♕ajtexas♕

Everyone loves drama.... keeps it real, lol.

Everyone loves drama.... keeps it real, lol.

Congrats on reaching goal!
We are all learning this new site and Alex is still working out the bugs. i don't think he has all the bugs worked out for uploading pics, but you can always PM him and ask.
Again, congrats!!!

I am banded over 10 years and am alive and healthy and have had no problem with my band. The only "band" problem that I have encountered is the same one anyone would have if you choose not to stay on task of weight re-gain. I would hope everyone does their pre-surgery research to decide what kind or even IF WLS is the way to go. There are no magic bullets! Repeat NO MAGIC BULLETS. I lost weight well and steadily and reached my goal and then hit an emotional rollercoaster and tried as hard to put the weight back on as I did to take it off a few years into my journey. I totally believe that the band is an excellent tool to assist with good eating habits and exercise. No matter what a person decides it takes dedication andd focus. A lot of us are more familiar with being a caretaker than taking care of ourself. I have addressed the emotional component to my weight gain and am back on track. My long term caution to anyone considering the band or newly banded is to NOT DEPEND ON FILLS as being the total answer to losing weight. I believe the less fills the better. Using your band as a tool, listening to your body's "full" signals (and you will acquire some with the band) and staying focused on living a healthy lifestyle will take you where you want to be. Seriously, don't waste your time on any "haters".

It took a couple of weeks, about a month before I realized that my leg/foot wasn't going numb anymore. I think I got use to it.

I had the same problem. Doctor said to stop crossing my legs and it will stop. Easier said than done, lol.
I try very hard not to cross my legs and the numbness has gone away. It does come back when that old habit sneeks back in though.

You post was honest and sincere up until you said this:
"If you are the type of person from a small town and DON'T like diversity or opinions of others and only like to get YOUR advice from people that you *LIKE* AND CLICK with, please block me, because that will surely help me, because I don't want to waste my fingers helping someone that have other agendas here. "
Why did you feel the need to insult us? Did you ever consider this is why people don't respect you and your opinion?
Try sticking to telling your story and keep the insults out....it might help.

You post was honest and sincere up until you said this:
"If you are the type of person from a small town and DON'T like diversity or opinions of others and only like to get YOUR advice from people that you *LIKE* AND CLICK with, please block me, because that will surely help me, because I don't want to waste my fingers helping someone that have other agendas here. "
Why did you feel the need to insult us? Did you ever consider this is why people don't respect you and your opinion?
Try sticking to telling your story and keep the insults out....it might help.

You post was honest and sincere up until you said this:
"If you are the type of person from a small town and DON'T like diversity or opinions of others and only like to get YOUR advice from people that you *LIKE* AND CLICK with, please block me, because that will surely help me, because I don't want to waste my fingers helping someone that have other agendas here. "
Why did you feel the need to insult us? Did you ever consider this is why people don't respect you and your opinion?
Try sticking to telling your story and keep the insults out....it might help.

You post was honest and sincere up until you said this:
"If you are the type of person from a small town and DON'T like diversity or opinions of others and only like to get YOUR advice from people that you *LIKE* AND CLICK with, please block me, because that will surely help me, because I don't want to waste my fingers helping someone that have other agendas here. "
Why did you feel the need to insult us? Did you ever consider this is why people don't respect you and your opinion?
Try sticking to telling your story and keep the insults out....it might help.

I also LOVE that I know longer have any arch pain in my foot!

The band was the best thing I have done for myself in a decade!!
I love:
1. watching the Water completely cover my belly by 6-8 inches!!
2. being able to hike an 11 mile trail (it about killed me, but I did it)
3. the reactions of friends and family that havent seen me in a while
4.i love the self confidence it has given me
5. i love being just a normal sized person in a crowd
6. I absolutely LOVE when I feel my husbands hand trace my side and I feel it dip in at my waist instead of it bulging out.---thats my favorite.!!
7. I love the transformation not only phyically, but emotionaly and spiritually as well

Love being able to ride my horses
Love being able to walk the Mall with my grandaughters
Love being able to tie my shoes without losing my breath
Love not snoring
Love feeling normal size and getting compliments
Love feeling in control and not eating everything in sight..
Love being off of all medications. No more diabetes, high blood pressure or cholesterol
Love being able to cook meals for my husband and eating my portion with no problem...

Things I like and love:
1. Size 12 skinny jeans.
2. Being able to run on my treadmill.
3. Yoga pants.
4. Not having to shop in the plus size department.
5. That look you get when someone hasn't seen you in awhile.
6. The confidence in myself that I didn't know I had.
7. The text message I got from my daughter telling me how proud she is of me.
8. Being off medications for cholesterol and high blood pressure.
9. Compliments.
10. The friendships I've made since joining this site, especially that special someone who inspires me and motivates me every single day.
Loving my banded life.

