bubba831

I was banded almost 6 months ago, 1/18/13, and have just reached 70lbs this week (including pre-op). I'm a little nervous about posting because I hate that this site is public, but I LOVE looking at progress & success pictures (kind of the same thing) and get really inspired by everyone on this site. My life is so much better, just being regular obese rather than super morbidly obese, I am so much healthier and happier than I used to be. My biggest achievement so far is my resting heart rate. At over 330lbs (my highest known weight) my resting heart rate was in the low 100s (super scary). Now, my resting heart rate is in the high 50s to low 60s - like an athlete!! I almost feel like one, too.
Thank you to all of you who share on this site and put it all out there so we don't all feel alone.

Have a great day!!

liquid motrin and stick to liquids for a few days. I'd recommend finding a good Protein Shake you can drink. Every time you get stuck you make your stoma swell and you have to start all over again getting the swelling down. Go back to the basics of your band...fluids first...then try mushies...then go back to regular food slowly. Make sure your first bite is small and put your fork/spoon down in between each bite.

Well I wasn't going to post these, but I figured I've been very open and honest about my journey so far and that I should continue to be open even now. I have to admit, posting these is a bit humiliating but I think it's important for people realize this surgery was no walk in the park. It was painful (and still is) and has a long recovery process. Losing over 200 pounds leaves a lot of excess skin.
Last week, May 1st, I had a tummy tuck/hernia repair/skin removal surgery.
The top pictures are the before pics taken the morning of surgery. The after pics are taken today, 8 days later.
You can see on the before pics I had A LOT of extra skin. You can also see the very large hernia sticking out on my upper tummy.
I am still really swelled, have staples from hip to hip, and drains in but I I think my surgeon did an incredible job.

I haven't been able to wear my wedding ring sincere was pregnant with my daughter who is now 6 1/2. It fits today!!! I was sooo happy when it slid on that I was in tears!! I'm sooo excited!

Woooooo down to a size 16 in a dress so happy it's been a good 6 years that I've weight this much :-) I wish I had the surgery years ago :-) having a skinny moment .
Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

Woooooo down to a size 16 in a dress so happy it's been a good 6 years that I've weight this much :-) I wish I had the surgery years ago :-) having a skinny moment .
Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

Woooooo down to a size 16 in a dress so happy it's been a good 6 years that I've weight this much :-) I wish I had the surgery years ago :-) having a skinny moment .
Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

Woooooo down to a size 16 in a dress so happy it's been a good 6 years that I've weight this much :-) I wish I had the surgery years ago :-) having a skinny moment .
Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

Woooooo down to a size 16 in a dress so happy it's been a good 6 years that I've weight this much :-) I wish I had the surgery years ago :-) having a skinny moment .
Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

I have gone down 1 bra size and one pants size soon to be two :-) thanks for all your support go for my 3rd fill next week I have 5cc in a 10cc band not to sure if I need more in it yet
Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

I have gone down 1 bra size and one pants size soon to be two :-) thanks for all your support go for my 3rd fill next week I have 5cc in a 10cc band not to sure if I need more in it yet
Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

How do your clothes fit? Mine are looser everyday, but I haven't lost lbs for weeks! 1st fill on the 27th.

I lost 12 lbs(5.5 kg) the first 2 weeks and then nothing the next 14 weeks so imo, you're doing very well.

Hi everyone! It's been awhile since I've posted here but I wanted to share my one year bandiversary pictures! I can't believe I've been on this journey for a year already. No regrets, I would do it all again in a second! I still continue to lose weight, and I don't have any particular stopping point in mind. I plan on just going with the flow until my body tells me it's at it's comfort zone. I feel great and am just loving life everyday. I can't believe the difference in my confidence, I feel like I'm finally the person I was meant to be.

Before:


After:




Progress:

Actually it's not a mentality, it's the truth. The band itself creates weight loss as much as a Bracelet around your wrist will. This is exactly why so many people make the mistake of being over-filled thinking that being tighter will make them lose weight. The band has zero effect on your metabolism and doesn't create weight loss.
What the band does do is control your hunger and send a satisfied signal to the brain after very little food. When people listen to their band, they eat less, and that is what results in weight loss. The band is tool to help you lose weight not the cause of weight loss.

For me, it will overfill my pouch causing everything to immediately come back up, or create a lot of pain as if the pouch was stretching....which it probably is.....it happens to me every time.
Think of a funnel....where the narrow passage is the band....food accumulates in the upper portion of the funnel and passes through the narrow section slowly...depending on how much restriction you have...adding Water to whats already there overfills the funnel quickly ...what happens when you add too much to a funnel too fast? It overflows....
BTW, this is a technique used by many when they get stuck...introduce some water..slow sips...and it will come back up bringing the food with it having no where else to go....
I can see for those who do not have much restriction the Water washing down the food...and they can get away with it without noticing or feeling anything....
But for me, being in the Green Zone...I do not dare drink while eating...from experience I know this is a big mistake without causing adverse effects...I do not want a dilated pouch,and pain, nor do I want it all to come up.....I have learned the hard way, as so many other things living with the band...

