.Maria.

You can do it!!!!!! It's going to be difficult the first few days but distract your mind with other things so that you're not thinking about food. Just keep yourself busy and keep your eye on the prize

Thank you copa!!! You are absolutely right. I can't wait to see what he has planned for me. Have you had your surgery yet?

So here I am. Waiting, waiting, and waiting. :frown: Anxious to find out if I have been approved or not. Although I'm pretty sure I will be, I just want a surgery date. I want to get this surgery over with. It took me a long time to figure out wether or not to go with it :thumbup:. I had many doubts while deciding. Am I making the right choice? Will this really work? Will I die on the table? Will I wake up from the anesthesia? Will I ever be able to eat again? Will I ever be able to ride a roller coaster? Play sports? What are my parents going to think? Most importantly... what's God going to think?::laugh: *SIGH* It was a long while before I decided to go ahead with the surgery :bored:. Then I found this website and started reading non stop :w00t:. I am on here almost everyday and I always learn something new :cool2:. I love hearing the good, the bad and the ugly. I want to absorb as much as I can. I think that the more I know, the more comfortable I feel with my decision. I've let my weight spiral out of control after I had my son was born. I wasn't exactly skinny before my son but I loved my body. I thought I was a good size and I felt good about myself. I need that confidence back. I need my energy back. I need ME back :wub:.

Yea, it does seem that way. Its been about 3 weeks since my paperwork has been submitted to the insurance and it feels like a freaking lifetime! :alien: So 9/28!!!! Wow. That's exciting. I hope all goes well for you and you have a fast and easy recovery. :wub:

Yay!!!! Congrats!!! :wub: Im still waiting for that call... its torture having to wait but I know I'll get it soon.

Just wanted to give a quick update... in case any of my fellow Chicagoans out there are reading :thumbup:. My paperwork was submitted to my insurance about two weeks ago and I'm sooo anxious to find out if they approve me or not. I want to call the surgeons office like everyday and ask, lol, but i think at this point its best not to get on their nerves. I want everything to go as smooth as possible. So I'm just here... trying to get my mind off of finding out :thumbup:. So anyway, one of my friends just got her band put in last Thursday and I think I was more excited than she was!!! Only a week out and you can already tell that the pounds are melting off!! Its amazing... I can't wait till its my time to shine :thumbup:. :ohmy: For all of you reading this: Where are you in your journey?!? Any tips, advice, personal struggles, positive thoughts, achievements???

CONGRATS to desperatelyw.loss!!!! :wub: She had a succesful surgery today!!! Please stop by her page to congratulate her... She's a trooper!!! I wish her the best and may she have a fast recovery!!! :tt1: Here's to a new skinny/sexy September sweetie :thumbup: :wub:

Welcome... My name is Maria and I'm at about the same place in my process (Only took me about 2 months) and I should be getting banded right around the same time!!!! :laugh: I cant wait!!! The surgery doesn't scare me... its the idea of going under the anesthesia that scares the crap out of me!!! Im afraid of not waking up :thumbup: But I'm not gonna let that stop me! Im sure everything will be just fine :biggrin:

Mom= Puerto Rican Dad= Mexican Me= AmeriMexiRican? LOL... :biggrin:

Welcome!!! I'm Maria and I'm also from Chicago :confused: Where are you getting banded?

I was told no alcohol & no carbonated or caffeinated beverages. Acceptable clear liquids are: decaffeinated tea and coffee, sugar free kool aid, sugar free jello, sugar free/clear popsicles, clear broth and bouillon, crystal light, minute maid light, diet snapple and sugar free/ low sugar protein supplements. Hope this helps

I think the idea of a support group is great :thumbup: Although I'm not banded yet...but its never too early to start, right? I will hopefully be Banded in September by Dr. Tiesenga @ Westlake. Im super excited!!!

Have you considered Mirena? That has worked wonders for me. Before the Mirena I had an extremely heavy flow( I know, TMI) and always had to wear a super huge pad AND a tampon:cursing:. I would probably change it every 2/3 hours. But now all I have is spotting when my period comes around :thumbup:, Its great! Best part, no weight gain and I don't have to worry about taking pills everyday. You should ask your doc about it.

Lashonda... Unfortunately you can't please everybody. Im sad to say that its been almost 3 weeks that my mother and I haven't spoken to each other... for that exact same reason. She is so against my decision to get the LAP-BAND® (this coming from a lady who has never had weight issues in her entire life!). So she really doesn't understand where Im coming from and for that same reason doesn't support me. I've tried explaining it to her so many times but she doesn't want to hear it. And you know what? Thats fine with me. I have my health to worry about and I won't let anyone get in the way. Just do you...

@Danbo: This topic actually came up during an argument I was having with my mother last night :scared2: Her words were so hurtful that I couldn't take it anymore, I just got up and left. At this point I just wish I've never told her, but it's too late for that :seeya: Today is a new day and I'm just going to brush it off and keep my eye on the prize :thumbup: @eyd: Im glad your family is supporting your decision. Thats awesome :thumbup:. I wish I could say the same, but its ok. I have my wonderful hubby and my son by my side in this journey, thats all I need :thumbup: So August 27th huh?!?!? Wow!!! I bet you cant wait. I haven't found out my date yet... my first appointment is tomorrow After all the research I've done, I'm pretty confident with my decision and I know its going to be the best one I've ever made.

Hi Jenn, Hunny, we were in the exact same boat!!! LOL. I have my first appointment with the surgeon this friday and I'm still a little nervous. But I know its gonna be fine. What keeps me going is finding inspiration in everybody else's stories. I could literally spend hours on here learning from everybody else's experiences. It's gonna be awesome... just keep your eye on the prize.

Thanks Danielle. I think I'm done telling people. I really thought my family would support me, oh well. As far as the life changing goes... Im soo ready!!! How was the pain after surgery? Were you really sore? And what about that leak... are they gonna have to do another surgery to fix it?

Hello. My name is Maria & I'm from Chicago. I've been struggling with my weight loss since I can remember. I've tried everything from Herbal Life, Alli, Xenadrine, Zantrex to Weight Watchers.... and NOTHING! It's been a heck of a journey! I would have never considered the LAP-BAND®®® until my best friend brought it to my attention (she's also overweight). So we went to the info session but it didn't convince me. So I started researching and came across this site. I've learned so much from so many different posts & discovered many good & bad things about the surgery. But I must say, the good definitely outweighs the bad! I especially love looking at everyones before & after... You all look amazing!!! I will admit that it terrifies me to go into surgery (traumatized from a c-section) but thankfully I have an amazing husband :tt2: who supports me. Unlike my parents who are against the idea. :scared2: They don't understand where I'm coming from (they've been skinny all their lives) & how this will benefit me the rest of my life. My cousin even said that I'm taking the easy way out. That instead of doing this I should really work hard by exercising and eating right for a year and if it doesn't work then consider the surgery... REALLY?!?!? So your telling me the 15+ years that I have been trying don't count, right? Girl, Please. Im so done listening to what everybody else has to say about my life. This is my choice. I want to be happy... and I will be.