Leona06

Congrats!!! where are you getting your new life??? :) :) :thumbs_up: :Banane13: GOOD LUCK!

Here's what I'm eating today: Bfast: 1 cup orange juice Snack (throughout morning...) protein shake Lunch: 4 oz ground beef with bbq sauce, 1 string cheese Snack: 2 string cheeses Dinner: 5oz ground beef with teriake sauce, 1 tbspn string beans (canned) Snack: 1 skinny cow fudge bar. and I'm not losing weight. I'm gonna have to eat less?! to lose weight?! ahhh... my first fill is Aug 14th (I think)... what do you guys think about that?

I have a fill scheduled for Aug 14th... I don't understand why I am not losing weight because I personally don't think I need a fill, I'm not eating much, but maybe its too much? I don't know... hopefully the fill won't hurt too much because he doesn't numb it first! ahh! I leave a week after he fills me for school in NYC so I hope nothing happens! Other than that, I'm doing good... at a standstill of 18 pounds lost.

ewww that movie was SOOO gross... even the smell of mcdonalds makes me sick now! It also makes me feel like I'm so poor to have to eat that crap when I could spend 2 or 3 dollars more and get something healthy somewhere else!

I am still embarrassed to say I am an opera singer because I'm a "fat lady". it makes the stereotypical thing true and I hate that! ahhh

CEDAR TREE (Confidence) -- of rare strength, knows how to adapt, likes unexpected presents, of good health, not in the least shy, tends to look down on others, self-confident, a great speaker, determined, often impatient, likes to impress others, has many talents, industrious, healthy optimism, waits for the one true love, able to make quick decisions. Soooooo ACCURATE!! I am an opera singer andddd soooo outgoing, I think I scare people lol BOO!

I'm in! I'll send you my details!

Oh one more: This guy and I were REALLY hitting it off and I told him about my upcoming WLS, he said, "Come back and see me in a year" OUCH, I mean, he wasn't even that cute, and when I lose all my weight, I'm gonna have MUCH higher standards!

I moved to Maryland from Mobile, Alabama when I was almost 8 years old and not fat, just a tiny, tiny bit overweight. But I had a southern accent, so I was different, and kids don't like different. So I coped with food as any southern family does... and I began ballooning... people threw balls at me at recess, threw sand in my hair, called me names and soooo I joined chorus because rehearsal happened during recess. It got me away from the name-calling. And I already loved to sing, so it was perfect. It got me started and now I am a professional opera singer. Those people who made fun of me are still in town working at wendy's. HAHA I got on a ride at Six Flags and the overhead thingie wouldn't click but the seatbelt clicked so they let me ride. I came out of my seat a billion times and will never ride that ride again. I tried riding another ride I had rode a few years back, and the seat belt wouldn't fit. I had waited 2 and a half hours and then just waited for my friends to ride it. They said nothing about it when they got off, but they understood. At a superbowl party in my dorms, I sat in a fold-up chair and it just BROKE! Everyone laughed (we were all friends) but because I hit my head, I played that up and they felt sorry for me. My whole family is huge- when we go out, its like a parade of jokes and I don't appreciate it. My mom and I look so much alike that when my dad and I went to the grocery store, the clerk asked where my husband was. EWWW Everytime I start likeing someone, I get insecure about my weight, even though I'm so secure about who I am. Then the relationship goes nowhere. I blame going up the elevator or escalator one floor on my asthma, which hasn't flared up in years. And THE WORST (recently) I was sleeping with this guy off/on and went to a party he was hosting. He didn't acknowledge me in front of his friends and then introduced me to his beautiful 5'8'' 120lb girlfriend. OUCH! Made me either think he was into big girls secretly or he was just an A**hole. probably both.

Jodie-- I know how you feel as well, but I've always worn things that were suited to my body type so I know they looked good. I surrounded myself with people that accepted me and actually only knew a few people that don't like the way I look even now. Most of my friends told me that I was beautiful already and didn't need to lose the weight, but I know they are wrong because being big is not who I am. I have never seen myself as a big person- not even in the mirror. But I am reminded of it sometimes when I can't ride roller coasters (I pretend I'm too scared now if we go and hold my friends stuff), or I sit in a chair next to someone else. I have no problem wearing clothes that show what my momma gave me, and no one has ever said anything except, wow those are some BIG BOOBS! Most guys and girls are fascinated by them lol. I surround myself with the HOTTEST people I can find, (perhaps torture, perhaps envy) and I dress accordingly. I love going to clubs and dancing the night away, drinking til 6am and then having sunrise breakfast with the crew. I also love NYC and the amount of different people there are in the city. I guess it is so diverse that anything goes. I wish other places were like that. Although, I do know that if I stayed in the ignorant town I grew up in, I wouldn't be so uplifting about my weight. Elementary, Middle and the first year of high school were VERY hard. People are just ignorant and immature. When I surrounded myself with my fellow performing artists who know who they are and what they want to do with their life, a new maturity arose and my weight was NEVER an issue. I think that the other people in my early years were jealous that I knew what I wanted to do with my life and I was going to get it. They are still in the same town married to each other and working at the local Walmart. Its something to be overweight, but its something else to overweight and ambitious and happy. And it is possible to get through whatever emotions you have to work through. I am lucky to have a very supportive family. My mom is also overweight and we had the surgery around the same time, so we are each others rocks in this situation. Growing up, she did tell me that we needed to lose weight, but we did it together, both failing miserably (hence the band). She never told me I was fat and ugly- she told me I was beautiful. So I can understand what it might feel like to have an opposite mom. I will NEVER tell my kids that are ugly or fat or stupid. In my eyes, they will be the most beautiful, perfect, and smart child in the world. And a child should believe that and have that imprinted on their self-esteem at an early age. I'm sorry that you have gone through so much covering up, so much embarrassment- you have no reason to be ashamed. You are BEAUTIFUL- I saw your picture- your hair and face and body are GORGEOUS already. Like you said, if those people have a problem with your arms showing, then its their problem and you can find people that will accept you. And I love what you said about when you are skinny you wouldn't even think to date those guys that make fun of you anyway. I feel the EXACT same way. I want a man that takes care of himself and is clean-cut and active. oh and the people that make fun are REALLY insecure or jealous of you... and as you said need Mental HELP! I would suggest ignoring them because you as long as you know who you are, that's really all that matters! And again, sorry to hear about those immature people you have to deal with. I hope you find happiness within yourself

