sandi2004

Hi Nicole: I had my surgery in Ventura CA where I live. I understand about not having insurance coverage because my insurance company would not pay for it so I paid out of pocket. My doctor included ALL of the aftercare forever with the price so I was lucky. If you are having the surgery done in Mexico just be sure you have a local place to go to for fills and post op care as well as for support. I'd love to speak with you also. Email me at sandi@bandedliving.com, or send me a PM. You may want to check out my blog or go to my website at Lap Band Support, Lap Band Forums and Information to get more information as to what helped me and others be successful. I'm here for you! When are you having surgery?

You can and will do it as long as you can stay focused. I am so proud of you for making the committment. If there is anything I can do to help you on your journey please contact me. You can email me, PM me, or reach me on the forums. You also may want to take a look at my new website, by patients, for patients at Lap Band Support, Lap Band Forums and Information You can find some great inspiration and information there. Remember, we are all rooting you on so use us all to help you on your journey.

Stephanie: Having been there and done that (and got the T shirt in amuch smaller size) I would be more than happy to chat withyou dialy. Email me at sandi@bandedliving.com. Paying it forward is what I am all about. I am also on yahoo IM if you want to chat that way.

Hi Stephanie: I started my journey as a supersized woman as well (424 pounds) and in 2 years got down to 174 pounds and have been maintaining for 4+ years. I am here to offer you support on your journey. You can check out my story and some of the tips and tools I used to help me along the way atLap Band Support, Lap Band Forums and Information You can also send me PM's or emails with your questions. I am here to help you and support you any way I can. I can never forget all of those who were there (and are still there) for me. I wish you success on your journey.

It's great that you have set up mini goals for yourself. As you get started and see how it goes you may refine these even further. Just remember to Celebrate EVERY pound you lose as another pound you will never have to see again. Also be sure to give yourself space if something happens that throws you off for a day or two. I have found that the worst thing I can do is to beat myself up for not achieving my goals at the exact moment I set in time. This journey, while it is about acheiving goals, is also about celebrating successes and motivating your permanent life style changes. What have you put in place as rewards for yourself? Also, try to come up with a list of NSV to measure as goals also. for me, the first huge NSV was not needing a seat belt extender on a plane. Take a look at this article and see if it makes some sense for you Reflecting On Victories Throughout My Lap Band Journey.

You are being ever so normal. Some people get excited and do not get frightened, others get excited and wonder if they can "follow the rules". So don't worry about being worried. Doesn't that sound nuts? I made it through my surgery, and the past 6 years, following rules, making mistakes, but I chose to have the surgery, just like you are, and was able to successfully get my weight off. You may find some comfort in my surgery day story which you can find at Sandis Surgery Day Story - May 28, 2004

Welcome Cat lady: You are right. This is something you need to do for you. That's how I thought about it 6 years ago. I am now almost 62 and in better health than I have been in probably 30 years! I have muscles in places I didn't even know I had. while I didn't get heparin shots when I had lap band surgery, I did have shots of blood thinner for a week after each of my 2 plastic surgeries. I had a history oif blood clots so this is what my plastic surgeon recommended. I find that the best thing for me is to follow my doctor's instructions. Since you are just starting out, in addition to this board being a great place to meet people you may find some useful information on my blog which you can find at http://www.sandidbandedliving.com Let me know if it helps, and this is a journey that I have never regretted!

Hi Caity- I live in Ventura and have been banded for 6 years and have lost 250 pounds. I'd be more than happy to offer any help and encouragement that I can. You may want to check out my blog at Sandi's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story Perhaps you can find some words of encouragement there. Send me a PM or an email with any questions, comments, etc.

It's not at all unusual for you to start getting hungry right about now so don't worry. Make sure you are getting enough Protein and enough fluids in addition to your mushy meals and see if you can move up your doctor's appointment if you are still pretty hungry. You may find some useful information on my blog atSandi's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story or you can email me and i'd be glad to share my experience with you and offer any support that I can. You're doing great!:biggrin:

You guys are all the greatest! It is so gratifying to be able to offer some hope and inspiration to all of you who are getting started on this journey, but the biggest reward of all is to see how far we have all been able to come with our bands. We all deserve a GOOD JOB! Thanks for sharing- you made my day. I am happy to share with any of you who would like to contact me via email. HAVE A GREAT DAY!

Hi: I am officially 6 years post lap band surgery and maintaining my weight loss. I'd be more than happy to help you "figure things out". You can email me or PM me with your questions.

