Meekie

Krenee9 and LB Annie, we've got to get together for support. I'm in Worrstadt, which is half way to Kaiserslautern but I work in Wiesbaden. I'm willing to go either way. All are welcome to join the support!

I'm LMBO!!! Now, where does she go to church? Am I the lady she's talking about! LOL!

Hi Rebecca, I know that it is so hard for you to see the new you. It is hard to recover from low self esteem because we are usually our worst critics. Please hang in there and don't get so down on yourself. If someone rejects you or do not reciprocate your affection and friendship, then be thankful that it is now and not later when you're even more emotionally involved. You must also ask yourself..."Am I in a place within myself where I can give someone an emotionally healthy me?" If you're not stable mentally, physically, and emotionally, then it's not fair for you to present a Rebecca that's not the true Rebecca. Now that you've taken this massive about of weight off (Congratulations, by the way), (all in less than a year!!!---You go girl! :bananajump:) you've got to re-learn how to be happy and content in another manner other than with food. it doesn't happen over night. I just ordered a bunch of size 12 clothes from JC Penney's and could wear them all (down from a size 22/24W)! I'm half of my old self. All I could see in the mirror was a fat girl that needed to lose more weight. My husband had to literally grab me by the shoulders and make me stop saying negative thoughts about my body. It is HARD!!!! But we must move forward and realize that many of our issues lie deeper than weight. We masked them with weight. Now, just like we took the bull by the horns and decided to conquer this weight, we've got to do the same thing with our self image, self esteem, emotions, and ability to handle life's pressures. Do have a strong support group of friends? A network at your job? Family? Religious group? I know how lonely life can be. We've had this false sense that if we could only lose weight, all of our problems would disappear. We would no longer be uncomfortable around our normal weight friends. We would have no problems with opposite sex relationship. We would be able to be happy just from being 'skinny'. How wrong were we??? You're not the only one dealing with this. We have to be re-programmed. Sometimes we need a programmer to do this for us. Don't put all of your self worth in what a guy thinks about you. You're worth more than someone else's opinion. Focus on all of the beautiful and wonderful things that make you, you and don't look back at a person who cannot see them. The right person will see them and appreciate and value them. If someone doesn't see them, then they're not the right person. You'll do fine. Keep up the AWESOME work!!!!

I live by the motto of "moderation, not elimination". I want to have a normal and healthy relationship with food. I will have cake, just not the whole cake. I will have ice cream, just not the whole half gallon. I was told by my trainer that whatever you eliminate and lose weight with is what you'll have to keep out of your diet to keep the weight off. I will exercise a bit more and burn more calories to create a deficit, so to speak, when I want to have a treat. So, I will not deprive myself of something I enjoy. I enjoy it for that moment, in moderation, knowing that this not the last supper.

Congratulations! That is so awesome. My goal is to be 150lbs. I'm 35lbs away. I've made the committment to get there, too! I know which machine you're talking about in the gym. It's called the captains chair. I started out not being able to do but one. Now, I can say I can do 3 sets of 15,12, and then 10. You're just like me...shopping at the thrift store. I'm wearing a skirt right now that everyone is raving about. I got it at the thrift store for $2!!!! I love shopping now. I just want to tell you to keep up the great work and enjoy the changes!

I'm just now seeing this. I'm in Wiesbaden also. I was banded by Prof. Weiner in Aug 2008. WE should try to meet. I'm at the gym almost daily. Private message me.

I agree with fluffytofabulous. We are all different. I eat popcorn like there's no tomorrow. I love it! It goes down with NO problems. As a matter of fact, I take my teenagers to the movies most Friday's just so I can have popcorn. I will go to the gym before the movie for about 2 hours. i use the eliptical machine and burn between 500-600 calories (about 45-50 minutes), climb the stairs in the gym 5xs, run on the track for 1 mile, do biceps, triceps, shoulders and abs on the machines JUST SO I CAN GO SIT IN THE MOVIES, RELAX, NOT FEEL GUILTY AND EAT A SMALL BAG OF BUTTERED POPCORN! I know I'm a little special but...it is one treat I decided I don't want to live without. I usually can't eat anything else the rest of the evening but it's all worth it TO ME. So, for some, no popcorn. For me, a once a week treat, or every other week, I look forward to having.

I'm a military spouse (though, now retired) and I live in Europe. I've had no problems finding a doctor here. I live near Frankfurt, Germany where I had my surgery. I've only seen the same doctor's staff that did my surgery which was 3 years ago. I still see him now as a retiree. Most military dependents come to Frankfurt from various places in Germany. However, some have had surgery in Mannheim, Stuttgart, Kaiserslautern and I'm sure other places I've not heard about. But, while I'm in the waiting room, I ask the Americans where they are from and I've gotten various responses from all around Germany. So, if you are here in Europe, you probably won't have a hard time finding a doctor. I'll have to let some of the other spouse reply to the Stateside options as I've never been Stateside or lived Stateside with my band. Can't wait to go home so my family can see the new me!

I've always found before my 121 pound weight loss and now that constipation makes my breath more foul. I have to be sure my intestines are not full of junk that won't pass.

I didn't tell my family back in the States until they saw me with the weight loss. They were so surprised. By the time they saw me, there was no need to try to give me their opinion because it was already done! They saw the success and were happy for me.

My first advice to you would be to call your doctor stateside. They will probably refer you to a doctor in India as there are many, many people that elect to have surgery in India (cheaper and many of the doctors there were trained Stateside). After reading your post, I simply googled lapband in India and a ton of info came up. You may simply have gastritis as I've had this 2xs with my band. I had to go to liquids. I could only tolerate Jello. The swelling finally went down after about 5 days and I was relieved! It could be major or minor but you need to find out from a medical doctor! I wish you the best.

