Patriceaa

Good luck to you all!! It is scary because you are starting a journey to a whole new lifestyle, but I don't think you will have any regrets. So excited for you!

It's completely normal...where you are right now is probably the toughest, because your swelling from surgery has gone down and you have no restriction, but are on a restricted diet. It will get better. I didn't have my full restriction until probably my 3rd fill. I have never concentrated on calories, my focus was always Protein and carbs, and that has worked for me.

Yay!! Congratulations!

I can honestly say I never went through "bandster hell" and getting my band was the best decision I have ever made.

Good luck on your journey and new life.

Thank you jlaroux & jennybee

You looked toned. How much weight did you lose?

Thanks...my legs are pretty toned, but my stomach really isn't, neither are my upper arms (they arent horrible, but definitely need to tone up more - which is why they are covered in the picture).

I lost 113 lbs total. I have been holding steady at 129-130 lbs for the past six months.

Like the poster above me, I was a 26 and am now a 6....so absolutely its possible! Good luck in your journey

Beautiful!! Congrats!

I'm sure every one has different questions... but from what I remember, the one I went to asked why I wanted to do it and basically wanted to be sure I was realistic about the surgery. It was a piece of cake, she didn't make me cry . Don't worry, I had to go twice and it was like 30 minutes each time and it was over.

It really is a lot of genetics....but if you continue to exercise it will help you stay toned. I think the majority of people have at least a little bit of 'flab', especially if they have lost a lot of weight. I have lost over 100 lbs, and most of my flab is in my stomach, but its not noticable with clothes on, and I think without clothes I notice it more than my fiancee, more than anything I need a boob job now.

Have you all heard about Skinnygirl Cocktails, drinks, wines??

Go check it out... http://www.skinnygir...serve-cocktails

I was going to mention the same thing. Most restaurants and bars are now offering 'skinny' drinks, it definitely takes some of the guilt away. But you have to let loose sometimes and just have fun, don't ever completely deprive yourself.

Thank you all! I do have a lot of loose skin and want to get surgery eventually, but in clothes its not that noticable...it's mostly in my stomach and my upper arms...and I went from a 44DD to a 34 Long LOL

Thank you again for all of your kind words

Patriceaa - you have done a great job! When was your surgery?

Thank you! My surgery was Oct 21, 2010....so it will be 2 years next month.

I still get them wayyyy more than I'd like, not everyday, but probably at least 4 times per week. It is an annoying side affect. I am not sure how to not get them anymore. Hopefully someone here can give some good advice that I can listen too also.

I will be 2 years post op next month. Prior to my surgery, I flat out REFUSED to be in any pictures, I hated the way I looked and didn't want any reminders. Well now almost 2 years later, I am engaged to my very best friend and he wanted boudoir photos taken for him...talk about taking me out of my comfort zone!! But I did it... although they are very cheesy, and because of that, somewhat still embarrassing, but point is, I did it. When the pictures came back it was hard for me to look and realize that is really me, I actually lost the weight and wasn't that 'fat girl' anymore. I finally am happy and feel pretty good about myself... now I focus on other things that need improvement, but I have to say I love my Lapband.

I posted a couple of the pictures... dont laugh at the cheesiness!!

It's personal. You are the one to decide to tell people or not. You are not 'lying', the lapband isnt a magic pill, it takes work to lose the weight, like my primary doc said, its 'forced discipline'. Don't feel bad about not telling... some people do and some dont, its a personal choice.

Congratulations!! You look beautiful

I was so scared before my first fill, I am terrified of needles! But it was a piece of cake and didnt hurt at all. They actually got a little harder as I lost the weight because my port is "jiggly" (they say its my port, but I know my RN is just being nice, its actually my stomach thats jiggly), its still not too bad though, I just have to try to stick my stomach out as far as I can to get my stomach as hard as possible. I havent had to have a fill in about 6 months, hopefully I wont need anymore.

Everyone is different, but I still cannot eat salads, they are too hard for me to digest. Salads and bread are two things that I absolutely cannot handle. But like I said everyone is different... hope you will be able to handle them!

I agree with the previous posters who said make sure you take enough time off of work. I had my surgery on a Thursday and thought I'd be ready to go back on Monday or Tuesday. I really needed that entire next week, not necessarily because I was too sore, but I was sooooo tired. I wasnt getting enough nutrition to have any energy. I had to build up to it. I hated the Isopure Protein drinks I purchased so I had a really hard time getting in my Protein. Make sure you drink enough and really try to get in your protein...that was (and frankly still is, my biggest obstacle), also a heating pad was my best friend post surgery. Also, prior to losing my weight, I refused to have my picture taken... take pictures so you will see what you accomplished once you meet your goal.

Good luck in your journey...speaking for myself it was the best decision I ever made. I will be at 2 years post-op next month.

So sorry to hear about all of your troubles with your band.... but congrats on your pregnancy. Here is to a happy and healthy pregnancy!

Spanx has so many different products that can really smooth you out. I love them. I want a boob job/tummy tuck eventually ~ but for now its Spanx for me.

Definitely sounds like you need a bit of an unfill. I had my surgery Oct 2010 and had my first issues this month also...and a slight unfill did the trick. Don't wait too long to contact your dr, no point in being uncomfortable if you dont need too.

Thank you for your concern readytogoforit ~ and who cant use a few prayers? ... I was concerned too and really starting to worry. As lellow said, I am not underweight ~ I am below my goal weight, but still within the healthy BMI range. I was worried because I didnt want to lose any additional weight, and I was unable to eat or drink. I did and still do have somewhat of a fear of the scale going the opposite direction, when these past few years I have been working so hard to have the numbers go down. I did go to my dr because I did recognize what I needed to do ~ they reassured my feelings were normal but that it was good that recognized what I needed to do. I had a slight unfill ~ which is what I needed... I feel so good now! And I have decided if I gain 10 or so lbs, I am fine with it ~ its just scary. The difference now is I know what I need to do not to go back to where I came from. I have the knowledge and the tools to be in control. Thank you all so much for your input.

b52, I talked at one seminar in december. I didnt like it, only because I dont like to talk in front of a big crowd. But I think you would be good. you have done amazing.

You sound just like me! I noticed that you are in Denver, I wonder if we have the same doctor. Like you, I tried being on the panel at one of the seminars, and hated it because I hate speaking in crowds ~ but I am considering being a "bariatric buddy" too ~ one on one sounds much better! Congratulations on the invite! Good job!

Just be careful, because it wont necessarily loosen on its own. I just went through this... I had my last fill almost 8 months ago, and I always knew it was on the tighter side, but I didnt mind. Over those months, it never loosened up ~ it actually felt tighter in the last month (my dr said it could have been from my traveling on airplanes or from a cold I had... go figure!)... I was so tight that I was getting the acid reflux at night and honestly couldnt eat more than a bite of food at a time and in the past 3 weeks even drinking became difficult. It got to the point where I was having headaches every day and became dehydrated ~ but I had a major fear of having an unfill and going the opposite direction. Well I finally gave in, went to the Dr on Tues and had a small unfill ~ I still have restriction...but I can eat more than a bite and drink again. This whole thing is so individual and seems to be a science, but don't suffer or take any unneeded risks, you will still lose if you are doing what you need too ~ and u will still get your nutrition rather than getting them from pure liquids. Good luck!!