mylapspirit

I have over 200 pounds to lose but this week I made it to 102 pound weight loss. I am about four and one half months out of surgery. The experience has been one of the best of my life! shelli:biggrin:

Hi! I thought I would start a new thread to talk about your post op concerns, your post op nutrition, and anything else you want to talk about that is on your mind. Please join me in documenting our journey and new adventures in bandland. Congratulations to all new bandsters! shelli:girl_hug:

Hi I was banded on August 27, 2007 and to date have no regrets. In December my lapband surgeon decided to do an routine upper GI to see how my band and my little pouch were doing. Well it showed that my pouch was a little bit enlarged even though I did not have any acid reflux or any symptoms. So he took the fill out partly before Christmas and the rest in January. So right now I have no fill and my weight spiked up about 18 lbs. so I am a little discouraged but I go for a fill tomorrow so I am hoping to get right back on track. I am exercising about 5 days per week and trying to follow the plan but without my tool I am a failure at this. I have been eating all of the foods I have missed or used to hurt or get stuck especially bread. I am definitely a Food Addict but I am not going to let this defeat me. I will get back on track and get to goal. Has this happened to anyone else? Thanks.:cursing:

I have had my band for 2 years and one month and still very happy with my decision to have it placed. No complications whatsoever and I am very happy to say that I have lost and maintained a 152 pound weight loss.

Hi! I had my lapband placed 1 year,2 months, & 8 days ago and I am still happy with my decision and my "Band". I feel like a brand new person, younger and more energetic and feel so much in control of my life now! I would do it again in a New York minute. Thanks, shellil

Hi all, I thought I would start a new thread to talk about the preop diet. Please join me in venting, complaining, whining, bragging, advice, and/or encouraging words etc. I just feel kind of alone tonight. Well I am on Day 2 of the liquid preop and have done it so far with no cheating but some of it has been kind of tortuous for me. I have 10 more days left and I keep thinking if only I could have a green salad with a 3 ounce chicken breast on it with fat free dressing - would that really hurt me??? I have to choke down the shakes - they are sickening sweet and we are allowed broth which I had for dinner but oh well you know what I am going thru right?!? I did lose three pounds so far - not bad for two days so I know I am doing it right but 10 days seems so far away - and then you have to go thru the surgery and the post op diet. Gee this is going to be harder than I thought - gosh darn it! Thanks for listening to my whining. I am a wonderful person but darn do I whine. I know this is so worth it! Please join me on this new adventure/journey. Thanks for listening. Michelle:ranger:

So sorry to hear that you are having additional problems. You are definitely in my prayers! A speedy recovery for you from all of this. shelli:sad_smile:

Hi Hammer, Way to go! Congratulations for getting back on track and not giving up! Don't let those food demons win! I admire you! I needed to read your post this morning because I was very very bad this weekend! Thank you for the inspiration! shelli

Dear hammer, I feel very sad to hear that you are thinking of giving up. Please don't do that. Maybe you just need a fill to get you back on track. Maybe you need some counseling. Do you keep a food journal? You must not give up on your band. It is a wonderful weight loss tool but you have to be willing to do some of the work yourself. And if no one has ever told you this you are worth it. I have to food journal everyday to have the success I have had so far. I do exercise but only do the minimum of 30 minutes per day. You can do this hammer. If you need support I will be your support person. There is much support you can obtain from this site. There are Back On Track programs you can subscribe to online. There are good books you can read on Weight Loss Surgery. Maybe you should think about getting the band removed and having Gastric Bypass but there are still rules you will need to follow to gain success. What can I do to help you succeed at this? shelli

Hi Steve, 11 months ago I was given a new lease on life. The Lapband! I had given up on myself after trying and failing on all sorts of diets over and over again. I am down about 137 lbs. and it feels great. I still have about 100 lbs. to go but I know with my special tool I will get there. This is the best decision you have made for yourself and I will be here to support you in the months again. This is a wonderful website and has helped me immensely in the previous months. Don't hesitate to write when you need help or questions answered. You can do this. I wish for you a safe and successful surgery and a new way of life. Prayers are with you and Avery. Regards, shelli:thumbup:

Boo Boo Kitty, Do you need to have the skin on your arms done? They looked good in the picture. My arms are looking scary. I hate to think about having that big scar going down my arms but I hate the saggy skin too. Thank you for sharing. You are awesome!

