Stressed & Scared in Seattle

Katiegrrl · August 24, 2008

Hi All -

I am getting banded next week and I'm really scared; I'm not sure of what other than the unknown. Even though I've read and researched the band/diet to death it’s a different experience for everyone so I'm still not sure what to expect. I'm overwhelmed by the enormity of it.

I’m normally not so frightened of change but I’ve had a very stressful year. I started a new career as a prison therapist in October, then my father died in January. The following month I had a serious car accident and then in March I found out my knee is bone/bone and I need a particle knee replacement. That’s really been the motivation for the surgery. I’m 39 and I can barely walk.

I had a snowboarding accident eight years ago that really destroyed my knee. Prior to the accident I was active and a size five but afterwards my weight became a constant battle. I would work out like crazy trying to stay thin then hurt my knee and be immobile. Then put on weight. About two – three years ago I just gave up. I couldn’t work through the pain anymore and my weight ballooned. When I was 30 I was 125 then at 32-33, 135 then at 35 175-180 and now at 39 I’m 220. I’m actually very eager to be active. I hate being burdened with this huge body. It’s like a prison.

When I’m not neurotically stressed like I am now I’m actually a lot of fun. I was in marketing for 10 years and decided I couldn’t take bullshitting about crappy products anymore so I went to grad school to become a psychologist. My job as a prison therapist is bizarre but truly a rewarding experience. I can’t have a mentor that has any black/white perception about the criminal justice system; lock em’ up and throw away the key people need not apply. I am frequently judged harshly for helping “those people,” so like the people I work with I need empathy; everyone is someone’s brother, father, husband, and son. I firmly believe people should not be thrown away.

So now that I’m off that soapbox here’s the rest; I love knitting and the Beastie Boys. I’ve been married seven years to an amazing man I love. We don’t have any children but we have a beagle named, pancake that we shamelessly spoil. I read, read, read, and spend hours in Photoshop. I like tacky TV and cheesy celebrity magazines. I love clothes and cannot wait to go on a shopping spree. I’m quirky and have dark sense of humor. Also, I’m originally from New Jersey and consider myself a full-blown Jersey girl. I have the accept but not the big hair.

So that’s me. If anyone wants to mentor/correspond w/me let me know. I think having a buddy would help a lot. I loathe support groups but I’m going to force myself to go because I know I’m go to need a lot of help with this. But having a buddy to email would be ideal. Please let me know if you can HHHHHEEEEELLLLPPPPPP!

K

pdxsailorgirl · August 24, 2008

take a deep breath! It's the best decision you'll ever make! The hardest part for me over the last 6 wks is learning to eat really S L O W.

Lisa B · August 25, 2008

Hey Katie - I'm in Kirkland too, banded just over two weeks ago. Like you I was always pretty active, but for me it was back problems and then hip surgery that kept slowing me down and finally made me give up. I'm happy to meet for coffee/tea sometime to see if we'd be a good fit for each other.

Me, I've been married six years, together for 11, to a tall skinny guy who, when he wants to lose weight, tells himself to stop eating that extra sandwich at lunch or Cookies for dessert. Kills me.

PM me if you want to get together for coffee/tea/water some day - with or without the dogs. (Mine loves people but is cranky with other dogs when on leash! Crazy pooch

Cheers,

Lisa

Andrewblack · August 25, 2008

I have been to India for my hip replacement treatment. I did a lot of research and found out about www.valuemedicare.com , a leader in Medical Tourism. ValueMedicare gave me excellent services. Though this company is a little expensive compare to other medical tourism companies(though it is still very cheap compare to US) but then you get treated by the best doctors in the best hospitals.

ThinnerJenepher · November 8, 2010

Hi Katie,

I know your post was a while ago, but I thought I would respond anyway and see how you were doing. I have been banded since Nov. 2007, and am approx 40 lbs from my goal weight. I am looking for support and comaraderie in this journey and would love to meet someone who gets it all.

I'm 34, live in Des Moines, WA, and am a graphic designer. Divorced, no kids, but living with boyfriend in a home we bought together about 6 months ago.

Let me know how you are and if you are interested in supporting one another!

Thanks much!

Jen:smile2: