Creekwood

I read your MFP logs and you are kicking butt! Keep it up and the scale with catch up with you!!

Good luck on your journey! I think it is normal to be nervous about certain aspects of this life changing event. I am pre-op as well and I'd be lying if thoughts of "if I was good at being disciplined I wouldn't be 360 pounds at 28 years old" don't come into my head from time to time. BUT, I refuse to let those negative thoughts or feelings stop me from pursuing something that will help me take MY life back! You may want to talk to someone about the substances that you turned to in order to help deal with all of the emotions. At minimum mention it to your doctor? I would hate to see you get the surgery and maybe not be ready for the change... Not trying to gang up on you, or seem like I think I have everything under control as far as my future goes. I'm just telling myself that I have to do this and I'll make it work. I know I'll have bumps in the roads and I'll make mistakes. But as long as we don't give up we will get there! Message me if you need to talk. Good luck on your journey! I hope you get the help that you need to be successful! I know I'll need help along the way as well.

I added some people but it cut me off at 5 requests within ten minutes Lol. I'll add more of you guys later, or feel free to add me. EricNorth25 I'm brand new to MFP and am pre-op so don't be shocked by my meals! Lol

A good friend asked me the loose skin question. My answer was... "I'm just trying to live long enough to be at my son's wedding and college graduation. If I have some loose skin on those days I still think its better than being in the ground being eaten by bugs. But, that's just me.". LOL He said "yeah that's a good point" People in our society are so stuck on appearance instead of health. With that being said I FULLY support ANYONE who wants to get their loose skin removed! Hopefully one day I will have lost enough weight to have to consider it!

Congrats! Great story! Nothing silly about how far you have come!!

Every surgeon is different when it comes to pre-op diets. I have heard of everything from a 2 week liquid diet, to no pre-op diet at all, to a low cal diet, to no diet at all! Not sure which your surgeon will do but mine does a two week low cal diet. Not 100% on my post op diet yet. I read it but can't recall the specifics off hand. But, EVERY surgeon is different. It's crazy to me but literally there are tons of different pre-op diets out there that diff surgeons use.

The Doc asked when I was thinking I said Mid-May as that will be a good time for me. He said that won't be a problem. The person who actually schedules them will be calling me in a couple days. So, I'm not sure how much sooner I could have done it. But, yes since we are self-pay it makes it A LOT easier! I met with the doctor, dietician and psychologist on Friday. They were all awesome and very understanding! They deal with people who have struggled with their weight every day so they aren't like regular doctors. It was really a VERY reassuring visit that confirmed that I'm doing the right thing for myself. Good luck!!!

Not familiar with them as I am in Ohio. But, I just went to my consultation on Friday and they were extremely professional, understanding and supportive of my decision to have weight loss surgery. Good luck!! I was nervous as well, but trust me it won't be nearly as bad as dealing with regular doctors.

B I love reading your posts! I'm pretty sure you were a motivational speaker in another life. I'm pre-op and use this site to hear people's struggles, successes, thoughts, tips etc.. I know that every persons journey will be different but think we can all learn from others. Thanks for helping teach newbies like myself that if you want to be you WILL be successful with the band. Thank you for your service for the greatest country in the world! It's appreciated!

I for one appreciate the "bullies" on here who aren't afraid to tell it like it is. I'm pre-op and have a lot to learn. I hope the "bullies" will help me with any questions that I may have. This definitely isn't the place for name calling, we are all here to support one another. If someone gives bad advice, there shouldn't be a problem with with pointing it out. But ultimately your doctors opinion is the one that matters. The one thing that has amazed me about this site is the amount of people who don't follow their doctors orders. You trust them to cut you open and implant a device in your body. But as soon as you can't eat a steak a week post op you question his rules? (This isn't directed at anyone who has posted on this thread, but I have seen someone this ridiculous on a different one). Personally I chose a surgeon who has performed over 4,000 Lap-Band surgeries because I believe that HE knows how to help ME succeed. I will be spending $13,000 of MY money, but I will be following HIS rules, even if I don't always want to.

