debbut

I was thinking about next year while I was at church fellowship tonight. I went through the line and didn't pile up my plate like I used to. As I was sitting there eating, I began to wonder what my plate would look like this time next year. Would I even go through the line? I've cooked for parties all week and tonight was the last big thing before Christmas. I didn't have much trouble staying away from the sweets although tonight I had two cookies. Isn't amazing how much food is a part of our lives? Not just for nutrition but for celebration? Some of you who have your band, would you share how it used to be and tell us how it is now?

I had the craziest dream last night. I dreamed that I had my surgery but it was different that I had anticipated. Apparently, Dr. Miles had to cut me open from the back of my neck, down my spine to my backside where the incision branched out into an upside down Y. The incisions then went down my legs to my knees and stopped. When I asked him why he did that, he said I had too much fat on the back of my legs and had to cut some of it out. I had thick black stitches that looked like big black x's that went down my back and legs. Very funny looking. Where do these crazy dreams come from? LOL Deb

I teach first grade. At the beginning of the year, after about a week, one of my angels promptly told me I had a double chin--while I was in the middle of teaching a lesson. I thanked her for pointing it out to me and kept on going. From the mouths of babes.....:tongue2: And Shangefan I understand where you are coming from. I went out to lunch with two thin friends in September and the restaurant was a little hole in the wall with tables crammed in (college town and we were attending class that day). My friends were only being kind to me when they pulled the table toward themselves so I would have more room to sit down. :blushing: It was embarrassing for me but I hid it well. Two weeks later I was sitting in a Lapband seminar.

Addition to my previous post: I won't miss trying on blouses and wondering if I'm going to have to get a sales associate to help me take it back off. Went to get a blouse for the church choir special and got "stuck" in a blouse I thought I could wear. Deb

Congrats Jason! It's exciting to hear how much everyone is losing. It gives me hope! And, I'm glad there are those who are discussing their struggles too. It reminds me that this isn't a miracle cure but a tool to aid me in losing weight. I went to my PCP today to weigh in and got fussed at because I gained 3 lbs. since the last time I weighed in.:tt1: My excuses included Thanksgiving, work, school, being sick, and a painful hip. The nice thing---I'm getting to know my doctor better than I ever thought I would. He's been my doctor for 23 years and I have only gone to him when I was really sick. I hate going to the doctor and avoid them at all costs (except for now). He's the one who suggested I look into lapband since I am now beginning to have problems with my sugar and triglycerides. He didn't push it, just suggested I think about it. The decision to have the surgery has been all mine and he's supportive of it. Apparently there have been several people from my area who have had the surgery---I wonder who they are??? :biggrin: Deb

I have a question about the 6 month supervised diet. Did any of you have a hard time losing weight during this period? It seems like I take 1 step forward and 2 steps back. I've been trying to stick to the Weight Watcher's plan (tried that at least 6 times already only to gain the weight back and then some) but found with going to school and working full time, I didn't have time to journal like I'm supposed to. So, I changed my diet to Dr. Vitkin's diet (yes, tried that one too) since it is a modified low carb diet and the way of eating associated with lapband seems to be high in protein and low in carbs. Had some success with this until Thanksgiving. I didn't overeat, I just added small amounts of carbs back and bang! the weight is back. I know a lot of this is because it is crunch time with finals coming up and I hope to have more time to exercise next semester when the university will allow me to drop back down to part time status. Thanks for letting me vent....it's frustrating isn't it. Deb

I know where that is! I go through there when I go to B'ham. :drool: Deb

debbut, i will have to say i didn't feel anyway different until i got some new clothes and had to go down 2 size in shirts and 2 sizes in pants. bow i can look in the mirror and see a new me already. i feel like im more outgoing person now. and i hope i keep feeling that way as i lose more weight. and don't worry debbut you will feel like a new woman when you start losing the weight and know its not coming back this time. Thanks Jason, I was kicking myself yesterday for letting my weight define who I am and keeping me from taking advantage of a wonderful opportunity. I just can't wait to have this surgery. I've begun to have problems with my hip joints and I know it's because of the weight. I just can't wait to feel better physically and mentally. This is such a great support website and it's nice to be a part of a group of people who are in Alabama. Ford--I actually live in Nectar. Are you around Trafford? Deb

Thanks for the encouragement. Of course, I want the surgery yesterday but then I tell myself that I've been obese for all these years, what's a few more months. Question....After you've lost some weight, do you have more confidence? I guess what I mean is when you go into a room, do stop looking for a place to hide and do you enjoy parties again? Because of my size, I turned down a paid trip to San Antonio to attend a conference with one of my professors. I turned it down because I was embarrassed to have accommodations made on the plane because of my weight. After you lose some weight do you still have the behaviors you had before you lost the weight? I'm always looking for the widest aisle, the largest chair, the end of a table to sit at, etc. Deb

Hi everyone, I met with Dr. Miles yesterday for the first time. Everyone was very nice and I feel good about this. Apparently I've already done a lot of the work. A couple of years ago I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and have a c-pap which is my best friend. I already had the endoscopy a couple of years ago. So I'm working on the 6 month diet and checking back in around the end of April. I hope to attend the Dec. support meeting and put some faces to your names. I'm excited about all of this. Hopefully, the insurance won't hold me up.

Thanks for the replies. I'll check with the insurance company. I don't mind the 6 month supervised diet--what's 6 more months? Just thought I'd ask and see if anyone else had heard anything. Deb

Hey everyone, I've been lurking around for awhile and I have a question that maybe someone can answer. I went to my PCP yesterday (2nd visit -6 month weight loss) and he was telling me that another patient came in and had him write a letter that documented his weight for the past three years and he didn't have to do the 6 month supervised diet. The insurance he had was Blue Cross Blue Shield but it's different from mine. I have PEEHIP. He also goes to Dr. Miles or Schmidt. My first visit to Dr. Miles is Nov. 18. Just wondering if anyone has heard if there have been changes in the requirements. Anyone close to Cleveland? Deb

I won't miss: being told by a six year old I have a double chin while I'm trying to teach a lesson (out of the mouth of babes) scoping out a room to see where is the best place for a fat person to sit avoiding looking in mirrors no one taking me seriously because I'm fat staying home so no one will see me ugly shoes boob shelf sweat rash being tired all the time telling the husband no because I'm embarrassed buying ugly plus size clothes having my skinny friends pull the table toward them so I can get into a seat at a restaurant

Welcome! I'm from Cleveland, Alabama. I started my 6 months supervised weight loss this month and have my first meeting with Dr. Miles the day after your surgery.

I attended a seminar last week and have decided to continue looking into it. I have my first appointment with my surgeon Nov. 18 and I meet with my PCP tomorrow to begin the supervised weight loss period. I'm mostly considering doing this because my health is in jeopardy while I won't object being able to wear smaller size and looking nice.