NewBeginnings2018

Hi Rainbow, I'm glad to hear you're doing better! I'm sure when I finally get banded I'll be dreaming of pizza too! lol. But I'll be dreaming about getting thin even more! Keep up the good work! Chris

Kris - thanks for chiming in. It's good to hear from someone who has had the band for a while. How much weight have you lost. Do you regret the decision at all? Deezadoo - I'm so sorry to hear you're not feeling well. Definitely watch your symptoms carefully. I'm sure some of this is to be expected after surgery but you want to make sure you don't get an infection. Rainbow - if we're really truthfull, it's never pleasant to drive into Boston. lmao. But Canton is close and after care is important. Besides, I think your grandkids enjoy the extra visits!

Hi Deezadoo, My psych visit was very....weird. She started out by acting surprised that I didn't want the RNY, and why didn't I want it, and that she prefers that surgery because you can just take a nap and wake up 30lbs lighter. I told her how I have no interest in the RNY, how long I've been thinking about this surgery, and how I've done all the work in the past but I never got anywhere, and how I'm not afraid to put in the effort, and I know what a big change this will be, etc, etc. And her response would be 'well 40% of those people we band never come back, another percentage does ok, and another small percentage do very well'. I just think that is crazy! Why would you have surgery and not come back?! Anyway, along the way I figured she was using some kind of reverse psychology on me and sure enough, towards the end of our meeting she says that her point was to make me angry so that I would want to prove everyone wrong. Ummm....ok. Like everyone else in this world doesn't secretly think I can't do it because I have never been able to. Why do I need my psychologist to make me feel like shit even more. Whatever. Just approve me. lol. So I guess they are meeting next Thursday to discuss "approving" me. I'm sure I'll have no problem. So how have you been feeling? Have things been rough? Chris

I had my binkini does as well, and I think I only made it through three visits. I had wanted more hair taken off than she was willing to do, so I figured I wasn't going to keep paying to eventually have to go back and re-pay to do another part of my bikini. But I will say that I have waaaay less hair then I used to. I will definitely go back and finish my binkini and probably do my armpits as well. As far as it hurting, yeah it kind of did. My first couple visits were manageable, but my third visit hurt like hell. But I have a darker skin tone base, so that can make a difference. But I have also heard there are different types of lasers and some hurt less than others. So in my opinion, if you can afford it - go for it!

Also check and see if you have a dreamdinners in your area. www.dreamdinners.com. All the food is prepped for you, and you go in two hours assemble 6-12 meals, take them home, freeze them, and then cook them as you need them. The food is actually very, very good, and all of their meals have nutritional information. Now I'm not banded yet, buy my good friend is, and she has no problem eating the meals. It has made my life so much easier. On Sunday I'll take a few meals out of the freezer, so they are thawed when I need them during the week. It's been great for me!

Hi deezado, Yes, please keep me informed of your progress! I have my psych visit and ultrasound tomorrow, and hoping to have my surgery on October 2nd. I have to find a good time for work, and this seems to be best. But I have decided to use Dr Jones. I had a chance to meet him, and he is very, very nice. Keep up the good work! Chris

Hi Diva, Use the sharpee marker no doubt. I've had a doctor use a sharpee on me for a previous surgery, so if it's good enough for the doctor's, it should be good enough for you! Good luck! Chris

Liz & KMWWMK - congratulations on your surgeries! I want to hear all the details!!

Thanks Karla - I appreciate the encouragement! I think we all have those days, and this site will undoubtedly make them easier. :bananapartyhat: Chris

Pisces baby - all the way. I'm on the cusp but your classic pisces through and through.

Hi Everyone, I posted here a loooong time ago and haven't been back. I think it's about time I rejoin. To reintroduce, my name is Chris, I'm 32 and living the single life in Massachusetts. WhooHooo! I am not yet banded, but have been approved by my insurance company. I have my ultrasound and psych visit on Thursday and then will be able to schedule my surgery date after that. I am shooting for October 2nd, which seems so far away, but I had to pick a date that would be a down time at work and allow me to take two weeks off. I cannot wait to be banded! I spend my days daydreaming about life out of plus size clothes. We are so limited on our options!! I think it will be a long two months, and right now I'm having a hard time focusing on losing the 10lbs they want you to lose pre-surgery. I have had the hungry horrors this week for sure! It's probably all mental, but we know how that goes..... It's great to read how everyone is doing and you will all certainly be inspiraations to me! Chris

Hi there! I'm 32 and single with no kids. It has nothing to do with the shape I'm in, but moreso that I haven't met Mr. Right. I'm having fun auditioning though. lol. I definitely want children, and at this point only worry I'll be too old by the time I find someone and start trying. But there are things in life you can't control and this is one of them. I am curious to see how/if my dating life changes after losing the weight. For years and years I've blamed not being married on my being heavy. But after just breaking up with my boyfriend of 5 years (who would not commit) about a year ago, and after dating since then, I realize that it's more about meeting the right person. And to be honest, if a guy wouldn't date me heavy, then I don't want to date them when I'm skinny! (Well ok, I may never be skinny, but when I'm "normal". lol) Chris

Hi Tommygirl, I went to the Dominican last April and stayed at an all-inclusive resort as well. I actually lost 7lbs. It was great! The first time I ever went away and lost weight. lol. I drank all I wanted (usually started with Mimosa's in the morning by the pool) and ate what I wanted, but I was very active. We swam, walked on the beach, did wateraerobics, took dance lessons, and danced every night in the club. It was a great time! You'll have a blast!! I'm so jealous!!

