Meet the Bunnies

[scoobydoo 0]

Hello,

My name is Sherri. I am 44 years old and live in St. Louis, MO. I am divorced and the mother of a 19-year-old son.

I have battled my weight for the past 24 years, gaining and losing, gainin and losing, and finally this past winter, after much research and soul-searching, decided that the LapBand is the way to go for me. I am 260 lbs right now, 5'5" tall. Two years ago, I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes, hypertension, and just last month with hyperthyroidism. It's really sad that I let myself get this "sick" before I decided I should do something about it.

I won't know for a couple of weeks if I will be banded in April, but I'm HOPEFUL, so keep your fingers crossed for me. I am really ready and excited to get on the road to being healthy, and I look forward to being in touch with all of you, as we travel this road together.

Hi, Sherri, My dad lives in Kansas City, KS. Sort of in your neck of the woods. Most of our family can be traced back to a small town called Rolla, MO.

Don't worry that it took you a while to come to the band decision. Better late than never...and at least you are taking charge and doing it now. I have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) and take a pill for it every day. Also have a bad knee and hoping that the weight loss will help with that.

I will keep my finders crossed for you to get an April date. I know that getting the actual date was a BIG thing for me. Finally made it seem real.

:crying:

[scoobydoo 0]

I can't wait, nervous, but excited. Love my doctor, but work with him professionally and hate that he's going to see me in all my glory on the OR table. Not to mention the staff in the OR! It will be worth the embarrassment though.

Love the forum here, good to meet you all!

Shelly, It will be SO worth it!! I can understand though. I used to work with several doctors and the thought of being naked on the table in front of them isn't a pleasant thought, but like you said, it will be well worth while. And even though they know you, they are professionals and probably won't even give it a second thought.

I am nervous, excited and scared all at the same time. I am so happy and thankful to have this great group to go to for support and understanding. It is so cool to have others going through the exact same thing. No one else understands it like you guys! Thanks for being there:smile:

[MSan914 3]

Hello -

My name is Stephanie I am 46 yrs old, married for 12 years and have a 6 year old daughter.

I have been overweight most of my life - even when I was a competitive athlete - my family always made fun of me becasue I was the FAT gymnast!

I had looked into getting the lapband in 2006, but my husband got deployed - and then in 2008 I started to look into it again -- and again he got deployed!!

He is back - and I am now getting banded!! April 28 is my surgery date.

I can not wait to get it done and start getting rid of this excess weight. I want to go for walks and bike rides - go to Cedar Pointe and actually have fun. I can not wait to wear a regular swim suit.

Thanks -

[Sissyh1006 0]

Well I am Sherry, aka in the family as Sis (Sissy). I live here in Central Illinois, 56 yr old and divorced. I have 2 sons 26 and 30. The 30 yr. old lives with me because of health reasons.

I started this process in Nov 2007 with my physician but my insurance company did not cover lap band. In July 2008 when our yearly changes were made it was approved so I called and my insurance required a 6 month diet/exercise program to lose 5% of my weight which for me was around 12 pounds. I am 5'2", my highest weight was 261 in May 2008, I am now down to 226 and ready for surgery 4/1.

I don't have a specific goal with the band and will take it as it comes off. I am thinking around 140-150 would be nice but I want to see how I feel and look at the time.

Let me know if your date isn't listed in the master thread and I will add you.

I will be praying each day for those being banded on that day. Please join me in prayer for our fellow bunnies.

[ThinWithin 0]

Hello -

My name is Stephanie I am 46 yrs old, married for 12 years and have a 6 year old daughter.

I have been overweight most of my life - even when I was a competitive athlete - my family always made fun of me becasue I was the FAT gymnast!

I had looked into getting the lapband in 2006, but my husband got deployed - and then in 2008 I started to look into it again -- and again he got deployed!!

He is back - and I am now getting banded!! April 28 is my surgery date.

I can not wait to get it done and start getting rid of this excess weight. I want to go for walks and bike rides - go to Cedar Pointe and actually have fun. I can not wait to wear a regular swim suit.

