Hi, I'm Cathi from MD. I am just starting my research and journey towards LAP-Band surgery. I am an advanced stage ovarian cancer survivor (6 years clean this June) and I am ready to lose all this weight and start a new way of life. But , I am also scared.

I know this will be more then just a simple surgery for losing weight. I know this will be a life style change. I question myself as to whether I am ready for such a change, but I know if I can survive 5 days a week of chemo, I can do this. I want to live without the fear that I am too big for . . .

I would love to hear from anyone who has started this journey in regards to how they are dealing with the daily routine of living without the comfort of food. I would also love to hear from others who are just starting.

Thanks for the support!:clap2:

Hi Cathi,

I am proud for you. You have fought a big battle. You won.

Now you are starting the next battle.

I did have some depression. When the lbs starting dropping off , my weight became my comfort. It really did. I felt better about how I looked. How the world perceived me. I knew my food addiction was right out in the open . My tight size 26 jeans told the truth.

Now I have been at goal for 3 months and I am still amazed at how I have changed. I am very busy and don't tire like I used to. Being busy with life not my next fix (food) .

The excitement, thrill , and the future makes me smile. I can't find the words.

I know one worry I had was what if I put it back on? Now 3 months I feel 99% confident that will not happen. I get full. I have to stop and eat.

So to sum it up, the high I get from feeling and looking better took the place of my high from food.

best wishes,

edie

Cathi, welcome to LBT Early congratulations on your upcoming anniversary! It's really great to hear a success story like yours.

I was banded in Oct 2005, am approx 25-30 lbs from goal. I have to tell you, I still find it hard. I am not perfect, I don't always make proper food choices. But, with the band I definitely can't eat large quantities. I find holidays (Thanksgiving/Christmas) especially tough, it's really hard for me to see others eating such large portions. I want to have a small taste of everything, but that's not always possible. Last Nov I think I had 3 bites of turkey and a bit of veggies and I was done. Those holidays are so focused on food/preparation, and for us it's over in such a short minute.

Good news is I'm in a much healthier place and size than I was 18 mo ago. I've lost at a steady rate, and have been fortunate to have few complications which have enabled me to maintain where I'm at.

I've made a commitment to be at goal by my 2 year anniversary in October, in a couple of weeks I'm starting a program at a new fitness center opening in my neighborhood. I've signed up for a few personal training sessions, and am excited to begin targeting some of my problem areas.

I hope others are not too shy to chime in, it really helps to have many different perspectives.

All the best,

Karla

Cathi,

Congrats on your up-coming anniversary of being cancer free....I pray that you will continue to do well....

The band is a wonderful tool....It keeps me from eating to much...that has always been my problem...I can eat nearly anything I want, just not a lot of it...I eat a half a cup per meal...three meals a day...no in between snacking....I love the band...it is the best thing I have ever done...

welcome! I just got banded yesterday. You have gone through so much, this is a piece of cake! Ooh, maybe not cake!

Justt do your research and you'll know if it is rght for you.

God bless...

You are already a strong women....so this will be a piece of cake!! LOL!! You have gone through a lot and you will be just fine. I had did my research on the surgery for about a year before I stepped in. Just had my surgery on May 22, 2007. I am 4 days post op...and I feel ok. A little aches and pains....but I just had surgery. I thought I would be starving since I havent had food since Monday...but I am not. I have this sense of fullness inside. Hard to explain. I have a hard time making myself have broth or even a popscyle. Weird huh. I am down 7 pounds...but I also know I am full of gas from the surgery. Good luck to you and hope to hear from you again.

Surgery 242

Now 235