Hi,

My name is Leona, and I live in Clearlake, CA. I have been studying the band for several weeks, and am currently filling out the initial paperwork. I have to go to SF for the surgery, but fortunately I can do all the prep work with my personal GP. Once medicare approves the surgery, I will have to wait 6-8 months.

I have chronic fatigue, fibro, advanced COPD and a hiatal hernia. I have already lost 28 pounds since January, and now weigh 404 lbs. I cannot walk, but I do weight bearing exercise three days a week. I plan on buying Protein Drinks and going on a diet similar to the band diet now. I hope to lose 40 lbs or more before surgery, and really build my muscles. The big thing will be to avoid a flare. Wen I get one I can't exercise and get depressed and crave sweets. Once I get the band, the damage of a flare will be minimized- though I still want to avoid one.

Looking forward to meeting others and learning more about the band.

Leona

waiting........

Hey there <wave> congrats on the weight that you have lost! Good-luck on your future journey! This board to research and learn!

I think I'm off to a pretty good start- I am off the caffeine and diet sodas. I only eat fast food once a month, so it isn't likely I will miss it. I eat a lot of vegetables and fruit from our garden- mostly stirfried veggies with meat. I also drink one or two Protein drinks a day.

My big problem is that I cannot walk more than a few feet. I have Chronic fatigue, and can't do any sustained exercise. So lifting weights will have to be enough. I do it three days a week now. It takes me almost two hourd to do what a normal person would do in twenty minutess or so. I remember- before I caught Chronic fatigue I used to do even more in about twenty five minutes.

I am basically housebound, and should be getting a wheelchair in about a month. That should make it easier to get around, and should give me a chance to increase my activity. I hope to go out and garden. Ride the chair to the garden, get up and harvest or weed, then use the wheelchair to move again. Too bad the season is ending soon.

mindwing