PattyGirl66

Then there was the babe who got a nice little rosebud tattooed on her left breast. Forty years later, it was a long-stemmed rose.

Thank you all for your support! Tomorrow is a new day and a return to my commitment.

Yaaaaaaa!!

thank you!! I love it, it's very meaningful to me

Missy, that is really a beautiful tattoo! perfect inscription

I have lost 116 pounds and STILL have a higher BMI than you do currently.
If you go into this realizing the band is a tool, not a magic bullet, and that you must make eating habit changes for a lifetime then I think it's totally realistic to think the band will help you. Really, it all falls on the person being banded. The more committed you are to change and a healthy lifestyle, the better you will do.
As for me, I still have a long ways to go, but I couldn't be happier with my decision. Getting banded is the best thing I've ever done for myself.

I also have very small ankles. In fact, framewise I am very petite. Since you don't have "tankles" I think you would like it.

My ankle tattoo really didn't hurt, either. Far less than the one on my forearm did.

If its above the ankle bone on the fleshier area it shouldn't be too bad. If its lower down towards the bone or on the top of the foot it can be very sore. Generally, the fleshier the area, the less the pain. Its worth it (for me anyway). The worst part I find is the outline, after that the rest is a walk in the park. A great forever gift to yourself

for my 50th birthday i would like to have an anklet tattoo with 2 hearts dangling with my daughter and granddaughter's name inside the hearts. I don't have any tattoo's this would be my first. I heard from others that is a delicate area and hurts

Hi - I have an ankle tattoo and to be honest, I didn't think it hurt very much. Kinda tickled.

SURGERY WAS 7AM..... I AM DOING GREAT!! EVERYTHING WENT WELL!! I AM DRINKING MY liquids, WALKING, AND RESTING. VERY LITTLE PAIN IN LEFT SHOULDER BUT THROAT PAIN FROM ANESTHESIA. I AM SO GRATEFUL TO BE ON THE OTHER SIDE. TALK WITH YALL SOON!!

I am so thankful for everyones advice and especially the information on the 1-800-GET-THIN scam artists! I have called them and requested all of my medical records be sent. They are being a bit difficult but I do have a fabulous laywer and I doubt they want a call from him. I am now going to call my insurance company and have them give me the name of someone in network that will hopefully consider everything I have already been through. I will keep everyone posted!

Thanks for sharing your remarkable story. We all have had that moment, maybe an epiphany.
Congratulations on your success! You are doing marvelous!
Keep posting, it is stories like these that helps the rest of us out

I agree with Bluetigereyes. I have heard horrible reviews about 1-800-get thin.. PLEASE PLEASE do your research! GOOGLE is your best friend to find answers.. READ this recent article.. there are tons more!!!
http://articles.latimes.com/2012/jun/13/business/la-fi-get-thin-lawsuit-20120613

EGD this morning, pre-op on July 29th, and surgery on August 13th! I cannot wait!

Well, yesterday marked the 3 month anniversary of this journey for me, and I am THRILLED to be down 48 pounds! I have dreamed of the day I could write something on the success stories thread because I spent a whole lot of time reading here during the dreaded pre-op diet, the post-op gas pains, and the bandster hell period to help remind me that this will be worth it in the end. I can say so far that I absolutely do not regret this decision.
On Thursday, March 15th, I went to the plus size clothing store on my lunch break to find something to wear for a college preview day my daughter I would be attending that weekend. I left the store nearly in tears. Even a 26 was tight and everything made me look like I was wearing a tent. Right there in the parking lot, it felt like I was hit by a bolt of lightning and "get a Lap Band" just came to my mind out of nowhere. I truly believe it was one of the "God moments" for me.
Over the next two weeks, I researched all I could on this and how I could make it happen. I learned that I would have to give up my 2 liter a day diet soda addiction because carbonated drinks stretch the pouch. I was pretty certain I was going to use one particular surgeon with a great success record, and he requires under 50 net carbs a day. OMG! How would I ever do that? I thought I would just eat the same as always, just a lot less, and I have to eat slower, chew how many times, and not drink with or after meals?? I wasn't sure how I would be successful but I knew I couldn't keep going this direction, and I was feeling my rock bottom.
Knowing I had to kick to soda and do the initial "carb detox", I decided to do get a jump on the pre-op diet and go back to Weight Watchers, so that I do not have to deal with such a drastic change all at once, and I am glad I did. So, on April 2nd, I went back to WW, with goals of getting off soda, cutting carbs and getting a new mindset. I did this for 1 month prior to starting the pre-op diet and that made the pre-op diet a little more tolerable and jump started my weight loss. I has initially lost 12 lbs by the time I had the 1st visit with the surgeon.
On May 14th I was banded, everything went well. No Fluid was put into my band during surgery. After the intial swelling went down, I felt like I could eat a house, and I struggled with this til I got my first fill on June 14th. I even gained a couple of pounds and this was so discouraging. Even though I was following the carb and Protein guidelines, I decided I was eating too much fat and calories, so I started tracking 5 things about everything I ate: WW points, fat, calories, carbs and protein, and I weighed everyday and wrote in on my log (a simple MS Word table). The negative feedback of a weight gain motivates me personally. If I stall, I can easily see what the problem food was and avoid it next time. This has been the most successful thing for me and I am learning to live with and work with the band. It is a huge priority for me to write everything down. Instead of pouting and wondering what I did wrong, I can easily identify it, learn from it and move on. Since I have done this, the weight has literally fallen off.
So, yesterday, July 2nd, was officially 3 months since I walked back in WW with my head hanging low. I walked in with my head held high and stepped on the scale to see a 48 pound loss. It was more than I ever imagined. I'm so glad I had that God moment in the parking lot that day.

