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.

That is awsome.

I cant wait to be able to sit in a chair with my back touching the back without me looking like I am laying down. (big butt)

Finally!!!!!! OMG, I never thought it would happen... My PCP's office just called and told me the insurance finally put that stamp of approval and she said my surgeon's office will call shortly to set up my appointment. I was beginning to lose all hope.

Thanks to everyone for helping me keep my chin and what little hope I had left up. If they don't call by the end of the day, I am going to call the surgeons office tomorrow.

Anyway, I am so totally HAPPY and so totally READY!!!!

:clap2:

WOOO HOOO!! that is amazing news!!!

Congratulations. Your patience was rewarded.

Congrats LilMissBand-Aid! Patience and persistance are a good thing to have with the band.

Keep us posted and again congratulations:cheer2:

Best wishes,

Mary

LJM, insub, mmcbelle - Thanks! I am so close now. Just need an official date and I will be complete.

Not only that, I have had a stickler of a cold for a week now. I am just finally starting to feel better as of this morning. That's ok, because I gained no weight for Thanksgiving. I still weigh the same from the last month. Oh well.... I know I surely would have gained some with all the great food around. Good luck or bad?

Ok, so my band date is less than a week away and I am getting a little nervous. I guess I need some encouragement. I have been doing this liquid diet for over a week and I think it has me a little down.

I am not nervous about the surgery but more about the changes I am going through. I guess I am a little scared about never being able to eat Thanksgiving meals and other meals like I used to. I feel like I have been a food addict and now I am going to rehab. Do I sound silly? Maybe I am the only one that has felt this way. I think it is a little silly to be less scared about surgery and more scared about eating differently.

I have really committed to the liquid diet and I am committed to have the surgery. I know I can do it. I guess I just need from someone who relates to my feelings. I don't want someone to say "Well, obviously you are nervous so you shouldn't do it until you are 100% about it". I have been working towards this goal for over a year now and am not about to quit. I just need a little encouragement from some people that felt this way too and now feel like it is the best decision they have ever made...

Ok, so my band date is less than a week away and I am getting a little nervous. I guess I need some encouragement. I have been doing this liquid diet for over a week and I think it has me a little down.

I am not nervous about the surgery but more about the changes I am going through. I guess I am a little scared about never being able to eat Thanksgiving meals and other meals like I used to. I feel like I have been a food addict and now I am going to rehab. Do I sound silly? Maybe I am the only one that has felt this way. I think it is a little silly to be less scared about surgery and more scared about eating differently.

I have really committed to the liquid diet and I am committed to have the surgery. I know I can do it. I guess I just need from someone who relates to my feelings. I don't want someone to say "Well, obviously you are nervous so you shouldn't do it until you are 100% about it". I have been working towards this goal for over a year now and am not about to quit. I just need a little encouragement from some people that felt this way too and now feel like it is the best decision they have ever made...

You'll be fine!! You can still have Thanksgiving dinner, etc., just smaller portions. You can learn to be satisfied with a few bites rather than mega portions. Trust me!! Your life is going to change in a very positive way! Be excited about it, don't be scared!

Ok, so my band date is less than a week away and I am getting a little nervous. I guess I need some encouragement. I have been doing this liquid diet for over a week and I think it has me a little down.

I am not nervous about the surgery but more about the changes I am going through. I guess I am a little scared about never being able to eat Thanksgiving meals and other meals like I used to. I feel like I have been a food addict and now I am going to rehab. Do I sound silly? Maybe I am the only one that has felt this way. I think it is a little silly to be less scared about surgery and more scared about eating differently.

I have really committed to the liquid diet and I am committed to have the surgery. I know I can do it. I guess I just need from someone who relates to my feelings. I don't want someone to say "Well, obviously you are nervous so you shouldn't do it until you are 100% about it". I have been working towards this goal for over a year now and am not about to quit. I just need a little encouragement from some people that felt this way too and now feel like it is the best decision they have ever made...

You'll be fine!! You can still have Thanksgiving dinner, etc., just smaller portions. You can learn to be satisfied with a few bites rather than mega portions. Trust me!! Your life is going to change in a very positive way! Be excited about it, don't be scared!

Cerrin - LOL I noticed the same thing today. I can sit back comfortably in my office chair.