Thanks -

Hi Stephanie, welcome! I am a military spouse as well. I am so eager to start this journey. Are you sharing your banding with people? Glad your husband is back from his deployment! I too have looked into this for a long time. I started years and years ago and it wasn't covered (only bypass was) I was thrilled when I heard that it was starting to be covered finally!!

[lingling 0]

Hello,

Two years ago, I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes, hypertension, and just last month with hyperthyroidism. It's really sad that I let myself get this "sick" before I decided I should do something about it.

Sherri, good on you for making this huge positive step in your life! The diabetes and hypertension will be a thing of the past before you know it and you will be feeling amazing. This is the biggest and best gift you could give your loved ones and you - good on you and good luck! xx:smile:

[Kellster 1]

Hey everyone, it's great to meet you all! I'm excited to take this journey with you. I'm still nervous that I might not get a surgery date in April, but I'm optimistic! I have my last dietician appt tomorrow, then my surgeon sends in for approval and I should know hopefully sooner rather than later!

In any case... I'm Kelly, 28 years old in So Cal (Pasadena to be exact). I'm single with no kids, but I did recently start dating a wonderful man who is supportive of my weight-loss endeavors and thinks I'm beautiful at any size. :thumbup: I'm 5'10'' and currently about 354 lbs, size 22/24ish.

I've been obese for at least the last 10 years, it all started after I stopped playing year-round sports in high school and decided to focus on my studies (and keep eating the same junk!). I've tried tons of diets and weight-loss attempts, but started thinking about the band in 8/08. I'm way excited to take off this weight for once and for all, get back to playing sports, riding rollercoasters, shopping at more than 2 stores and best of all - skydiving!!!!! I've been too chicken to skydive at my current weight, afraid the parachute won't hold me (silly, but true). I love the beach, I want to learn to snowboard, and I can't wait to travel around the world now that my booty will fit in an airplane seat comfortably. The possibilities are ENDLESS! Woohoo! :thumbup:

[Suzdavis 0]

Hello Everyone...

Am so excited to officially become an April Bandster. I am a happily married (36 years) overweight lady. In high school, where I met my husband, I was a slim cheerleader. Then the wedding and 15 months later a wonderful son. But he brought 50 extra pounds that never left. 5 years later a beautiful daughter and she couldn't be outdone so she also brought 50 pounds. I know it wasn't their fault the extra 100 lbs stayed around. I have numerous times gotten rid of 1/2 of the extra but you know......It found its way back. I am so looking forward to getting rid of all 100 lbs and more. I was approved for an April 14 surgery date and Cigna so graciously agreed to pay for the majority of the cost.

I have Type 2 diabetes and Acid reflux along with sleep apnea. I so want to be able to throw the pills away.

My first goad is to lose enough to skydive out of an airplane and land on knees that wouldn't hurt.

BTW I am 54 years old but feel 40ish and can't wait to be able to act 40 instead of 80....

[TxMomof4 0]

Hello everyone:redface: my name is Deanna and I live in Texas. I have been married for 23 years to my best friend. We have 4 beautiful children, 19, 16, 15 and 13. Having 3 kiddos back to back like I did, did a number on my body. When I was young I was never heavy, the weight has crept up on me! My heaviest was 218, in August of 2007. I am down to 187, some of the weight loss was due to having Lipo and a Tummy Tuck for my baby belly. I am 5' 1" and my bmi is 35.3. I see my surgeon (Dr. Castro) on Friday to schedule my surgery date, whoo hoo!! I know that I dont have as much weight to loose as some, but I have a family history of obeisty and heart problems. My mother had her first heart attack at 58. I want to do this for so many reasons. I am self pay, but it will be so worth it! I want to be around for those grandbabies I know I will have one day:w00t:

I hope for the best for all the bunnies on here! Lets do this!

Dee

[CelticAngel 1]

Hey all. I'm Kelly, 32, mother of 7 year old boy/girl twins and a 14 year old that's not living with me (he was adopted by my dad and stepmom). Been married to my hubby for nearly 11 years.