I was worried about my port, would it be in the way, etc... I researched surgeons and picked one who has years of experience doing TT on banded patients. Yes the port and tubing are in the way, the doctor has to work around them. The port is attached to muscle (not the skin) so it doesn't have to be moved. I no longer have the scare on my stomach showing me where my port is, I have to feel for it, lol.
At my week post op appointment my doctor asked me if I had any troubles with getting fills. I said no why? He said that my port was tilted sideways.... He straighten it and added a few sutures to it. Fixed it while he was in there, lol. It could of never become a problem but didn't hurt to correct it now. I am thankful my surgeon is so familiar with the band and yes he did send a report to my Band doctor regarding the port.

I was worried about my port, would it be in the way, etc... I researched surgeons and picked one who has years of experience doing TT on banded patients. Yes the port and tubing are in the way, the doctor has to work around them. The port is attached to muscle (not the skin) so it doesn't have to be moved. I no longer have the scare on my stomach showing me where my port is, I have to feel for it, lol.
At my week post op appointment my doctor asked me if I had any troubles with getting fills. I said no why? He said that my port was tilted sideways.... He straighten it and added a few sutures to it. Fixed it while he was in there, lol. It could of never become a problem but didn't hurt to correct it now. I am thankful my surgeon is so familiar with the band and yes he did send a report to my Band doctor regarding the port.

i second that...aj is gorgeous anyhow
she be a even hotter chick now

Post those pics of the before or after plastic surgery , I want to know how scary it really is , cause I want to be prepared in a yr, or 2 , we'll see if I even need it then lol.

I had a Tummy Tuck four days ago (Halloween). Today is the first day that I feel human. This surgery makes the LabBand surgery a walk in the park, lol. I learned a few things that I would like to share (I would blog this but…..)
Day 2 was hell. Extreme pain, I couldn’t get up from sitting without assistance. I hurt from my boobs to my crotch (and have the colorful bruises to show for it). It is really important to stay on top of your pain meds.
Day 3 was better but still needed a lot of assistance. The highlight of the day was a sponge bath and hair washing (Mom helped with this).
Today, I’m human. Last night was the first night I could get out of bed without waking my husband. Pour guy felt like he had a newborn again, up every 2 hours.
So what did I learn?
My doctor did not require removal of Fluid from my band for the surgery, however FOR ME I wish I had about .2cc removed. My band has been extremely tight (borderline too tight) ever since I woke up. Yes I’m on liquids and soft foods. I had to be sure I was staying hydrated and that was difficult. On Friday I considered getting some Fluid removed but the thought of a needle going anywhere near my stomach….. I decided to manage the situation. Things are settling, I was able to eat about 1-2oz of meat last night. So with good management on my part I was able to get through the worst. In the future (if I have the option) I will remove just a little fluid.
The second thing I learned is that I have the most wonderful husband in the world. He had to step in as my nurse, emptying drains, helping me dress, picking me up (yes he can lift me – that was cool).
I will post pre & post pictures once the tummy doesn’t look like a war zone.

I had my one week follow up appointment today. Doc said everything looks great. I still have both drains (one more week).
Asked doc how much skin did he remove.....he removed almost 6 pounds of skin. Holly cow! I have not stood on the scale since surgery (& don't plan to until all the swelling is gone).
Can't wait to go cloth shopping!

I follow several different rules. 1) the LapBand rules on eating (cause if you don't it means trouble). 2) During my weight loss stage I set personal rules that I followed (low carb, exercising, no eating after 9pm, etc...) 3) Now that I am maintaining I have created some lifestyle rules for myself.
But I don't see them as rules, more as guidance. I don't deprive myself of anything but I do make health choices that others would see as being deprived.
When I post about following the rules I am referring to how to eat with the band. In my opinion the biggest problem with the band is the patients not learning how to eat/manage their band. This is a high maintenance tool, we cannot ignore/abuse it, if we do there are consequences. Almost two years banded, I have learned to listen to my band and not to push it. I learned to "follow the rules".

I had my one week follow up appointment today. Doc said everything looks great. I still have both drains (one more week).
Asked doc how much skin did he remove.....he removed almost 6 pounds of skin. Holly cow! I have not stood on the scale since surgery (& don't plan to until all the swelling is gone).
Can't wait to go cloth shopping!

I am feeling really well. I take Tylenol during the day and a pain pill when I go to bed (I still hurt at night cause I keep trying to sleep on my side and stomach). I am walking as much as I can, even logged 5,000 steps on my fitbit yesterday. The hard part is going from standing to sitting and vise verse,
My follow up appointment is Wednesday morning, I'll post an update after that.
Thanks for asking.

I already had the lower profile port so that wasn't an issue.