Hey there. First of all, Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays/whatever it is that you may celebrate! My name is Tricia, I'm 39, and I was banded a little less than 2 weeks ago. I normally never ever post on any forums, because I'm usually too shy, so I have no idea what I am doing. lol. But I figured I would give it a go here, because I'm doing this pretty much all alone and don't have too much support.

I don't really know what to say, so I'll just start with saying that I've been overweight since I was about 10 years old, and had tried everything under the sun with varying degrees of success before resorting to banding. My highest weight ever was 298lbs. I started this particular journey at about 276lbs, although I did not make inquiries about the band until my weight was around 255lbs, so that is my official recorded starting weight with my doctor. I went into surgery weighing 232lbs, and am currently 222lbs, I think, almost 12 days post-surgery. My ultimate goal weight is around 150lbs, and I really hope to get there, or at least close!

I have a good feeling about this, although I am undergoing some hardcore food mourning, and the fact that the holidays always get my severely down has not been helping at all. I hope that reaching out will give me some needed strength to get through this and follow what I am supposed to be following...

Anyway, thanks for listening! <3

Hey there! Welcome to Bandland!! Congrats on the decision to make your life and health better!!!

Sounds like you've done well so far. Keep it up!

And you will go through food mourning. It's hard to give up old habits but eventually you will see the world of food differently. I'm at the point where I'm not constantly thinking about food, or trying to eat everything in sight. I've had to change my whole attitude and lifestyle about food. But it's been worth it.

I'll be 39 in February. Starting weight 223, now down to 180. Hoping to reach 170 by my birthday.....not sure if 150 is reachable for me or not but I gotta try!!

One thing that's really helped me is to track everything. I use www.myfitnesspal.com. Lots of people from here use that site too.

Best of luck to you! Feel free to friend me or email kittyforet@yahoo.com.

Merry Christmas!

Kristi

Hi Rhia,

I don't post often but am a lurker! I have been bandid for 4 1/2 weeks so am pretty new myself. I have mourned food myself and am sure I am not done. Its a hard process as I have depended on food most of my life to comfort me.

Your weight loss is incredible, good job! My highest weight was 260 in January. I started my journey with the doctor at 250 and weighed in at 237.5 at surgery. I am now 228.5. My goal is also 150. I also see a therapist which has helped tremendously.

You can messege me any time or find me on FB, I am Tira Simonson!

Merry Christmas to you and welcome to our forum> There are many knowledgeable, supportive people here. I was banded on Dec 2nd so I am a little more than three weeks out.As far as the surgery goes, I am doing well. However, I have had a migraine, sinus type headache since last Tuesday, Haved lived on excedrin migraine and hopefully can get into primary care on Tues. I haven't had one in several years but am wondering if it could be hormonal. I heard that any of the WLS can do a number on your hormones. I have been very weapy at times which they say is normal.

I started at about 240 in 2008 when I was taken off of prednisone (for arthritis). I lost fitteen pounds which I kept off and began the band journey at 225. I had to get down to 207 before surgery would be scheduled. I was fortunate that insurance approved mine fairly quickly (within one week) and I was 205 at preop appt and 202 at surgery. I gained back up to 210 after surgery and am now at 198. I haven't been below 200 in at least fifteen years.

The thing I am having trouble with is getting the Water in each day and have been kind of dehydrated a few times. I used to be able to get 80 ounces in a day without second thought before surgery. Be careful!

Anyway, enough of me. I wish you all the best in your journey to good health. Keep up the good work. There is a book that the psychologist strongly recommended I read called "The Emotional First Aid Kit" by Cynthia Alexander. I did read it and it has helped me a lot about distinquishing between physical hunger and emotional eating. You can get it on Amazon.

Best wishes for a happy, healthy new year.

Melinda

Welcome. You are in the right place. Lots of help and encouragement here.