let's get to know each other

[AlysonRR 0]

I'm a 43-y.o. stay-at-home mom to two homeschooled children, ages 5 (girl) and 8 (boy). My husband and I are building a home - well, his salary is paying for it, I'm managing it, and our contractors are building it, lol. I used to be a research scientist.

I started my weight gain/loss journey at age 9 when dad pointed out I was getting chubby and didn't I think I should stop drinking shakes and put me in a (boys!) soccer team for exercise. I was particularly clumsy at soccer and it did nothing for my self esteem... I wish they'd taken some effort to get me on a swim team instead - I'm actually a very good swimmer.

Anyway, I followed a typical "lose 10, gain 15" pattern - the last round I lost 70 lb and gained 100... I'm starting my 2 week pre-op Medifast diet on Monday at just under 350 lb.

My last straw was when my parents went to Hawaii last month - my son remarked that he wanted to go back, which reminded me that two years (and 50 lb lighter) ago I was jumping in the surf with my 6-y.o., and right now I don't even know if I could comfortably walk on a sand beach because of the arthritis in my knees and hips :-(

My knees have been bad since I was a teen, so it was particularly stupid for me to have gained so much weight. I've been told that I can't have knee replacements until I've lost 125+ lb. I want to keep up with my young kids (hence the knee replacements) and I also want to live long enough to see my grandchildren. Consequently, I'm very highly motivated to succeed with my lapband.

Looking forward to sharing progress stories with you all -

Alyson

[jelbel 0]

Good luck Cristasha,

Of course you are too young for a cane... Hopefully you'll have to throw it out!

[Newblew 0]

I'm 41, married with three kids - ages 13, 11, and 8. My husband is the only one who knows I'm having the surgery and after an initial rocky start ..."You want to spend how much money on what????"...he has become my biggest supporter. Of course the big jerk is in his 5th month of Weight Watchers and is now 6 lbs from his goal. I don't know why he was able to do it that way and I can't, but I just have to do what's right for me. At least we both are making positive changes to our health and lives.

My older daughters are at perfect weights, but my 8 yr old son is overweight. I know it not a coincidence given how terribly we have eaten during the last 5 years. But hopefully we'll be able to translate all this healthy eating through the whole family. I lose sleep beating myself up about letting my son eat so poorly. I hope that he is young enough that I can reverse the trend.

OK, that's everything you ever needed to know about me. 6 days and counting!! Good luck to all the first week December bandsters!

Newblew

[mrskrzyz 1]

And thanks Chris for inviting me in!!! Good luck to everyone who is going in tomorrow or any time this month!

My name is Jill and I am 33. Wife, mom of 2 great girls (9 and 5), First grade public school teacher for 10 years now. Overweight my whole life, but not to this degree. I am only 5' 2" and 230 pounds.

I am glad I found this site! Looking forward to checking in with all of you!

[Twilight 2]

Great to have you Jill. We have a lot in common it looks like. I am also a public school teacher, however I teach Jr. High/High school math but have for the last 9 years.

I am also at the largest I have ever been. Also 5'2 and when i went to my pre-op appt. I topped the scales at 220. Mine at home didn't say I was that heavy but who ya gonna believe??? I like my home number better, but I guess I have to go with the pros.

I have surgery on the 6th. Glad to have you join the group!

Steph (aka Twi)

[mrskrzyz 1]

Hello there! Wow... you are only a couple of days away!!! Post as soon as you are up to it!!! We really do have a lot in common... LOL!

