tammygirl

Hi ! I am new to the board and have just received insurance approval today. No date yet, but would like to start a good pre-op diet. I see many of you referring to Protein Drinks as a part of the regimen. Are there any particuliar drinks you have found satisfying and effective. Thank you. Tammygirl

I can sum it up by saying I married Fear at a young age. The twin brothers, Procrastination and Anxiety, became constant companions. They were egged on by Cousins Insecurity and Doubt. My daily life was dominated by my in-laws, What others think about me and What others say about me. I thought Food would protect me from the family's abuse but the more I ate, the worse the abuse became. I divorced Fear and am now married to Trust in God. My wedding band is too large for my finger but fits nicely around the top part of my stomach.

Scared of you, LoveLovely. That white ruffled blouse with the pencil skirt sounds absolutely fierce!

I would like to wear a pencil skirt flawlessly.

By now you have had your surgery. I wish you all the best! Tammygirl

Nan, I am so sorry you have had just a bad experience. Unfortunately, the band has some risks but you were able to get help quickly and avoid further injury. I wish you the very best in your recovery. Tammygirl

Congratulations on your surgery, ApriL! I hope your recovery goes just fine! anyone heard from Southerngirl in Houston? Praying for her. tammygil

Congratulations! Cali! Here's to a great recovery and brand new life! Tammygirl

Good for you, April! Praying for your smooth procedure and recovery! Tammygilr

TravelLady!!! This is great news! I am happy for you!! Tammygirl

Yettia, Praying for you, girl and all those with you in the shelter. Tammygirl

That's so good to hear! Congratulations on your new look!

So glad all went well for you Sweetpea! Tammygirl

TravelLady, I am sorry you are experiencing some challenges in finding a surgeon at this point but glad you are refusing to accept just any old kind of treatment. I remember your previous surgeon was less than supportive. www.obesityhelp.com maintains a physician listing of bariatric MDs. You may find this listing is a good place to start. Wishing you the very best! Tammygirl

Congrats to you, Health4Life. I pray all goes well for you! Tammygirl

Good going, Southerngirl! Tammygirl

SouthernGirl, I am sorry you are going through the wringer with the MD's office. The paperwork associated with this procedure and communication between all the folk involved can be a bit much at times. One solution that may work is to have your insurance company fax the approval to the MDs office followed by a hard copy sent in such a way that requires the office to sign for it upon delivery. Also you may consider asking the insurance company to send you a hard copy as well. Perhaps that will speed things along. Rooting for you all the way! Tammygirl

I like your style Ziahmamma!

Hang on in there, Ladies! Yes, it's rough. But when I think about in Whose image we are created in and the people we are descended from.....proud sisters who overcame horrendous situations in this country and still thrived, I am confident that together we can attain our goals and beyond. Going with my daughter to Austin, TX for a couple of days tomorrow. She is looking at a nursing residency out there. Then jetting off to Vegas for National Black Nurses Association conference. I know you nurses on here know what I am talking about. This will be my first time taking the lapband on the road, but I think I am ready. I will let you know how it works out for me. Tammygirl

Yes, Denise, I am on the 50's thread. I don't post much over there but read it often.

I have not found running to be a good option for me due to my weight and knee conditions. I have purchased a recumbant bike and found that works well for me. I ride while looking at TV. I can do a whole hour if the story is good:wink_smile:. I love carbs and am working on eating more of the better carb sources and amping up the exercise. As for sports bras, I suggest sites such as www.ladygrace.com or www.herroom.com as good sources for plus sized bras and other undergarments. Thank you, Denise for suggesting the nutrition board. I will roll over there and spend more time there.

Smith, like you, I work in the health field. I worked in a hospital and saw a fair amount of weight loss surgery patients come in with horrendous complications. For several years, I used these observations as my justification for not considering weight loss surgery despite my morbid obesity and numerous comorbidities, and failed attempts at weight loss. Then one day I thought: "This is a hospital, well people don't come here. Therefore, although I see some people who have had unfortunate experiences with weight loss surgery, I never see the many more people for whom intervention has worked well." I thought about the other illnesses I see in the hospital, cancer, heart disease, stroke. Sure there are a lot of folk with those conditions in the hospital but there are many more people who don't have those conditions. In other words, if you work in a hospital, every customer is sick or they would not be there. When I examined my thought process, I saw the fault in my logic. I began to research weight loss surgery more and eventually decided upon lapband. I am so glad I did. It has turned out to be the best decision I have made for myself.

Whee, April! I imagine your mom must be about my age, so you know I got to represent! Everytime, I hear about someone losing a child I cringe because I can not bear to think that could have been my child. It causes a special anxiety when the loss occurs to someone in my family, workplace, or church. Whether in the street or in the hospital, I don't want anyone coming after my baby with a knife! That being said, your momma loves you and is scared that something bad is going to happen to you. Often the people who love us the most do not have a problem with our obesity. They just think we need to try harder at something else other than surgery. I did not tell my mom (age 83) about my surgery for this very reason. I did not want her worrying, crying, etc. and I know I would never be able to convince her that this surgery was a good choice for me. I do not think I will ever tell her. BTW, I am using Nutrisystem as a way to teach myself portion control(big problem for me). I have found it working well now that my hunger is under control with the band. Thank your mom for Nutrisystem and go on. It won't hurt if she thinks that is responsible for your weight loss:thumbup: Your surgery date is close...:teeth_smile: I am excited for you!

Yettia, so happy for you. I am thankful all went well. I pray for your smooth recovery.

It is already done. God is working for, in, and with you!