Recently, I began to ponder all the amazing things this surgery has given me. I absoutely would get a LapBand again if I had to go back in time. It has been the best thing that has ever happened to me...with the exception of hubby and kids obviously. So I thought I would make a list of all of these things. I know that reading stuff like this helped me to encourage me when I was starting out.
Thank you LapBand for...
1. self-confidence-I now look in the mirror or at picture and am happy with the person looking back at me. Seeing the results of my efforts is priceless...I have reached goals I thought were just dreams.
2. control- I no longer feel controlled by food or the need to eat. Not being hungry or feeling deprived has allowed me to make good food choices MOST of the time.
3. health- I am healthier than I have ever been. My resting pulse is in the 60s, my blood pressure is low, my cholesterol is improving.
4. the desire to exercise- I exercise 6 days a week and have gotten to the point that if I miss my workout my day just doesn't seem right. I love the way it makes me feel and the way it is reshaping my body.
5. energy- I have so much energy to do active things with my children and family.
6. the ability to wrap a towel around myself after a shower!!
7. the ability to bend down and tie my shoes or buckle a pair of cute sandals without too much effort...and painting my toes is easier too.
8. not being hot and sweaty all the time
9. shopping in any store I want and any department of that store.
10. wearing a bikini...even if it is only in the back yard with my hubby and kids.
11. crossing my legs under a table with ease.
12. cute clothes...I've become a bit of a shopper as of late
13. knee high boots!!!
14. shopping at victoria's secret
and of course I know there is plenty more that just won't come to mind.
I started out at 255 and am now 175. I have 25 to go!!
I have lost a total of 57 inches over my whole body...10.75 in my waist, 8 in my hips, 7 in my chest, 3 in both arms, 3.75 in both thighs, 2.75 in both calves, (it doesn't add up cause I'm not listing it all).
I couldn't be happier with the results. I look forward to reaching the next 10 pounds lost and then onto the final goal....It can be done. Don't get discouraged!!

What do you thank YOUR lapband for???

If you've gone hours without eating, and you're still not hungry, I would recommend eating a small meal. If you don't eat, your metabolism is going to think that you're on starvation mode, and dramatically slow down. Eating next to nothing can actually stop you from losing weight. Eat your three small meals a day & be done with it. Or, if you REALLY can't stomach eating, have a Protein Shake. And if you're having issues with eating overall, call your doctor. You might need a band adjustment.

you wrote what my dr told me...eat when i am hungry..
always Protein first (to help fill me up)
and if i am not hungry, i dont eat...

It's hard for me to believe that I have lost 92lbs since beginning this journey in February 2012! I lost 30lbs before surgery just by starting to exercise and make better food choices and 62lbs since my lapband surgery August 1, 2012. I have to say this is the best thing I have ever done for myself and I have a completely different relationship with food. I went from a size 16-18 to a size 4-6. I am 6lbs away from my goal and although these last few pounds seem like they are taking forever, I am so happy with my results. It's not easy but it's so worth it!
 

I was banded on Jan 28/13 and to date I have lost 49 lbs! I feel so much better. I am now shopping in the lg - xlg section which feels surreal to me!!!
67 more pounds to go!!

I was banded November 2011. I'm barely at my sweet spot/Green zone. I'm at my goal and see my surgeon Dr Au every month. I thank him and hug him at every visit. I feel without him this would not have been possible.

I'm hearing u loud and clear on this one I have a massive sweet tooth but have managed to get a handle on it mostly . My danger period is when I get home from work 4-5 so wat I do now instead of sitting on the couch and grabbing chocolate is taking my dog for a walk removes the hole craving . After dinner I will have a peppermint tea and brush my teeth this all so removed the need for sweets I still find my self opening the fridge but it won't help as I do not keep any off my sweet treats in the house I just don't buy them any more . Sending u strength to resist the sugar monster
Good luck

I'm hearing u loud and clear on this one I have a massive sweet tooth but have managed to get a handle on it mostly . My danger period is when I get home from work 4-5 so wat I do now instead of sitting on the couch and grabbing chocolate is taking my dog for a walk removes the hole craving . After dinner I will have a peppermint tea and brush my teeth this all so removed the need for sweets I still find my self opening the fridge but it won't help as I do not keep any off my sweet treats in the house I just don't buy them any more . Sending u strength to resist the sugar monster
Good luck

Whoop down 11kgs in 7.2 weeks that's 24.25 pounds just wanna get under 100 is my first goal :-)
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