lisa_marieg

I think thats what I need...again, I did a liquid pre-op diet at the beginning of the year and started to get back on track, then I had knee surgery then everything went down hill again. It is exhausting! But I won't give up or quit.

I'm in San Antonio, and looking for a support group. I have failed miserably Need to get re-focused BAD!

I need a buddy too! I was banded 2 years ago and have 12 lbs.... it is all my fault. Need help and support.

Being over weight is a story millions of people can relate to in America. I can tell the "over weight saga" well. All my life I have been the "pretty face", and the "your so pretty but...." Growing up I have always been the chubby kid, and now at the age of 33 I have decided to take control of my weight for good! It is physically and emotionally exhausting being fat. The first thing I think of when I wake is either my weight or what I am going to eat for the day, and it's the same thing I think of before I go to bed every night. It's time to change. The breaking point for me is when I found out this year that I have osteoarthritis in my left knee, and 2 herniated discs in my lower back. I am way to young to have to go through this kind of pain, and it is all a by-product of being obese. I remember as a child my mom would always over feed me and my sisters. In hindsight I think it was because she grew up without, and she didn't want the same suffering for her children. It took me a long time to quit blaming my childhood for my life long battle with weight, and to take control. Of course, I was always picked on as a child being the heaviest one in my family and always felt alone. I won't go into to much cliche story telling of the typical childhood woews of being fat, but yes I went through all the traumatizing cruelness of other kids making fun of you because you are fat. Now, fast forward 15 years and countless unsuccessful diets & exercises later, here I am still fat. Unlike before, my weight loss is not about just looking good or being attractive, it is about having a better quality of life. Being able to go camping, hiking, biking and all the other fun stuff I should be doing without limitations. I want people to know who read this that just because you are over weight does not mean that you are lazy, or unmotivated, it means you have an unhealthy relationship with food that needs help. I have been very fortunate to have a great college education, MBA and other things that require hard work, which if I was "lazy" I wouldn't be able to have attained, but I do have a fatal addiction...FOOD! Of course those who have never struggled with weight cannot relate to this addiction, they simply think "well quit eating," "don't eat as much," "exercise," yes, those are obvious answers and if it was that easy for me don't you think I would have done it by now? Unfortunately unlike other addictions such as alcohol or drugs, your body cannot be without food -- it's a catch 22, if your problem is food, then you should quit, but if you quit you will starve yourself to death so you are at a loss either way. Taking this big step is big, very big for me. I am excited yet still nervous. I am on my 5th day of fasting on protein shakes before surgery and it isn't getting any easier, 9 days to go! I hope that people reading this will continue feeling motivated to stick to the lap band process, or decided to go through with it. You are not alone my friend.

Don't feel alone in that hunger thing. I have my first fill on Dec. 1, and my stomach is starting to growl! I try to eat as much protein as I can to fill me up, but I still feel "empty" sometimes. Now it is mind over matter. I need support, I am afraid I am going to over eat come Thanksgiving. I think it is more of a mental challenge for me than anything else.

FMLA is your right! I am in the HR field. If you have worked 1250 within a year and the company you work for has more than 50 employees by law your boss must grant you Fmla. They must hold your job or an equal position with the same rate of pay for up to 12 weeks. If she does not they could have a big lawsuit on their hands. If she grants it to you and the gives you a hard time upon your return then you can sue for retaliation. Contact the department of labor first and then the EEOC if she doesn't grant it. Contact your companies HR department too! It makes me angry when employers try to bypass federal law!

Day 4 and doing great. I finally had my first bowel movement yesterday (I know gross) but I was worried about constipation since I'm eating nothing but liquids. I ate a little bit of apple sauce and it managed to get my system back to normal. Someone mentioned being cold all the time, @Jen try taking some iron suppliment if possible. USually when folks suffer from being cold they usually have low iron or some sort of vitamin deficiency could also be signs of being anemic (extreme cases) .

Hi Jen From what I have experienced I noticed that my lower belly is not sore at all, all my wounds are on my upper waist, so wearing some sweat pants and an over sized tshirt has worked well. I wore a cotton under wire bra (I am top heavy too)and it doesn't really bother me. Since I lost 10 lbs in my pre open diet my work clothes are fitting me loser so I'm not to worried about having dress issue. Your empire dresses might rub the wound on your upper waist. Oh also, take a pillow with you so you can place it between you and the seatbelt. It was a life saver for me on my ride home post open. Hope this helps!

Day 3 of being banded and feeling good. My rib cage is a little sore and I think I finally expelled all the gas in my body from the surgery. This morning I noticed that my tummy was growling but I have no appitite! It's the oddest feeling. I don't even think about food which has never happened to me. All is going smooth in my world!

Hi all A quick up date, I had my surgery at 1030 this morning and I am feel good. The incisions were tiny and I immediately took some gas-x strips when I got home to help with the air they pumped in my abdomen during surgery. I still have a little discomfort in my left shoulder and a heating pad seems to help. The incisions were sealed with dermabond so not stitches or staples so it is much more manageable. I am taking some liquid hydrocodine that was prescribed for pain too. Maybe that's why I feel good! Lol. If you have had your gallbladder taken out, this procedure will be a cake walk. I had mine removed about 4 years ago and was in much more pain. Please ask me any questions I forgot to address. I will snap a pic of my wounds and post them on my profile shortly.

Hi all A quick up date, I had my surgery at 1030 this morning and I am feel good. The incisions were tiny and I immediately took some gas-x strips when I got home to help with the air they pumped in my abdomen during surgery. I still have a little discomfort in my left shoulder and a heating pad seems to help. The incisions were sealed with dermabond so not stitches or staples so it is much more manageable. I am taking some liquid hydrocodine that was prescribed for pain too. Maybe that's why I feel good! Lol. If you have had your gallbladder taken out, this procedure will be a cake walk. I had mine removed about 4 years ago and was in much more pain. Please ask me any questions I forgot to address. I will snap a pic of my wounds and post them on my profile shortly.

Hang in there, it is very hard the first 4-5 days, and after that your body will adapt the the lifestyle of shakes, food won't seem as tempting to you. I am on my 14th day of shakes only and have my surgery tomorrow! yay! I've already lost 10 lbs just from the pre-op diet.

I will be banded tomorrow! I've lost 10 lbs so far just from the pre-op diet. Nov. 3rd is going to be the start of my new life! So excited to see what the future holds

I can understand that! My boyfriend is 6'5" and very fit, he can eat anything he wishes, so I just stare at him as I sip on my Protein shake. Only 9 more days to go.

I will be banded on Nov. 3rd, this is one of the biggest things I will embark on in my life. I have taken the big step and signed the papers... now all I have to do is wait for the big day! Any words of advice?