Christmas Time Is Here

I am sitting here at working waiting for the time to pass, so I decided to post a small little blog. Things are going great. This past weekend I had two Christmas parties to attend. I just love this time of year.
The band is going good. I am really tight. I think I have found my spot that everyone talks about trying to find the right amount of restriction.
Work is going good. After being on night shift for the past year I finally am getting days on Jan 6th. I am so stoked about that.
I still can't believe that this week is Christmas. Our family gets together on Christmas eve at my Brother's house. Can't wait for that. Then next Thursday for New Years Eve my friend Kenzie and I are headed to New Orleans!!! We got Florida Gator tickets for the bowl game they are playing there on New Years Day. You know I am a huge Gator fan so I can't wait.
I hope everyone is having an awesome week and has a great holiday.
Merry Christmas!!!
Here are some pics from the Christmas Parties.

<---Me and my snowman

Brooke, me, Kenzie and Jon

Family shot that is my Sister in Law Kathy and My Brother Lee

My best buddy Josh

New Pics

Just thought it was time to add some new pictures. We put up our little tree at work, and then the other is just me. Someone told me it was time to give up on those pants that I am wearing in the first pictures. They are a little to big. The one of me in the jeans is my new pair of jeans two sizes down yay!!!

Have a great Sunday Funday!!

4 Months Post Surgery

Hey Ladies,

I know it's been a while since I have blogged. Gotta start making more time for this, but life happens. So I will just have to catch up a little bit. I will share some random things going on or that have happened...





Today is 4 months since I have been banded. Yesterday while I was working out with my trainer Deb, I had her weigh me and I am 62 pounds down. Never in a million years did I think I would be this far. It is so amazing. I had an appointment while my dr last week. He is very pleased with my progress. The support groups, my personal trainer, and the small group sessions I am involved in are going great. They are helping me so much with this journey. I just had my 4th fill last Friday and I think I am right where I need to be. It is pretty tight.

I am now two sizes down almost three. Started in 28 jeans now I am 24 almost 22. I can buy xxl shirts in old navy.. love that.

I have been working night shift for the past year. Our schedules are changing on Jan 2nd and I got day shift I am super excited about that.

For those of you who dont know. I am a huge Florida Gator fan and yes we did lose the SEC championship, but when or lose I am still a fan. I love going to the games and its just my team you know. Well one of my best friends Mackenzie and I are going to New Orleans for the Allstate Sugar Bowl game Fl vs. Cincinnati for New Years. I am super excited about that. We have spent new years eve out together for the last couple of years and now we are making it a trip. It is going to be awesome. I can not wait.

I go a lot. That is one thing I do. I like to travel, and I am blessed with a job that is shift work that allows me to do that very well. My friends and I pack up and go all the time. It is great, but in Jan I am going to Kansas City to visit my Aunt Nita and Uncle Terry. I am so excited about this trip. I am hoping for snow. Since I have never been in snow. I went snow skiing twice with the church it didn't snow either time. I went to New York in Jan and froze my butt off, but it snowed on the plane when we was leaving the airport. Just once I would love to be standing outside and the snow falling on me. Enough that I can play in to. I don't ever want to live in it, but would love to vaca in it. :) This trip is huge for me cause I am hoping to not have to ask the flight attendant for the seat belt extender. It is so embarrassing to have to do that, so I am hoping that I have made it past that. Keep your fingers crossed.

I went to my Dads work on Tuesday. He is the Chief of Investigations at the Sheriffs Dept. I used to work there as a 911 dispatcher. He has been there my whole life, so I know everyone there practically. My sister in law works there as well. I went around and visited with everyone. It was so awesome when they notice my progress. That is nothing but motivation for me.

Well I think I have rambled enough for today. I will post some pics soon. I broke my laptop charger. I ordered a new one just waiting for it to come in. All my pics are on there so just waiting on that. I hope everyone has a good day and an awesome weekend. I have to work all weekend. boo!!

I did it 4 months today!!!!!

