Jona75

Hello all, I thought I would join forums to meet people who "know" what lapbanding is and not feel so alienated about this whole journey. Am i nervous hell yeah, Have i got questions yes i do. Mainly waiting to meet people who have had the surgery and learn about procedures and progresses and processes. This has been a long 3+ year wait for me. I am going through the public system at Alfred hospital in Victoria. I have had the privileged to meet a few wonderful people who have inspired me to continue and keep on plugging to achieve my own successes. Naturally to readd stories of otherpeoples journeys and to gain support also. As it's a whole new lifestyle change! I have just completed the CPAP test and machine will be in my possession in about a week or two max. I am about to have my Pre Admin appointment at the Alfred hospital (on the 20th of June 2011), In the mean time i have been placed on the Optifast meal plan to loose another 30/40 kilos prior to my appointment! However i have roughly been told surgery wont be for another 6 months or so??? This is not confirmed yet but eager to find out on the 20th. All up since 2009 I have been trying very hard on my own (with many failed attempts) to loose weight and at one stage i lost 47 kilos on my own, sadly due to a break up i gained some back (almost all of it). All up lost 25 kilos now overall and need to hit the requested weight loss 30/40 kilos as has been suggested to me, So back on the band wagon. In addition as i had my weigh in yesterday i have lost anothe 8.4 kilos to my happiness, but hard battle. I am nervous about this all and have been left confused about the whole process for the surgery. My first week on Optifast was x3 a day and was put on a cup a Soup as a treat. Was allowed 3 cups of coffee (naturally only half sugar) and unlimited herbal tea (no sugar). That was 2 weeks ago. And Water of course. NOW my dietician (as of the 30th of May 2011) has put me on 3x optifast a day, 2 L of water and 2 cups of low starch Vegies. I have been recommended on a cardio work out daily (doesn't seem like much but it's a start) I brought a treadmill 8 months back and love it to bits. My exercise physiologist has put me onto 2x15 min and 1x 10 mins walking routines at the selected speed and working on building up. In a couple of weeks we will be working on the upper body workout, which i'm looking forward to as my arms are starting to feel really really flabby now :-( My starting weight when i first began this whole journey (2008) and as upsetting it is to myself the acceptance and realisation of this all, but none the less not one that i wont take without a fight. I started at 250.05kilos, This year i have been working hard but not without it's ups and downs, now my current weight is 217.1, with the "Intense phase" I'm getting weighed weekly so hoping i loose more next weeks weigh in. I have set small goals to give me intensive on my journey. Eg to get under 200 and i'll go get my nose pierced. Something i have wanted for years! I am wearing for the first time pants i haven't worn ever but were brought 4 years ago. I put on a shirt yesterday which i haven't been able to button up since year 2000. I was feeling dull and eek but being a woman.. we all know that time of the month grrrrr... However Today is a new page and I'm working harder now. Having caffeine withdraws something chronic BUT will do my best to keep away from it. I am not sure what else to write but that i admire anyone who have gone thru this journey where i am now.. this is the hardest thing i have had to do to date... Getting through rehab after a number of strokes wasn't as bad as this... but I'll get there! With the love of life and not having had a full life to live for such a long time. Having had 3 strokes in my mid to late 20's. I have had enough and deserve to give myself the kindness and "life" i deserve! I am hoping to meet people through here and get to exchange hard ships and great successes! Thank you for reading and will be sure to make this forum my second home! Is there many of you on this forum going through the public system? Thanks for reading Jona