LouisianaLiLi

I am participating in an obesity study though Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, LA. I have been through several stages of the trials and have just been approved by the surgery board for banding. My first pre-op with the surgeon in June 7th. I'm very excited and I have a million questions, but this forum has really answered many of the questions I've had. My name is Lisa and I'm a wife and mother of two grown children.(Our oldest is married, and our baby is getting married in October). I was born and raised in south Louisiana. I have been overweight since I got pregnant with the oldest. At one time in my life I was 135 lbs. I gained 75 lbs with the first baby and she was a whopping 6 lbs, 3oz. (I'm still carrying that extra weight plus many, many more pounds). I'm doing this for me! My husband, children, parents and the few friends I've told are incredibly supportive (my inlaws....that's a whole other story). I refuse to let them get me down! I have been a happy "fat person" my entire adult life. I don't really have any self-confidence issues (I am an actress in my spare time, so I'm no shy violet), but I need to be much healthier. I have yo-yo'd up and down the scale for years (more than I care to count). Each time, I have gained more than I lost. I am a true southern girl and love food. Everytime there is a family gathering...there is a ton of food (and it's all very, very good food). I am determined to get rid of all my fat clothes and even begin participating in half marathons. See, I'm a Disney Fanatic (so is my husband). I have to use a scooter because it's just too painful on my joints to walk the parks all day. I want to enoy walking the parks with my husband and eventually my grandchildren. My mother is a diabetic and my grandmother before she passed away. WHile I currently don't have any symptoms, I know it can be an inevitibility for me if I don't do something about it. I'm starting this process at my largest, 330 lbs, which is way too much me. I'm ready for the challenges that lie ahead. I'm determined to get healthy and loose the weight.

I was looking at your profile to see how long you have been banded but you have no surgery date there. How long is "a few weeks" of stuck? I'm going to lay this straight out there. I would never be able to eat all of that food. I would be miserable. The portions are way to big for a banded person. I have had weeks where I've been stuck, but overall I have maintained a 1-2 lb per week weight loss, which is what is expected. Please understand that this weightloss is not a race to the finish....for some, it has been rapid, but for most it is a slow stroll to getting healthy. Please inquire with your surgeon and nutritionist before you attempt this diet

Girl! You look AMAZING! I get the body image thing, I do. You have accomplished so much and you are so much healthier than before. YOu are certainly a wonderful role model for many of us girls who have begun this journey. I know you are one of mine! Keep up the great work!

AWESOME! You just inspired me to measure my calfs to see if I can get in a pair. I think I just might be able to get a pair. Congratulations!

Congratulations MsRhonda on your weight loss. I love it when my clothes get baggy and I get to move down a size or two. Be careful with soup. Remember that soup is a slider and you may not stay satisfied for very long. Good Luck

I always eat dark meat. My nut suggested I might want to switch to dark meat and I told her it was my preferred choice anyway. I have never like white meat for the basic fact that it's always dry. Don't give up on chicken...I buy boneless, skinless thighs and cook a family pack of them...putting them up in the freezer in 4 oz. packages.

Floridays and CG are right. You sound as if you have done your research and are ready to do whatever is necessary to succeed. Good Luck and don't let anyone dissuade you from your choice.

CG is right about the first 6-8 weeks after surgery. They are for healing and not worrying about the scale. Follow your Drs orders and you will get back to losing weight. As far as fills go, my Drs rules are not to eat within 4 hours of having your fill. Call the office and ask. The only dumb question, is the one not asked. Good Luck!

I felt pretty good. I had my surgery on Tuesday afternoon and went to the movies with my neice on Friday, and was back at my desk at work the next Monday.

Thanks Alex..Great Newsletter.

I don't care what it looks like. For me, it works. I have a small plastic "child's" fork that I carry in my purse. I use it everywhere. I'm not going to have an episode if I can help it. Honestly, it's all in what you feel works for you. I use it, another bandster might not. You have to find what works for you and do that (within your surgeon's guidelines).

Are you asking me? Dr. Andrew Hargroder is my surgeon. It's in my profile.

Wait. Maybe I don't understand the process. You have been banded almost 7 months, why is it that you only have 2 ccs and you're gaining weight? If you Dr will give you 1cc per month if you're not losing (as you claim you have gained). Are you sticking to band portions? Are you eating junk and sliders? Help us help you.

That's great Princess! What a wonderful feeling.

I'm another one who did not have a true pre-op diet. To each his own, as with post-op nutrition, dr. visits, etc. Everyone is different. Enjoy the journey. If you follow the rules YOUR surgeon gives you, you should be just fine. They are rules, and they really must be followed in order to have success.

My philosophy has always been, "Don't ask me for my opinion unless you really want to hear it". Now that doesn't mean that I don't try to be judicious in my telling of it, but it does mean (like bayou says) if you ask if that dress makes you look fat and it does....I will tell you. Good Post Jean!

Hey girls, I'm in Louisiana too and in the Heads Up! Program as well. I had my surgery June 19th with Dr. Hargroder. I'm doing great. You girls will get on a routine soon. Bayou--Heads Up is a study being done through Pennington Biomedical Research Center for State Employees. Currently, our state insurance doesn't cover WLS. This study is being done to maybe one day cover it. I'm hoping. I go for my 3rd fill on the 30th of this month. I will try to keep up with you on your journey. Good Luck and Best Wishes.

I am definitely trying this. I use 1% CC, I can't do Fat Free. But I also eat it with fruit most of the time..I have it for Breakfast, but I could see me having this caprese salad for lunch,

Woooo Hoooo Patty! That's a great NSV... Congrats to you...You will have more and more of those as we continue to whittle away the pounds.

tmf, I use Power90 at home when I don't go to the gym. I love Tony...he's a great instructor and doesn't yell. I have the fat burning workout DVD as well.

The first 6 weeks post op is for healing, not losing weight. Now many of us, myself included, did lose....you have to focus on getting well, you've had major surgery and must now heal. That said, if you stick to your portions, and follow your plan the surgeon has laid out for you the weight loss will come.

I too am currently stalled. I've been the same weight for about 8 weeks now. I will admit that I have neglected going to the gym....but today I head back to get back to basics. I have an appointment for a small fill on Jan 30th so hopefully that will help too. BTW, I just celebrated by 6 month bandaversary Dec 19th...so, I'm at the same place as most of you. We can do this!