Just starting this jouney

[Ready2Change 0]

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:

[edieparks 2]

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.< /p>

best wishes,

edie

[AnotherMe 0]

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

[Big As Life 0]

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...

[cyndilou29 0]

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...

[jsrico 1]

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