A Wonderful Thanksgiving

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Yesterday I had lunch with my parents, Lee my brother, Kathy my sister in law, Joey my nephew and Kathy's mom. It was a nice time with my family. I love them so much. I am so thankful for the family I have. After lunch me and Joey took the golf cart out for a ride that was fun. Then I took a nap, so I could work last night. Here is a picture of me and my parents and me and my nephew Joey.







This morning at 6am when I got off I met my friend Jon and we went shopping. We met with my friend Brooke and her Mom for breakfast then headed to the town center. After a few hours there I headed home and took a nap. Then I woke up and went back out in the crowd before I had to be a work. I love this day. What a wonderful shopping day. I am gonna be so tired tonight at work though.. dreading this 12 hours.

I hope each of you had a great Thanksgiving. I am so thankful for each of my online buddies. :)

Answers for Linda O

I am gonna follow Catherine & Amy's and post my answers to Linda O's questions she asked. I am still fairly new to being banded. December 4th will be 4 months for me. Everyday I am still learning this whole process.

1. ANY REGRETS? Are you happy with your decision and would you do it again?
I have no regrets. I wish I would have done it sooner.

2. ARE YOU SORRY, YOU DIDN'T GIVE TRADITIONAL DIETING ONE MORE TRY?
Not at all. I have tried before, but gave up. Now the band helps when I wanna take that extra bite you just can't.

3. WHAT IS THE WORST THING ABOUT HAVING THE BAND?
Not being able to have bread and not drinking with meals has been my hardest. I have finally mastered the not drinking part and I have not had bread since two weeks before my surgery. I also love what Catherine wrote. So I ditto her response.

4. WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT HAVING THE BAND?
For me it is the results thus far. I am so excited about how well I am doing. I am sure as I get further along my answers will change.

5. On a scale of 1 to 10 HOW HARD WAS/IS IT PSYCHOLOGICALLY TO GET OVER THE FACT THAT YOU CAN'T EAT THE SAME WAY ANYMORE?
I think it is about a 2-3. I had my mind made up and I know that I want this soo bad and when we want something we get it right.. So you just do it. I know I can't have bread so I dont eat it. It like conversations me and myself have together. It sounds odd I know, but I am getting to know myself more and more.

6. HAS BEING BANDED MADE YOUR PERSONALITY CHANGE? For the better or worse?
Not changed, but for me I have never been complimented a lot so this is a big change for me. I am loving that people that dont know I am banded notice I am losing weight. It is making me more confident.

7. Are you still able to party a little? (I am a wine drinker...can't imagine giving it up completely) and are you a party pooper now cause you can't party as much?
I still hangout with my friends. I am no party pooper here. I am usually the ring leader so that wouldnt go over well. haha.. I do have wine it is the best choice. Beer is a total no no for me. Which is a good thing. My Dr. has us do low carb so my new favorite is sugar free jello shots. No carbs in vodka. ha..

8. HOW MUCH HAPPIER ARE YOU WITH YOUR BODY? I am wondering what I will look like 50-80 lbs thinner. I am 47 and will have a "lose skin" issue.
I have a long way to go still. 50lbs lighter though at this point I am already noticing changes in my body, but I am not sure how the skin will be when I get to my goal. I do work out to try to not have a lot of the loose skin.

9. HAVE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS CHANGED? Spouses? Family? Friends? Strangers?
No my relationships are still the same. I have the best family and friends support system in the world.


10. DO YOU FEEL LIKE THE SAME PERSON OR COMPLETELY DIFFERENT NOW THAT YOU HAVE LOST WEIGHT?
I feel the same. I am going to remember this and come back and do this again when I lose 100lbs, then when I get to goal weight to see the changes.

11. What do you wish someone would have told you pre-op?
It will be ok. You can still eat pretty much anything you already do. Your not giving up everything. I went into this thinking I was giving up a lot of foods, but the truth is you dont have to. Its about quanity.

Thanks Linda for posting some great questions. I hope this helps.

