This 200+ sub forum really needs to be more active. i thought it would be nice to just have a general thread that didn't really have a topic per se, but just a place where you can come and post whatever about whatever.

Here is my random general first post:

I'm down about 35 pounds and I just really feel awesome. I mean, I obviously still look the same as nobody has seemed to notice the weight loss, but I notice and I can tell in my clothes and in my general energy level over all. I have lots and lots of energy lately and it's something that I haven't had for YEARS really. i haven't felt like doing anything at all, but now all of a sudden, things are a little easier. I walk everywhere since i live in the city, but i'm always huffing and puffing. I have noticed that the last couple of weeks in particular, that i can walk much further than I could before getting winded and my feet aren't painfully swollen after the first 30 steps and that just makes me feel great.

I haven't shared with anyone (with the exception of my husband and a close friend) the fact that I have been banded, so this is the place where i can come and talk about that stuff...i thought it would be good to just share with whomever might be reading this that just a little over a month after surgery i feel like a million bucks. hopefully things will just get easier and easier, but as of this moment, i am completely happy with my decision to move forward and have surgery. i can't even put it into words.

anyway, i still look fat, but I feel almost skinny on the inside.

now it's your turn...gimme some kind of random general post. i don't want to be all alone in here.

Thanks for your words Carolina I'm super excited and ready!! I went to a seminar last year and was scheduled to have the sleep apnea test done and to be checked if I have ulcers. My family, (mom, sister, and brothers) were not very supportive. This coming from almost anorexic people lol so I backed down and didn't go to the appointments. Needless to say, I'm definitely ready now, and don't care if they're going to support me or not. I have 2 very close friends, an aunt and cousin who support me completely. And with their support, I'm sure it will be enough.

i had to do a sleep test also (part of my pre op)

found out i had mild apnea and had to do it again and sleep with the little mash

all in all, it wasnt tooo bad.did end up getting the cutest little pink machine and mask

so its okay...

stopped using mine at 3 months post op..

when are you scheduled to go?

Chris - seize your FREEDOM!! Family or not ... They either are with you or AGAINST you but either way only YOU can make your life all it's meant to be : ) HOPE is your best friend and this forum can provide plenty of it. I applaud your courage.

Hope in your Future is POWER in your Present!

Lee

280lbs LOST - All diseases reversed

isnt that the truth lee

when some here at work see me (not eating our catered stuff) at least 3x a week

its whats wrong, here eat this or that....what about mind your business..

i guess i have learned, its up to me to do it

regardless of anyone else.....because its me who over ate and didnt exercise

and its up to me to do just the opposite to lose weight...aka with the help of the band and plication....so far so freeking good

lee, your comments/posts to me have helped over the months. THANK YOU

Carolina - Work can be a real problematic place with all the food - cakes - candy etc... often it is a place where WLS is a secret which can make it even more challenging for people. Kudo's to you for not allowing it to derail you and keeping priorities in place : ) Keep spreading he hope!

Lee

LJCBS, thank you. I'm not letting anything hold me back this time!! I'm ready for my new life to begin. I just hope I have no problems with my insurance.

i had to do a sleep test also (part of my pre op)

found out i had mild apnea and had to do it again and sleep with the little mash

all in all' date=' it wasnt tooo bad.did end up getting the cutest little pink machine and mask

so its okay...

stopped using mine at 3 months post op..

when are you scheduled to go?[/quote']

Carolina, I have my appointment to attend the seminar on March 1st. Although I've been to one already before, I'm excited to attend this one and get the ball rolling!!