Just keep your goals in sight and you will get there, You go girl!:tongue2:

You are doing awesome! I'm glad I could give you some encouragement. I have been needing to follow my own advice since I've been having some knee issues. I dialed back a bit and it's tolerable, but I did make an appointment with an orthopedist next week. I'm hoping there is a fix without surgery. ughhhh...keep your fingers crossed

Hi Carol: I'll be more than happy to mentor you and help in any way I can. You can PM or email me directly. You may get some answers to your questions and concerns on my blog at Sandi's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story I think it's great that you are going to a support group before surgery. You are on the right track for learning and that is what it is all about. choosing and learning a new way of life.

I have lost 100 pounds on my own too many times to count...but this time, with the band, I've lost 250 pounds and kept it off. I am 6 years post op as of 5-28 so I speak with some experience. Being nervous is normal. If you'd like some inspiration maybe you can find it at my blog Sandi's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story Goo dluck to you as you join the world of Banded Living.

I'd be more than happy to help.

While I don't live in the UK I'd be glad to help any way possible. I am out 6 years and holding my 250 lb weight loss. I blog my journey with lot's of information at Sandi's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story Take a peek and see if you can find some useful information. Or just send me an email or PM with any of your questions. My only regret about having a lap band is that I didn't do it sooner!

I really understand how hard it is to get going. What sometimes worked for me is to offer myself a "prize" for following through...For example, if I get to the gym to swim for 3 days this week I get a manicure. If I go 4 days next week I get a pedicure. If I make it 5 days the following week I get a facial...or something like that - something that is just for me and is special. do you think that could work for you?

Hi Barbara: My name is Sandi and I had my lap band surgery almost 6 years ago. You can make it through the first period after surgery, I promise. Some people are hungry, but others are not. Every one of us is different and has different reactions to different stages of this journey. Please don't let the people who are struggling scare you off from taking a huge step toward your health. If you would like to read about my journey and how I felt after surgery you can find it on my blog at Sandi's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story I'd be glad to offer any help that I can as you start your journey. Feel free to send me PM's or email me directly. good luck to you!

Two weeks ago I took my grandkids to the beach for the day. This meant I went to the gym at 6 as usual, then into work until 10, then I picked up the kids and took them to the beach. I walked up and down the beach twice, played in the tide pools, had lunch and then back down the beach, and finally home. Somewhere during this process I was sitting in the sun, relaxing for a minute and started to reflect on my life today vs. 6 years ago before I was banded. Just 6 years ago I would have either gone to work or gone with the kids somewhere- not enough energy for both. Four years ago I would have gone to the gym in the morning and probably just taken the kids to the beach. Two years ago I would have gone to the gym, come into work for a bit and taken the kids to the beach. I would have never made it up and down the beach twice. I would have been exhausted by the time we had returned once from the tide pools. This time, approaching my 6th year with a lap band and at 61 years old, I went to the gym, then worked for 2 hours, then took the kids to the beach and walked back and forth on the beach, in out of the surf and the tide pools, up to the restaurant and back, and still had energy to spare. Life is a miracle, my grandkids are blessings, and every day I am grateful for my lap band. If you ‘re early in your journey ,take a moment to think about where you would like to be a year from now. Those who have been on this journey for a while ,take a moment and reflect on what something you are doing today would have been like before you were banded. Let’s share. You can read about this day and many other days since I was banded in 2004 at my blog at Sandi's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story Please let me know if you find it useful.

Two weeks ago I took my grandkids to the beach for the day. This meant I went to the gym at 6 as usual, then into work until 10, then I picked up the kids and took them to the beach. I walked up and down the beach twice, played in the tide pools, had lunch and then back down the beach, and finally home. Somewhere during this process I was sitting in the sun, relaxing for a minute and started to reflect on my life today vs. 6 years ago before I was banded. Just 6 years ago I would have either gone to work or gone with the kids somewhere- not enough energy for both. Four years ago I would have gone to the gym in the morning and probably just taken the kids to the beach. Two years ago I would have gone to the gym, come into work for a bit and taken the kids to the beach. I would have never made it up and down the beach twice. I would have been exhausted by the time we had returned once from the tide pools. This time, approaching my 6th year with a lap band and at 61 years old, I went to the gym, then worked for 2 hours, then took the kids to the beach and walked back and forth on the beach, in out of the surf and the tide pools, up to the restaurant and back, and still had energy to spare. Life is a miracle, my grandkids are blessings, and every day I am grateful for my lap band. If you ‘re early in your journey ,take a moment to think about where you would like to be a year from now. Those who have been on this journey for a while ,take a moment and reflect on what something you are doing today would have been like before you were banded. Let’s share. You can read about this day and many of my days since I was banded in 2004 at my blog atSandi's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story Please let me know if you find it useful.

