Newbie here

[NiftyNinjanator 51]

I am new here, checking everything out and have come for the support. I've been in weight watchers for years and found the support helpful and uplifting. I am hoping to find similar support here. I do not want to continue going to weight watchers as it is at work and I don't want to talk about my lapband all the time there as I lose weight and they want to promote their plan. Their plan has worked for me in the past, and I'm sure it would again, but I'm on a timeclock in order to get back surgery before I do permanent damage to myself. I am keeping my online tools though, for the recipes, the articles and such...at least until I am comfortable letting that part of my life go. I have been going (even while gaining weight) for a long time.

I have spondylolythesis http://www.webmd.com...-topic-overview. It is pretty extensive, causes me lots of pain and I need a spinal fusion. In order to get my back surgery, I need to lose weight. I was scared to find out how much weight, for now, so I didn't ask my Dr. However, I am happy to be on the road to getting there. My goal is to get my back surgery next year sometime. I know I can lose weight myself, but look forward to having the lapband as a tool to help me get there.

My lapband is scheduled for Aug 27. I am nervous and excited about the journey. I work out 4 times a week at least, 3 times doing Water aerobics and once doing yoga. I am considering, and working on, adding a day of weight training, just haven't got the logistics down yet. I joined the gym March 2012, and have managed to add all sorts of excercise and not lose any weight. Go figure. I also have depression and anxiety issues, as well as ADHD, so I'm just sort of a big ole mess and in order for me to lose weight everything in my head has to be just so...it hasn't been just so in awhile. I had lost about 75 pounds a few years ago, managed to gain it all back with a med change. Trying to get everything right in my life is an exhausting process, but I'm doing it, and determined to keep at it until it is done.

I look forward to hanging around here and getting to know you all!

[PrettyThick1 1,860]

Welcome Nifty! You are among friends and we are here to support you in any way we can. I think you'll be happy with your decision to get a lap band, I know I am. I also tried WW, QWL and a few other things that helped temporarilly - like you, I gained the weight back every time for one reason or another.

So don't fear the unknown. Keep positive thoughts and you'll have positive results. Those of us who have gone through the process have also gone through a wide range of emotions leading up to our big day, only to find in the end that we were worried about things that never happened.

Stay in touch! Post as many questions and concerns as you want, we like helping each other through this and to be honest, I learned more from this site than I did through my doctor - because there is nothing better than first hand accounts. By the time I went for my preop visit, all of my questions and concerns had been addressed in this forum and I was well aware of what I was about to experience. I hope the same for you...but you have to ask and you have to read.

Looking forward to hearing your success story sometime soon!

[Carol.mcpherson 25]

As I was reading your post I thought about my weight loss with weight watchers...I lost 104 lbs seven years ago through very hard work..I'm thinking now what a shame that those of us who do manage to lose aren't provided the option to have the band at that point to help KEEP it off! Of course I regained the weight and am starting from scratch again, but I'm praying the band is the one missing tool I didn't have then. ( and I in no way think this next weight loss journey won't be a lot of the same hard work!) I'm just so relieved to not be hungry!!

[NiftyNinjanator 51]

Thanks guys! I am hungry for knowledge and they only think I lack to soak it all in here is time. I do what I can though, I did get the app over the weekend, but never got a chance to use it. I look forward to it.

I saw my nutritionist Saturday to get my plan for my post-op diet. I am a bit nervous. I am more nervous to see the list of things I shouldn't eat ever again, I like food too much and forever is a long time. I had resigned myself to no more soda, that is good for me anyway. My Dr says no Pasta, tortillas (other than corn, which I hate), rice (I love brown rice) or red meat. There were a few more, but these are the ones that stick out at me. I only eat steak like once a year, but to never have steak again? Oh so sad.

I know these items are because they can bind up and get stuck and cause issues/pain. If I chew slowly and thoroughly, I am sure I will be able to swing them occasionally. I don't want to count on it though, so I keep telling myself no more steak ever. EVER...so final.

I know I'll get over it, especially if things like that cause me issue and pain. It is just hard to get used to.

Also, I've been doing Protein shakes before the gym lately and today I started just having them for Breakfast as well. It held me over fairly well, I was happy with it. I am scared to be hungry in my pre-op diet. At least in post op I'll have pain and banding (even if no fill) to keep me from being hungry, but the pre-op diet is with no change. I'm just supposed to tought it out and do it. It is only10 days, but damn, if I could tough it out and just do it so easily, why am I where I am?

Again, I know I'll manage. Just free-flowing all my anxiety, lol. Despite all of the unknowns and the anxiety, I am excited as my surgery date comes closer and I plan more and more each day to keep me on track. Hurray!!

[dawalsh 919]

I wish you success on your lapband journey. If I could have kept the weight off through Weight Watchers alone I wouldn't be here. I'm doing better with the lapband than any other type of weight loss method. My health is improving everyday since being banded.