LilMissDiva Irene

Welcome Jack, I have only been here a little while myself and it has been very pleasing to see all the B&A pics, and to be able to share stories with all the people here since they can understand where I come from. You sound alot like me, as in HS I was very athletic playing Volleyball and Softball and was always able to stay nice & trim. Well, after meeting the love of my life I guess I got comfortable, and the sit-down desk jockey type job didn't help either. I simply eat too much! I became more mobile after learning of my HBP, and since I didn't want any more co-morbidities I started working on getting banded. Congrats to you on your decision and your weight loss. Here's to you and your new life!! Hope to see you post more!

I don't mind at all. Actually, I'm crazy about his father - and I forgave his insensitivity immediately. I never even replied to the comment. Another time was on his Mom's side. Again I was alone in the living-room with MIL and MIL's Brother. MIL's brother commented saying "(Hubbsy's Name) has always had really skinny girlfriends, I wonder why he is with you?" I did tell hubbsy about that one and he just said his Uncle is a real *sshOle, that's why he never really pays him any mind. I don't think we've seen him since and that was many years ago. I wasn't even hardly as big as my biggest either. I was on my way up. Anyway, I'm usually the type to just curl up and shut up. I try to act like it never happened. I guess the moral of the story is, my hubbsy is never allowed to leave me alone with his family anymore!

I just remembered something too... Awhile back my Hubbsy and I drove down to visit his Dad & Wife (Not his Mom). While we were there it was just FIL/SMIL and myself sitting in the livingroom. They noticed my minute weight loss and commented on it, saying I was looking nice. Okay, I can take that - but then FIL had to follow it with "You should keep it up and get skinny, I want to see my Son with a thin, beautiful woman on his arm. Don't you want to be thin for him?" Then SMIL agrees! I never told my hubbsy that. I'm still too embarrassed to this day... :eek:

Granted it has taken me several years to do it... Which is why I chose to do the banding. I have been S -- L -- O -- W -- L -- Y losing the pounds since I learned of my chronic hypertension two years ago, due to binging, then jumping back on the wagon. I never even weighed myself until I got out of the 28's, so I could have been up to 325 at one time. What a wake up call when I did step on that scale for the first time in goodness knows how long... 315??? No way!!!!!! :faint: Regardless, I am super jazzed! I haven't worn this size for probably ten years now. I went to one of my favorite shopping stores, which for awhile I couldn't even shop there anymore (yeah!!), and just bought the 24's off the rack. I took them home and they were a bit big. So I took them back and used the dressing room with the 22's. Still a bit big, and I need some slimming room, so I went to the rack and pulled off the 20's and they do fit a bit snug, but like I said -- slimming room. Hey, they button and zip up (without lying on my back... I'm sure some of you know what I mean). :whoo: What a joyous occasion, I can hardly believe it. Someone *pinch me*!!! I just can't wait until they put they put in my little appetite suppressor. It's all good, I know I have the will power to do it - I just need a little extra incentive. :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

In the not too distant past, my co-workers and I were having a meeting. After all the important things were discussed, and as it usually does, the conversation went off topic for a few minutes. One of the skinnier young ladies here asked everyone if they watched (I think she said Dr. Phil) and mentioned it was about overweight people. She said to everyone, "Some of those women were over 200 pounds! I can't believe anyone would let themselves get that big, can you believe that???!" I was so mortified by that, and no one else said a word. I hope they weren't NOT saying anything for my sake, since I was the biggest person in that room, and I am wa-a-ay over 200 lbs. Something tells me they were... :tired Uggh! Anyway, she is a really nice person, and I don't think she realized it until after, when she suddenly became mute and the meeting was soon over. How embarrassing!!

Thank you so much for this warning. I take three pills a day for HBP, so it will be good to go over this with my PCP after surgery for her to keep a good eye on it.

OMG!! Too funny! :biggrin1:

So True!! I know I can get it off, but keeping it off is a whole other duty entirely. I am SO looking forward to this. Thank you everyone for your many words of encouragement. This procedure is really not as easy as some perceive it to be (those who really have no clue, like saying its cheating) and you have to be truly dedicated to it. It is such hard work, and I haven't even gotten it done yet :eek:. I can only imagine... the good and the bad. I really look up to all of you who are at or near the end of your weight loss. I dare not say journey, because the journey really never ends. I know I will never finish battling my waistline, but I can make darn sure I keep it in check! Cheers to all of us!! :clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2:

Not necessarily. Most insurance companies will take co-morbities into consideration (i.e., HBP, Diebetes, etc.). Your first step should be going to your PCP with the suggestion, and they should get the ball rolling for you if they feel you could benefit from it. Good luck!