Question for my fellow banders

I was catching up on some blogs that I follow today. Everyone has their struggles up and down. It is kind of scary. Being three months out I am still new to this whole process, so I am still learning day by day. I think by reading peoples blogs that you never stop learning. I also sit in my centers support group twice a month and realize more now that ever before that all we have inside us is a tool. We will only succeed if we use our tool to the best of our ability. I try to stay positive and I am really happy with my weight loss thus far, but to be quite honest I am scared of failure. I am getting to the point where people are noticing my weight loss and that gives me the biggest high, but what if I don't make it. What if I fail at this like all the other diets I have tried in the past. Does anyone ever have these feelings??? I have always said that all the other times didn't work cause my heart wasn't in it and now I know that I want it now more than ever and my heart is in it. Even my Dad tells people she is gonna do it all the way this time. I have done so well about being good and really trying to do well, but I guess I am only human to second guess myself and worry. ?????
Today has just been one of those days. Could use some love from my banding friends. :)
On a positive note. I did donate blood today. I did however, drive all the way to the town center about 35-40 min away to stand in line to realize that I forgot my Id and I drove all the way back home to get it and tried that again. That was the very beginning to my wretched day!

A BIG DAY!!!

So I have BIG news.... Most of you know that I made a goal for myself when I had surgery that I wanted to be down 50 pounds by Christmas. Well people.. it's not even Thanksgiving and I DID IT!! As you can tell I am super excited. All of this self admiration is different for me. Praising myself and all, but I am so happy today.
I never imagined that I would lose it so fast. It is amazing. Hard work, but when you make up your mind and want something so bad it will happen. YAY ME!!!!!

It's Been 10 Years

Last night was my 10 year HS Reunion. I can not believe how fast time flies. I had a great time. I was debating going for a while, but I am totally glad I went. It was great to see everyone. One of my closests friends from school was there, Faith, I havent seen her in a while and it was like we never missed a beat. I love her. I understand life happens, but it is sad when friends lose touch. It was an amazing night. I am so glad I went. I thought I would share a few pics.

As Requested

Ok so everyone wants to see more pictures so here I am. I tried to find some good ones. I hope these will do.
Feb-09

March-09






















The gray and pink shirt was on a cruise 2 months after surgery. The blue shirt was 40lbs down and the most recent 47lbs down is the one of me at the Gator game.

Passing the Time

I am sitting at work. Waiting on the next hour to go by. I was looking at so many blogs tonight and a few of them had this question thing on, so I stole it and decided to fill it out.

Also, today is 3 months since surgery and I am 47 pounds down. I had originally set my goal for 50 gone by Christmas. I think I will make that. I am super excited about how well I am doing.

I hope you all have a wonderful day.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

A
- Age: 28
- Annoyance:
- Animal: My outside cat Sassy
- Actor: Matthew McConaughey

B
- Birthday/Birthplace: March 18th, Jacksonville, Fl
- Body Part on opposite sex: Eyes
- Been in Love: I thought I was now not so sure.
- Believe in yourself?: Yes
- Believe in God: Yes


C
- Car: A White Fusion. That I love.
- Candy: Reeses Cups
- Colour: Green
- Cried in school: Yes
- Chocolate/Vanilla: Vanilla, Cake Batter from Cold Stone to be exact. Thanks to BK
- Chinese/Mexican: Mexican
- Cake or pie: Red velvet cake

D
- Day or Night: Night
- Do the splits?: umm..no

E
- Eggs: Scrambled eggs with cheese
- Eyes: Blue, but sometimes they look greenish

F
- First crush: haha…
- First thoughts waking up: What will today bring.
- Food: before the band-PIZZA! Now: Soup. or chicken and green beans

G
- Greatest Fear: Spiders
- Goals: To find out what life is really like being a smaller girl without letting it change the person I am.
- Get along with your parents?: Absolutely. I am very close to both of them
- Good luck charm: don't really have a good luck charm.

