Weigh-Ins are on MONDAYS - Updated July 3, 2017

Surgery Date: October 20, 2009:

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Who Supports You?

Let's flashback in time.

All the way back to September 8, 2009.

I did not have a Lap-Band at the time.

I probably weighed about 256 lbs on that day.

I was waiting for my Lap-Band surgery.

It was set for October 20, 2009.

Just six weeks away!

I couldn't wait.

But I also knew that I needed support.

Lots of support if I was going to be successful with my band.

I knew no one personally who had a Lap-Band.

So where did I look for support?

On that fateful day in early September 2009, I went online to Lapbandtalk.com and posted this post in the "Lap Band Buddies / Mentors" forum:

Hello!

I will banded in mid/end October. I am 30 yrs old, Single, and living in Southern Oregon. Looking for a mentor who's "been there, done that."  Perhaps a few years post op...

Thanks!


A woman named Sandi who was 5+ years post-op responded right away to my forum post.

What followed was a flurry of emails back and forth.  The emails went on for months and months.

Sandi took the time to tell me all of her tips and tricks of being successful with her band. 

One of my fave restaurant eating tips that Sandi emailed me about:  When I am done eating and am still tempted by the food sitting on my plate, take the small salad/bread plate and put it on top of your big plate.  Squish that food down.  Cover it up.  

I still use that trick to this day.

Sandi lost approximately 250 lbs with her Lap-Band and continues to maintain her weight loss.  You can read about her journey HERE.

I am very lucky that I know, even today, I could email or call Sandi for support anytime (PS: I still don't have all of this Lap-Band stuff figured out).

Did you know that you too can also get some FREE weight loss support group time with Sandi?

Yep, check out this link for the support group details.

Now I ask you: where have you found the most support for you and your weight loss journey? Tell me. I wanna know.

16 comments:

  1. My husband supports me more than anything! I have a lot of family and friends who do too, but when I am feeling weird about the band, or that first week after surgery when I felt so miserable, my husband really supported me and made me feel better. In fact, when I started the pre-op diet, he started a diet. He is down about 18lbs, and I am down 27lbs. It helps that the person I am around the most is very supportive. I do wish I knew personally more people who have had Lap Band surgery, but the blogs help a lot with that end. When I am confused about something, my husband always asks, "What do your blogger friends say?" :)

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  2. My friends and family have been a HUGE support to me. They knew before I did that I needed to exercise, and when I finally figured it out, they've encouraged me every step of the way. The biggest unexpected support for me has been the blogger community though!

    My blog readers are so supportive and encouraging. When I didn't believe my band was too tight, they kept telling me. I finally believed them. On 'bad' weigh ins, they remind me a loss is a loss and the number is still decreasing! They makes me feel a sense of community, that I'm not alone in this!

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  3. My husband and daugher are my number 1 cheerleaders. But fellow bandies... I found my band buddie through blogg. I love Blogging and following others bloggs its a great support to me

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  4. My husband is my biggest support. When I switched over to the low carb life style after my band surgery, my husband switched with me. He helped me get all the "crap" of out my house so that I wouldn't be tempted. He has lost more than 40 pounds since I was banded. He is the one I go to when I "feel" weird or excited about it.

    I also lean on the my blogging community. I have read the entire blog of most of the people whose blogs I have found...I find that it is a huge help to "learn from their mistakes".

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  5. Hey there....
    Thank you for posting this blog! Why didn't I ever see this one? I am always in search of a Lap band blog by someone like you and I who have been on this journey for a long time.
    As for who supports me....I have to admit....at this point of my journey, I look for most of my support from bloggers like you. That's why it's always nice to find a new one! It's not that my family and friends DON'T support me but hey....my weight loss and my Lap band is old news!
    So, thanks fore being here. Even if I don't comment a lot and don't say thanks enough....know that I am here, I am reading along and I appreciate that you come here to support ME (yes, it's all about ME...isn't it?)!
    Onward!
    Judi

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  6. My hubby is deployed, but supports as best he can from afar. Otherwise...its all online at Lapbandtalk. I'd love to find a mentor like you found Sandi. I read through her blog...so inspiring and energetic and fabulous.

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  7. For me its two girlies who have now become some of my bestest friends from on the weightwatchers student forums. There was never many of us on there so we all became very close.

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  8. I work full time in a hospital that is connected to the clinic I go to. My provider is just down the ramp from where I sit. I have a slew of coworkers who will always be there for me. And I have a very very very wonderful group of cheering acquaintances in my village of 1,200. Not including all of my facebook buddies, my blog fans and my very amazing mother.

    Thanks for asking!
    Amy at http://bohemianburble.wordpress.com/

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  9. I work full time in a hospital that is connected to the clinic I go to. My provider is just down the ramp from where I sit. I have a slew of coworkers who will always be there for me. And I have a very very very wonderful group of cheering acquaintances in my village of 1,200. Not including all of my facebook buddies, my blog fans and my very amazing mother.

    Thanks for asking!
    Amy at http://bohemianburble.wordpress.com/

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  10. I honestly have no support system at all. Which sucks because there isn't a "go to" person when I have silly questions. Mind you I have a few friends who have the lapband and I have asked them questions, and have gotten nothing but judgement for the "stupid" questions. lol

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  11. My family is an amazing support system. Always there to listen and give advice.
    Also- they keep me honest, and point out if I am trying to BS about what I am eating or how "good" I have been. It is very good for me.

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  12. My husband and family, my BFF who is also banded, my doctor and blog friends.

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  13. AnonymousJune 28, 2013

    Just gotta do your own research!
    choppysreviews.com

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  14. I just finalized my decision to go forward with the band and am tenth rely scheduled for 10/22. We'll have almost the same anniversary!! I read your blog start to finish and you are such an inspiration. I have a notebook started of tips so I have a strong plan in place when surgery comes around in a few months and have decided to start my blog to keep track of every step from here on out. Thank you for all of the great info and motivation! I am determined to be a success story and help others the way that you do!

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    Replies
    1. Tenth rely should have been tentatively! iPhone auto-incorrect!

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  15. Thanks for the share! All of this information is great! Next month I am going to get my lap band surgery in Oklahoma City and I am extremely nervous. I know my family is behind me 100% but I just don't want to let anyone down you know?

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