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.

Thanks I talked to my mom this weekend and she said that she would loan me whatever I could not come up with in time for the surgery. I am still going to try and get all the money together myself because I know they are tight with their money but it is nice to know I have that to back me up.

It takes a load off my mind knowing I have them as a back up.

I had surgery on Aug 24, 2007 and weighed 298.2lbs. I am 27 years old and am 5'4"-my BMI was 51.2. It has now been 11 weeks since surgery and I have lost a total of 70.6 lbs-currently have a bmi of 39.1 and weight 227.6 lbs. If someone would have told me 11 weeks ago that I would already be this far along I wouldn't have believed them.

My band has saved my life and has given me more self confidence. I will forever be grateful for having the most wonderful doctor in the world-Dr. Keith Chung in Lake Charles, LA.

Princesst:)

This board is hard to find a home on it seems, I hope I can find one here! I was banded June 4, 2007 and have lost 55 pounds so far. Slow but sure. My BMI is now finally below 50 which is a wonderful feeling! I struggle with eating lately and am hoping this fill will loosen up just a tiny bit. Doc thinks it's find and wants to leave it as is and let it loosen up naturally. Some days I can eat a lot and others not much at all. I have finally joined a gym and hope to start a good workout routine this week. I am hoping this will rejuvinate my weight loss.

So just a little about me, hello to all!

hi Jamie. Its hard to find ppl here that have ALOT of weight to lose like me. But slowly its coming off. I been going to the gym for almost 3 months now at least 5 days a week most of the time 7.

We just have to keep trucking along. I try not to let the fact that others have lost so much so quickly and I haven't get to me. I will lose it and I'm in no rush to do it. You're doing great by the way! Nice job!

hey thanks Jamie. I try to remember its not a race. Im so used to instant gratifaction thats maybe why i over eat but this is not instant.

as long as im going down im doing ok. i have a doc appointment every 4 weeks and as long as i lose 4 lbs min i will be ok!

i want to be thin NOW! is not going to cut it.

This board is hard to find a home on it seems, I hope I can find one here! I was banded June 4, 2007 and have lost 55 pounds so far. Slow but sure. My BMI is now finally below 50 which is a wonderful feeling! I struggle with eating lately and am hoping this fill will loosen up just a tiny bit. Doc thinks it's find and wants to leave it as is and let it loosen up naturally. Some days I can eat a lot and others not much at all. I have finally joined a gym and hope to start a good workout routine this week. I am hoping this will rejuvinate my weight loss.

So just a little about me, hello to all!:eek:

:welcomeB:

Welcome Jamie! Lots of good folks here. You're doing great with 55 lb. lost since June!! Congrats. I started with BMI 63.5 and so happy to have it below 60!!

I know how you feel Jamie. Sometimes it feels like there are threads where everyone already knows each other. I like this thread because I feel like we all have something in common. Everyone is really nice in this thread too which is why I like to check up on it. Welcome!

Hello EVERYONE !

I am yet another supersize NEWBIE. I started my pre-op diet a week ago tomorrow and it has been quite interesting to say the least. I was not sure how things were going to go especially while at work, being in a work environment where people are always bringing in donuts and sweets for everyone to snack on. But I managed to ignore the donuts that were brought in 2 days last week. I am trying a variety of recipes for the shakes so that they do not get to boring. Had a great one this morning for breakfast. My surgery is scheduled for Nov 29, 2007 with Dr. Frank Felts in Richardson.

I have my pre-op visit on the 26th... It just came come soon enough. I feel like I have been thinking about this and walking through the steps forever, not quite, just seems so.

My latest challenge is learning how to cook in a healthier manner, so I am definitely up for new tasty ideas.

I am looking forward to learning from you all and sharing my updates as they come along.

Thanks in advance to all of you.

McQty

Lewisville, Tx

Hi McQty. I had my surgery with Dr. Benavides, he is Dr Felts' partner. They are really great at the surgery center in Richardson and for aftercare as well. Good luck. It will be here before you know it!

