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Brenda - so you had 5.7 pounds removed? That's perfect! You must have definitely had a smaller stomach than I did. I had 4.5 pounds taken off the front and 5.5 taken off the back. I had a rather large midsection. Brenda, are you allowed to go to the gym yet? I went in for a follow-up yesterday and my doc said "your scabs are gone so anything goes right now." So I'm allowed to do pretty much anything except for ab work. So I ran today and it took everything out of me. I can't believe how out of cardio shape I am!! When did your doc say you are allowed to do weight training? Okay, on the love front, here's how it's going, and I need SOMEBODY'S advice: So Tony, the fella I really like and went out with again LAST Wednesday (but he never called back and I assumed I'd never hear from him again) finally texted this morning with a "Happy Valentines." Thinking that perhaps this was a mass text I waited a few hours and then responded with a "You too, Tony." A few moments ago he responded with "Thanks!" Here's my question: Do I respond to his "Thanks"? I'm dating retarded, I swear. Do I wait for HIM to send another text, striking up a conversation? Or do you think he's waiting for me to do that? I'm confused on this. This guy's sort of an enigma to me. I feel like if I make the wrong move it's over.

Kebsa I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend with the 1,000 calorie comment. There are certainly exceptions to the rules. There is another bandster on this thread who has Lupus and can't lose weight on 1,000 calories a day. I was speaking in general terms and I'm sorry. I SHOULD have said, "For me, 1,000 calories or less a day would be a bit obsessive." But I'm with y'all on the Biggest Loser bit. But if they're able to maintain that weight loss, more power to them. I have a feeling they're getting the financial backing to be able to sustain that kind of weight loss. It takes a lot of money to lose and keep weight off.

Sweetie, I had mine done here. Telly had hers done in Mexico. And thanks!

Was I one of the people you were thinking of when writing this post??? I have to admit that I am obsessed with exercise now. I'm not obsessed with counting calories, though I DO count them. I allow for fluctuations and don't deny myself typically. I'm definitely not obsessed with weighing myself, but I do have a goal. Here's the thing: We are DIFFERENT from normal, skinny people. At least I am. I can't NOT pay attention to the calories that I eat, or I'll go overboard. Since my band is fairly loose (because I need the energy to exercise), I eat around 2,000 calories/day now. It's just the way I have to do it. If loving exercise is what you've come to know, then I say embrace it. I came to love it when I hated it before. This new passion has freed me in so many ways. I can see the point though about the weighing/calorie counting obsession. There are some on this board who go below 1,000 calories/day. In my opinion, this is definitely unhealthy obsession that just can't last. For me, it was about making lasting lifestyle changes.

Katie You're doing better than I was at 5 months out, that's for sure! It took me about 8 months to lose that much. I hit several plateaus in the beginning. The last half of my banding experience has been the successful part, so don't lose hope! Okay, the only thing I know to suggest is to count calories. I'm serious about it. I don't usually deny my sweet tooth, but it sure is easier to hit my calorie goal if I don't eat that extra piece of chocolate. The less I eat of it, the easier it is to just say no. But I'm with Jacqui on the banana idea. usually around 3 I'll eat a banana and a low-fat mozarella cheese stick. Equals about 140 calories and gives me my Protein and carb fix.

Oh hun, NO reason to be embarassed. I'm all about surgical/laser intervention. That sounds like a pretty good deal to me - especially given the price of a face-lift. You're gonna look like a star!

Kim - You know, it's amazing how being large forces you to exaggerate parts of your personality to be visible. Since I've been heavy my whole life, like you, once you've stripped off the extra layers of fat, it's almost like stripping the layers of your personality as well. I blogged about the whole invisibility issue once and called it "The Joy and Discomfort of Becoming Visible." I'm sorry to tell you that it just gets harder as the weight comes off. But the bonus is that you'll finally find out who YOU are. I was in personal limbo for about 5 years, spiritually, physically... everything. I wasn't progressing in any way except for professionally. This has been a very turbulent time in my life: Lifestyle change, losing the weight, starting to date, getting engaged, getting un-engaged, extreme heartbreak, lower body lift, sister getting engaged, changing jobs, moving, breaking my religious and personal beliefs, repentance, personal and familial re-discovery, dating, dating, dating. All those changes have added up to be some incredible stress. But Kim, it's all good stuff! It has to happen sometime, and what a wonderful way for it to happen for you - with losing weight!