H
- Hair Colour: Blonde highlights
- Height: 5'8
- Happy: Yes!
- Holiday: Christmas
- Health freak?: not so much, but I am trying to be better
- Hate: the unknown


I
- Ice Cream: Cold Stole Cakebatter with Reeses Cup.
- Instrument: Clarinet in school

J
- Jewelry: Silver. Also I am coming into a new love for fun necklaces and bracelets
- Job: Airport Operations/Police Dispatcher at Jacksonville Airport


K
- Kids: Someday
- Kickboxing or karate: Kickboxing 
- Keep a journal? I write a blog...

L
- Longest Car Ride: Many church trips in the bus and van for LONG hours at a time
- Love: Will come one day.
- Laughed so hard you cried: One of my favorite things
- Love at first sight: They say it can happen.



M
- Milk flavour: Vanilla
- Movie: I have way too many favorites.
- Mooned anyone?: Never.
- Marriage: Someday..
- Motion sickness? Nope
- McD’s or BK: McD's it used to be a must with my girls on Saturday mornings.

N
- Number of Siblings: 1, 14 years older than me though.. yeah, yeah I was a surprise, but such a blessing too.
- Number of Piercings: none
- Number: 7

O
- One wish: to be wanted by someone

P
- Place you’d like to live: on the beach
- Perfect Pizza: pepperoni and mushrooms
- Pepsi/Coke: Diet Dr. Pepper but I haven’t had one since before surgery.

Q
- Questionaires: Pass the time


R
- Reason to cry: Oh pretty much anything. Pretty much all movies and some tv shows. Sad I know.
- Reality T.V.: The Biggest Loser, The Hills, American Idol,
- Roll your tongue in a circle? Yep


S
- Song: This years love by David Gray
- Shoe size: 10/11
- Salad Dressing: ranch
- Skipped school: yes, but Mike told on us when he got caught. ha
- Smoking: heck no I hate it
- Sing well?: In my car is where I perform hahaha..
- Strawberries/Blueberries: Strawberries

T
- Time for bed: I work nights so it is usually 630am. If I am off I usually hit the bed after midnight.
- Thunderstorms: hate them.
- TV: Love my DVR

U
- Unpredictable: life! Amen!!

V
- Vegetable you hate: Asparagus
- Vegetable you love: green beans
- Vacation spot: a cruise, NYC, the mountains, the beach, anywhere really

W
- Weakness: hmmm… I’ll think on that some more .
- When you grow up: a mom
- Which one of your friends acts the most like you: none I am the only GAIL

X
-X-Rays: had a few. I always mess up my ankles

Y
-Year it is now: 2009
-Yellow: makes me think of a school bus


Z
- Zoo: I love the monkeys and giraffes
- Zodiac sign: Pisces

Reasons

At my job I work nights. I have a lot of extra time on my hands. I am a dispatcher for the airport police department. I work 12 hour shifts, and from midnight till 4am I am alone in the room. I have some officers that stop by to visit, and some other random people, but for the most part I am alone. I call it my “me time.” I am a very much people person and rarely spend time alone, so this is good time for me; however, I get bored and what happens when I get bored. I wanna eat. I am still trying to get over this. I don’t snack or anything, but the feeling is still there. I used to go to the kitchen and plunder for something, but now I don’t but I still get those feelings. I just recently asked my boss if I can go to days. I think that will help me tremendously with this life changing journey I am on. My friend, Brooke also offered to let me come work out with her after work, and walk her neighborhood, so hopefully I can get days and get in a routine with her. I still see my personal trainer twice a week, but having a buddy for some more time will be great to.

A side note I want to share is my brother Lee owns an auto shop here in town. I was there hanging out today and a lady I haven’t seen in a while walked in and came over to me and said Gail…. You have lost weight girl you are looking great. The feeling I got was great. It is always great to hear it from someone who doesn’t know I had the surgery. I feel like the people that do know are expecting it and watching me like I am going to do tricks. Haha.. anyway it was an awesome feeling. I know, I know everyone keeps telling me to post pictures. I promise I will very soon.

So as I sit here wondering what to do I came across a blog where someone had listed reasons she wanted to lose weight, so I thought hmmm... what a good idea to blog a list then come back to it and see progress. Well here it goes.

