Llyra

I can fold up on the floor in a fallen leaf position and put my forehead on the floor. I can shop in the "normal person" part of the stores. I CAN GET ON MY HORSE WITHOUT A MOUNTING BLOCK!!!!!!!!!! :thumbup::thumbup:

I've found wonderful things at the second hand stores in town. Got to search a bit for larger sizes, but they can be found. Or can you or are you willing to learn to sew? Pants are the easiest things in the world to make. Good luck!

I think it is sweet that he noticed your fingers, but more people in a boat? I might've smacked him one for that!:wink2:

I started out with approximately 85 pounds to lose, was banded in March. I am definitely NOT a poster child for lapbands, but I am slowly losing weight, about a pound a week which contents me perfectly as long as it keeps up. I am down 44 pounds in seven and a half months.

I'll keep my fingers crossed that three is indeed a charm for you, Laura. My news of the week: I got on my horse without using a mounting block. Yes, indeed, my weight is now low enough that I can pull myself into a saddle under my own power. God bless Star, my quarter horse mare- she braces herself and stands like a statue until I'm aboard.

Yesterday I mounted my quarter horse mare without needing a mounting block!!!! Yes! I am finally light enough to pull my own weight off the ground and onto the horse without assistance. I am delighted and so is BR Star Baby, who (bless her heart) pulls both her weight and mine.

Most sincere wishes for a speedy recovery!

I had reduction surgery 15 years ago. Sensitivity actually increased, but I was willing to risk complete numbness in order to decrease my backaches and other related problems.

I am 55, had surgery March 3, 2010 and have lost 43 pounds as of last Monday, which puts me approximately halfway to where I'd like to be. Congratulations on being approved for surgery!

I live in central Wyoming. My work life is divided between journalism, fiber art, and teaching belly dance.

Oh, good for you! :thumbup:

I'm thinking troll, sower of fear and trembling, recreational forecaster of doom.

No one could hypnotize me into believing I'd had lap band surgery when I knew darn well I hadn't. Does this lady in the ad simply continue to believe she had the surgery even in the face of all the evidence that she did not, including this article itself? I am skeptical, to say the least.

I absolutely relate to mental hesitation about meeting a goal, and was expecting it as I approached the 200 mark a few weeks back. What I did was give myself permission to stay at 203-204 for as long as it took me to be ready for the next phase of my life as a thinner person. I kept on with my program just as I had been doing, and one day I stepped on the scale and - Onederland was mine. It's a process, not a race. Be good to yourself, acknowledge your feelings and reservations, but don't be undone by them. You'll be just fine. And congratulations! Isn't it perfectly elegant to have this problem instead of the weight problems you use to have?

Excuse me if I come off sounding a bit unfriendly, but: since you have not had the surgery done, would not have it done even if you could afford it, and have no first hand information to share- just what in the hell are you doing here? If you can't add something positive to the discussion, how about just sitting quietly at your computer? Dire predictions based on a single secondhand source are not helpful.

I've been married 29 years; we were together for an additional two years before marriage. One of the reasons we've been able to maintain a good relationship is that we respect each other's right to make the final decision on anything that affects personal health, occupation, or peace of mind. All this "both parties must agree" stuff does is allow him to have the final say re: your surgery. If he tries now to prevent you from doing something so important to your health and happiness, what else might he try to prevent you from doing in the future? Frankly, your fiance sounds like he has some serious control issues. Perhaps next time the subject comes up, you should suggest some sessions with a marriage counselor to work out why he is so opposed to something you've spent nine years planning for and that will improve your health and the chances for a longer life with him.

Congratulations from one horse person to another! That is a phenomenal loss in a very short period of time; may the last 22 pounds go quickly as well!

fourteen years clean.

I'm slow, too, about a pound a week, and that's fine with me. Congratulations on your milestone, Fern!!!!

I was fine eight days post-surgery. Good luck with the battle to keep your kids. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

The nurse that runs the weight loss program at the local hospital and my doctor, god bless 'em, were far more excited than I when insurance approved my surgery. My feelings were a relatively calm, "One thing accomplished, on to the next step." I am pleased with my band, but I'm fairly reserved and not given to jumping with excitement. :smile:

I've been taking Cymbalta for over two years with a recent increase from 60 to 90 mg, which my doctor tells me is fairly common. Haven't noticed any difference before or after surgery in the drug's affect on me.

:thumbup::smile2:

First of all, don't expect support from these folks because they haven't got a clue. When they offer unsolicited opinions, say, "Thank you for your thoughts on the matter," then change the subject and ignore whatever they just said. Repeat as necessary.

Your new life starts with every breath you take. Weight loss is just another step on the path. If stress over finances is so severe right now that it gives you panic attacks, you might need to rethink things. This particular path through life is challenging enough without feeling like a monster is sitting on your chest. :biggrin: You could borrow the deductable from a bank and pay it back, thus helping you establish credit and allowing you to keep your $2000 savings in reserve. If you lose your job and can't make payments on the loan, you'll still have enough in savings to pay it off. You could put surgery off a little longer and get a better financial reserve built up (I know, I know, but anything worth having is worth waiting and planning for). You could bite the bullet, consider the $2000 an investment in your future and quit obsessing about it. You could ask yourself if your choice of this surgeon as the only acceptable surgeon is emotionally based and consider whether a surgeon with a less expensive program is just as good. Whatever you decide, I wish you the best of luck. Just keep in mind that this is just one more step in your life and not a whole new existence.