auntielle

I've lost about 91% of my excess in about 14 months. I followed --and still follow-- the rules. My dr said the same re: 50%. From what I've read on here, there are at least 50% of the people who either don't understand the rules or do not choose to follow them. It is a great, great tool but you must be willing to change your life forever. I am thrilled with my results and am continuing to lose (more slowly) to find the best "normal" for me. You can do it! Good luck!

Religiously! I take vitaband, Iron, Calcium & folic acid for depression. I make sure to get 70-100 g of Protein daily. I'm about a year out & have lost over 100 lbs but have never lost any hair. I will take them forever. Good luck!

So happy for you & proud of your success! Keep up the great work & enjoy taking care of yourself in new ways! You deserve a day at the spa!

Yay for you! I am down about the same in a year. What I've noticed is that as I've lost I had to get adjustments. Also, for some reason, my band seems to tighten up a little a few weeks after a fill. Going to your dr is a good decision. Wishing you all the best & continued success!

It's great you have such a supportive husband! You need to do your research & decide what is best for you. I am almost a year out & 100 lbs down. It has been a wonderful experience on all levels.

However, the only people who know I had surgery are my sisters & my therapy group. I've lost this much twice before the band & I had people gossiping that I had wls then. So, for me, I just don't talk about it & say I've changed my eating & exercise habits & am working hard. All of which is true.

To make a life long change you must put you first & make your health your priority. As long as you have a good dr & follow the rules 90+ % of the time you should be feeling great & looking great before you know it. All the best!

Your results will be up to you. You have to get honest with yourself and make sure you are willing to change your life, eating & exercise habits. I was banded 9/7/11. So far I have lost approx 80% of my excess weight. 9 lbs left to normal BMI. 25 lbs to goal.

I have been fortunate to be healthy & have a great experience. But, I have also followed my drs rules 97% of the time. I use my fitness pal & track my food, cal,pro,carb,fat,etc. I am accountable to my friends on there. I have told almost no one in my life.

I did it for me and will continue to do so. One day at a time. It's not always easy but it is worth it and it can work if you work it. Good luck in your journey!

I'm 51 & was banded last September. My periods were about every 4 months. I started the day after surgery. I've lost 99 lbs. I started having periods more often but not regular. I had read that estrogen is stored in fat. I personally feel that since I've been losing, estrogen is being released. And, I have gotten hungry around that tom. Hang in there. And, get a fill if you need one. It doesn't always take away hunger but it doesn't feel good to overeat. good luck!

I feel for you. I've been in the Texas High Risk pool the last several years bc I was self employed & could not get ins bc of anti depressants. I paid for my whole surgery last year & have done great.

I spoke to someone about what my chances are now bc I'm no longer on so many pills. They found that no one was interested bc of my surgery. She said Aetna said maybe after 1 year. I decided to get a job with benefits even though I'm back in school. Insurance is ridiculous in our country!

Btw, I'm 51 & have NO other health issues. So far I've lost 99 lbs in almost a year. I have 20+ - to go. Good luck!

Did you get any instructions from your doctor? That is the place to start. Even if you can eat a lot that doesn't mean you should or that you are eating the correct amount of calories to lose weight. I log everything in my fitness pal to make sure I am getting enough calories, Protein, carbs & fat -- but not too much.

I also do not drink anything when I eat. Everyone is different but I think most people lose on 800 - 1200 per day depending on the person. I try to get 70 - 100 grams of Protein a day & keep it low in fat, sugar & fairly low in carbs. Also, exercise or just moving more is important.

You may still be hungry but when you get to the right restriction you will not be able to eat too much at a time. Many doctors say eat only 3 meals -- mine did. However, I do much better eating about 6 Snacks a day instead of meals. That way I never get too hungry. And it works for me. Good luck finding the combo that works for you.

PS. I started at 258 last August, had surgery 9/7/11 & now am 163. Trying to lose 30 more+- I'm 5'5".

I am 51, in the middle of menopause & went the dr last August & weighed 258 (I'm 5'5"). Had surgery 9/7/11 & today weighed 163. I have followed all the instructions & taken Vitamins probably 90-95% of the time. I keep going in whether I need a fill or not. (My first year of aftercare was included).

I use my fitness pal & added a bunch of friends from here to have accountability & support. I have been & am in therapy. I'm on thyroid meds & antidepressants (have been for years). I keep healthy food around for running around (work & school).

You can choose to make it work for you. One step at a time. It seems fast on the other side. Just remember each time you eat you are making a long term choice. Will it be helpful to you or hurtful?

All the best!!!

Good for you & those you are helping with your old clothes!!!

So happy for you & proud of you! You are a true inspiration & offer great support for others. Keep up the super job!

I have good hair & was concerned about losing it. However, I made sure to get 70-100 gms of Protein a day & take Vitamins daily. I found I was losing less hair than before. I had surgery 9/7/11 & my hair is still good. I do think a lot of it may be genetic and how healthy one is, etc. good luck!

I have been up & down my whole life. Lost 100 lbs twice & gained it back. (Kept it off for 5 years last time). Knew I had a permanent problem & needed a permanent solution. But, felt most comfortable with Lapband as opposed to more invasive procedures.

Lots of research, good surgeon & aftercare & making the commitment to change my way of eating & exercise FOREVER. I was self pay & have a lot invested. This is it for me.

So far, 93 down since Sept & 30ish to goal. Life on all levels is exponentially better. Wishing you all the best whatever you choose.

First, as stated above, it's always a good idea to check with your doctors. Personally, I have been going through menopause for a couple of years. (or perimenopause). Anyway, I had been having about 4 periods a year. I started one day after surgery & then went back to every 2-3 months. Surgery was 9/7/11.

Then this spring I started having more regular periods for a few months. I'm down 92 lbs. I had heard that estrogen can be stored in fat. So I was thinking that since I was losing it was being released. I did mention it to my surgeon and he agreed (however he may have just not disagreed). Now it's been a couple of months without a period so I'm hopeful it doesn't come back. After 40 years of every 3-4 weeks, it's a welcome change. All the best!

Not a vet but appreciate all of you for your service & sacrifice.

You look fabulous! Congrats that all of your hard work paid off. I am also sometimes guilty of focusing on what's left (30-40) instead of what I've done (down 91). Every time I catch myself worrying about getting the rest off, I'm trying to think about how far I've come & that I wouldn't trade that for anything.

I'm 51 & had surgery 10 months ago. 90 lbs down - 35+- to go. Overweight since childhood, more & less, done everything including therapy (most helpful) & lost 100 lbs twice & gained it back. ((Once kept it off for 5 yrs).

Love my band. All positive. BUT, I follow Everything my dr told me, did a lot of research & made a commitment to change my eating & exercise forever. All the best to you & everyone else!

PS: I was self-pay & have a lot invested.

My dr says 70-100g per day. Check with your dr or nutritionist.

You may want to try Kay's Natural Protein Snacks. 120 for a package & I never finish a whole one. I got boxes @ Amazon. However, I saw them for sale individually @ Walgreens. Try the different flavors. They work for me.

I'm still in the losing phase but what works for me is to up my calories a couple of times a month so my body doesn't get used to one calorie level.

I try to shoot for 800-900 daily & go up to 1200-1400. I have to plan it & make sure to get right back on track. It can be a slippery slope.

Sometimes I go up again but then go down & start losing. I think the exercise is a good idea, too. Good luck!

I don't know if it's the same for guys as for women, but I do know many women cannot handle another friend's success, especially if they were eating buddies. That may have been what they had in common.

Also, some are also threatened if they need to lose weight, too. I've been up & down all my life & have more than one "friend" tell me if I lost anymore they don't want to hang with me. And they were thin!

Take care of you & tell them to . . .

I live in TX & we have 100+ all summer. When it's that hot, even pre-band, it's not fun to eat. I focus on cool foods & Protein Shakes. It's too hot to cook! Gazpacho & back Beans are yummy! Good luck!

Anyone add me. It's been a big help! auntielle

You may also want to try logging everything you eat into my fitness pal. It was a reality check for me! Good luck!