legallyblonde2

I just want to take a minute to share my happiness. This has been a very interesting year and a half with my band but I have finally hit my stride. I seem to have figured it out. I am down to 160lbs from 220lbs. My size 10s are too big, and someone told me I looked skinny today. I weigh less than my drivers license says and I just feel so happy. I can't tell you what it feels like not to wake up everyday and have my weight be the first thing I think of. Dressing up is a pleasure now. I go shopping for the first time in my life. I can't believe what I see in the mirror. I just pray that I don't suffer any complications like so many others have before me. Those of you who have lost your bands are constantly in my thoughts. I still dont think I would recomend the band for a loved one, but I am so happy I did it for me. Christine

I adore fart talk. I come from one of those farty families and I married a man who had never heard a woman fart. He was shocked at the volume and the times per day. Divorced now and dealing with the single womans nightmare of gas! Let me break it down bringing into play the joys of my band.... 1. I have had many occassions were I am with a man and we are sitting down drinking a glass of wine...nice quiet, romantic setting, you get the picture....he leans in for the kiss and my stomach-throat makes that weird gurgle/burp/growl noise. Very loud! I think he thinks I am going to barf in his mouth. Honestly I dont know if I am going to either. Thats the thing with being banded. I am no longer in control of those body noises. 2. I dread sleeping in a bed with anyone since I just know that I will fart as soon as I fall asleep. 3. Un band related but let me just get this off my chest. I was having sex with a very gorgeous man last weekend and we were very VERY very acrobatic about our positions etc. Legs up over one ear, from behind, arms wrapped around necks, other legs pointing in every which direction. It was strange to say the least. So he is pumping away like he is going for the gold and then deciedes to change positions, he pulls out, drops my legs and this is when it happen! The loudest burst of air expelled from my vagina you have ever heard!!!!:confused: What the heck was that???:faint: I wanted to die. He didn't say anything and neither did I. I am sure my face said it all. Please, someone say this has happened to you and guys dont care about that sort of thing. I am mortified. Christine. P.S See what kind of trouble the band can get you in! If I was still fat, I would never be having sex with a hot guy and having vaginal farts all over him. A double edged sword if ever.

But what if you ARE getting enough Protein? My frustration has always been that people get fixated on one train of thought. Example....your hair is falling out=you must not be getting enough protein. So whats the answer when a person has always been extra cautious about protein intake and continues to watch it closely? I can not get a straight answer from my doctor and would love to know what other doctors have said. No offense here but I don't feel getting medical advice from my hairdresser is perhaps my wisest avenue. Not the sharpest tool in the shed if you know what I mean. The man I date (plastic surgeon) laughed in my face when I ran the "anesthesia theory" by him. There is no medical validity to that one. I am passionate about this issue for two reasons... 1. My hair fell out!!!! Enough said! 2. I hate not getting answers! Whoa, I feel better. Christine:faint:

Please, please read the previous threads concerning hair loss! I think it will make you feel tons better. Just to recap...I had long beautiful thick hair. 4 to 6 months following my surgery, it all started falling out. I would honestly say I lost 50% of my total volume. I feaked out. What made it worse was that I couldn't get a doctor, any doctor to give me an answer. There are many theories as to why this happens to some people and some of those theories are absolutely ridiculous. Not getting a straight answer from a medical professional was killing me. Then, one magical day....as suddenly as it started, it stopped. I still have far less hair than before, but my bum is far less huge as before. I honestly feel it will grow back. My hair, not my bum. :eek: I totally understand your fear and I would never belittle your concerns about your hair. People want to poo poo your hair loss trauma sometimes because it is a vanity issue but I totally understand! It will stop. Christine

I "have no product to promote" either. I was merely telling MY firsthand account of what happened to me. Me. Not anyone else. I have spent my entire life in the public safety field. Police officer/paramedic. It takes a lot to convince me. I did the drnatura thing and could not believe my eyes! I'm a bright girl, I know what came out of my own bum. Nobody else was present so I have no first hand witness for any of you but I assure you....what I saw, shocked me. I get duped everytime I post thinking this is an open forum to exchange ideas. Go ahead, tell me again I didn't see aliens in my ginormus slimy poo. P.S if your grossed out by poo...why did you open a thread titled "Colonics" and then feel the need to comment? So odd. Christine

google the word drnatura.com. I swear it will change your life just looking at the picture gallery on the site. I was so fascinated I bought the 30 day program and could not believe what came out of me. Aliens! I only swear by two products in this world....Proactiv and DrNatura colon cleasne. Best of luck. I am going to do it again. Thanks for the reminder.

