Introduction from New Member

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to introduce myself to you all.  I started investigating WLS about 3 years ago.  My insurance would cover the bypass but I was more interested in the Lap Band.  I found out they were now covering the lap band so I started the process in April of this year. 

I received my approval on 7/9/08.  My surgery is set for August 12th!!!!   WhooooHooooo!!! I am so excited and yet a little bit of butterflies is my stomach. 

I am 57 years old,  5'1" and weight 304 lbs. I have been overweight since I had my 1st child (37 years ago). I feel like I have lost and regained a 1,000 lbs in that time.  I pray that this will be the tool that I need for sucessful weight loss. 

I started my presurgery low carb diet the minute I got approved!!  LOL  I am swimming for exercise right now, but it won't last long after surgery because of the weather.  I am from a small town, Whiteville, NC  and the closest indoor pool is 55 miles away.  Guess I will have to do something else for exercise!  Whiteville is not going to get one anytime soon. 

Been married to my high school sweetheart for 38 years and he is behind me all the way.  He realizes how important this is for my health and says he doesn't want to be left alone without me.  I pray that we can survive this challenge!  I know it is going to be tough because he is famous for say to me just taste this or have some of mine!  Any advise on how to handle the old habits?

Enough of me for now!  I hope to hear from some of you soon.

Vera

Welcome and good luck!  JUST SAY NO!!  If your DH is truly supportive he won't be asking you to "taste this" anymore.  If he does ask, gently remind him with a heart felt "he** no!"  You will find, once you get proper restriction, you won't be able to eat those extra bites.  Or, if we go out to eat, my hubby orders something and I just cut off a little and eat it.  We don't really split it, cause I eat WAY less than he does! 

Thank you.   I really have learned to say no!!  It still happens though.  I will probably do the same as you and eat some of his dinner!! LOL

Vera

WELCOME to the NC Boards and CONGRATULATIONS on the begining of your new life!!! You will feel right at home here, this is  the best support around!! Any questions or concerns that you may have, PLEASE do not hesitate to ask here!! Someone, somewhere will have an answer for you! If you can, try to go to a local WLS support group, they are awesome, just to be around those that know exactly what you are going through!! And to be able to see everyone elses experiences with the surgery! If you dont have one locally, keep an eye out on here, because there are normally ones in the surrounding areas!! I travel an hour to go to our group meeting, with the girls that I met right here on OH!! And it is so worth it!! If you fall off track, just remember why you are having this surgery!!  You will still be able to live your normal life following, just your life will not revolve so much around food!! I now, "EAT TO LIVE, NOT LIVE TO EAT"  But I still can indulge once in a while :)
But again, WELCOME ABOARD!!! Best of luck to you on your new journey!!

JAMI

Thanks for the Welcom Aboard.  I haven't hear that term in a long time and I sure miss the active duty life.  My husband has been retired since 1994 but would go back immediately if they called.  When Iraq started he was so ready to be called back that I told him he would leave so fast  I would have to mail his drawers to him!!!  Military life was great for us. I hope you and yours are enjoying it also. It can be tough sometimes but well worth it.

The closest support group os om Wilmington (an hour away also) and I have gone once and intend to go again.

Vera

Welcome and congratulations.

Thank you!

Vera

Welcome to the best support network around!  I am 5 months post and give a lot of credit to the wonderful ppl here!   I am 53 yrs old and had the RNY 5 months ago.  I am 5'3" and my starting wt was 328 lbs and i am currently 242 lbs.   I had high BP which is now gone.   One thing i learned is when we go out to dinner, I don't even order my own plate and just eat off of hubbies so we now have to agree on what we will order.    I have been a yoyo my entire life and like you, have probably lost and gained a thousand lbs.

Like you I swim for exercise but when the weather cools off, I will start walking the neighborhood or mall.  I also have a stationary bike for the days when the weather is bad.   Where there is a will, there is a way.

Feel free to ask us any questions...we are all here for you.

Take care and good luck,

Pam

Thank You Pam!  Walking is a bit uncomfortable right now but I will do it when I can't swim any more!  Congratulations on your sucess. I am sure you feel better. 

Vera

Vera,

Welcome to the awesome NC boards and congradulations on the first day of the rest of your life!  Buckle you're seatbelt you're in for a rollercoaster of a ride!!!  I'm glad your DH is being supportive, that will help a lot!  When he says to taste this or have some of his you'll need to remind him that you're not able to have that just yet (depending on what it is).  You will be abe to have pretty much whatever you want in time but just a taste.  I started dating my fiance' 4 years after WLS and he is very supportive also.  He forgets once in a while that I really shouldn't have certain things (chocolate) and buys them for me..  I have to hide them or I'd eat them all and be sicker than a dog, I was a chocoholic before WLS and I'm still a chocoholic now.  Some of my tastes did change but not that - I think my doc forgot the flip that switch while doing my WLS... lol!  Anyway, enough of the rambling!  
 
Congratulations again and welcome!!!