MandaMom23

My surgeon only uses the Lap Band, so I haven't really researched the Realize Band. It seems to me, based on things I've seen in the Banded community, that they're pretty similar, and people have great success with both.

You'll be just fine! I too have a huge fear of waking during surgery, but I always discuss it with the anesthesiologist before the surgery (they'll come in and talk to you about what kind of anesthesia you'll have for your 'nap'). Talking to them about it always makes me feel better. Try to relax, get some sleep, and In just a few hours you'll be on your way to a brand new you!

I loooooooooooooooove cheese!! It's always been my favorite food, and I eat it everyday!

Congrats on your loss thus far! Just stay strong, and remember this part won't last forever. Hang in there, you've got this!

Honestly, you just have to do it. I was sooooo addicted to diet coke, and knew I had to stop. Back in January I just told myself no more, and that was that. It was really hard the first few days, because for so long that was the only thing I drank everyday. I haven't had it in 9 months, and I don't even crave it anymore.

I get about 1200 calories a day. I'm terrible with getting exercise in, but I'm still averaging about a 2 lb loss per week.

I still enjoy all my favorite foods. The only thing I've given up is soda, but I don't even miss it anymore.

Beautiful! Congrats!

That's great! congrats!

Hopefully it was just a simple mistake, and you'll have that approval very soon!! Hang in there!

Aww, that's such a great feeling!! It's amazing how we forget all the fun, 'little things' that come with losing weight. I find these non scale victories to be even better than whatever the scale has to say! Congrats!!

Awesome!! Congrats!

Congrats to you!! I'm happy it was easy for you! I had to do the 6 months of classes, and diet, and a psych eval, but it went by so fast! And I really think I mentally needed that time to prepare. I didn't have to have a sleep study though. Good luck to you! Oct. 1st will be here before you know it!!

You look great! Keep it up!

How exciting! Congrats!

Awesome! Congrats!

Congrats on your surgery, and welcome to banded life! I'm 7 months out. This is what a typical day looks like for me: Breakfast: coffee with sugar free creamer, and either oatmeal or a kashi bar Lunch: typically either a salad of some sort, or an open face turkey/chicken sandwich on toasted low carb bread. Dinner: I just eat whatever I make for my family. Tonight I made mini meatloaves, peas, and diced potatoes. I had a little bit of everything...1 mini meatloaf, 1/4 cup potatoes, 1/4 cup peas. it equaled about one cup total. I was able to eat most of it. Snacks: some days I don't snack at all, but there are days I'm just hungry in between my meals. My go to Snacks are almonds (I always count out half a serving), cheese sticks, or raw veggies...I'm loving cherry tomatoes right now! I track every single thing I eat on sparkpeople. I try to measure my food whenever possible. i have a whole drawer full of my measure utensils. I eat 1200 calories or less...most days it's less. I try to do something active a couple times a week, but I don't have an exercise routine. For me, while I'm trying to lose weight, I want to put my focus into what I'm eating. Eventually, I'd like to get into a regular exercise routine, but for now this is what works for me.

Congrats!!! That's a great loss, and you should be very happy and proud of yourself!! I get days where I feel 'blah' too, but there are others I'm really excited about what I've accomplished. I've found this whole process can be quite the emotional rollercoaster! Hang in there, and keep up the great work! You're doing FANTASTIC!

I'm actually dealing with people close to me that are also banded, but not doing so well with it. They tell me 'it's not fair' that I'm losing and they aren't, or they'll ask me 'what are you doing that's so different from me?'. They totally blow me off when I try to offer support. I'm not sure what they want, as I'm more than willing to give them any words of wisdom I may be able to offer to help them!

I had a port replacement the beginning of June. In late may I went in and he could get fluid in, but not out. I was initially banded feb. 1st, and my port was so severely kinked it had to be replaced. It's an 'easy' surgery (I think the surgery was less than an hour), but I was in much more pain than I expected to be for a few days after. I was bummed to have an issue so soon after being banded, but all is working fine now. Feel free to message me if you have any questions.

I started out in a size 26 and 4x tops, and I didn't drop a size until I was down about 35-40lbs.

I had this same thing happen in late May (I was banded February 1st). Went in for a fill, and he could get fluid in, but nothing out. My tubing was kinked, and he was hoping he'd be able to just go in and straighten it out. I actually ended up needing a port replacement. It sucked having to have another surgery so soon after being banded, but it was a pretty quick and easy recovery, and now all is well! Feel free to message me if you have any questions!

I researched all the possible options for a couple of years before getting banded. They all have their pros and cons, and I read many success stories, stories of people gaining their weight back, as well as some others with pretty scary complications associated with every single one of them. In the end, the reasons I went with the band were that It's less invasive, and it's removable if it absolutely needs to be. I also really like that it's adjustable. I can have it adjusted as much as I need to, to help it work best for me. It's a very personal decision, and in the end, you have to go with the one you feel is right for you!

That's great! Congrats!

Awesome!! You look amazing!