The Redhead

What was it that prompted you to have lap band surgery? Did you have a 'turning point' or an event that made you decide enough is enough? For me it was a series of events. One of them being, when I couldn't fit into any of my size 14 clothes and realized I had almost gained back all of the 50 lbs I had struggled so hard to lose. I have a closet full of clothes and can only fit into about 3 pairs of pants (all new size) and some T-shirts and a couple of sweaters. I work in Management and I can no longer wear my power suits. Which is ok since I feel far from powerful about myself at this time. But things are gonna change come April 10th!!

Thanks Michelle. You learn something new every day.

I just have to ask... if we are discussing forum etiquette... what does 'Bump' mean? :-?

Hi Bigmanny, I'm right behind you on April 10th. Funny, I haven't seen anyone else having it on the 10th. We're getting close now. Good luck to you. Denise

Thanks for sharing your results Michelle. You look fantastic! You are a real inspiration. Looking forward to watching your progress in the future. Denise

I have been reading accounts of everyone's surgery and I started to think about mine that is scheduled for April 10th. As stupid and as trivial as this may sound to some, this is a big concern of mine. I know that Dr. Ortiz sometime comes out and talks to the 'newly banded' following surgery and sometimes they are still not 'coherent' and he instead talks to their husband, boyfriend, mother, friend, etc. I'm a bit worried. My boyfriend is going with me. We've been together a year and I love him dearly but I don't think I want him knowing my weight now or how much fat had to be moved around or any other details that might embarrass me. It's not that he would every say anything about it, it's just that I would prefer something are kept private to me. I mean, he is going with me, and he knows I'm desperate to lose weight (which he lovingly tells me isn't necessary and he loves me the way I am), but it doesn't mean I want him hearing how much I weigh or how much fat is under my skin (not that he can't see by looking at me). I guess I keep picturing the flashing neon sign above the scale flashing my weight when I step up on the scale. To those of you who have been through it... how private is this kept?

Thank you. Thank you. You made that very simple!

Wow! Big difference for the Canadian Price. I was at a Home and Garden show a few weekends ago in Vancouver, B.C. and they were charging $150 to do it. I had asked my dentist about it a while back and it was $300.

Hi Claire, I'm right behind you. I'm flying in on April 9th and scheduled for surgery on April 10th. I am so excited about this. =D> Maybe I'll see you there. Denise

I'm scheduled for lap band surgery on April 10th. I am SO EXCITED!! I've been fat my whole life. There was a couple of periods in my life when I dieted and got almost to goal but then blew it and put it back on.

Name and Location: Denise, Surrey, British Columbia Age: 47 Gender: F Band Date: April 10, 2008 =D> Height: 5'5" Highest weight: 215 Current Weight: 195 Goal Weight: 125

Hi Brook, I'm looking forward to meeting you too. I noticed you are hoping to lose about 75 lbs. That's about what I want to lose as well. I have been over-weight my whole life and have lost weight at times but gained it all back. Now I am 47 years old and find I just can't lose weight anymore. In fact, every time I diet I always gain back more than I lose (and usually in different areas of my body...lately around my waist). In the past 5 years my life has changed SO much. I am really looking forward to changing it even more with a new, slim figure to be proud of. My boyfriend and I will be coming from Surrey, British Columbia. I am just waiting for Lori's email so I can book our flight. Can't wait to meet you, Denise

I think I will be having lap band surgery on April 10th. Lori and I have been emailing back and forth and I just got approval from my boss to take that time off. I'm waiting to hear back from Lori so I send my deposit. I'm very excited. Up to this point I feel like most of my life has been put on "hold" just waiting until I was thin to do things. I'm 47 now and looking forward to the new start to the rest of my life.