Available Lap Band Buddy / Mentor I'm here to help

[mumof2boys 71]

Hi there. I guess you could put me in the "success" category. I'm am a 35 year old female who began my lap band journey on April 30, 2007. In September 2006 I had reached the point where I couldn't take it anymore. I went to my doctor and told him that I was interested in lapband. I had to follow the six-month "diet" before going to a surgeon. I did that and didn't lose any weight. So...off to a surgeon I went.

My surgery was planned for April 30 and I had to do a two week liquid diet (Optifast). So...on April 16, 2007 I had a "Farewell to Fat" party at my house. I was done with it and ready to begin my "new life". On April 17 (the day that I started the liquid) I weighed 275 pounds.

I am married (struggling with issues currently) and I have two lovely little boys. I work for the federal government in Washington DC. I have been with this agency for over 17 years.

To date, I have lost 128 pounds. I have a new life...I feel great, have tons of energy and feel like a completely different person. I know how hard this is to do by yourself so I am available to assist anyone in any way that I can. I know that if I can do it...anyone can...

Feel free to contact me and I'll assist you as best I can.

[bandiegirl 0]

Wow--and I need it--I start the one week liquid diet tomorrow for surgery the 29th--scary! Thanks for doing this-I heard that relationships can get really rocky after this surgery--

[barbvee 0]

tina it is so good to read your post. i was reading all the bandster hell and almost panicked thinkin that i am gonna go thru this for nothhing . i am sch for april for my surgery. i too work for the gov in a round about way . am contracted to the irs.

i am 60 year old and weigh 339 now started in oct at 355. i hope to lose 40 lbs by surgery. but i need to hear that this will work. the bandster support group in my area really doesnt have any bandsters. mostly rny s so i need to talk to a person that has had the experienc and has lost.

would it be possible to email. i am legally blind and it is much easier for me to email from my own email addy. it is barb_verrett@yahoo.com

would love to hear from you and i certainly would love some help and encouragement. not feelin very encouraged now after the bandster hell posts. thanks so much barb

[ValJean 6]

Hi Tina,

I would be so grateful to have you as a buddy/mentor. I am currently 2 weeks post op, and my first fill is scheduled for Feb 25 (3 days after my 30th birthday!). I work for a literary magazine in Chicago, and live with my very supportive boyfriend of 2 years. I've been overweight/obese for 20+ years...my first memories of being "fat" are from 4th grade. Most of the women in my family struggle with weight issues/obesity as well.

Making the decision to get the band was not an easy one for me; I battled with feeling ashamed, like I was taking the "easy" way, like I should be able to just lose the weight on my own. But after a year of research and soul searching, I came to the decision that the band was the right choice for me, that it was a decision I could feel proud and strong about, that this was the tool that would give me the extra boost I need to lose the weight once and for all, after years of yo-yo-ing and feeling defeated and depressed every time the weight came back.

If you have the time to take on a buddy/mentee that is 1000% determined to make this work, I'd love to talk to you. Your success is inspiring, and I would appreciate your support and insight.

Hope to hear from you.

Valerie

[barbvee 0]

hey valerie,

so good to hear from you. would love to have yu for a mentor. if you dont mind can you email me at my reg email address. barb_verrett@yahoo.com.

i need as much help as possible. thanks much. have a great valentine weekend. barb.

[Bandana 0]

Tina

Thanks I could really use support. I was banded 1/28/08 and am still dealing with eating slow and chewing slow. It's such a battle and right now I haven't been able to eat for 2 days. I don't know why the band got so tight. The upside is I lost 2lbbs so I'm not sure if I should get the unfil I was considering.

[mumof2boys 71]

How's everyone doing? I am so excited for all of you...banded, going to be banded or almost banded. I want everyone to feel the joy that I am feeling with this band. I hope that you are all doing well and I can't wait to hear from each of you.

Keep your chins up and remember my saying...

"THIN FEELS BETTER THAN food TASTES!!!!"

Take care everyone and hope to hear from you soon.

Tina

[ksiebert 0]

Hi. Your story is so inspirational. Looks like a few people have already asked for your support, but I would love to join them. I sent you a private message. I am 36, married with 2 kids and also live in MD. I was banded on2/13/09 and have lost 14 pds so far. My starting weight was 225 pds, 5'3" tall.

