DivaStyleCoach

Thanks, CurvesinCali - I really appreciate the help and the tips! :-)

BlestButrfly - hope you had a easy and uneventful surgery today...

Hey Ladies, So far, I haven't told a LOT of people...my hubby is 100% supportive, and my homegirl co-worker who had the surgery (and her hubby too) is completely supportive. I don't think I'll tell a whole bunch of people - I don't need the drama. I guess the haters will be haters no matter what - though it is really hurtful when someone you considered a good friend is no longer treating you like a friend. I'm sorry for that and for your hurt - but as my daughter and her young friends like to say...Keep it movin!

Mornin' TravelLady, Congrats on your date - just think, you can schedule another cruise to Celebrate your victory and all the weight you are going to lose...

Mornin' CurvesinCali, What popsicles have you liked and disliked? If forum rules allow posting of brand names, that could be really helpful for newbies like me who haven't been scheduled yet, but are curious about what to eat... Surgery in 4 days...that's terrific! You'll be on your way very soon, and since you've already lost 12 lbs, you'll have that much less to lose. Keep up the good work, sis!

Hi Yvonne, I'm in virtually the same spot as you...I have my psych and nutritionist's appointments coming up in the next 10 days, and I am excited about the surgery and the possibilities as well. I've found this forum to be terrific - lots of first-hand experiences, testimony, and even troubleshooting. Because of all I've read, I know I will be ready when my operation is scheduled (I'm praying I am approved). I would love to stay in touch - we can support each other through this. I haven't been told to do a pre-operation diet yet, but that may come - I have heard others say they didn't have to do it. I'll report in tomorrow after the support group meeting here so others will know what those are about as well. Welcome to the sistahood!:tt2:

Good afternoon Sistas, I've told my hubby (he's 100% supportive), my daughter (she wants to do it too, but is too young at only 17 1/2), and my good friend at work. My work friend and her hubby have both had gastric bypasses - hers is older, his is more recent. He's lost over 60 pounds, and she's concerned about him getting too thin, but otherwise he's doing great. Thrown away the diabetes meds, etc, and is doing well. She's down 100 pounds from her previous high of over 300, and holding steady, but wants to lose more. I'm looking to lose about 120 lbs, have my nutritionists' appt and a psych eval scheduled within 2 weeks, and can't wait to see if I get approved. No one at work knows - if I end up being scheduled for surgery, I'll only tell my supervisor / manager, and ask her not to say anything to anyone else, just let them know I'm having elective surgery. No one needs to know what the specifics are, but the group here in the office seems to tell ALL of their business to everyone...I'm more closed-mouth about my personal business.

Hey Ladies, Had to weigh in on this one...the guy from Jennifer Holliday's video is Ryan Gentles - he's worked with Tyler Perry a few times in his movies and plays. Dat man is jes too fine...I'd take him in a heartbeat! LL Cool J - too fine - especially dem lips! :tt2: Boris Kodjoe - I know he's married to Nicole, but DA*N! Ving Rhames - shaved head, thick muscles, what more do ya need! :biggrin: Michael Clarke Duncan - shaved head, thick muscles - can ya tell I love big men? :tt2: Michael Jai White - from Why Did I Get Married the movie - what a body! :mad: Carl Weathers - from the Rocky movies and countless others - fine, fine, fine! Avery Brooks - Star Trek (Next Gen) but I fell in love with him as Hawk on Spenser for Hire - that shaved head, the big gun and that fly BMW! :tt1: Shemar Moore - just plain fine! Idris Elba - the accent does it for me too! I love men with shaved heads - my hubby shaves his, and he's 6'3" tall, 300 lb powerlifter (big shoulders, thick muscles, da*n!) Gotta love da brothas! Oh, and I agree on Nick Cage - he's a cutie pie too!

