HEALTHY111

I went through it too and even the day after I was banded I was questioning it because of the initial pain. I know this is the ONLY way I could start getting healthy and losing weight I have tried it on my own without a wonderful tool like the lap-band for years without any long term successl. Now that I am in my forties I have acquired all kinds of comorbitities: High blood pressure, sleep apnea, PCOS, hernias, being tired all the time, etc... It is very natural for you to get a little anxious before surgery I was getting a little panicky myself and just stopped and prayed and took deep breaths. Then a nurse came over to me and she said she had the lap-band done by the same physician last year and it will be okay. That was a sigh of relief for me because she looked great and I would have never guessed she had the surgery. She said she is now more active than ever she has three sons and is always doing something that before she couldn't do. I myself said time and time again I am standing on the sidelines of my own life and it is terrible to literally see years pass by without me being able to enjoy life to the fullest extent. I want to be the best me I can be and the healthiest me I can be and that involves using the lap-band as a tool to get control over my life. You are in my prayers and I can assure you after the gas pain and soreness you will be feeling better in a few days! Congrats on your decision.

AMEN SISTER! ) Well said!

great job!! You are doing soooo good! ) Congrats on your continued success!!!!!

Sandy thanks for sharing and being so real. It is easy to get sidetracked and get off the path at times but overall in the end I know you are going to meet your weight loss goal. I have read many of your blogs and posts and you are inspirational, funny and motivating! We all look to each other for encouragement on this site and I hope you realize how many people are cheering you on!!!

Congratulations on your decision I wish you much success on your lapband journey!

GIBY97 - Happy Birthday!! Congratulations on your continued success you are doing great! You are an inspiration and encouragement to others, Thank You. Many Blessings to you as well. Also, Congratulations on your Baptism that is a wonderful event!!!

Sounds like you are pretty prepared! Good Luck and Congrats!

File an appeal with your insurance company regardless of the clause in the policy you have life threatening ailments that can be reversed if not cured by losing weight and having the lapband surgery. I would fight this one and call, call, call until they get you approved!! I am surprised that BCBS is turning you down they approve 100% of them in California for the comorbidity issues you have.

Ditto what Sandy said including the tears! God is sooooo good and even the way my surgery came about I know God had a hand in it. I had looked into this surgery a couple years ago and had great insurance and then my company closed due to the economy and I had no insurance. A year and half later I was having problems with stomach pain and it turned out to be a hernia I had to get a basic insurance plan and the Dr I was sent to for hernia repair happened to be the best Lap Band Dr around and I was joking and said you can put a band in me when you fix my hernia (I was kidding) and he said I can do that. I was shocked and they checked with my insurance company and low and behold because of my high blood pressure, hernias and PCOS I was approved for the Lap Band!!! Woooo Hoooo! God is so good to ME! I thought I would never have the opportunity to get this done and look how blessed I was.

Allison - Try the body wrap applicators at www.wraptodaylosetoday.com they are absolutely awesome, they tone, tighten and target fat and toxins!! Review the body slimming testimonials and look at before and after photos - they are affordable and they work! I use them and many of my friends, too many great reviews to list here!! I am using them throughout my Lap Band journey - they Rock!!

Have you checked with your Physician's office? I am in the Modesto area and my Dr had flyers in his office of the different support groups and meetings. My understanding is Fresno has even more options. My friend had hers done and lives there but she never has time for meetings. Also the hospital usually has information on educational meetings and support groups so you can also check with them. Good luck on your journey I wish you much success!!

Personally I wouldn't take the diet pills because of the adverse affects on the heart, etc.. I understand that green tea helps you lose weight so you could add a few cups of green tea to your day. Oolong and white tea are even more effective - google them and read up on them and decide if they are right for you. All in all you have had excellent success over the past year and that is something to be very proud of!

Wow Bklynike thanks for sharing! You are doing great and what an inspiration to others!! If anyone questions whether or not to get the LAP-BAND® all they have to do is read a great post like yours and they will know it is an awesome tool to obtain the healthy lifestyle we all deserve. Janet has a great idea about going to consignment stores while we are in between stages. I don't really want to purchase a new wardrobe until I reach my goal weight. Of course I have a lot of my "skinny" clothes from ten years ago in that corner section of my closet, but it will be awhile before I can fit in any of it. Well Congrats again for getting such great results in such a short period of time. I know you are going to the gym and really working hard for your new body - Good for you!

