!! xoxoxo, Catherine

Thanks!! I am so happy about this!! Nellie (and all new bandsters), if you haven't taken your measurements, be sure to do it right away! It's so great to be able to see the inches go when the scale isn't moving all that quickly. With 24+ less inches on me, I have to admit that I am a LOT more comfortable and look a lot leaner!

I finally hit the 50 lbs down mark this morning!!! I am finally back in the 170s -- I haven't seen that number for YEARS!!!! I am so happy right now, and so glad that I decided to get banded. I could never have gotten to this point on my own. I now have only 24.6 more lbs to go to get me to my goal of 155 (with a super goal of 145). What a great feeling!! I just wanted to share it with you guys! BTW, it's taken me nearly 9 months to lose 50 lbs. I saw the other day that someone was lamenting only losing that much, but I feel really good about it! If I hadn't been banded, I probably would have put on another 10-15 lbs during that time, and today I'd be beating myself up mentally because nothing fits. Instead, I'm cheering and doing a little happy dance because almost nothing fits (it's all too big)!! Catherine

Woo-hoo!! I made it into the 170s!! I'm at 179.4 as of this morning. I'm going to try to get further into the 170s this month, but am thrilled to finally be here! Catherine

I don't have any problem with popcorn, but I either chew or don't swallow the hard kernel part that sometimes is still on certain pieces. I haven't really had any pickles, but I'm sure they are fine. I eat green pepper now and then, and it's totally fine as long as I chew it well. Catherine

On my dr's schedule, you would be on mushies right now. Not sure what your Dr. has as your plan. So, following my dr's plan, you could enjoy things like: Yogurt; Scrambled eggs; guacamole (if you mush it up and take out any big chunks of onion, etc.) mashed potatoes salmon Soups cottage cheese Jello frozen yogurt I hope that helps! Catherine

Welcome aboard!! I hope that your surgery goes really well. I know that lots of people who are diabetic get banded -- my guess is that your doctor will tell you that it's OK. But it's probably more important for you even than for other (non-diabetic) patients to stick to your pre-op diet scrupulously. Sounds like you are doing great! :thumbdown: Best wishes, Catherine

I still struggle with that one, and I'm 9 months post-op!

I like those drinks SO much better than shakes. Seriously, the shakes are gag-inducing. I have a huge container of shake mix and really need to throw it out b/c I am never going to use it. . unless there is a famine and it's either that or starve to death!

Your post made me think of something -- this isn't 100% responsive, but it's not a bad thing to think about. A few years ago, I saw this great Dear Abby column -- it was of this woman who was in her 40s or so and who was saying that she had always wanted to be an attorney, but now she feels like if she goes, she'll be like 45 by the time she graduates. Abby was like. . . well, in 3 years, you're going to be 45 no matter what. You can either be 45 and someone who never realized her dream of being a lawyer, or 45 and a lawyer. I loved that post. Anyway, I know that waiting seems so frustrating and the time seems like it's so long. But, that time is going to pass regardless, and after it does, you're going to be banded and doing great! I know the Dear Abby thing wasn't exactly on point, but I hope you get what I mean -- time is passing no matter what, and as it does, you're doing something to put you in a better place! Best, Catherine

Based on what you said, it sounds like your husband is acting more from fear of change and wanting to control you than from actual fear for your safety -- but if there is a chance that's not the case, would it help for him to talk to your doctor? $2,000 is a small amount to pay to avoid things like diabetes, heart disease, joint pain, sleep apnea, etc. -- not to mention to be healthier, more energetic and just plain better looking! I'm 38 as well. I had my surgery last October and, based on the last 8 months, it's the best thing I've ever done for my overall health. I'm in what may be the best shape of my life (though I still have 25-30 lbs to lose) and feel fantastic. I hope that you are able to get this worked out with your husband. Best wishes, Catherine

Good for you (re motivating to go)! And, good luck tomorrow! I hope you have a very easy surgery and recovery! Welcome to band land! Catherine

Greytz makes a good point. Also, after you are banded (espec. during "bandster hell"), you are going to be able to eat pretty much anything you ate before (though in smaller amounts). I did not cheat on my pre-op diet. It was hard to gear myself up to be able to do that, but I kept thinking about how my liver would be slopping around during surgery if I didn't, and how that might either (a) cause me not to be able to get banded; or ( result in more pain post-op (because of the extra manipulation of my liver). Try to stay on the straight and narrow now. You're almost there! Catherine

I think that you should follow your doctor's advice. It's so great that you are losing right now without real restriction. When your weight loss slows, you can just go in and get a fill then. It's good to lose slowly b/c it gives your skin a chance to shrink a bit more as you lose. Congrats on your loss! Catherine

Mine is on the right, about 3 inches above my belly button and a little to the right. I don't really notice it at all.

Best wishes for a safe surgery and an easy recovery! You are going to be banded by the time you read this -- very exciting! Welcome to the world of actually feeling good about how you are doing with your weight! :thumbup: Catherine

Welcome! I hear you on Protein shakes -- they are just so gross!! This board is a really great spot for getting support, venting or just learning more about what being banded is like. Congratulations on only being 8 days from band day! :thumbup: Best, Catherine