Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

Greetings, New Yorkers!

My name is Julie and I just celebrated my one-year bandiversary! Yipeee! I had my surgery in Cooperstown, New York at Bassett Health Care. They have a 3 year-old bariatric program and do both the bypass and the band. I am SOOOO glad I chose the band.

I am incredibly happy with my results. I have lost 125lbs since starting the program, and am down 160lbs from my highest ever weight. My BMI (which started at 43) is now 26, and I'm down from a size 26/28 to a size 12/14. I have attached (I hope) a before/after picture to this message. I am 43 years old and am 5'8". I love my band. I can't even begin to talk about all the major, positive changes that have happened in my life as a result of this life-saving procedure!

Beyond my weight loss... here's a little more about me: I am happily married to a wonderful, supportive man. I work in the field of substance abuse prevention and provide workshops all over New York State (including Port Jerivs!) I sing professionally in a contemporary Christian band, and play keyboards and woodwinds as well. I don't have kids, but I do have poodle :). I'm originally from Georgia... so, I am COLD ALL THE TIME! And now that I've lost my insulation, I'm even colder! I am currently working on my PhD in Psychology and hope to have my dissertation completed by Christmas.

I look forward to chatting with other New Yorkers who have the band!

Hugs,

post-204027-1381313181077_thumb.jpg

post-204027-13813131811195_thumb.jpg

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Whoa Nellie!!! You look great!! You should post those on our Before and After thread...here's the link if you haven't found it yet...

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=4642

So, welcome to LBT! So glad to have you here! And congrats on your GREAT weight loss success! Oh, and the other stuff too. I suppose a PhD and having professional grade musical talent, and owning a poodle and having a supportive hubby are all standing ovation worthy as well. :) Anyhow, congrats!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Julie... wow.. congrats on your amazing weight loss!!! Your beautiful lady!!!!

I am from New York... Long Island...I am 7 weeks post op and still waiting for a good fill...

Its nice to meet you!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you Kathy and Kathy! You're sweet! I would LOVE to post my pictures on the before/after forum... but I can't figure out how to make the picture show up without having to click on a link.

So do you actually know where Oneonta or Cooperstown are? I live in Oneonta. I've been here for 13 years.

The last time I was on Long Island, I took the ferry over from CT. Is was a nice ride. I must say, it IS a long way from Oneonta... including the Ferry ride, it took me 6 hours to get to my destination.

Oh... and I did notice that we're all 40-something! hmmm.... not getting older, but getting better? Yeh.... that's about right!

Hugs,

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Julie, if you post the link, one of our very talented Moderators (Penni) will somehow magically make it appear. She does that with all the folks who can't figure out how to do all that. Mine came up, but it was an accident! Ha! Really though, she'll get it fixed for you. Just post it there, too.

I don't know anything above Washington DC. Ya'll are talking Yankee to this ole Southerner...that's okay, Julie, surely you remember Georgia enough to know I'll just smile and be so happy for you two talking directions I have no clue about!

And my 40's are getting better by the pound! I just turned 40 this month, it was one of my deciding factors for getting banded. I dreaded the thought of going through this wonderful decade of my life struggling against hope about my weight. So here I go!

Hey, other Kathy, I'm 7 weeks post-op too. April 8th, you?

OH! You two need to look up the East Coast Bash, it's in September, I think. Check for it in the NJ forum. Or if you don't find it I'll bump it, let me know.

'Night all!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Julie....

Yes.. I know where Cooperstown and Oneonta are.. I have in-laws up near Binghampton and Pheonix... I have been to Cooperstown.... many years ago... when my kids were really little.. they are in there 20's now... my little one is 10...

So.. we are all 40 something... cool... yep.. just gets better and better huh!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Back at YA!!... it took me a few.. but I figured out how to post it... actually how to reduce the pic to be able to post it... LOL

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Wow! I was just looking at your pictures - what a difference! I can only hope to look so amazing! Congratulations.

I am about 2 hours east of you - in orange county, ny. My son goes to Binghamton University so I do visit pretty close to you.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

What was your secret with losing so well what did you eat can't believe it congratulations

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

HI there Eileen! Wow... I didn't realize anyone was so close! I do some work down in Orange County every now and then. Actually, in two weeks, I'm going to be doing some work in the neighboring county, Sullivan. I tootle down through Delaware County to Roscoe and then take 17W over your way.

Thanks for your kinds words about my before/after. I'm pretty amazed, myself. The band, by the grace of God, had been miracle!

Hugs,

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Flower,

Early in my post op life, I was VERY, VERY compulsive. I was soooo afraid that I was going to harm my band or my pouch. So, I think I was very hard on myself for the first half of the year. I was hungry a lot. As I relaxed into living with my band, my weight loss slowed down. But, that was okay with me. The rapid weight loss was not a goal of mine. As a matter of fact, one of the reasons I selected the band over the RNY was the moderate rate of weight loss.

My continued success has to do with following the rules of good bandster eating:

1) Eat slowly, chew well, and take small bites

2) Eat Protein first

3) Eat veggies second

4) Limit pastas, rices, sugars and breads

5) Limit snacking to one or two PLANNED, low-cal Snacks a day

6) Drink 64oz of Fluid a day

7) Stay away from soft/mushy food

8) Stay away from liquid calories

9) No drinking with meals or for at least 30 minutes after.

10) Stop eating when your tummy says you're satisfied.

I hope that helps. I'm sure you've heard these things before... but they're the rules that helped me get to where I'm at.

Hugs,

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • 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.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • 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.
    • KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • bellaamey

      https://alluniqueguide.com/java-burn-coffee-reviews/
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×