Awesome! Great job! Good luck with the wrestling team Lol

"Have you ever thought about trying to lose weight with diet and exercise?" This is what one of my good friends asked me as I told him that my initial consultation is tomorrow. He then went on to tell me of the friend we have that has lost 60 pounds with exercise and diet. I actually laughed when he said it and mentioned to him how my weight constantly fluctuates b/c of trying to diet/exercise but it always ends up coming back ... Plus some... I know he didn't mean any harm, but if he truly took a minute to think he would realize I have tried MANY times... But he is the same height as me and couldn't hit 200 pounds if his life depended on it Lol. He is the only friend that I have told, and went on to tell me that he wants to help me in any way possible. But I think that people that have been skinny their entire lives don't appreciate the struggle or the ups and downs of weight loss/ weight gain. I sure wish I didn't!!

Thanks for the responses everyone! I definitely let him know that I will be eating healthier and exercising as part of my lifestyle change with the Lap-band. Mis that sure doesn't sound like the "easy way out"! I believe that you are right, I will continue to hear ignorant comments from people who mean well, but just aren't educated. I'm off to my consultation which starts in an hour! I'm nervous but ready to talk to the Doctor about taking control of my future!!

I decided to go the the sleeve forum to just look around and read a few posts. Th first was about dumping...... Let's just say it was scary Lol The next one that I read was about Lap-Band vs Sleeve. This is where it got interesting. There were so many people BASHING the band it was crazy. "if you want to spend your whole life throwing up get the band". "you can't lose more than 100 pounds with the band" "you will only be able to eat unhealthy slider foods. Never chicken, bread or vegetables" "have to go for fills once a month for the rest of your life" Then there are several people who had the band who converted to the sleeve who chime in. "in 5 years I lost 28 pounds" "waste of a $100k". Etc.. (not sure who they paid 100k to Lol) I was cracking up reading these but then I realized that many people who are pre-op (like me) who don't do research (NOT like me)?might believe this garbage. There are so many people on this site who have 100+ pounds it's crazy. Several have lost 200+ pounds. I can't help but feel like MOST of the people on that site who weren't successful with the Band did it to themselves. The person who said they spent the whole time puking and only eating slider foods and didn't lose weight... I just wonder did they not have a doctor that they followed up with? If you want to humor yourself go check it out.

Great article! Very informative For someone that's Pre-Op like myself!

I will be having mine done in Cincinnati, Ohio for $13k. You will find people on here paying anywhere from $10-$20k. It really depends on what part of the country that you live in. Some people go to Mexico to have it done cheaper.... BUT, with the Lap-Band your aftercare is essential to be successful. It's very important to have a local or accessible Doctor to do your fills/aftercare. Some people travel across country to save $5k and have trouble finding a Doctor to do fills/aftercare. My advice would be to research local surgeons and their cost (you can search surgeons on this website). Some people are successful with out of state Doctors but for me it seemed to make more sense to choose a local Doc because of how important aftercare is to success with Lap-Band. Good luck! Forgot to mention that 2 years of fills/office visits are included in this price. $100 after two years.

I feel for the people who don't have supportive spouses or significant others. That has to be tough to go through this without the support at home! I am lucky that my wife is being very supportive of having the lap-band surgery. Friday is my consultation and she is bummed that she can't go. I'm guessing (sorry no stats) that having a child increases the risk of divorce too but what are you going to do, not have kids? Live your life, work at any issues that come up (ASAP), and remember that you only get one shot at this... Be happy! I don't want to die at 50 from a heart attack, I'll take my chances!

Sorry to all of the people who live in Middletown for me bashing it! Lol I have met a lot of great people there, just not a fan of the city government etc.. I had a lot of problems with the city and vowed never to contribute another $ there and left. It's cool how many people we have on here from this area!

Lol a bad city to get lost in. My wife and I owned the Marco's Pizza on Breiel and the Cash 24-7 Gold Buying Shop on Central. Happy to say that both businesses have been sold and we have been out of Middletown a couple years now! Lol

Yep! I used to have a business in downtown Middletown. Not far from Trenton at all!

Cool! Yeah they have definitely never heard of Miamisburg either! Lol That's where I went to High School. Small world.