Hello, I am new to the site :o)

[RaleighGal 4]

I have been looking at this site for several weeks (my husband says I am kinda obsesed...lol), as well as other sites trying to find one where I can feel comfortable posting as well as getting positive feedback and answers to my questions. I have to say, everyone here is so positive and uplifting and I have learned so much already just looking around. I cannot wait to continue to learn more as I get deeper into the discussions and find support as my surgery date gets closer. I have never thought about having weight loss surgery till my husband and I went to see a fertility specialist and were told that my weight (along with having PCOS) is the main factor preventing us from getting pregnant. As I sat in his office sobbing, feeling embarrassed and down on myself, he told me about the Lap Band procedure. He said that it was a lifestyle change and that he has several overweight patients that have had the procedure and have not needed fertility treatments. When I got in the car, I dried my tears, took a deep breath and called the doctors office and reserved my space in the next information session the following week. We have been trying to get pregnant for over 5 years...this could be my answer to not only starting a family, but a change that will make me healthy for years to come! I started my journey in May 2011 by attending an information session, then my first consultation appointment with my doctor. I was informed at that time that my insurance requires a 6 month waiting period (which from reading on here is fairly common). I was upset that I had to wait, but these past several months have been months of reflection. I have worked hard on changing my eating habits, exercising 5-6 times a week and working with a trainer twice a week. My husband has been my biggest supporter and number one cheerleader. Looking back, I am thankful for this time of reflection and time to get my eating and exercise on track. I am an emotional eater and turn to food for comfort. I now try to turn to other things like exercise, reading, and yes, surfing this site gathering information. I still struggle with a fair amount of emotional eating and/or making bad choices, but from where I was the begining of the year, it is much improved. I have completed all of the required appointments (labs, therapist, sleep study, nutritionist, etc.) and my last supervised doctors appointment is on October 10th. I am keeping my fingers crossed for surgery in November. Everything checked out great with the exception of having mild/moderate sleep apnea, which I am having a hard time dealing with. I have had my cpap machine for a week and am still trying to get use to it. I am also going on a thrift store hunt this weekend so I can stop spending so much money on clothes as I loose weight. I am 31 years old and have so much life to live. I have been heavy all my life, but have been watching the scale go down the past several months...and will continue to watch it go down. I am so ready to see what the future holds...and I cannot wait to be able to go out and do the activities I miss doing, but I am too self conscious or heavy to do like roller coasters, Water parks, race cars, etc. I am doing this surgery for me, with fantastic plans for the future, and a healthy, long life! So I will end by saying an official hello, and I hope I can be as helpful and encouraging to others on here, as I know you all will be to me!

[screeden 21]

welcome to LBT. i hope you get good news soon. It is probaly a good thing you had to wait the 6 months as that gave you time to get the information you need to make the decision. it is not one to be taken lightly. it is a lifestyle change, you do have to change you eating habits or it is done for nothing. it is a tool and you have to work with the tool. i am 5 months out and am still learning.

good to hear that you have alot of support. welcome to the next step on your new life journey

[DivaD50 0]

Welcome to LBT. I am also a newbie and I find this site very helpful. Feel free to ask questions and share your journey. My name is Danielle and I am on my on my 7th day of the liver shinking diet and my surgery is scheduled for the 29th. Enjoy the journey!

[oldiebutgoodie2 11]

Welcome, Newbies! I got my surgery 4 months ago and have lost 55 lbs. It has already changed my life in so many ways. The support group I was invited to go to by my surgeon has only bypass patients and me! So I have really depended on this website for support, inspiration, and information. Yes, the band is just a tool, but this is the first time in my 63 years that dieting is so relatively easy.

Don't expect the band to make you feel full with very little intake for awhile. I've had 2 fills, and still can eat anything (I'm at 4.25 cc). So I rely on my dr's advise to eat a minimum of 80 grams Protein (yes, 8-0!) per day, and I also rely on good ol' calorie counting to guide me through the day (the first month was under 500!), after that, it has been under 1100 per day. The Protein has been my #1 reason for not feeling hungry. When you concentrate on doing high protein and lo-cal foods, you'll see that you'll be eating a lot of fish (tuna and pre-cooked shrimp are relatively cheap and are chock full of protein and are low calorie), egg beaters, low-fat cheeses, and meat.

Large restaurant chains must now post calories, and you can ask for their nutrition sheet that will show the others info, including protein for that serving.

