FLORIDAYS

bestwishes for a successful surgery!

Technically I worked just as hard losing weight with the band as I did the hundreds of times before without the band. The only difference is that the band is a tool to help me out along the way to keep me more satisified on lesser amounts of food. If thats a short cut so be it. Its something that works. No different than using a calculator to do math instead of doing it in your head. Or using a washing machine to do laundry instead of doing it by hand. And certainly much easier using a drill to make a hole in a piece of wood instead of chiseling away at it by hand... The band is a tool plain and simple invented to make my life easier.....

My pleasure ....happy to help. You will be amazed at the things you notice when your aren't fixated on eating. My manners thankfully prevent me from verbalizing it....lol

Are you eating a balanced diet and taking vitamins? It's sounds like unless there are other factors in your life which are causing this maybe you aren't getting the proper nutrition. Certainly I am no dr so I would advise you to speak with yours about it.

I am finding maintaining easier than I thought it would be... I guess 2 yrs of eating like a bandster does that to you. Congratulations on your success

the first week I had no appetite so just forced myself to drink the Clear Liquids. I really didn't miss food at all. Having gone thru 2 weeks of preop liquid I think I had gotten past the point of missing food. I didn't feel deprived because this drastic step wasn't taken with out tremendous consideration.. I was scared to death to deviate from dr's orders as I didn't want to mess up my band. As for people eating what used to be normal...,it's not any more. Normal is eating a cup of food and when I eat with others I am astonished at the amount they eat. Oh there were times I felt deprived, felt sorry for myself and went to bed early because I didn't want to eat any more that day...but those days were few and the entire time I kept my eye on the prize. And now achieving that success is the best feeling in the world and I do not regret it for a second.

Mine stopped all together....lol. I was 50 years old and was regular for 35 years... I had it the week before surgery and then missed the next month. I was so freaked out I bought a pregnancy test!!! Which considering hubby had a vasectomy 10 years ago would have been interesting. The 2 nd month nothing... I went to the OBGYN. She wasn't worried and said surgery sometimes messes with your cycle. After 6 months of nothing I went back and she did blood work and come to find out my surgery may have brought on menopause...go figure !!! The point is... I would not worry about missing one or 2 cycles if you can rule out pregnancy.

It may be but there is no air going in with a fill...its just saline so I cannot figure out how it would promote gas but I am sure not a Dr. Might there be another reason you have gas? How long ago were you banded?

Gas? Hmmm not sure why you would get gas from a fill. What did the Dr say?

I love belts .... sure beats those elastic waists I used to wear!!! Hubby said when we went on vaction in October that I needed a suitcase for the belts, shoes and accessories I have found I really enjoy!

You look wonderful! Congratulations!

Best wishes for a speedy recovery

Its not my belief that anyone can tell you what is better for you...they can only tell you what worked for them... But you are smart to research all your options and at some point interview Drs who do both and get their recommendations. Once you have all the information you will be able to make a comfortable informed decision. For me the lap band has worked very well. Thje sleeve may have worked well too but I chose the band because I felt that was the best choice for me. Congratulations on taking the first step to a healthier you!

Very exciting! Best wishes for a successful surgery!

I find the best way not to drink while I am eating is not to have the glass anywhere near me.... otherwise I automatically reach for it.

What does your dr suggest? I found with fills mine tends to know best.

SOmetimes white meat is fine for me... other times it isnt so I usually stick with dark meat when possible. My dr cautioned me about this and like with so many things...he was right.

I am older than you but gave birth to one child and lost hundreds of pounds over the past 25 years only to gain it all back but finally lost 220 lbs forever with the band. I too couldnt stand the apron and loose skin left over so I just had my tummy tuck last Tuesday. If you go to my gallery you can see the before and after pics. I am doing very well, have had little or no pain and was shopping for a few hours 4 days out. I also had a breast lift and augmentation at the same time. From what I can tell so far... the results will be amazing. They already are.

I did nothing per my Dr instruction and I am 2 years out and they are all 5 invisable.

I am not a saver of most things which I consider disposable so I love that you did this.. As I was losing I too had a few days of weeding out until finally one day there was nothing left.... It was the best feeling. And my skinny jeans I had from that minute in the 90s when I was thinner.... We're a size 14 so they are gone too..... I did keep on pair of black shorts which I wore the heck out of rolled up in a bag in the back of my closet. They are sized 4x...and as I move thru this journey I will stumble upon them every so often and never forget where I have been.

It was 6 months for me...after I lost the first 100 lbs... And it wasn't as great as I remembered.

Best of luck for a successful day. See you on the other side!!

Congratulations on this very drastic step to change your life.

Feel free to PM me anytime... I would be interested in reading your profile when you Have it posted....

We Are in different stages of our journey but i live in Tampa...I would be happy to answer any questions I can for you...