kmt1973

Here are my Before and "After" pics. I don't really consider it an after pic, as I am still losing
298 pre surgery weight 225 after! 

So far so good. The picture on the right is my work Christmas party from 2010 (4 months post op, and down ~ 50 lbs from start). The picture on the right is from my work Christmas party 2011. 125 lbs down, about 50 more to go.

I am 3+ years out and feel great! Still not exactly at goal, but went from a size 22-12 to a 12 and I don't have that saggy look that I've seen with so many RNY patients! I love my band!!

I've read up on how our ideals of body type and shape of women are so often imposed ideals of a patriarchal society, how those ideals torment women and marginalize people. I've touted those ideas since I was in middle school, however fumbling my efforts were. I had been excluded for being fat and odd since grade school, and developed a dislike for the mainstream early on (starting with the popular girls of course.) I made friends with the freaks, geeks, and goths my whole life, I love them. I love the underdog, the misfit toys, the goonies. The code was always to be who you are and Celebrate it. When I discovered I was a lesbian as well, I was already two steps ahead.
I worked to develop pride for myself as I was, I tried to err on the healthier side, but I didn't want to diet anymore. I was tired of the struggle, I AM tired of the struggle. But I was offered a very generous opportunity from my family. I am willing to take it. Chubby is one thing, but my doctor has been bringing up my weight. I'm in my twenties and my knees and ankles hurt at times. I know I can succeed with the helping factors that the procedure provides.
I can't imagine being on the other side, though. I feel like I'm being given the option to change my ethnicity. I know this is more about health than anything (how would you get insurance to help otherwise) and there IS more to me than my BBW status, (I love indie films and reading). Yet, people like Rosie O' Donnel (before the drama) and Uncle candy, Tracy from (the original) Hairspray, these were the people I identified with. I watched Heavyweights multiple times as a kid. I feel like I'm turning my back on the people who helped me feel good about myself when I was young.
Did anyone else struggle with these sort of feelings?

Wow, what incredible replys to return to after all this time! Thank you all so much for sharing your feelings, it was really affirming to see that there were other intelligent women with my concerns. I ended up going with the gastric bypass about a year ago and I've been amazed at the surreal changes, as well as comforted by what remains unchanged.
I'm half the weight I used to be, and the difference is amazing. I've found that these changes do not remove me from the body positive movement, but allows me to present my perspective (when the subject comes up) on body issues to people who would never have brought up the subject if I had still been my size.
For me, my weight threatened my quality (and quanity) of life; for others thier quality of life is threatened by how others perceive thier weight. That is why I had the surgery, and that is why I still hold my body positivity princibles, uncomprimised by my weightloss. I'm totally at peace with that now.
In the wake of all the Non-scale victories I've enjoyed, like crossing my knees when I sit, beating a friend at running up a flight of stairs, wearing boots that go around my calves, I realised that my weight loss was reaping me personal rewards far more than soicetal ones. With my degree of weightloss, I was a petite 5'3", 300 pounds, now 150, there is excess skin apparent in my arms and thighs, but I don't give it a second thought. Because this surgery was never about conforming to an ideal, but doing what was right for me. In that, I have succeeded, and it is satisfying!

I had hubby take " before" pictures in a bathing suit, 2 piece.... they are hysterical and I was hysterical when I looked at them. BUT, it is very helpful now, to see a new picture after 50-plus loss, and compare!!!!
By the way, until I started wearing properly fitting clothing, NO ONE, and I mean NO ONE, noticed my 50 pound weight loss !
I cannot say enough about the value of one great, properly fitting outfit !! Including undergarments !!!!! Got a good-fitting bra to get the ladies looking better !!!!!Huge difference !

It may take 2-6 more fills before you get any restriction. That's how it works for many/most of us. One fill rarely gets you to the yellow zone. I had 6 fills before I made it to the green zone. Your experience is similar to many.
I'm not sure what you were expecting to "feel" like if you lose 20 lbs. 20 lbs is a great achievement but you may not feel lighter or have more dexterity for many more lbs? Maybe 70 more lbs. But you should be celebrating the loss of 20 lbs of excess weight.
This WLS isn't a quick fix. It's going to take a couple of years to get close to your goal weight if you are a normal bandster.
tmf

Please make No Mistake, When I make my posting it may appear that I am being Overly Religious But, I am Not!! I Post Because I want to Inspire and Help Those who are feeling, Depressed, Sadden, Suicidal, Broken Hearted, Discouraged, Weakened, and Those Who Want to Give Up!!! It's Never About Me!!! My Purpose Is To Serve Anyway I Can!!! Because I know not when my hour of death and I want my God to Say Well Done!!!Loosing Weight is hard but loosing life can be even harder,.
Psalm 71:15
My Mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers there of.

Banderama I think u are so wrong and hypocritical for this statement .if you don't believe that God helps people with the Lapband keep scrolling.But name calling is so unnecessary.
Wether u believe in God or not most people know that it took a strength beyond them to make the decision to change your life and lose weight.After you are banded you still have to find the strength to make the right food choices food amounts and exercise.So if u can do that on your own great for you and maybe u don't need the band at all.But don't knock someone for stating what's helping them stick to this lifestyle even if the something is God.
To poster Regarding " target audience" 1.if you are a Christian as well as many other faiths , the world is your target audience. You are supposed to spread the good news of ur faith to everyone.
I really hope the person leaving Lapband talk come back.This site is very inspirational and to me having diverse opinions is what makes it great ! You will find your nitch or click with like minded that will help you. The spiritual piece is very helpful to some including me and not so for others but that's what life is about.
To original poster I already told you I love what you And admire your faith ! Keep it coming God bless you !

Banderama, Ma'am your posts are the most judgemental, I've seen on here. I'm sorry that Christianity upsets you. But, don't judge a whole group of by a few.

Banderama, Ma'am your posts are the most judgemental, I've seen on here. I'm sorry that Christianity upsets you. But, don't judge a whole group of by a few.

A round of Popsicles for everyone !! just make sure they are sugar free good day all !

Its funny, banderama is on this thread spewing very negative comments and is then critical of how "religious people" act. No one is attacking you, we are encouraging this thread creator. YOU are turning it around. P.s. most scientists are Christians. The loudest aren't. They don't speak for all, they are just louder.

Don't get too discouraged. I myself had to fight the discouragement. I was banded 3/19/12. I've lost 30 since pre-op diet. I got to the point of, "why didn't I go w by-pass? It would've been so much faster." BUT, I went for my 5th fill and am now at 4.75 and the change that, that .75 has brought me has been amazing. My dr. kept telling me to be patient, it will come. He was so right. Don't give up, don't let the discouragement take over. If I can do it, you can too!

Its funny, banderama is on this thread spewing very negative comments and is then critical of how "religious people" act. No one is attacking you, we are encouraging this thread creator. YOU are turning it around. P.s. most scientists are Christians. The loudest aren't. They don't speak for all, they are just louder.

agree with all posters......let me add, it will take WANT power.
if you want to lose weight and be healthy, then do what you have to do. no side steps, no i cant this or that. you just do it. (think of all you did to get this surgery). it was worth it. so its worth it for you to stay strong and positive.
you got this

You can always call your doctors office and request to move your visit up a week or two. All they can say is no. If you throw in some desperation you might get better results. And if your doctor allows you to contact him/her directly you might have more success.
7 weeks is a long time for some of us. Mine was supposed to be 6 weeks but I got my doctor to move it up one week. And I did get a fill.
tmf

Wow! I am no expert, buy from everything I have read, you sound like you need an unfill! Yiu shouldn't be vomiting with every meal. You should be able to eat and drink. If you are taking in too few calories, and I bet you are since you cannot eat or keep food down, then your weightloss will stop or slow. See what others on here say, but I would look into an unfill!

No matter what stage you are in post op, you still need to follow the diet recommendations of your surgeon. For me, that means to measure portions (3 oz lean Protein, 2 oz Fiber carb) for every meal...and yes, even while on mushies I measured all my portions.
It's essential that you recognize that everyone is an individual. and no two bandsters will have identical experiences. I can share my experiences, and you may have entirely different feedback to share.
Mushies are supposed to keep you from feeling hunger for longer than your Protein Shakes. You still need to comply with the diet instructions of your surgeon.
Getting to the stage with regular solids did mean that it usually took 3.5 to 4 hours before I got hungry again, but not always. I still drink over 80 oz of Water a day to help manage my hunger, as "free fluids (SF/FF)" do help with lessening feelings of hunger.
It is unlikely, though not impossible that you will feel much restriction with your first fill. I felt restriction without having any Fluid in my band. I just had my third fill, and hope that it will lessen my hunger between meals.
My surgeon has advised me that there are some bandsters who never get to the point where hunger is eradicated entirely, so the patient's responsibility for their weight loss is greater.
As is often mentioned, the band is only a weight loss tool...we have to learn how to use it properly for weight loss success.

Wishing you success...

What type of "mushies" are you having? If you are just pureeing mixed foods you will not get the same fullness or restriction as if you pureed and ate your Protein first. Make sure you are eating the protein before any veggies or other foods. Also, make sure you are drinking enough. Many people get hungry from not drinking what they should. Lastly, if you are doing Proteins first (around 3 ou.), then try to step back and think are you really physically hungry or is it "head" hunger.
I went through a period where I thought I was very hungry but it was really the smell of food that made me think that. Physically, I realized I wasn't hungry. Also, measure your portions so you don't overeat. You need to heal properly and don't want to get in bad habits. You shouldn't serve more than a cup of food.
Good luck to you. You have had your habits for years and it will take time to get into the new groove.

I dont think I have changed at all. I was a happy fat person. I had a healthy marriage, wonderful family and terrific job. I just wasnt happy about being fat. LOL I suppose the only thing that changed is that now I take more care of me .... I put myself first for the first time in my adult life. Its sounds selfish but its a change I had to make in order to take care of me.

Faith Is Not Believing That God Can, It's Knowing That God Will!!!
Psalm 18:32 It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.
Have a Great Day for All and May God Watch Over Each Child Going Back To School!!
Love All Of You!!!

Wow, speechless. I thank God everyday for seeing me through this process.

Be who you are and say what you feel. Cause those that matter won't mind and those that's mind- DONt matter!!
Its all about freedom of speech. You don't like it don't read it. Period.
There's no need to be rude! keep posting away and praising God. I'll read it:D