Hello,

I hope that this is going to become my second home. I decided a year ago to finally do something about my weight. Before I go on, I want to introduce myself. My name is Sonya, and I have been overweight ALL of my life. I was a 10 pound baby for Pete's sake! But I never let my weight be a hinderance to me. I was one of the fortunate ones who was not teased and I was very popular. I marched in the high school and a southern college band, and BOY DO THEY MARCH!!! I was very active and outgoing in spite of my extra weight. I believe that I was always my own worst critic. Anyway, after going through a devastating break up and ultimate divorce and experiencing problems with my health now, I feel it is time to get control. I am about to graduate from college in May, I am going through the adoption process for a child, I'm writing a book, and so many other positive things are starting to happen in my life. I no longer want my weight to be a factor in any of it. So that is why I am here and looking to you for encouragement and support. A lot of you have walked and succeeded on the road that I have traveled and still trying to reach my destination. There is so much I can and want to learn from you. I thank you in advance from the bottom of my heart. I was approved for surgery a week ago and I am scheduled for March 27, 2008, but I am looking for someone in my network who can do it sooner. I do not want to walk across the stage when I graduate looking like I'm wearing a tent. I want to look like one of the young whipper snappers. I know I can lose some weight but not enough to make a real difference. So prayerfully I may have found a surgeon who can help me in January. Please pray for me. I currently weigh 321 lbs. I was 358 at my highest but after being diagnosed with diabetes I was able to get down to 316. So I flucctuate between 321 & 316. I am kind of afraid to set a goal, because I am so used to seeing my self large that it is hard to visualize what I would look like 100lbs lighter. I am 5'7" tall and I would like to be down to 180lbs. I have not been that size since junior high; maybe even elementary school. Do you think that is wishful thinking? Are there people out there the same body make up as me who has done it? Please, all feedback will be humbly accepted, appreciated and used. I am excited, nervous, anxious, scared all at the same time, but I know that this is right for me. Thank you for allowing me to share a little about myself, and I know that more will be shared. Sonya:help:

Welcome Angelsvoice! I believe you can do this and it is more than likely that your diabetes will improve as you loose the weight. Don't worry about setting your goal! Set one for now and you can evaluate with your doctor if that is still right for you as you get closer to that weight. One of the things I like best about the band is that it is adjustable to what each individual needs. You are obviously a highly motivated person (finishing school is a huge accomplishment!). This is a process that takes time to perfect...but you WILL get there!

Good luck and congratulations!

Hello Angelsvoice and Welcome.

Wow you have made some amazing accomplishments in your life and this will be the next one!!! I am new in this journey too and you will find lots of support and helpful information here. I am 45 years old and have about 140 pounds to lose and also am at a point in my life where I want to take control back of my life and be healthy. All the best to you and keep us posted

Barb

Welcome Angels!

Yes I can tell you definitely will have the motivation to get this through. I am definitely the same body type as you. Was born big..9lbs 4 and never looked back. I don't even remember weighing 100 pounds as a kid..lol. Anyways..I was at 314 at the time of surgery and although it's taken a long time for me to loose 100 pounds it certainly doesn't have to for you. With diabetes too it's even more vital you get control of this as soon as you can.

Anyways welcome again. Ask as many questions as you want. Research, research, research. There's ALOT to know about band surgery before being banded. Take care girl..we are with you.

Di

Welcome Sonya, and thank you for sharing your story. This is the place for you! A lot of support here and much helpful info. My highest was 263 I am 5'4". I went on Nutrisystem last Jan thru Apr. I lost 40 poundsl I then gained back 15. I was 237 when I had my consult, and now I am at about 203. I have been banded for 6 weeks. Just this small amount of weight lost so far has made a tremendous difference. My back pain is GONE. I hope to get down to 130, but I am a very small boned person. I was meant to be little, I can tell by ny bone structure. If I look Ok at 140, then that will be my goal. You just have to get to a weight that is healthy for you. Numbers don't matter. If you look good and feel good, then that is your goal weight. The whole banding process has been great, I am one of the lucky ones with virtually no pain at all. Your goal for now is to lose what you can to make surgery easier for you. By the way, your surgery is on my birthday! Good Luck...

