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Hi from Illinois

freedom0702

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freedom0702    0

freedom0702
Posted

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this site although I've been reading the posts for about 3 weeks. Alot of good info on here. I had my lap band on 7/2/08. I call myself freedom0702 because my surgery was so close to independence day and the lap band will be my independence from fat, YEA!

So far, since I started the journey in 9/07 (going thru the insurance required program, etc) I have lost about 32 pounds. Just cleaned out my closet yesterday of all the clothes that are too big but kept because I just didn't believe that I wouldn't fit back into them again. I'm still a little leary of just getting rid of them because I have a hard time believing this time the weight will stay off for good.

I haven't lost any weight for about a week, even gained a pound or two :biggrin:. I'm sure that's just temporary, I don't go for my 1st fill until 8/13.

I see the nutritionist this Tuesday. That will be good as I'm not getting enough Protein and maybe she will have suggestions on how to make that happen.

Thanks for all the good input on this site, it's really helpful and encouraging to know so many others are out there and I'm not all alone in this journey.

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wannababy    0

wannababy
Posted

Welcome! Congrats on your band... I am still pre op and hoping to be banded soon. What insurance did you have, and how was that process?? Good luck with your continued success..

Amy

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freedom0702    0

freedom0702
Posted

Thanks Amy. My insurance is Health Alliance. When I started this process in Sept. 07 all they covered was the bypass. I wasn't sure I wanted to do something so drastic but began their "I can change" program thinking that maybe I could follow their advise and lose the weight on my own and if not, then decide after the required 6 months program. Well, about a month before my 6 months was up, my health coach (that's what they call the person you have to talk with on the phone to set goals, etc.) told me that Health Alliance had just approved the lap band. I was so excited...disbelieving...scared...you name it I had all the emotions. The time seemed to fly by. I'm still excited and have so much more energy than before my surgery. If this is an indication of my future, I'm very happy with my decision to have the lap band.

I know this is much more than you asked, but it's good to have someone to tell all this to as I haven't told too many people about having the surgery, only my close family, who are all very supportive.

Thanks for listening.

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wannababy    0

wannababy
Posted

I totally understand about wanting to talk about it b/c you haven't discussed it much with other people. I don't plan to discuss it except for my immediate family and on the boards. Sounds like things worked out very well for you regarding the insurance, which is a huge feet in itself. I am sure the band with continue to be a great tool in your life, and your continued success. Keep up the great work!!

Amy

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freedom0702    0

freedom0702
Posted

Thanks, and good luck to you also. Have you gotten approval from your insurance yet or are you a self pay? Keep us posted on your progress.

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illinoishusker    0

illinoishusker
Posted

Hi! and welcome. I wish I had more people to talk to also. My dh is very supportive, but he just doesn't want to chat about it a lot? You know, he knows Im the research queen and will over search, so he just waits til the end. lol

welcome!

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Go To Topic Listing Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

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    • LeighaTR

      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

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      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!
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    • Alisa_S

      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

        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

      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

        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

      CaseyP1011

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

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