Leona06

I think that the more we tell people about the surgery and about our plans, the quicker they will stop asking about it because they become annoyed. But also to erase this stigma that everyone has with WLS... That is the most annoying. But Knowledge is power and spreading the knowledge is even more powerful. Once people know that this surgery is not life-threatening, is life-changing, and not as bad as people think, then maybe people will stop making you feel guilty for trying to better yourself. Don't feel embarrassed because you've taken control! Be proud, be strong, and share your success... brag a little - you deserve it!

I think you should load up on osillo from the pharmacy! Its expensive (15$ for 6 doses) but it works to help fight off the flu. Did you get your flu shot? If you are sick, your doc wouldn't perform the surgery because your body's immune system is low. And it would be good to see how you feel over the next few days. If you start to feel sick, you should reschedule because you dont want wake up vomiting and making the band slip! Hope you stay well!

My mom did a doctor supervised all Protein, no veges and no fruit diet for 9 weeks and her heart stopped 5 times. Thank GOD she is now alright and about to be banded on June 26th! I'm about to be banded as well on July5th so BE CAREFUL with diets and listen to your body!

Just to you know... that wild, crazy night out doesn't have to have alcohol and the 6 month thing is something I take very seriously but thanks for your concern Leona

Yep shantell, no more carbonated beverages for life! But you could mix crystal lite packets in an extra cup of water at a club and then get a shot of vodka for it... but you are NOT supposed to drink at ALL for the first 6 months after the band because of vomitting or any other complications... so talk to your surgeon or nutritionist about drinking before you do... I know how its a "liquid" and all, but.... lol come on

I would have to say that I have attempted to commit suicide as a way to cry out for help... I did it my first year of college and it was feeble attempt at best... I just toke one or two pills of every pill I had. And nothing happened, but me vomiting in the bathroom. I will say that this was NOT related to my obesity... it was related to moving to a big city with no one that I knew around. It was related to having my first boyfriend and sure I was uncomfortable with my body but i knew I wasn't the only one. I got help, they put me on anti-depressants, and I became more irrational and I felt invicible and did even worse things on the anti-depressant- like jump in front of cars in the street, and drink massive amounts of alcohol to the point of poisoning... Every time I had an "incident" the raised my prescription to the point that I was taking the MAXIMUM dose allowed every day. And then one day, I realized what was happening, and I stopped taking it. Now I'm fine- never had a problem, haven't thought about suicide. I became stronger because people were pushing me further aside and wasn't going to have that. So now I'm a rock... later on that year, I went on depo provera and it made me happy... turns out I have a hormone imbalance and the depo corrected it. Now I know my behavior wasn't my mind's fault, but my body's. I've learned to deal with my moods now, and am very stable. But what I did my first year of school tainted me throughout my undergrad... funny how that works, right? But i can't really say I had thoughts of suicide with my obesity... although the thoughts about my weight didn't help it, but they didn't start it.

lol wouldnt that be fabulous... we'd all lose weight on the sex month diet haha

Thanks Julie for the analogy of the eyebrow! That helps! I know that I am still going to be a bit anxious about the fill, but that is because it will be my first one and I am not a fan of needles! but after it's done, I think I'll be fine

My humps by the black eyes peas lol show off those curves!

Hi! I just wanted to let you know that I GAINED weight on my sex month diet- I gained 6 pounds, but I am sure it is due to coming off of depo provera for the first time in 3 years. The insurance company will take loads of things into consideration, so as long as you didn't gain 20 or 30 pounds, you should be ok, just remember that you need to lose 10-15 pounds before surgery to allow the doc to get past your liver! hope everything works out!

I'm lucky to have discovered that I'm lactose intolerant! so I won't have trouble with milkshakes... but that sherbert sure is good! Hopefully, I'll find a vice that isn't such a vice... like... protein shakes lol.... I'll be banded on July 5th.... wish me luck!

My doc is also placing the port under muscle - under my waist band line in can I ever want to wear a bikini... a bikini?!! can you say HELL YEAH!?? ANyone else had a problem with the port beneath the waistline? i have my surgery on July 5th... 2 weeks from today!

Hmm... you guys said your doc gives you a numbing shot first? I'm going to be banded on July 5th and my doc said that one needle is better than 2 so he just fills without a stick. But i think he puts a topical cream on the area first.

I'm working on it!

So far today, B-Oatmeal, 1 cup coffee S- 1 cup coffee L- WW tuna Noodle Gratin S- 1/2 cup strawberries sliced D- TBD Water: 34oz (I'm trying!) tomorrow is my 2 week pre-surgery date! YAY!

