montynic

My “wish list” keeps getting longer. I rearrange the list all the time so that each goal/objective is listed in the order it will be achieved! I have had several surgeries, but those 5 minutes between being wheeled away from pre-op & being asked to take deep breaths & count backwards always feel like the longest minutes of my life. I immediately start praying & telling God that I'm not ready to come home yet. I reached my max weight of 360lbs in 5/07, when my ex-husband and I separated. I lost 100lbs within a few months, thanks to a diet of Jack Daniels (admittedly, not the healthiest way to lose weight). After my "divorce diet" I began gaining weight almost immediately, even though I was eating healthy (which my Dr. attributed to PCOS). Once I reached 325lbs I decided it was time to do something about my weight, only this time I want to do it the right way. I finally feel like I am at a point in my life where I am ready to begin this journey! So, what grade do you teach?

~Nicole

I understand mourning the loss of your old life. As with any loss, we have to give ourselves permission to grieve for what we are losing, even when the loss is our choice & is in our best interest. My main worry is that I am only 25 and don't know what the future has in store for me. I don't anticipate removing the band in the future, as I want the flexibility to fill/unfill it as needed, so I worry about whether or not this implanted device will last me the next 50 years of my life & how it will impact my future. I am worried I will not be able to remain consistent with regards to proper nutrition choices, especially since my favorite foods are Chinese & Mexican! Despite the fears I just rattled off, I am confident I made the right decision & am excited about getting a second chance on life. I have been overweight my whole life. I feel like I am getting the chance to start over & experience what it feels like to be normal-sized! There are so many things I want to do with my new life!

Thanks for friending me too! It will be nice to know someone who is getting banded on the same day as me! I am very excited about the surgery and pretty much just ready to go. I do, however, have my occasional moments of worrying about all the what ifs, wondering if I am making the right decision, and second-guessing my decision to implant a device into my body. (But, given that I am a therapist, over-thinking things from all angles tends to be an occupational hazard of mine.) Overall, I am very excited and am impatiently waiting for 4/1 to finally get here! How are you feeling now that 4/1 is only 2 weeks away?

Looks like we are both being banded on 4/1!

I ended up getting bumped to March and am still waiting for insurance approval. I'm just anxious to be done jumping through all the necessary hoops. How are you feeling with Feb 10th quickly approaching?

~Nicole

Looks like we are both being banded by Dr. Machado. I noticed that your first appointment was in 4/09 and insurance approved after the first letter, and I'm wondering if the 10 month delay was your choice, or if that is the typical timeframe between first appointment and surgery?