We need a place where we can support each other through our "more than most" journey. Just as turtles don't get much out of hearing us talking about fast we're losing, maybe it would give us a nice break from "I'm getting banded because I need to lose 60 lbs".

I think we have our own unique challenges, expectations, baggage, etc. -- and we need our own little niche to support eachother. We all have a very long journey ahead of us, and need to band together.

Hi Rain ... I think it is up to you to join us...Welcome!!! How is DH doing? Was he banded in April? I was April 2-2007. My sister is 6ft. tall, that brings it's own challenges, right? Keep us posted, your progress seems to be great this far!

Hi, I'm not banded yet.

Trying to make the decision - well I think I've made it but y'know.

I'm currently at 308lbs with a BMI of 53.

I'd be happy to get back down to 200-210lbs (that's where I was when I meet hubby).

My target would be around 160lb - I'm terrified of being skinny, I've never been skinny and don't want to be.

I've got a large, curvy frame and I'd like to keep those curves LOL

But 100-150lbs to get rid of.

At the 200lb mark I'll decide how much more I want to lose. I can't say right now how I'd even look with the first 100lbs off.

Hello All

I think I have finally found a place where I might fit in. When I went in for my consultation I weighed 385 lbs and I am only 5'3. I don't know how I ever let myself get that large, but it happened and I stayed house bound (except for a few drs visits) for the last three years. I got my band on Sept 6, 2007. Two weeks post op I was down 33 lbs. I couldn't stay with the liquids anymore though. According to my scales, I have gained back about three pounds. I have not had a fill yet and am really hesitate about it. I am scared to death of pbing. I think that I need some help...but really don't know where to go...so I came here. I'm 55, so I should know better...right? Well, this is getting long...thanks for letting air my feelings...really glad I found this site.....bev

Hello All

I think I have finally found a place where I might fit in. When I went in for my consultation I weighed 385 lbs and I am only 5'3. I don't know how I ever let myself get that large, but it happened and I stayed house bound (except for a few drs visits) for the last three years. I got my band on Sept 6, 2007. Two weeks post op I was down 33 lbs. I couldn't stay with the liquids anymore though. According to my scales, I have gained back about three pounds. I have not had a fill yet and am really hesitate about it. I am scared to death of pbing. I think that I need some help...but really don't know where to go...so I came here. I'm 55, so I should know better...right? Well, this is getting long...thanks for letting air my feelings...really glad I found this site.....bev

Welcome, Bev,

You've come to the right place for support and encouragement. I was banded July 20th. At the start of my pre-op diet I weighed 326 and I'm 5 ft tall. At the time of surgery I was at 308, and today 287. I had my 2nd fill yesterday. I have had no heartburn, no PBing, no sliming, no vomiting. Before yesterday I could eat about 1- 1 1/2 cups. Today I'm on soft food and I can eat 1/2 - 3/4 of a cup and that's all. DO NOT be afraid of having a fill. Let the band work for you. If you just follow your physician's instructions as to what to eat and how much, you shouldn't get into trouble.

Hi Bev, It is very hard....I was banded on 5/4/07and have had 3 fills. There are times when I feel the same as before the band. I struggle every day with the food concept. I was

275 lbs. before the band and now at 235. I feel like I am stuck but am forging ahead. Keep your head up......we did not get this way overnight. Get your fill.....just wait until you purge your closet for the first time. Got rid of all my size 22 and 24's, have a few size 20. That felt great......

I also promised myself I wouldn't buy new clothes until I'm down about 100 pounds. I'm sure I've got all the "in between" clothes in my closet. LOL For Christmas, I am asking for new clothes...But I don't want them until Feb. We're going on a cruise then...and THAT is when I'll need the new clothes for sure!

Suggest certain gift cards for stores you might want to buy your new slimmer clothes in. Nothing wrong with that, so that way - when you are ready to go shopping, you will have some extra money readily available. :biggrin1:

The only reason I say that is because, that is what I am asking of everyone for this coming Christmas. Then, when I am ready for a few new outfits in a new size, I can pull out one of my favorite clothing store gift cards and do some happy spending! :heh:

Guess what.....I just got the phone call this morning and they scheduled me for NOVEMBER 7th!!!! How exciting! I have been all out of sorts since I found out. I was still under the thought that it would be in December, that was the last I heard at least.

Well needless to say I am exstatic about it and now I have to bust my butt to lose 10 lbs or so before then since I think I gained 5 being all stressed out the last 2 weeks.

Doing the HAPPY DANCE :whoo:

Guess what.....I just got the phone call this morning and they scheduled me for NOVEMBER 7th!!!! How exciting! I have been all out of sorts since I found out. I was still under the thought that it would be in December, that was the last I heard at least.

Well needless to say I am exstatic about it and now I have to bust my butt to lose 10 lbs or so before then since I think I gained 5 being all stressed out the last 2 weeks.

Doing the HAPPY DANCE :whoo:

EXCELLENT!! That's great!

That is so awesome!!

I'm not going to far behind you... Best Wishes!

That is so great I am hopping to get mine the week before Christmas. I thought I should wait till after finals. lol

Congrats on the date! I hope the rest of you get a date soon. Isn't it exciting to be entering the next phase of your lives? I can't even describe how happy and relieved and hopeful I am now that I have the band. I can see a future for me that I couldn't see before.

Thanks insub -

I can't wait either. I feel like there is hope already but I know I will have even stronger feelings of a future of success after the surgery.

Hello all,

Thanks for the warm welcomes. I appreciate being accepted.

I had my first fill today and look forward to getting even more weight off....

As for being 6ft...yes...it does have it's own set of issues...but, it's also helped me. Rather than seeing myself as fat, I've always thought of myself as tall...and it's pretty much the first thing I tell people if we are meeting for the first time...It's who I am...whereas my weight as never been who I am...just a symptom!!!

:cool:

Thank you again!

Rain

You know it was just when I told myself it was just gonig to take longer than I had thought at first, it was just when I gave in and bought some new clothes. I only bought things to spice up my clothes from last winter. STill it was at that just when point that I made one more call to the insurance company and the woman was really nice and she went through my file while I was on the phone and she approved me! Now for the hard stuff, getting to here is only as I can imagine the small fry, (yes I made a pun with food in it).

Here I am 47 years old, never been married, raised one son on my own, who is away at college, and I am currently 360 lbs. I have hovered here now for a few years. I was always larger, but it got worse after having my son, and then when I hit forty, boy did things change. I am 5 3" by the way so still to short for my weight.

Tomorrow I am calling the doctors office and try and decide to do this as soon as they can get me on the schedule, or wait unitl spring, this is my new hurtle, and this time its on my shoulders.

Thanks for being here, I found this place just when! it is all coming together. :cool:

Sassy, let me be the first to congratulate you!!!!!!!!!! Actually for me getting the approval WAS the biggest hurdle. the next was the pre op diet but after surgery everything was a breeze!

YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!