My husband has been completely supportive, but he doesn't really understand how my world of eating has changed. I'm eating to live, not living to eat anymore.
He sees that I don't eat the same stuff, but the other day asked me to grab the Oreo's from the cupboard while I was in the kitchen for him. My response was: you're putting temptation in my hands, so no, if you want them get them yourself. He instantly appologized, he didn't even think that it would be hard for me. I'm trying very hard to be strong - but really, putting them in my hands and NOT having one would be torture. Sometimes I just have to *kindly* point out that I'm really trying here, and ask him to just think a little more before he talks. I don't want him to feel like he has to eat in the other room, because I do really enjoy the few meals we get to spend together, but don't ask me to make you Pasta, scoop some ice cream, etc. It's like asking a recovering alcoholic to grab you a beer. He was very receptive.
I suggest maybe just explaining that you're on a learning curve, your life has changed when it comes to food, and the temptation is strong to not eat according to plan when you see them chowing down pizza in front of you. At the same time, this was a choice you made and need to prepare yourself for a lifetime of tempting situations.

Mine is Tuesday the 3rd, less than 48 hours!!! I'm scared but excited as well, more afraid of the pain after then the actual procedure itself. But some folks say its not to bad.
I am so lucky, my friends had a pool party for me yesterday, even though I could not enjoy cocktails with them and stuff from the grill. The overwhemling support they showed me brought tears to my eyes. I am a lucky guy.

Hi Robert, glad to see you on the board..Keep writing about your results and of course your progress. It really helps us all, especially those like me who are not banded yet
-Patty

Hi guys! My name is Robert and I had the iband procedure last week and wow those first 5 days were brutal! I'm feeling much better today and looking forward to a healthier me and lifestyle.
I've spent most of my life overweight so I know these changes are a not going to come easy, but it looks like there is so much support out there and here that at least I know I am not alone! In the first week I am already down 12 pounds! I'm so excited. Can't wait to hear and read about everyone's success stories! Look forward to meeting and talking with you all.
Robert (X)

I haven't lost enough that I'm comfortable in front of a camera yet, but it is something I'm looking forward to. For years I've been telling people that come near me with a camera that I can't have pictures made because I'm in the witness protection program :ph34r: ! I also tell friends and family that if they post a picture of me on Facebook that I'll "unfriend" them!!

The only thing against having breast reduction before you are at goal weight is that u may lose more than u bargained for when u lose weight and hit goal, i always had a large bust but i lost nearly all my weigh from them.
I know how much of a pain large breasts are and i understand fully why u want them done but i would just be worried that u will have a reduction then if u lose more weight u will lose more size on your chest, but that is something to speak to the plastic surgeon about i suppose it all depends how much fat you carry in your breasts
good luck with it anyways, i shall have my lift on my breasts next year as i have gone from large breasts to quite saggy ones now .. ugh ( but then i am a lot older )

I know that feeling, I still very much dodge behind objects. I still think some people need to learn to NOT take photos when food is being served, soooo not flattering, LOL

Wouldn't it be nice if the weight loss could just leave them speechless.... Just sayin'