Hi, I didn't get banded in NYC. I was banded in Maryland with my mom this summer, but I live in NYC for school... I am starting my masters at Manhattan School of Music in 3 weeks. I would love to have a support meeting or get-together to just hang out with my fellow NYC bandsters! How would coffee or somthing like that sound?

Lol Julie We DO have a lot in common... I'm coming back to NYC on Aug 21st for my masters... I sing - lol do you sing? well, maybe some band company in the big apple would be nice- how bout some coffee or something some time?

I'm in for the challenge! I get my first fill on Aug 14th so I prob won't lose too much til then but here we go: Leona06 H 268/ S 268/ J 250/ G 130/ C 250 / BMI: 45 (-18 total, -2.5 this week)

You might be a redneck lapbander if.... - your nascar jersey is now your comforter - your leftover beer was used in your tractor just to see if it worked - your homemade brew was drained from the tub - your can fit under your car on cinderblocks andddd - your deep-fryer is now quart-sized. haha i was born in bama too so I can make and take em but I'm a big NYC gal now

Oh Trish, I feel your pain It was a good 2 weeks before I could go back to work. I am not almost 4 weeks out and just starting to feel normal. Just make sure you are not scared to eat ( I was and I became faint and constipated). and drink your Water and Protein shakes! The pain will go away- faster with meds hehe and you should feel better soon. Remember- you just had MAJOR surgery and its gonna be painful. Now if your port area is red and inflamed and burning, I'd see the doc... oh and I just wore boxer briefs for about 2 weeks! and I wouldn't put my shirt over my belly- I hiked it up and held it up under my boobs for 2 weeks (my dad was so pissed lol)

No problem mysherrijo: Again, I hope you never have to use it, but it is a comfort knowing that if we did need it, it's there and ready to be used!

Still being a young adult, I do look at commercials and want what I see. Its ok to want and even to have in MODERATION. These days, all we see is VALUE MEALS- lets add French Fries to a TRIPLE cheeseburger and oh lets have a milkshake for 5 dollars... buy just a regular cheeseburger for 4 dollars... oh the VALUE! Its really sad to see the change in America's society. My high school had homemade Cookies for sale EVERY afternoon for only a dollar.. and guess what I had... 3 gigantic homemade cookies. on the walk home (across one street and I was home) I certainly didn't realize how many food commercials there are until right after banding, and I wish I didn't see them-- but I think that they have a right to show them. I just wish there was more nutritional information available on the commericials and the MENUS! OH AND HAVE YOU SEEN THE COMMERCIALS FOR THE BK STACKERS? ALL meat AND cheese AND NO VEGIES? I mean, COME-on!!!! ewwww

Unjury unflavored is ok... but although it has no taste of the protein, you still smell it...

OO baked beans felt like a sugary treat after all the bland food I ate. I only ate a few teaspoons though to make sure I could eat it. Good luck!

I love Skinny Cow Fudge bars and the WW fudge bars! I think that taste is subjective and shouldnt be graded in opinions. BTY TASTEE DELIGHT is the MOST amazing ice cream ever. The only stores I know that have them are in NYC and the ice cream is about 50-100 calories per CUP and have NO fat. I can't wait to go back to school because even skinny people who don't watch calories go in for tastee delight - its THAT good! and perfect for a treat after a performance

My doc looked up the prices and said that because we have to use the flouroscopy at the hospital it would cost 750... but the first year of fills are free with the surgery so thats good!

I'm getting one that says Leona ..... Adjust. Gastric Band w/ abdominal Mediport No N/G w/o Scope Dr. Name/ # More info in wallet. I was told that your bracelet should say MEDIPORT because most hospitals have no idea what kind of port you have, but a mediport is recongnized and you have one anyway. It is the same port used in chemo or heart patients and it is widely acknowledged if need be to unfill it. My mom and I are using Med alert bracelets. My dad already has one and there are family discounts. Plus the info is easily looked up and ENTs look for the emblem. I hope I never have to use it, but it will be nice to have it when I get it in a week or so. I'll feel so much better!

lol 5 years is what i'm hoping for ! I can WISH to not have my TOM can't I? haha cuz in about 5-7 years I might have a reason to have one... have bout a baby reason? hehe

Saturday B ... slept through lol L.... corned beef hash, 1 egg D.... chicken salad 6 crackers desert - ff yogurt smoothie with fresh strawberries Sunday Bfast... slept through L: hamburger (no bun) tomato, provolone cheese D: hamburger meat, provolone, eggplant, tomato S: slice of cheese LOTS of ice tea and water Monday: B: orange juice, protein Shake S: apple sauce L: half hamburger, cheese, cottage cheese, jello S: cheeries, slice of cheese D: tba....

and now I'm back down to my lowest again - 250... ahhh! lol I guess exercise really does help because I've been sweating my butt off gardening and mowing and stuff to get that weight back down again! now to get past 250... grrr! btw I haven't had my TOM since NOV 03 because I was on Depo provera. I came off of it for surgery, ( I was due to have the next shot in May) but didn't get it. They say it takes up to 5 years to get it back after you stop using it. So, I have no excuse lol booooo