DivaStyleCoach

BBK - Just voted for you again - you have a slender lead - GO VOTE PEOPLE! Your latest batch of photos are gorgeous as always. I prefer the ones with you in that pretty black dress, and the one with your legs up make your legs look a mile long! You are such an inspiration - I plan to do one of these when I get to my goal, and I hope they turn out just as beautiful as yours!:cry_smile:

:cool2: :w00t: :tt2: ROFLMBO! (Rolling On The Floor Laughing My Bra Off in this case) Okay SNT - you're right... Maybe it's because I get those industrial-strength underwires that are really made of metal - I can't snap those things unless I'm in sub-zero temperatures :cry_smile: Now those new-fangled plastic / poly / "soft" underwires - I bet I could snap those in a New York minute! I know I'm showing my age with the 'dag' comment - guess you can't hide your *ahem* maturity even if you want to!

*taking notes* :cry_smile: Thanks a bunch, Curves, for the report - must get some Biotin and keep the Protein high after surgery!

Just had to add my experience to this thread...I did answer the poll - yes, I've considered suicide, but never made any serious plans to do away with myself. I've thought about it during big upheavals in my life - after the death of my father (I was 9); after the failure of my first marriage; recently when finding out about electronic infidelity in my current marriage, and at times throughout my life when I particularly felt the burden of carrying 100+ pounds that my body wasn't meant to carry. Each time what has stopped me is what I refer to as the 'fighting spirit'. Taking my life would mean that those I felt did me wrong WON - and sometimes that was ME who did me wrong by not controlling my eating better. I wasn't going to let the darkness take me - I felt I had a purpose for being here, and though I'm not clear on what that is yet, I'm still looking... Maybe not the best rationale, but hey, whatever keeps me here is what keeps me here. I find journaling helps me - I've had a diary in some form or another since I was 9, and though I've lost some of the oldest books, I still have quite a few. It's amazing how your thought process can change over the years. Now, I'm determined to live my life. Truly live it for me and for those I love...I have a daughter who needs me (though at 17 1/2, probably not for much longer), and a brand-new grandchild who is the apple of my eye. I'm involved in activities that I love, and I'm rebuilding the trust with my spouse. Life is good... Now when I get the band (finally!) I'll be able to rid myself of the excess weight that I believe is holding me back from truly reaching my potential and flying. Whether that means I fly away from my "former" life and move on, or stay here and work through it, I don't know. I only know that I refuse to leave this world until I am called home...and when it is my time to go, I'll leave with a smile. I feel for those who have attempted to take their own lives because of pain - I wish I could hug you and help you feel better. I understand those who mention taking their life because of illness or chronic disability - though I don't know if I could do it, I respect their right to end their lives the way THEY want. I regret that our society refused to admit that there ARE circumstances when people in their "right" minds choose to leave this world and refuses to allow them to be with their loved ones when they implement the choice. I wish it were different - but I wouldn't necessarily want to be the person that gave them "official permission" to do so...

SugarBean - you have awesome results! I'm going to work to ensure I have the same kind of results when I'm banded! Curves - fantastic - I'm hoping for similar results as well. Ladies - you are inspiring!:rolleyes2:

BlackCherry - don't take this the wrong way, but I'm sitting here laughing at the idea of 'snapping an underwire in half'! Dag, girl - what are you doing? :girl_hug::girl_hug: I hope I DON'T lose much in cup size - I don't care if the band size goes down...the place I order my bras - Bravissimo - has bigger cup bras in a band size 28! :sad: I don't think I'll EVER get that tiny, but if I did, it's nice to know SOMEONE makes a bra for that size back. I guess I'll have to take the wait-and-see approach...I'm hoping a rigorous exercise schedule and lots of pec work will help push the 'girls' up and keep them up! :rolleyes2:

I am so glad to hear you and your family are okay! We had a hurricane many years ago in New England and lost power (plus a tree in our front yard) and the next morning we were making Breakfast on our gas grill (bacon, eggs, biscuits, rice)...we fed about 6 families that morning. :girl_hug: It's amazing how people will pull together after a crisis...I'm really happy your family suffered no damage. :rolleyes2:

