Just wanted to introduce myself and say HELLO :)

[Jennifer Hodge 41]

Hey,

Just wanted to introduce myself. I am a 28-year-old full time college student finishing up my degree in Elementary Education. I've been battling with my weight since I was about 10 years old. My weight has caused many problems in my life and I see it getting worse as I get older. I come from a family were both of my parents are morbidly obese. I've been thinking about getting the Lap Band for about a year now but wanted to try other options before I went with one that is so drastic. Like almost everyone else on this forum I've tried every type of weight loss pill, exercise, program, etc. out there. In the beginning of March (2013) I hit my highest weight of 225.6 lbs. I am only 5'3" so this is A LOT of weight for my size. I can barely squeeze into a size 18 pants. That day I said, "I've had enough!" I quickly went to Innovative Weight Loss Solutions at Geary Community Hospital and learned about my weight loss options. After deciding that the band was the right option for me I learned that my insurance (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas) wouldn't cover the procedure. This quickly put a damper on my decision. Fortunately for me my grandparents are loaning me the money to cover the surgery. They know that this new, "tool" will help with my weight loss. I've paid for the surgery, completed all of the paper work, attended a mandatory informational meeting, and met with a psychologist and a nutritionist. The next step on my journey is to meet the surgeon and set up a surgery date. As the days go by I have quit several of my bad eating habits. This includes my daily large sweet tea from McDonalds and my daily fast food lunch. These changes as well as going to the gym on a regular basis have helped me lose a few pounds. Ideally, I would like to go into surgery weighing around 200 pounds. My goal weight is 125-130 lbs. or a size 6 whichever one comes first. The weight loss and size is important but most of all I want to be happy and healthy. Thanks for taking the time to read my introduction post. I’ve been checking out these forums for about a month now and have learned a lot about the band. I hope to gain more knowledge and some friends along the way.

[Banjo257 920]

Hi Jennifer!

Welcome and glad you posted. I am a retired jr high teacher. I hope you enjoy the two new lives you will shortly begin....being healthy and an educator!

Sounds like you have awesome grandparents!

[Rojasanoll 920]

Welcome to this great forum. Here you will get answers for all your questions.

Best wishes

[happy2lap 2]

Do you have a surgery date yet?

[Jennifer Hodge 41]

I had my hernia repair and the lapband placed on Tuesday May 21st. All I have been doing is sleeping, walking, and relaxing. I have five insisions on my torso. The one right above my belly button and the one right below my breast bone hurt the most. I am now on another liquid diet. This time I have to have liquids until June 13th. Then I have two weeks of pureed, two weeks or mushy and then a week of regular food before I get my first fill. It's going to be a journey but in the end it will TOTALLY be worth it.

[KAATNS 1,473]

Congrats! Wishing you a speedy recovery.

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

I had my hernia repair and the lapband placed on Tuesday May 21st. All I have been doing is sleeping, walking, and relaxing. I have five insisions on my torso. The one right above my belly button and the one right below my breast bone hurt the most. I am now on another liquid diet. This time I have to have liquids until June 13th. Then I have two weeks of pureed, two weeks or mushy and then a week of regular food before I get my first fill. It's going to be a journey but in the end it will TOTALLY be worth it.

Your post op diet sounds like the one I had. It's rough but totally worth it.

Welcome! I'm sure you'll do great!

[kristinc1985 111]

Congrats and welcome to the other side!!!

[dfeickert25 35]

Hi I'm David and I am just starting my lapband journey I have my first Drs. apt June 24th 2013 to talk to the surgeon and I have been over weight my whole life and I wanna be able to stop taking some of my medications like for blood pressure and also get rid of my sleep Apena and I am ready for a new healthier me