BeckyinTexas

I finally found the banana popsicles and they are wonderful! There are two foods that I HATE with a passion and they are celery and bananas! But for some reason that I can't figure out, reading about these banana popsicles made me want them so I thought what the heck if I don't like them I can give them to my little neighbor girls. But oh my, they are so good. I just might have to narrow down my list now to only hating celery unless of course someone comes up with celery popsicles and I just have to try them and end up loving them, too!

Thank you all soooooooo much! I'm really doing great since they finally have my medication regulated. Matter of fact, I started driving again yesterday!!!!! My six months was over since my initial seizure. Not being able to drive for that long was torture! But I'm as they say here in Texas....back in the saddle again! My neurologist ran every test he could think of and attributed my seizure to poor nutrition. He said I was anorexic. I told him I was the fattest anorexic on the planet then! He also told me I was lucky it was a seizure and not heart failure cause that's what happens sometimes, like Karen Carpenter. I'm just very lucky that things are going well for me now and I'm following my doctor's orders now to a T! I think I just wanted to prove to everyone how well the lap-band can work for people that had a lot to lose. But as usual, my being a bit of a rebel, got me in trouble. But I'm being a good girl now. Thanks again for all your sweet comments and prayers. I just hope and pray no more seizures because now in Texas if you're treated for a seizure you automatically lose your license for a whole year! I told them at the DMV that someone would just have to shoot me if that happened. Pretty good incentive to mind my doctor, I'm thinking.

Kathy...I haven't heard anything from Guitarman in a while. I hope he's doing OK. I found out one thing....coming to this site gives me more encouragement and motivation than anything else. I just hope he finds his way back cause it darn sure helps. And to Mr. Alex.....thank you, thank you, thank you for starting this site!!!!!!

Today while shopping at my local Wal-Mart, I saw from a distance Sugar-Free Diet Dr. Pepper, Diet A&W Rootbeer and Diet Orange Crush Popsicles. Well, I couldn't push my cart over there quick enough to read the ingredients label and sure enough....carbonated water wasn't listed! I threw that box, along with 3 more, into my cart and headed for checkout. I barely made it to the car before I opened the box and grabbed a diet Dr. Pepper popsicle....heaven on a stick!!!! I hadn't had even a sip of carbonated drinks since the night before my surgery a little over a year ago but let me tell you....I miss my diet Dr. Pepper something fierce still! Someone can open a can and the smell just makes me nuts! But these popsicles are SOOOOOO good that I can't even tell you! With my luck, they'll quit making them but I see a new addiction ahead for me as long as Wal-Mart carries them! And only 15 calories each one! My day has been made!

As always nothing but words of encouragement here and man oh man does that help! Whoever originally started this website deserves nothing short of a gold medal! It's so nice to know that someone is always in your corner no matter how rough the going gets. Thank you all for your encouragement and support!

I haven't been around for a while but I'm back now with a vengence! I was banded April 29, 2005 and to date I have lost 148 pounds! I have a new life already but I still have a long way to go and what better place to get support, encouragement and answers than right here! I had some problems back in November, due to my own stupidity of not eating properly, I had a seizure and had to have all my saline removed until 2 weeks ago and I'm now happily back in the game! I still lost even without anything in my band but it was much slower but that was what my doctor wanted so I learned a lesson the hard way! I can't even begin to say how thankful I am to have been banded! My life just gets better every day. I felt sorry for myself for quite a few months but no more...I'm ready to lose the rest of the weight but do it right this time! I had set a goal of 100 pounds in 6 months which I met but I paid for it. I'm on seizure medication now and haven't been able to drive for the past 6 months and it was all because I wanted to lose the weight faster than was recommended or healthy. But I'm back and gonna do it right this time! I know that being on this website helped me more than anything so I'm back and I ain't going anywhere any more....no more Pity Parties for me! I've missed y'all!

I haven't been around for a while but I'm back now with a vengence! I was banded April 29, 2005 and to date I have lost 148 pounds! I have a new life already but I still have a long way to go. I went to a website and just figured my BMI and I'm right at 50 but the day of my surgery I was 76.1 so in a year, I'm pretty darn proud to see it drop that much! I had some problems back in November and due to my own stupidity of not eating properly, I had a seizure and had to have all my saline removed until 2 weeks ago and I'm now happily back in the game! I still lost even without anything in my band but it was much slower but that was what my doctor wanted so I learned a lesson the hard way! I can't even begin to say how thankful I am to have been banded! My life just gets better every day. It's nice to have this thread where we all can relate to what others are going through that start out "super-sized." The day I stepped on the scale and was under 300 pounds, you could have heard me yelling in Dallas. I can't imagine the noise I'll make when I get under 200! But the best part is....I will get there! I have decided to stop pitching myself a pity party and get back on here and get encouragement and support from people that understand where I've been, where I am and where I want to be!