Starting really fighting with my weight in high school after I got pregnant and had my son. Never lost all that I'd gained and found after that I gained easier and had a harder time losing. Was already overweight and having to watch my blood pressure when I got pregnant with my twins and then gained a lot with them. I'm 5'3" and currently 251. Been thinking about Lap-Band for a long time, know several people that have had it done, but always had insurance that wouldn't cover it or required unreal steps to go through so would try dieting on my own. Best I ever did was lose close to 50 a few years ago, then had a majorly stressful event happen and blew that all to hell lol.

Recently I decided to check into things again and found out that my current insurance, United Healthcare, would cover it at 100% without any hoops to jump through and I jumped on it. Surgery date is April 7 and I'm so excited I can barely stand it. Hubby is very supportive, so is whole family. Hubby could really use it too but he doesn't think it's the right move for him but is very much supporting me. I've currently got high blood pressure as well as a bad heel spur which makes it very painful to walk.

I'm really hoping I can see good results by June. Hubby's has a highschool reunion and we're taking our twins to Disney World. Would love to get as much off by then as possible to help with the heel spur and just over all feeling better. :crying:

[lingling 0]

Welcome guys!! good luck on your journeys, Great to have you as part of the group!

[ThinWithin 0]

i am so excited to see our group growing!!

Kelly, where are you staying when you go to disney? I am a HUGE disney fan and we are going for our second trip this year in november. :0)

[Hazeleyes 0]

Hi everyone my name is Nikki and I am 49 yrs old, I was banded in Dec 07 and I am having the time of my life. I am a mom to two beautiful children 18 and 22 and a nana to a 3yr lil boy. My journey with the lapband has had it's ups and downs but I seem to be at my sweet spot after 5 fills and things are going down....lol I am heading to a size 14 from a size 20. There were times along the way when I thought the weight isn't coming off fast enough but I've learned everyone is different and slower is the better road. Getting banded has been the best thing for me. I have fell in love with the latest craze of Zumba I do it 3 to 4 times a week and really watch what I eat (that took time and real conditioning) but I've got it down now. I encourage anyone who is looking into getting banded or those of us that are already to find that plan that works for you we are all very different. And to also keep in mind " Never let the failures of yesterday interfere with the success of today".

[scoobydoo 0]

Hi everyone my name is Nikki and I am 49 yrs old, I was banded in Dec 07 and I am having the time of my life. I am a mom to two beautiful children 18 and 22 and a nana to a 3yr lil boy. My journey with the lapband has had it's ups and downs but I seem to be at my sweet spot after 5 fills and things are going down....lol I am heading to a size 14 from a size 20. There were times along the way when I thought the weight isn't coming off fast enough but I've learned everyone is different and slower is the better road. Getting banded has been the best thing for me. I have fell in love with the latest craze of Zumba I do it 3 to 4 times a week and really watch what I eat (that took time and real conditioning) but I've got it down now. I encourage anyone who is looking into getting banded or those of us that are already to find that plan that works for you we are all very different. And to also keep in mind " Never let the failures of yesterday interfere with the success of today".

Nikki,

Thanks so much for your post. It is great to hear from someone who has been there. Great to have such encouraging words! I am due to be banded on April 16th and I am hoping that it works for me. I just know that I will give it 110%. What a difference a year will make!!:thumbup:

[jerseygirl518 3]

Hello New Friends, My name is Judy, I'm 62 and single. I too have battled weight all my life. In 1974, lost 60 lbs in 6 months on WW in anticipation of my 10 yr reunion. Kept it off for years, then a breakup caused a relapse. Then slowly kept gaining. In 2001, I went on liquids for 14 months and lost 90 lbs. Found it!!!! I need major hernia surgery and they won't do it until I lose 130 & keep it off for 6 months. I had one knee replaced last year and need the other one done. Rehabilitation is so hard when you are obese. So that's down the road too.

I've been a Jersey Girl all my life, until last April. I moved to Kansas to be with the love of my life. Who I met in Jersey back in 1968.