Leaderboard

All of my life I felt very different from everyone around me and constantly yearned to be “normal” like everyone else. In school, I was bullied and beaten up on a regular basis because I was “different”. In order to cope with the abuse at school and at home, I turned to food. What I didn’t realize at the time was that instead of running towards normalcy, my actions were driving me further away. As I gorged myself with calories, I gained weight and became less active. As an adult, I became so fat that I had trouble doing simple tasks like getting dressed or walking a block to a place for lunch. I thought about getting weight loss surgery, but then, I would permanently be “not normal”. One of my greatest fears about getting the surgery was that I would never be able to eat like a “normal” person again. I thought that I would not be able to participate in social activities where food was served and my post-surgery eating habits would attract attention to me as being different from everyone else. It never occurred to me that at 325 lbs, I was not eating like a normal person to begin with and my eating habits were probably already attracting attention. Today, after having lost 100 lbs from surgery, I am quite shocked to discover that I feel more normal than I have ever felt in my life. I am as active as any normal person and can physically do everything a normal person can do. My eating habits have not impacted my social life in the least. It feels wonderful to be able to walk into any clothing store and buy whatever I want just like a normal person. Even though I am not happy about still being 60 lbs overweight, given the average size of people these days, even that seems normal. I was telling my therapist that I feel like I have normal weight loss issues now. Weight loss seemed like an impossible dream before surgery, but I am at a point now where I need to watch what I eat and exercise like a normal person to lose any more weight. With surgery, I have achieved normalcy, the one thing I feared I would not gain by having the surgery. I’m hopeful that I will lose the rest of this weight in the new year.

I don't share my numbers, weight/weight loss with family or friends other than here. I feel safe here because other banders don't judge. My husband knows and I have told my sons some pounds lost but have stopped. I feel everyone judges others, I have also, so I know what I am talking about. I told my sons about me fitting into size 16 jeans but didn't tell their wives. One wife, she has mental problems, long story, she would be hurt because she has gotten heavy and squeezes into a 16. She once made a comment that I was almost her size and her stretchie pants were skin tight. Wearing tight clothes make you look heavier and unkept. You can still look good and dress nice and be heavy. Have a great weekend everyone.

I met with my surgeon for the final time before my surgery yesterday! I go to the hospital on Monday to get all of my preop testing done. Then if all goes as planned, I will be banded on January 15th! I start my 2 week liquid diet on New Year's Day. I plan to go shopping later tonight for all the things I need to begin the diet. My hubby has decided that he could lose a little weight also so he's gonna do the diet with me in the evenings so I won't be so tempted! I'm planning on cooking some things up and freezing them for my 14 year old so he can just heat things up for his supper. I'm really excited and nervous all at the same time! Just ready to get on with this and hopefully be successful at getting healthy once and for all! I'm nervous about the 2 week diet! I go back to school(kindergarten teacher) the day after I begin the diet and worry about the possible headaches and irritability from not eating! I have a really big class this year--- 27 students( 18 boys and 9 girls!)! So, that in itself has made this year a bit challenging! Just don't want to add to the stress with hunger issues! I know I will get through it though--- just gotta stay focused on the end results! Looking forward to the New Year and all the exciting changes ahead!

I wanted to write this because I know before my Lap Band surgery last Friday,I spent months reviewing blogs. I really wanted to hear from patients who had the same surgery I was having,at the same place. I had my surgery last Friday 12/21/12 and could not have been more impressed with the whole process. Everyone was on top of everything,attentive and kind from the Pre-Op Nurses to the Doctors. The overnight Nurses and assistant I had were so kind and had great attitudes every time I hit that beeper! My one bad experience was the day Nurse on the day I was discharged...no personality and not on top of anything. However how can I complain when up to that point everyone was so wonderful! The staff there provides great care,are very specific on what needs to be done post-op and have not problem answering all the questions I asked. I had Dmitry Nepomnayshy and he came to see me Pre-Op and was very nice. So if your a Lahey patient and not sure if you should get this done there....you can relax and know they will take good care of you.

I had my surgery on Friday and besides them finding a Hernia,went well. I thought I would be so much more sore than this..the gas pain is no fun but can deal with it. At what point will I start to feel "normal" again?