Two weeks ago yesterday I experienced a grand mal seizure and regained consciousness in the hospital. Let me tell you, that's not a fun experience what-so-ever! To add insult to injury I bit through my tongue in 2 places and that hurt like all get out for days! Well, I've had every test they could think of run on me and the best part...no brain tumor or bleeds. The only bad part...the neurologist thinks it was brought on by my rapid weight loss. He thinks my body went through such a shock going from the way I was eating before to how I eat now and it cause the seizure. I'm now on antiseizure medication 4 times a day and trying to get used to that. I told them at work if I nod off for someone to please just wake me up. Also, I am now not allowed to drive and that's a whole new world for me now!!!! Has anyone else experienced this as a result of drastic weight loss? Bound for me to! I told everyone before my surgery that with my luck I'd finally start losing weight and everything would fall apart on me whereas before my surgery, the doctor labeled me a freak of nature because I had nothing wrong with me when I should have. Hopefully the medication will keep me seizure free cause that's one ride I don't care to take again! Hopefully now I'll be back on schedule and can stay awake long enough to read posts on here cause I have missed y'all so much!

Deb.....Congratulations and way to go! I had my 6 month bandiversary last week and I felt just like you...wow what a great last 6 months. I too am just looking forward to the rest of the journey and know that it's gonna be quite a ride. Congratulations again!

B....As you already know I'm a proud member of the 100 pound club and I have way more to go. I still have about 150 pounds to go to reach my ultimate goal but I know for sure that I will do it....you can too!

B.....girl, sounds like we have more in common than both using Dr. Jay! LOL I have IBS and I hoped surgery would help it but to be honest with you....it hasn't helped. I was told that it might and I was so hoping it would but so far, it's the same old same old as far as that goes. I hope that doesn't scare you though cause maybe it'll be better for you. I'm also glad you decided on the lapband cause I think...no make that I know....it will work for you! Take care and good luck Friday!

You guys are too much! I was out of town all weekend and when I got home this evening I got online and started reading all these posts and I'm sitting here feeling so good right now because of each and every one of y'all! Man, I'm just so blessed to know people like every one of you guys. You make this journey so nice! Some wanted to know the secret to my success so far...well, a lot of it is pure hardheadedness! A trait that at times doesn't work in my favor but it sure is helping me now. I saw a news segment the week after I was banded and it certainly didn't give the lapband a good review. I made my mind up right then and there to prove them wrong! I have to admit I have been a darn good bandster when it comes to following the rules but I also don't make myself crazy with it either. If I want something I eat it...just now it's such a small amount that it doesn't seem to hurt me. I told my surgeon when I went in for my preop visit that I was an overachiever and what some of my goals were....he doubted me at the time but he doesn't any more. I still have a long ways to go but I know without a shadow of a doubt that I'm going to do it! I started out on the day of surgery at 427 pounds and thank the Good Lord that as of Friday I weighed 325.8 pounds and I'm only going to thrill at watching the scale keep on dropping! As far as exercise....I do it but nothing "organized." I close myself off in my room and turn on music and dance my butt off! LOL I hope no one ever window peeps or they might die of fright watching me! LOL I sure ain't no Ginger Rogers but it seems to be working. I also walk as much as I possibly can. I had polio as a baby and am starting to have some real problems now with my leg but I do what I can. It just gets easier every day as I lose though. I can walk a mile now whereas before I got winded walking from my car to my office. I can even chase after my precious 1 year granddaughter now. Before there was no way I could have. I saw some pictures this weekend that were taken a couple of months before my surgery and I swear I look like Jabba from Star Wars! I was horrified looking at them! Then my aunt showed me one she took Saturday morning and I couldn't believe the difference I saw. I think that's when it really hit me how far gone I had left myself get but how damn good I was feeling now and starting to look good to boot! I've gone down already 6 sizes and it feels great. I just feel so inspired by all of y'all and I hope I can inspire someone just a little bit in return. Thank you all for all your kind words! You have got to be one of the finest group of people on earth and I'm so lucky to be a member of this group! LOL...I'm sitting here typing this novel with tears running down my cheeks cause each and every one of y'all has touched me more than words could ever say! Now I'm off to the tickerfactory to make myself a new ticker!!!!

Yesterday was my 6 month bandiversary. I did something that at first I thought was going to be impossible and even my doctor told me it would be but I did it....I lost 101 pounds in 6 months!!!!!! I went to work yesterday and kept saying I was going next door to our health clinic and weigh just to see how close I had come to my goal. I kept stalling because I was thinking that I hadn't lost those 4 pounds I was needing. Finally I thought what the heck and went to the health clinic. Our PA saw me come in and asked if everything was alright. I told him I was on a mission and he said to come on back and he'd weigh me. Well I stepped up on the scale and sure enough....I had lost 101.2 pounds to be exact! I was so excited I started crying. I was borderline giddy to be honest. I went back to my office and was about to burst to tell everyone. The minute I walked in I lost it again and started blubbering. I was so excited that I was actually shaking! I had two of the other women in my office in tears with me but it felt so good! I couldn't wait to call my surgeon's office and tell them. I honestly can't believe that I did it but I saw it with my own eyes and man what a beautiful sight! I'm 101 pounds lighter than I was 6 months ago and I know that it'll just keep getting better and better! Thanks to all you guys that give me support, encouragement, inspiration and answers on a daily basis. I still can't believe how wonderful my life is now that I'm "with the band!"

