smstone2204

Finally made a Protein Shake I really enjoy!! In a blender put 6-8 ounces of skim milk two Splenda packets a couple of drops of vanilla extract some ice cubes and one scoop of chocolate Pure Protein whey powder. You can purchase the Pure Protein in a 2 lb. tub for 19.99 at Walmart. Blend on liquiefy and it makes the BEST chocolate protein shake. I tried it in a shaker before and I couldn't stand the smell!! My new way in the blender is like a Frosty from Wendy's!! I am 4 days postoperative and now pain free,good luck everyone!!!

Congrats!! I had my band done 60 days ago and have lost 44 pounds as of Monday!! I do so love my band

That depends, are you taking small bites and chewing it until mush?
If yes and you still can't eat solids, then your band is too tight. Call your doctor.

I call it gurgling. It is normal. It means your band is tight. Mine is like that in the morning also. It loosens as the day goes by. Be careful swallowing solid foods when you are that tight. It could get stuck.

your dr is wrong and also right.
some people may only lose small amounts. they may not live the band life
of eating healthy food and exercising. who knows why one doesnt lose (much if any).
some people lose great amounts. Missy is pretty damn near 160 in 9 months, deedee is at 100 pounds loss, love the new me is at 120 pounds loss and i am at 73 loss....and the list is ongoing......
so it can be done
if you expect to lose weight overnight or easily this is not for you
if you are not gonna change what or how much you eat this is not for you
if you are not gonna help this tool, dont get it
skin and saggy, id rather have some saggy skin then be obese. it depends on your skin type, your age, how much weight you have to lose....etc.....there is always surgery if you want it...
if you love your hub and he loves you, then he will love the new/improved/healthier you
i also think your was full of **** saying to you people end up divorced. maybe some do but what about the ones who dont?
only you can do this
and only you cannot do this

It sounds like you've been hit with a lot of "worst case" scenarios. It is true - the average person only loses 50% of their excess weight with lap band. But are you average? Doesn't sound like it to me. I'm not average; I've already lost about 63% and am only 5 months post-op. I had 80 lbs of excess weight, and have lost about 53 lbs so far.
The divorce statistics are scary. With the normal rate being over 50%, and (don't quote me exactly on this, I read it online) the divorce rate for post-bariatric surgery patients is 80%. It is a very intimidating number. But why do you love your husband, and why does he love you? Do you only love him because you're overweight? If so, then you may be in trouble. If you love him because he's your best friend, your better half, or your everything, you'll be just fine. Just like with any marriage, when change is happening, communication is key.
As for the skin - - this is where I think lap band has the advantage. The weight loss is not rapid in most cases. Slower weight loss helps with the loose skin. I will admit, my stomach is not fantastic to look at...skin isn't hanging but it's not tight. But I earned that!! It's no longer filled with fat cells. It's empty! That's weight lost. I'm proud of my sagging skin
Second thoughts are normal, as are third, fourth, and fifth (coming from the girl who was ready to dial up the surgeon 12 hours before surgery and bail).
As for foods, there are some that I can't eat. pizza crust is one that will get me stuck on the first bite. Does my body need pizza though? No. The food my body needs for fuel goes down just fine. Can I still sneak a bite of pizza and chew chew chew when I have an enormous craving? Yes.
For me, as soon as the weight started coming off, my life transformed from living to eat, to eating to live. I want to be good to my body, and know that my food choices and exercise is the best thing I can do for that.
Sorry if it seems like I'm rambling, and these are just my own personal feelings/experiences, but I wish you all of the luck and success in the world.

I have lost 157 pound. I eat bread, Pasta and pizza.... not often or nearly as much as I'd like to but I eat it. I don't have a problem with it if I eat slow and chew good and don't over eat it. I can eat a slice of pizza and get full and satisfied just exactly like I did eating 3/4 of an entire pie! Pasta was my favorite thing in the world. I eat it still, but it fills me up fast.
Here's what I think, and this is just my opinion. You still have to be able to eat. You can't deprive yourself of everything or you are going to compensate in other ways... (slider foods). I have great restriction but I am not so tight I can't eat things. It still takes a lot of willpower or wantpower. I don't feel deprived of anything. NOTHING! So yes, if you get the band so tight that you can't eat these things then you won't be able to eat them but if you get good healthy restiction and really become mindful of what you are eating, and really eat healthy with occasional treats like pizza or pasta or even a cookie... you will be successful. The best thing I do is log my food. It has made me very very accountable for what I eat and has helped me greatly. When you chow down on something high in calories it stares you right back in the face. Also exercise is key!
My dr told me that a lot of people lose 50 or 100 pound and that's where it stops. Not because they can't lose more but because they think "wow, I've done so good" or "gee... I've lost 50 pounds I can eat this" and it just gets out of hand and you go back to your old ways. You have to stick to it, don't give up. I thought it would be so hard and it has been yet when I think about it... this isn't that hard. YOu have to eat healthy and exercise. You have to make changes for life, not just for now.
I was scared for all the same reasons. Your dr. in my opinion.... should not have said what he did. He's wrong... there are many many people on this site that can prove that.
Take a deep breath, its scarey but so so worth it. Every pound you lose will inspire you!
Best of Luck!
Teresa

Congrats!! I had my band done 60 days ago and have lost 44 pounds as of Monday!! I do so love my band

Congrats!! I had my band done 60 days ago and have lost 44 pounds as of Monday!! I do so love my band

I am so happy! I didn't notice myself loosing weight even though I've gone from a 22 to a 16 in 60 days. These pictures spoke mountains to me! 

