Gone4Now

GeorgiaGirl, You're eyes pop! They're gorgeous! Kimmie, You're smile is contagious - in every picture you look like you're having a ball!

Thank you! I really, really love the band. It was the best choice for me. I can't wait to get to goal and post those pics!

I had surgery Sept. 5, 2007 - here are my before and during pictures - I hope. [ATTACH]12181[/ATTACH] This was taken in March, 2007, at my highest weight (nearing 300 pounds) [ATTACH]12182[/ATTACH] This was taken tonight, at 233!!!

I second what Jack says. There is a big difference between eating until you're satisfied and eating because you want to. I was trying to explain what the band does to my mother the other day. There are so many times when I WANT to eat, but can't because I'm full. Whereas, pre-band, I could eat and eat and eat and just NEVER stop. I still have close to 100 lbs to lose (60+ lost so far) and so I *feel* like I have time to conquer the head hunger vs stomach hunger issues. The band just helps me contain my eating to smaller amounts. Like your pizza. Before, how many slices could you have eaten? One slice really isn't that big of deal, is it? Before the band, I could have eaten the whole thing, and the side order of wings. So, one slice in the grand scheme of things is still pretty cool. And, the slower you eat it, the better, too. Taking 15 minutes is good. It will make you think you ate more than you really did - conquering your head hunger and satisfying your tummy hunger. win-win

I can't believe it! I love the band!

Good! I am getting used to the idea...the pain of the attacks was horrible!

It sounds like what I was going through recently - gall bladder issues. At first a couple attacks lasted only a few minutes (and I attributed it to over-eating and the band letting me know). But, then, after a month the pain escalated to several hours. I took some of the codine based medicine I got at the time of surgery and that didn't even touch it. Turns out it was gall stones. My pain began on the right side, but ended up wrapping all the way around and up my back. I was also throwing up acidic fluids. It wasn't like a pb. I called my surgeon's office first, since I did think it was the band. The nurse that I love answered and asked if I'd ever had gall bladder problems and suggested I go to my primary doctor. I would definitely suggest that you schedule an appointment with the doctor as soon as you can for a diagnosis. And, the fat content of my food recently has been building. On the wake of Christmas and V-Day, my fat consumption probably outweighed the last 6 months worth. I did read that fat is a trigger, and losing weight will bring on stones, too.

I am so glad for this poll! I had excruciating pain over the weekend, and finally went to the ER. I have stones (ha!) and the gall bladder needs to come out. It wasn't infected, so it's not a RIGHT NOW surgery, but a SOON. But, man!!! It hurts!!! I can handle pain, but this was bad. What is the surgery like? Recovery time, and all??

I was banded in Sept - I'm down 60 pounds and went from a tight size 22/24 to a now loose fitting 18/20. When I start missing my sushi, or chinese buffetts, or huge burritos from Chipotle. (Mmmm) I just think about how healthy I feel and how much weight I've lost. My way of thinking about food has to change in order for this to work. Instead of pigging out when I've had a bad day, I have to do something else (exercise, or read if I'm feeling lazy) - but NEVER do I turn to food to make me feel good. My smaller and baggier clothes make me feel better than the food ever did.

I've lost over 50 and I'm down one size -from a 46DDD to 44DD. I hate them! People have asked me if they're real...Hello! They hang to my waste! If they weren't real they'd at least point to the sky!

My WallyWorld story: I admit, I like Walmart and am there often. We have a nasty one near the house and a nice one a little further away. I think it just depends... One time I was browsing the clothing section and I heard a women yelling, "You better shut up or I'm going to smack your bottom. Shut up! SHUT UP!!!" I turned the corner and saw the lady yelling at a BABY. The baby was in a car seat in the shopping cart's upper basket and she was just crying and crying and the lady kept yelling. I said, "Are you serious? She's just a baby." The woman just stared at me like she didn't understand me. I said, "You can't hit a baby." Again, she just stared at me. So, I stared back, making sure she didn't hit the baby. We just sat there, for about a minute. Then she walked away, and I didn't hear her yelling anymore. But, still...it was creepy.

I eat out a lot, more than I should. I like Wendy's 4 pc chicken nuggets, minus the breading and a baked potato, mashed up. Also, Chic-Filet has good chicken noodle soup that went down easy. I have attempted a small hamburger at McD's from the kids menu, but it didn't work and I gave up 3 bites in. The meat is too - unmeat like - in order to process. Salads work - sometimes. Quiznos has soup, and I've tried their salad but the meat is too dry. Hope this helps.

