Megg40

Hi. I am Meg, 40, in Florida. I am looking for a mentor/buddy that I can talk to and also who I can give support to as well. I have never met anyone personally that has been through this. I am looking to all websites I can find for support. I have been to my surgeons seminar, sent in all of my paperwork, and now have my first appoinment with my surgeon on the 15th. I see the psychologist on the 16th. Not sure how fast the process will move, but I'm hoping to be banded by the end of March '10. I have a wonderful partner, 2 dogs and 2 cats. My Mom and my partner are both very supportive. I plan to do everything the doctor tells me to do...I am willing to do whatever it takes. I am in pain 24/7 due to BAD arthritic knees and ankles. My current weight is 335 and would LOVE to get down to 200. I am 5'3" and know that my surgeon will probably want me to go further down....I am having a bit of anxiety, but again, I am WILLING!! This by no means is going to be easy....I truely believe I am a food addict!! But the band will help to limit how much I can eat and therefore, not eat near as much as I do now.... I have no idea what will happen on my first visit, but I do know they have all of the records that they needed in order to see me....Any suggestions, advice, word of wisdom and words of comfort are appreciated.....I hope YOU are well too!! Thank You, Meg

Hey Larri and Sandi.... You guys are terrific. I am feeling positive about the whole experience. I have been doing lots of research and the more I learn the less anxious I feel. Sandi, I did register at your website...the info or blogs are great!! Larri, I don't know about in Mass, but down here you can get "scholarships" to the YMCA if you have a limited income or are just barely making it financially. Luckily, I have a pool at my apartment complex that is right next door to my building... I believe that was done by my Higher Power. I believe my HP has his hand in this whole thing. I have noticed in the last few days I have been having more pain. Turns out, I weighed today and I am up even more...I can't believe this. I just keep gaining like there's no tomorrow. I know its because I can't walk much. I truely love to walk and I love how I feel afterwords. I just can't do it like I used to at all. 6 months ago, I could walk a mile or so. My knees after would burn, but I would just ice them down. Now, I can hardly walk all around my building and when I stand up straight, and don't move, I can't lock my knees so I'm kinda bending forward slightly at the knees. I know I need a knee replacement but my last ortho doc said not until I lose weight. it's a double edged sword. I want to walk, to reduce weight, but I can't because it huts and then I just gain more weight. :biggrin: I am hoping and praying there is a light at the end of this tunnel. I can kinda see it, it's just not very bright right now....I made a post it note to self to google chair exercises tomorrow. I'm gonna try to learn a few and get a resistance band. Maybe if I can drop 10 lbs I could walk more. I also know the pre op diet will help me lose some weight, hopefully. Larri, I hope you are feeling better and you can message me anytime, my friend!!:thumbup: Take Care Yall.... Meg

Hi Larri... Congrats on your surgery. I will be there soon...what are you doing for exercise? I plan on doing some chair exercises, and walking as best I can in the beginning. Then when I get the ok...I'm off to the pool!! I lived in Mass for a bit. I lived in Fitchburg. But now, I reside in Florida. I can not tolerate the cold anymore. Here in Florida, the temp is like 65 and that's cold for me. How has your journey been? What was the whole process like for you? I am trying to get educated as much as possible...I am reading everything I can, and my surgeons office called yesterday. If everything goes well, I will be banded on 3/24. I am very excited and I will keep posting on the process... Take Care, Meg

Hi all. I am Meg, a 40 year old woman living in Clearwater, FL. I have been obese my whole life and have tried every diet on the planet. I have got all of my preliminary paperwork into my surgeons office. Now, I am waiting for my first visit with her on the 15th. I am hoping to be banded in the next 4-6 weeks!! I have a wonderful partner, 2 dogs and 2 cats. I want to be able to take my dogs on long walks without pain. I have terrible arthritis in my knees and ankles and I hurt 24/7. I am an online college student, trying to finally get my degree. I am looking to make support buddies and will do everything my surgeon says. I'm having a bit of anxiety, but I know this is what needs to be done for me to have any good quality of life. Meg

Hi there Sandi.... Thank you for replying to my post. This is exciting and confusing and stressful and emotional and hopefully, in the end, there will be some physical healing. I get scared of having the surgery ( all the changes, emotions, ) and I get scared to not have the surgery ( how will I continue to exist with all this pain ) Yes, I said exist because I am in no way living life right now. I don't know how I would cope without having this surgery. I'm so afraid they will find a reason to not do it....My head the last few days is not my friend. I have lots of screwed up thoughts. But then I remember to just breathe....and I feel less tense and can be more rational about all of this. I am going to attend some support groups in my area this week. I meant to look on my surgeons website to find out when and where they are but I forgot til now...I've been busy doing school work. When you first were banded, how long was it before you felt less pain and could walk a distance? My plan is to use the pool in the beginning. I have a pool in my apartment complex that is less than 100 yards away from my front door I plan to get in it and walk, and maybe learn some other pool exercises. Here in Florida, I should be able to use the pool by late March. I'm really not concerned at this point with the pre-op diet. Although, when I get there, I will probably no like it. I am determined to make the best use of this "tool". I'm am in the fight for my life...I know what is ahead of me if I don't do the right things for myself. I did visit your website last night and read some of you blog posts. I liked it....Maybe the more I learn in this week, the less anxious I will feel at my first appointment. I hope you are well and having a great day. I would love to hear from you again.... Take Care, Meg

Thank you so much Debbie....I hope you are well!! Meg