Multifacet

I saw pretty good coverage of Lap Band on Dr. Oz's website, too. He covered how insurance companies have lowered the weight limit on approvals. Not sure how I feel about that. Sounds a bit like a money making idea. They were promoting the positive success for diabetics though. Good to have any exposure out there, as you said.

It does get so much better! Congrats!! Honestly so much of post-op is a blur to me. There were other things going on at my home at the time and I barely remember how I felt recuperating, ha! Best wishes and keep us posted!

Reading this made me realize I might have had the same experience, but no pain or heartburn. I took a long "pause" as I call it and wasn't really sticking to my plan most of the winter. I did well during the holidays because I was seeing relatives and wanted to look great, but after the first of the year began eating what I wanted. Not in huge amounts but noticed I could eat a lot more of some things...bad things. I put on 12 lbs and then panic set in. My new clothes were tight! I'm happy to say that instinct set in and I went back to what I know works, like B-52 said and now I feel restriction again. Going back to basics worked and the weight I gained is off and boy do I feel good! I hope you feel better soon! Heartburn is not fun. I have a citrus acid sensitivity and it burns my esophagus. It is very uncomfortable. Hurts clear down to my diaphragm area, ugh! I really have to watch it, because citrus acid is in so many things!

You look incredible!! Yes, it is hard to wrap your mind around it but it sure is fun!! Congrats!

Adding flavor is what I did, although I used flavored Protein powder as well. I used ff/ss pudding powders (butterscotch, cheese cake, lemon), crystal light (orange is wonderful in vanilla protein shakes), sugar free syrups, PB2 and natural pb (careful though its loaded with calories). Be creative! I still drink a shake at least once a day to get my protein in. Oh yeah, I also added Dannon Light and Fit flavored Greek yogurt for added protein and sometimes just the plain. The thing about the pudding powder is when mixed along with the ice it makes your shake thick, so if you can't do the thickness, might not work for you. I had fun with this and coming up with different flavors. My current favorite is the unjury strawberry Sorbet with Crystal Light Raspberry lemonade. I make ice cubes with the lemonade too, so that the flavor isn't diluted by the ice. Enjoy!!

I'm 53 and my biggest concern was wrinkles in my face and I'm happy with that part so far! I have what my husband and I call "butt drapes" and I just laugh about it, afterall he is the only one that sees them! I only have slight bat wings as my arms never got huge and my thighs sag a bit but my "hot pant" days are over anyway! I Celebrate my calves daily and wear knee length shorts and skirts. Overall I'm pleased and I have a bit more to lose, so I'm concentrating on building muscle and hoping that will fill out the saggy areas a bit. Luckily all of those areas are covered by clothing most of the time! My best to you all.

Happy Anniversary! Congrats! You look great!

Fantastic! I'm so happy too! Low humidity on the gulf coast and beautiful, cool day. We don't get many of these! Cooking and decorating and a walk at the city park later. My favorite kind of day! Enjoy!!

Name, real or screen~Multifacet Goal weight for May 31st~180 Weight on May 1st~188.8 Age~53 City/State~Angleton, TX Dietary goal for May~continue with the basics....it works! Exercise goal for May~WALK at least 4 days a week! Personal goal for May~pick and finish a project...big or small Date banded~11/28/2012 Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~77 lbs Favorite Flower?Hydrangea

I am almost a year and a half out from banding and I got REAL comfortable this winter....after the holidays. I did great during the holidays maintaining because I was seeing family that had not seen me since last Thanksgiving. That being said, I gained, lost and gained again while cozied up in my house for the winter. We had a horrible winter here for the gulf coast and I kept myself inside. I didn't go overboard with eating but I ate what I wanted most of the time. I've found that the "bad" foods don't cause me to feel any restriction, so I over ate and worked out maybe once a week. One morning the scale said 12 lbs up and I freaked, but it made me pay attention quick. Honestly I just went back to what works. I went back to what I did after surgery and I've already lost 10 of the 12 lbs. I plan to keep going this time as I have 20 to 30 lbs to go for my initial goal. I will make a decision once I get there, as far as, losing more or not. I just wanted all the clothes I'd bought to fit again. They were all either getting tight or I was not able to even get them on! Needless to say spring weather is helping and losing the 10 lbs is motivating. We all know what to do, its just hard sometimes. we all have the tools to go back to the basics. I just wanted to share what I'm presently going through and encourage you to just keep it simple and remember you know what to do! Exercise keeps my emotions under control and staying busy with the things I enjoy.....decorating, being outdoors etc. So, I know what that scary number looks like.....that 200....because aT 12 lbs up I was 198 lbs and it PISSED ME OFF!! I'm going to add you, so keep in touch!