[150bound 0]

let's tell each other a little about ourselves. since we are going on this journey together i think it would be nice. what do you think?? you stuff like married? kids? occupation ect

I am a 35yo single mother of 5 due to my co-morbidities I am disabled for now I will be looking forward to Dec 14 to begin my journey and have my life back. I know that my journey will be uphill but I am looking forward to the climb. If not for me, but so I can be active with my family. Good luck to you and I will keep checking in to see how everyone else is doing for support as well as advice this is a major step and I know this is going to be a success

[150bound 0]

I am a 35yo single mother of 5 due to my co-morbidities I am disabled for now I will be looking forward to Dec 14 to begin my journey and have my life back. I know that my journey will be uphill but I am looking forward to the climb. If not for me, but so I can be active with my family. Good luck to you and I will keep checking in to see how everyone else is doing for support as well as advice this is a major step and I know this is going to be a success

I forgot to mention I live in Washington State and will be having my surgery on Dec 14 at the University of Washington with Dr Oelschlager. Anyone else in Washington? I am ready to sit where I want to at the kids games, concerts, or conferences. I have been overweight my entire life but I guess having kids and "life" gave me the boost into morbid obesity. I have tried dieting some but when I lost the pounds when they returned they brought friends lol!

[Jazzywoman 0]

I"M A TEACHER!!! --------> ****goes to sit on the teacher losers bench*** I have a wonderful 4th grade class.

I'm 48,(will be 49 on Dec 7) have a BMI of 40 and would like to loose 90 lbs. Widowed, then Married 6 yrs, 3 children (26d, 24s, 24d and a step-daughter 26)

I think lots of teachers are overweight because of the massive stress associated with the job!

Started the research into lap band years ago.. was ready in September to pursue the journey.

I've gone through all the stages of grief over food, and now I'm at the acceptance stage.

To be banded December 27, and I'm not even worried about being on the liquid diet over Christmas. I'm still gonna Celebrate, just with something liquid!!

I'm so excited to have found this place, and all of you!! You really don't know how wonderful it is to have lots of infomation and support!! Thanks!!!

[Heatherz88 2]

let's tell each other a little about ourselves. since we are going on this journey together i think it would be nice. what do you think?? you stuff like married? kids? occupation ect

OK my name is Heather , divorced 6 yrs 2 children 14+15 getting married on Feb 23,08.A whole new beginning an im thrilled!

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[Chienne 0]

I'm in - I am 40 years old , divorced mother of two grown sons - one is in the Air Force and one in the Army. I was a very thin kid and young adult. Had my kids and the hips and butt went in opposite directions. I never seemed to stop after that. I am 5'8 and "big -boned" , but the weight just kept piling on I currently weigh 269. I work as an insurance claims adjuster for my fathers company. He is getting banded tomorrow with me. I am pretty frustrated right now because my sinuses have suddenly went haywire- I have a runny nose and sneezing constantly, so I put in a call to my Doc. I am getting really nervous about tomorrow...and I am hopeless at trying to get a ticker or the merry loser banner on to my posts, but I still am proud to be a MERRY LOSER!

- Chienne aka Stef

[dandydeb 0]

I am with you about the liquid diet over Christmas. I am a school nurse, and it is amazing to me the number of people in the medical field that are overweight. I am having surgery the first day of christmas break and will then have two weeks to recover. My problem is I am not at all in the Christmas Spirit. I am so focused on this. Plus mymother in law is having some problems and lives out of twon so i need to go spend a week with her for a hospitalization right before my surgery. Today is a difficult day, don't know why I feel so bummed out but this will pass, if i can just get through the day without chocolate.< /p>

[dandydeb 0]

so now that I have had my pitty party, I am 56, married almost 35 years and have 3 grown sons. Actually life is pretty good for me and solving this weight problem, or at least having help will be the icing on the cake.

[Chienne 0]

I'm in - I am a 40 yr. old divorced mother of two sons - both in the military. I am being banded tomorrow with my Dad! I work as a claims adjuster.

I never had a weight problem until after my kids were born - then I just got bigger and bigger - I am really getting nervous now!!

[Ellisa 6]

I'm 53, work for an IT department. Issues with weight began late 30's. Up down up down... Married for 34 years, two grown children, 5 grandchildren. Graduated with associate degree in June 2007. "Non traditional student."

My husband was banded two years ago this month. I will be on December 18th.

I could ditto most of the comments already made. Life's too short to be this uncomfortable about this aspect of my life.