Tonks

Well, I'm a slow loser, so try not to use me as reference. It took me 1 year and only have 3 fills.

I am 5'3' and 225 pounds. Right now I am 147 pounds and loving it!

It took me a lot of time to decide the lapband was the right choice. Also I had to save the money 'cause in my country bariatrick surgeries are not covered by insurance. This gave me the time to think about it, and with my doctor came to what was best for me. I was banded in 2006, and i do not regret my decision. i feel great and look great. it was hard at first there are some any things you need to get used to, but it will be the same with the bypass, also you will need to exercise with the bypass too. Is not the same for all people, and I learned that in this forum, people lose the wight at their own rhythm. Maybe you should talk to your doctor and find out what is best for you. I really recommend the lapband, I was scared and not sure if it will work, but also understand that is not the solution to everybody. Staying fat is not the right choice, just think for all the health risks. I hope you make the right choice, that one that makes you feel good!!!

I hope this changes soon, my doctor toldme my next fill should be in January. I'll wait.

I'm stuck with 15 pounds to goal !!!!!!

That is soooooooo true, and that happens to me a lot, and I hate it.

jajajajajajaja, Ok, I see.... then I have a bit of a muffin top too! Wow Argon..........ONly 6 !!!! That is just great!!!!!!! I would like to upload some pics.... but I really don't know how to place pictures in here. I only had to lose like 100 pounds, (I'm 17 away from my goal) and I must say my belly has been very decent..... so much, that I don't think I need surgery fro that part of my body.... but my arms, well that's a different story.

You look amazing..... one thing.... what is a muffin top/?

Lost 2 more pounds....... just 17 left !!!!

Welcome to the site and I hope you find here the support you need. I know I have, just from reading what all of you have to say about your experiences made me so happy. I can't help you with information about fill doctors or anything like that, 'cause I live outside the US, but I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone and that this is just a set back, you still have the band, and I'm sure you will go back to where you were. Just don't give up!!! we, that have been in this fight against our weight and unhealthy habits need to give each other support 'cause we understand you and can relate with how your are feeling. I'm from the Dominican Republic, and latinamericans are all about the food, I hate to say it, but even my mom when she is serving me food, for example, serves me a whole plate, even when she knows I wont be able to eat a quater of what is in the plate. You just need to get on track again, be patient and persevere... and remember if you have any concernes come back to this site..... we will be happy to read you.

I had my surgery on a thursday, and went back to work next monday (office work). Congrats to you both on your surgeries, come back to let us know how it went!

Hello cherry congrats on your decision for a new life... believe me, in my case is a totally new life. I don't feel the band, of course you feel the restriction when you are full, but that's it for me. I have lost a total of 76 pounds I was 225, and now I weight 149 pounds, just 19 pounds away from my goal of 130 which is my ideal weight. I just can't wait. Just as Danielle said, your sex life will not be affected by the band, on the contrary I feel more confortable with my body now, and that newfound confidence works like a charm. I really don't count the bites but I eat really slow, when I go out with friends they finish their meals and I'm probably still eating. The ounces of food, I don't really know... I guess it depends con what your body needs and the level of restriction you have. You should ask your doctor about it, but they will give you a diet and all the instructions. Wellcome to this site!

That is a good question, I would also like to know.....

I first heard from this surgery by a frind of mine who is a doctor, she explained everything to me, and by the time I was considering it, only her and my best friend knew about it. Once I decided I was going to do it, I talked to my closest friends and explained to them the process and they were a bit concern but also happy that I was going to do something to deal with my weight, and that all the health problems were going to disappear. BUT, I only told my family (mother and brothers, I'm single) two days before the surgery, 'cause I knew by that time they would not understand it. And that was the case at first... now when my brother look at me he says he is glad I did it, that at first he thought this was not going to work and that I would spend all this money on something that would not work, and he was concern about the risks, but now he knows was all worth it. Some of the female friends I told were very happy and gave me a lot of support at first..... now, some of them are not as nice, and i would say a little envious, 'cause I'm starting to look better than them. Just do this for you, for your health, for your life..... stop thinking about everybody else, 'cause the only one who can live your live.... well is you.

Great... Punta Cana is one of the most beautiful places. have you planned in what hotel are you going to stay?

Take it out yourself! I have my surgery on tape and my legs were not spread out1

I am really sorry to read that. That nurse is a person who should be giving support to those patients who need it instead of beign rude to patients. I agree that you should mention the incident to your doctor. One of the things you learn when you lose weight is how different people treat you, when in a restaurant, a bar, a hotel, when you're fat, people is not as nice. Now that I've seen the difference in that.... makes me so angry. keep your head up!!

Try the one I use: The diet is great, I'm feeling better and healthier.... you should try it!

In my case is the same.

Actually one of my coworkers told me the other day that he was worried ...... he thinks I'm anorexic! Obviously he doesn't know about the band. I told him I'm just fine. I want to feel and look great, not better than before.

I'm almost there..... 19 pounds to goal!!!!!! I'm soooooooooooo happy. i hope I reach my goal before Christmass (I lose weight very slowly)

DrPhil, this is all too new to you, but believe me you will get used to this and you will come to love your band and the new you!!!! good luck on your journey!!!!!

I can totally relate to this. When people aske me if I will lose more weight, and I tell them that i still have to lose 19 pounds they start saying that I'm ok that I don't need to lose more weight and go on and on..... At first I noticed that people where really happy for me, but as I'm reaching my goal some people are starting to make comments that sounded more like jelousy or envy..... even people who are thin and mostly women.

I also paid myself. I had my surgery in the Dominican Republic (where I'm from), and paid about 7,500.00 fills included for life. Insurance does not cover bariatric surgeries in my country. it was the best decision of my life. I used my savings. While I'm losing weight I'm saving for the plastic surgeries I may need after I'm done. Go for the surgery, I feel so much better and so much healthy.

First of all: relax. Take things as they come and try not to compare your progress with others, since everybody is different. For me, it was hard at first when I look at my first meal after the surgery I said to myself: "What?!, how am I going to get full with that amount of food?", and that worried me, but right now, when I look at someone else's plate I think to myself: "Wow! that's a lot of food! how can anyone eat that!" Believe me You will get used to it. And once you start looking at yourself in the mirror and getting smaller, that will be an awesome feeling... at least it was for me