I just wanted to say that I am not embarrassed to have my WLS... I feel that i am finally going to do something about my problem. I have always had confidence in myself and have never felt ashamed to be who i am. Sure I ate alot when I was younger, but now I have begun to control my food intake. I have always been told I was beautiful so I know that when i have my surgery on July 5th, I am only making myself more confident. It's something I am doing for myself, not for everyone else. I think that if everyone remembers that one thing, we will all be able to get past the whole "ashamed" feeling. It was nobody's fault but our own to get the way we are. We put the food in our mouths, now let's do the right thing... And I told EVERYONE about my surgery because I believe that if we spread the word about what the surgery is and what it will do, we will get more support and understanding... and possibly lose than darn stigma about WLS. It is NOT the easy way out, but a tool to help us. Don't cause more STIGMA! Be proud that you are doing something about it!

HI everyone! I have a date too! July 5th! and my moms date is next MONDAY the 26th YAY congrats everyone!

Hi Xann! I am 21 (22 in august) and am about to be banded on July 5th... I love to go out and party on weekends and live in NYC during the school year (I go to Manhattan School of Music for my Masters). I think the best thing to do about drinking is lite beers (my nutritionist said beer has fermented carbonation so its ok to drink with the band) and vodka and crystal light. I'll be back to NYC in late august if you want to meet up for one of those crazy nights out! I'm in the process of getting an apartment... fun fun, but have to wait until august to get one... I'm hoping to live in Washington Heights. Hope this helps! Leona :o

Hi everyone! I'm 21 (about to be 22 in august) and going to be banded on July 5th... My mom's date is June 26th so we'll have each other for support until I go back to school. I just graduated from Juilliard in May for vocal performance (I'm an opera singer) and am going to Manhattan School of Music for my Masters in late August. I'm about to get my first apartment in NYC ( I lived in the dorms for 4 years and had to eat cafeteria food) , so that's exciting! I can't wait to get more attention from guys. I've always been told that I am pretty and an awesome girl, but nothing ever develops, so I've just put all my energy into my career. And its worked, I've really gone forward in my career, but my weight is also holding me back in that aspect of my life too. I bet you all thought opera singers were big girls, huh? Well that was in the early 1900's... now in our ever-growing culture, it is more important to look the part, rather than be able to sing the part. I can sing the part, but I never get the role. It seems funny to me- because when I was younger, I wanted to sing musical theater, but I never got that role because they said my voice was too mature and I should look into opera. ha. what a way to turn it all around back at me. I was born in Mobile, Alabama and I was skinny. I roamed the streets and swung on trees and was VERY active. Then was I was 8, we moved to MD- my mom had a job transfer. When I was in elementary school in MD, the kids made fun of my Southern Accent, so I turned to food. I started my first real diet in 5th grade on WW and lost 25 pounds. At recess, kids threw sand in my hair and balls at my face, so I went inside during recess to sing in the chorus. That's where I began to get encouragement that I could sing and it was possible to sing. So I look at those years as a blessing and a curse because I am doing something I love but I'm in a body where I don't belong. I've never felt fat, I can say that... I mean, I have only felt fat trying on clothes or when I am trying to date someone... when I have a crush on someone, I can really beat myself up... I have realized that I create such high expectations for the other person, that I really crash when they don't meet them or disappoint me. Then its back to food. But I lost weight when I went to college.. I lost 25 pounds, and then I started depo provera... and gained it back plus 20 pounds- plus my body shape has changed- i am more top-heavy now than before the depo. I had my last shot of depo in January because I know you need to be off of BC for your surgery. Because I sing, I will never get a TT- my diaphram and other important stuff are down there and I can't take the time off for recovery. So I got an AB lounge and a Yoga ball and am going to work out constantly whenever I want to watch TV instead of sitting down. In fact, I think I am not going to even get a sofa in my new apartment. Maybe just the AB lounge and a bike or eliptical. But I AM GETTING a Breast lift, and implants and probably lipo in my legs and arms. I want to wear a bikini in 2 years- that's my goal. and because I live in NYC, I'm going to get a bike to ride to go places. But I still can't imagine being skinny... its going to be a fun journey! thanks for reading this amazingly long post!

Very true... but my mom and i are both having surgery and then it would be a 1000$ because she would want one too! lol but maybe I'll get one and see if she likes it...

Thanks puddin... I looked into it but don't think i can afford it but it sounds really REALLY awesome... good luck

ahhh i really want to come... i will just have to see how to juggle my schedule around... and see if my mom can come to... that's the day before she goes under!

This weekend is not too good for me, due to having my mom back on Friday or sat, I'm singing at a wedding on Saturday(the rehearsal is Friday night), and singing at a special church service on Sunday with a goodbye lunchen for the retiring music director! It's gonna be a super busy weekend! But I'll see what I can do to make it to the meeting!

ahhhh... lol well, i was looking to have a 60 year old creepy boyfriend... it's my goal in life... but seriously, lol no crazy guys allowed... just cute ones:)

What about a meeting at my house next weekend? The other woman with the olympic pool beats me out though... Hopefully, she'll have a meeting! Swimming is so much fun!