BigDennis

Kflower84, I am like you, I do my best to tell everyone that I know could benefit from being banded! It is amazing how many people will actually come up and ask about the procedure, once they know you've used it as a tool to lose weight. You are doing awesome, so spread the word! Dennis

Kflower84, Why can't you tell people about the lapband? Now, I am definitely curious!!

I don't blame you one bit! So many people misunderstand obesity and what we go through to lose excess weight. The minute they hear lapband, they immediately think the band was the only thing making you lose the weight. They have absolutely no clue that the band is only a tool and never once think about the effort and commitment it takes to lose the weight! You can choose to either educate them or continue telling them the truth, YOU DID IT!!

I definitely love your attitude girl! LOL I am sure it is different for everyone, but you will know when it is the right time. You are healing inside and out, so you definitely want to take precautions and not hurt yourself. I would recommend running the question by your doctor and then proceed very carefully. Dennis

Awesome! Finding a workout routine you enjoy and able to stick with is definitely the key to success. It sounds like are are doing exceptionally well and will soon exceed your goals too! Seven pounds in under two weeks is amazing! Thank you for sharing your experiences and successes with us! Dennis

Congratulations! I know you are definitely excited and a little nervous too. I am more than confident you will do just fine and be headed towards meeting your goals before you know it! Thank you for sharing your excitement with us and hope to hear about all your successes very soon! Dennis

Great news! I bet you are super excited about your upcoming surgery. There is definitely nothing enjoyable about liquid diets, but you will be through that phase and on your way to a new you in a very short time! Sxyunique, thank you for sharing your excitement with us and I hope to hear about your successes very soon! Dennis

OMG, you had to feel horrible during that time period! I was banded in April and have been doing well without a fill. I've noticed my weight loss slowing a bit, so I feel sure my doctor will want to do a fill on my next visit. I will definitely pay close attention to the changes it brings to my body and hopefully avoid some of the issues you've been experiencing! Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us Bella! Dennis

Good morning SueBee! You can definitely learn lots of helpful things on LBT and get tons of support as well! That is absolutely amazing that you were banded in January and already down 101 lbs!! I know you must feel wonderful and much healthier too! I think it is great when doctors are in tune with our weight loss journey and only apply fills when absolutely needed. Our bodies seem to get accustomed to certain foods and conditions, so it's nice to give it a shock occasionally! I've heard a lot of great things about MyFitnessPal and it is awesome you are tracking intake, exercise, and other pertinent information too. Congratulations on your success and it has been awesome meeting you SueBee! Dennis

Hi Ashley! I have been wrapped up in a training session all morning and just got back to my office. LA Weight Loss used to stay on me about keeping a diary of my intake, exercise, Water, and other items, but it was super hard to do, especially in their paper diaries. Actually, keeping the diary was the hardest part of the diet!! I am like you, I was amazed at how easy and efficient many of the apps are now! The apps completely take all guess work and difficulties away from keeping a diary and make it much easier to keep track of things! Congratulations on losing another 5 lbs and I am betting this is only the first of such successes!! Thank you for sharing the good news with me Ashley. Dennis

2.4 lbs!!! That is totally awesome Ashley! The app will definitely make tracking your food and exercise so much easier! I am so proud and happy for you Ashley. You are doing awesome!

Excellent Ashley! A major tool in losing weight is recording everything you eat or drink and also any activities that may have burned calories. These apps just make that task SO much easier than it used to be! Let me know you do over the next few weeks, because I think it will steadily just become part of your daily routine. Enjoy your weekend Ashley!!!! Dennis

Excellent Ashley! A major tool in losing weight is recording everything you eat or drink and also any activities that may have burned calories. These apps just make that task SO much easier than it used to be! Let me know you do over the next few weeks, because I think it will steadily just become part of your daily routine. Enjoy your weekend Ashley!!!! Dennis

The good part is you always have your phone with you, you don't require a pad and pencil, and you really don't need to look at food labels either! The app takes care of all that for you. The really neat part is the bar code scanner. You can actually scan a food's bar code and add it to your meal plan for the day without once glancing at the nutrition label! The app generates a daily report and tells you where you are doing well and what needs to be improved as well. My weak points are always related to not enough fiber and especially at breakfast! The app helps a lot, so give it a try, and if you are not satisfied, there are several others that are very good too!

Hi Ashley! Awesome about your degree program! My brother completed his AS in nursing several years ago and it has done him well! He worked emergency medical and nursing jobs for several years, but finally landed a really nice job as Director of Nurses at one our state prisons. In that position, he was eligible for early state retirement and actually just retired at the ripe old age of 50!! The opportunities are endless in the nursing field and I know you will do awesome! Our local state college is the process of implementing a four-year program that will push our nursing programs to the bachelors level. A lot of people are excited about the opportunity here and I know it will be a highly successful program for the college and the community!

