kr8160311

I have lost 38lbs since April 2nd!!! All diet, very little excercise (I walk two miles a day, five days a week.). That's going to change, though!! Gym starts soon!!!

uhm congrats but i wouldn't call walking 2 miles 5x a week very little exercise - just sayin' LOL!

I was banded jan 2011 and as of today im down 60 pounds. I started at 270 and have made it to 210. I know alot of people who have lost more thsn I have in a year but I had some problems in the beginning and had to have port redone and start all over. Im so excited everyday to see results. Without this surgery I would probably have kept on gaining and feel miserable. Im gaining confidence now and have more energy to play with my kids. To anyone thinking about lapband surgery I say go for it!

I promised myself when I lost 50 pounds I would post a success story, I still have a ways to go, but that was my rewards for a 50 lbs weight loss. Hopefully I can inspire you and if you need a buddy, I'll try to help!
I was banded in January of 2007 at 322 lbs. The first six months I was the model lap-band patient. Once I started a new job and new life, I basically blew off the whole process and I had a book of excuses. I'm looking back now and I was sooo not emotionally prepared for this (I was banded at 26 years old). Eventually I got into a very abusive relationship, the only thing he "loved" was my cooking, so I just kept gaining weight. I stopped weighing myself when I saw that I was up to 280 (my lowest per the md was 268) Finally in December 2010 he left and in January 2011 I met the dbf that I have today (who I love to death). I finally realized that I met someone that I wanted to get healthy for so we could have a long future together.
In August of 2011 I was presented to the emergency room with a massive gall bladder attack. In September, I had it removed, at the time I was 288 lbs. After the removal it felt like I could eat anything and eat I did! One day after complaining to my mother about how my pants don't fit, she says to me "you work at a hospital there has to be a scale somewhere" so I go down the hall and weigh myself....314 pounds!!!! I was so disgusted with myself that when I went home I threw out all the junk and bought tons of healthy food (chobani was my drug of choice for a while!). I went back to the md for a fill, they had me do an endoscopy to see if there was erosion (thank god there wasn't) and basically I have started all over again. Since December 2, 2011 to today I have officially lost 53 pounds. I can't believe it, I'm still in shock. I have a long way to go, but I literally take it day by day. Also my doctor suggested I go on Adipex which is a prescription appetite supressant. I really don't notice a difference from before I was taking it, for all I know the pharmacist is putting tylenol in the prescription bottle. Some people will get on me about this bit of information, but it's my choice and I'm following doctor's orders.
Food wise, I eat less than 1000 calories a day. I eat three meals a day and don't snack. I drink tons of Water....tons lol. Honestly I only keep track of my calories 4 days out of the week. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays I don't write down what I eat, but I make sure to pick healthy options and not to over do it. Once and a while I do have something extra, but it doesn't taste the same anymore lol Excercise wise I walk 2 miles a day or 40 minutes back and forth from my job to the train station.
For anyone out there that is a long term bandster, don't give up. Heck, even go get a complete unfill and start all over. That was the deal between the doctor's office and me. Try it all over again and if I don't get down to my goal weight (220) they will start submitting the authorization for a revision. Today was the first doctor's appointment where I didn't get a fill because they were impressed with my weight loss. I never thought that would happen. I really never thought I would lose weight. I guess I've "grown up" and realized that this band isn't going to do all the work for me, that I have to do most of it. I also realized I'm not doing this for vanity purposes....I want to be a healthy wife and mother, and I want to grow old with the dbf I have now (I think he's the one lol).
I will try to post pictures soon. I don't have any current pictures of me now, but I'll be going on vacation to Mexico with the dbf and will have pictures from that.
Anyone who is reading this, keep up the good work, you're an awesome person, and take it one day at a time!

Hello! I haven't been on lately, but I wanted to stop by and post on my progress. I am 6 months out from surgery as of today (11/21/11). As of today, I have lost 79 pounds. 14 of those pounds were on the pre op diet, so since surgery, I have lost 65 pounds. I have soo happy and my life has already changed so much! I began at 259 and now weigh 180. My doctor looks at me in amazement every time I go in. He said I should be a trainer or how to lose weight with the lapband lol. Honestly though, I am super duper strict. I eat really well, count my calories, and go to the gym 5 times a week. I also jog 3 times a week. I now only have to see my doctor every other month (which saves me money). I know most people go this route because they don't want to feel like they are on a diet. However, the band has taught me how to choose the right foods for my body and I no longer want the junk (although I do splurge on occasion). I no longer have pain in my legs when I get up from my desk either. I'm also one of the lucky ones whose hair has not fallen out. I make sure to keep my protein between 50 to 90 grams a day, and I believe that's why. I also try to keep my carbs below 100. This is a complete lifestyle change for me and I'm so excited. The one thing I have laxed on is the vitamins, which I have to start back up. I ran out and just haven't bought more. I still try to take my calcium when I remember. My main piece of advice for anyone thinking about this surgery, is to please make sure that you are ready mentally for the change. If you are not, you will not succeed. I still have 40 more pounds I'd like to lose. I know my weightloss will start to slow down, but I would love to be at my goal weight by time my 1 year anniversary comes along. If you have any questions, please let me know! That's the reason I'm posting. I am so thankful for those who were around to help answer MY questions. So consider me at your disposal! I've uploaded a pic of me from last week. I was getting ready for an interview. Please ignore the hair! lol. Unfortunately, I don't have any "before" pictures because like most of you I'm sure, I avoided the camera like the plague.

I received a two year anniversary notice along with a 57th birthday greeting from administrators of this site and thought I'd actually wander by to say hello. This is only the second post I've made but it is a happy one for me. In two years I have dropped from 240 pounds to 160 pounds, twelve pounds away from my goal weight. Two years ago I wrote a feature story for the local newspaper about the lap bander who was currently the Poster Girl for the local hospital's weight management program. Two months ago my surgeon, Todd Beckstedt, asked if I would allow the weight management program to use my pictures in their advertising program. I've enjoyed my fifteen minutes of fame and got a beautiful set of professional photos out of the deal.
I didn't lose weight as fast as many people. I chose to not go on a restrictive diet and I didn't change my exercise program much (I teach dance and take care of four horses which keeps me fairly active). I gave up most of my favorite foods simply because I could no longer tolerate them with the band in place. Since my favorite foods included things like pizza, hamburgers, french fries, and whatever else could be cooked in hot grease, giving these things up made a big difference. I do still struggle with my sweet tooth, which is the reason for the plateau on which I am currently perched.
In many ways the last twelve or fifteen pounds are harder for me than the eighty pounds I already lost. That is not to say the first eighty were easy (they weren't) but I see the goal within reach and go into a panic because I have been to this point so many times only to backslide. Thank goodness for the lap band and the latest fill. They are marvelous tools and I am grateful to have them. I went to Europe with a theater group last fall- not only did I not gain weight but actually lost several pounds! The others gave in to the lure of Belgian pastry and German beer while I must've tasted every type of Soup made in central Europe and drank gallons of "wasser mit gas."
Overall my health has improved, I can indulge my fondness for clothes, and I can get on my horse without a mounting block. I am a happy camper.

It was very weird for me. Nothing made a major diff w fills until I hit THE ONE, it was prolly only 1 cc, but it had a HUGE impact. I could not stop wt falling off, and I stayed that way for a yr. So YES, one fill can make a big difference.

Today, I got tired of pick and choosing....EVERYTHING I own that is a XL or bigger got tossed...no mas! I used to be as high as 2XB at one time, but worked my way down one month at a time.

Everything left that is a Large, their days are numbered also. Long sleeve shirts have about 2 weeks left before I toss all of them.

I have been buying new summer clothes for work and upcoming vacation - MEDIUMS!
And they are fitting fine, with the exception of some tighter fitting t-shirts.
Down to a 36" waist, 34" with some of my jeans and shorts!!
This is a dream come true...but it is NOT about me or what I may or may not have done, I cannot take any credit....God knows I have tried on my own many times in the past with no lasting results at all....

It is ALL about the Band!!! Plain and simple....All you have to do is let the Band do what it is designed to do!

Yes, although many people like to tell you that you NEED to drink 6 - 8 glasses of water a day that is not technically true. It is actually fluid that you need. I hardly ever drink water except in summer when it is really hot. My drink of choice is tea, no sugar and with a dash of skim milk.

I have an 11cc Realize band. I'm 5 months out and at my last fill went from 5.5cc's to 7cc. I'm feeling that this may be the green zone. funny.. I didn't think I would ever say that! Just remember that everyone is different.
I may try for .5cc's more at my next appt. I can eat most everything except bread, dry meat and have to chew like crazy. I usually feel full after about a cup of food.. some days its more, some days it's less.
It's so exciting getting to this point. I haven't lost much weight since being banded and have been super frustrated, but now it's really starting to work!
Good luck!

Today I hit 50 lbs lost, I still have a long way to go but 50 just sounds and feels so good

As long as you eat right 90% of the time. Think of it as shaking up your metabolism... As long as you don't do it often.

Way to go! I can't wait to get there! I went from a 24 to a 22 this week and am so excited about that! I can't imagine being in the teens! Keep up the good work!!

16 months after my lapband surgery, I bought a size 14 dress today THAT FIT!!! It looks great, too. I also bought a size 16 in another style, and that's quite alright too.
I was stuck in the 190's since last September, way too long. Two weeks ago I decided to try something I never had before, and joined Caloriecount.com. I've been tracking my calories, activity, and Water, and in the last 2 weeks I lost 5 pounds. I must be on to something.

Finally broke the 200!! I weigh 199 I can't remember the last time being under 200! I've lost 96lbs since sept 2011. I'm super excited!

Okay, we can all agree that the first and foremost benefit of weight loss surgery is the health benefits. But that being said, the second greatest benefit(to me at least) was that for the very first time in my life I was able to shop in the normal size sections of the clothing store, and for the first time in my life I actually had choices in style, and for the first time in my life I actually saw the person who I always though I was in the mirror...not the caricature that stole my image for the last half a century. I think I speak for all of us on this one. By the time I had lost 50 pounds I had to throw out all my clothing, everything, the only thing I was able to still use were my socks. So a crash course in learning to dress well was in order...I'm alway reminded of the scene in the movie "Moscow on the Hudson" with Robin Williams when he experienced an American supermarket for the first time after defecting from the Soviet Union...he was so overwhelmed with the selections that he passed out. My wife remembers my eyes tearing when we went to Macy's to get me a new sport jacket, the last time I was there I purchased a size 58 and there were only two or three choices in the "Portly" section. I had just put on a size 46 and it was loose, I had to fight back full blown tears.
I'd love to hear about others in this forum that have lost a good chunk of weight and are now discovering or re-discoving the joys of dressing. Post some shopping tips, style tips for the newly slim. I've got some great tips and resources for those of you about to transition into a new wardrobe.
I now worship at the alter of Brioni, Canali and Zegna!

Cheers!
Eli the WineGuyD

Onto almost all normal foods, 20.3 lbs down, smaller pants AND I had to tighten my bra all the way!!! Woot!

Was banded yesterday morning. During the procedure it was discovered that I had a small hiatal hernia, so the surgeon fixed that up. Was very sore (still am) and wound up staying the night just for better pain control.
On the way home now and things are looking up. I felt like a prego holding my gut as I walked out to the car, Lol. I can't believe it's finally done. Excited to be alive, excited for the future!
Cheers,
Jason " The Nightshift Nurse"
St. Louis, MO

I had this same problem for many weeks after surgery (also it started at 3.5 weeks after). Turns out that I was eating too fast and the pieces were too big. Bites should be no bigger than your pinky nail. Chew, chew, chew, and eat sloooooowly. I went for my first fill yesterday and they didn't give me any! Said I was restricted from post-op with air in the band...that was contributing to the lump in throat feeling. Since I had lost 6 more lbs since the post-op visit, they thought I was restricted enough.

I had egg salad the other day I'm three weeks out and it kinda just got stuck in my chest area.. not sure if I ate too fast or too much or both but I won't be trying that again. Oatmeal also. I'm starting to think I can't eat anything but soup!

I called BCBSIL today and found out that I've been approved! My surgery is scheduled for 4/17! Wooohooo!

Sounds like you are eating too fast. Slow down and take your time. Wait a minute between each bite. Remember it should take you about 20 minutes to eat a meal. Good luck...

I have to say, I am simply amazed by this journey thus far! I wanted to post my story (in a condensed version) for those of you who are thinking about getting this procedure or have just begun your journey.
I have been overweight for as long as I can remember. I just ate what I wanted, and enjoyed it very much. I had little to no concern about my health. I remember in middle school, I would sit in my bedroom closet just eating a can of icing. How disturbing is that?! I finally started thinking about WLS about a year ago. My highest weight was 259 LBS. Although I didn't have any health issues, I had began to miss my monthly visitor (sorry for the TMI). This really concerned me because I desperately want children in my future and I knew that the direction I was going in would make that difficult. I went to meet with a surgeon, and got the ball rolling! My insurance required that I meet with a nutrionist for 6 months before surgery. Those 6 months just FLEW by! However, I had not originally planned on getting the Lapband. My heart was set on getting the Vertical Sleeve. A week before surgery, my Insurance Cordinator gave me a call saying that my insurance will not cover that surgery as I needed to have a BMI of 50. I was really far off. However, I COULD get the Lapband. So after crying my eyes out all day, I decided that this is how it was supposed to be and I agreed to get the Lapband. It was the best decision of my life!
I stayed one night in the hospital. It was my first surgery ever, and was relatively easy. The only difficult part was that I felt more comfortable resting in a chair than I did in the bed. I did not sleep much that night. Also, the first time they got me up to walk, I thought I was going to throw up and/or pass out. It got better.
Today, it is exactly 4 months since my surgery, which I got on November 21st 2011. Today, I am exactly 60 pounds lighter. Today, I am FINALLY in Onderland (199 pounds)!! It has been simply amazing!
I have had 2 fills. My doctor decided to hold off on another one due to the amount of weight I have lost. My weight loss has slowed down a bit, but I am still losing about 2 pounds a week. I will probably ask for another fill when I see him next month.
I know everyone says this, but the band really is a tool that YOU have to use. I believe you have to want to put some effort into this before even getting the surgery or it won't work for you. Your mind has to be in the right spot. You have to WANT to change. You have to be willing to give up some of the foods you love or at least only have them on a very rare occasion. You have to be willing to work out. I guess its possible to lose weight without working out, but you will lose more slowly and you may end up looking disproportionate. Thanks to the band, better choices, and the gym, I have lost 60 pounds. I never thought I would be here. I still have 54 more pounds to lose, but I am soooo happy. I love to work out as it makes me feel so much better and I have so much more energy. I also do the Couch to 5K Program. I strongly suggest this program to anyone and everyone! Although I am only in the 4th week (9 weeks total) I am seeing an improvement. My thighs are smaller, I have lost inches, and I am more fit! Since my surgery, I have also lost 2 inches on my neck, 7 inches on my waist, and 6 inches on my hips. Oh, I also use myfitnesspal like a fantatic! Feel free to add me on there. My username is legnarevocrednu. Also, feel free to message me on here if you have any questions. Good luck to all of you on your journey! I still have about 54 pounds to lose, but I'm glad that I could finally post my story as a success!!

I'm having my surgery on March 6th. I was so overwhelmed with stressing about getting approved by the insurance company I have had not much time to think about anything else....
now that I'm a few weeks away from being banded I'm worried I will fail the band. That I will go back to my old ways , that I won't have the will power? I know deep down I won't. I know this is it and I'm going to make it work but I'm still stressing about this.. Anyone else??
also YAY US!!! I can't friggin wait!! I'm 38, 230 , female with three kids... God I need this!!~