NJGirl32

She was a child prodigy like Doogie Howser! She probably even did some stand in surgery too! I also see she had complications during her surgery and had to stay in the hospital an extra 3 days for her band. "I am not a doctor, but I play one on Lapbandtalk.com"

OMG! LOL I am sorry but someone just needed to give her a reality check.

No I haven't-not yet! We are driving over an hour to see my mom so I might tell him in the car.

Okay, I just passed the stress test yippee! As I was walking on the treadmill I began to realize how out of shape I really am! But May 25th is the beginning of a new life! Today I bought a pair of walking sneakers, some puddings, oatmeal, applesauce etc. and I began thinking that I should make a list of all the things I need to prepare for before surgery. I do all the food shopping so I want to get things in prior to the band- Any suggestions? I have 3 pairs of yoga pants for after the surgery - is that enough? When can you begin to wear jeans? I know I need the gas strips- which ones? I am going to copy and paste all suggestions for my to-do list. I even am planning on coloring my hair right before I go in since I won't be able to shower for a while (10 days I think). All advice would be greatly appreciated from whatto bring to the hospital to whatto do the week before. Thanks for all your support!!

Forget it - the mall was SO packed with people buying last minute Mother's Day gifts that I never made it to that store-but I'll go next week for sure. I did stop at a stor and bought 2 cute belts that were a little snug. I need to lose about 15-20 pounds for them to fit me perefctly. I am hoping that by the end of June that will be the case! I also bought a couple of tops that will do get me through the summer. I have so many winter clothes that I now want to pack away. Part of me just wants to donate all the big clothes and move forward with a skinnier me. Another part wants to wait and see (just being honest here). Has anything thrown out their clothes before they even lost the weight?

I am in NJ so I can't recommend anyone but I can give you some advice. Someone I know was paying $250 for a fill after her 5 free ones expired (she was a pay). My doctor said he would do the fills for $50 a piece. If your insurance isn't covering the cost definitely shop around! Good luck to you!

Losing weight can't cure depression, but it sure will take the edge off of misery! I realythink continual thrapy is a good idea so you become aware of your triggers and learn more about the root of your overeating. I don't know about falling into depression after losing weight - I would think that would make me happier and more confident. With that being said, a good friend of mine had the Gastric Bypass and lost a lt of weight - she fell into a deep, deep depression and had issues with cutting herself. I think it was a combination of the hormonal changes of the bypass and losing her mother.

:DLMAO! You girls are funny!

Someone sent me this websie and it has some interesting info. It's totally geared for Weight Watchers, but it has a lot of useful info on what food choices are lower in calories and list all the restaurants with point values. I also like one Advet. that had zero calorie Maragrita mix. anyone else have a good website for planning? http://www.dwlz.com/restaurants.html#C

fluffytofabulous is evidently an expert and highly opinionated. I would take anything she says with a big grain of salt. From reading some of her replies to people she seems a bit extreme IMHO

GLUE? I never heard of being closed up with glue-do you mean bandages? I thought for sure I would need stitches.

BTW - you both have amazing weight lost since your surgery dates- I can only hope I have the same results!!!

Thanks for both of your responses! Soup is a slider food? That makes sense but I was guessing since it's in the liquid diet it would be a good choice-totally forgot about the slider thing! I know PA had all their calories on the menu but I haven't seen it in NJ yet. I am sure their are websites that have restuarnt items nutritional data on them-I'll have to do some research. Someone I know who has had the bad said chicken get stuck with her - I also thought salads could be and issue. I sure hope not because I love, LOVE sald-especially with grilled chicken or shrimp ; )

I am so sorry to hear about your miscarriage. I think it's wonderful that you have your husband as a co-bander. You sound like you are right back on track! You can absolutely lose those 20 pounds!! I also think it's great that you work in an office that does the procedure-that's helps keep you focus and honest. I always thought that weight watcher leaders had an edge because they were more on 'stage' with their weight lost. Now that spring is here I am sure you can do more outdoorsy things and that will keep your mind occupied and your spirit renewed! I can't believe that some people are so insensitive! Just think how much of a support you will be to someone who comes in and has gained -you now can say "Hey, that happened to me too-but I repriorized and refocused and you can do they same!" Good luck to you!

That's great!! It's so nice to hear a positive outcome! I guess a lot of people tend to post their fears and setbacks-trying to seek some support. It's so refreshing to hear from someone who is having a great recovery! Do you have any hunger?

Wow! That was pretty nasty and mean. He won't be mad once I explain that I was so scared and nervous about telling him-he's a great guy. My orginal surgery date wasn't until the end of June so I thought I had time-but they had an opening and moved me up a month. It's not like I have been running around for the last 6 months withthis on my mind - My 1st doctor's appointment was in mid-April (I never had to attend the seminar) and from there it just snowballed very quickly.

I am reading that some people have big weigh loss without the fill (weeks right after surgey) and others become very discouraged because the weight is coming off as quickly as they had hoped. How long did you have to wait before your first fill and how much of a fill was it? I am guessing the doc starts out with a smaller fill in the beginning, is that correct?

'I'm seriously considering lapband surgery. Would you support my efforts?' I really like that opening-I might just use it! All my doctor appointments were up where I work (about an hour from my house). I have a flexible work schedule so it made appointments easy. I had an appointment on my day off and I simply said I was going to the doctors for a check up. He going on a motorcycle run tomorrow and Sunday is Mather's day - I am thinking my best opportunity to bring this up might be tonight when we go out to dinner.

Rachel - have you lost all your weight since surgery? 30 lbs in 1 month is awesome!

Thanks so much for everyone's encouraging words! I really don't think he'll be upset that I waited this long to tell him. I will be very interested to see what his reply is. He might not say anything one way or another-I simply have no idea what his reaction will be.

You're taking yr. stiches out? I thought they just sort of fell

I won't be able to sleep on my side?? I didn't know that! I really have to sleep on my back for weeks?

I find this to be very inspiring- have positive quote taped around your mirror and around your house! "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing Enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." — Marianne Williamson (A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of a Course in Miracles)

Keep your eye on the prize and don't let negative thoughts take over. I know what you mean as far as being really scared but anytime you feel overwhelmed just have a motto they you say to yourself a mantra if you will. Your life will completely change- food won't be the focus of it anymore and that's a good thing. Failure is NOT an option- sometimes you might get off-track but you'll need to redirect yourself. Make a shift in your thinking. You said you are admitting that you can't do this yourself- but you are doing it yourself- you are taking control of your life and catapulting it in the right direction. Remember to keep your eye on the prize and don't get distraction by the what-ifs.

My husband has never mentioned one word about my weight gain since we got married 7 yrs. ago. We both have gained weight, but I have gained a lot more than him. I think he will either say "Don't do it-just do it on your own" or he'll say "are you really sure about this?" or he'll say nothing pro or con which will make me wonder Most of our social life involves going out to dinner, parties, and social events so it will be a big change!