Carolina, I have my appointment for the seminar on March 1st. Although I've been to one before, I'm excited to go to this one and get the ball rolling. Again. Haha

Carolina, I have my appointment for the seminar on March 1st. Although I've been to one before, I'm excited to go to this one and get the ball rolling. Again. Haha

i remember going to mine (and i did via video conference) i surely did.

it was enlightening and it def made me go OH my gosh. i had no idea.

i had to do a sleep test also (part of my pre op)

found out i had mild apnea and had to do it again and sleep with the little mash

all in all' date=' it wasnt tooo bad.did end up getting the cutest little pink machine and mask

so its okay...

stopped using mine at 3 months post op..

when are you scheduled to go?[/quote']

Losing weight definitely helps sleep apnea. I had a sleep apnea, too. Now I don't anymore, in fact I don't even snore anymore at all. I think that's why I actually feel rested now when I wake.

when i joined this forum a year ago, i was a bigum and really didnt come across people of my size.....i found a couple but not very many. kinda disheartening sometimes to know that what i weigh now (is where alot of people) start and i read/hear them going i am so fat and on and on and i like heck, i am glad to be at this number today........(compared to where i was).

so i do compare myself but def try to stay logical at the same time because my pound loss is the same as anyone elses. its gonna come off the same way as it was put on.

just may take me longer but i will get there eventually.

when i joined this forum a year ago' date=' i was a bigum and really didnt come across people of my size.....i found a couple but not very many. kinda disheartening sometimes to know that what i weigh now (is where alot of people) start and i read/hear them going i am so fat and on and on and i like heck, i am glad to be at this number today........(compared to where i was).

so i do compare myself but def try to stay logical at the same time because my pound loss is the same as anyone elses. its gonna come off the same way as it was put on.

just may take me longer but i will get there eventually.[/quote']

Hey Carolina -

Being a "Bigum" myself, I just had to jump in... I

know exactly what you mean since I started at over 450 lbs - but after 4 years and 280 lost,

I now understand that being one of the really big ones was an ADVANTAGE in some ways... Because for me, it wasn't about looks and appearances it was about Life or Death - it was about being only a few months away from not being able to walk or drive at all - being homebound - it was about the prison my body had become. THEREFORE - doing all the "hard stuff" like ELIMINATING certain things (fast food - chips cake - etc...) and getting up at 5am to walk ( if even for only 2 minutes to start) WASN'T as Hard for me because of being SO BIG - I was more easily motivated than someone that still had a "life".... If that makes sense?

Today I am grateful for my path as it had lead me to my current awesome life and provided me with the joy of helping others to get their health turned around BEFORE they face the consequences that come with being a "Bigum".

Lee

LJCBS' date=' thank you. I'm not letting anything hold me back this time!! I'm ready for my new life to begin. I just hope I have no problems with my insurance.[/quote']

You have set your mind on the goal - you are engaging the needed actions to obtain the goal - you are on your way! Congrats. FYI my insurance wouldn't pay - I sold my car and instead of having a car payment I had a surgery payment - sell out for your FREEDOM

Lee

You have set your mind on the goal - you are engaging the needed actions to obtain the goal - you are on your way! Congrats. FYI my insurance wouldn't pay - I sold my car and instead of having a car payment I had a surgery payment - sell out for your FREEDOM <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

Lee

Lee, my mind is set! I'm ready, but insurance is the only option for me at this time. I am a single mother, with a mortgage and car payment. One car, so selling mine is no option lol..My insurance does cover WLS, so I'm hoping and praying they won't give me a problem *fingers crossed* but IF for some reason they don't, I am almost done paying off my car, so maybe after, I'll look in to self pay. I regret now, not going through it last year but hopefully soon enough I'll be able to post my surgery date!! One week from today, I have my seminar to go to!!

Lee' date=' my mind is set! I'm ready, but insurance is the only option for me at this time. I am a single mother, with a mortgage and car payment. One car, so selling mine is no option lol..My insurance does cover WLS, so I'm hoping and praying they won't give me a problem *fingers crossed* but IF for some reason they don't, I am almost done paying off my car, so maybe after, I'll look in to self pay. I regret now, not going through it last year <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> but hopefully soon enough I'll be able to post my surgery date!! One week from today, I have my seminar to go to!![/quote']

Chris - great news about the seminar and Only 1 month class etc... You are on your way!

Lee