Two weeks ago I took my grandkids to the beach for the day. This meant I went to the gym at 6 as usual, then into work until 10, then I picked up the kids and took them to the beach. I walked up and down the beach twice, played in the tide pools, had lunch and then back down the beach, and finally home. Somewhere during this process I was sitting in the sun, relaxing for a minute and started to reflect on my life today vs. 6 years ago before I was banded. Just 6 years ago I would have either gone to work or gone with the kids somewhere- not enough energy for both. Four years ago I would have gone to the gym in the morning and probably just taken the kids to the beach. Two years ago I would have gone to the gym, come into work for a bit and taken the kids to the beach. I would have never made it up and down the beach twice. I would have been exhausted by the time we had returned once from the tide pools. This time, approaching my 6th year with a lap band and at 61 years old, I went to the gym, then worked for 2 hours, then took the kids to the beach and walked back and forth on the beach, in out of the surf and the tide pools, up to the restaurant and back, and still had energy to spare. Life is a miracle, my grandkids are blessings, and every day I am grateful for my lap band. If you ‘re early in your journey ,take a moment to think about where you would like to be a year from now. Those who have been on this journey for a while ,take a moment and reflect on what something you are doing today would have been like before you were banded. Let’s share. You can read about this day and my past 6 years banded at Sandi's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story Please let me know if you find it useful.

Two weeks ago I took my grandkids to the beach for the day. This meant I went to the gym at 6 as usual, then into work until 10, then I picked up the kids and took them to the beach. I walked up and down the beach twice, played in the tide pools, had lunch and then back down the beach, and finally home. Somewhere during this process I was sitting in the sun, relaxing for a minute and started to reflect on my life today vs. 6 years ago before I was banded. Just 6 years ago I would have either gone to work or gone with the kids somewhere- not enough energy for both. Four years ago I would have gone to the gym in the morning and probably just taken the kids to the beach. Two years ago I would have gone to the gym, come into work for a bit and taken the kids to the beach. I would have never made it up and down the beach twice. I would have been exhausted by the time we had returned once from the tide pools. This time, approaching my 6th year with a lap band and at 61 years old, I went to the gym, then worked for 2 hours, then took the kids to the beach and walked back and forth on the beach, in out of the surf and the tide pools, up to the restaurant and back, and still had energy to spare. Life is a miracle, my grandkids are blessings, and every day I am grateful for my lap band. If you ‘re early in your journey ,take a moment to think about where you would like to be a year from now. Those who have been on this journey for a while ,take a moment and reflect on what something you are doing today would have been like before you were banded. Let’s share. You can read about this day and my past 6 years with a band at my blog Sandi's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story Please let me know if you find it useful.

How far have you come? Two weeks ago I took my grandkids to the beach for the day. This meant I went to the gym at 6 as usual, then into work until 10, then I picked up the kids and took them to the beach. I walked up and down the beach twice, played in the tide pools, had lunch and then back down the beach, and finally home. Somewhere during this process I was sitting in the sun, relaxing for a minute and started to reflect on my life today vs. 6 years ago before I was banded. Just 6 years ago I would have either gone to work or gone with the kids somewhere- not enough energy for both. Four years ago I would have gone to the gym in the morning and probably just taken the kids to the beach. Two years ago I would have gone to the gym, come into work for a bit and taken the kids to the beach. I would have never made it up and down the beach twice. I would have been exhausted by the time we had returned once from the tide pools. This time, approaching my 6th year with a lap band and at 61 years old, I went to the gym, then worked for 2 hours, then took the kids to the beach and walked back and forth on the beach, in out of the surf and the tide pools, up to the restaurant and back, and still had energy to spare. Life is a miracle, my grandkids are blessings, and every day I am grateful for my lap band. If you ‘re early in your journey ,take a moment to think about where you would like to be a year from now. Those who have been on this journey for a while ,take a moment and reflect on what something you are doing today would have been like before you were banded. Let’s share. You can find the story of this day and many others on my blog at Sandi's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story . Please let me know if you find it useful.