txcraftr

Hi Paige59. This is a great place to come for help. I used to weigh over 300 and when I did I could hardly get out of bed every day, I hurt so bad. I was also very depressed. My doctor started me on antidepressants and they really helped me to feel better and that made me a little more motivated to start moving. I started out on a stationary bike. I found one with a large seat, (actually at an estate auction for $1). I just started doing 5 minutes a day, then when it felt like I wasn't going to die after 5 minutes, I did 10 minutes, etc. until I got up to 30 minutes a day. My legs would go to sleep if I stayed on any longer than that but it helped me to get started. Then I would do it twice a day. I lost the first 25 pounds that way. When I exercise I am less hungry. Some say that when you exercise you don't want to screw it up by eating wrong right after but I find that I feel soooooo good after exercising that I don't want to eat as much as I did. Now, if I get lazy or get sick or depressed and quit then I'm right back where I was. I know it is hard to start but you just have to be like Nike and "DO IT!". I won't say it is easy. The sweat runs freely when you start and you may feel even more sore but whatever you do don't stop. If you take one day off because you hurt too much, it is easy to let it become 2 and 3 and 4, etc. Just keep at it and take it easy. You don't have to push yourself to the point that you are about to pass out, just start slowly. Your body will tell you when you can do more. You will be surprised at how fast your body will acclimate to moving and then you won't want to miss a day. The pool is a good choice if you have access to one but if you are like me I'm too shy to go anywhere to a pool, even if it belongs to friends and going to a gym where people can see me is actually still out of the question for me. I'm down to 250 and still have over 100 pounds to go and hoping to get the lap band to help me get over the hump. I know you can lose those 40 pounds. I recently found out I am allergic to wheat and gluten in breads, etc. and I feel a whole lot better if I don't eat it. If I have a day of eating bread I wake up the next day 5 pounds heavier. I wouldn't be surprised if at least half of the overweight people in this world are sensitive to gluten as well. When I eat bread or wheat I just can't stop eating but when I don't I feel satisfied with less. Believe me, I have tested it to the hilt and I know it is better if I never touch the stuff again. You might want to check out Kay Shepard on the web. She has a food plan for people with food addiction that really has helped me a lot, and you don't starve on it. I'll send you my email if you want it. I would be happy to help you in any way I can. I'm still waiting for my band but I believe it is near. Just "Never Give Up".

When I first started thinking about it, I was not sure I wanted to take the "easy" way out. I went to a psychologist and talked about it for a few months and she really helped me make up my mind that I have done everything I can on my own and this is just my next step. And, as they say, it is not easy, it is just a different tool than I have ever had before. I should hear from the insurance company this week. Good luck in making up your mind. Whatever you decide will be the right thing for YOU.

I should hear from my insurance this week. I'm from East Texas, near Tyler. My surgeon is in Tyler, Dr. Hugh Babaneau. They do have the Center of Excellence certification. I'm really hoping to have it done soon.

Hi, I'm also waiting for my insurance approval, it should be by the end of this week. I, too, have had times when I was indecisive or decided that maybe the band was just too much trouble. I really, really tried last year to do the diet and exercise thing. I did really good but then got an abscess in my foot after stepping on a wasp and have spent the last 10 months getting healed up from that. I had lost 30 pounds while doing it. While being laid up I found those 30 pounds and then some. I have been very depressed about it. I think if I would have had the band before my foot problem I probably would not have gained the weight back as the band would have been a good tool to keep me from eating too much while I was down. I can't say that at any time in my life I have been a normal weight. During the orientation (that I went to for the second time) the surgeon said that if you have been overweight all your life then trying to diet and exercise all the time is not going to cure your weight problem. It will just keep coming back because you are predisposed to being heavy and between having too many fat cells and genes it just won't work to grit your teeth and keep trying. The band is that tool that is missing that will help you keep from overeating and hopefully not let you backslide in your weight loss. I had given up for a couple of years but after trying one more time, I just need something to help me and I'm just gonna keep bugging my insurance company until they pay for it. I really think in the long run THEY would save money as they pay for a lot of medicines and doctors visits that would be unnecessary if I could get my blood sugar and blood pressure, sleep apnea, etc. under control with my weight. If you have medical problems its a good decision. If you can't lose the weight with any of the other tools out there, WW, etc. then you probably need more help than they can give you and that is also a good decision. My weight has held me back in so many areas of my life that I need it to get back my life and start living it. No question for me any more.

Hi, I'm soon to be 52 and have also been waiting 2 years to have the band. I'm still waiting for my insurance to say I can do it. Should know in about 2 weeks. I had given up for a while due to some infections that I had that prevented me from even thinking about the band. This is a great site. I have really learned a lot from it already. (this is my first post). I'm hoping to have my surgery before the summer is over God willing. I would love to keep in touch with you and see how we both make out with this.