Hi Ladies! Sorry I haven't been around in a while. This week was craaazy at work! I barely had time to pee most days BUT I did make it through the crunch time, so now I can stop and breathe. pheww! I too am looking forward to the long weekend. I have a couple cookouts to attend and then other than that I hope to hit the beach at least once. I still need to get over to see Sherry's new puppy! hmmmm........ So I had another date on Saturday night. This was a second date, not with the smoker, but with another guy who was...how shall I say it...hyper. He was cute though, so I figured I'd give him another shot. Oh man oh man the second date was awful!! It was painful. lol It was like pulling teeth to find something to talk about. And honestly, I could talk to a wall so that says something. lmao. The worst part - when the check came I offered to pay (I always offer) and he let me without any arguement. Now I will say that I have no problem paying and when I'm dating someone, I do insist on picking up the check my fair share of times but c'mon, on the second date?! At least put up a fight and make me insist. lmao. Oh well. At least I was able to dodge the good night kiss. Oh, I was able to schedule my first appointment this week. I couldn't get a morning appointment until August 7th. :phanvan I could have found an earlier appointment, but I want to try not to use full days off for every appointment since I figure I'll be at the doctors a lot more than ususal. I think I have 13 days left this year, so between my week off for surgery and other doctor appointments, I think I'll be cutting it close. My hope is to have the surgery in September or early October if I have to. I get real busy at work in November & December, so I want to be well healed and adjusted by then. I am looking forward to starting this journey! Well that's it for me tonight. I'm exhausted from this week! :bored Time to watch some tele. Happy 4th everyone! Chris

Hi Everyone, Thank you all for the warm welcome! It is my pleasure to be here! Patti - congratulations on your band date! That is very exciting. Donna - Happy Anniversary and what a beautiful necklace! I can't wait to see what the other surprise is!! So I just got home from a date with a guy I met online at Match. It went great, we got along wonderful, I'm definitely attracted to him BUT (there is always a but!) he smokes. Ugh. I'm not a fan of that. I'm just a little bummed abou that.... But he did ask me out on a second date. lol. Knowing me I'll probably go out again. It's not like I have anything else to do on a Saturday night. Except maybe go visit Sherry's new puppy. lol Chris

Hi everyone! My name is Chris, Sherry W's infamous friend. lol. She keeps telling me I have to check out this post because she loves you all. So, here I am..... I think you all need to join me in hounding Sherry to take an "after" picture and post it. She looks PHENOMENAL! She has done fantastic. So well in fact, that I am turning in my application on Monday. lol When she told me she was getting the band I told her I wanted to see how she did before I made my decision. I'm such a nice friend, huh? lol But Sherry is one of my dearest friends, and we actually met through her DH. He and I were friends first, but Sherry and I just hit it off right away. She's my bud. Oh, and Sherry - you and John (DH) are the biggest softies I have ever met!!!! Another dog??!!! That being said, I can't wait to see the new puppy. lol Nice to meet you all! Chris :biggrin1:

Everyone that's my bud Sherry! She's the one that turned me onto the band, and I love her dearly. Not for the band, just because she's great!!!!

I have not met Dr Jones yet, but I have a friend who used Dr Jones, and she loves him. I have met Dr Schneider, and he seemed very nice as well. My momther is now thinking of having this operation too, but she seems to be partial to Brigham & Womens. I am going to an info session with her there on Tuesday night, and then she is going to come to BIDMC for my second info session there. That way we both can compare the two. It will be interesting to see if they are very different.

Hello everyone! Great idea for a thread! My name is Chris, I am 32 and single. I have not been banded yet, but have started along the application process. I've had a hard time making this decision, but feel that it is the right one for me. I am just tired. Tired of being a fat person! I have been overweight forever it seems. I never weighed myself in high school, but I know that I was a size 14 and over. Since then it's only gone up. My senior year of college I got under 200 lbs for the only time in my life, and it lasted for about a year. Now - ugh! I'm 271 last time I checked. Ironically enough my weight got out of control after I started the yo-yo dieting. Hmm...maybe that's not so ironic. But honestly, I have a great life! I have a great job (I work in insurance), great friends, a great family, and I have a lot of fun. I have always been a skinny girl trapped in a bigger body. I am ready to let go of my excess weight and take the world by storm! Nice to meet you all! Chris

Thanks for replying. I have a friend who used Dr. Jones, but my first info session was with Dr. Schneider. He seemed really nice. I was just curious to see what kind of experiences others have had. My friend is very, very happy.

Getting my reduction was the best move I ever made. It was 12 years ago at the age of 22, and they took 2 1/2 lbs out of each. I lost some sensation, but they work just fine. :girl_hug: And ladies - there is nothing quite like a perky set! I only hope they won't droop too badly after I get the band. But if they did, I would not hesitate to get a lift, but I would probably wait until after I have kids. I will warn you though, it was an incredibly painful surgery. It felt like I got hit in the chest with a truck. And it takes months to fully heal. After two weeks I went back to college, but I still had to wear a bra 24/7 - even in the shower, and gravity caused the worst pain. While it was tough, I would do it again in a heartbeat!