Stephy5

January 19 in Ukiah, Ca Happy New You!

That is just what I was thinking and hoping. Thank you so much. Makes me feel better that others feel the same. Good luck and congrats!!!!!!!!!!!! You will do great.

Good luck and Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats and good luck!!!! I get banded three weeks for today! Can;t wait to see your progress! Happy new year and new you!

Ohhh I am sorry she made you feel that way. When I think back to myself being against WLS there were a few reasons and the biggest one I think is jealousy. I think when I heard friends were doing what was best for them I was jealous that I wasn't strong enough to make that decision for myself. I don't mean your friend doesn't want the best for you and I am not even saying she is jealous. But it is something to think about. Second thing is lack of information. When you tell those people you want to know ,maybe you need to have some brochures with you or something to explain it. This is not a quick fix but a tool. Obesity is a disease and can cause bad issues including death. If you explain to your friend that you want to be healthy she may understand better. Now that I have decided this IS what I WANT now I can stand up and tell people I AM DOING THIS and I WILL live with the good or the bad of it. They have been much more supportive. Good luck in your decision and stick around here. These people have alot to offer.

Ohhhh rough one.... It is your life and your body. You can do what feels right to you. Good luck and hang in there.

This is great. Calorie counting is such a great way to go, but can be so hard to track during the day when at work or out and about. I am trying to lose my weight pre surgery and I have found blackberry, android and I believe Iphone all have a great app called Calorie Counter by fat secret. I highly recommend it. Very user friendly and has helped me ALOT. Good luck and congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Congrats and good luck... Do you have to spend the night in the hospital?

Renee when should you find out about approval??? Good luck

Bowe I love that you just described that for her and everyone to see how you might feel after surgery. That was awesome!!!Thank you. Swan , This is such and emotional time. I know we are all struggling in our own ways, and I am thanking God we have each other here. This is going to be such a great healthy change for all of us. Our self esteem will be much better. This is so exciting, but will undoubtly have ups and downs. Hang in there!!! Can;t wait to hear how it all goes for you. I get banded Jan 19 and I am sure I will be feeling like you in a few weeks, but by that time you can pep talk all of us with how easy it was...

Hi there and congrats!!! I am being banded on the 19 of Jan. There are many emotions. I am feeling guilty to do something for myself and pay for my part of it. I feel like it is taking away from my kids.... In reality I know it is not taking away at all. It is keeping me around longer. As for you feeling embarrased etc. I am sorry you feel that way and I get it. First as many on here have said they are not telling anyone but those close to them. I myself don't mind telling people. When I got information from my doctor on this procedure I was told that this procedure especially is for people who can lose weight just have a hard time keeping it off. It is a tool. It isn't like you are going to just sit in front of the tv all day eating nachos and pizza and it is just gonna fall of. You will have to work hard. In turn it will make you feel so proud of yourseld for accomplishing this for yourself. I know these emotions come in waves. Some days we will feel strong and others we will feel weak, but you are doing such a great thing for yourself and you will do a great job!!! Hold your head high and be so proud of the step you are taking for your self esteem and your health!!! Congrats and good luck!

Sorry you don't feel well, but tomorrow is the beginning of the new stage of your life!!!! I had a friend who had a WLS last week and she had a cold. Obviously all docs are different, but they proceeded with her cause it wasn't in her chest. Be honest and good luck!

Hi and congrats on making the decision to better your health. I know there are so many options out there, but you have to decide what is best for you. For myself I thought about the vertical sleeve and LAP for a while. Just wasn't ready. Lap was really the only option I would consider, but wasn't sure of the success, because I knew people who had had it done but couldn't really ask them questions. Well I met a man through my son who had his Lap band placed in March 2010. He was approx 350 lbs. When I asked him questions he was very honest and very proactive working with his band. When I spoke with him last we he had officially lost 120lbs. THAT IS IN LESS THAN A YEAR!!! He looks wonderful. He has no malnutrition, his skin isn't bad, his skin color is great. He looks so so healthy. I am not saying what to or what not to do, but I am saying look around and do alot of research before you make a huge decision to reroute anything. This is a big decision and will change your life. I am not banded yet. My date is Jan 19th, so I am looking forward to the journey. Good Luck!!!

Ugh. Today has not been a good day. I have read lots of issues with slipping and erosion and now it is making me wonder if this is a good idea. I have known these are things that can happen and accepted that when I decided to start this process. Well now I am noticing so many people on this site are having their bands removed. I know health wise I need to do this, but I am wondering if I am making a mistake. UGH I know many of you have had bad days and I am hoping you have some words of wisdom!

I am so so happy. I got my insurance approval and date for surgery today... JAN 19th is the big day!!! I am so ready for a new and improved life!!! I just couldn't wait to get home and tell you all!!!!

Its official. I am a January bandster. I am so excited. Found out today the insurance said yes and my date is 1/19... Wow our lives will change for the better in time for the new year. How lucky are we? I am looking so forward to meeting everyone and sharing stories.

This is awesome. We all have had our moments and will have more. But I know what you mean about the mixed feelings of lost control and gaining control. Today I had a weak moment of thinking I am being selfish for wanting to something for me. Than as I was discussing this with my mother in her bathroom. I was looking at myself in the mirror and WOW I didn't even recognize that person I was looking at. So now I am wanting to gain that control and take it on. You can so do this and you will be so happy. Good for you and I think we have lots of support here and we are so lucky for that.

Stephanie, I am also Stephanie. Congrats I bet your very excited. I am waiting on apprival right now. Keep us posted ob how your doing.

You are all so right. I have spent alot of time doing research and I have over loaded myself. I do have my monthly support group tonight and I know that will help. I am much better now. I think I just needed to have a freak out moment. So glad you all were around for support I really appreciate it!

You are all so right. I have spent alot of time doing research and I have over loaded myself. I do have my monthly support group tonight and I know that will help. I am much better now. I think I just needed to have a freak out moment. So glad you all were around for support I really appreciate it!

Thank you everyone. I feel much better today. I am not on liquid diet yet. I think it is taking a little longer than I thought it would and I am thinking to much. I know it will be fine and in threw end I am making best decision for me. Love hearing about peoples success. again thank you!

I am hoping my surgery will be about the same time as yours. This is an exciting time and you are right, we all need to stick together. We will have good days and bad days, But together we will be through. So excited and so ready.

I am very excited for you. I also just turned 40 and am trying hard to hit that 300 mark. Just not an option. My doc tried to talk me into this a few years ago, but I wasn't ready. Well now I am. I am excited and very nervous. I have days I wonder if I can do it... But the next day i KNOW I can. This group seems to help with those tjmes for sure. Do you have a local support group you attend or can? Good luck I hope this can be done for you very quickly!!!

Thank you for sharing this. I am worried about the Protein Shakes myself. Do you add Protein Powder or something else? Again Thanks. And Good luck Thursday!!!

cancun, I was not try to be offensive and I am sorry you took it that way. I was just saying maybe we can help someone else with our journey.I think our society makes us feel like we have to keep some things to ourselves. I am a person who has alot of thoughts in my head and can't put them down on paper. Basically just saying I was fighting the same struggle that my friend is and we choose to deal with it differently. Again sorry you took it wrong.