Amen to that, Enigma! Part of my curiosity is concerning how people who don't know us now (or didn't know us when we were heavy) will treat us. Unfortunately, I think some will treat us better once we are "normal" sized women (notice I put that in quotes) than they would have (or did) when we were heavy. :girl_hug: I know for me, I'd like to do the "Pretty Woman" thing - walk into a few stores where I've been treated less-than-well as a full-figured woman and let them know that now I'm smaller, I won't be spending any of my wardrobe money on them! I plan to save almost all of what I would normally spend (I will have to buy a few things during my transition) and do a big shopping spree at the end when I reach my goal. :rolleyes2: I'm eagerly anticipating going into some stores that I wouldn't necessarily shop in, paying some prices I might not ordinarily pay (for better-quality clothes) and having myself a really good time! :girl_hug:

Good afternoon Everyone, Just got in from my nutritional consult - everything went very well, thanks to everyone at LBT! The dietician said I was extremely knowledgeable and prepared for the process, and said my consult was easier because I already knew so much about the process, the diet and the eating changes I would have to implement. :thumbdown: Thanks LBT for making me look good, and I can't wait until I get a consult with the doctor, and then a banding date!:thumbup:

Good afternoon Sistas, Just came back from my nutritional consult, and everything went very well. :thumbup: Many many thanks to LBT and all of the groups I post to - everyone has taught me so much that I flew through the consult! :thumbup: The nutritionist was impressed with my level of knowledge and told me that I came in so well-prepared that it made her job easier...she also gave me the recommended diet for the post-band patients. Essentials from the plan include: 1st 2 weeks: any amount of "free fluids", small amounts of Fluid with calories (6 oz total per day), chewable vitamins/minerals/calcium. All supplements must be chewable, crushable or liquid for 2 months after surgery. 2 - 4 weeks Post Op: any amount of "free fluids", eliminate shakes / Protein drinks, change diet to include Mushies, between 1/4 and 1/2 cup per serving 3 - 6 times per day. Calories under 1000, protein 50 - 60 (no more than 70) g per day. No concentrated sweets, no alcohol or caffeine, no carbonated beverages at all. (I'll miss my ginger ale!:biggrin:) Week 5 + Post Op: solid foods, 1/2 cup (4 oz) per meal, 3 - 5 times per day. Low fat, no or low sugar, 3 - 4 hours apart. Goal is 50 - 60 g protein per day, 64 oz Water per day. Suggest avoiding tough meats, meats with gristle, seeds and skins of fruit and veggies, and spicy foods. I've even got a list of low fat / low sugar foods and a chart showing protein content of certain foods. :thumbdown: The nutritionist asked me questions about how my eating habits would change, what things I would do differently, and helped me find answers when I got stuck. All in all, it was a VERY positive experience.:crying: If you'd like to see the materials I was given, let me know - I'll scan them in, turn them into a PDF, and email them to you... LBT has been so wonderful for me - it's a great resource and I'll be recommending it to anyone I know looking for good information on the process. :thumbup: Now I just have to wait for them to schedule my consult with the doctor, and hopefully I'll get a date to be banded very soon!!!:thumbup:

Thanks, everybody, for the info - I am starting to plan my time off and all the replies have helped me immensely. :thumbdown: Depending on what day I have the surgery, I'll take the rest of that week and then a full week after. I.E. Surgery on a Wednesday, take Thursday and Friday and the following week. Surgery on a Monday, take the remainder of the week, maybe 1/2 the following week. Thanks again for all the great info - I have a desk job, no heavy lifting. The most strenuous thing I do at work is walk to and from the train station when I'm getting there. Since the walking is good for me, I think I'll be good to go!:thumbup:

Absolutely... My father was Choctaw, African-American and White (light skinned, cute black man, big barrel chest, don't-mess-with-me attitude and a voice that could shake the house when he was mad!) My mother was African-American and Creek (on my grandma Louise's side, tough, smart woman who was born too early - she wanted to be an accountant, but was told no one would trust a black woman with their money so she went into nursing instead) My grandmother Louise was African-American, Creek, Jewish and White (also lighter skinned, had beautiful hair she could sit on, tough, no-nonsense lady) And then there's me - one of the 'melting pots' of the family who has a little bit of all of them!:thumbup:

I posted this in another thread, but wanted to contribute here as well... My band will be called the DIVA Tool - it will be the tool helping me to achieve my most Dynamic Intriguing Vivacious and Audacious self! :smile2: Other possible names are: Katherine - after my DM (Darling Mother) who always wanted the best for me (God rest her soul, I miss her so much) :smile: B.I.T.C.H. - Being In Total Charge of Herself (what I will be AFTER I'm banded):thumbup: Any others?:smile:

