DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

So unfair! You guys get bigger junk and all we get are smaller, saggy boobs!

Oh boy this thread could go so deep into the gutter lol. I'm trying really hard to behave but y'all are killing me! LOL!
For the record, at least we can once again see our "kitty" after losing our huge guts- which pairs nicely with you guys having bigger junk!
...I still miss my boobs though. *sighs *

So unfair! You guys get bigger junk and all we get are smaller, saggy boobs!

So unfair! You guys get bigger junk and all we get are smaller, saggy boobs!

So unfair! You guys get bigger junk and all we get are smaller, saggy boobs!

So unfair! You guys get bigger junk and all we get are smaller, saggy boobs!

The men as they lose weight......

The men as they lose weight......

We have some great guys on this forum. Jim, TMF, Catfish, and Guy all immediately come to mind. All great guys with much to offer!
Welcome!

Ok, here's a good visual of weight loss boobs!!

Oh boy this thread could go so deep into the gutter lol. I'm trying really hard to behave but y'all are killing me! LOL!
For the record, at least we can once again see our "kitty" after losing our huge guts- which pairs nicely with you guys having bigger junk!
...I still miss my boobs though. *sighs *

So unfair! You guys get bigger junk and all we get are smaller, saggy boobs!

I know there's been a zillion threads on this, but what's one more right?
I am seeing A LOT of people so hung up on the scale that they're missing the Non scale Victories (yes that's what NSV means).
So, please list your NSVs here! It doesn't matter how big or how small, we want to hear it!
Mine are (in no particular order):

The ability to sit in any chair I want without worrying if I'll fit or break it
The ability to sit in booths at restaurants
Flying without needing a seat belt extender
No longer wearing plus sized clothes
Trying on a size 'large' shirt and finding it's too big- and buying a size 'medium'
Walking by mirrors while shopping and thinking "wow I look cute" instead of "ugh gross"
Being very active in my kids' lives
Going from needing a cane to get around the house to walking 2 miles a day unaided
No longer having high blood pressure or high blood sugar.
No longer having a sleep apnea (or even snoring anymore)
Not being recognized by people who haven't seen me since getting my band (literally)
Being able to wear cute, stylish clothes (I've become a shopping addict!)
Sitting with my legs crossed
Being told I look more like my almost 19yr old daughter's sister rather than her mother

I know there's been a zillion threads on this, but what's one more right?
I am seeing A LOT of people so hung up on the scale that they're missing the Non scale Victories (yes that's what NSV means).
So, please list your NSVs here! It doesn't matter how big or how small, we want to hear it!
Mine are (in no particular order):

The ability to sit in any chair I want without worrying if I'll fit or break it
The ability to sit in booths at restaurants
Flying without needing a seat belt extender
No longer wearing plus sized clothes
Trying on a size 'large' shirt and finding it's too big- and buying a size 'medium'
Walking by mirrors while shopping and thinking "wow I look cute" instead of "ugh gross"
Being very active in my kids' lives
Going from needing a cane to get around the house to walking 2 miles a day unaided
No longer having high blood pressure or high blood sugar.
No longer having a sleep apnea (or even snoring anymore)
Not being recognized by people who haven't seen me since getting my band (literally)
Being able to wear cute, stylish clothes (I've become a shopping addict!)
Sitting with my legs crossed
Being told I look more like my almost 19yr old daughter's sister rather than her mother

I know there's been a zillion threads on this, but what's one more right?
I am seeing A LOT of people so hung up on the scale that they're missing the Non scale Victories (yes that's what NSV means).
So, please list your NSVs here! It doesn't matter how big or how small, we want to hear it!
Mine are (in no particular order):