WHOA! I'm so excited about that! The doc said you can see results, but minimally, right after. So I'm excited for your 6-month results. Can I ask how much you paid for it?

Hi Josette I was out for a week and a half. Had it on a Friday and returned to work 1 week and 5 days later (on a Wednesday). Should have been a full 2 weeks. I have a desk job, though. Wouldn't have been for 3 weeks if I had a job where I had to walk around. And if I had to walk around all day, I'd be doing half-days for a little while. You can't really stand up completely straight for 3 weeks. You look like Darwin's Progression of Man chart, starting out as ape. I am nearly 4.5 weeks out now and can stand up straight and even go to my spinning class. I ran for 5 minutes today as well, but it took everything out of me and I could FEEL the swelling to go my legs in the craziest way. Caused a lot of pain. Um, yeah, they told me not to run until week 8. Silly Georgia! Anyhow, you get back pretty quick, unless there are complications. Apparently TOTAL recovery time can be up to 6 months. Swelling can actually last that long. The nurse told me, however, that the majority of the swelling should be gone in 3 months. I am still very swollen, but have gone down a size since 2 weeks ago. I fit into size 8 Express jeans on Saturday. I'm hoping, perhaps, to get into a 6 after all the swelling goes down and I lose another 15 pounds. I don't think 145 is an unreasonable weight, though my family is worried about this obsession with it. I still have a little back fat and some leg fat and a little on my arms that could definitely use some shaving off! Hey, as far as arms go, have any of you heard of Thermage? My laser hair removal doc was telling me about it last Friday. It's new. Apparently it denatures the Protein (cooks you) and forces the damaged cells to create collagen, which will shrink your arms/legs/face or whatever right up. Well, it takes about 6 months after the 1-time treatment for the full effect to show. But the photos looked very promising. I'm thinking of having my arms done in about 6 months. He says my arms might cost about $2,000, but that's certainly cheaper than brachioplasty (which he said I didn't need) and doesn't create any scars.

I agree with Karey on this one - get a 2nd opinion. I went to 3 docs, all of which said "lower body lift" when I JUST wanted apron removal, and only two of them actually DID the lower body lift. When I was quoted the price for aproon removal and then the TT there wasn't a significant difference in price. I went for the full lower-body lift (which includes a TT) because I thought why NOT get the full flat-stomach benefit with such a small price difference. But there is a much longer recovery time. But we're used to a little patience when it comes to our bodies, right ladies?

Hey girl, just keep up that motivation, and know that you're going to have some plateaus and some down moments. Find the exercise that YOU love to do, find an eating plan that works for YOU, and go for it and never, ever give up until you hit that goal, okay?

I totally agree with the first paragraph I have you quoted with up there. To be completely honest, I wasn't shallow with how men looked when I was heavy, but now... now it's a different story and I feel terrible about it. I'm positive that I still must have some confidence issues, as I feel like I've got to date only the best looking men to be validated as a good looking woman. I'm working through this, but just know that the women that YOU want are going to be the kind of women that are confident in themselves first and will therefore be less shallow. That being said, however, I will only date athletic men now because that's what I want in a lifestyle and that's who I am now. It's not the fact that a man is good looking because he has a nice body, it's the fact that I'm looking for a lifestyle and obesity just doesn't fit that lifestyle. I don't want to sell obesity or buy obesity, either.

Sorry to reiterate, but yeah, Spanx is what I had to go through before my lower-body lift. It was a miracle... really. But, if you can afford it and it's a realistic option, there is a new thing out there called Thermage. It causes the skin to produce collagen and "firm up" and become more elastic in about 6 months time (after the 1-time treatment). The results are pretty good, in general. I'll be doing Thermage on my arms pretty soon.

It does vary, and that's why your'e told to sip right now. I've been very thirsty before and gulped water, only to have it come back up again because I drank it too fast. You don't want to risk a slip right now while you're still healing. You just don't want to test those waters and push it. But if it helps, I was able to drink fairly normally after about 10 days. Still not gulping, but more than tiny, tiny sips.

