Hi All,

(probably the most honest thing I have ever posted)

I am new to online forums.... I thought to sign up in order to track my weight loss as well as get to know others who are going through the same experience.

I had my GB operation on the 3rd of June 2013, through Belgium Surgery Services. I found the whole process very quick, and the hotel we stayed in was quirky... an old prison!

The reason why I had the gastric band operation was to get my life in order. I have always been the girl 'who has a pretty face' and people always said; 'if only you lost some weight, you would be so beautiful', 'if you was to lose a stone or two you would be stunning'.... The things people say! but these things play on your mind especially if people repeat them to you, well they played on mine anyway.

Lets not be naive, we are judged by the way we look. I just didn't want my weight to hold me back anymore and hold back my confidence that I was slowly losing every stone I was putting on. Plus i love fashion, I like looking at healthy beautiful people. I admire them....

I have always been 'big'....I was born 15lb!! Most of my family is over weight. My granddad passed from diabetes a few years back and even though I have always had a 'shape', in the last few years I was finding myself putting on weight just by looking at food!

You see my family is Greek, we LOVE food... we are foodies! I am not in denial that I was eating big portions at meal times and constantly snacking, but I just couldn't stop myself. Food was a big part of my life! It was always there to comfort me. When I did I would lose weight, through dieting. I would put it back on again (double sometimes) as soon as I was having a 'down time'. My BMI was highly creeping up and I was then diagnosed with PCOS (polysistic ovarian syndrome). Things got serious really... my periods stopped, my skin started getting bad.. my thighs were rubbing together and causing sores. At my heaviest I got up to 18.5 stone/252 pounds at 5'4.

I had been thinking more and more about my weight and what I could do to help aid my journey. After all I have got my career on track and my mind on focus and in a happy place. My mum had a bypass 9 years ago and lost ALOT of weight but came alot of complications. She suggested a band, I researched it. Did some soul searching, decided this was my answer. Booked the GB and paid for my flights and deposit... Started saving (longest 3 months of my life! ) and here I am...

I look forward to reading some your stories and networking with each other.

My grammar and punctuation is not fantastic... after all I can get away with it. It is a forum

Elisa

x

Welcome!

Thank you Steph

When did you have your GB?

January 11, 2013. I'm happy with it so far!

brilliant, how are you finding the weight loss so far? Is it as quick as you wished? Are you exercising?

She may not respond to you unless she chose to follow this topic. If you want someone to know you are responding to them personally then you can click on the quote button of their reply and they will get the message that you quoted them, and then they will know. Don't take this personally I just did not know if you knew since you are new. Or you can PM somebody personally. Sorry if you already knew this.

~~~Stephanie

She may not respond to you unless she chose to follow this topic. If you want someone to know you are responding to them personally then you can click on the quote button of their reply and they will get the message that you quoted them, and then they will know. Don't take this personally I just did not know if you knew since you are new. Or you can PM somebody personally. Sorry if you already knew this.

~~~Stephanie

OMG thank you so much Stephanie, that is HUGE help, I have been liking everyones comments just so they know that I have replied lol

January 11, 2013. I'm happy with it so far!

brilliant, how are you finding the weight loss so far? Is it as quick as you wished? Are you exercising?

Welcome! You have a great attitude.

Welcome! You have a great attitude.

Thank you

My actual weight loss has been slower than I thought it would be, BUT I have also lost quite a few inches and clothing sizes so I am pleased. Yes, I exercise reguarly at home and at the gym. I started off walking on the treadmill and now I've started running and I absolutely love it. Feel free to ask anything you wish, I'm happy to help.

My actual weight loss has been slower than I thought it would be' date=' BUT I have also lost quite a few inches and clothing sizes so I am pleased. Yes, I exercise reguarly at home and at the gym. I started off walking on the treadmill and now I've started running and I absolutely love it. Feel free to ask anything you wish, I'm happy to help. [/quote']

Thank you for sharing Steph. I will do, likewise if I can help :-)

My actual weight loss has been slower than I thought it would be' date=' BUT I have also lost quite a few inches and clothing sizes so I am pleased. Yes, I exercise reguarly at home and at the gym. I started off walking on the treadmill and now I've started running and I absolutely love it. Feel free to ask anything you wish, I'm happy to help. [/quote']

Thank you for sharing Steph. I will do, likewise if I can help :-)

My actual weight loss has been slower than I thought it would be' date=' BUT I have also lost quite a few inches and clothing sizes so I am pleased. Yes, I exercise reguarly at home and at the gym. I started off walking on the treadmill and now I've started running and I absolutely love it. Feel free to ask anything you wish, I'm happy to help. [/quote']

Thank you for sharing Steph. I will do, likewise if I can help :-)