Katiegrrl

Hi All - I am getting banded next week and I'm really scared; I'm not sure of what other than the unknown. Even though I've read and researched the band/diet to death it’s a different experience for everyone so I'm still not sure what to expect. I'm overwhelmed by the enormity of it. I’m normally not so frightened of change but I’ve had a very stressful year. I started a new career as a prison therapist in October, then my father died in January. The following month I had a serious car accident and then in March I found out my knee is bone/bone and I need a particle knee replacement. That’s really been the motivation for the surgery. I’m 39 and I can barely walk. I had a snowboarding accident eight years ago that really destroyed my knee. Prior to the accident I was active and a size five but afterwards my weight became a constant battle. I would work out like crazy trying to stay thin then hurt my knee and be immobile. Then put on weight. About two – three years ago I just gave up. I couldn’t work through the pain anymore and my weight ballooned. When I was 30 I was 125 then at 32-33, 135 then at 35 175-180 and now at 39 I’m 220. I’m actually very eager to be active. I hate being burdened with this huge body. It’s like a prison. When I’m not neurotically stressed like I am now I’m actually a lot of fun. I was in marketing for 10 years and decided I couldn’t take bullshitting about crappy products anymore so I went to grad school to become a psychologist. My job as a prison therapist is bizarre but truly a rewarding experience. I can’t have a mentor that has any black/white perception about the criminal justice system; lock em’ up and throw away the key people need not apply. I am frequently judged harshly for helping “those people,” so like the people I work with I need empathy; everyone is someone’s brother, father, husband, and son. I firmly believe people should not be thrown away. So now that I’m off that soapbox here’s the rest; I love knitting and the Beastie Boys. I’ve been married seven years to an amazing man I love. We don’t have any children but we have a beagle named, Pancake that we shamelessly spoil. I read, read, read, and spend hours in Photoshop. I like tacky TV and cheesy celebrity magazines. I love clothes and cannot wait to go on a shopping spree. I’m quirky and have dark sense of humor. Also, I’m originally from New Jersey and consider myself a full-blown Jersey girl. I have the accept but not the big hair. So that’s me. If anyone wants to mentor/correspond w/me let me know. I think having a buddy would help a lot. I loathe support groups but I’m going to force myself to go because I know I’m go to need a lot of help with this. But having a buddy to email would be ideal. Please let me know if you can HHHHHEEEEELLLLPPPPPP! K

Si this normal? I was bended on the 28th and have had no complications. Its just when I move a certain way I feel a shrp pinch near the port. Like a stab - is this normal? K

Hi Everyone - I am getting banded next Thursday, August 28th and I just started my pro-opt Medifast/300 calorie diet. I notised I'm getting headches and I'm cranky. It can't possibily because I'm not getting enough protien; I'm following what I need to do exactly. Is this just the initical shock of not eating like I'm used to? Did this happen to anyone else and will I feel less cranky as I'm more days into it? Can anyone tell me what it's been like for them? Katiegrrl

I am getting the band next week and the number one reason why I'm choosing the band is because I need knee surgery. I was thin and active for most of my life but I had a serious knee injury and as it got worse I put on a lot of weight. I am really looking foward to being active again. I liked working out. In fact, I can't wait to do some of the things I've really missed like walking the dog and doing yoga. How may people were active BEFORE they got the band? K

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! I thought I was going crazy & thinking, man, I am such a wussy. But I was thinking along the same lines; I'm mostly likely detoxing from my nemesis, sugar. Ironically, I'm not all that hungry just headachy & bitchy. Thanks for the support. This is my 1st post and its great being able to ask & shout out for help on the spot. Thanks again. K