warmmorningsun

It really is a very personal decision I think to have the surgery and I completely understand the choice to limit sharing it with others. I think my choice to "share" has come from years of hiding so much about who I am from my family and parents - you know, always trying to be the perfect daughter, sister, etc - and I've come full circle with that so probably disclose TMI (too much information!) now as an extreme opposite of how I was before *L* I'm in "take me as I am" mode these days. I love this thread, it's so neat to read about the different thought processes and feelings behind everyone's very different decisions...

Oh, and Misfortune, I'm sorry to have diverted from the original post but I have a hard time not commenting when I read or hear derogatory personal statements made by an individual about others...especially when that individual makes such a strong statement against others making the same type comments. I'll not reply any longer, because I feel like I've made my point. And I'm still having a giggle or two....

"sense in jibberish"?? *LOL*! You're killing me! waaahaaahaaa! Much too easy. You make it much too easy. Penni60 has an "obviously uneducated mind", Misfortune "dribbles on", I need "crayons and coloring books" to express myself...you truly have shared a lot of factual, unopinionated comments, haven't you? Sure hope none of this alters mine, Misfortune's, or Penni60's reputations....:girl_hug: Peace:peace: (still having a good laugh):clap2:

I'm not sure why it doesn't make sense to you....my post is made up mostly of quotes of your words. Still laughing. Much louder now though...:girl_hug:

I don't know, I gotta say I love a krispy kreme donut. But I'm extremely fearful of deli salads: macaroni salad, chicken salad, tuna salad, bean salad, etc. Fear of old Mayo.

I told my family (my fiance, dad, mom, sister, brother, my daughter and my niece) and my closest two friends. I am of the belief that if someone asks me how I lost weight I will share - reluctantly though. I'm not one to discuss medical conditions, procedures I may need or have had openly. I told my family because I spend quite a bit of time with them and felt like I may need their support in the future. And if I get scared or discouraged, I will probably rely on them to hear me out and give me feedback or comfort. IMO, I think it's a good thing to tell someone you may need support from. DevilMayKare, I worried about the impression my family would have (is that why you didn't tell your family you were close to?), whether they would understand or agree, etc. It would have been easier not to tell them maybe. But in the end, I opted to tell them because I was feeling like it was time for me to 'come clean' to them about my fears, who I am, etc. It was scary. But in the end, I'm happy I did tell them. It's an individual thing I guess.

Melissa, good question; I also have IBS of the "gotta go right now" variety. I asked my surgeon the same question and he stated that IBS is irritated by overeating and the reduction of intake alone would improve this condition. I've been suffering through the same thing you mentioned for so long it's kind of become 'old hat' for me too, but wouldn't it be nice to have it gone? :girl_hug:

I've been sitting here reading these posts and JBoy I have to say yours make me laugh. You claim that "as a professional myself, like doctors, our reputations are one of our most prized possessions.It is sooooo easy for people to get onto forums like this, say whatever they want and before you know it, the story has bloomed into something horrendous and everyone has something bad to say about that professional", and yet, you claim in your reply that the poster has "an obviously uneducated mind". It *almost* seems as if you're getting onto a forum like this and saying whatever you want? Which, may I assume, you find soooo easy? It seems you're acting in direct contradiction of your words. Unless, of course, you were saying that only "professionals" deserve the right to have their reputation untarnished? Cracking up! I think you had some valid points, but you're losing me on the above type interactions and name-calling...

Thank you bermy, so nice of you to give me encouragement. I've seen your before and after pics, and you seem very wise from your posts. I hope to do as well as you have also! I think the fear of failure is from failing so many times to lose weight before this, you know?

I'm scheduled w/Dr. Drake Bellanger in Baton Rouge on next Wednesday, June 7 at 730am. I'm not on any type of pre-op diet (?) but I do have pre-op procedures scheduled tomorrow (upper GI, etc.) so maybe at that point I get a pre-op diet? Anyhoo, I am very excited and just ready. I wish all of you luck tomorrow (I remember reading someone will be by themselves in MX...any chance you guys going to MX also can find her and watch out for her? That worries me a bit....) Also to the other person who asked about informing their kids...I have a 4yo daughter who I've explained that I'll be in the hospital for one night to see the doctor who will give me a check up and make mommy feel like I have energy and make me less "Bouncy" (that's what she calls me...."I love you mommy, you're so BOUNCY, like a TRAMPOLINE!"...).:sleep We've had other issues in the family that required family members being hospitalized, so I think that's part of her lack of excitement/worry/interest ("Oh Mommy, I don't want you to get not Bouncy...hey, look, there's JoJo on TV"....) Much prayers, well wishes, and hope to all of my fellow junebees! OH! and a wonderful final meal! :hungry: Love these smileys...this one just looks like my fiance :beard

I'm fat because I use food at a coping mechanism rather than some other healthy alternative. Add a lack of exercise and a little depression, and voila! Fat Me.

Not to be a pain, but can you really relate number of fills to weight loss if everyone doesn't have the same band, not everyone starts at the same fill amount, etc? It may not be a contributing factor?

You know, my whole life I've avoided looking in the mirror below my neck. I've been pretty much a head only :tired . If I didn't look down, I didn't have to come face to face with my weight. I've always felt okay about myself until something would happen and I'd have to face my weight... Another knee operation to remove meniscus that is so damaged my weight has smashed it to a flat piece of material that no longer functions... No longer having room to grow at Lane Bryant (yep those 26/28's are getting a bit fitted) Receiving a ring in a size 10 (and not being able to wear any of my older rings because they're a size 8) Needing a size 11 shoe because my feet are expanding due to the weight "Hello, stewardess, can you bring me a belt extender?" "Mommy, I love you, you're so BOUNCY, like a TRAMPOLINE" (Okay, that last one is kind of cute, she IS 4 years old).... Sorry I didn't mean to digress...I wonder if I will start to settle in with who I am when I begin looking at myself not just from the neck up? I am terrified of my failing after having this surgery and having to spend the rest of my life ignoring the other 80% of my body.

Thank you! I'm excited and not really so nervous, just reading the posts made me want to ask a few more questions. I do have a question re: medicines...I take Allegra and two other smaller pills daily...with the band does it interfere with taking meds? does anyone know?

Hi Everyone, I"m Aimee from Baton Rouge and scheduled w/Dr. Drake Bellanger on May 30 for Lapband and excited and nervous! I've read horror stories all night about removals, slippages, etc and was happy to come here and read positives :nervous