elgrad

I agree with Cathy. The fluctuations are to be expected and you are doing really well. Stay away from the scale, if you can, as it has a tendency to be mean and unforgiving. Try to focus on what you are doing right, keep exercising, and keep a positive attitude. Your brain is in charge now. You can do this and you just have to believe it. We are all cheering you forward. Can you hear us? YAAAAAAY! Elgrad

THese were all great replies. I plan to post my list on the fridge at home and add to it as my wants change. I always try to look at the positive in everything and having a goal (or two or twenty) makes this journey more positive for me. I wish you all good luck on your journey also! Elgrad

Good Morning! I am looking forward to getting banded sometime this year and was wondering if anyone out there was a member of the SCA and had been banded. If so, how does this affect your experiences in the SCA? Do you have a hard time dealing with the restrictions and going to events? Just curious. Elgrad

I am not banded yet, but I would advise that you be very careful about what you eat this early out from your surgery. Give your stomache time to heal and don't put too much done there yet. This time is designed to allow your stomache to heal and if you give it too much to digest, you may run the risk of screwing up the band. Check with the doctor about how fast you are losing and see what he/she says about it. I know that we all want to lose weight in a hurry but you may be right, that is a lot to lose in a short period of time. Good luck and stay healthy! Elgrad

In a way, you have answered your own question. Why fight 2 battles? Get the anxiety under control and then face the weight issue head on. I also am dealing with the military medical system and although it can be frustrating to be seen for one thing at a time, in this case, I think it makes sense. You can only fight one battle at a time and be successful, so give it your all one at a time! Just my 2 cents worth. Good luck! Elgrad

What an awesome answer! You brought up things that I had never thought about. Thank you so much for the information. And you are right, I can hardly wait to get into garb that is smaller and more attractive. Thank you again. BTW - Why aren't you a member of the SCA? You sound as if you have a lot of experience with the group. Just curious. It really isn't any of my business. Elgrad

I am currently in the 3 month multidisciplinary option with Aetna Insurance. I have done the nutritionist thing, the exercise thing but am wondering what fulfills the behavior modification part of the plan. Has anyone else gone this route and if so, what did you do to fulfill that requirement? Thanks in advance for any info you can supply. Elgrad

I feel the same way. I have just started this process but with all the research and , of course, coming to this site to hear of everyone else's journey, I am highly motivated. I have gone through the psych eval, the chest x-ray (surgeon required), the nutritionist visit, and now, starting my 3 month exercise routine ( insurance requirement) I feel like I am finally moving in the right direction. Stay focused and keep motivated. With all the tools we will soon have, we can't help but be successful! :thumbup: Elgrad

This is just a whiney little post because I am feeling sorry for myself. Yesterday, I had the upper GI thing done where they sedate you and put the tube down your throat. Well, they must have scratched the inside of my throat pretty good cuz now I feel like I have one heck of a sore throat and I still have the headache from the anesthesia. Over all, not such a great day to be at work. On top of it all, I only got about 3 hours of sleep total last night.:thumbup: Just wanted to share and vent a little. Hope everyone else is having a better day! Elgrad

We know that we don't always eat because we are hungry. And, most of us have had bad eating habits for a long time. The lap band is not a magic device that will fix our thoughts and take away those habits. It is a tool, like your therapist is a tool. You will find a way to put them to use and then magic will happen. Try not to be so hard on yourself. After all, if you are not your own cheerleader, who will be? Your habits will change and you will find the way to lose the weight. Just give yourself some time! Elgrad

Not sure that this is the correct place to ask but...I have type 2 diabetes and am in the process to be banded, but I had a couple of questions: How has this whole process affected your diabetes? Are you still on meds? Does the post operative diet work the same? Any bad reactions from the surgery and your meds? Thanks so much for any help that you all can provide. Elgrad

Etch1, I am at about the same place with my meds that you were before your surgery. It is a positive note that you have been taken off the Byetta ( I hate shots) and have had your dosage dropped on the other. It gives me hope. Thanks for the info. More important to me than the weight loss is getting my diabetes under control. Of course, I would not be unhappy if I lose some weight :wink: Elgrad

Thanks to all! It has helped to ease my mind. Elgrad

I am just starting on this journey - have had my first meeting with surgeon and the psych eval- so I am not near the surgery part yet, but I have an exercise question: If this alien is in my stomach area and I want to lose the inches there, what types of exercise would you do to tighten the stomach flab? I mean, it seems to me that crunches or abdominal work might be a bit dicey, you know? :smile: Elgrad

I just had my psych eval on Monday, 23 February. It lasted about 30 minutes and it was mostly with an RN. She asked me basic questions about my medical history; health problems, mental disorders, voices?. Then, we talked briefly about why I wanted to have the surgery and if I understood what the lifestyle changes would be, etc. It was very relaxed and pleasant. Afterwards, she brought in the Doctor and gave him the basics of what we spoke about. He signed the paperwork and I was out of there. It was not a bad experience at all. Good luck with your eval. As was stated above, honesty is the best policy and it is all for your well being, right? Elgrad

What kind of questions did the doctor ask you at this appointment? I am just curious. Although I am a counselor, I have never been to a therapist so I am a little anxious.:tt2: Elgrad

Thanks for the info! Makes me feel so much better.:tt2: Not as bad as I thought it would be. Guess I'll live. Elgrad

Thank you Linda! That is so what I wanted to hear. I am 54 years old and am so tired of being tired and unhealthy. You make it sound wonderful and that is what I needed. Congratulations on your wonderful weight loss and on being so proud of yourself. We all need to feel that way! Laura

Hello everyone! I am just starting this journey and I am a little anxious. I have tried and failed so many times before that I wonder if this is something that I can succeed at. I have met with the surgeon and am starting the whole pre-op stuff - nutritionist, psych eval, etc. It is good to know that there are folks out there that have been down this road successfully. Thanks (in advance) for all the help I know that I will receive from all of you. elgrad