Please don't treat sleep apnea lightly. I am losing my wonderful father as a direct result of his life time struggle with sleep apnea. He exercises more than anyone I know, eats a super healthy diet, and takes care of himself. He has his C-PAP machine adjusted regurally (settings need to be adjusted all the time) He is only 59 years old and the doctors don't give him much time. He has had 3 surgeries to open his air ways. It all boils down to the years of sleep apnea that have taken there toll on his heart and lungs. It is impossible for me to deal with. He is not overweight at all. On a side note....I was banded knowing that I needed to lose between 50 and 60 pounds at the most. I had a really low BMI. I was banded Nov 2004 and have lost 40lbs. SLOW but sure wins the race. Just my 2 cents. Take care. Christine

My boobs are sad. They were never all that perky but after this weight loss, they now have stretch marks on the sides and hang like two socks full of wet sand. Before, I used to be able to pull off a good look if I was lying on my back with my arms above my head. Now, no position is good except keeping my bra on. I had one guy say, "bring IT over here." He was refering to my nipple. It will be a good long while before I can afford surgery. Ironically, I sometimes date a very popular plastic surgeon here in L.A who specializes in boob jobs. When we have naked time, we both pretend my breasts are not there. It is just easier that way. Overall, I would rather rock my now loose size 10 jeans and my saggy boobs as opposed to my tight size 16 soccer mom jeans and fuller bags.

For years I have refered to pants that fit realy well and make me feel good as "Magic Pants." Today my mum told me that Oprah called her favorite pants "magic pants." If I wear magic pants on a date, I have 50% more self confidence. So silly. P.S A Laura Ashley dress!!! I wore one to my prom. Oh, the era of the gunney sack dress. Good times!

I LOVE Old Navy pants!!! I have several of the low rise STRETCH jeans. I can wear a 10 and I feel like I could tackle the world in those things. I tell people I don't even know, "I wear a size 10 now." I am just so happy with those pants. However, if they don't have stretch, I would be in a 12. I won't buy those because I want to fit comfy in a 10. Lets be real here and admit that sizes are ridiculous these days. I have dresses from my grandma who thought she was a size 9. They are teeny tiny!!! A size 9 from back in the day is the equvilent of a size 4 today. God, if I had been around when granny was young, I would have had to wear a burlap sack. At my largest I was a size 16. I started at 215lbs. I am at 174lbs and a wearing a medium top/ size 10 pants and shorts. People don't believe that a 174lbs person could wear a size 10. Well, its because they cut sizes extra generous to accomodate our obese society. It's funny how a great pair of pants can make me so happy.

not every night! sometimes. Maybe once a week. or a beer. no problems with alcohol.

Very few times in my life have I laughed out loud at someones dream. That was excellent. I spent 17 years in public service (Police officer + paramedic + doctors office staff + ER Tech etc) Believe me when I say..."We have seen it all and shit you can't even begin to imagine!" So don't sweat your period. Sounds like you are making stuff up to worry about. The only time we ever talked about a Pt. was when they were just lazy and gross. Like lack of common hygene and stuff like that. So take a shower and apply a little smelly stuff and enjoy your pampering. Christine

I have to confess that I can actually eat an entire Wendy's taco salad. I have no idea why? It must weigh 5lbs and I looked on line and it has 600 calories! I have a lot of food issues and have a hard time with most things. Can't eat bread. Live on mostly Soups and salads. Chili, some tuna, some chicken (sometimes) it is hard. I can never eat before noon. Protein shakes are a regular. Whilest I am in confession.....I can also eat McFlurries and chocolate with great ease. Also nachos. Weird. Salad is wonderful for me. Never gets stuck. P.S I am having major anxiety lately regarding my band due to all the horror stories on here. Its like I dont want to read but I cant help myself.

Penni, So glad you are o.k. Were there any symptoms? Will you have another band? Can you have another band? Christine.

Penni, I hope all goes well. I am thinking of you. You are such a sweet person and I know you will be fine. Am I missing something or WHAT HAPPENED? Did you have symptoms? Christine. P.S Let's try and get together again after you feel better. I have tons of free time on my hands.

I am having this weird cough often. Or should I call it the urge to cough. I am deathly afraid of thinking my band has slipped or something worse. I have no change in my restriction. It is about perfect. Started having MINOR reflux type symptoms along with this cough. Nothing compared to the MAJOR reflux I had before I had a small unfill. Anyone else have this cough? Got any ideas? P.S I am just recovering from a wicked 3 week cold/flu thing. But this cough feels lke I need to clear spit from the back of my throat. P.S.S Here is a weird question......I dont have health insurance here in the states and was wondering if I could have a pap and general physical down in T.J? Also need to see a dermatologist. Just wondering. Thanks, Christine Banded November 19, 2004 lost 47 lbs. so far Dr. Lopez Corvala

Like I said, I dont have health insurance. I think your right about the acid. Thanks. Anybody get other healthcare in T.J?

