m1hocker

I'm new to this thread, although I have been lurking for a few days. I found out I was pregnant 3 weeks ago and I just had my first appointment today. My doctor does early sonograms on all his patients and we found out that we are having TWINS....AGAIN!!! We already have 1 set of fraternal twin girls that are 5 1/2 years old and then a single 2 year old boy and now we are being blessed with identical twins this time. I know the question that runs through people's minds is...did she have fertility treatments. Crazy as it sounds, but they were conceived naturally both times. We were planning for #4, but never in our wildest dreams did we think we would be getting #4 and #5. I have been through a little shock today and trying to understand and comprehend this whole thing. Maybe tomorrow the shock will wear off and I can get a better grip on this. By the way, you all have inspiring for me to see that you can be successful with the band and be pregnant. I have lost most of my weight, but that is about to change I'm quite sure. But the great thing is, I will have it waiting for me after the babies come. Thanks everyone for all your info on this thread and I look forward to hearing more on everyone's journeys.

After I lost a lot of weight after having my twins, I had to have my gallbladder taken out. Several doctors have told me that with rapid weight loss or a large weight loss that gall bladder problems can result. I would have it taken out if the doctor is recommending it. Take care of it before you have to deal with attacks...it's NOT fun. Good luck!!!

I have lost 76% of my excess body weight and am still losing at 1 1/2 to 2 pounds per week. You can do it if you follow a plan and have the will!!! Good luck!!

I love being FAT. It's actually a great feeling. Great job!!!

For breakfast, I have had a Slim Fast shake with a tablespoon of peanut butter and ice blended all together since I got the band 10 months ago. I just love the flavor and I never feel like eating in the morning and it keeps me full for 4 hours until next meal. If you are not consuming too many calories otherwise I don't see how it hurts anything. I have lost 82 pounds and for me it works. You have to do what works for your body.

Loving what is- I don't feel that way at all, just trying to voice my experience with a specific doctor and get some facts out about him that are true. He is a great doctor, check his stats; specific numbers, not just percentages; and anyone can find he is great. That is all I am trying to point out. I actually have had an experience with him.

I am basing my comment on the Surgery Center that my husband went to. They made the claim about him and being the only proctor in the midwest. Maybe I went too far by repeating that, but I feel that it possibly is the case. His stats are unbelievable and his patient care is amazing. He has done well over 850 surgeries, and yes I know that doesn't mean he is good, but people flock to him around here. That is the reason that he is getting a nurse pratitioner to help in his practice. The claim that Dr. Malley GAVE them the infection is just unsubstantiated. I suppose you can assume that, but unfortunate things happen and I'm guessing that is what happened. It's just odd that I saw in another one of your posts that you even mentioned that when patients get a port infection that nothing usually bad comes from it. This must have just been 2 cases of really bad luck. I think it is just up to each individual to research and ask questions to find out the true facts before just basing their decisions from a post.

I never said he was the only Doctor in the midwest, just that he is the only one that is a proctor in the midwest. I know there are several lapband surgeons around here, because I went to other seminars before choosing my doctor. And you know for a fact that Dr. Malley gave them the infection, right? Of course.

Well, that might be, but he is the only one in the Midwest that is doing it, so I can't imagine he is a bad doctor, as what some might think. He has provided the 3 of us with a great tool and has filled us properly and at a great pace for steady weightloss, without infections, and we have all been VERY successful. (Down 79 pounds in 9 1/2 months, sister down 122 pounds in 9 months and husband down 26 pounds in 1 month.)

I had my surgery done by Dr. Malley, along with my sister and husband, and he is an amazing doctor. He is actually the best Dr in the Midwest and Allergen has put him in the seat to train and educate new doctors on the band. He is their proctor for new doctors doing their first surgeries. As to a nurse practitioner doing the fills, she is going to be helping him out on the days he is in surgery and is not in the clinic. To me it sounds great because that opens up more days to get appointments. You have to remember, he is only ONE person. His practice has gotten so large because he IS so good. If you set 2 or 3 appointments at once, you should be in good shape to get in. As for the cancellations, I've had to change dates to accomodate Dr. Malley's busy schedule, but have always gotten in the same week. Maybe it has to do with you not being an original patient. I'm sorry that you have had such a bad experience with him, but I do believe that these incidents are far and few between. If you asked him his stats on complications and such, you would find he is well below the average. He is Great!!!

Mine is already very visible and I am hoping to be pregnant in the next couple of months, so I am kind of nervous to see what it will look like while pregnant. I'm sure people will wonder what in the world that protrusion is on my belly. Gonna be hard to cover the fact that I was banded for the ones who don't know. My belly button popped with my other pregnancies so what's another bump on the belly, right?!?

Here is another month down and another 10 pounds gone forever. First is before surgery, next is oct 19th and 3rd is from today. Presurgery closeup is almost too embarrasing to post, but shows so much success and gives me motivation to keep going. Everyone is doing such a fabulous job. Keep up the awesome work!!! final.bmp

I am finally almost there. I weighed this morning and the scale said...200.0. That means just a tenth of a pound and I'm there. It has been 8 years since I have seen it. Congrats to everyone who is at this awesome goal and to those of us who are approaching!!!