I have a best friend. We met in 5th grade & are now 25. We are a match made in best friend heaven, perfectly weird complimenting personalities. Since High School we have been on the journey (among others) of being fat together. We would eat constantly, joke about how fat we are. It was our thing, eating was our best social time, nothing is better than mindlessly stuffing your face while having great conversation. When we weren't eating we'd joke about how fat we were & that "tomorrow we'll get skinny" as we stuff another cheeseburger in our mouth. Sure we had our brief periods of "getting skinny", they never lasted. We'd get bored, so we'd eat. We'd get sad, so we'd eat. We'd get drunk, so we'd eat. We'd be social, so we'd eat. Everything in our life came back to food. In September of this year I came to her with the idea of WLS & doing it together. We talked about how AMAZING it'd be to be skinny, but how scary it was, & what a huge life change. The subject was dropped. December rolled around & it was brought up again. Maybe we could do it, a mutual friend had VSG 8 months prior & is already down 100 pounds! WE could lose a 100 pounds, if we just make the sacrifice. It was decided, WLS was what we needed, both individually & together. In 2013 I will undergo the biggest change of my entire life & be lucky enough to do it WITH my best friend. I can't wait to actually see us skinny. (If you'd like to look her up it's JPSnAZ, she a hoot)

Last night was for sure the best night of my life. Last year I went to an event with my husband. I felt beautiful but yet uncomfortable the whole time. I had on a pretty dress, nice make up, a pretty smile, and my handsome husband right next to me. But yet I felt like I didn't quiet blend. This year was a different story. I walked in and own my space !!! I was so happy to be in a room FULL of food but yet my attention was not on that( Nothing taste as good as skinny honey!). We spoke to other people and flirted with each other like little kids :wub: Needless to say I fell in love with the man again! I felt proud of myself. When I asked my husband to take me to the dance floor, his facial expression was priceless!! Before I would have bite his head off for even suggesting it. But last night I ASKED! he loved it! we danced songs, after songs until my toes begged for mercy lol!! I am grateful to God for allowing me to see this day. I went from a size 28 to a 16 and that is the best XMAS present ever... 1st picture: Picture of last year VS this year with my hubby 2nd picture: Me, Last year VS this year

I am having my Lap Band Surgery tomorrow. I keep reading about all this pain and weight gain from the surgery. Does this happen to everyone?

OK... so most of you know me as a member of the Banded b*****s. I have been called RUDE, SNARKY, UNHELPFUL. WONDERFUL, A LIFESAVER, all in the same day. Such is life. Maybe, it would help if some of you knew more about me. I am currently 63 years old, banded at 62 on October 31, 2011. I am 8 pounds from my personal goal, but have achieved my GP, WL Surgeon, NP and Nutritionists goal of 175. I moved my own goal down to remind me that this is a life style not a short term diet. I will always keep working. I am 5'9" tall and no wear size 8 jeans, down from 20/22's My highest weight was 263, On the personal side, I am a wife (29 years with hubby # 2, # 1 and I parted ways.) I am a mother of two girls one 40 and the other 37. I am a grandmother to two gorgeous ladies, Morgan soon to be 13 and Grace 9 1/2. They belong to the older daughter. I have 2 great son-in-laws as well. I am the Godmother of two other young girls, Grace and Eva. I have been retired for almost 10 years. My hobbies are quilting, golf and traveling. My husband and I have been to all 7 continents and over 50 countries. We actually lived in Brussels, Belgium for 2 years, and still miss our favorite Neuhaus Chocolate. Good thing we are not there now, or I might have even more problems maintaining weight loss! LOL I have been an active member of LBT and really like helping newbies. My less than polite side come out when people ask what I consider stupid questions.... Like "gee do my scars look infected to you" or I went out drinking and threw op for 36 hours do you think I damaged my band." If you want positive help from me stay away from asking medical questions. We all have surgeons, nutritionists and other medical professionals for that. If you hurt take a pain pill or call your doctor. I love my LAP BAND and all the members of my private social group the Banded b*****s, so don'; pick on them either. We are all here to learn and help. I learn new things every day, and I hope a help a few other along the way. That's it for my first ever blog. I planning to go in for a fill next week, let you know how that goes. It will be my third. CHEZNOEL, AKA Princess Grammy.

Please feel free to comment your thoughts. This is new for me, but I am a planner. If I don't plan ahead I don't follow through. I stopped working at the end of the last school year and it's been hard to get my daily plans in order. I get my down time, but without my "things to do list" or a menu plan I end up with a lot more down time with a bag of chips. treadmill workout: 1 incline 10 min. 3.4 speed 2 incline 10 min. 3.0 speed 3 incline 5 min. 3.0 speed 4 incline 5 min. 3.0 speed 2 incline 5 min. 3.0 speed 1 incline 5 min. 3.4 speed 1 incline 5 min. 2.8 speed Total time:45 minutes Breakfast: Iced High Protein Coffee + Energy 20g whey protein 130 Calories Lunch: 3 oz tuna, 1Tbsp light mayo, dill pickle juice. 18 g protein 125 Calories Dinner: 6 Butterball turkey meatballs, .25 serving Francesco Rinaldi Spicy Marinade 18.5 g protein 185 Calories Snack: 1 sugar free pudding 2g protein 60 calories Drinks: Diet Lipton Mixed Berry Green Tea 16.9 oz 0g protein 0 calories Sugar Free Koolaid 0g protein 10 calories 1 scoop 100% Whey Protein 21g protein 110 calories Vitamin: OnTHEGo Vitamin drink 2 Tums plus calcium Daily intake: 79g protein 620 calories