My name is Jessica. I was banded on 8/13/07. I have lost 64lbs. I am getting ready for my first fill next week. I am so glad I made a choice to get the band. I was having severe edema in my ankles and I believe signs of right sided heart failure. I never really knew until recently all of the health problems I was experiencing. I was 5'4 and a BMI of 59. My BMI is now around 48. I still feel inadequate around the people who have less to lose than me. My highest weight was 349. I don't know how I got that hi except I was living to eat...and that's about all. I am starting to feel better than I ever have but recently I am discouraged about how much weight I have to loose. It seems like you don't hear about people losing two hundred pounds and seriously that is around what I need to weigh. If you do hear of them they have also had tummy tucks and everything else. I am not knocking at tummy tuck but I just want to talk to people about weight loss results. It is the one thing that encourages me. Anybody else?

My name is Jessica. I was banded on 8/13/07. I have lost 64lbs. I am getting ready for my first fill next week. I am so glad I made a choice to get the band. I was having severe edema in my ankles and I believe signs of right sided heart failure. I never really knew until recently all of the health problems I was experiencing. I was 5'4 and a BMI of 59. My BMI is now around 48. I still feel inadequate around the people who have less to lose than me. My highest weight was 349. I don't know how I got that hi except I was living to eat...and that's about all. I am starting to feel better than I ever have but recently I am discouraged about how much weight I have to loose. It seems like you don't hear about people losing two hundred pounds and seriously that is around what I need to weigh. If you do hear of them they have also had tummy tucks and everything else. I am not knocking at tummy tuck but I just want to talk to people about weight loss results. It is the one thing that encourages me. Anybody else?

I know what you mean Jess... I am one that needs and wants to lose about 200 as well. I am a pretty positive person most of the time, so I am sticking with that and telling myself that I can and will get it done. I recently started taking water aerobics classes at the local YMCA that does them year round... that's so awesome. I love to swim and these are just right for me. It's the funnest way I can find to get my exercising in. They also vary up the classes from shallow water one day and deep water the next so they are sure to work it all.

I am wondering, and if anyone knows, please advise... how long after your surgery did your dr say it was okay to do exercise like aerobics?

I ...

I am wondering, and if anyone knows, please advise... how long after your surgery did your dr say it was okay to do exercise like aerobics?

Hi McQty,

Welcome and congratulations. I wanted to respond to your exercise question. I asked my surgeon on the post surgery visit at three weeks post op. He said it was okay to start. I waited until six weeks and began an aggressive personal training sessions. 2X a week for one hour plus cardio on my own. I waited until six weeks because it gave my body time to recouperate from the surger and get the healing well under way.

Again welcome it is wonderful to have you as part of the group.

Happy banding,

Mary

My name is Jessica. I was banded on 8/13/07. I have lost 64lbs. I am getting ready for my first fill next week. I am so glad I made a choice to get the band. I was having severe edema in my ankles and I believe signs of right sided heart failure. I never really knew until recently all of the health problems I was experiencing. I was 5'4 and a BMI of 59. My BMI is now around 48. I still feel inadequate around the people who have less to lose than me. My highest weight was 349. I don't know how I got that hi except I was living to eat...and that's about all. I am starting to feel better than I ever have but recently I am discouraged about how much weight I have to loose. It seems like you don't hear about people losing two hundred pounds and seriously that is around what I need to weigh. If you do hear of them they have also had tummy tucks and everything else. I am not knocking at tummy tuck but I just want to talk to people about weight loss results. It is the one thing that encourages me. Anybody else?

Hi Jess30,

Welcome and congratulations on your success thus far. You are amazing. Please don't feel inadequate. Think about what you have accomplished. You have stopped gaining (if you were like me each new year brought new lbs) and begun to lose excess weight. Your health is improving. You are setting a better example for those around you. Each person's battle with weight loss is very individual. You have had great success thus far. It does seem daunting sometime to think how much we have to lose to make our goals. I have set a goal of four years to lose it all. I have broken it down into thirds. The first third I hope to have finished in five months. The second third 10 months after that and the third third 20 months after that (yes that is less than four years, but I wanted some wiggle room). It certainly took me more than four years to gain it all. I had to break down the smaller goals so it does not seem so overwhelming. I also know that it will be more difficult the close I get to my goal.

You can do it, you have a great start. Keep us informed on how you are doing.

Happy banding,

Mary