JosieK

Congratulations mechbandster. i like what you said about non scale victories feeling sweeter then looking at a number on the scale. i have to agree....once i got my mind off the scale....i did much better with my weight loss. enjoy the new you!!!

I cant say enough good things about Dr Spivak AND his staff. They are very professional, knowledgable and friendly. The after care I received from all of them....really made the lapband experience a good one. Dr Spivak is very accessible which is key for me. I dont think i could've done it without their support. josie

Welcome to lapbandland momwifelove.....hope you get back on your feet soon. josie

welcome jerry....pre-op is really a short period of time (think of only "one day at a time") and the results you will get from the band are more then worth it..... good luck on your surgery josie

Great post sadie...i find we need to take responsibility in order to be successful....which is clearly outlined in your post you've also stated one of the biggest hurdles to cross....the mind. it is doable and many on this site have done it. that has helped me in my journey good luck...and keep on keepin' on

hi lovedinfl, there are many factors that affect this decision. ie. age, amount of weight lost, etc. i did not want to have PS so i worked out like crazy while i was losing my weight. i wanted to avoid it at all costs. after losing my weight, i still had alot of skin around my abdomen and decided to have a TT. since i was having surgery anyway...., i decided to have a breast lift too. i am thrilled that i did both. the surgery was actually relatively easy. (i say relative considering i was under the knife for 8 hours) losing4life brings up a good point about waiting a year. plus i recommend getting surgery after losing the weight you want to lose. i've seen a few people here jump the gun and get it when they still have weight to lose. and they need a second surgery. there is a forum on here with alot of info on cosmetic surgery. also the website "www.makemeheal.com" has alot of info on it. good luck with your band. josie

hi cantb, i also was extremely tired after my lapband. it took 2 weeks before i felt like myself again. just get as much rest as you can.... good luck with your band.... josie

good girl!!! until then make sure you keep drinking Water....

hi moonpie, i use the new-whey Protein bullets. i bought them online at A1Supplements.com - Wholesale supplements Nutrition at Low Prices to Build Muscle, Lose Fat with EAS, MuscleTech, BSN and more! they have them in 25 gms and 42 gms i like the blue raspberry and fruit punch the best i continue to use these today if i cant eat enough protein good luck!

hi kimmie call your doctor right away.....

scrappy, that's funny about leaving enough time to take the girdle off. i forgot i had it on once and peed right through it. ha!

great thread xemma and great posts by everyone. i have to say the first time i saw my collar bones again.....it really gave me a good boost. i didnt anticipate this and it was a real thrill. i felt "skinny" after that. doodle...you captured alot of good ones!!!

surprisingly i can eat steak and not chicken or eggs. the steak must not be overcooked or cooked too well. i think i could eat steak about 6 months after being banded

yes...i went down 1 size and went from wide to medium. i wasnt anticipating this and had to buy new shoes in addition to clothes.

love, love, love papaya enzymes....they work very quickly when i'm stuck. i like the GNC ones best. i order them online.

hi trisha, so glad your daughter is doing so well. i know you were very worried about her. hi waistband thank you so much. i will try to post pics this week. i am so happy with the results. better then i expected. i LOVE my PS. he is great and really did a super job. thanks for info on fat and estrogen. i did hear that. plus my doctor said serotonin levels drop during such long operations. i also had to stop my estrogen 1 week before the operation due to potential for blood clots...i'm sure that didnt help. it only lasted about a week... good luck with your lapbanding.....

hi laura, i think you are absolutely right about staying ahead of the pain. my sister in law kept me steady on the meds because she didnt want to have to catch up if the pain started. especially the first few days.... glad you are doing well... and yes dont take the binder off till you go to the doctor. you also dont want to mess up the drains. from what i've read here...it gets pretty nasty if they fall out. i had the same amount of skin removed. he then took out 4 lbs with lipo. but that didnt translate into equal weight loss. to be honest...the sculpting the surgery did was the real prize. i was worried about how much he took off but it really didnt matter. i had a foley which they took out 2 days after surgery. i was glad to have that too. i think because of the breast lift/tt combo....i couldnt really lift out of the chair very well the first 2 days. anyway....keep on keepin' on girl!

hi allie sounds like you had a productive day!. to be honest i was glad i didnt stay in the hospital. i slept better. also i originally wanted a LBL and my doctor explained why a TT would be better. he said he could pull the front tighter if he did the TT which makes sense. also it's only 4 inches in back that wasnt cut. lastly i think my butt would be flatter if he did the LBL. i did the breast lift which is my favorite part. you will be so happy after it's done. your $$ price sounds VERY reasonable. josie

hi kimberly good luck with your band...it truly is a gift that we can get this. let us know if you need any help josie

...and i might add that i ignore the people that are rude and dont allow you to have your own opinions or express yourself.

hi newleaseonlife, i really know how you feel. when i was banded i continually posted and was ignored..... but i continued to use the site to gather information. i rarely posted but read alot. i have done well with the band based on alot i have read here. now...i try to share my experience with people. so dont give up totally...this site has alot of useful information. josie

laura..you really can see the difference. how many hours was your operation. i cant believe you are up and about already. i dont remember the 2 days after my operation. anyway glad you are doing well

hey laura, great news on your first night. initially i was scared to go home the first day of surgery but i have to say i think it helped me to rest. your schedule sounds great,....keep resting and feeding your body with liquids and meds and food. now you have a flat tummy! keep us posted

hi, i use IDS New-whey liquid Protein. they come in "test tube" looking vials. they have both 25gm and 42 gms and have about 4-5 flavors. my favorites are the blue raspberry and fruit punch. these and Protein shakes saved my life while i was losing weight. until i found them i had issues with losing my hair. i would use protein shakes but sometimes i couldnt get those down. i still use these when i have a day that i am tight. i also used them recently when i had plastic surgery to insure my protein intake was good. i get mine on A1Supplements.com - Wholesale supplements Nutrition at Low Prices to Build Muscle, Lose Fat with EAS, MuscleTech, BSN and more! but they have a website called :: Innovative Delivery Systems - Welcome to IDS Sports :: they definitely helped me good luck josie

laura....we are so excited for you..... re: pain...i was a BIG baby worrying before the operation and didnt have issue after the operation. the meds they give you and the arsenal they have in case one isnt helping .... really helps to handle pain. i definitely was more uncomfortable with the lapband operation bye bye extra skin!!!!! keep us posted