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Hello everyone, I'd first like to say what an awesome site this is! I can't think of anything more important on this journey than positive support and others willing to share their experiences.

Just a little about me: I'm 33 years old, divorced, with one son, live in Houston TX. I've attended Dr Spiegel's seminar here, and am researching other Houston dr's, but in the mean time learning as much as I can about what to expect.

I'm at 250 lbs now and feel pretty miserable. Since junior high I've battled my weight, but since my son was born (8 yrs ago!) I have continued to gain. I've had some small successes with fad diets but as you know, it all comes back and then some! When I buy clothes I'm tired of kidding myself, I'm tired of being tired - if you know what I mean?!

I'm having difficulty with uploading my pic from my computer, but once I figure this out you'll me able to see my gorgeous mug!!

thanks a bunch

Karla

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Karla, best of luck to you! Please do as much research as you can before you are banded to help you know what to expect in life w/your band. How much weight would you like to lose?

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Welcome Karla. You're absolutely right, this is an awesome group to be a part of. Good luck on your band journey.

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Hi Karla, WELCOME!

I was banded by Dr Spiegel over the summer... if you want to ask or 'private message' me with questions, you are welcome to! Good luck on this new adventure!

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Hi Karla,

Congrats on your decision to get this tool. We have alot in common - I've beenout of control with the weight since Nicky and Danny were born. Danny will be 6 and Nuicky os 7 - definetly cannot use the baby fat excuse anymore. I've found this board to be an incredible support and very real. I'm at 242 and what to be at 150. You??

Good luck with all your consults and keep us posted.

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Welcome karla,

As you have said this site is an excellent source of support and information. If and when you make a decsion we will all be here to cheer you on and help you through.

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Thanks to all for the encouragement!

I've been thinking quite a bit about my weight goal... I don't want to make it unrealistic and feel like a failure if I don't get close enough to it.

I'm at 250 now and would be quite comfortable in the 140-150 lb range.

Debby, that's exactly how I see the band.. just like my mom's pacemaker is a Tool to keep her heart rhythm regulated, the LapBand will help me regulate the amount of food I intake and help me make better choices.

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Hey Karla: Welcome and post that pic.

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Hey Karla. Welcome to Lap Band Land. This is a great, great website, everyone here is real informative and we all have went thru the same thing! It is a wonderful way to share the experience without leaving home! These people on here have real good advice and are very supportive! Welcome.

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Thanks again to everyone! It's inspiring to know that all of you are willing to offer support. Your experience & advice does make a difference. Penni, thanks again for your help with my Avatar:cheeky

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Hi Karla. Welcome. I've only joined LBT in February, and everyone's been really nice, kind, compassionate & funny too!

I looked at your photo on your profile...it looks like you might have make it a bit narrower. sometimes you have to start over & crop higher so the top of your head doesn't get cut off!

Best of luck to you, looking forward to seeing your progress.

Karen

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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