Michinganer - You can do it and what you are feeling is normal. Are there things you won't be able to eat sure, but there are many things you will enjoy. Thanksgiving was fine, I had a small bite of everything I wanted and even had a small piece of pie. I felt a little down about not having a HUGE bowl of mashed potatoes, corn, turkey and gravy - my favorite thing to eat for 3 days, but when I got home and had lost 3lbs that didn't seem very important.

I agree with Phyl. I think it's about enjoying a little bit of what you like. Your favourite food becomes no more delicious if you eat 5 servings of it. It's still the same taste and that doesn't change. It takes some time to get over the fact that you can only eat small portions but, after a while, you will think it's great.

This is my first post. I have been looking into the lap band as an option for the last few months. The last time I went to the dr my weight was back to it's highest 355. I have six children and after I had the first four I didn't think I would have anymore so I took sometime and started focusing on myself and trying to get healthier. I managed to get down to 245 using an appetite suppressant and eating better. Even though 245 is a big number to most, I felt terrific! I got a lot of attention and started getting approached by men, lol. I gained back a little but for the most part I was doing okay with keeping it off but not losing anymore when I got pregnant the fifth time. At first everyone was a little worried because I was so afraid to gain weight and wasn't eating well and then somewhere along the line I gave up. I didn't even try. I had a tubal, my youngest child is going to be two on Saturday. Other than my knee and lower back pain, I don't yet have any other medical issues but I know that it is just a matter of time. I hear the clock ticking. I want to be around for awhile and it seems like my health has been on my mind since I turned 30. I finally realized that I will die someday. I would just prefer it to be much later. I told my doctor that I want to lose weight, that I had done it before and I could do it again. She asked me if I wanted her to look into the lap band as I had mentioned it before. I am deathly afraid of general anesthesia, so I told her no. That I know how to eat healthier and that I wanted to try once more alone. But the more I have thought about it, I don't want to waste anymore time. I have joined the YMCA and I have been restricting my food intake. I have never been small even looking at my toddler pictures and weighing 8 1/2 lbs at birth lol and having my first child at fifteen did nothing to help my weight. I was wondering if when you have the lap band you feel like your starving but can't eat, or if you feel full because of the restriction? Do they always use general anesthesia or could they do a spinal? Just some questions I have. Thank you for your time.:help:

Lhuber99 - They have to do a general anesthesia, a spinal would not work. You need to be paralyzed - sounds very scary, but it is the only way to be safe. I was on OR nurse for 12 years, so I knew all about what they were going to do, but I was still terrified of the anesthesia. I knew I had to get this done or I was going to die young, so I just pushed forward through the fear. Is is SO worth it.

I was wondering if when you have the lap band you feel like your starving but can't eat, or if you feel full because of the restriction? - to be honest for me, there are times that I feel like I am starving and can't eat enough. I don't think this is true for everyone though. For me it is totally related to where I am in my cycle. Most days are fine, but others I have to snack more than I would like to not feel hungry. I just try to make them healthy snacks!

Good Luck with your decision - only you can make it. I truly believe that the band is as much mental as anything else. You have to be ready for it to work.

Thank you for your response. I have only had general anesthesia once to have my tonsils removed. I was thirteen and coming out of recovery was the scariest part. I hate things that take away my control. The funny thing is that the anesthesia is the only thing I am afraid of with the lap band.

ihuber99,

It sounds to me like you're an excellent candidate for lapband surgery. Joining the YMCA is a great first step. Talk to your doctor about your fear of anesthesia. I don't know if they'll do the surgery by spinal, but I think if you had an opportunity to talk to the anesthesiologist, you will be put at ease about that. Part of my pre-op visit was about a 30 minute visit with the anesthesiology department.

I'm not going to lie to you... you will experience some episodes of hunger during the initial period.... You will most likely be put on a pre-op diet that may be quite restrictive.. Some doctors require a couple of weeks of liquid protein drinks. Mine just told me to lose 10% of my body weight. I didn't quite get all the way there, but he was pleased with the 18-20 lb I did lose. The first few weeks after surgery are probably the hardest because again... liquids for at least a week, "mushies" for at least another week, then soft as you progress back to regular. You will be told by your dietician what kinds of things to keep on hand to help you handle the hunger. Eating small amounts at frequent intervals will get you through it. AND, staying on these lapband discussion boards will also be a big help. You can do it. You'll be so glad you did. I'm a little more than 4 months out and have little problem with hunger at this point. I am eating small meals, three times a day and a small snack at night. You must eat lots of protein, little carbs!