bandit#05092011

Hello out there! I have gained so much from my 42 pounds gone. I love my band. I've had 3 fills and have 8 cc in my 11cc realize band. I posted a list of NSV's in my hospitals fourm and wanted to share it with all of you, so here goes:
I have lost two pants sizes and 1 shirt size. My skinny jeans are becoming my fat jeans. My double chin is now a chin and a neck.I can cross my legs.I can reach my shoes to tie them. I don't mind looking in the mirror, as much.People notice.My rings are too big.My lanyard hangs all the way to my belly button.My ankle has less and less pain everyday.My PCOS has resolved.The seatbelt in my car doesn't cut my neck.I have become an inspiration to others!
Its amazing what you gain when you lose!
Thanks for reading, I'd love to hear some of your lists!

Everyone, thank you all for your replies. I love the idea of posting pics as a reminder. I did start to pick up better habits in the past few weeks and an doing better. I also found out that I'm pregnant again. I'm scared though because I just had a miscarriage back in March. Trying to take it one day at a time and praying for the best. The band feels a bit tighter right now but I'm ok the way it is. I've only had one bad restriction in the past few weeks and that was from over cooked beef. Too tough. So please, if you have a few extra prayers to give, I'd really appreciate them. Hugs!

Hi ! I am Timothy Greenwood. I was banded March of 2011 and have lost over 70 pounds. I am so happy I stuck to my guns and got this procedure done. I cannot recommend it highly enough to EVERYONE! Dr. DiCicco was my surgeon. He has been so supportive and helpful in all ways. I struggled with the Chiake (SP?) at the beginning and just went hungry but since I've been rolling along. I just had my band tightened a month and a half ago and the doctor is right. That's when the game changes. I thank GOD every day for the courage and support I received to go through with this. And for regaining my life. And control of my life. It's my race to win or lose now. If I can support anyone please let me know. I'm just so excited it's been nothing but a positive experience for me and I pray will continue to be so as I progress. I know I have a long way to go yet, but I WILL MAKE IT!
Timothy Greenwood

I would not tell her,I would let it be a surprise when she see you again you might be 40lbs lighter, now that will make you happy when everyone tells you how GOOD you look .GOOD LUCK YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!

Not banded yet, but i LOVE LOVE your honesty and your posts! I have noticed from lurking that some of these bandsters are plain mean and snippy when it comes to giving advice.
As a future bander I want an environment where i can say darn i did this without fear of being crucified for my slip up.....Are we NOT all here to help each other get through this?
/my 2cents

I am a self pay (Approx. $ 15,000), and yes, I went through my process a lot quicker - hence the self pay. While I agree that a lot of it can have to do with being educated and having the right information, it often has to do with who is giving you that the right information. My information was clear, expectations were set, and my manual for post op has been my guide on how to move through the days after post operation. While I am only approx. 1 week out personally, I know exactly what to expect (except my pain shoulder that finally subsided), and what the surgeon's dietitian and the surgeon informed me of is exactly what is happening. And, being a self pay often has to do with the insurance just not wanting to pay because you are not over weight enough - going through insurance, in my opinion, messes with your head as often if not because they have they so many rules, and now the doctor is working on their guidelines which can at times be a disservice to the patient. Being a self pay makes it ALL about what is desired and discussed between the surgeon and the PT.
I think what MW1973 is saying should be validated here - what she is saying is (and MW1973, correct me if I am wrong): The lap-band is a tool, and it has been "installed" to create a new smaller pouch above the regular the stomach. That sends a message a lot sooner to the brain that you are full, and you stop eating (you feel pressure, perhaps even throw up if you don't chew your food enough or you eat too much for it to fit the new pouch). But, that restriction only happens if the surgeon tightens the band aggressively enough. In other words, if MW1973's surgeon barely tightens the band, then she is essentially right that she is still feeling hungry and IF she has to fight the hunger and urges as she did before surgery, then it is true - the band would essentially be useless. I did not read anywhere that she is expecting all her weight to be gone already. I think she is saying: "I went through all of this to still feel the way I felt before surgery?" If so, it is entirely possible she chose a surgeon who is not very aggressive with the fills, or is not listening.
Having only had my band since Monday, I can say that my surgeon was right on from the get go - I can feel when I have had enough to eat, and yesterday when I was stressed I ate too much tuna. It had nowhere to go and I ended up vomiting. Perfect indicator that my band was tightening appropriately from the beginning.
MW1973 - you know what I would do? Perhaps find another surgeon for fills and find out how much fill you truly have in your band. I think it is worth it and then evaluate from there.

They opened new In and Out burgers in the Dallas area. I've heard of them from different blogs I read and knew they were 'extra special'. My friend who loves them couldn't wait to take me there to get me a burger. To indulge her and quite frankly to ease my curiosity, I went with her and my sister. I got a single and they got double-doubles. When I was eating it, I had to keep taking small bites and pulling off most of the top bun. She was looking at me like I was crazy I was watching her and my sister with amazement. How can people just stuff food in their faces like that? I asked my sister if she was ever going to take a breath.

I told my sister afterward that I don't taste food the same way. Yes, it's good but it doesn't send me into binging or eating like a pig anymore. It's weird because before the lapband, I would have tore that burger up This time, I only at half of it with the bun tore off.

Anyways this was the first time since my band in September that someone took me to a place and told me 'You've got to try this' and it didn't affect me like I thought it would or like the way it used to.

Julia