Sounds like you have a very good plan now, but what about water pills to prevent some of the water retention? I know they normally want to prescribe those for swelling and such, but maybe in small doses, it would help you lose some of the water weight. I am def not a medical person, but there has to be something to help you!

Ashley, there are several ways to determine what you are eating, but I absolutely love an application I got for my Iphone that does it for me. There are several out there, and I've heard they are all equally nice. Mine is called MyNetDiary and it is amazing! It takes all the work out of trying to figure out the foods and MOST items are already in their database. The program will track your intake, Water consumption, exercise, and just about everything else! Now, having said that, IF you don't have a smart phone, I have used an online site called Calorie King that is pretty easy to pull information from as well. I would look into some of the online diaries that fully automate the process, because I know you will love it!

Ashley, I know it will be tough to shake these feelings, especially since you are taking meds, but you need to focus on your goals. You've set goals for your health, education, family, and life, keep those in the forefront and don't let any obstacle steer you away from those important things in your life! You've come a very long way and I know your family is proud of you too! You can do it and I don't have the slightest doubt in my mind! I am a student as well, SO I am very curious, what are you taking or majoring in? I completed a computer engineering degree in 2010 and presently working towards my BS in technology management. I am extremely tired and would love a break! I counted my classes yesterday and have only 5 more to go, to complete this program! Yea!!!!! OK, I better really get back to work this time, before the boss figures me out! LOL Big hugs Ashley! Dennis

That is sad about your friend becoming depressed and losing motivation. I feel like she will eventually return to her goals and get through this tough time, but she has to want it for herself. I was on the LA plan for over two years and loved it! It really upset me and my life when they had to close the center here about four years ago! The people were great and they successfully helped me to lose 135 lbs at that time. Once they shut the doors, my weight returned over these past four years. We have a really strong support group on this forum and I am really excited about getting that weight back off! I 100% agree with you about watching carbs and protein intake! What number do you try to stay below on your carbs? I shoot for 100, but don't always make it! Protein, I usually shoot for 80, which is quite easy for me, because I love fish and seafood! I better run and get some work done around this place, but it has been really nice meeting you ladies! Dennis

Hi Ashley! Wow, you have done so well with your band. I can only hope I have the same kind of success with mine. I spend way too much time behind a computer screen with my job and the two college classes I take every semester. I need to get out, walk, exercise, and simply burn some calories! I just finished my last exam for the semester, so I plan to get out and walk like a crazy man for the next three week! Hopefully I can lose more than few pounds during that time! That is tough news about developing graves disease. Is there anything the doctors can do to adjust your meds where it would make losing weight easier, opposed to harder? Losing weight is tough, but you are so dedicated and committed, I think you will do just fine! I am so motivated after reading your story and excited about my future! Don't let anything stand in the way of you meeting and exceeding your goals Ashley! You are awesome and an inspiration to us all! Dennis

Count me in on the motivation and sharing stories! I live in Panama City, FL and received my band April 26th of this year. I am presently down 72 lbs and feeling almost 100% better! I am finally getting some of my energy back and able to get out on the boat, go fishing, and the beach as well! I am definitely not a pretty thing in a bathing suit, but that doesn't slow me down one bit. Although I was banded in April, my doctor has opted not to give me a fill until my weight loss slows and I actually need a fill. I think that is the best bet for me and I like the common sense approach he is taking too! Enough about me! Tell us a little about yourself and your goals! You now have at least one Florida bander on your friend list! Dennis

Your story sounds all too familar to me and many others on this forum! I, very much like yourself, finally realized I had to take charge of my life or suffer the consequences. I am very confident you made the right decision and will simply do and be awesome very soon! I feel sure everyone has shared their experiences with you, but the shoulder pain is the remainder of the gas used during surgery. It is extremely painful for a few days, but will fade away very soon. Incisions may hurt for quite some time and usually the one where your port is installed will be the most sensitive. You will be back to normal and at the top of your game before you know it! Thank you for sharing your journey with us and I am looking forward to hearing about the successes you are soon to experience! Dennis

Less experienced? I was banded April 26th and learning new things every single day. The issue here is not experience, but dedication. We all know and understand how we got in the shape we are or were, so part of the learning curve is to never go back there. The band is only a tool to help us reach our goals and not the solution. It is highly important to believe in ourselves and remain dedicated to our new diets and lifestyles, whether that is during pre-band diet or post sugery. Yes we can cheat, BUT we are only cheating ourselves and it simply is not worth it!

Why YES, it is cheating!! LOL Don't you think it is funny when people are cheating themselves and don't even realize it?!? OMG, the whole reason for doing a lapband was to lose weight!! Helllloooo!

Food and hunger have no clue who they are messing with! Kanda will kick butt and take names later. I'm loving that attitude girl! Keep it up and thank you for the motivation!!!! Dennis