gurliegirl38

Does anyone know if there are any support groups for banding in the syracuse area? I am new to the state and really miss the support groups. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Just a brief note I hope lol. Hope this gives anyone encouragement. My name is Paula and I just moved to New York in April. I once weighed 497pds. I did lose 175 on my own but as bad habits and loss of will I gained back a good bit of that. I decided to seek help and try another route per say. I decided to get banded Sept 4th 2008 and move forward with my life. I found an amazing Dr in Texas and thus my journey began. It was a very difficult one as it still is. I have had great success with the band, but more then that more determination then anything. I was banded weighing in at 432 last Sept and not even a yr out I am 110 pds lighter. I set realistic goals for myself and do my very best to make myself accountable for everything. Once I got past the poor choices and the mind games I began to see success. I still have about 125 pds to go to get to 200 which is a goal I set. I don't want to be Barbie so I told myself if I get to 200pds then Im sure 20 or 30 pds past that will be nothing. Who knows but it for sure works for me. I think we all have walked in each others shoes to some degree in this weightloss battle. It is a life long committment and one that will forever be a battle, but it's something that each of us must do in order to watch our children and grandchildren grow or to be that beautiful bride or groom someday. For whatever the reasons are that force us and keep us to be dedicated to our journey we must do it. It has not been easy but I am sure it will be worth it. If anyone would like to email me private my addy is majestic_one38@yahoo.com. I am not on this site as much as I perhaps should be but when I do come here I read a good bit of the stories and I want to thank each and everyone of you for putting urself out there for all of us and I do mean all of us to learn and share a bit of your life. Keep the faith and remember going backwards is not an option but keep moving forward one day at a time. It doesn't matter how we get to the goal just as long as we arrive safe, healthy and most of all HAPPY.

Ty for ur responce and for all that has read a brief look into my life. I really hope one day to share my story with the world but for now I share it with anyone who will listen. I wished so many times throughout my battle of obesity that I would have had someone I could talk to so I didn't have to feel so alone. Now that so many more are enduring the same battles I myself am battling, it just blows my mind at the kindness each person puts out to a stranger just for the simple fact " we all have been there".

Well I'm going to jump on some of these boards seeing as how I hardly ever post but read. I am 37 about to be 38 and just moved to New York. A little about myself is I once weighed 497 pds and lost down to 322 then climbed my way back up to 432 which is where I was at when I got banded last Sept 4th. I now weigh once again 332 lol. I am excited to keep moving forward this time and not allowing anything or anyone to get in my way. I have set realistic goals and do my very best to achieve them. Coming from 497 is a big deal I almost felt like u got to be kidding me what person can do this. Then it set in well I can and will. I wish everyone luck in this and it is a journey that is a lifelong one. If anyone would like to penpal as they say and be friends I gladly welcome all.

David I found ur post and was very happy to read it. I had my lapband surgery done Last Sept 4th by Dr. Green there in Texas. I was just curious if he was ur dr? I lived in Arlington. I am so excited for u and ur new journey. I have lost over 70pds since Sept and I can tell u that u can do this. My highest weight at one point in my life was almost 500 pds to be exact 497. I lost 175 on my own and so gained a little over a 100 back. I gave up again and finally found an amazing woman in the Arlington area who used Dr. Green and thenit moved me on to find out more. It seemed like literally within a few months I was having surgery. Best thing I ever did. Gl to u and I look forward to watching u on ur journey. U can do this David. I als need to say the biggest thing I regretted was having to leave my support group and Dr Green behind. I have since moved to New York and finally getting on my feet again.

Good morning everyone!!!!! Wow this was a great post. Everyone so full of encouragement I needed this big time. I was banded in Texas last Sept and I weighed in at 435 I lost I think 12 pds before surgery and then banded. I have today stepped on the scale and I am at 368.8. My fills were few and far between since I left Texas and went to Alabama briefly and everything was out of pocket. First fill cost me a 100 ok so no problem but then came the second one and they requested 400 so needless to say the fills stopped. I have now moved to New York about 7 weeks ago and as of last Friday I got my 3rd fill. I was very impressed with the Dr as he stated I was behind the curve with the fills based on how far I am out, but ahead of the weightloss curve and whatever I did worked for me. Well to tell you I didn't struggle through this would be a lie. I still have no restriction and I go back in 2 weeks for another fill. I have always got to watch everything that goes in my mouth. I agree with everyone here who has said what everyone has lost is right on schedule. I find that the bigger you are the more weight for some crazy reason you lose. I know I was huge and I still have along way to go but I do know one thing I will get there and so will the rest of you. Constant support and prayers is the only thing that will make this a success for everyone. Big hugs and keep moving forward.

Wow sounds like you been through alot here. I am very sorry to hear this. I do hope everything gets better for you. I have had my band since Sept, 2008 and I struggled alot not cause of the band but cause of my insurance and out of pocket cost. When I had my band done I was living in Texas and everything was covered but then I left and moved briefly to ALabama and nothing was covered. My first fill was a 100 bucks, the second one cost me almost 400. I no longer could get the fills I needed and had to wing it basically, talk about feeling like I was never going to get on track was terrible. I then moved here to New York 7 weeks ago and finally 2 weeks ago I found a dr to perform a fill for me. I was very impressed with him as he gave me alot of encouragement. He said as far as fills I was way behind schedule based on how far out I was but as for weightloss I was ahead of the curve. I was so thankful for this and finally feel like I am back on track. The down side to this is....I drive and hr and a half one way to see this dr and also attend support group meeting there....Is it worth it?......YES. I am also a mother of 4 ages 19-4 so the gap is huge and everyday stresses makes things alot worse. I am sorry if nothing I said here helps you, but trust me when I say I may not know the pit falls of it all but I do know how frustration can creep in and make you second guess everything. Prayer and constant support is the key to any success. Please hang in there and if you ever need to just vent or laugh then please feel free to email me at majestic_one38@yahoo.com. Hang in there my friend we are all in this together no matter what our struggles are. I looked for a hug but couldn't find one so I will just send you a cyber one myself.

WOW!!!!! What an amazing feeling you must be having. I send you nothing but wonderful vibes and constant support. I have bounced back and forth on this issue many times, as to have excess skin removed or not once I achieve my goal. Setting here thinking about 7 days out for you almost makes me a bit over whelmed for you and myself. To be able to look at yourself in a different light and feel so much better while doing it has got to be the most rewarding thing since the weight losee journey. If I lived near you I would help take care of you, just to watch your life change. Goodluck on this and I am sure you will do fine. You know the old advice we have all heard....NO PAIN NO GAIN right. Once all is done you will begin your life again but in a different mind set. How awesome.

What a great site!!!!!! Why did I not know of this lol. I just joined last night and found so many beneficial idea's here. I was banded Sept 18th 2008 and have done very well thus far. I just relcoated to NewYork and hopefully either this Friday or next going for my 3rd fill. I have had to struggle through this process as the states I lived in could never get things right for insurance, so I had to wing it. Everyone of you who has posted here have inspired me so much. Thanks a million. I went to bed last night so over whelmed with the support I see everyone giving out. I couldn't wait to get back on here this morning. I have a ways to go but I just try and look at it where I came from of 500 to be at 376 today. I lost over a 100 on my own before the band. My 38th b-day is coming up in August the end so gives me more to play with hahaha, and I have set a new goal for myself with that alone. Wish me luck and once again thank you for this thread.

Hello everyone first off let me introduce myself. My name is Paula I have just recently relocated to New York the Syracuse area. I was banded on Sept 18th 2008. I have lost with the band 57 pds but before that I lost over a 100 on my own. I have 4 beautiful children from ages 19 to 4. I know I know big spread there huh lol. I am married to a wonderful man who has been my biggest fan throughout my journey. So for now I guess that's it. If there is anyone in the Syracuse area who would like to buddy up as a constant support please feel free to contact me, as well as any not in the area. You can never ever have to many friends on this journey!!!!!!