The ability to sit in any chair I want without worrying if I'll fit or break it
The ability to sit in booths at restaurants
Flying without needing a seat belt extender
No longer wearing plus sized clothes
Trying on a size 'large' shirt and finding it's too big- and buying a size 'medium'
Walking by mirrors while shopping and thinking "wow I look cute" instead of "ugh gross"
Being very active in my kids' lives
Going from needing a cane to get around the house to walking 2 miles a day unaided
No longer having high blood pressure or high blood sugar.
No longer having a sleep apnea (or even snoring anymore)
Not being recognized by people who haven't seen me since getting my band (literally)
Being able to wear cute, stylish clothes (I've become a shopping addict!)
Sitting with my legs crossed
Being told I look more like my almost 19yr old daughter's sister rather than her mother

I know there's been a zillion threads on this, but what's one more right?
I am seeing A LOT of people so hung up on the scale that they're missing the Non scale Victories (yes that's what NSV means).
So, please list your NSVs here! It doesn't matter how big or how small, we want to hear it!
Mine are (in no particular order):

The ability to sit in any chair I want without worrying if I'll fit or break it
The ability to sit in booths at restaurants
Flying without needing a seat belt extender
No longer wearing plus sized clothes
Trying on a size 'large' shirt and finding it's too big- and buying a size 'medium'
Walking by mirrors while shopping and thinking "wow I look cute" instead of "ugh gross"
Being very active in my kids' lives
Going from needing a cane to get around the house to walking 2 miles a day unaided
No longer having high blood pressure or high blood sugar.
No longer having a sleep apnea (or even snoring anymore)
Not being recognized by people who haven't seen me since getting my band (literally)
Being able to wear cute, stylish clothes (I've become a shopping addict!)
Sitting with my legs crossed
Being told I look more like my almost 19yr old daughter's sister rather than her mother

that is just SO AWESOME!!!

I've had two unfills and never experienced any of those side effects.
As far as "rapid weight gain", that only happens if you start eating more than you should be. The band itself doesn't make you lose weight or gain weight. The band simply allows you to be satisfied on less food for longer periods of time. Whether you lose or gain weight depends entirely on how much you eat.

The collarbone thing is a biggy! So are the ribs!!
I am actually in love with my collar bone, in fact my daughter has even commented that I should wear shirts that show off my shoulder and collar bone more often because it looks really good.
The rib thing is kinda funny. Between your ribs, in the center of your rib cage, there is a connective area called the xiphoid process. I actually went to my doctor in a panic because I had this "big weird bump" on my chest in the middle of my rib cage. He actually laughed at me and goes "ummm, that's you, not a tumor. I'm guessing you've just never been small enough to feel or see it before"
So...yeah..I freaked out over my own rib cage

I know there's been a zillion threads on this, but what's one more right?
I am seeing A LOT of people so hung up on the scale that they're missing the Non scale Victories (yes that's what NSV means).
So, please list your NSVs here! It doesn't matter how big or how small, we want to hear it!
Mine are (in no particular order):

The ability to sit in any chair I want without worrying if I'll fit or break it
The ability to sit in booths at restaurants
Flying without needing a seat belt extender
No longer wearing plus sized clothes
Trying on a size 'large' shirt and finding it's too big- and buying a size 'medium'
Walking by mirrors while shopping and thinking "wow I look cute" instead of "ugh gross"
Being very active in my kids' lives
Going from needing a cane to get around the house to walking 2 miles a day unaided
No longer having high blood pressure or high blood sugar.
No longer having a sleep apnea (or even snoring anymore)
Not being recognized by people who haven't seen me since getting my band (literally)
Being able to wear cute, stylish clothes (I've become a shopping addict!)
Sitting with my legs crossed
Being told I look more like my almost 19yr old daughter's sister rather than her mother

Yes, it's a fact.
A Clinical Study
A clinical study was done in Germany to review complications following lap band surgery. Thirty-five hospitals were involved in the study, with 4138 patients that underwent gastric banding over a five-year period. Lap Band long-term complications were described in 8.6% of all patients. The most common complications included: pouch dilation or enlargement (5.0%), lap band slippage (2.6%), and Lapband migration or erosion (1.0%). (Stroh,C Manger, T “Complications after adjustable gastric banding”, Chirurg, 2006, Vol 77,pag 244-250)

