beanie80

FastFazer - your story is so typical of many of us who chose WLS. I went through the exact same turmoil getting to the point of going through with it. I actually joined Weight Watchers for the gazillionth time, two weeks before scheduling surgery. My weight had slowly creeped (back) up to 225, which was my highest high. And I'm under 5'2". I knew with every shred of my being, that at 57 years old (at the time of surgery), I was headed for a major catastrophic event; heart attack, stroke, etc. I was on blood pressure meds, my cholesterol was high, and so was my sugar. Now, 10 months later and 63 pounds lighter, that entire picture has changed. I'm off the meds, sugar and cholesterol are normal, and I walk up the stairs without feeling the need for the cardiac care unit waiting at the top to revive me - lol. I no longer wake up each morning with dread. So in answer to your question about regrets? Not a single one! I would do it over a hundred times.
Just know that what you are going through is perfectly normal. I did not tell everyone in my world that I had the surgery; only the ones closest to me. They've all been very supportive, and now I just go about my life; the surgery and banded life isn't at the forefront of everything. Nor does it define me. It took a very long time for me to come to terms with that whole "I'm such a failure....can't lose weight and keep it off on my own". I don't feel that way anymore. Coming to this site has helped a great deal with that part. You are certainly not alone, and bravo to you on taking a huge step toward better health

Once a month I go buy this bag of dog food for my fur babies. It's heavy for me to handle and I always struggle with it a little bit. It is a 30 pound bag of dog food. That is how much weight I've lost so far.
I can't believe I was carrying that around on my body. And to think I need to lose about 3 more of those. Wow.
LapBand. Best. Decision. Ever.

I started about 2 weeks ago and I love it! It is a totally different way to workout than anything I've ever done before. They are really great about working with you if you are not in shape. You do not have to be a superfit athlete to do CrossFit. You will find muscles you didn't even know existed on your body. For the first time ever I feel like I am toning my arms!

keep us posted on what you think. im slowly gaining the courage to give it a shot!

You say that you are seeing a therapist, but are you seeing an eating disorders therapist? I am a binge eater (emotional/stress/anxiety etc. etc.) and I saw an eating disorders therapist for a while. It made me realize a lot about myself, my family and my relationship with food. I would highly suggest it. I would also suggest the book "Overcoming Overeating: How to break the diet/binge cycle and live a healthier, more satisfying life" By Jane Hirschmann and Carol Munter. Best of luck, you can do this, and let us know how it goes.

You say that you are seeing a therapist, but are you seeing an eating disorders therapist? I am a binge eater (emotional/stress/anxiety etc. etc.) and I saw an eating disorders therapist for a while. It made me realize a lot about myself, my family and my relationship with food. I would highly suggest it. I would also suggest the book "Overcoming Overeating: How to break the diet/binge cycle and live a healthier, more satisfying life" By Jane Hirschmann and Carol Munter. Best of luck, you can do this, and let us know how it goes.

There are several reasons I want to get banded and lose weight. Mainly it's so I can feel better and not be in pain anymore. But I finally admitted to my husband a secret reason I want to lose weight. It's silly and I felt dumb telling him but he laughed and encouraged me. I love that man!!
My secret reason:
I want to be able to dress up as a solid gold dancer for Halloween next year!!
Anyone else want to share!?!

Limiting any processed foods, processed flours, Pasta, sugar, potatoes and most starches. Going on a very low carb diet for a few days can help the body to rid itself of excess fluids.

I decided to be brave and post my new progress pictures! -60lbs lapband with plication 11/12/12! Don't give up! I was stuck at one weight for months! Change your life! I couldn't be happier. Goal of -40 more in the next year.

Hi Everyone! How are you all doing?
Gary, thanks! lol
Congrats to you! That is great! It may slow down, but you will get there!
Allyson, congrats to yoU!!! That is awsome! WooHOO.
I have been doing good. Losing steady. I exercise 5 days a week and just finished C25K week 5! I did the dreaded 20 min straight run. I also do weights and yoga.
I had my 3rd fill and feel I am still not in green, but I am not going for anymore until maybe after the new year. I really have to be careful eating now and I am little afraid to be any tighter. I get hungry at the 2.5-3 hr mark consistently and often go to bed hungry. I am going to experiement with upping my calories a bit, given my activity levels - especially on running days.
I am down about 35lbs and have 10 more to go to hit my first major goal and ONEDERLAND!
I am off today to the inlaws for Canadian Thanksgiving. Wish me luck - my first family meal and they don't know...

I hit my first goal last week! 50lbs. Feeling great!

When I went to replace my driver's license and get a new picture taken, the woman looked at my old one and then looked at me and goes "this doesn't even look like you, it looks like your fat cousin". LMAO!
I also had a lady at the pharmacy say to me "I hope you're trying to lose all that weight, not dying of cancer or something". (lol wut?)

It really depends on how stuck I get.
I very rarely get really stuck. It's usually no more than me making some weird faces and entertaining my kids as I exclaim "dang stuck!" for a couple minutes. In these cases, I just go back to normal food the next meal.
A couple times I've gotten REALLY stuck. Twice I even PB'd. Those times I go on liquids the rest of the day but back to normal food the next morning.
Really, it's a learning process. You have to learn what's best for you.

12 hours for me.

Oct 8th I had my cosmetic procedures done. It's been 3 days and all is going well. I will be posting pics and a write up on each day as soon as I return home in 2 weeks. Hope it'll help all those interesting in CS in the future.

It can feel like a lot of things- pressure, pain, discomfort, etc. It can be in your chest or throat or any variation of the two.
I know this probably isn't a helpful answer, but the first time you're stuck you know it and there's no guessing.

Cravings are really hard, but what I've found is the only way to beat them is to go cold turkey and not give in for a couple days. It's rough, but it's usually after a day or two without the chocolate (or other sugar) the cravings stop.
If I eat sugar, I crave sugar, so I really try to stay away from it.

Sooooo...I almost hugged my scales this a.m.!!! For the past 15+ years, I've been over 200 lbs...way over. I had a follow up appointment scheduled with my surgeon today and decided to weigh before I went. I didn't want to be surprised, shocked or disappointed. Well..I thought my eyes were deceiving me, so I tried not to get excited. The dr's office scales are always different anyway. I got there and weighed in today at 197.8!!! I almost cried. Although I know I still have long way to go, but I am so excited and happy!!!

Finally did it for the first part of my weight loss journey! I'm so excited. Today my husband said he could really see the difference . I feel so amazing . I took this picture and thought I was dreaming. I have been working out at 5 am like crazy and I'm not going to stop.
I have 109 more to go and I know I can do it. This lapband is amazing and I'm going to work it to the fullest .
Highest 2013: 331
PreOp: 319
Day of surgery: 306
Current Weight: 269
Goal Weight: 160
Height: 5'8

[ATTACH]27978[/ATTACH]

I have 7.25cc's in a 10cc band. At the time of surgery, I had 3cc's. About 4 weeks post op, I was given another 3cc's. The total of 6 held me for about a month, then I got another 1cc. I was good for another month, then the last fill of .25 put me right in the green zone. I've dropped 50 pounds in six and a half months, and I'm thrilled with my success so far. I would venture to say that I'll be needing another fill before goal, but I'm very comfortable right where I'm at today.

I'm down 19lbs so far! Yay!

What about this, yummy without extra calories and soft:
Directions

1

Cut apple into 8 or 12 slices (like quarters).

2

Place apple slices in a sandwich bag.

3

Sprinkle 1 packet of Stevia (or Truvia, based on preference) into bag over apple slices.

4

Coat slices with ground cinnamon (not cinnamon sugar).

5

shake bag contents until slices are coated.

6

Remove and place slices on microwave safe dish and put in the microwave for 2-3 mins.