Why I want to lose weight:

*For my health
*I love amusement parks. I don’t fit on most of the rides anymore.
*I love to travel. I want to be able to ride an airplane without asking for an extender.
*We go on lost of vacations when we search for fun activities to do everything always has a weight restriction.
*My friends and I get together a lot. That mainly consists of eating out. Restaurant booths are a tight squeeze for me. I wanna be able to fit comfortably without having to worry the whole way to the table if I can gonna be able to fit or not or just be miserable.
*I wanna be able to walk the flight of stairs to not be breathing hard at the top.
*I hate being told I have a beautiful face. I just want to be called beautiful.
*I hate shopping in plus clothes stores. I don’t remember exactly how old I was but I know in middle school I was in plus size and just kept going. I never been able to stop with my friends at Gap, Banana, Victoria Secret, or none of those other stores.

There is a small list, but important stuff to me.

3rd Fill

Today I had my third fill. Dr. said everything is going great.

My appointment was originally scheduled for next Friday so that would have given me over a week to be better, but the Dr. office called me last week to move my appointment up. The Doc was going to be out of the office on the day I was supposed to go. I was nervous because that was only three weeks since I had seen him last. In those three weeks the stress came over me like no other. My Aunt was in hospice I was visiting her a lot and very sad. Work had crazy drama going on. I felt like most times when you have to go through things its not at home and work at the same time, but for me it was. I had a cruise planned that we went on the 15th. I had mixed emotions about going with my Aunt being so bad. I had a feeling that for some reason she would not make it the whole time I was gone. My Dad told me I needed to go. Well on Wednesday my friend Jon and I went by to see her and it was the first time I had been there that she was not awake. That was really hard on me. Thursday morning we left. I called home from Key West to get the news that she had passed away. It was hard being away from my family when they needed me, but I had to put my head up and make the most of it. I love cruising it is something we do once a year. I did end up having a great time. I was so nervous that I had done bad those weeks, so I didn't even want to go today, but I did. In the three weeks since I had gone to see the doc last I lose 7lbs. 2-3 per week. I am really happy with that with everything I had going on. Especially with the cruise. Its hard to be good on a cruise.
I am still working out with Deb my personal trainer twice a week except the cruise week. I went to her yesterday. She is killing me. I am sitting at work now and I just got up to fill my water bottle up and I am sore all over. No pain no gain right. ha!!
I am moving forward from here.

The Magic Number

Today I met with Deb my personal trainer. I usually only weigh when I have my once a month appointment with my Doc, but I am leaving for a cruise this Thursday and I kind of wanted to know where I am before and after the cruise. I am thinking it might be something I do kind of regularly now getting her to weigh me in the middle of the month I guess. Well I am pleased to say that I am now 298 no more 300 baby. I was so freaking excited today. I felt like a kid that just heard the noise of the icecream truck coming around the corner. haha...
Today was a big day for me 40 lbs down. I am so happy with myself. For one of the first times in my life I am finally doing something right. I made this decision because I wanted it for me. I want the whole thing for Gail not for anyone else. It has been kind of strange giving all this me time to me when I am not used to worrying about me at all, but when I have a day like today it just seems so real now and it makes me so happy that I am doing this not anyone else just me.

The Magic Number of the Day is 40!!!!!

2nd Fill and 33 Down

I had a doctor appointment today. I went in and talked to the nutritionist everything has been going good. Still doing good at trying not to go over 30 carbs a day as suggested. I still have a problem getting all my water in. Then the doctor came in. We chatted for a few then he said he would give me a fill. Being that it was my 2nd one I kind of was prepared, but then it took a turn. He put some in and had me sit up to drink/ chug the water. He said let me know when you feel it and then let me know when you feel it release or gone if you will. Well it wasn't going down. It was burning and just plain awful. He had me spit it in the cup. I still didn't feel right and what do I do. You got it, I started panicking. He said lay down as soon as my head it the table I coughed and then threw up the rest of all the water. IT WAS AWFUL. Then I started crying. Mostly because I was just freaking out and embarrassed. He said well now you know what it is like to have to much. I just know that it was crazy to not be able to even get water down. He took some out and I tried drinking again and I was good. Thankfully.

