Makinchanges4me

Read this article. It explains why you've stalled and it's normal.
http://www.dsfacts.com/weight-loss-stall-or-plateau.html#.UqP7uBLn-Uk

Today is here and I'm leaving in 20 minutes to go have my Lapband. I'm excited but so nervous,
I'm never gonna be able to gulp a drink again..lol
Sounds silly! I'm already forgetting how much and what liquids for the first week. Gotta be my nerves, please say a prayer . I GOT THIS!
H&H Which means the new healthy and hot me. Lol
Ok here I go.... To be continued later ????????????

.Hi, I haven't yet had surgery. I have a physical scheduled and am researching what happens before, during, and after surgery. Just ordered the book by Alex Brecher. And yesterday I picked up a reference book called "Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies". And am currently reading a book on Lap Band surgery from True Results. Does True Results just do the Lap Band? Has anyone had weight loss surgery thru True Results of Austin? What was your experience? Guess I'm a little concerned as I understand that you lose 40-50% of extra weight w/surgery. I'm 4'11" and weigh 170-172 lbs. I need to weigh around 100 to 105 lbs. So if I am only able to lose 35 to maybe 40 lbs in 12-24 months, I'm still very over weight. And I'm wondering about the expense and effects of surgery on my body for just 35 lbs. I'm probably being concerned about nothing. Any weight loss is healthy for me. I am 70 lbs overweight and I do need to make a healthy change A.S.A.P. Any advice appreciated on surgery and/or True Results info? Thanks!

Dear Makinchanges4me:
I am very excited that you chose True Results for your weight loss surgery! I have a very unique perspective in that I am a patient of True Results that had the Lap-Band surgery in 2003. Also, I have been a Patient Advocate for True Results since 2005. Here are the answers to your questions:
True Results of Austin offers both the Lap-Band and Gastric Sleeve procedures. To determine which procedure would be right for you, the True Results team would need to understand your medical history, your weight loss goals and well as your insurance coverage. We offer a free insurance verification service so we can review all payment options. Regarding research that indicates 40-50% of excess weight loss, you’ve got to remember that that is only the average. Some people have done better and some have done worse. In fact, I am personally one of the people who have achieved significantly better weight loss results by partnering with the True Results Aftercare team and following their healthy weight loss protocols. When choosing a surgical weight loss company or private surgeon, it is so important to choose one that has a comprehensive Aftercare program to ensure that you have the right resources to help you able to beat the averages. The True Results Aftercare processes were developed by Dr. Paul O’Brien, one of the world’s leading authorities on weight loss. My Personal Story: I had my Lap-Band surgery in 2003 through True Results. I have lost over 120 pounds and have kept it off for 11 years. Not only do I have a whole new lease on life, it quite literally may have saved my life. Before surgery, I weighed 274 pounds and at 5’4” my BMI was 47. At that BMI, my health risk was severe. Even though I knew I had severe health problems, it was still a difficult decision whether or not to have surgery. Now, I can honestly say that it was the single BEST decision I have made in my entire life. I am not honestly sure if I would still be alive today if I had not had surgery. As for my experience with True Results, it was nothing short of amazing. I found that True Results makes the process easy and stays with you every step of the way. One final thought. Weight loss surgery is not a magic pill, so the surgery gives you the tool to lose weight and as patients, we definitely have to do our 20% for achieve and maintain healthy weight loss. If you are committed to doing your part, I personally believe patients can beat the averages and achieve realistic, healthy weight loss goals. I see this happening every day.
Paul Gandy, (512) 610-1667, PGandy@TrueResults.com

Glad to hear that everyone is doing well. I have my surgery scheduled for August in S.A. Tx. Can't wait!

First month after surgery I lost weight, hard not to following a strict post-op liquids then mushie diet ordeal....
Then a 4 weeks, I got my first fill...4 cc's, was also able to start solid foods again.....after which I gained weight.
I came back 4 weeks after that, 8 weeks from surgery, for my second fill...reported in heavier than last visit....
To say I was very upset is an understatement....I too felt this was not going to work...and what made matters worse was the staff at the center started telling me about dieting, counting calories, measuring portions...WHAT??? I NEEDED SURGERY TO DO THAT????
That was exactly what I did for 30 years with no success....I thought surgery would get me away from all that....
It took me about 12 weeks, and 3 GOOD fills before things really started to be noticeable.....and then other problems arose where some people would have went back for an un-fil....but that's another story....
Today, I can say this thing truly does work....just have to give it time, get it adjusted, and change your ways in order to let the band work it's magic.....
!2 months after surgery I was a different person living in a different world...unbelievable!! But I was not so sure early on....

I'm going thru True Results and having surgery Friday. I met Amber today who is also on the forum. I'm excited-everyone is very nice !!!It's gonna be awesome!!!

