ChicagoRose

I can and do drink normally. The only thing I can't take a big swallow of is pop, which I shouldn't be drinking anyways but on occasion maybe once a week I allow myself a few sips of a drink. Your whole body is adjusting to the new internal environment and each day things will get easier, promise =)

You are frustrated but you are not giving up which is the important thing! I think the bands have come a long way, even since 09, so that still might be a great option for you. DId they ever find the true reason behind the infection? As far as the other surgeries go, they all have pros and cons of their own. I decided to start with the band and see where it goes from there. I do know with damn certainty that I love my new life and if I ever have to get my band removed for whatever reason I am either getting a new band or revising to something else. i am NEVER going back to that dark place I was. You can and will bounce back from this...hang in there =)

You can read my blog if you want =) It's on blogspot so I don't have to go though this website LOL.

Welcome =) My whole process took 11 months (which included the 6-month supervised diet) and although it felt like a million years, it was well worth it. I took that time to really research, think, talk to people, prepare, and train for my new life. It has been an amazing journey so far. When people say it will "take too long" I say, the time will pass regardless of if you are waiting or not....and when it does pass you will think I could have spent the past year prepping. Good luck =)

Interesting!

I got the same chat with my surgeon pre-op. Luckily he didn't discourage the band per-se, but just really wanted me to have all the information from all the surgeries. Because the band is the least invasive, I wanted to start there....I don't have a crystal ball, I am only 35, will I have my band for the next 40 years? Realistically no, but I will cross that bridge when I get there. I have been nothing but happy. I follow the rules. I indulge in moderation. I have lost almost 70% of my excess weight and feel amazing. Good luck =)

I took a hiatus the past few seasons but am watching this one because I love Reuben Studdard!! I actually went to high school with a past winner (Mike Ventrella) and haven't watched since then. It makes me sad when they "only" loose like 13 lbs a week and everyone is disappointed in them. Not realistic and very unhealthy both physically and emotionally!!

Here you go! Here is the blog post! Oh and I OF COURSE had to include the butt-ugly dog that CarolinaGirl shared with us!!! LOL!!! http://mybandemonium.blogspot.com/2013/10/thats-what-she-said.html

Congrats, you took the first step, you spoke up and admitted you have a problem! It's never too late to start over. You also cannot start over too many times. You have been through a tradgedy and it derailed you. You are human. But the band is still inside of you and ready to rock it. Go see your surgeon and lay it all out there. I think some people who are banded think that the tighter the better the weight loss but I don't personally believe that's the case. Being too tight makes people start eating a slider diet to compensate, and when you feel shitty you only want more comfort food. I am only filled 2.5 in a 10cc band and to be honest I don't want another fill even though I'm not super tight. One pound a week wins the race. Sign up for myfitnesspal.com and start tracking your choices. You will be amazed how you can still eat <gasp> baked goods and still lose weight. Maybe not like before, but enough to make you happy and still make progress. Keep posting on here. Read other people's posts and questions. Respond or don't. Every minute you spend in the band community is a minute well spent. Good luck =)

I've had a bison burger and if you like red meat it has a great flavor!

AMAZING =) Enjoy!!

I make like a Mediterranean salad.....quinoa, tomato, cucumbers, bell pepper, and feta cheese tossed with fat free greek dressing. You could add olives but I don't eat olives.

If I have learned anything at all about losing weight it's that it's OKAY to have a treat here and there, you have to live, as long as the majority of the time you are staying on plan. People are not fat because they eat soup. Or too much fruit. Or a handful of M&Ms. People are fat because the consistently make poor choices, or don't make any choices they just go through life with their mouths open wide. I was one of those people myself, I don't judge. I still smell a Dorito and throw caution to the wind....but I'm learning, and living, and the new me is wide awake and aware of my life =)

I have never had a problem getting there and I am usually the one who initiates as well. Not that my husband minds of course, it's just my job to keep us on schedule LOL which is 3-4 times a week which is our sweet spot. As far as the big "O" goes, it has always been the same intensity wise, but I notice with out the excess body weight we are literally closer down there and everything seems to be more sensitive. Enjoy

Cold feet before any commitment is totally normal. you are basically going into a marriage...with your band! You will be able to eat, trust me, just not as much or the way you used to. And you won't miss it. I don't because instead of mourning not being able to gorge at buffets, I am thinking about the outfits I now get to wear, or how I don't have to hide behind people in pictures. I too have several vacations planned coming up and I can't wait to go shopping and enjoy running around and swimming and hiking with my family =)

Great idea!! I have also heard that if you do sit-ups or arm exercises during commercial breaks that's another way to exercise during your favorite shows. Go Bears

Give it a few more days. The gas is in your body cavity, not your intestine so that's why over the counter things may not work. Use heating pads and be patient, the gas will pass, no pun intended!

Kids are amazing and much more wise than we give them credit for =) Good luck, you got this!!

My kids were 7 and 5 and both know I had "belly surgery" to lose weight because I wasn't living a healthy life and needed help to be able to run and bounce and live the life I wanted with them. of course they don't really comprehend the big picture, but I just told them matter-of-factly about it, so it was no big deal to them. I also told their teachers, again, matter-of-factly in case they brought it up at school so it wouldn't be the awkwardness of it all. It is what it is. I have a lap-band. If there were an emergency my kids need to know I have a lap-band. Everyone is different but I am honest with everyone and I think kids can handle way more than we give them credit for!! Good luck!!

My husband also took one for the team and went in for a Vasectomy =) I had two c-sections so he owe'd me I figured! Plus it was probably as painful for him as a bikini wax, procedure on Friday, back to work on Monday LOL. I have a boy and girl and a dog haha.

This image is fabulous!! And so true too....chances are you are retaining salt or need a good BM and not really up two pounds...but if you are just remember it wasn't two pounds that derailed you before...move forward and you can lose them again! I always fluctuate between a few pounds each week but only count my monthly weight loss as my actual weight loss.

All the time...moving things to the get rid of pile and moving other hidden things to the time to wear it pile. I have tried on my Halloween costume many times now wondering if I'm too old for THAT....lol

What are some of the funniest, craziest, zaniest things people have told you about your band or your weight loss? I would like to make a list to include in my blog....(NO names will be given!!) Here are a few of mine...I think they are crazy because even though I lost 67 lbs I am still considered obese by the weight charts (Just goes to show PERSPECTIVE is everything. I look great compared to where I have been, but I am still fat people!!) 1. You look like you are melting! 2. Bean pole! 3. You are average sized now! 4. If you just stay like this you will be great. 5. I can tell you feel better about yourself because you are not hiding your hair in a knot anymore. 6. Hot Mama! 7. When does the band come out? 8. You don't want to loose too much more you will look sick. 9. Did you start working out or something? 10. I noticed you look different but I don't like to comment because my aunt lost a lot of weight and was in fact dying. 11. You should Celebrate your [insert milestone weight loss] with a dinner out!

Where to begin?? - Wearing a mini skirt - walking/jogging a 5K a few times a week - better sex position options (lol) - not tired anymore -sleep better -work better -kids more involved - boots that ZIP! - leggings!! - enjoying parties because of the SOCIALIZING and not the food the list goes ON and ON...

This happens to me too! It's not really pain though...just uncomfortable or tender. Also happens during sex on occasion...sorry TMI, or if I'm sitting weird for too long.