Okay, so it is twelve thirty at night and I am up rambling around the house. I have only eaten 930 calories today and I am a just a little bit hungry. Should I just go to bed and forget about it or have a planned snack? What would you do in my situation? thanks

Well, the hunger ruled and won! I ate 1/4 cup protein(tunafish) and went to bed. Slept like a happy baby. Weighed this morning and was down 2 lbs. so I guess it didn't hurt me. Thanks for all your replies and support! Ya'll are awesome people! You have always been there when most needed. shelli

to kareyquilts, kat817,boo boo kitty, frangipani, thank you all for your candid and genuine replies I feel like you all are the pioneers of this site and I appreciate the posts you have made. I still have about 110 pounds to lose before I can even consider plastic surgery but I know with the band, patience, and determination I will succeed. All of you are my heros and I just wanted to let you know how much it helps for you to share your experiences with me and others. Thank you!!! shelli

Brandy, I admire your progress and courage so very very much. Was it hard to have your pictures taken (nude) in front of the plastic surgeon? I am older and have much trepidation about this????

Congratuations on your milestone reached! Isn't it a wonderful feeling when you try on some of your old clothing and it is too big for you now? Take the time to celebrate!:wink2:

My weight loss has been stalled for about 4 weeks now so I have decided to give up all simple carbohydrates for 7 days as I have a weigh in with my doc on Friday. Two days in a row now the scale has moved downward and I am so thrilled that I don't want any more bad carbs right now. One of the secrets I have learned is to add more protein. I have substituted one meal with one protein shake(I use no sugar added Carnation Instant Breakfast) for either breakfast or lunch and it seems to be a workin' for me. I love my band and my new life. I was able to ride my bicycle for the first time since college today(that would be 32 years). Never give up because life is better with the band. shelli

If your Doctor is a nice guy and is a good doctor he will understand that you are human. Explain your depression to him - he might have some suggestions to help you. You are paying him for a service and he wants you to succeed. Recently at our support meeting the surgeon said that the people who show up to their follow up appointments are the ones that succeed. The lap band is a lifetime commitment to better health. It is a tool not a miracle device. Use all the resources you have at your fingertips. Maybe you need a fill. Maybe your doctor uses a nutritionist - go see her. If you can make it to your support groups by all means go, listen, talk, and learn. Do you keep a food journal? It has been proven that this leads to permanent weight loss success. Can you give up all simple carbohydrates for 5 to 7 days? These simple carbs can actually cause cravings that you have no control over. Come to this support board daily and read and learn. Don't give up - don't ever give up. You are young - you have your whole life ahead of you and I can tell you that Life is better with the Band. I hope you find the answers you are looking for - we are here for you! shelli

Getting the lapband is one of the best things I have ever done for myself. It is an awesome weight loss tool and I have had amazing success so far and it has been an amazing adventure since late August 2007. I would recommend it to anyone who has struggled with their weight - who has heard the hurtful comments of people who love you and strangers, too - who has comorbidities and have to be on so many meds - who can't walk around 1 block without getting winded - who is laughing on the outside but crying on the inside and hating themselves and who on every Monday Morning has said they were starting another diet that week. Life is better with the "Band". I have learned to finally control what I eat and to have a "normal" relationship with food. Yes I have had to work the band. I keep a food journal daily, I exercise at least 4 times per week, I set small goals and try to be honest with myself. I have gone from a tight Size 34W now down to a comfortable Size 22 and I am looking forward to being smaller. I no longer have the food cravings - I now have a shut off valve that I never had before. I finally have HOPE in my life that I will reach my goal and be happier and healthier. This was a great poll and all the comments were interesting. shelli:biggrin2:

I would love a copy of the cookbook too! I will email at least three recipes this weekend. Thank you for coordinating this idea! shelli:cool:

Congratulations on your speedy weight loss! How are you feeling?

I lost 14 lbs. on my preop diet of 10 days! Wishing you all the best success!

Hi Hope4Joy, Thank you for the kind words. I am very proud but more importantly I feel so much better. I have so much more energy and when I look in the mirror I like myself so much better. I just got back from a follow up appointment with my surgeon and he said I am continuing to have amazing results with my lapband. My new total is 117 lbs. You can do this too! The lapband is a wonderful tool and if you follow the program your doctor sets up for you you too can be successful. Take care, shelli

You Are losing very quilckly. Are you male or female?

To Hope4Joy, I also thought gastric bypass was the only way as I have over 200 pounds to lose. But when I learned about the lapband and all the possible complications with the bypass my husband and I chose the lapband and now I am so happy. If you are willing to work at it and follow all your doctors advice and nutritionist advice it will work for you. Please see my stats below. I am only 7 months out from surgery. Good luck to you in your decision. shelli