I was able to get my fill and no surgery....YEA! I met my doctor this morning and he was able to do the fill with having to surgically flip the port. I was sure hoping he'd be able to and he was. He had me stand up instead of lay down for the fill. He said it would be easier to do it and it worked. I'm so relieved that he was able to. Thank you all for the good wishes and I can never say this enough...you guys are the best!

Kellie....Way to go! Yep, I'm thinking Bigbellykellie is fast becoming Skinnybellykellie! I'm glad you celebrated by getting yourself something new. That always makes me feel good! Ain't nothing like buying smaller sizes. Certainly boosts the old ego for sure! Congratulations, Kellie!

Vonnie....I used Dr. Jayaseelan in Dallas but I had my surgery at the Surgery Center of Richardson. I think Dr. Jay is wonderful and everyone at the Surgery Center are really great. Most that work there have had the lapband surgery so it's so nice that they know exactly what we're going through. That made me very comfortable. As for being sorry that I got the band.....a great big ole heck NO I'm not sorry! The only thing that I'm sorry about is that I didn't know about the band sooner! I've been overweight for the past 25 years and the last couple of years it had gotten so out of control that I was killing myself and I know that....actually killing myself with food, pure and simple. Now with my band, I have my life back in check and I'm on my way to being a healthier and much happier person. When people ask me if I'd do it over again, I answer them that I'd do it on a daily basis if I had to. I know that the band works differently on everyone. Heck it works differently on me nearly every day but the key word is...it works! Check around and see what your options are with financing possibly. I know that prices sure vary from doctor to doctor and facility to facility so do your homework. If you have any questions or concerns, I'm only an email away!

Carrie....What a wonderful idea! I'm on my way out but as soon as I get home, I plan on checking it out.

K.....I don't know exactly why my port flipped. I have lost quite a bit and really fast but I don't know if that could have contributed to it. When I went in 2 weeks ago and found that my port had flipped, I didn't get to see my surgeon but I will on Monday and hopefully he'll have some answers for me. My first two fills were difficult because my port was tilted but when I went in for #3 the PA just couldn't do it. I'm just hoping Dr. Jay will be able to. I'll let you know what he says about the flipping.

Melanie....Congratulations and good luck! Please keep us posted and let us know when your surgery date is. I know you have to be very excited and I'm so happy for you!

I go in Monday morning to see if my surgeon will be able to manually flip my port enough that I can get my third fill. I'm so hoping he will be able to! He said if he's not able, then we'll have to schedule surgery to reposition the port and I so don't want to have to do that. Keep your fingers, toes, heck, if it would help, even cross your eyes for me! :cross-eye

LOL....I loved your post! Well, the World Series does begin tonight so a baseball is very appropriate. Mine was very swollen after surgery and luckily it has gone down and you can't see anything now. Mine never reached baseball size but it was pretty darn close. Hopefully your's will start shrinking before someone yells "batter up!"

Crystal....What an awesome post! Congratulations to your husband. I know how very proud of him you are and vice-versa, I am sure he is of you! It sure helps me knowing that the band works for us big folks. It gives me so much comfort knowing that bandsters like your husband and myself that have so much to lose can and will be able to lose the weight with the band. I can't wait to see his current photos. That's what keeps me so encouraged....looking at before and after pictures on this site and looking so forward to the day when I can post my own and be so proud that I actually did it. Please tell him how encouraging he is and congratulations!

Way to go, Ray! 27 miles is quite an amazing accomplishment. Man, my butt would be so sore, I wouldn't be able to sit down for a week! It's so great to hear you have so much more energy and you're doing so good. You're pretty darn inspiring!

Cheryl.....I know exactly what you're going through. I did the same thing. I pitched myself such a pity party right after my surgery but luckily it didn't last long. I went through the "what the heck did I do" phase then. I was so worried about never being able to eat this food or that food but I've found something out....I still eat just about what I want, within reason, but I only eat a very small amount now and it works. When asked if I'd do it all over again I now can answer yes, without a doubt I'd do it everyday if I had to to keep my band. Things will start looking up for you. Good luck and hang in there girl!

Katie.....I'd talk to my surgeon but I think I'd also go ahead but at least I would have told my doctor and feel better. The last time I went to see my surgeon there were two ladies in the waiting room with me and one was pregnant now after trying for 6 years. She said she'd read somewhere that some people called this the miracle band for two reasons....they were able to lose weight and got pregnant after getting the band whereas before they'd had trouble. Hopefully this will be the case for you!