I'm fat because I eat too much. I just love food, and especially at dinner I just can't stop! That's why I'm going to be banded, I need to stop sooner rather than too late. And during woman's day - oh goodness. The Doritos, well, I can go through probably 3 bags in one week!! Absolutely true story. I'm great when it comes to exercising and working out. I do it almost every day (6 days a week avg.) for 1 hour but no less than 30 mins.

Right now it looks like mid-November. So many appointments... very close though! Good luck! I was really worried when it came to that. My insurance required a lot, but I got through it.

I am a Staff Services Analyst working for the State of California, Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (Cal-Fire). I am the Contracts Coordinator for the Resource Management, Fiscal & Administrative Coordination Section. Get it? Got it? Good. I enjoy it, I love working for Cal-Fire! We do a lot of wonderful things for the State of California.

Do it now & Later! You look great now, and you will look superb later! I am going to go to Glamour Shots when I'm finished. Maybe a little sooner too, I'll see. They do a great job with their photos.

Hi All, Of course, you are welcome for the list! We are all in this together and I am glad to help my fellow bandsters in any way! The tongs, according to the other thread is used to help reach around to the "behind" since your tummy will be very sore after surgery. Very good idea, however funny!! I will upate the list to add the lip balm. Very good idea, and thanks! Happy Banding everyone. PS, it looks like my surgery will be put back to November now, due to scheduling problems with some of my pre-op appointments. No problem, I think due to all the holidays it would be better anyway. It will also keep me from the Holiday Overeating!! Bravo!!

Ok, thanks lessnless. I didn't think so, but it's nice to hear how it is from someone who is going through it. Wishing you much success!

Another question, as I'm thinking about it. Will this surgery help with the possibility of maybe getting off of thyroid medicine - as it can help HBP or Diabetes patients?

Yes, I had to do at least 6 months pre-operative dietician appointments, with 5 appointments. I had to weigh-in and everything. She would write down a list of suggestions and I would try to follow them to the best of my ability. I did rather well, I think. My ticker says I lost 32 pounds, which is awesome, but I was down 40 not too long ago. My journey has already begun! My Bariatric Coord. says to try and lose about 7 more before surgery which is looking about 4-5 weeks away. No set date yet. I don't think it will be too much of a problem. I don't regret going through the pre-op diet at all, in fact, I think it really helps a ton with what you will have to go through immediately following the diet. It also greatly increases not only going through the surgery to shrink your liver, but for long time success. My mind is already prepared before even going into the surgery. I would suggest to anyone it might be a good idea to talk with your doctor about starting some kind of good eating/weight loss regimen prior to surgery, regardless if they demand it or not! We're all in this together!

That is so great! That is the whole reason why I looked into this procedure. Two years ago (at age 31) I was diagnosed with chronic hypertension, and am taking 3 pills a day for it. My doctor had a really hard time getting it under control. I have been working toward my surgery for about 8 months now, and have lost 40 lbs, although in the past few months I have gained a few back... (another reason for the surgery). During some of my initial tests, I was just discovered to have reached the max for desirable triglicerides (sp?). I am doing this just in time it seems. Anyway, congratulations! That is so fantastic, and I hopefully won't be too far behind!!

My surgeon is Dr. Aaryan Koura with Methodist. How about yourself?

Hi! Band-Aid, what a great name! Hey, don't worry too much, at least you realized you needed to get back "on the wagon". I'm definately pulling for you. Keep in touch.

I'm so glad to be here! Sometimes, with stress and other factors this journey has been difficult to say the least. I have looked at some of the before/after pictures and I have to say - what an energy booster for me! Look forward to all the communication.

I have a suggestion, as I have had to prepare for 6 months (req'd by insurance) on the diet I would follow afterward. I am already used to the Protein shakes and all sugar free Snacks, small portions etc. (by the way, I have already lost 40 lbs, and my surgery should be by the end of next month). Anyway, I have found that I add a half cup of splenda to my mix (about 5 cups per blender full) and it really jazzes up the flavor! Just thought you might like to try it out...