jfc193

Congratulations on your weight loss and being able to see your belly button. I find it a lot easier to hit the toilet now then a hundred pounds ago.

I always seemed to do well for at least 4 to 6 months on a diet and then I would not lose any more weight and I go on an impressive eating spree that would last 4 to six month and I would gain all the weight back and more. With the lap band even when I reach plateau's I still can not go back to my old eating patterns. I did go of the eating plan for a while do to a change in job, and city and my oldest move in with his family of 5. Even with all that I only gain back 20 lbs instead of 70 lbs. I need the lap band because it helps me to stay focus. It is still not easy especially during the holidays when there so much good stuff around.

I have to fly allot and it used to be a shore. Some of my NSV are being able to walk straight down the isle without fear of hitting everyone with my hips or having to walk sideways. Another is not having to have a seatbelt extender. I also have a great big smile when I actually have to tighten it to fit. I also enjoy using the tray table since it does not hit my stomach any more and actually have to extend it.

I been back for a couple of weeks so it makes a great deal of difference to have a place that will help with the accountability as well as motivation. I travel three weeks a month and usually gain one to two lbs while I am gone but last week I did not gain which is like a minor victory. Take car.

First congratulations on the weight you did lose. I to have been away from the forums. I went through a job transfer to a new position. Moved from Northern California to Southern California. Hat gotten a fill but had it taken out. Plus slacked off on my exercise and started eating allot empty calories. I rather did enjoy my time off but have gone back to my Dr and gotten a fill and am stating to lose weight again. Soon I will be back to the weight that I was before I went on my eating spree. So needless to say you are not alone.

My experience has been that you will have many times along your journey when you will loose weight and there will be weeks that you will not lose weight. In either case you may be doing the same program of eating and exercising. It is also natural to get discourage so you began to look for NSV (non scale victories). In my case I have gone from a 54 inch waist to a 38 inch waist. I used to take diabetes medicine now I don't. So it is not always about the weight loss Take care.

Congratulations on your anniversary. I am glad I had the surgery and am looking forward to this next year.

I cut my pills in half and took them with hot coffee. The great thing know is a after 6 months I no longer had to take diabetes medicine. Good Luck on your journey.

I am one of the fortunate ones who did not have to use a cpap machine once I lost about 60 pounds,

Welcome to the forum. I no longer need to take any medicine for diabetes and I no longer have to use a cpap machine. The best thing is that I can keep up with the grandchildren.

I use straws all of the time and no problems <!-- / message -->

You know you are a bandster when the one size fits most robe at the hotel actualy includes you :-)

Congratulations on your dramatic changes in looks are simple astounding. :thumbup::biggrin:

Remember you are in this for the long run. In my case it was not unusual to lose weight and then gain weight. I walk quite a bit which I find relaxing. When I do gain a little weight for a while I tend to concentrate on the NSV(Non Scale Victory). In my particular case I no longer use a cpap machine or take medicine for diabetes.

I have never had a problem with reflux until I got a fill that was a little tight. After a week I went and had an unfill and the reflux was gone.

My wife and I both had the lap band surgery on the same day September 12, 2007. Having both of us on the lap band has been very helpful. I have gone from a 56 waist to a 38. But the best NSV is being able to keep up with the grandkids. :thumbup: :thumbup:

The problem happens when I close the browser without logging out and then go back to the site later and click on a topic it will go back to the home page then i click on the arrow to go back and the topic opens up.

Congratulations on your weight loss. Hopefully I will soon no longer be obese. Take care

I find that it is easier to stay on course when you can see the difference in pictures. Plus I also like being able to keep up with the grandchildren. It is also great to be able to ride the carnival rides without having to worry about the weight restriction.

I no longer have to use a cpap machine and the other great news is that I no longer take medicine for diabetes.

They shall rise up call thee blessed, for thou striveth to keep us on the straight and narrow path

See the information in my signature information regarding Dr Barry Sanchez and his partners. Both my wife are very happy with him.

When we make live changing choices I believe we have a right to be nervous. I was very hesitant for years about going through with the surgery. I felt I had little choice I had developed diabetes and sleep apnea. My back was hurting so bad my knees were in bad shape and my BMI was approaching 50 and my blood pressure was beginning to rise. I had surgery on 9/11/07 along with my wife and I can only say that it has turned out to be the best choices for my health that I could ever make. I no longer use a cpap machine for sleep apnea or take medicine for diabetes and my blood pressure is normal and my joints do not hurt. The lap band does take a lot of work and just remember that it is just a tool for success. Best of luck on your journey.

I had my surgery on Wednesday and was back to my office job on Monday.

Of all the processes toward getting banded I enjoyed visiting the dietitian two months before my surgery. She open my eyes to how I had a destructive way of eating and realizing that I needed to change. I also met with a dietitian the week before just to get the information burned into my memory. Knowing that the band is just one of the tools toward weight-loss and not depending solely on the band is a key. Making good choices is also a very positive.