Hi Mimi, I am actually still overseas. I use Professor Weiner in Frankfurt, Germany. I am from SC and a Carolina Girl at heart!!! Grew up in Abbeville and lived in Columbia for 8 years until marrying the military took me away. I just like to stay informed about bandsters and doctors in SC since we may return, some day! :-)

Hey Carolina Folks, I just wanted to open up a thread where we can update each other on our progress, give a little advice and encouragement and help each other on our journey. Here goes... Banded 08/2008 in Frankfurt, Germany Beginning weight 304 lbs Surgery weight 282 Current weigth 188 Goal weight 150 Beginning size-24w Current size-12 Exercise 3-5 days/week doing cardio and strength and endurance training. Problems- Sweets still get past the band Alright, people, keep it going! I wish everyone much success in finding that place of peace with weight loss.

Hi Krenee, I am in Wiesbaden, Germany. I live only about 40 minutes from K-Town. I'm banded for 2.5 years now by Weiner. I had no problems with him. I'm here if you need me.

I do hiccup as well and I'm 2.5 years banded. I hiccup when I'm full. This is my body's way of letting me know that I've had enough. Now, when I'm eating and I start to hiccup, my husband and children all say, "Mom, you're full now. Don't eat anything else". They know the misery that comes from being too full. Check with your doctor since you're newly banded but I had and still do have hiccups. All the best to you on your journey.

I had three c-sections as well. The last one was in 1999. I had my lapband surgery in August 2008. I had no problems what-so-ever with the c-section scar. My C-Section scar is bikini lined and my lapband scars are up in my belly area. They are very small and almost invisible with the exception of the "big' one (about 2.5 inches). I think you should talk to your surgeon about this but I never mentioned mine to my surgeon. Of course, they asked if I'd ever had surgery before and I disclosed this information. But, I had no complications. I believe yours will be without incident as well. All the best to you.

Welcome aboard!!!! Hope your journey goes well! I'm in Germany and was banded in 2008!

I've been banded for two and a half years now. I have NO REGRETS! I don't regret being able to bend over and tie my shoes without suffocating. I don't regret being able to buy normal size clothes and cute shoes. I don't regret being able to fit in a chair without feeling like I'm the stuffing for a turkey. I don't regret being able to run 4-5 miles. I don't regret being able to sit in the floor with my children and play a game. I don't regret being able to cross my legs. I don't regret being able to look in the mirror and smile. I don't regret having my children hug me and their arms fit around me. I don't regret being able to leave the aisle in an auditorium or movie and not have people cringe because they see the big, fat lady coming. And so on and so on. I love my band even when I have something stuck and it feels too tight or if I overeat and feel like I'm choking. It just reminds me that I need to slow down and eat properly. It helps me not let food control me. This band forces me to deal with my life's issue in another manner besides with food. I'm down 115 pounds and about 35 pounds from my goal. My only regret is not doing this sooner! I feel free now.

There are too many changes in my life to type them all!!! Whoo Hoo! But I will give you a top ten! 10. I can wear normal jewelry (ring size a 6.5-7; down from a 10) I love jewelry but couldn't wear much before! 9. I can wear a size medium shoe. Down from a double wide. Still wide calfs for boots but.... 8. I don't need a seat belt extender for the plane. 7. I can bend over and tie my shoe without holding my breath. 6. I'm no longer ashamed to walk into a crowded room. 5. I like to take pictures now. 4. I wear shirts tucked in with belts. 3. I now feel like I don't embarrass my boys ages 14,13, and 11. 2. I love to shop for clothes now!!! Down from a size 24W to a 12~14ish, depending on item and brand. 1. I love to exercise now! I can run 3-5 miles!!!! My life has changed so much for the better!!!! I love my band! I've lost 110 pounds and still going. It's taken me 2 years but I'm happy!

Why did you have a complete unfill? Just worried about you. Remember, I have the same doctor.

I'm new to the challenges but I need one. I'm stuck and I need the motivation. Only 1 small fill so far. Doc wouldn't fill me b/c I had lost 50 pounds in the first 3 months but haven't lost too much since. So, here goes.... currently: 255 goal: 240 I go in for a fill on the 25th. Re-hired my personal trainer today! Best wishes to all!

Good to hear you got past your wall! It's a good thing you didn't give up. The one thing my personal trainer tells me is that you have to change your exercises. She never lets me do the same routine twice. I love her and how she mixes things up so that my body doesn't get used to it. Keep up the good work! I can't wait to get back into a size 16. I wish you much success to onederland!:rolleyes2:

One thing about German restaurants, they have very fresh salads. You should take your own dressing just to ensure the fat and calories are good to go. Where are you going in Germany? Stay away from the kiosks with the horrible stuff. Pick one day on your trip and treat yourself to something you once enjoyed. Make sure that day you do some extra walking or exercise that morning and that evening. I live in Wiesbaden and have to face all those wonderful temptations. It can be done. When I mess up, I just exercise alot harder.:regular_smile: This teaches me that it is sometimes not worth that moment on my lips. My proudest moment was when I was on liquids (preop), our church threw my dh a party at a wonderful restaurant. I sat and watched everyone eat ribeyes, t-bones, smoked salmon, baked potatoes, delicious double chocolate birthday cake and I had tomato Soup. Think about how bad you want to reach your goal! Work hard at it! Best Wishes!