Now for the good news. 7 weeks after surgery and I am a total 33 lbs down. 7 of that was pre surgery when I was doing low carb July 20th- August 11th. Brings it to 26 post surgery. That is super exciting to me.

A Small Victory

So something short and sweet. I was getting ready for work today, and had no clean pants to wear. .I know, I know I need to do laundry so bad. anyway I had a pair of jeans that were folded in the bottom of my closet because the last time I tried to wear them I couldn't button them. Well people I have them on tonight at work.. YAY.. I was super excited. It's the small little things in life that are huge in my life right now..

Feel the Pain

Today I started back to my personal trainer. Her name is Deb she works as the fitness consultant at my doctors office and does personal training on the side. I went to her a few times before my surgery. I have signed up with her for Tuesdays and Thursdays. She kicks my butt. It will all be worth it in the long run though.

My First Fill

Today was my first fill. It was just as it was described to me. I did not even fill the needle.. That was until he had a hard time finding the part he needed. He could find the port, but kept saying the first one is always hard. I think the part that was the most uncomfortable was his fingers pressing down so hard on the port and my belly. So now liquids again for two days. Fun, Fun. Then the real fun begins. I am nervous about eating. I went to the support group at my Dr's office again tonight. People were talking about getting stuff stuck and getting sick. It just all makes me nervous. Any words of wisdom please?

About me

I thought I would share a little about myself since most of you are my new blogging friends and don't know me. Well I was born and raised in a small town in northeast Florida called Callahan. I am very close to my Dad and Mom still a daddy's girl at 28. I have a brother that is 14 years older than me, yep I was the surprise. A wonderful one at that. lol. My brother's name is Lee he is married to a wonderful woman named Kathy and they have one son named Joey. He will be 12 on Wednesday. He loves his aunt Gail. I love to spend time with him. We took a couple days this summer and spent it at the beach in Daytona. He is my favorite. I love living close to my family. I talk to or see them at least once everyday. I am very blessed. I have the best friends in the world. We have a very close tight circle of friends. Most of them I grew up with.



I am very excited about this new journey I am on. I am still scared, but I am adapting to life with the band. I think I need to name it... I never new that people blog their whole experience of being banded on here so all this is new to me. I look forward to meeting a lot of new people for support and encouragement.

It's been a week!

Today is day 7 since my surgery. I survived a week of still no eating. So now everyone whats to know how was the surgery. My parents went with me we arrived at the Surgery Center at 530am waaaayy to early I know. I got all set up ready to go and at 630am on the dot they pushed me into the operating room. I was sooo freaking scared. So they start getting me ready and I only remember a little bit. First, they started tying down my arms and then put my legs up in those stirrup things I busted out with a nervous.. umm.. that's not the right surgery. Doc said we got to put them somewhere lol... Then, the anaesthetist said I am gonna give you a little oxygen to calm your nerves and that was it... I was out! I woke up in recovery a couple hours later panicking and going crazy I was cold, I kept saying my legs, my legs, they wont stop shaking then I felt my head had a blanket up there and I started throwing that off. My nurse comes over there telling me to calm down everything is ok. Then I hear, Gail... calm down in a oh so familiar voice yep that's it my daddy's voice. To my surprise mom and dad had been sitting there while I was sleeping. Funny I know. I was on so much medication I barely remember a lot, but the dr. came by and said while he was in there he found a hinea hernia that he had repair. So I had to then drink two cups of water, sit in a recliner, and walk. After all three I was set free. We got home at 1030am. How quick is that. I am still amazed by that. That night was great all of my closest friends came by to visit with me. I love them so. and my mom stayed the night with me. I was just reminded tonight that one of my coworkers called me that night to check on me. I didn't remember much of our conversation. Thanks to some good drugs, but he said he asked me how I felt. I said like a Mac Truck ran into my belly. haha.. The next few days I was in a lot of pain. They say mostly because of the hernia repair, or maybe I am just a baby. lol. It hurt to move, but they want you to move to get better. Each day I made my self get up and walk around. Every night I had visitors that was the best part. On Friday my Mom thought it would be good to get out of the house. She took me to CVS in Callahan to get some things. That wore me out. I was ready to be home. On Sunday I was finally feeling better enough to say I wanted to get out. I went with mom and dad to Walmart and then Josh came over and we went with them to Best Buy then later when we got home Jon came over. The boys wanted to eat and here I am I cant eat nothing they wanted me to sit with them at Cracker Barrell so I went with my shake in hand for the fellowship I guess. This all brings me to today. I had my first followup appointment. Good news... Since July 15th when I started this process I have lost 24lbs. 13 of those were just this week after surgery. That is mostly because I have not been able to eat yet. Day1-3 Clear Liquids, Day 4-8 Full Liquids which is protein shakes, Day 9-15, Soft foods, Day 16 finally I can eat what I want. Still saying on low carb!! Man I can't wait to get there. Today is also my first night back at work. So not wanting to be here. I am still not 100 percent, but it takes time to heal I suppose.
I know this was a big post, but there was lots of info to be given.
I will be back soon with an update.