Mornin' SNT, I think we should propose a visit to Oprah from a whole bunch of LBT'ers...I don't recall if she's ever done a show on lap bands, and we have such a wide range of people, both genders, all ages, and many geographic areas that I think it would be an interesting show. I bet we could fill up her audience space with LBT'ers - wouldn't THAT be awesome! :thumbup: We could have people that have lost up to 50 pounds, 50 - 100 lbs, 100 - 200 lbs, and 200 plus pounds - we could inspire hundreds or thousands of people to take their health into their own hands and also debunk some of the myths around lap banding. :smile2: I'm up for it - what do you think?

SNT - I think it's a great idea for those who have already lost over 100 lbs to mentor those of us who WANT to get there...:smile2: I'd love to have a mentor once I get my surgery date...or even before that! :thumbup:

SNT - I believe you are correct... I have the same condition - if I get a scrape, it often doesn't keloid, but incisions will. My abdominal surgery about a year ago left me with a vertical scar that has since hypertrophied (keloid). It is raised and puffy - and some areas are hard.:thumbup: I hate my keloids...I've gotten some scar gel to try and work on them and we'll see what happens. That's why I don't want a bypass - I'm really anti-surgery for me at this point... :smile2:

Done, girlfriend! Good luck!:biggrin:

Dazzle - that's fantastic!:thumbup: My process hasn't been bad - you can see my timeline in my signature. The nutritionists' consult is tomorrow, and I pray they get their report done quickly so I can get my consult with the doc scheduled and then hopefully my surgery!:biggrin:

Yay!:wink2::tongue::w00t: Now if I can just get my process completed, maybe I'll be a Smashing pumpkin myself! Waiting is NOT my strong suit - can ya tell?:crying:

Hey Sista, Does being African-American, Jewish, Choctaw and Creek count?:wink2: Welcome sista!:crying:

Congrats Ladies! Keep us up-to-date on your progress...:crying:

Sending along another prayer for SouthernGirl...anyone heard from her?:crying:

Hey Slim, I'm envious! :wink2: I wish my surgery were scheduled, let alone moved up! Just think, girlfriend - you are starting your new healthier, stronger, slimmer life! No longer will food be calling you in the way that it used to...you will have your band to reinforce your willpower. Have you 'named' your band yet? I think I'm going to call mine the DivaTool, because it's going to help me become my most Dynamic, Intriguing, Vivacious and Audacious self... I made up that definition when I was working as an Image Consultant :crying: Now I can't wait until it really does describe me - head to toe and forever more! Congrats on your upcoming operation, and I pray you have a very easy surgery and a pain-free recovery!:tongue:

Hey Sistas, I've got that issue of Essence, and I must say (all enviousness aside) that Mo looks great!:wink2: I think in the same issue Jennifer Hudson talks about working her tail off - literally - she's lost like 50 lbs in the last few months, and though she doesn't look a LOT smaller, she certainly is curvier. There are some FLY clothes in the issue and some interviews with other curvy sistas. I had to laugh at all the men who said they love full-figured women...where were they when I was lookin'? :crying: I wish I lived closer to NYC so I could attend a couple of those parties that the gentleman in the front of the issue arranges - I bet me and DH would have fun at those...I HATE being the biggest girl in da club, but since I take extra care with my appearance, I'm not worried about how I look so much anymore...being 40-something has done that for me. I have a HOTT black-and-red leather dress that I LOVE to rock :w00t: I'm already saving to get the new one when I reach goal... I am so glad I made the decision to be banded - now if only the docs and the "system" I'm working through would HURRY UP!!!!:tongue:

Hey Sistergrl25, In a couple of the other forums - 'Fitness and Exercise' I've heard responses ranging from light weights at 1 week to others who took a full 6 weeks off. I think it's partly personal preference, and partly what kind of workout you were doing (and the shape you're in) prior to surgery. I know for me - I'll be asking my doc. I'm currently doing weights 4 days a week, and don't want to go to NOTHING for 6 weeks - heck, I'll lose all my new muscle! :wink2: Definately check with your doctor - just to be safe. Good luck!:crying: