niecyrenee

Welcome to LBT Lici! I can't tell you whether you should do the band or not; you need to decide that. The fears that you have are completely normal! We have all had them. This is a big step but what an impact it can have on your life! The lapband should have no negative effects on you as far as having kids. My dh and I are certainly looking that way and my surgeon assured me that it wasn't a problem at all. They could just remove the liquid from the band and I would have a normal pregnancy. In fact, I could have a much healthier one because I have lost weight prior to getting pregnant. As far as insurance, I don't know. Check your policy or give them a call and they could tell you. Every company/policy is different. One thing I have learned, if they deny you, fight, fight, fight. Don't give in easily! Best of luck to you! Keep us updated on everything!

Kari, I am so sorry to hear about the struggles you have had. Thank goodness things are going better now. Keep your head up, the weight will come off. I'm glad to have you join us on LBT. It is a wonderful place to come for support and to ask questions!

Welcome to LBT! I'm sure it is very difficult being around food all the time. I wouldn't be able to do it.:faint: Best of luck to you! Let us know when your surgery is.

Thanks!! I have went too many years eating and drinking whatever I wanted. Dh and I want to start a family but I refuse to do it until I get more weight off. That's a big motivation!!!

Don't feel bad about your progress. 30 lbs. is wonderful!! Keep in mind that I have 100 lbs. more to lose then you. That may have something to do with it. As far as what I am doing....yes, I am eating. I watch my calorie intake and exercise. I set mini goals for myself and that really helps me stay on track. For instance, my wedding anniversary is this Sunday and I had a place in mind that I wanted to be by then and I really pushed myself. I am happy to report that I have beat that goal by 2 lbs. and am going to push myself to lose 3 more by then. Who knows if I will but if I don't continue to push myself, I won't be able to do it. There are some things that I could do but don't because I know it's best for me not to. For instance, I only drink water. I could have other sf drinks but I choose not to. I also rarely eat any bread or potatoes. I never buy either one and therefore I'm not tempted. Desserts are a thing of the past, I just don't go there anymore. I am very fortunate that dh is totally supportive and if I'm not eating it, he won't either. Keep up the good work Karen. You are doing great!!

We have fantastic moderators, don't we?!? :first: Thanks Wheetsin!!

I don't know if it would work or not but I'd be willing to try. Since I like piercings to begin with and it has the possible benefit of helping with weightloss, I'd do it. I may be banded but I still get hungry. I know some bandsters don't and I would love to be one of them.

I have been reading up on ear stapling. I can't believe I haven't heard of this before. It does sound interesting. I don't know if it would benefit us because of the bands or not. If so, I would consider getting it. I have other cartilage piercings so I can't imagine the pain being an issue for me. Let me know what you find out.

It's spam. I reported it.

Your story is very inspiring! Thanks for sharing it with us! The love that you two share and the commitment to helping one another lose the weight is beautiful. You both look amazing! Congratulations!

sg_sg, 30 lbs. and 2 pants sizes is awesome!! Way to go! Keep up the good work! my progress: well, I have taken off 82 lbs. and down 6 pant sizes. I have been overwhelmingly pleased! It hasn't been easy but well worth it. If someone would have told me a year ago that I would be getting up at 4:00 a.m. to get on the treadmill and then exercising more when I got home from work, I would have told them they were crazy but that's my reality now. hardest thing: when my band got too full and I wasn't able to even get liquids down. It was horrible! easier than I thought: I don't think that I would say easier but I never figured I would drop weight this quickly. Instead of easier I'll say it has given me things I never counted on: willpower and determination.

I agree faithmd, it is ridiculous! I have a friend who has struggled with his weight for years and is a very large man. One time a few of us decided to eat at one of those all you can eat buffets (pre-band). I'll never forget the girl behind the counter turning to a co-worker and commenting on how they would have to really fill the bar up. They both then proceeded to turn to him with disgusted looks on their faces. I was so glad he didn't hear or see them because I know it would have killed him. I don't know if anyone else noticed but I did and it hurt. I know that I tend to be more sensitive to things like this because I am overweight but that is completely uncalled for!

For the most part, I have received positive comments on my surgery. There are, of course those few idiots that don't know any better but I am learning to ignore them. When I first decided to have surgery, I didn't want anyone to know except family but you know how family is, some of them can't keep their mouths shut so eventually, lots of people knew. At first I wasn't happy about it but now I am very open about it. I figure if I can help one person who struggles with their weight learn about the lapband, then all the rude comments are worth it.

I have got to the point that I order a water to drink when we go out and dh usually drinks it. I got so tired of being asked a dozen times if I was sure I didn't want anything to drink. If I wanted it, I would have ordered it.

My weight loss has slowed down some but still really good. Some weeks I have bigger results then others. February was a little slower but so far for March I have lost about 10 lbs! I am trying really hard to get to 299 by May 28th. Thats 24 lbs. I can't remember the last time I was below 300. I get excited thinking about it!!! I know I can do it if I keep pushing myself! Hubby and I had talked about starting a family when I got in the 200's and while I am excited about that, I am kinda selfish and thinking of waiting longer. He said whatever I decide is fine with him. We had talked about starting to try in July but I am going to wait and see where I am at that point. I guess it depends how close I am to 300. If I was at 250, sure, but that would take a miracle. Only time will tell.

Congratulations and welcome to bandland!!! A whole new life is ahead of you and what a ride it will be!

Turner, I am sorry your having a rough patch.:hug: Don't get down on yourself. 37 lbs. is just that, 37 lbs. less then where you were! It may be slow but stay committed and you will see results. It's not always easy but it is possible. Have you tried changing your diet up? I zig zag my calorie intake and that helps me. I will eat like 800 - 100 calories for a few days and then have 1200 and continue like that. It seems funny that it would work, but it does. So to start with, give me those pounds and we'll work them off together. :biggrin1: Ear stapled...I have never heard of it. I'll have to google it and see what I can find out.

I have the card as well. Only one time did I have a restaurant say they wouldn't honor it. I get funny looks when I use sometimes but I figure they are saving food by me not eating as much so I might as well save money.

How did I miss this wonderful news earlier? That is fantastic Sarge!! You keep rocking it girl!

I'm ready! I'm sending them your way! :biggrin1: I gotta gear up for next week. I'll be in stealth mode... :spy:...Hiding those extra pounds and secretly burning them away.

:funnypost: DITTO!! :pound:

The thing I am experiencing now that irritates me is when asking for a to-go box when eating out. Inevitably, I get a look from the server that says, "The fat girl needs a box, give me a break". It just burns me when they assume because I am heavy that I should be eating the whole meal. I never tell them why I can't because I figure it's none of their business. I also hate having to explain that the foods just fine, there is nothing wrong with it, etc. over and over and over again. I seem to get asked that all the time when the server sees that I haven't ate much. Yep, it was horrible that's why I'm asking for a to-go box. Geez! :doh:

Welcome Cate! Nice to have you join us! Congrats on your upcoming surgery and good luck on your pre-op diet.

WOOHOO Avilla!!! That's fantastic!! Way to go girl!

I think you're right, I think it's two days. When I first read that your co-workers were talking about you I was concerned but then I read on. That is awesome! I have a friend who would like to do it but probably never will. She keeps telling me how brave I am and that she could never really go through with it. Funny, I never saw it as brave. :phanvan Tomorrow sounds like it will be a long day indeed. You will probably be so worn out. I hope you have a smooth transition back into work and classes.