I'm a year and five months out from surgery. I lost 75% of my goal quickly and then got comfortable. I had a long "pause" and maintained quite well, even over the holidays of 2013. I wanted to look good when seeing my family, so that kept me in line. Come the first of they year and what we here on the gulf coast call a hard winter and I gained 12 lbs. So, currently I have gone back to what I know to do. Logging my food and Protein, including shakes daily! I have lost 9 of the 12 lbs and really feel motivated to keep going. What happens with me is I just get fed up and then I focus intently, ha! Unfortunately it can be the ONE thing I focus on, but that is another story. My energy is back, my emotions are even, so I'm enjoying things and keeping busy again. Seriously, those 12 lbs put me in panic mode. I do not want insulin back in my life! Best of luck with starting over!

Several recent NSV's popped into my mind! 1. My Mom witnessing and commenting on younger men checking me out! 2. There is now room in my chair for the little doggie to lay next me!! She loves that and so do I!! 3. But mostly, just being able to do anything I want now! Including keeping up with my 4 year old nephew. 4. Lastly, but certainly not least. I love working out because of the workout clothes! LOL!!

I had one fill initially and didn't have another until after I lost 80 lbs. The port used to be right at the surface, but after weight loss it is harder to locate! Luckily since I've had 3 surgeries in that area, the nerves are all dead. It used to bother me that that had happened, but now it is a blessing! Especially since they have to move the needle around to find the right spot! I'm done with fills for the time being. Good luck!!

UPDATE!!

I'm going through this right now!! Don't give up! What's on my mind at the moment is to at least maintain. My Father is in hospice care and the emotions are running wild. Right now, I have no appetite but I'm very conscious of wanting to indulge to ease my pain. I'm having a hard time focusing on anything! He is so proud of my progress and knows I've done this so that I don't end up in poor health. I've eliminated meds already and hope to continue. Not sure what I would do without this site, right now.

I adore Dr. Hollis and his entire staff at the True Results location. I also had an appointment at his southeast office at Hermann for my followup. I had some complications after the initial surgery and he operated on me again that day, before I was able to make it through recovery for the band surgery. He admitted me to SE Hermann for a couple of days. He is very compassionate and made a good impression on my husband as far as the way my emergency was handled. His nurses called me and checked on me while I was in Hermann and one of his surgical staff at Hermann, who was not part of my surgery team, came to see me also. They had all heard about my case, even though my surgery had been at True Results. Most of all, his anesthesiologist never left my side once they realized something was wrong. My complications had nothing to do with the actual band, something clipped scar tissue at closing and I was bleeding internally. I've never had better care anywhere. You will love him. I've not seen him since surgery and that is a shame. The staff at True Results is outstanding!

I've had so many but the two most recent have been seeing relatives that have not seen me. It had been years since I saw my husband's Aunt and she just said..."wow you look different!". Also, at the same gathering I saw his sister-in-law, who inspired me with her weight loss, and she said..."you look great, wow you really look great!" What a boost!

I had my surgery at True Result's Medical Center location November 28, 2012. I'm in Angleton. Born and raised in Houston! Doing great!! Best to you all!! See my ticker

Yes!! I have had this experience!! Its like overnight I melted. Very odd but wonderful!! Enjoy it!!

Still using the old Oster until it dies, lol. Then I want something new, too!!

I did pretty well at Easter dinner. My husband bbq'd chicken and he leaves the sauce for the side. My Mother had a plain fruit bowl, so that was my meal. While everyone else had brownies and ice cream, I had cherry yogurt. My brother's boys are 3 and 14, so of course we had an Easter egg hunt for the 3 yr old. Beautiful day! The highlight of my day was a call from my nephew, the marine. He is a gorgeous specimen at 6'7" and of course in excellent shape....he and his wife both! I had responded to an email from his wife and included a recent picture. He told me on the phone yesterday that when she showed it to him, he said, "that is not my Aunt!". He told me how proud and excited he is for me and just went on and on! It was just fabulous and he genuinely meant every word. I adore him and he is such a wonderful young man. We are very proud of him! The son I never had.... :wub:

I doctor my shakes so much with other things that I don't have a clue what the powder taste like alone, ha! I use Walgreen's brand of chocolate and vanilla and I add Dannon Light & Fit yogurt. The dark cherry with the chocolate protein powder is delicious! I also use sugar free Jello pudding powder for added flavors. Lemon is great with the vanilla. Hope you find one that works!!

Also a member of this group! Its the greatest thing I've ever done for myself!! Good luck!!