Wow Rain. You have your hands full. Mine are 5 year old girls and I have a 20 month old boy also. I thought my girls were big at 6.8 and 7.0 pounds, but you put mine to shame. Mine were also taken at 2 weeks early. I was never on bedrest, although at times I wish I could have been. I felt like a house. And I have a roadmap on my stomach to show for it. But, I wouldn't have it any other way. Twins are so much fun. It only gets better and better...at least for now!!!

I had that problem about 2 months ago and I just got a slight unfill and it helped tremendously. My sister actually just got a slight unfill for that very reason 2 days ago. She likes to be tight, but she just couldn't handle it anymore when it came to liquids not going down at all. I've heard that being too tight can also slow the weight loss process???

We have very similar starting stats. I am 5'11'' and started at 273 and wore a size 11 shoe. Was also a size 24 in clothing as well. I also have a goal weight of 165 too. I have gone down 70 pounds putting me at 203 and in a size 16 now. I have also noticed a difference in shoe sizes as well. I had to buy a 10 in my last pair. It was such a great feeling. It is so hard to find a decent looking size 11 shoe. Tens just sound so much smaller. I just recently posted a before and during picture on the "before and after thread" if you want to get an idea of the transformation this far. My goal is to get into a size 12 or even maybe a size 10. I have been down to 157 about 9 years ago and that was my size then...but that was also before I had twins and a singleton and all this skin...ughh. Good luck on your journey. You will love the results!!!

It's been 8 months and here is what I have to show. I feel like a new person, but am still patiently trying to get the remaining 40 pounds off. It has definatley slowed, but am greatful for the results I have had so far. I have gone from a size 24 to a very comfortable size 16. Everyone on this thread is such an inspiration to me. I look at all the new post daily to keep me headed in the right direction. Thanks to all of you!!!

At my 6 months, I was down 57. I am now at 63 pounds. Pretty happy with my results. My sister, who was banded on Feb. 27, just hit her 6 month and she is at 94 pounds. She is our doctor's record weight loss for 6 months. Amazing weight loss. Zannie, you have awesome stats yourself. Way to go!!! I really need to step up on the exercise. I don't do it at all, other than the daily cleaning and taking care of my 3 young children. I know it would help the process. Keep up the great work.

You will be so excited to have him as your surgeon. I was banded by him 6 months ago and loved him every step of the way. My sister was banded by him also and my husband is going to his seminar in the morning. Good luck with everything!!!

My surgeon was Dr. Malley. He is unbelievable. He is very quiet until you get to know him and then he opens up a bit. Great with his patients, let's you be a part in the decision making process about fills and such. He has great stats in the way of slips, erosions and other complications. His office staff is great with getting back with you and answering any questions you have. Just a wonderful experience so far. My sister also used him just 2 weeks after me and loves him also. She has lost 95 pounds in just under 6 months. Amazing!!! Good luck in your search for a great surgeon!!!

I think it is all individual. I have been banded for 6 months and am down 60 pounds. No exercise, I can't stand it. I chase 3 little kids around all day, it is the last thing I want to do when my husband gets home. I know...always excuses!!! I do, on the other hand, eat in moderation now. That is very easy to do banded. I still eat pizza, Pasta, etc. I just eat very small amounts at a time. I have always enjoyed food and I still do, I just use the band to my advantage. My sister was banded about the 2 weeks after me and she is down 90 pounds. She has more to lose then myself, but she does about the same thing as I do. She doesn't exercise, she just eats small portions. We both don't drink with meals or after, so I guess we do follow that rule. We try to eat Protein first, and just don't eat a bunch of junk. To us, it really doesn't sound as good anymore. Again, I think it is all individual in what you do and the rules that you follow. You just have to find what works for you and stick to it. If it doesn't work, change things around a bit until you find what does. Good luck in your journey!!!

Just thought I'd join this thread too. I haven't seen onederland for over 9 years. How nice it will be. Just 13.5 more pounds to go. Way to go to everyone that has achieved this goal and keep it up to everyone who is so close!!!

I have had a few weeks where I lost nothing and was disappointed, then the following week lost 4 pounds. It's a process that you just have to give it your all and it will pay off in time. Just remember you didn't gain it overnight and it is not going to come off that quick. You will definately see results long term doing what you are doing. Just be patient...hard for me to even say, because this is one of my bad weeks. Keep up the good work!!!

As for the hair loss question...I started lossing tremendous amounts of hair around 3 1/2 months and continued for about 4 weeks. It has tapered off a bit lately, but am still losing some slowly. I have lost hair with both of my c-sections and with 2 seperate surgeries. I have heard that it is your body being shocked for the anethesia??? Who knows how that workd, but that is what I have been told and it seems to hold true. It seems like I get my new hair in and then I go under again. Atleast it does stop falling out and it does always grow back. Hope this helps some.

I still have the shoulder pain at 5 months, but I only notice mine when I am SUPER hungry. If I don't eat for hours, simply because I forget, then it really comes on. That is the only time I experience it though. I can eat and immediately it goes away...WEIRD. Do you get it at various times or anything that you can figure out triggers it? I know it is a real PAIN.