I may have cracked this nut!! I am a HUGE iced coffee fan in the summer time. I have been seeing commercials advertising those yummy beverages and have been really depressed I can't ( or should I say should not) indulge! So at home for lunch today I decided to take matters into my own hands and by George I think I've got it!!! I have a Keurig coffee maker and when I had my surgery I got a variety pack of K cup Decaf coffee. I am not a huge dark / bold roast lover so I still have a few of those floating around. I popped one into the Keurig and brewed a tall cup. To it I added some stevia, salted caramel SF Torani and skim milk. I poured over ice and I am in HEAVEN!!! It tastes almost identical to the restaurant / coffee shop ones, but without the caffeine sugar and fat!!! Now I have to actually go BUY some more decaf bold roast K cups!!! ( the bold roast allows the coffee flavor to shine thru once you add the ice- doesn't Water down the taste as much)

Thank you everyone for your kind words of encoragement!! I really appreiciate it!!:-)

Guess I'm a little concerned as I understand that you lose 40-50% of extra weight w/surgery. I'm 4'11" and weigh 170-172 lbs. I need to weigh around 100 to 105 lbs. So if I am only able to lose 35 to maybe 40 lbs in 12-24 months, I'm still very over weight. And I'm wondering about the expense and effects of surgery on body for just 35 lbs. I'm probably being concerned about nothing. Any weight loss is healthy for me. Any advice appreciated? Thanks!

Those are averages. I lost nearly all my excess weight. I'm thisclose to a normal BMI.

What happens pre-op is usually determined by what your insurance requires. Mine did not require any pre-op counseling, just one psychological evaluation, and most require pre-op diet program, mine did not.
Pain w/surgery...The surgery was not painful for me, just uncomfortable, 3 small incisions. Mine was outpatient & I was walking around fine the next day, just groggy & tired from the surgery. The pain in my shoulders from the gas they pump into your stomach during surgery was the most painful part & lasted about a week. Use Gas-X and heat to relieve that pain.
Feeling the band/port...I did not feel my port unless I was pushing around feeling for it on my stomach. Mine is located a few inches below right ribs, about an inch off midline. As I lost weight I could feel it more and as I approached my goal weight it started to stick out a bit, but nothing gross looking. The problem I had with the port was that mine was not originally a low-profile port so it was a bit bulkier & began to hurt when I'd do abdominal exercises. Contracting my abs pushed on the port & would feel bruised. I had my port changed to a low-profile port and I've had NO problems since! I have never felt any other portion of the LapBand, other than what I just explained.
Fills…I did have a couple experiences of the doc having a hard time finding my port, but I was numb so I didn't feel any discomfort or pain. EVERY poke I ever received was SO worth it!
I am 2-1/2 yrs postop & have obtained my goal weight, so don't be discouraged by reading you might only lose 40-50% of the weight you need to lose. I lost 100% of mine & have kept it off for a year so far. With 100 pounds to lose, I too still would have been obese. I had lost the same 30-40 pounds over & over again…it was the NEXT 70 pounds I needed help with! And THAT'S what the LapBand helped me achieve! I think if you truly use the band as the tool it is suppose to be used for & make the lifestyle changes needed, which the band assists you with, you will have no problem continuing your weight loss journey and sustaining for the rest of your life! On the upside with the band vs other bariatric surgeries, if you fall back into old habits someday, you can always go back to be re-adusted and get a fill to get you under control again. The other surgeries are NOT adjustable later in life should you slide back into old habits! YAY for the LapBand!
If you are willing to make the effort and just need help, this tool is for you! It does NOT do any of the work for you. It assists you in making lifestyle changes…eating healthier, healthier smaller portions, and feeling fuller faster. You still will need to exercise and although you can eat pretty much what you want, the band helps you with portion control…eating 1-2 Cookies instead of half the bag! Good luck with your journey & feel free to message me with any other questions you have! Weight loss and fitness is now my passion & I love to help people obtain a healthy future life!

I hit the weight goal my doctor suggested back in March. So at this point, I just weigh myself on the first day of each month. It's part of my transition to maintenance. No more myfitnesspal and no more weighing daily or weekly. I'm really trying to do this without the crutches of tracking everything I eat or every ounce I gain/lose.
I looked down at the scale and saw it said 139.6 and was dumbfounded. I haven't been in the 130's since I was a very young woman. Even when I dropped alot of weight in the early 90's, I never got below 150 lbs.
I felt like I was walking on air today just running around doing my errands, going to the Y, just regular stuff. I swear, even with the back pain, and the other crap going on, I am happier than I've been in years. Thank you lap band.

Wow. Great results and very inspiring. I'm just starting this journey. I'm in Texas and have my pre-op physical coming up soon. Not sure what to expect. My hubby is very supportive and I've just joined this forum for advice and encouragement.
Thanks for sharing!
Have a wonderful day,
Makingchanges4me

Wow. Great results and very inspiring. I'm just starting this journey. I'm in Texas and have my pre-op physical coming up soon. Not sure what to expect. My hubby is very supportive and I've just joined this forum for advice and encouragement.
Thanks for sharing!
Have a wonderful day,
Makingchanges4me