I have used sesame seeds in a dressing for salad and didn't have problems...but I have had rice and I can't do too much of it. Maybe a couple of bites. Also the breading in the chicken would have caused me problems. But, like Beeblers, I have an okay time with some food one day, and the next not so much. I take it one small bite at a time. :biggrin: I am curious, though...How much did you eat? Sesame chicken was my favorite and I haven't tried it since banding.

I passed this on to my friends...we're just wondering about what they'd do to anorexic people? Force feed them?

Why can't they put the effort and money into good food in schools? I've had lunch with my daughter a few days this year when I had time off, and it's ridiculous. Adults should be able to be accountable for what we eat, and I'm sure this bill won't pass...God help the US if it does. I guess my point is: if the gov wants to get involved, get involved in the areas that they have the control - public schools. Cut out McD's in the cafeterias, rather than forcing adults to be humiliated by being turned away at restaurants.

I'd like the Pats to sweep it! :frown:

Just my .02, but when I take my pic, I'm sometimes higher/lower, depending on where I can put the camera. I'm the one in the family that takes the pics...and I'm the ONLY one taking the naked progress ones. I haven't posted any - and probably never will - but I notice I'm always sticking out my neck. But, I'v been doing that since I was in grade school. I hate the double chin looking back at me. It's not so much trickerery, but just a habit from being fat forever, and having to rely on my best angle judgement when taking my own picture. If my daughter is taking the pic, then God help me - I know it won't be flattering from that angle! :rolleyes2:

Ew, sorry...Now I guess he's an expert, huh? :rolleyes2: Maybe you made him research it and look into it and he's trying to connect with you based on one tidbit he remembers from his 5 minutes of reading. My PCP didn't really care...I am new to her (been in TX since June 2006, so very little history, plus I've never been much of a doctor goer.) I was expecting a fight, or at least a discussion. I just asked for the referral and she said, "Sure!" I haven't been asked for a 6 month check up...but it's around the corner.

I love AI, but this year I'm hooked on Biggest Loser. AI usually switches it's night when the 24 are picked, right? :rolleyes2: If not I'll have to invest in DVR - again! I can't miss both!

By the way, thank you all to the true LBTers who have posted their support of me. :tt1: It really helped when I read back on these posts.

Sounds great! Thanks for the tip! I love starbucks and have not been in a long time due to temptation.

I have had 3 fills to date, and I'm starting to slow on my weight loss. I've reached a loss of 56 pounds and 4 of them keep fluctuating. Aside from still actually BEING fat, I feel bigger than I am. At work I'll tell myself I can't squeeze past those people in the hall without either slamming a boob into them, or bouncing my gigantic butt off the wall. But, I squeeze through okay.... And, the other day I was shopping and the pants I tried on looked WAY too small...FOR ME...and they fit!!!! Yay me! So, I'm still plugging away, but I'm starting to slack on the weight loss. With the last fill I can hardly eat anything at one sitting, but peanuts go down easy. I'm also NOT getting my Protein and I have to try harder to get that in. But, all in all - STILL LOVE THE BAND! Tulip - I have a question for you: Does your doctor's office discourage frequent fills? My doc doesn't, but the nurse seems apprehensive when I call to schedule. But, I think if I get to the point where I can eat bunches and bunches, I need a fill. My mind hasn't caught up to the tummy yet, and I WANT TO EAT. Also, do you guys order off the kids menu?

My doctor let it slip - 5 minutes after I told my BF! On my first visit after surgery my BF went with me, and while I was waiting on the doctor, I said, "Fine...I'll tell you." (He wasn't bothering me about it, but I felt badly not telling him when I tell him everything.) So, I fessed up and then the doctor walks in and says: So, at surgery you were 285, now you're 275. You've lost 10 pounds, great! He and I just cracked up laughing, and when I told the doc, he looked a little stunned. So, since then the cat's outta the bag and we weigh together each week. And, now that I weigh less than he does, I feel better.

I hear ya! Everytime I start thinking I'm looking okay, I see a pic of me and my boobs are huge! I have a small bone structure (my daughter calls me "Little Head") so they stick out even more! I'm a 46 DDD right now, and even though they've gone down *some*, it's not enough!!! I hate boobs that are bigger than my head...and, I'm sorry, but I don't like the Pam Andersons or Dolly Partons, even if mine are NATURAL, I want them smaller. And, I'm not even 1/2 way to goal, so I really feel badly for you, Boo! Just hang in there...you'll get surgery soon. (Can you remember the angst you felt when scheduling WLS?) Can you find another PS office? (Talking outta my ass, since I haven't researched PS - yet.)

Hi there...I'm 32, and I live in Houston. I love the band! I was banded in Sept and I've lost 50 pounds so far. I have 100 more to go! I've been overweight since I was 10, and so far this is the only thing that's worked.