Super good luck to you! I don't even watch Biggest Loser anymore, cause I know this is the only way to lose and keep it off!

[RaleighGal 4]

Thank you for the warm welcome. I agree, changing the way you look at food, eating habits and making sure that you have enough Protein are all going to be very important. I have struggled with dieting all my life, I am so ready to have this tool to help me be successful long term :-)

[stacythegreat 1]

I am new to this site. Just signed up today. I am about a month post ep from my surgery and it is the best thing I have ever done. I wish I had done it 10 years ago which would have made me 31 years old. I was denied by insurance so I had to selfpay. The only plus to that is everything moves much quicker when you aren't dealing with and insurance agency. I hope everything goes great for you and a November surgery date. You will have something big to be thankful for on Thanksgiving. Wishing the best for you! Stacy

I have been looking at this site for several weeks (my husband says I am kinda obsesed...lol), as well as other sites trying to find one where I can feel comfortable posting as well as getting positive feedback and answers to my questions. I have to say, everyone here is so positive and uplifting and I have learned so much already just looking around. I cannot wait to continue to learn more as I get deeper into the discussions and find support as my surgery date gets closer. I have never thought about having weight loss surgery till my husband and I went to see a fertility specialist and were told that my weight (along with having PCOS) is the main factor preventing us from getting pregnant. As I sat in his office sobbing, feeling embarrassed and down on myself, he told me about the Lap Band procedure. He said that it was a lifestyle change and that he has several overweight patients that have had the procedure and have not needed fertility treatments. When I got in the car, I dried my tears, took a deep breath and called the doctors office and reserved my space in the next information session the following week. We have been trying to get pregnant for over 5 years...this could be my answer to not only starting a family, but a change that will make me healthy for years to come! I started my journey in May 2011 by attending an information session, then my first consultation appointment with my doctor. I was informed at that time that my insurance requires a 6 month waiting period (which from reading on here is fairly common). I was upset that I had to wait, but these past several months have been months of reflection. I have worked hard on changing my eating habits, exercising 5-6 times a week and working with a trainer twice a week. My husband has been my biggest supporter and number one cheerleader. Looking back, I am thankful for this time of reflection and time to get my eating and exercise on track. I am an emotional eater and turn to food for comfort. I now try to turn to other things like exercise, reading, and yes, surfing this site gathering information. I still struggle with a fair amount of emotional eating and/or making bad choices, but from where I was the begining of the year, it is much improved. I have completed all of the required appointments (labs, therapist, sleep study, nutritionist, etc.) and my last supervised doctors appointment is on October 10th. I am keeping my fingers crossed for surgery in November. Everything checked out great with the exception of having mild/moderate sleep apnea, which I am having a hard time dealing with. I have had my cpap machine for a week and am still trying to get use to it. I am also going on a thrift store hunt this weekend so I can stop spending so much money on clothes as I loose weight. I am 31 years old and have so much life to live. I have been heavy all my life, but have been watching the scale go down the past several months...and will continue to watch it go down. I am so ready to see what the future holds...and I cannot wait to be able to go out and do the activities I miss doing, but I am too self conscious or heavy to do like roller coasters, Water parks, race cars, etc. I am doing this surgery for me, with fantastic plans for the future, and a healthy, long life! So I will end by saying an official hello, and I hope I can be as helpful and encouraging to others on here, as I know you all will be to me!

[stacythegreat 1]

I am new to this site. Just signed up today. I am about a month post ep from my surgery and it is the best thing I have ever done. I wish I had done it 10 years ago which would have made me 31 years old. I was denied by insurance so I had to selfpay. The only plus to that is everything moves much quicker when you aren't dealing with and insurance agency. I hope everything goes great for you and a November surgery date. You will have something big to be thankful for on Thanksgiving. Wishing the best for you! Stacy

[SarahAnn 0]

I can really relate to your comment - I'm the same way! ~ "I am an emotional eater and turn to food for comfort. I now try to turn to other things like exercise, reading, and yes, surfing this site gathering information. I still struggle with a fair amount of emotional eating and/or making bad choices, but from where I was the begining of the year, it is much improved." ~ I'll be working a lot on the emotional eating in the next few months. I'm thinking it will be early 2012 when I have my surgery.

I wish you the best of luck on your Weight Loss Journey with the band. I'm just starting my journey to surgery so thank you for sharing your thoughts it helps to know others are going through this too.