Brenda, you are BEAUTIFUL!!! Here are Brenda B's smokin hot pics: BEFORE & AFTER:

Alright Brenda, I send you an email. Just send me the pics and I'll get them up there for you! And Karey, I'm sure I've said this before, but I'm from Utah as well. Got banded by Dr. Hansen in Sandy. I'm glad this thread is motivating. And thanks for the mom advice. I'm taking it! Getting the book today.

Well, I never really had cellulite on my thighs. My thighs just looked 'saggy'. I was a smooth big girl before. My thighs were never big - just my STOMACH!

WOW!!! You're a rockstar. That's amazing. You're definitely a workout inspiration for me. How come you can't work out fewer than 6 weeks post op? I started working out at 3 weeks post op. I have been doing spinning 3 days a week. What's wrong with that if it's non-impact? How long did it take for you to hit the workouts hard? How long was it until you could run?

Wait 'until it's too late' bothers me a little! I have a cough right now... it uses tons of ab muscles. What does "too late" mean??? Yeah, they do tighten your ab muscles with the LBL. A LBL is a TT with removal of fat and skin in the back as well. You can tell by my "before" pic that I had a rather large midsection. It went ALL the way around! So 8-10 weeks? Really? I have to start training for my triathlon in like 2 weeks. I better talk to my doc! Yes, yes, yes! I agree with you. I'm going to work on that. I'm not even going to pursue Tony (unless he pursues me), in hopes of improving my relationship with God AND my friends and family. I'm doing my best to have patience. But yes! I am going skydiving still! And we're maybe going to learn how to surf during spring break before that. There's a week-long surf clinic in CA. Should be fun. Sounds like you have some awesome goals for the future. It's interesting how once you lose the weight, it's like you DO have to find yourself again. I thought I had, but it's obvious that it was a farce, well, some of it. You definitely have some things to help you along the way, though. Fostering your nephew is just incredibly unselfish. I am amazed at some of the stories on this board - some of the most amazingly unselfish, helpful people in the world. I really hope your business takes off. Good luck in finding whatever it is you want right now!

Hey Brenda, tell me when you had your tummy tuck again? Has it only been 3 weeks? I was thinking it was before I had mine (4 weeks ago today). So how long does your doc say to wait overall to start exercising? I started on Monday doing spinning again because it's non-impact. I figured that was safe enough, right? If you can't figure out the pics then PM me with your email address and I'll post them up for you. And Brenda, it really super sucks to be single, I'm just telling you right now. Dating is the most stressful thing I can think of. Will he call? Why didn't he call? What did I do wrong? Boo for that! I just wish I could be done with it. Anyhow yeah, I'm a web designer. Actually, more of a web analytics architect, for a university. I love it, but I sit at a desk all day. What do you do?

Um yeah... no. You don't want to do that. Utah's just about the worst place you can be if you're over 25 and still single and don't have barbie blonde status. Not sure how long this dating spree's going to last, actually. I'm trying to get happy just being single for awhile.

Doc told me to have mine within about 15 pounds of my goal weight. Had a lower body lift about 4 weeks ago. I'm also happy with my timing. It's amazing how much different you look. Even though I still want to lose 15 or so pounds, when I tell people that, they say "where?". The tummy is where it's AT!

Sweet! Yeah, save those bucks. It's worth it! I'm finding these guys in random places, I swear. I met Tony at a wedding I was doing. I met Joey on Myspace (it's a long story), I met Dee at the Bike Shoppe, I met Loch at the Sportsman's Outlet. I met my ex doing a bike race in Salt Lake (he was here on business but decided to do the race), and the date I'm going on tomorrow is a blind date set up through my cousin. So there you have it.

Carole I'm sure he will. He has an awful lot going for him. Not sure that he'll be MY husband one day, but he is very sweet.

Hey Platinum, I have like a whole long thread about it here. But to make a long story short, I had it done about 4 weeks ago, so still recovering, but I was back at work within a week and a half. It cost me $8,500. And it's the 2nd best investment I've ever made (next to the band). I have before/after pics (though the swelling is still there. The doc thinks I'll lose another size in the next few weeks), and sort of a recount in my blog as well.