A new friend from Texas

Lucky_Mells · November 4, 2006

Hola Amigos:

My name is Melissa (A.k.a. Meli) and I'm new here. I found out about this place from my dear friend Shontel, whom I was banded with and love dearly.

I have been overweight for approximately 80% of my life, the 20% percent of not overweightness coming from a childhood stint when I think I was actually underweight.

I am what you might call a "Super Chunk." My weight is higher than most of normally obese people, but being tall, I've been able to mask the number better than someone that's say, 5'2.

Sounds crazy, right? It is. There's not much fat people can do to hide anything concerning their weight, unless I try to hide a pen under one of my rolls, which in turn is a fairly adept hiding spot.

I'm here because I don't want to hide anymore, and I can't keep making like an ostrich and sticking my head in the sand to avoid the problem of self-destruction. I took off a good bit of weight post-op and have been putting it back on due to no restriction. Today I ate a big-ass burger with two slices of cheese, lettuce, Tomato, pickles, and mustard with a side of home fries with ketchup and salt.

As I was eating today I realized I had completely gone out of control. I read some old journal entries and how I agonized about getting the funding for my trip to Monterrey to be banded. I prayed until the rosary beads of my heart started giving off a gentle wisp of smoke. Now that I have been banded, six months has passed and I haven't lost any substantial amount of weight and have nothing to show it all.

I will be quick to say that I don't blame it on anyone but myself. Dr. Sanchez's team have been so kind and good to me, it makes tears spring to my eyes. They really want to see me succeed and it seems I've let all of us down. :cry

But no more. I have to put things in perspective and realize that unless I get my motor running again and take charge of the situation, no amount of banding or bypassing is going to save my life. :decision:

So hell or high Water, I'm not going to give up hope. It's going to be a long, long journey and I hope that just maybe I'll make lots of new friends here that I can help out too.

Love,

Meli

lianna · November 4, 2006

Oh Meli, I am glad you found some inner resolve to get the ball rolling in the right direction. Have you had more than one fill, or reached any level of restriction? That will certainly help with the hunger and willpower aspect! I wish you the best and you have found a fabulous place to come for support and inspiration!

NewSho · November 4, 2006

Welcome.

We're glad you're here. We are all on different parts of our journey so we try not to judge or accuse. Hopefully you'll find support here.

I guess I agree with Lianna - you're probably UNDERFILLED.

Burger and fries, eh? :hungry: WHEW. Well that's the sound of a band that's not 'tweaked' properly.

The band is a wonderful tool, but it does not work without actively keeping up the restriction (or " Fill " ) level. And frankly it takes a few fills for most of us to get there.

So first things first, access your fill level - you really just need a jump-start to make better food decisions. None of us is perfect, we need help to succeed.

That's what band restriction is - a gentle (sometimes not so gentle ) nudge to help us stay on track.

You can do this, Meli.

Keep your head (and your Fill Level) up, OK?