edieparks

Dixie, I do wish you luck. Use this time to start doing a 15 minute walk each day. Just leave your house and walk away for about 7 minutes, then walk back. Don't worry about the neighbors. Choosing the band for yourself was the first step in your recovery from the control food has on you. The lapband road is not an easy one but so WORTH IT. I feel so much healthier now. It is hard to carry all the extra us around. Best wishes, edie

I personally told everybody. I feel like it weeded out my true friends. I felt proud that I was doing something about my problem. My "problem" was very obvious to the world . Yes I was asked stupid questions but I tried to educate them. Its a decision you have to make for yourself. edie

It will be VERY HARD. You will survive. I promise. edie

We are ALL here to help you in our many different ways . I wish I could walk with you when you are walking your puppies (lol). your soon to be band sister, edie

This is a milestone for me. Since I have been 14 I would get to my goal , just be able to wear those small size jeans only a few days before they would start getting tight. Well I have been in those size 12 for 1 month . Woo hoo. HAPPY band sister, edie

Dearest Kat, Oh girl you are in for a treat. Now that I am in the "normal" eating part of it like you wrote. It is so easy. How do you handle the nornal office eating? You eat but just not very much. If I was at that get together...... I would be saying ohh that looks good.. I would get a small about about 2 bites of EVERYTHING I wanted. While everyone else is stuffing their faces I would be nibbling and picking around on my food. The clean plate goes away with a band (I love it) . I KNOW now the signal my stomach give me. It says "whoa" loud and clear to me. I stop . Sure at first I would look longingly at what was left on my plate and WANTED to eat it. I soon knew I was putting too much on my plate. When I matched my eyes with my stomach my plate would be empty and my stomach was full. True it has taken me a while to come to grips with not be able to eat as much as I want . My size 12 jeans feel so GOOD compared to the size 26's of last summer. good luck edie

Add some move movement in your plan. I really do think people lose at different speeds. Don't compare yourself to others. less calories plus move movement equal weight loss Best wishes edie

For myself I was a excellent "dieter". I would toe the line and be very successful if you consider taking it off successful. BUT I would go to hell in a hand basket when I stopped my diet. From age 14 to 47 I would yoyo. I was tired and just wanted it off. I knew I would feel better and all those pills I took for diabetes (shots too) , cholesterol , high blood pressure would stop taking a bite of my income. I knew I just wasn't one of those people who could stay on a plan of healthy eating without a tool. My band is my tool. Good luck on your decision, edie

Yes!!!! Each day on that awful diet I hated it but I felt like I was in control of my destiny. It is the WORST of this journey. My family later told me they thought was my bravest moment . They said they knew I was committed when I went thru the liquid stage. It made me "shine" and swell up with pride when they told me that. So shine and swell, edie

I would have prepared my head because my band took care of my stomach. You give up food volume with the band. I have went to about a 8 month funeral for food volume in my head. Just this week (8 1/2 months from surgery) I can honestly say in my "head" I feel like "so what" to food in volume. I guess it was sort of easy because I don't really have a choice. I guess I could have it removed and gain back my weight plus more. I could tell I wasn't going to stop at my highest of 276 lbs. Having it removed would be like having a limb removed . edie

Welcome Big, You are brave . I'm glad you know that you are on a long road. I'm glad you are going to get yourself in better health. You will be so happy with a band. My band keeps me feeling full. I am a big dog lover. In fact I am a dog groomer. Your dogs will enjoy the extra outside time. When I lost my first 50 lbs I couldn't believe the difference in my movement. Look foward to that. Best wishes, edie

I'm confused , how did I feel besides the soreness? Happy,excited,and I felt I had done the best thing for me. I felt I wouldn't be doing the yoyo diet thing anymore. I felt skinny and I hadn't even lost any weight yet!! That was my feeling after surgery. edie

Help !! I don't want to go thru the pain of a tummy tuck. I think I look pretty good now. My hubby does too. He says most 50 year old women have a little pooch. Love that man. I don't have the money either lol. What can I say to these rude and some well meaning friends that is clever? Pain and $ just isn't sassy. edie:huytsao

These answers are so good. I can't wait for someone to ask now! THANK YOU edie

I just added them to my food list at 8 mos. I added the big hard sourdough ones. Yum. edie

You were actually able to "wear" those pants. Been there and done that. I always thought in the back of my mind I could be setting myself up for a embarrassing moment. Not so for you anymore. Best wishes . Your band sister, edie

It is so exciting. I am very happy for you. Just imagine yourself in May of 08!!! I started feeling skinny when I had only had my surgery. I had to remind myself oh yeah I still have to lose the weight. lol edie

Size 14 at HALF WAY!!!! Love that band. edie

Size 14 at HALF WAY!!!! Love 111

Dawnie, Please fess up to your doctor for their opinion. My opinon is you should stick to the program to let you body heal the best from the surgery. Just my opinion. edie

surgeon $4000 hospital $13500 lab & diagnostics $951 prescribed gym membership $459 hotel,food $373 total $19283 I am a self pay and I could take off membership for gym and also I live 2 hours away so my mileage was deductible too. My surgeons at seminar quoted $17500. After they dealt with my insurance and concluded I would have to be a self pay they went into detail about costs with me. It would actually be $18451.00 for medical expenses. Just thought this might be interesting thread. I am deeply in love with my lapband. My lapband loves me too. If I wasn't married I would marry my lap.. Back to reality.... I am satisfied. edie

Nancy, Your post has too much to answer. Make some posts with specific questions. Just a general comment from me. With the band you get full but you want to eat more. It takes a while to get your brain wrapped around this concept. I am very happy and my issue with food is getting better each day. edie

Hey Mal, This is the beauty of the band. You are full. You can't eat a bag of chips. You GET full. Have faith, edie

Hey Maria, It is so exciting isn't it? I drank my 64 oz each day . I exercised each and everyday. I reached my goal in 8 months. Best wishes, edie

Thank you , you are my angel. I will try this. edie