Normal Lap Band X-Ray Under Fluoroscopy

Enlarged Lap Band Pouch
What is Lap Band Slippage?
One of the long-term complications of lap band surgery is called“Lapband slippage” and can be defined as “when the Lapband and the stomach pouch are both prolapsed.” This means that the lap band has shifted position and the enlarged stomach pouch has also shifted or twisted so that food does not go through thelapband into the rest of the stomach. This may result in pain, discomfort, decreased appetite and inability to eat or drink, and vomiting. Lapband Slippage does not happen immediately but may take several months to develop.

Large Lap Band Pouch
Lap Band Slippage generally develops in a progressive manner. As food intake is increased, the stomach begins to stretch and grow and the patient may stop losing weight or start to regain weight. At this point, patients may only exhibit an enlarged stomach Lap band pouch. This can be medically treated by deflating the lap band to release pressure and slow the growth of the pouch (successful in 70% of cases, or surgical treatment can be considered). However, if the enlarged lapband pouch continues to grow, the lapband progressively rotates until both the lap band and the enlarged pouch become prolapsed, resulting in Lap bandslippage. This is followed by functional stenosis (narrowing) of the stomach.

Lap Band Slippage
Lapband Slippage Symptoms typically include progressively worsening reflux, vomiting and epigastric complaints, which may increase to sudden near-total dysphagia (inability to swallow or eat anything, including saliva).
Risk factors or causes of lap band slippage include surgical technique, model of the lapband used, early consumption of solid foods, early inflation or filling of the band, consumption of carbonated or sparkling beverages, and frequent vomiting.
Treatment for lap band slippage requires surgical intervention. Thelapband must be repositioned or removed, based on the operative findings and condition of the stomach pouch. If appropriate, the surgeon and patient may elect to choose another type of bariatric procedure such as a Gastric Sleeve.
How Do I Prevent Lap Band Slippage?
In order to decrease the risk of developing lap band slippage, it is important to follow the recommended diet following surgery and to avoid introducing solid foods too early. In addition, the fills should not be started before 6 weeks post-operatively and these Lap band fills should be very gradual. We also recommend that fills should be done under fluoroscopy, even if you are asymptomatic (no symptoms of lap band slippage), to be able to monitor the position of the lapband, and the size of the stomach pouch and condition of the esophagus. This will allow for early diagnosis of an enlarged stomach pouch or possible lap band slippage.
Susana González, MD

The collarbone thing is a biggy! So are the ribs!!
I am actually in love with my collar bone, in fact my daughter has even commented that I should wear shirts that show off my shoulder and collar bone more often because it looks really good.
The rib thing is kinda funny. Between your ribs, in the center of your rib cage, there is a connective area called the xiphoid process. I actually went to my doctor in a panic because I had this "big weird bump" on my chest in the middle of my rib cage. He actually laughed at me and goes "ummm, that's you, not a tumor. I'm guessing you've just never been small enough to feel or see it before"
So...yeah..I freaked out over my own rib cage

If you have spider veins and varicose veins, plus swollen ankles and calves, I would first have yourself checked for veinous reflux disease. It's common among over weight people and is caused when the valves don't close properly allowing blood to pool in the lower leg.
If you do, insurance will pay to have the veins taken care of, which might also significantly decrease your ankle and calf size, too. I am having vein ablation and removal this January for veinous reflux disease.
Just a thought!

Wow what a scary story. You've been through a lot.
Thank you for sharing it, though. By you sharing your struggles, you could really help people from making the same mistakes. Truth is, I read about people with bands too tight all the time and fear complications like yours will arise. Hopefully some of those posters will read your story and realize how badly they're putting themselves at risk.
I have a lot of respect for you for not only telling your story but starting over. I have no doubt you'll be successful this time around.
Best wishes on your journey.

When were you banded?