Date Set for Surgery

[Overcomer as guest]

OK, I am opening myself up here because when I first posted that I was considering the Lap Band surgery everyone jumped on me.  My friend did as well.  BUT........I am bound and determined to live in a thin body (which I have not seen since probably 1978!!!!!)  For the past 9 years I have been at least 50 pounds overweight and in the last six months I have ballooned to 80 pounds overweight.  Still, my Dr. says I am on the thin side for the operation.  My BMI is 35 (which is the lowest they will allow the surgery to be performed............unless you go to Mexico..)

So I have done everything required of me before they will schedule the surgery.  I have meant with a Psychiatrist.  I have gone to a support group meeting (which I will continue to do prior and after surgery....)  I had a stress test to make sure my heart is ok.  I went to my doctor and had labs done and I am anemic so she has me on iron and some other supplements.  I will go on a 1200 calorie diet for two weeks prior to the surgery to shrink my liver.  A physical within two weeks of the surgery......

And the day is August 27!!!  So I am so happy.  Next summer I should weigh what I did in high school.  Tall and thin.  All my life my mom has called me fat-fat and always points out that I am overweight.  My 20 year old daughter was always thin and physically fit until she quit college cheerleading and now she has put on 30 pounds.  Both my parents mention her weight continually.  "You need to do sit ups."  "You better stop eating so much."  My daughter called me all distressed and told me that her self esteem is suffering from everything they say to her.  She then runs to the fridge to eat away her stressor........that is what I did as well.......

[dandylife]

Good for you!

This is called:

Making Decisions

Doing What's Best for You!

Planning for the Future

Being Healthy!

First step - visualize what you want. Then make it happen. You are doing all the right steps.

My sister in law had gastric bypass about 2 years ago. She was 330 pounds. She lost 120 pounds so far. Not easy, not all rosy, but she's much healthier. Her big thing now is that she wore out her knees! She needs two new knees! But otherwise, she is there for her 8 year old son.

Good luck and more power to you,

Dandylife

[Overcomer as guest]

Thanks, Dandy!!!  I am so excited!!  I feel like I have been in prison for a long time.  My doc even said to me that I am a thin person in a fat body..............she said sometimes people accept who they are overweight, but she said for me I never accepted it and it made me feel really bad about myself.  And since I became periomenopausal, I couldn't lose a pound if I tried..my hormones kept me up and down all the time............I had the feeling it was not my body....if you can understand that...

[Ami]

I will be praying for you ,Kelly. I am really glad that you are happy about your decision. I wish everything all the best for you.
   I guess that you are not going to use my remedy for losing weight--- my mother and husband. I can import them ,if you want.                                                                Love   Ami

[motheroffour]

Overcomer,

Good for YOU!  I am sending you all my encouragement for the days ahead.  I am all for getting rid of all prisons, in whatever form they take.  Here is to being happy in your own skin!  Cheers to you!

--Mof4

[lighter]

If this is what you want..... then I wish you all the best and you deserve to feel good about your choice.

I want to add that I have 2 friends (not close friends) who had this surgery.  

Both have continued to struggle with their weight.

From what I've figured out.... you need to address your thoughts and change the way you deal with stress, along with commit to healthy eating patterns and excercise.  

Neither of my friends did this, they kept their same food choices and still overate, which made me uncomfortable for a couple reasons.  One, I knew they felt guilty about it.  Two, we both knew they were defeating the purpose of the surgery.  There was even more guilt about food, after the surgery.  I don't think that helped them at all.  

Oh my.... I must sound like an old finger pointing school marm but....  I really want you to get what you want from this surgery, if you go through with it.  

The surgery alone, without changing habits and addressing underlying causes, didn't work.

I'd think of this as a big ol jump start to obtaining a goal.  I wouldn't think of it as the solution, kwim?

What becomes habit becomes pleasure.  Good luck: )

[Overcomer as guest]

I totally understand this.  The whole team at the Bariatric Center has stressed the whole time that the lap band is a tool, not a magic bullet.  If you drink tons of beer and eat ice cream all the time, you will not lose weight.  I talked with a man at the support group meeting and he got his done last January.  By June he had lost over 70 pounds.  But he follows the rules.  No drinking 10 minutes before and 40 minutes after....this keeps the food in the stomach and keeps you feeling full.  Eat protein first.  Take vitamins.  Eat healthy........someone in the support group said, "What you are telling us to eat the way we should eat if we were on a diet.................that hasn't worked in the past why will it now???"  They said, IT iS A TOOL!!!  iT MAKES YOU FULL - THAT'S IT....

[isittoolate]

Good Luck Overcomer

I recall your mentioning it!  Will Power, you met him didn't you?  I did but my daughter didn't! I have good metabolism, thank goodness, sitting for 38 years--daughter hasn't, might have picked up her Native genes and is resembling many of her paternal aunts!

I'm 5'10" and she is 6'. you and I are same height, right?

Takie good care!
Love
Izzy

[lighter]

Yes yes yes.... a tool, not a magic bullet.


A big ol kickstart to a new regime and healthy way of living. 

I can wrap my mind around that and it sounds like you understand exactly what you have to do to meet your goals. 

I think you're gonna do great!

[Overcomer]

Thanks!  I am ready.  They put you through it and it does not happen quickly.  I have been going through the process for months.  I think they make you jump through a lot of hoops to weed out those who think it is a quick fix.  My knees are starting to hurt and I huff and puff while walking.  Yes, Iz, I am 5' 10" although I think I have shrunk a bit.  I want to weigh about 150 to 160!  I want to walk into Con Taylor loft and buy clothes off the rack!  But the pants will probably still be short!

[Hopalong]

Good luck to you, Kel.
You made the right choice for you...
and if you were sure over others' comments, then you really are sure.

That sounds like it'll help the whole thing work for you. You're focused.

It's going to be fun to hear about your new shape evolving.

Keep us posted,
Hops

[Overcomer]

I was thinking about starting a blog but I am not sure how to do it. Cannot wait until I have before and after pics!

[Overcomer]

Thanks C B!  I believe this board has been a great healing place and I was hoping that a blog would help me as well as anyone else who may benefit from my progress.

[Overcomer]

I DID WHAT C B SAID AND STARTED A LAP BAND BLOG.  It it Kellys Lap Band Surgery.  Cannot figure out how to get pics up-help Iz!

[isittoolate]

When you hit Reply, under the Reply window on the left is Additional Options... click the lttle white arrow beside the A...

See the window Attach and then Browse at the other end? well you cliick Browse to find the the picture you want to Attach

i look on my hard drive for the folder where I know thw picture is and ckick on that file.

It doesn't show in Preview, but after Post.

See (more attachments)?--well everytime you click those wordsanother Browsing window opens ffor another picture

Test it out!
xx
Izzy

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