kaydin81

Way to go!!!!!! A slow 5k is still a 5k!!!!! Great job, so proud of you

OMG!!!! So jealous. Look at you, hot thang!!

The stomach tends to swell right after surgery, so I think after the swelling goes down, it feels like you can eat/drink more than immediately after surgery. yes, it is you healing. Try your BEST to stick to the diet and do what the doctors have told you. I struggled a lot before my first fill, feeling the same as your wife. Tell her to hang in there, this is a very long process, try not to get discouraged. The hunger will lessen as the fills come. The first month after surgery is the hardest and will test your will power like no other. Good luck and remember, each day is a new one!

This patient of mine had the gastric sleeve done a year and a half ago. He's lost a total of 210 lbs. He was telling me how worth it the surgery was, etc. When I told him I had lapband 4 months ago he started praising me saying how disciplined I must be and that its success is based on following the rules and being patient. He said he knew he wouldn't be patient enough for that type of surgery and thats why he chose the sleeve. He also said he thought he took the "easy way out" by doing the sleeve. I definitely piped up and praised him on how well he has done and that no matter what kind of surgery you have, it takes commitment and hard work. So we both got a kick out of it and went about our business. But it was an interesting way to think about it. You DO have to have will power, commitment, hard work ethics, and WANT! Be successful, think about how many people would love to be in our shoes, but either can't afford it or insurance won't cover it. We ARE the lucky ones.........the REALLY lucky ones. Take your tool and show EVERYONE you know how to use it!!!

Well, first off, you could still take your pill anti-depressants. Most of those are small and would be fine to take. BUT, the good news is....once I had the band and started losing, I felt my depression slowly going away as well. My depression stemmed only from my weight though, not really other stressers in life. I did get a little sad about the food. At times I wanted to eat what everyone else was having and it ticked me off that I couldn't. But when I looked at the big picture and settled down for a minute, I realized that I didn't NEED the food....I just wanted it really bad . And its been that way at times, but trust me, well worth it!!!

Exactly.....don't be so hard on yourself. Look how far you have lost!! And everything you've overcome. You know why you gained the weight, you know how to change it. Don't let it get any further, get it under control now. So proud of you!!!

Oh gosh, how stressful. Think positive, we're all rootin for ya!!!

Wow, you look so amazing!! Very proud of you. Keep up the good work!

This is a great post. It's crazy how many people (behind closed doors) hope we will fall on our butts and fail. I hate that. I have a good friend who I share everything with, and she tells me what people have to say about the surgery (good and bad). It just amazes me how people who you thought were your friends, can be the nastiest behind your back. I WANT people to be healthy. I WANT people to succeed. This isn't the easy way out for me, it is so much work! But I know I couldn't have done it without the lapband. And I will forever be greatful for it!! I know how bad it feels to be so fat you can hardly wipe your own butt! I really did get a lot out of this post, and am so proud of you in your journey. I wish you even more success and hope everyone remembers to keep trying. It is definitely tough at times, but don't give up!

Yay for your wife!!!! She will be so happy to start her new journey. Be as supportive as you can. You'll love all the changes :-)

So sorry for your bad night. My band is a little tight, but nothing like this! I have heard from many people that it can take up to 2-3 weeks to feel the actual effects from a fill, so I'm thinkin its def too tight. Glad you made the decision to go to the doctor. I think its a scary situation anytime you can't even get liquids down. Take care, let us know how you feel after the doctor!

Nice to know, thanks for the post!

These pictures are amazing!!!! WAY. TO. Go!!! So proud of you. You are an inspiration to all of us :-)

Way to take charge and get what you want!!!! This also shows you will work hard in your weight loss journey. Good job, so proud of you

I had a breast reduction after losing weight the first time. For some reason it NEVER came off my chest. And I am someone with no butt/legs and of course it came off there first! grrr lol

My only thoughts might be that you aren't taking in enough calories for all your working out/running?? How much are you consuming in a day? Do you log everything, are you drinking enough Water? These are only thoughts I have, not trying to be overbearing. Also, I heard yesterday about the 5 day pouch test. Have you ever tried that? I thought about it to give me a jump start again.

Same thing here, but it didn't take more than 2 fills for me to notice a HUGE difference. I had a 2 cc fill, then I had another 2 cc's and it was all I needed to know there was something in there! Good luck on your fill, hopefully it will give you some help!

I absolutely agree with this. And it is horrible and wrong. Just like the post said weeks ago "i am 50 lbs lighter and people are nicer to me"....how true that is. And no matter how big of a heart I have inside, all people saw was my weight. It is definitely starting to get better, but its sad when you don't get noticed/accepted because of the way you look. Now that I've had the band people are jealous that I'll be skinnier than them. Damd if you do, damd if you don't. lol

me too, me too, I want in for october!

I love this post. And it cracks me up how nicely you all are talking about such a dirty subject!!!!!!!!!!!!!! love it

I didn't realize this at all, but apparently it isn't a good idea to get a fill before flying. Did you know this? I read on a post about people's bands tightening up once in the air and some people vomited for days after. Some people even slightly unfill before flying so they don't end up getting sick. I had no idea. My family is going to disneyworld in a few weeks and I scheduled a fill for the day before we leave. Guess I'll be cancelling that appointment!!!

I thought I'd start a topic where people can share their weight history from pre-surgery up to today if you want. A lot of people are asking how quickly us bandsters have lost, etc. I lose very slow. So, here it goes... Pre surgery 222 Day of surgery 206.5 1 week 203.5 2 weeks 203.5 3 weeks 203.5 (cussing the scale at this point) 4 weeks 202 5 weeks 201 6 weeks 199 7 weeks 197 8 weeks 195 9 weeks 192

I have BCBS also, and didn't need a primary care physicians referral. I would call the surgeons office and ask if you need a referral from your primary care. You never know, they may say they dont~ good luck!

Can you have the lapband if you've already had plication done? I have a friend whos surgeon told her "no" 3 years ago. Didn't know if this might be possible now. Any help appreciated!

Just like anything, this is a tool. You don't understand the whole concept of it being a "tool" until you get banded. A lot of people go in to the surgery thinking the band is going to solve all their problems. This is DEFINITELY not the case. It takes hard work and extreme dedication. I'm not saying the other patients didn't have that, but I truly believe the band works if you are willing to do "the work". And its hard. Its a mind struggle a lot of the time and its frustrating at times. Dedication is the key!