Good afternoon Ladies, Just found this forum within the lapbandtalk.com site and I am so glad I found y'all! I'm 45 - a big haayyy to all my 40-something sistas out there. I joined this forum looking for support as well - I've been referred by my primary care doc, and have my nutritionist and psych appointments in about 2 weeks. I'm hoping for a surgery date before Christmas - my family (and personal) history with diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure is the main reason for the surgery. I investigated the full bypass, but the surgery scares me. I tend to get keloids, so the less surgery, the better! I work at an Ivy-league university and am happily married (just celebrated 18 years of bliss). I have three children (his - 25 yr old son; mine - 24 yr old son just made me a grandma; ours - 17 1/2 yr old daughter). You have all posted such motivational messages and photos - thank you so much - you have inspired this newbie! I'll be sure to check in often as my approval (hopefully) comes in and during my journey. I want to lose 120 lbs - that would put me at 140 lbs, a weight I haven't seen since before I was 18! I'd love to be able to wear a swimsuit with pride - not a bikini because of the scarring, but definately a slim-fitting swimsuit (not a tent!). Nice to be here...:biggrin:

Good morning Ladies, I am just getting started on my banding journey - have been approved by my primary care doc, have nutritionist and psych appts within the next 2 weeks. Hopefully after that, I'll get a date. I'm 45, family history of diabetes, heart issues, and high blood pressure - makes me a good candidate, right? LOL Can't wait to join the sistahood...good luck to all, and I'm glad to have found you!

Good morning Ladies, I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm a potential lap band patient, have been approved by my primary care doc, have my appointments with psych and nutrition in 2 weeks. Hopefully I'll be approved and can get the band placed before Christmas. I'm currently on Actos (45mg), Metformin (1000 mg 2/day) and 12 units of Lantus insulin (the slow-release stuff). I'm looking forward to getting off the meds and will take your experiences as advice (plus talking to my doctor). I'm really excited about the possibilities for me (want to lose 120 lbs) and giving up the meds. I'll keep checking in as I progress - thanks so much for being here!

Congratulations on your 100 lb loss - that's terrific! I'm looking forward to when I can post that as well... I've been referred for WLS by my primary care doc, have nutritionist and psych appts in September, and hopefully I'll be banded before Christmas. I investigated the bypass, but the surgery aspect scares me since I also have a tendency to develop keloids (raised, puffy scars) like a lot of African-Americans. I'm not up for such a drastic change to my anatomy, but the band I could definately do...I also believe that for me, the slow and steady weight loss will minimize my need for cosmetic surgery afterward (again with the keloids). You are definately an inspiration!

Good morning all, Your stories are SO inspiring! I'm just in the beginning stages of the process - my primary care doc has recommended me for the surgery, and I have my psych and nutritionist appointments in about 2 weeks. I'm hoping they will approve me and send me for the next stage. I researched the gastric bypass, but this procedure seems much safer and easier to adjust to after doing my research. I also get keloids (raised, puffy scars, common to African-Americans) so extensive surgery definately ISN'T on my must-do list. :biggrin: I think I've got a great chance of succeeding with the band - I'm already reasonably active (walk 3 - 5 days a week during lunch, 2 days in gym/week) and I know I could step that up a lot. I'm at 260 right now, my goal is 140. As a type 2 diabetic with a family history of high blood pressure and heart disease, I look at this surgery as a life-saver, and I'm ready to do it. I'll be patient through the process and I'm so glad I found this site! You are all so inspirational - I look forward to posting my own success story here soon. :biggrin: EbonyRose

Hello Everyone! I found this site while searching for info on weight-loss surgery. I have my psychiatrist's appointment and an appointment with a dietician within 2 weeks, and have been referred by my primary care doctor. I'm about 120 lbs overweight, type 2 diabetic and high blood pressure, with a family history of the same (but worse). I've also had some recent heart arrythmia problems, which is what propelled me into looking for a permanent solution to my battle with weight. :thumbup: I'm in my mid-40's and looking to get healthy. That's why I want the surgery - I just became a grandma for the first time and I want to be around to play with my grandson. I have a 17-year old daughter who I want to be there for as well, and I know if I don't make some significant changes, I might not make it. :eek: My family history isn't the best - father and mother both overweight, lost them plus a brother and a sister to heart disease...it's scary. :tt2: Looking forward to researching lap band surgery on this site and reading your experiences, plus adding some of my own. I pray that I'm approved for the surgery...I hope to know more by mid-September. EbonyRose