Here is a picture my dad took of me the day I went for surgery.

Pre-Op

Today is the day I will begin my pre-op diet. Clear liquids for the next two days... Yes that's right NO FOOD! I am sooo not looking forward to this. Yesterday my mom and dad went shopping with me, so that I could be sure to have everything I need.
Bottled Water
Sugar free jello
Crystal light
Chicken and Beef broth
Yep that's it.

I am getting nervous about the surgery. At the same time I am excited for the future.

This past Thursday night I went to the support group at the Dr's office. It was really good. It calmed a lot of my nerves down. It was a relaxed environment and I was able to ask any questions and concerns I had. There were people from all different stages from a week after surgery to two years out.

The next time you hear from me I will be banded how cool is that?

A New Start

Welcome to my new blog. I guess I should back track first and get everyone caught up date wise on the current events of my new journey.
May & June - I got real sick at work one night. I could not breathe. It scared some of the guys. They took me over to station 16 to get checked out by the paramedics. Long story short my parents came to pick me up, and we ended up at the ER. Tests were done, but they could not find a problem. They sent me home with an inhaler. I seen my primary care doctor a few times who continued making me go through all kinds of tests. Still nothing. The last time I went to my primary doctor he said that the only thing he could come up with is my weight causing me to have problems. He said I recommend you to have the Lap Band Surgery. I immediately said NO. I am not having surgery. He said that it is a safe surgery and being the fact that I have struggled with my weight my whole life that this is the best thing for me. I left there very upset. It is a reality that my weight is a problem, but still no one likes to be told that. So I began to do my own research of the Lap Band Procedure. I spent hours upon hours on the Internet. I came across peoples personal blogs that told the story from day one of their surgery. I found that amazing that people actually do that. I found myself always coming back to them cause I just had to know what happens next. I also had the benefit of talking one on one with two coworkers that also had the procedure done.
On June 15th I went to a small group seminar at Jacksonville Weight Loss Center. I took Mom of course. We were both really impressed. After a month of praying and talking with my family and close friends. I was fortunate enough to make my first appointment. My mom said she never gave up praying she knew something great would happen if it was meant to be and it did.
On July 15th I had my first appointment with Dr. Baptista. He was very fun.. I knew in the first five minutes of meeting with him that I had made the right decision. When I left the office that day I was told that my surgery date would be August the 11th. I didn't expect to find out that day. WOW.. So now it' real... I have the date. I had an appointment with the nutritionist and the fitness consult.

All that leads me to today.I realize many people view the Lap Band as an easy way out. However, I feel that anyone who has that opinion hasn't struggled with the same demons that an overweight person has. I have my families support which first and foremost the number one thing that matters after that I have a huge support group of friends that back me. I am excited on this journey. I have been overweight my whole life. I have never been a normal weight. I am embarking on a change that is going to change my life forever.