emonie71

Hey guys! Just thought I would share my 5 month before an after pics with everybody. I got surgery 2/28/12 weighing 235 and I weighed myself this morning at 192.5! So I treated myself to shopping and tried on not a 2X or even 1X a frigen XL bathing suit.. Are you kidding me?? I hope this helps someone who's considering getting this surgery because it was the best decision I ever made (tough and frustrating at times yet still the best) I have a whiiiles to go till I'm at goal 130lbs but this is the movitation I need. I feel good, i actually sleep since my sleep apea is GONE and whenever I need support come right to this website. Love my band!
Xoxo

So after 2 weeks of pre-op liquids and 2 weeks of post-op liquids.... I finally started my soft foods today! I had some egg beaters, mashed Beans, cottage cheese and my favorite salmon!!!! (not all at the same time!! LOL)
Just wanted to share! I was soooooooo happy and excited! Those weeks on liquids seemed like forever and were probably the hardest thing I've ever done! But I learned soooo much about how I view food and how addicted I am. I was really able to detox and start my journey right!

I have had 3 fills total and each one was 2.5 cc. I DEFENITELY feel restriction after fill #3. good luck to you!

I got my first fill yesterday & he added 1.5 ml for a total of 3.7 ml. I can definitely feel a difference in the amount I can eat.

I've been on 3 cruises since being banded. The first one was only 4 days. I stayed the same. The 2nd one was 7 days and I lost a lb - cuz I got so seasick I didn't eat very much. The 3rd one (my honeymoon) I gained 4. Not too bad for 24/7 availability of wonderful food. One day they had a chocolate buffet. Everything chocolate. I ate 1 bite of each thing.
Cruises are easy to find healthy food. I think at least. Every morning, we'd do the buffet - I'd eat oatmeal, yogurt, maybe a 1/4 of a bagel. lunch (if we weren't in a port) was usually the buffet also. Whatever special they had that day. And the dining room for dinner was always awesome. And every single nite, I'd have the chocolate melting cake (Carnival Cruise) for dessert. Best thing I've ever eaten.
Can't wait to go on another cruise! You have me dreaming!
Marci

Today makes one month since getting the lapband!!!! I'm down 13 lbs total from pre op diet and since surgery. I hope I continue to loose weight. This is a slow process.

I experience hiccups several times a week...mine are not painful. I regard them as a soft sign that I have reached my limits with my meal, and stop eating. I will sometimes get them while drinking Water, a sign for me to slow down with my fluids.

I've never experienced a stuck episode with food.

((((yea to you)))) congrats to you. i am 4 weeks today myself.

Today makes one month since getting the lapband!!!! I'm down 13 lbs total from pre op diet and since surgery. I hope I continue to loose weight. This is a slow process.

Happy pre 4th of July fellow USA Junies! Hope today finds all of you feeling spectacular and stronger every moment! I'm celebrating one week today since surgery and truly feel good this morning. Here in New England our summer's are short so we take advantage of beautiful days like today whenever we can. Went for a walk, had Breakfast on the back deck and played "Rummikub" with my husband, while basking in the sunshine. I feel blessed to have the support of my husband of more than 33 years, as well as all of you. I love US history which I teach as a 5th grade teacher. I love occasions that pull us all together such as celebrating our Nation's birthday! Also, a special"Hello" to our Canadian neighbors in the June Bandsters group, as well as others living across the Globe in our support group!

Four years ago, I began my journey and became a member of Lapband Talk. I am a Registered Nurse, and researched every article I could find on what type of surgery to have. When I went in for my initial family doctor's appointment, I was well prepared...I had already typed out my health history, weight history, and every diet plan I had ever tried. My doctor referred me to a bariatric doctor and I did the same with my surgeon's initial visit. Also included was a list of questions that I had about the surgery. I am sure they thought I was some geek. Here is what I have learned throughout the last 4 years and a bit of advice for those starting out.
1. Research pays off: talk to people that have had different types of bariatric surgeries. Look at the pros and cons. Can you handle the cons?
2. LBT provides great support. Use it and learn from others
3. If your insurance denies you, don't give up. I wrote a letter of appeal and got it. Just include research and your past medical history.
4. Restriction varies. You can be "tight" in the morning and then feel as though you have litle restriction in the evening.
5. Don't shoot for "too tight"...it is MISERABLE not being able to swallow your own spit.
6. If you are going to do this, then get pumped up and do it right...go all out! Follow the rules. Work out!
7. When you go out to eat, make sure you know where the closest bathroom is...just in case.
8. I often order more food than anyone else. My coworkers make fun of me. I know I still have an addiction to food...I only eat about 5 bites and I am done. Hey! I can make about 6 meals off of one dinner!!
9 Icecream might go down easy, but it can cause some people to have spasms. I can take a few bites and my band doesn't like it...a good thing.
10. Shoot for eating the hight protien foods first. At least get that in.
11. Some of those high Protein foods, like meats are dry and don't go down well. chicken is sometimes hard for me to eat.
12. I am always drawn to the "big girl" clothes. I am still a "fat chick" in my head.
13. Many bandsters talk about marriages ending after the band...mine did. He didn't like a "fat wife"and was embarrassed of me in public, so I left him when I lost the weight. Hope he is choking on those mean words!
14. The band is a TOOL! Use it as such. Don't continously drink high calorie drinks and wonder why you don't lose weight.
15. I have not had a carbonated beverage in 4 years. Never thought I could do it..but I don't miss it!
16. If you lose restriction all of a sudden, and it doesnt come back for days, then something is wrong...I had a leak in my port..had to get it replaced.
17. People will look at you and treat you differently when you are thinner. There are people that talk about "fat" people and when I tell them that I had weight loss surgery they can't believe it..I know they would never have given me the time of day, 4 years ago.
18. Don't eat bread or french fries..they don't go down well if you have the proper restriction.
19. Drink before your meal and then stop when your food is done.
20. Most places will let you eat off of the kids menu and buffets will let you have the discounted price (bring your card). If they don't, then speak to the manager. There is no sense in paying and adult price at a buffet when you are going to eat less than a 3 year old.
18. Enjoy your new life. Enjoy being healthy!

I don't know what happen this morning but the spirit of God moved me to go out within the community and start a Walk for the Obesity Cure (Lap Band) For Those who can't afford to Pay for the Surgery!! who have no insurance!!
When you drop a pebble in the Water what happens? It creates a Ripple Effect! Right!! Well I figure we can all place a pebble in the water by helping financially those who are in serious need of the surgery and can't afford it!!
I don't care if I have to travel from state to state city to city!! I'm going to start a None for Profit Organization to help those who are less fortunate!! I have my maters in Social Work!! Let me Put it to work!! If you want to participate in helping me start this organization or with sending funding to get this started then email me at Shrcumm@yahoo.com.
I will dedicate my life to helping people like myself who suffer with obesity!! All monies will be tracked and receipts given for those who are eager to help. Remember when you give in helping others achieve their goals like yourself and stop only thinking about yourself and think about others then and only then does the blessing come upon you!! Lets do this!! I want to Walk for the Cure to Combat Obesity!!
Lets do a Lap Band Patients Only Walk!! I don't care if you been banded for 1 day or 100 years lets help someone who is less fortunate and make a Name for Ourselves Lets Put Lap Band on the Map!!!!! Even if you can only give 1 dollar then you have just helped someone get on their to success just like me and you!! Don't just click like on this post!! Lets Help Others!!! Love All of You!! Sharon is my name!! I will respond to each post!!!

It hurts. You'll know immediately!

I was banded June 13th and total with pre op diet and after surgery I'm down about 19 lbs. I did gain 1 lb from yesterday, had watermelon last night so maybe it was the sugar content in it I don't know. Congrats on ur loss!

Great job! I was banded on may 31st and I'm down 19 lbs. The first 15 flew off within tbe first 2 weeks, the last 4 I had to work hard for but they say slow and steady wins tbe race!!!!

Congrats! That is exciting, isn't it? I'm getting banded 7/25th. A lil' nervous, but the excitment for the chapter change trumps any nervs at this point. I hope I can have a good start like you. Good inspiration Thanks for sharing

Lol this is so funny I didn't get to count. They told me they were putting something in my IV to help me relax, when I woke up I was in recovery. Only thing I remember is being wheeled into the OR and getting on the table.

Lol this is so funny I didn't get to count. They told me they were putting something in my IV to help me relax, when I woke up I was in recovery. Only thing I remember is being wheeled into the OR and getting on the table.

Lol this is so funny I didn't get to count. They told me they were putting something in my IV to help me relax, when I woke up I was in recovery. Only thing I remember is being wheeled into the OR and getting on the table.

Lol this is so funny I didn't get to count. They told me they were putting something in my IV to help me relax, when I woke up I was in recovery. Only thing I remember is being wheeled into the OR and getting on the table.

Yes Weight Loss Is Never Easy Its Hard Work!! I Got My Band on June 5th and Its Been a Struggle But Please Keep Telling Yourself as I Tell Myself! If It Comes Easy You Don't Want It Anyways!!! When The Weight Comes Off and People Tell You How Good You Look Take That Compliment and Run With It!!! Some Say We Took The Easy Way Having Surgery But I say NO I Took The Harder Way!!! I Got Cut! I Had Surgery, and I Took a Major Chance That Most Would and Could Not Take and If It Came Easy, I didn't Want It Anyway!!! You See Once You Submit To God and His Purpose For Your Life!!! He Will Make a Way Out Of No Way and Help You With the Lap Band Accomplish All Your Goals!!! Because God Helps Those Who Help Themselves!! And We Did!!!!

Hi, my name is Shannon. I am also participating in The HeadsUp obesity study though Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, LA. My surgeon is Dr. Andrew Hargroder.
I have not always struggled with my weight. In high school and throughout my 20s, I remained between 130-140lbs. After the birth of my third child at age 29, I failed to lose weight. I remained around 195-205lbs. Then it seemed each year, I packed on a few more pounds, in addition to health issues (high blood pressure and acid reflux.)
When I was accepted into the study, I was at my highest weight of 254 lbs at 5'3". During the initial phase of the study you are placed on a two week liquid diet and at that point I lost 11lbs and was advanced to the second phase of the study. During the month and a half wait for the surgery approval I managed to keep off all but three lbs of the 11 lbs loss. So at my presurgery consultation with Dr. Hargroder, I weighed in at 246.
I was banded on 5/23/12 and everything went well with no complications. I had my two week post surgery check up 6/6/12 and I had lost 19 lbs!!! I was so excited. I have transitioned to soft foods and I am nervous about eating something that doesn't agree with my band and also counting calories. I am really glad to find this site because I haven't found any support groups in my town. I live in northwest LA but my surgery was done in Baton Rouge. I am looking forward to reading the interesting articles and making new friends so please feel free to add me as a friend!

Who this conversation seems all too familiar. I got banned on Monday and I only told a few people. Since then more people are finding out and they are saying oh I'm doing it the natural way like my way is bad. I'm 5'1 at 192 lbs and my BMI is 36. I have high blood pressure and issues with my knees because I'm too heavy. I've been on every diet out there you can think of and as soon as I stopped dieting the weight came right back. Not that's my friend know that if got the band they are all claiming to exercise and eat healthy. Like they are trying to prove something to me. I don't get it. But to answer your question know you are not crazy. It amazing me how much I have motivated others to exercise and eat healthier but before they doin out I got the lapband they were not doing anything.