RUN from belighter!!!! I made that mistake. Contact me for the truth about those con artists. Karma will sort that out. If I can prevent someone from making that error in judgment I will. Christine

Oh man! I get so angry when I think about his topic. (not at any PT's but at the doctors) Why won't a doctor explain the answer to this horrible problem?? Why are there so many people still asking this question? Why do we bat around these different theories and guesses? It is inexcusable that we don't have a scientific answer to the hair loss question. Like so many others before and after me, my hair fell out at the 6 month mark. I have always been blessed with a huge amount of hair. I can honestly say that I lost half my total volume. What if I wouldn't have had so much to start with? I'd be BALD! Try telling a woman who is bald that this is not a big deal and the answer MAY or MAY NOT be blah blah blah....and that it will grow back. Not good. I have had doctors who I work with laugh in my face when presented with the "anesthesia" theory. I know it wasn't a nutritional issue since I monitored my every intake with surgical precession. I have had every blood test know to science and I am perfectly in balance. A while back, a sweet girl whose name escapes me wrote a really interesting post on what it might be. The whole hair growth stages thing. It is at least a somewhat logical idea. Flawed only in that it doesn't explain why this happens to lap band people and how there is a connection. ( The doctors laughed at that one too by the way. I work with some of the worlds most brilliant medical minds at UCLA. Not to insult but I trust there opinions a little more than my beloved Mexican surgeon.If you catch my drift.) So to end my rant....today is my one year anniversary. I have lost 48lbs and feel really good. Would like to loose another 20 tops. I wear a size 10 and can't believe it. People guess me at a size 7. No saggy skin. Boobs are pathetic and deflated!! Scar looks horrible! Hair has stopped falling out and is growing back. Haven't had reflux since I went back for an unfill. Still have a really hard time with solids before 4PM. Tired of Protein shakes. Miss bread and pizza sort of. Cheat with diet coke sometimes. Date often and never wonder if "he didn't like me because I am fat." Life is pretty hard but still good. Would I do it again???? In Mexico with Dr. Lopez???? For me...yes. For anyone I love....I would forbid it! Only a person who has had a similar experience would understand. I needed to vent and this is the only place where I can do it. Forgive the spelling. In a hurry.

Wow! I am impressed with that stomach! Isnt it funny how 215 looks diferent on diferent people. Very very nice. My big scar keloided. (sp) It itches and is not pretty. The others have faded almost completly. Christine

Its funny to read about the same problems I have had. So nice to not feel alone. My top complaints have been 1. Acid reflux! 2. hair loss! 3. Bad breath! Search old posts for lots of discussion about it.

My scar is since last Nov and it itches more now that before. I have a keloid. (sp) Very ugly

I have posted several times about hair loss. Nobody knows how scary it is until you go through it. Truely, th eonly answer that helped me was one from Molly. Th ewhole analyitcal answer about hair growth/cycles etc. No shampoo or conditioner is going to help when your hair is falling out faster than you can imagine. I just kept saying that therre had to be an answer. A medical answer. Heres my last word on hair loss....SHAME ON EVERY DOCTOR OUT THERE!!! Why is it that I had to get my answers from a fellow band person? Why couldnt one doctor address this problem? I must have asked 5 doctors. Even some of everyone heres beloved ones. No answers! My hair has stopped falling out so fast. Still disturbing. Christine

YES, I checked previous posts! Before anyone jumps on my back for bringing it up AGAIN, I can't get any answers about hair loss. I mean real, hard, cold facts about why, 6 months after my band, my long blonde hair fell out by at least 50%! Good thing I had some to loose but that's not the point. I hate this. It has been falling out continuously for 3 months. No stopping in sight. So here are the facts. 1. I eat more Protein now than I ever did in my life. 2. I take plenty of Vitamins. 3. My weight loss has been slow and steady. 4. It started 6 months after my surgery so it is not an anethesia question. 5. I have zero stress level. I have a great life. (except this thinnning hair) To tell me that "it will probably slow down or stop eventually" doesn't answer my question. Maybe some of you who have doctors can ask for me? Mine doesn't have any answers. A doctor without an answer is like a painter without paint. I have no time for either one. I am not a bitch. I am just balding!!!! And I am venting on the one group who might understand. Sorry. Christine.

I think Molly was right about my hair loss. The good news is that it has sure slowed down. But not stopped. I now literally have half the hair I had before. If I knew how to insert a photo of my old hair I would. I can't get over wearing a size 10 pants. I introduce myself now as, "Hi, I am Christine and I wear a size 10." I am very pleased with the weight loss.