This may be a litl silly, but it just made my day so I had to share! From someone who has had fat and swollen ankles for so long! I have been walking 3 miles every morning and it has made my legs and feet very sore. So I had my husband rub them for me, and he looked at me and said "your ankles have gotten skinny" I'm not used to them feeling boney! This combined with fitting into the jeans I bought a size to small just before I started the pre opt diet. Is why I'm doing the *** Happy dance***...TOTALLY LOVING my band!

Finally made a Protein Shake I really enjoy!! In a blender put 6-8 ounces of skim milk two Splenda packets a couple of drops of vanilla extract some ice cubes and one scoop of chocolate Pure Protein whey powder. You can purchase the Pure Protein in a 2 lb. tub for 19.99 at Walmart. Blend on liquiefy and it makes the BEST chocolate protein shake. I tried it in a shaker before and I couldn't stand the smell!! My new way in the blender is like a Frosty from Wendy's!! I am 4 days postoperative and now pain free,good luck everyone!!!

I am 1 month out today, had my surgery on July 3rd. I was fine up until last week and was pain free, when suddenly I woke up last Monday with a lot of pain in my abdomen. I could not move without it hurting. But its slowly faded over the past week, now I have very little pain. My doc said that I might have overdone it as well and pulled on my internal stitches.

Finally made a Protein Shake I really enjoy!! In a blender put 6-8 ounces of skim milk two Splenda packets a couple of drops of vanilla extract some ice cubes and one scoop of chocolate Pure Protein whey powder. You can purchase the Pure Protein in a 2 lb. tub for 19.99 at Walmart. Blend on liquiefy and it makes the BEST chocolate protein shake. I tried it in a shaker before and I couldn't stand the smell!! My new way in the blender is like a Frosty from Wendy's!! I am 4 days postoperative and now pain free,good luck everyone!!!

Surgery in the morning!! Can't believe it's finally here. Have lost a total of 17 pounds on the two week preop diet!! Congrats all that are banded and those waiting to be banded!!

Banded Thursday 7/20. I am feeling very well. Just a lot of soreness on the left side.
Good luck. Think positive and remember this is the start of your new life. I just keep telling myself that. And be patient with yourself.
I lost 10 in 3 days on liquid diet but am up 3lbs. as of yesterday. I believe it is the IV fluids they give us in the hospital. I am sure it will start coming off quicker now.

Well first let me say, regardless of anyone else's opinions, in the end you must do what is best for you.
I was actually originally scheduled for Gastric Bypass. Obviously it's different than VSG, but like VSG is involves permanently changing your internal organs and is completely irreversible. At the last minute I canceled my surgery because I simply couldn't rationalize forever changing my internal organs without at least trying something far less drastic (and reversible) first.
I then looked into Lap-Band and attended a seminar in the beginning of December 2011. I immediately knew this was the right choice and sped through the process to get approved for surgery. On January 6, 2012 I had the Lap-Band surgery.
Honestly, for me, it was by far the best decision I have ever made for myself. While I still have a lot of weight to lose, I have already lost 117 pounds in 6 months and feel better than I have in many years. I absolutely love my band.
Best wishes on whatever path you choose!

You sound like you have a great plan in place. I was honest with my doctor & told him on the 4th i ate grilled chicken & turkey burgers. He laughed at me & said at least I was honest. I had my surgery successfully on 7/9. I'm not saying do the same thing, but read the labels. Less than 4 grams of sugar low carb meal if u starving

July 18th for me. Just found out yesterday! Ahhhhh, i never thought it would come (fighting insurance) but i can officially say it now! Good Luck to all the July babies!

July 3rd baby!!! after the hoops they made me jump, it was well worth it though.

July 12th is my B-Day!!!! I'm so happy! I start Pre-op on July 5th. Congratulations to everyone that will be getting banded this month, WE ROCK!!!!

wish my appt was July 19 instead of just the consult, but baby steps i guess. I am really ready for this. Good luck to all and keep me posted

My tentative surgery date is July 23rd because of my work schedule. It may change by a week but it looks like I'm gonna be a July baby. Anyone else out there that will be banded in July?

No thanks for me. That's where my poop comes out, and since having the lapband that is a sacred activity if you know what I mean. Not messing with that area.