PattyGirl66

That is amazing!! what a nice surprise, I would of been shocked too! Right now I only dream of the day I can squeeze my butt into a size 16! Thanks for sharing

I really love reading these kinds of stories, gives us very much hope. Thank you so much for touching base with us and letting us know how successful you have been on your journey, Now, don't be a stranger

Congratulations!!!!! Keep us posted on your progress....

Hey Murfbe, I am going to try the unjury 'unflavored' powder that you can add to pretty much any of the foods to help get in that Protein. As everyone has stated, it really is going to be according to what YOU like. I am doing the Bariatric Advantage banana flavored Meal Replacement shakes. I like to add some fruit to this and to me it taste great! However, I am getting really tired of the shakes and need something more 'clear'. I am just testing everything before surgery so I know what to buy before hand and I want to be prepared and ready. Here is the link to try UNJURY, I beleive you can buy the single packets to sample.. http://www.unjury.com/store/protein/unjury-flavors/unflavored-protein/unflavored-protein-container.html

Hi CJ, You are reacting very normal, any surgery is very scary. And as someone posted above having declined health, not knowing what can happen to us if we continue to be obese is 'very' scary. I am right with you, haven't been banded yet I have 3 more months before approval. No looking back, no more thinking about it, it has to be done! We have to get healthy, we have to live! Keep reading and writing on this site, you will not only learn a lot, but you will make some really great friends Best of luck,

Hi Lisa! Yippeeee, 7 more days you must be so excited. Congratulations in taking the first step to a new and healthier you! Keep us all posted on your progress

Hi Everyone! I haven't been banded yet (3 more months and waiting approval). I love this site so much and everyone here has been so helpful. As I was reading (as I do every day), a question popped in my head that seemed like a valid one, so here goes... I know after getting the lap band surgery they tell you not to lift and bend for a certain amount of time. Are their limitations to bending? Okay for instance, I bend to tie my sneakers, I bend to wash myself in the shower, I bend to wipe myself after going to the bathroom (sorry, I had to get that one in). I bend to pull up my clothes. I have a reacher that can help with pulling up my clothes, but what about my "other" bending needs? I just want to know all that I can to ensure I don't jeopardize my band once its put in! Thank you,

Thank you all very much for the feedback, I really do appreciate it

I love it!!! that is a great idea I will deff. have to run out and buy me colorful baby spoons too.

Waiting.... it has got to be the worse part! blah..... Hang in there, I am waiting too

I had a friend of 30 years who lost weight. She lost 40 pounds on her own and had 25 pounds sucked out by getting a full tummy tuck and breast lift. With that, she became insensitive, rude, obnoxious, and crude. I can say a lot more, but won't go there. We both have struggled with our weight all of our lives. I am much taller than she is and always weighed 100 more pounds than her. Even though I carry my weight very well, she had no problems of ridiculing 'fat' women in my presence. The last two years of our friendship, I could no longer bare to be near her, not to mention be her friend of 30 years. She became difficult to talk to, confide in, and plain just be a friend. It was about her and only her and no one else in her life mattered anymore. We are well in our 40's, close to 50 and with behavior like this I could no longer deal with her and ended the friendship over a year ago. The only people who know I am getting surgery is my daughter, husband, Mother, and my precious 5 year old granddaughter (even though she doesn't understand) she knows Nana is getting a band around her stomach to get healthy. I hate to say this but, in my experience with seeing people lose weight (especially women), they become competitive, envious, and even jealous. I can't deal with these types of personalities and that is why I chose to keep my weight loss journey hush hush with only certain family members. My brothers and sisters don't even know.... Best of luck to you all and remember to always stay true to yourselves

Stateofzen really puts this conversation about 'sagging' skin into perspective. I sag now from my weight and probably will sag even more. I look great in clothes that hide my imperfections, my husband loves me unconditionally (even at this weight). What more could I ask for, except to lose weight, be successful and doing that and keeping it off. I want to be healthy, nothing more nothing less. I could give a rats azz what people think about me when they look at me (well they won't be looking at me nakid), lol. Beauty is confidence, and you would be surprised how many men love confident woman. When I was single I was over 300 pounds and had many dates and yes they saw me naked, they didn't run. Remember sexy is not how you look, its about attitude. For now, we have to learn to 'accept' and love ourselves no matter what.... PS: You look great and you should be proud of how far you have come!