Sonya, I am a diabetic also. When I went to the Psych eval the doctor told me lap band and bypass surgey is the closest thing we have to a cure for diabetes. I do not speciafiaccly have a weight goal. like you i have been overweight all my life. My goal is to be off blood pressure and diabetes medication. What is your surgery date in january?

Angel, we almost have the same stats. I am 5'8 and I'm currently 218 from a high of 320. I started the lapband at 282. I am considered a slow loser but I am very happy with my 65 lbs gone. It is such a great feeling not to yo yo diet anymore. I love having control. I am going in for a much more agressive fill in January. You will find that restriction is key. You will do great. Congrats on making this life changing decision!

Thank you so much for all the great advice and support already!!! Wow. I am so excited!!! I go to the seminar for the new doctor January 2nd. After that they will schedule me for a consult with him, and since all of my paperwork is already in order I should get scheduled for pre op, then PRAYERFULLY the surgery. The nurse said that he is not scheduling 3-4 months out that they may be able to do it in January if everything checks on their end. This is for juliegeraci. Before I lost the 36 lbs I was wearing a woman's 28/30. Now I wear 24's comfortably. So may I ask what size you are after losing 65lbs? Believe me it would be such a help. Yes my ultimate goal is to be able to stop sticking myself and taking metformin and the other medications I'm on. I know the appearance will be a bonus compared to that. Well I do hope to be able to give my future husband one heck of a sultry striptease without the extra rolls shaking!!!! LOL!!!!!!

P.S. I carry the majority of my weight in my abdomen, and plus I got an extra set of boobs in the back:kiss. LOL

Angel, I am at 218 from 282 and I'm in a nice fitting 18. My goal is 16 or 14 which would put me at 180-190ish. My doctor said 185 would be perfect. If I have a Tummy tuck and lower body lift after I get to 185 I'm sure I'll be in a size 14 or 12. You will love the band. Good luck.

I am also very similar to you. 5' 7" and started this journey on the day of surgery at 315. I had my surgery on 10/29 and I am down to 292. Hope everything comes together for you quickly in January - believe me, you won't regret it at all!!

Robin

You ROCK!!!!!! Your progress so far is amazing and SOOOOOO inspiring. I want to be like you all when I grow up!!!!!

Angel~! You will be. The pounds will melt off after you get good restriction. Just be patient and don't be shy of fills once you heal. My doctor starts the process 6 weeks after surgery. It took me 5 fills to finally get restriction. Thankfully I lost 1-2 lbs per week during that time. Right now I just want to maintain through the Holidays. I have about 30 more lbs to go and will get tightened on 1/2. I lost 3 lbs a week when I was at 3.2ccs but wanted to be able to eat more again so recently I went back to 2.9ccs to maintain. So far so good. Good luck! P.S. I started in a size 24 as well.

If you have significant others, how supportive have they been or not been. I have a fear of having an attitude against men who did not want to date me while I'm big, but will be knocking down my door when I'm a bit smaller. Anyone experience this? I just want to keep being me but I know I will change mentally in some ways. I jus don't want to be a person people wish would have stayed overweight. Sorry if I'b being to personal or too inquisitive.

If you have significant others, how supportive have they been or not been. I have a fear of having an attitude against men who did not want to date me while I'm big, but will be knocking down my door when I'm a bit smaller. Anyone experience this? I just want to keep being me but I know I will change mentally in some ways. I jus don't want to be a person people wish would have stayed overweight. Sorry if I'b being to personal or too inquisitive.

Well you do change. No if ands or butts about it. I'm wayyy more confident now. and yep I'm wayyy more pickier about who I date and have alot more higher standards which is a whole lot healthier. I'm still though the nice girl. I mean isn't that what all men want..fat girl nice in a skinny girls body? hehe. There's definitely a whole lot more men giving me attention and yeah it feels damn good to turn the ones down that I know I wouldn't have before. Might sound a bit bad on my part but you know what it isn't at all. I finding more decent "normal" men that are alot more healthier for me to date. Go me..lol

That makes a LOT of sense. I know a part of my ex leaving was because of my weight although he denies it to no end, but a woman knows when a man is not attracted to her. I would be lying if I didn't admit that a part of me is driven to succeed to throw him a double whammy!!!!! Not only did you lose a fantastic woman, but you lost a fantastic woman who looks a feels better than ever!!!!! Can anyone relate?:clap2: