musicalmomma

PS for what it's worth...when I couldnt get a grip on my emotions and my eating was getting out of control again (a couple of months ago)...I went to my primary doc and talked to her about it...she put me on wellbutrin and it's really helped! The head and emotional hunger is cut in about half! And I don't feel like pulling the covers over my head and shutting out the world anymore either. Just wanted to share, in case depression meds could be of some help to ya

:hug: I want to hug you guys! No, I don't feel pity, but empathy. We still feel like failures when "we" don't lose weight...or when "we don't have self control" The band is supposed to aide us in alleviating the serious hunger we deal with. No, it doesn't help the head hunger, or emotional draw to food...but dang, if you don't have the right restriction...it's just another diet...and we all know diets just don't work. I just want to say that you're NOT failures...talk to your surgeon and be completely honest and open about your struggles...work together and come up with a plan of action. Also...if you didn't get the band...you probably would have GAINED weight in the past 6-7 months....but NO, you lost, maybe not a lot, maybe nothing in the past few months...but you're not gaining and that in and of itself is a blessing. Again, I really want to encourage you to communicate with your surgeon's. As for me...I'm at good restriction...I didn't exercise once or even eat right over the holidays and still lost 7 pounds! It just proves to me that all my excuses for being fat were lame...(eg "I have a slow metabolism"..."I had four kids, staying fat is inevitable"..."I'm too old now, the weight won't come off"...etc). My problem? I ATE too much! LOL! I have a great metabolism...just had to give my body a break from all that food! OK...enough about me...I just wanted to chime in and let you know that you do have support here...even though banding is working for me...I still totally understand the feelings of dissappointment and 'failure' that comes with not reaching the goals we hoped to acheive.

I am right there with you babygrl! Even though it was my mother that was the biggest downer! Now she's "SO proud of me" and says "You've been working so hard" and "you're doing great!" etc... Perhaps it is only the fear of surgery complications that are making them apprehesive...perhaps is ignorance of how the band works...perhaps it's a combination of the two...there are a number of reasons for people to be down on surgery. My husband is from the UK. He moved here in 1998 to marry me Anywhoo...he didn't even TELL his family we were getting the band because he knew the stick he would get for it! There is an even bigger predjudice to overweight people in the UK than here in the states. I really feel for you. As to your age...oldest daughter is 19, 277 pounds (14.5 stone), 5'8. I would LOVE for her to get the band...but even though my mom is my greatest cheerleader now...she's really discouraging my daughter from getting the band...and it's BURNING me up! I told her to let her decide for herself and support whatever she decides. It's more difficult for her because she's actually living with my mother, going to university, 1100 miles from me...so my mother's voice is the loudest! Anyway...this long winded story is to say, I totally relate to how hard this decision is for you and just advise to do what you know is best for you and your health! Oh how I wish I didn't waste 2 years "deciding" on whether or not to get the band...and OH how I wish it was available in my 20's! Let us know what you decide!

Hi Ryan! First, congratulations! I can see why you'd be very concerned right now. Both are very legitimate reasons for feeling uneasy. I can tell you that MANY women have the band and have had babies and dropped their pregnancy weight after, with the help of the band. I'm sure they'll give you a complete unfill. Even so, without a fill, the band can help to keep you from over indulging...well at least WAY over indulging. Remember, gaining weight is part of pregnancy. 20-30 pounds is perfectly acceptable for a woman of healthy weight (15-20 for an over weight woman). I know "the baby only weighs '7' pounds"...but you have to add the amniotic Fluid, placenta, extra Water retention, etc...I'm sure the thought of gaining weight back is VERY scary...we've all probably yo-yo'd most of our lives and can't seem to wrap our minds around the band being a permanent aide. Try to relax about the weight. make healthy choices, continue to exercise as the doctor recommends...get plenty of rest and ENJOY! Now, I don't know what complications you had with your first child. I do know that if you were obese when pregnant, that in and of itself can pose issues. You're healthier now. Hopefully this will contribute to a healthier pregnancy. Hang in there...tomorrow is Monday and you can talk to your doctors and come up with a good care plan Best wishes!

dh and I are both banded, so yep...he's losing weight...A LOT of weight!

that's fantastic!!! Sure, you're well on your way to single digits!!! Keep up the good work!

Congratz Missy and Joeygirl!!! :clap2: Name.............S.W.........C.W........G.W......T o Go Dakota1984 ..... 246 ....... 242 ....... 234 ..... 8 MJSafari ....... 237 ....... 226 ....... 227 ..... -1 Wombat712 ...... 162 ....... 157.6...... 150 ..... 7.6 SueMagoo ....... 243 ....... 235 ....... 230 ..... 5 Missrhondalynn.. 255 ....... 255 ....... 235 ..... 20 MM ............. 213.4...... 207.6...... 205 ..... 2.6 BeckieT ........ 248.8 ..... 247.8 ..... 240 ..... 7.8 Suzzzie. ....... 312.1 ..... 303.0 ..... 299 ..... 4 HUNTERSMOM...... 170 ....... 170 ....... 165 ..... 5 LULUC .......... 182 ....... 176 ....... 170 ..... 6 SWEETY ......... 188 ....... 182.6 ..... 180 ..... 2.6 Joeygirl........ 226 ....... 220........ 220 ...... 0 FarmerE......... 182 ....... 177 ....... 172 ..... 10 Finallythin..... 235 ....... 235 ....... 220 ..... 15 Holliwagz........386.........291.........286...... 5 Doubt I'll make my goal...but this will be the first holiday season in my history that I have actually lost ANY weight...every year I gained, so losing anything is a big deal to me I did make my original goal of 208, so I'm happy as a clam

Betsy, that's wonderful! I totally relate...all I could see for the past few weeks was how far I have to go...and forgot that I USED to look at people my size and think..."If I could just look like THAT I could be happy". Funny! Anyway, I decided to enjoy my progress and be thrilled with where I am now. I'll be seeing friends I haven't seen in a year at christmas...can't wait to see the AH! factor!!! OH, and the drivers license...I lost mine, got a new one at 220 lbs...then, last week, I found the old 285 lbs one...OMG!!!! I couldn't BELIEVE the difference!!! You won't either!

Steph, you look FANTASTIC!!!! I LOVE that dress!!!!! Gorgeous!!!!

Wombat, you're doing GREAT! Hang in there, plateaus don't last forever...it only SEEMS that way! I was getting really close to my goal of 208, so I moved it to 205... Funny thing, I was only hoping to maintain over the holidays...I've been indulging in some holiday sweets...I went to the doc yesterday and STILL lost 6.5 pounds in 4 weeks! I LOVE my band!!!!!!!! Name.............S.W.........C.W........G.W......To Go Dakota1984 ..... 246 ....... 242 ....... 234 ..... 8 MJSafari ....... 237 ....... 231 ....... 227 ..... 4 Wombat712 ...... 162 ....... 158.6...... 150 ..... 8.6 SueMagoo ....... 243 ....... 235 ....... 230 ..... 5 Missrhondalynn.. 255 ....... 255 ....... 235 ..... 20 MM ............. 213.4...... 208.8...... 205 .....3.8 BeckieT ........ 248.8 ..... 247.8 ..... 240 ..... 7.8 Suzzzie. ....... 312.1 ..... 307.3 ..... 299 ..... 8.3 HUNTERSMOM...... 170 ....... 170 ....... 165 ..... 5 LULUC .......... 182 ....... 182 ....... 170 ..... 12 SWEETY ......... 188 ....... 182.6 ..... 180 ..... 2.6 Joeygirl........ 226 ....... 223........ 220 ...... 3 FarmerE......... 182 ....... 177 ....... 172 ..... 10 Finallythin..... 235 ....... 235 ....... 220 ..... 15 Holliwagz........386.........297.........286...... 11

Hi Teri :wave: I can totally relate to the 'mom' factor. My mother was also VERY resistant to the idea of ME getting surgery...now for my husband...she was all for it...but not her baby girl! I finally had to tell her that I needed her support in whatever I choose to do, but if she can't support me, at least don't try to sabbotage me or change my mind. As the day of surgery drew closer, she resolved herself to the fact that I AM an adult and that she can't control my decisions. NOW, six months later, she is "so proud of me" for making this decision and sticking to it and getting healthy! Anyway, that's my story. Only you can decide what's right for you. I can only say, don't let your mother make the decision for you and don't allow her fears hold you back from doing what's right for you. Best wishes in whatever you decide

Thanks It was amazing to feel so confident! I've always HATED dressing up in a dress becuase I was always SO uncomfortable and thought I looked hideous! But last night, the dress was comfortable, my pantyhose didn't choke me, and I could WALK in my heels...not waddle! It felt amazing!

Thanks for all the compliments...I wanted to post a really BAD before (highest weight) and a pic taken tonight at my company Christmas party. Wombat -- I play guitar and sing

The first one is my highest weight, before surgery. The second is tonight at our company Christmas party.

I was banded in June and DH was banded in Aug...together we have lost 150+pounds...we're like newlyweds again!!!! It's been great!

OH DEAR LORD!!!! Jon!!!!! How could you TELL people that!!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!? Is NOTHING SACRED???????? LOL!!!!!

I'm personally considering the same thing...I JUST broke 210 and want to be under 200 soooooo badly!!!! I haven't been under 200 since 9th grade!!!!!! Anywhoooo...I figure, what's the big deal???? I can do this until i get that 10 pounds off, then use my band to keep going slowly at my 1-2lbs per week. Ya know...you've convinced me...I'm going to do it!

WOW Kacee you and I are on the same wave length I think! Last night I DH and I went to his office Christmas party. Most of them hadn't seen me in months...I got a lot of WOW! You look GREAT! Then one lady asked me "How did you do it?" I said, "eat less and move more". She said, "oh, you're not doing any particular diet?" I said "nope". I guess I felt a tad secretive...but my husband doesn't want anyone in his office to know he had WLS, so if I told them I did...the cat would be out of the bag. Also, I didn't feel like going into it at a party. I kind of take it on a case by case basis...some people I tell, others I don't.

I'm glad you posted this! I was thinking the same thing...a t-shirt! That way, people that want the info/help get it, but no one is accused of being fat. A friend of mine is big into Medifast...she's lost over 100 lbs on it and now sells it...she wears a t-shirt that says, "I've lost over 100 pounds, ask me how". She get A LOT of response! Also, she does have a before and after shot on a business card...she leaves it in various dressing rooms, Lane Bryant, Avenue...etc...she's had some response from that too. Both are good ways to 'advertise' our band without saying "hey, I noticed you're MO, I'd like to help". OH...you can also have a car magnet made up with a before and after shot and say "ask me how"...that will also get response...

I agree with the rest...the key is, you did your research!! A lot of folks wait months, even years, and still don't know how it works...I have a friend who's had his for almost a year and only has had one fill, weightloss has stopped and he's putting off another fill because he's under the impression that you can only have two fills! Classic example of someone that waited months to have it, didn't do his homework, isn't making the most of his band... But I digress...go for it!!! on another note...If your insurance will pay for your husband, why won't it pay for you?? Are you not on the same plan?

What a GREAT NSV!!! So exciting!!! Congratz!!! You worked hard, now show it off sistah! The fashion show is a GREAT idea...I'm going to pass that idea on to our patient coordinator!

Zicam always stops my colds in their tracks...hope all goes as scheduled for you

WOW you ladies look WONDERFUL! Keep up the great work!

I Finally broke 210!!!!! Countdown to ONDERLAND!!!! Name.............S.W.........C.W........G.W......To Go Dakota1984 ..... 246 ....... 242 ....... 234 ..... 8 MJSafari ....... 237 ....... 231 ....... 227 ..... 4 Wombat712 ...... 162 ....... 159.6...... 150 ..... 9.6 SueMagoo ....... 243 ....... 237 ....... 230 ..... 7 Missrhondalynn.. 255 ....... 255 ....... 235 ..... 20 MM ............. 213.4...... 209.6...... 208 ..... 1.6 BeckieT ........ 248.8 ..... 247.8 ..... 240 ..... 7.8 Suzzzie. ....... 312.1 ..... 307.3 ..... 299 ..... 8.3 HUNTERSMOM...... 170 ....... 170 ....... 165 ..... 5 LULUC .......... 182 ....... 182 ....... 170 ..... 12 SWEETY ......... 188 ....... 182.6 ..... 180 ..... 2.6 Joeygirl........ 226 ....... 223....... 220 ...... 3 FarmerE......... 182 ....... 177 ....... 172 ..... 10 Finallythin..... 235 ....... 235 ....... 220 ..... 15 Holliwagz........386.........297.........286...... 11

Almost the same stats here...I'm 5'7 and moving into 16 pants, 14/16 tops @ 211ish