I am a newbie too and still waiting on approval (3 more months to go).. this waiting has got to be the worse, but I am so glad I found this site. Keep us posted on your journey and best of luck to you

Hi Violet!!! I know the site has been undergoing technical difficulties for days. Now that the site is up and running the chat function is not. I miss my nightly chats with everyone. Its nothing on your side, so don't worry about it. Hopefully the chat will be up and running so we can all catch up! See you in the Chat soon

whooohooooo way to go!

Hi Grace, you found the right site here. Everyone is so nice and very helpful! I read every day, trying to get a good insight on what to expect once I get banded (I am on a 6 month restricted diet with 3 more months to go). I only lost 9 pounds so far, its very hard, I am limited with exercise and will be joining the Y to at least get some exercise in. I do a lot of stretching at home. Best of luck you can do it!!

Good for you! Keep going Soda is really not good for you, whether it be reg. or diet. Try water with fresh fruit

Cazzy, you are absolutely correct with everything you said. I have been doing a lot of reading on here and I beleive that no matter how much you weigh you can reach goal no matter how long it takes, its getting there. We have been heavy all of our lives if we have to wait 2-3 years to accomplish it, I would take that any day!! Nice post

I would call the doctor or just go to the ER asap as well if I were you. I mean you are telling us that you have pain traveling from your shoulder to your jaw. Is this common for banded people? Anyone else have these symptoms? I am not banded yet and would like to know.

That is good to know, thank you so much for sharing

Joining the Y this week, can't wait! I can only do water areobics as well due to my severe arthritis. I love the water so much, so this exercise I will enjoy You can do it!

You poor thing! I think people really don't think when they say things, honestly I am sure this was not to be intended as an insult to you, but I guess hearing this person saying that to you when you are feeling lots of different emotions now really hit you hard. Just think you are doing the best thing for you, and had you been 125 lbs, that person would of said the same thing and you wouldn't of taken it so personally. This reminds me when I ran into an old flame of mine that I was just crazy about, he said he missed me and thought about me often, he began to tell me what he missed the most..... My cooking he said. I just remember fighting back the tears as I tried to absorb what he said. I went home and cried, bawled like a baby, and when I stopped I thought about it... and just yelled F U Mother ......... well you can guess the rest Hang in there sweety, hold your head up high, and keep smiling...

Me too! I am so anxious but I can tell you this, if it wasn't for this site I would go craaaazy! I am basically prepared, on my 3rd month. Only did one test so far the bloodwork and I got called in already for my results by my primary doctor, so I am sure something showed up. I have 3 more test to take, EKG, Chest X-ray, and Bilaterial Venous Duplex. I am doing that next week. I saw the Nutrionist already, still have to see the phsyc doctor. My doctor will be writing up a 5 year weight history. Also, being here gives me comfort and knowledge. I have ordered a few bags of Protein replacment shakes, ordering gummy Vitamins and such, need a really good food processor (that is next on my list to buy). I am going to join a gym this week, I can only do Water areobics because I have severe arthritis, a hip replaced a few years back and my other hip is going. This leaves me pretty much limited in the exercise department. But, I will do the best I can. I have a stretching rope here and do that. Best of luck, keep us posted on your journey!

Hi Linda, I haven't been banded yet myself and I had the same questions about that. Basically as Wayne said it will come up, this really depends on what it is you are eatting. Probably something not allowed to eat or maybe eatting too fast, not chewing up the food before swallowing. I guess our mouths are going to become automatic blenders, LOLOL Dry foods may be the culprit, like breads crackers, etc.

Keep us posted on your progress, and congratulations!!!!