You look great and I would love to hear from you. My email is ksiebert@gmtp.net

Thanks - Karen

[abailor 4]

Hi Tina~

Your story is inspirational! I am very smiliar to you too~ I am 34 yeras old soon to be 35. I was banded 12/16/08 to date I have only lost 25 lbs. I have had two fills and do not feel restricted. When will I feel the way I did after surgery? I h ave not really lost any weight at all in 2 months and really need too! I am starting to feel like this is not going to work for me and this is not the attitude I want to have at all!

I hate being overweight it limits me in so many ways, I avoid social situations with people who knew me when I was "skinny" at this point I just want to be HEALTHY for my two little boys.

So as of today I am 3 months out and 25 lbs lost any timeline.......should I start losing again soon? I get another fill on 4/1???

Thanks!

Angie

[sexylips 1]

hi there. I guess you could put me in the "success" category. I'm am a 35 year old female who began my lap band journey on april 30, 2007. In september 2006 i had reached the point where i couldn't take it anymore. I went to my doctor and told him that i was interested in lapband. I had to follow the six-month "diet" before going to a surgeon. I did that and didn't lose any weight. So...off to a surgeon i went.

My surgery was planned for april 30 and i had to do a two week liquid diet (optifast). So...on april 16, 2007 i had a "farewell to fat" party at my house. I was done with it and ready to begin my "new life". On april 17 (the day that i started the liquid) i weighed 275 pounds.

I am married (struggling with issues currently) and i have two lovely little boys. I work for the federal government in washington dc. I have been with this agency for over 17 years.

To date, i have lost 128 pounds. I have a new life...i feel great, have tons of energy and feel like a completely different person. I know how hard this is to do by yourself so i am available to assist anyone in any way that i can. I know that if i can do it...anyone can...

Feel free to contact me and i'll assist you as best i can.

hi tina

its wonderfull to here that someone is willing to help others like my self who need as much help, sopport we can get.thankyou for your kind heart and congratulations on your success with the band........lol mariah

[annie1000 1]

I could sure use support. I was banded 3/25/09 and very new to this strange way of living. I also do not know how to navigate this site...how do you e-mail people? I am not sure I will even be able to find this posting again so you can reach me at silveroaksclydes@q.com Thank you

[CASSIEME1 1]

how long and after how many fills did u see real results did u have to do excessive exercise

[Kitten123 0]

Tina,

You're story is a great inspiration. It looks like you have a lot of people asking for your help, if you can find the time to help one more person it would be appreciated.

I am going to be banded this Tuesday and am feeling a little nervous and to be perfectly honest, feeling a little like a failure. I lost a great deal of weight 9 years ago and while I managed to keep it off for 6 years, the past three years saw it all come back on. I am as heavy as I have ever been and cannot believe I'm back in this place. At any rate, I'm looking at the banding as a tool and a way to get my life back.

Thanks for posting your story, I look forward to speaking with you in the future.

Raenee

[Cassy 0]

Hi Mumof2boys!

I am almost 6 months out and I'm down 50 pounds. I have had 7 fills for a total of 8.2 in a 10cc band. I have restriction but not a lot so I tend to get hungry often. I am eating well (I think) but I'm hoping you wouldn't mind sharing a typical days worth of meals and Snacks with me. I need some ideas of what it should be vs. what my doctor is telling me because I think he is recommending too much Protein. He says one gram per half pound of body weight. When I follow it I don't lose, when I don't follow it...I lose but I'm wondering if I'm losing muscle mass. What do you think?

Hi there. I guess you could put me in the "success" category. I'm am a 35 year old female who began my lap band journey on April 30, 2007. In September 2006 I had reached the point where I couldn't take it anymore. I went to my doctor and told him that I was interested in lapband. I had to follow the six-month "diet" before going to a surgeon. I did that and didn't lose any weight. So...off to a surgeon I went.

My surgery was planned for April 30 and I had to do a two week liquid diet (Optifast). So...on April 16, 2007 I had a "Farewell to Fat" party at my house. I was done with it and ready to begin my "new life". On April 17 (the day that I started the liquid) I weighed 275 pounds.

I am married (struggling with issues currently) and I have two lovely little boys. I work for the federal government in Washington DC. I have been with this agency for over 17 years.

To date, I have lost 128 pounds. I have a new life...I feel great, have tons of energy and feel like a completely different person. I know how hard this is to do by yourself so I am available to assist anyone in any way that I can. I know that if I can do it...anyone can...

Feel free to contact me and I'll assist you as best I can.

[Bandana 0]

Tina

I wrote you a personal message, but not sure how I sent it or if it was sent so I'm looking for you here. Hope everthingis going well for you. I think about you now that I'm back on site. Give a shout when you come online. Thanks

Caryn