Kelly111 - You have received some excellent advice today from the women above and you have a whole crowd cheering you on! We all get worried/anxious in the beginning because like marig1104 said we sometimes sabatoge ourselves and think "I can't eat that, etc.." Let me tell you I put this saying on my fridge "NOTHING TASTES AS GOOD AS SKINNY FEELS!" I am sure I got that from one of the very knowledgable bloggers on this site ) I am a newbie and let me be real for a minute; If you are looking for negative you will find it. You have to be in the right place mentally to have this surgery the lap band is tool not a magic bullet. You have to use it to your advantage and make it work for you. Life is what you make it. For me I have been overweight to some extent the better part of 15 years, I could lose weight for a little while but it found me again and brought some friends. It is a battle sometimes it could be genetic, hormonal, medical, etc.. which for some it can be harder to lose. All I know is for me the lap band is the ONLY answer to getting rid of this fat that weighs me down physically and emotionally! I am not as happy or confident as I was when I was thinner and I am more self concience about the way people look at me being overweight stinks! It is uncomfortable in the summer which I hate because I can't hide under 50 layers of clothing. My goal is to lose 80lbs by next summer and the lap band is the tool I am going to use to reach that goal! Only you can decide what is best for you. If you decide to get banded I assure you that you will find much support from the bloggers on this site they are here to uplift and encourage on a daily basis! Best wishes!

I heard once that "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels" so when I see or smell something I want to eat I think of that motto. I know it's not much but it helps me. )

Great Job hang in there it will get better the hiatal hernia needs time to heal along with the band. You are doing great. The band would be a little swollen at first that is why the DR waits for the first fill for your swelling to go down and for you to heal somewhat. Congratulations and best wishes on this journey and thanks for sharing.

I am in Stanislaus County and many of the bandsters have the "Let's Band Together" meetings once a month and the hospital also has weekly educational band meetings - Like Sandradee said check with your physician's staff or the surgery center or hospital you had your procedure done they usually can point you in the right direction. A friend of mine in Fresno had the bypass and said there are several groups in her area for both the band and the bypass. Good Luck!

I agree with the two other posts!! You made me tear up thanks for sharing, I love the good bye lane bryant, etc... I have credit cards to all thos "Big Girl" shops. I am soooo HAPPY for you - YOU GO GIRL!!

You really are doing great 30lbs in 3 months is great if you lose too fast it can cause health problems, hair loss and vitamin deficiancies. Sometimes slow is the way to go! At least you are losing and if you are exercising you could be gaining muscle which weighs more.

Congrats PM82 on your decision. I can only speak for myself but I am sure many shared the initial jitters but I researched the Lap Band in great detail and talked to many before making the final decision and realize this is the only decision that will get me healthy and happy. It may seem "drastic" to some (friends, family) that don't realize how the tool works but ultimately it was my decision and the best one I could have ever made. Cheers to a longer, healthier, funner, happier life!!

Wow you are doing great! It is a learning situation for all of us and some (like myself) will forget when in conversation or distracted because it is still fairly new and then not chew, chew, chew.

My mouth is watering allready!! I want it for breakfast.... lol. Thanks Debra for another great recipe - keep them coming I am starting a file in my computer and have already printed a few to try.

Sounds like you got "stuck" I have always been told to walk during those times and if you can sip a tiny bit but that might come up unfortuneatley. When were you banded and how have you progressed so far? Sounds like you are basically in phase 1 (as I call it) still fairly new at this and learning along the way. I wish you all the best with your new tool it will all be worth it in the end. )

Great Blog I can't wait to see your pics you are changing so much already in a short period of time ) Great job! You are very inspirational. I love the part about the camera isn't that the truth I always have hidden from the camera at family gatherings, childrens bday parties even my own family vacation Oh I might be in one or two if my family insists but usually I am the one on the other end of the camera taking pics because in reality I am too embarassed to be photographed. I can't wait until I get to the point where I will enjoy being in photos with my friends and family!

I love the statement "food has zero calories when you are on vacation!" I will use that to my advantage someday. I am happy that you had a wonderful vacation sometimes we just need a break from everything. The Italian eatery sounds heavenly and it's not like you are going to have the opportunity to eat there often it was a vacation splurge now you are back on the wagon - good for you!