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Yes I started noticing them under both my armpits when I was 16 and had them surgically removed when I was 20. I tried special wipes and deodorant but nothing worked.

Yes I felt very guilty before and a little bit after surgery. I always struggled with me weight and I always wondered why God "blessed" me with weight issues. I was afraid to tell a lot of my church friends (who are all skinny, who always told me God made me beautiful, not fat) but when I told them they were even more supportive than my family. I'm 2 months post-op and I have lost 17 pounds, the most I've ever lost before was 12 pounds doing weight watchers 3 years ago (which I gained it all back, and then some). I know I couldn't have done it without surgery. I (and I'm sure you are too) did it for health reasons, not just cosmetic. This way I can live a longer, healthier life and spend more time on this earth being the best child of God I can be. Best wishes and prayers to you.

Congrats!!! Have fun on your date 50 pounds down is so awesome!!

I've never asked what size my band is but when I went in for my first fill, which was done under fluoroscopy, I asked how many cc's he was giving me and he said he doesn't have an exact number, he just watches and sees how much restriction he thinks I need.

I'm 22 and my BMI was 36 when I was banded 2 months ago. Feel free to message me!

Hi everyone. I was banded on feb 15th and this morning instead of eating something I decided I was going to have a glass of water with my calcium and multivitamin tablets before i ate something. Doing so I got nauseous and lied down. And then I got the hiccups and they have been ongoing now for the past 15 minutes. I'm so terrified that this is moving my band or something because its only been 2 weeks! Am I screwed? Did I just mess up my band?

Thanks guys, I guess I was just freaking out because I remember my surgeon said something about constant hiccups could be a sign of a possible slip. I'm seeing him Wednesday so I'll bring it up then. I was just nervous because nothing was in my stomach so I couldn't be too full haha.

I've noticed that if I start my day off with a protein shake I'm less hungry throughout the day than if I eat oatmeal or a scrambled egg.

It seems to be happening less frequently so I'm not worried about it.

I had surgery on the 15th and I still get that feeling. I'm wondering when it will go away! It happens mostly when I'm lying down.

Looking good! Congrats on the weight loss!!

I am having just the lap band. I am also most nervous for not being able to have the same relationship with food as I used to. But I know I need to change, and I know I need to use food from a nutrition stand point and not for comfort. The pre op diet has actually helped with the transition. I'm really looking forward to starting a new life with the band!

I'm getting banded on Friday too! If you were successful in the past then I have no doubt that you will be successful again. I think you'll do even better because you have already been through it and know what to expect. Good luck to you!!

Lol I didn't realize the forum censored certain words lol. I feel like all of my skinny friends take wearing certain things for granted. Like heels, bathing suits, skinny jeans etc. I pretty much only wear sweat pants right now because I'm uncomfortable in other clothes, but I know that will all change in a couple of months

I really look forward to actually wearing a bikini for once!! I feel like I'm gonna be a huge **** once I'm at my goal weight lol jk. But definitely some low rise jeans instead of the high waisted ones I have to buy now to suck my belly in!

My mom had gastric bypass 7 years ago and her surgeon told her the exact opposite, to not stop smoking right before the surgery because her veins and arteries would constrict and make the surgery a lot more difficult. The morning of her surgery was her last cigarette because after the surgery she had no desire to smoke. She actually got sick when we took her home in her car she always smoked in because of the smell. Maybe your surgeon wanted you to quit a month before your surgery so your veins and arteries wouldn't constrict? That's the only thing I can think of.

I'm getting banded on feb 15th and I have been super nervous for the past week. I guess I thought getting approved would be too good to be true, and nothing good ever happens to me. I honestly was not expecting to be approved because I've been trying to lose weight for 10 years and have never lost a pound. I keep thinking maybe I should stay the way I am now, unhealthy and overweight because I love food so much. Even though a day doesn't go by with me thinking about losing weight and becoming healthy, it would be so much easier to stay fat forever. I don't want to do this, I have to do this. I know I have to change and as scary as it may be, I know the lap band and committing to this new life style will only reap benefits. You got this girl!!

I put the unflavored in orange juice and couldn't smell or taste a difference!

Ok I just tried the unflavored in diet raspberry snapple and it was disgusting, I could barely get over the smell. But then I tried it in orange juice and you can't even tell its there! I think I'll try it with other juices.

Hi everyone! My name is Lauren and I am getting banded on Feb 15th, 2013. I haven't told many people because I'm afraid of being judged, and it doesn't help that the few people I have told reacted quite negatively, even my aunt went as far as saying she was going to do whatever she needed to make sure I didn't get this done. I'm 22 years old and I have been overweight my entire life, and both of my parents had to have weight loss surgery (my mom had gastric bypass in 2005 and has lost 110 pounds and my dad had lap band in 2010, but has only lost 40 pounds because he still has poor eating habits). I am very hurt that my friends and family have reacted so negatively towards what I see as the biggest blessing in my life. My family thinks that I should be older to have the surgery (so I can suffer with my weight longer like they have had to) and my friends don't think I'm overweight enough (even though my bmi is 36 and I have a lot of breathing problems- insurance is covering the surgery). My parents are starting to support me more than in the beginning, and that's all that really matters to me, but it would nice to have support from more people. I'm so glad I found this forum! My surgeon recommended it to me Any advice would be truly appreciated, I look forward to getting to know some fellow banders!

I just got my Unjury starter pack and I will definitely be buying a full chocolate splendor- with milk it taste exactly like chocolate milk. I haven't tried the others yet but I def recommend getting the starter pack. I think it was $22 plus $6 shipping and it came in like 3 days.

Those are good points, yes the first month is all about recovery and getting used to it, so it can feel uncomfortable In the beginning. Also the 2 that had the sleeve that were already complaining about it were friends of my mom, and she doesn't want me to have wls so she may have exaggerated in order to scare me (which won't work, lol).

I've been debating between the 2 also. I like the band because there is no re-routing or removing things, but I heard the sleeve reduces sweet cravings (I have a huge sweet tooth) and the part of the stomach removed is the part that controls hunger cravings (I don't know how true is this, this is just what someone told me). If I could get rid of cravings I think that it would be more beneficial than just restriction. But 2 people I have talked to that had the band said the first month was miserable, They couldn't keep anything down. I go to school full time so I can't take that much time off to recover, so recovery time is a factor too. But I know whatever decision I make as long as I'm committed to change I will be successful.

Congratulations!!!