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Definitely NOT all about the weight loss!



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Hi Guys!

My name is Liz. I am 21 years old and live in Naperville, Il, a western suburb of Chicago (we just got our first 5 inches of snow for the season, it never ends!) and I am freezing :biggrin:) Totally a side effect of losing so much weight..all that fat not around to insulate you!

I had lap-band surgery in March of 2008 and have never made a better decision in my (long) 21 years. I nanny full time for a family of a 5 year old, 3 year old and an 11 month old and have never been happier. I also am going to school part-time (a huge controversy in my house) to be a Secondary (High School) English teacher.

When I first started researching having my surgery, I will admit that I was thinking more about looking good in clothes and having guys buy me drinks when I went out with my 'normal size' girlfriends. My mom had Gastric Bypass about 5 years ago, and I saw how happy she was, how her relationship with my dad had grown stronger and all the cute clothes she used to buy, and I wanted ALL of that!

But, now almost 9 months and 95 lbs. later, I see that not only is it about looking great, but also FEELING great about yourself and becoming healthy. I love that I am losing weight and am so excited that I get to by great clothes but I have so much more energy (great when you work with little kids) and my feet don't hurt, sure I miss cheeseburgers and pizza (bread of any kind is NOT my friend) but it was so worth it.

I hope to talk to a bunch of you soon!

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Hi Guys!

My name is Liz. I am 21 years old and live in Naperville, Il, a western suburb of Chicago (we just got our first 5 inches of snow for the season, it never ends!) and I am freezing :biggrin:) Totally a side effect of losing so much weight..all that fat not around to insulate you!

I had lap-band surgery in March of 2008 and have never made a better decision in my (long) 21 years. I nanny full time for a family of a 5 year old, 3 year old and an 11 month old and have never been happier. I also am going to school part-time (a huge controversy in my house) to be a Secondary (High School) English teacher.

When I first started researching having my surgery, I will admit that I was thinking more about looking good in clothes and having guys buy me drinks when I went out with my 'normal size' girlfriends. My mom had Gastric Bypass about 5 years ago, and I saw how happy she was, how her relationship with my dad had grown stronger and all the cute clothes she used to buy, and I wanted ALL of that!

But, now almost 9 months and 95 lbs. later, I see that not only is it about looking great, but also FEELING great about yourself and becoming healthy. I love that I am losing weight and am so excited that I get to by great clothes but I have so much more energy (great when you work with little kids) and my feet don't hurt, sure I miss cheeseburgers and pizza (bread of any kind is NOT my friend) but it was so worth it.

I hope to talk to a bunch of you soon!

Wow, what a great story....Wiz, you totally rock. Welcome to the boards!!!

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Welcome!

Thank you for sharing your story! You've done a fantastic job!

Question- Why was school a controversy in your family? Was it b/c you're going part-time, or b/c you wanted to go at all, or ...? I would think your parents would be thrilled that you are going to school while you're working. Anyway. Just curious!

Oh and I'm cold too! I'm thrilled with it! LOL!!

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28_4_9.gif Welcome Wiz...

You have done really great! I understand freezing with the weight loss. I used to freeze everyone else out year round. Fans going 24/7. air on 70, heat 0n 66-68. I was forever telling my kids to put on more clothes or wrap up in a blanket. Now I am the one in blankets, fans no longer running 24/7, air on 75, heat on 68-70, plus a small heater at my desk. Never did I think I would be cold! LOL

Keep up the good work!

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Just got banded on the 20th, and as my blood sugar has dipped into nice control, I find I'm actually getting cold for the first time in years...! I used to say the only good thing about diabetes was that you're never cold. Well now I am, but it's a good trade, if indeed lower blood sugar is the cause of being cold!

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Going to school had always been a big discussion in my house, I have two younger sisters who both attend Big 10 schools (a huge deal in a house that is obsessed with football!) and have always done great in school. My parents want me to go full time and just get it over with and start 'really' working asap! But, I am enjoying my life so much right now and I am completely in love with the kids I nanny for. I am really in no hurry to move on to the stage of being an 'actual' grown-up yet!

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Welcome!

Thank you for sharing your story! You've done a fantastic job!

Question- Why was school a controversy in your family? Was it b/c you're going part-time, or b/c you wanted to go at all, or ...? I would think your parents would be thrilled that you are going to school while you're working. Anyway. Just curious!

Oh and I'm cold too! I'm thrilled with it! LOL!!

Going to school had always been a big discussion in my house, I have two younger sisters who both attend Big 10 schools (a huge deal in a house that is obsessed with football!) and have always done great in school. My parents want me to go full time and just get it over with and start 'really' working asap! But, I am enjoying my life so much right now and I am completely in love with the kids I nanny for. I am really in no hurry to move on to the stage of being an 'actual' grown-up yet! Annnd, the cold thing is growing on me. It's a whole lot better than me sweating buckets all year round like I was before!

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Hey there!!

I know where Naperville is. I am originally from Dixon. Great to hear your story!! I am sooooo excited! I go in for consulation on Dec. 8th. I am really happy, I just found out that I am approved for financing. I am such a wannabe bandster!!!!

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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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