Spaz80

I'm glad I found this thread. I'm currently pre-op and deciding between the VSG and Lap Band. I have UHC and will have to go check what my employer opted for but I think we have WLS. I'm currently in my six month program with my surgeon's office since it is required of UHC. Five year history of weight will be easy too if they need it. I'm just glad to see that UHC is approving in cases since I wasn't sure. I am leaning more towards the VSG and will be getting more information at my next meeting with my dietary program.

I'm like many of you. I have an addiction to food. It has been a source of comfort for me for many years. The only time I was able to not think about food was when I conciously decided not to and instead starved myself. But now that I know I'm going to deal with it. I have already started one of my new hobbies, pen palling. I love to write letters and figured it would be something good to fill the time when I would sit in front of the TV putting away all kinds of food. Now I can sit, listen to the TV and write a letter. Keeps everything active. I'm also hoping to take up golf as my husband is excited at the prospect of me walking 18 holes with him. I like the sport, just can't do the walking (lower back pain). I think the best thing is to know that you have had an issue and work on it the best way possible for you, because everyone is different. Oh and if anyone reading this is interested in becoming a pen pal (no e-mail) then send me a private message.

I realized that I have every privacy setting on Facebook turned on so you might not be able to find me. I'll fix it so you can find me and I'll add the newcomers tonight when I get home from support group and dinner. I'll also look for the group at that time. BTW - Everyone knows I'm going to have the band done. So no worries about what you post on my pages. And I'll respect others wishes to keep it private too. We are all here for each other which is what matters most. Talk to you all soon.:thumbup:

Hi, I sent a friend request to you all. I hope you will accept. If anyone is interested in adding me please do, vkent80@gmail.com.

Amy thank you for sharing. I'm totally going to check out your blog too. And I like your lists of what has changed and what hasn't.

Hi there. I've been telling people, but that's because I don't care what they think. As I've been telling them about my process I mention that the weight loss will happen over time, the band is just the tool to help me meet my goals. Everyone so far has been supportive. My DH and Mom have both gone to the initial consult with me. I was hoping my Mom would get banded at the same time since we both need to lose weight and could do it together. That may happen or not. Either way she's willing to make the changes with me. So that's my story. I've been telling everyone and so far no bad reactions except from one family member. But I haven't let that affect me. Good luck.

Mine is being supportive. He came to the first meeting to meet the doctor and hear the information. He comes home and asks how I did (I've started my adjustment to eating three meals a day and such). I share with him what I was able to accomplish that day. The nutrionist said that the best support he could give was to Celebrate all the accomplishments not just the ones on the scale. I was more worried about my mom who we live with. She too went and is totally on board with helping me succeed. I hope she too will have the band done as she needs to lose the weight as well, but if she does some of it with me it is better than nothing. Just keep him in the loop and let him know how much you love him.

Great forum. I haven't hit that "last supper syndrome" yet. I am trying to start the basics that I was told at my first meeting. I don't drink before, during or after meals. I eat slowly, take a bite, put it down, talk, then take another bite. I'm cutting out soda so that by March I won't need it. But I'm afraid that when I do get that surgery date I will go nuts freaking out. I'm hoping that my DH will keep me grounded and it won't happen.

I haven't been banded yet, but I'm working on all the lifestyle changes that have been presented to me such as not drinking 30 minutes before, during, or for 30 minutes after a meal. Today after lunch I slipped a piece of chewing gum in to quench my thirst for now. Will I still be able to chew gum as long as I don't swallow it? Does it matter I didn't wait 30 minutes after eating before chewing it? Thanks for any and all comments.

Adagray I've been told the same thing. Diet sodas make you crave more sweets and carbs. I'm doing the limiting myself and cutting back. And I've started to do the not drinking before, during, or after a meal. I usually get a glass of water just in case, but it has just there. The after part is what I find the hardest and I want to chug something but I'm sure it will get easier. Sorry I went off topic.

I was just curious if any of you had to do laps in the hospital after your surgery. My Dr. requires you to do so many laps around the nurses station before you can leave so you aren't just lying around. I'm hoping that I won't need much time off as my days are all rolled into one (sick days, vacation time).

Hi Jessica, I feel that I am in the same boat as you. I drink a lot of soda during the day. I'm cutting it out slowly until I don't need it. The headaches are what sucks, but instead of quitting cold turkey just cut it down until you don't even need the one.

It stands for dear husband usually.

Nancy it sounds like you are doing great. Thank you for sharing and I hope the shoulder pain goes away.

Skinnyjeans husband you are an awesome supporter. My DH has already said he will do what he needs to so we are both comfortable including sharing meals. He came with me to the initial question and answer and has asked to go to anything else he can so he can better understand what I will be going through. I'm glad we have all found such wonderful supporters and husbands.

I'm still getting the band, I was just curious if anyone else had been told this. Besides if I start the diet before surgery I will lose weight and possibly lower my BMI anyway, it didn't make sense logically that he would have said that.

You are a very loving and caring husband to support your wife in her decision. Yesterday at my consultation mine asked what he could do to help me and was told that being supportative was a good start. But to celebrate the all the victories especially the ones that don't relate to the scale. One of the things I'm looking forward to is being comfortable in stadium seats again, we go to a lot of baseball games and the seats are so small for me. When I finally fit comfortably and don't have to get up every inning to stretch that will be a victory, something to celebrate. The best thing I can is be open with her and talk with her. Communication is a great tool. Good luck to her tomorrow and you as you take the journey together.

I met with my surgeon yesterday and he told me that people who have a BMI over 50 do not succeed on with the Lap-Band and that gastric bypass would be a better solution for me. Well I know I don't have to choose today which surgery I want, but I was upset. Now granted my height isn't going to change, but if I start working on my habits now I will lose some of my weight pre-surgery and be under the 50 BMI "curse" as he made it sound. I was just curious if anyone else has been told the same thing and if you still decided to have the lap-band. Thanks.

Hi, the psych evaluation is what scared me the last two times I talked to the doctor about surgery. However, third time is a charm and I'm not going to be scared. I hope it all goes well. Besides what does taking a multiple choice test really tell people about your personality and psyche?

What is slime?

Hi Serenity. I live in the San Fernando Valley, close to you . I'm excited about doing this. I have seen Dr. Q twice before in the last four years about having surgery but always chickened out. This will be my third time going through the whole first appointment process again, but I'm leaving with an appointment for the psych. My PCP is totally thrilled that I have committed to doing the surgery. My ultimate goal for weight loss is so I can get pregnant. But I'm willing to wait for that and be healthy. Perhaps we will meet some time in the near future seeing as how we have the same surgeon.

I have a Wii and the Wii Fit. I just got the Wii Fit Plus for Christmas. When I did use my Fit I found that my heart rate was up and I was getting a decent workout while having fun. I also got Dance Dance Revolution for the same thing to have fun while exercising. I'm hoping to make more use of it after my surgery, when it happens.

I want to thank everyone who has contributed to this thread so far. Your information is very helpful.

Hi everyone. I'm new to this website, but not to the idea of WLS. I have seen the same surgeon twice before and both times was timid to have surgery. This time is different as is my outlook on my life. I want to have children and can't do that unless I lose the weight. I have tried diets with not much success. I'm looking forward to taking my journey to weight loss for the ultimate goal of being healthy enough to have children. I have a blog that I'm going to use to record my progress. I will post it at another time. I look forward to reading the threads and learning about everyone's stories. Spaz