TexasDianne

Good luck, Sandy! Can't wait to hear how it goes!!!!! :-)

Sandy, I wish I wasn't working when you come down to Dallas on Wednesday...I'd suggest we meet up for coffee or something! I'm a long time cross stitcher...in fact, I have a piece on the stretcher bars right now that I've been procrastinating over for years. LOL. Time to get it done, I think! 2012 is our year!

Hey, Oliversmomma, you can do this. :-) And if you're having second thoughts is there any harm in postponing for a while? I know with my insurance once I do the 6 month waiting period, I have up to 2 years to have my surgery and can take all the time I want. You'll be fine either way...but I would really make sure you're mentally prepared for every aspect. What does your gut tell you? Is it just fear...or real doubt?

Backatcha, Sandy! :-) Looking forward to going through this with y'all!

Good morning everyone! I'm very happy to have found these forums...as I get closer to surgery, I find I have more and more questions and it helps to have a broader idea of what I can possibly expect. My name is Dianne and I live in Arlington, Texas with my hubby, two dogs, and three cats. I should be finished with all my insurance requirements on January 24th, so I'm thinking surgery in February? I have just over 200 lbs to lose and I'm an emotional eater...so right now my anxiety points are: * can I lose it all with a band? (I've seen lots of statements that lean towards that being miraculous) * what does it feel like when you eat after banding? Does it feel like when you've eaten way too much and you're uncomfortably stuffed? Or do you go from feeling fine to ready to yack up your lunch in 2 seconds? * I'm scared of needles...are band adjustments going to be terrifying to me? I'm going to be reading the older posts on these forums a lot over the next several days, catching up and familiarizing myself with it all. I'm super happy to have found you guys. Looking forward to changing my life! Dianne

Hey girls! I should be having surgery sometime in late January/mid February...can't wait! Cyndie, I do needlework (cross stitch) so I'm planning on doing that...and writing my blog...instead of eating, but the needlework is especially good because I can't eat when I do it or I'll get the fabric messy. I'm so grateful to have found this forum...you've all helped me so much already just telling your stories and asking your questions.

Hey, Jim, I'm in the middle of my 6 month waiting period as well...it sucks. I think you've done great...and I think most docs know we all got to this point for a reason. If we were successful at dieting, we wouldn't be doing this. When I first made the decision to go forward with lap band, my discipline went way out the window and I had a little "I don't care party". I stopped watching anything that went into my mouth and completely junked out. Then my brains returned. :-) Since then, I've been taking baby steps towards the changes I know will be inevitable once I'm banded. I'm trying to mentally prepare myself for every possible feeling. I'm reading these forums a ton and talking to two friends who've already been banded. You've done amazingly well and I congratulate you! You're kick'in booty...don't be so hard on yourself.

HI Kaye! I think you should be able to say how you really feel about it...it might help those of us who haven't done it yet. (Although I'm one of those people who isn't good at sugar coating, so I can see how it might be tough to say what you mean and still not rain on everyone's parade. LOL) One of my friends at work had lap band years ago and has been telling me a lot about what it's like. Something that surprised me was that some foods are too dry to go down and other days...they DO go down. Weird. But everyone's different, too...her experience may not be mine...and probably won't be. I do realize that I'm going to have to kiss some things goodbye (part of the reason why I've already given up sugar and sweets)...and I'm sure that's going to have its down side, but I've fought my weight for 20 years...I'm over 200 lbs overweight. Something's gotta change...time for me to lay the smack down. On myself! :-)

I am really hoping I don't go through this when I have my surgery - however, I got this way because I eat whether I'm hungry or not...so I'm preparing myself for wanting food either way. For me, this is the last straw...getting lap band is my version of self tough love. It's time for me to force restriction on myself. And I know there will be times when I'll have to tough it out and tell myself I'm going to have to chin up & shut up. LOL. Usually when I'm trying to be tough I chew gum. Not sure what your surgeon's instructions are, but that might help you if you're allowed. Peppermint is a natural tummy soother as well...it might be a good idea. Just remember: when you see the scale dropping more and more you're going to have so many reasons to Celebrate. I know when I get into that mode, someone could wave a 3 Musketeers in my face and I'd just laugh at 'em. You can do this!

Congrats to you both! Can't wait to hear how it goes...you're on your way to a new you!!!!

Thanks for the info!! My insurance requires a wait time of 6 months, so some of us HAVE to wait longer. LOL. Sucks! I didn't think it would be a big deal at first but now that I'm ready...I'm ready. Let's go! I can't say enough about Dr Stowers & the Bariatric Solutions group...they are awesome! No conveyor belt mentality there...they treat their patients like gold. However, True Results was going to be my next stop if I didn't like Dr Stowers. A friend of mine went to see Dr Kim...he made her cry during the consultation. He was rude and put some major pressure on her...she is cautious and hesitant and not sure if she's ready for this...he was exasperated & incredulous & made her feel like a total idiot (and we're talking about a girl who's a super smart cookie). I would not recommend him to anyone. I gave up sugar last Friday. :-) Mother-in-law sent a bunch of sweets for Christmas, even though I asked her not to, and I started eating crap and made myself queasy...realized I'd had enough of the same old behavior. The butter toffee hit the bottom of the trash can with a quickness. And today was trash day, so it's out of the house. 2012 is going to be my year!!