tztmama

Puddin, There is an fellowship called "Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous". It is a great program based on the 12 steps used for addictions. You are a beautiful young woman in many ways and deserve so much more. I know that I feel uncomfortable when men notice me and often crave my "fat suit". Albeit, I am 46 and don't get the attention of a young woman, I still sort of cringe when I do. I have gone through menopause so my sex drive is not what it used to be. I hope you do whatever it takes to find true and lasting happiness. Take care, sweetie.

I am not sure what my BMI was but I know it was under 40. Maybe it was 37. I am 5'4 and weighed 226 twenty months ago. I now weigh 150. I got down to 142 but..............I'm working on getting another 15 pounds off before my tummy tuck in July. I didn't lose much weight for the first 6 months because I have a "moody" band. It has only been at the "sweet spot" for maybe 4 months out of 20. Mostly it has been too loose or too tight. It is during the times when it is just a little too tight, meaning I mainly have liquids and soups, that I lose the most weight. Until I could "get" with that, I lost very little. I am so glad we were able to get our bands even though we didn't meet the BMI guidelines. The surgery really has changed my life!

I'm 20 months out and as long as I get fills, I still lose. The problem is that I have tired of being overfilled and having that pain in my back and chest. I have had a complete unfill (6ccs) and just had him refill me up to 4ccs. I hope I don't start to gain but have resolved myself to the fact that I have to "diet" again, count calories, and exercise. We'll see how it goes. If I start to gain you'd better believe I'll go get a fill! I'm only about 12 pounds from where I want to be.

Okay brave people, my extended tt date is set for 7/19. I am very nervous and am wimping out here! Oh, I'll do it, but I hate to go in to this feeling so anxious. Any words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated. Stats regarding complications would help if they are good. Thanks!

I just wanted to give credit to (and brag about) my awesome surgeon. I went in for a slight fill (first in 8 months) on Wednesday. It was way too tight and I was writhing in pain all night. I called him on his cell phone at 6:30 AM Thursday morning. He told me to meet him at the clinic at 8 AM where he removed 1 cc. I went to work only to continue to be in pain and to vomit several times, unable to keep even my protein shake down. I was so tired I went home after work and eventually called him again. Even though the office was closed he had me meet him in the hospital lobby where he then personally drove me to the office to do a complete unfill. Without charging me anything more, he let me come back today, Friday, to do a re fill. He even offered to let me go try to eat something and then come back for more or less fill afterwards. Now that is committment! I live in SaN Diego and my docs name is Milton Owens. He is the best!

Hello, I am also a bandster her in San Diego! I was banded in Sept. 05. How much have you lost? My dr. is Dr. Owens. Do y'all still get together at Mimi's?

I have had my band for 1 yr and 8 months. I went from 226 lbs to 148 lbs - size 20-22 to 8 - 10. I have an extended tummy tuck planned for this July. I have had a fairly complication free journey. A couple of times I had an over-fill but it was adjusted and I'm fine.

I have loose skin on my upper and lower tummy area. My thighs are a bit jiggly too. I am having a tummy tuck in July.

I have loose skin on my upper and lower tummy area. My thighs are a bit jiggly too. I am having a tummy tuck in July.

Wow! You look fantastic! Thank you for sharing. I am not as computer savy but if I can get some before and afters, perhaps my daughter will help me post them. I went from 226 lbs. to 146 lbs. and am scheduled for an extended TT in July. Thanks again and best of all to you!

Hello all, I haven't posted for awhile but hae been banded since 9/05, I went from 226 lbs to 145 lbs and am in need of a TT. One dr, quoted me $13,500. I can't afford that! Does anyone know of a trusted surgeon who can do it for less? Thanks in advanvce. Darla

Hey there partner! Yup, this time of year can be stressfull! Lets all hang in there. Congrats to you for working out! I still fall very short in this area. i just come home from work and want to sleep. My new years resolution is to start working out. I really want a tt and need to start getting ready for it. happy holidays to you and yours and keep your chin up ( sounds like you are doing great on your weight loss!) Darla

Hi alll, I have a dear friend who is interested in getting banded. She lives in LV and I told her I would check with y'all and see if anyone knows of a good surgeon in her area. Any input would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance. Darla

I have a dear friend who is trying to get banded. SHe lives in LV and asked me to ask y'all if anyone recommends a surgeon in the vicinity. Thanks in advance, Darla (banded 9/05, down 72 lbs with 12 to go)

I took my 8 yr old grandaughter to an info seminar where they passed an actual lap band gadget around for all to see and feel. I was paying attention to the surgeon when I happened to look away for a moment to find my g-daughter wrapping the thing around her head and looking out of the circular part that goes on the stoma. I explained it all to her beforehand. She is actually sort of fascinated with it. She just didn't like the thought of me "shrinking" because she likes a "soft Nana".

I am in a 10/12 now and started at about a 20/22. I was banded 9/05. I would like to be in a size 8 and would be pretty close to it if I could get a tummy tuck.

I stayed for 8 years and then finally, after 18 months of counseling, left. I never missed him. Not once. It truly was over much longer than I wanted to admit. You are right. Once cruelty and insensitivity has killed the love, it is hard to bring it back. Best of all to you and congratulations for standing up for yourself.

I am off to New Mexico for 10 days (leaving tomorrow night). I went to buy pants for the trip and guess what????? I bought a size 12!!! They are a little snug but they fit well. I am so happy with my weight loss. Yes, i have had the pain of a "too tight" band and the fear of a too loose band (gained back 12 lbs at one point) but overall..................I'm with you partner, we are doin' this!!!

I am in the exact same boat. Fill/unfill over and over. I got a fill and it was too loose. I got 1.25 more and I can barely get my Protein shake down. A bite of cracker feels like a mouth of steel in my chest. There has never, in the past year, been a happy medium for me. Maybe I have a slip????? Thanks for the info, Dr. C.

Happy Bandiversary Kathy and Sunshine!! 9/26 will be mine. Hey, we are all moving at our own pace, the important thing is that we are moving in the right direction. Wooo hoooo!

Thanks for the info. I'm posting it on my frig.

Happy Birthday, Penni! Nice Ink!

My band gets tighter with weight loss. I am not sure I understood my dr.'s explanation as to why this happens. I lost about 25 pounds in 3 months and then had to get an unfill.

I am almost a year out and am still in search of the elusive "sweet spot". I am either too tight or too loose. I have gone from needing fills to needing unfills and back again. I had a fill a couple of weeks ago and am once again too tight. I am about 20 pounds from goal am probably going to go back for another unfill because I am unable to have any solids, am having back pain, and even have pain after drinking my shakes. Frustrating.

I have no experience with MS other than having a couple of friends who have it. THey are both in remission and doing fine. I am so sorry for the pain you had to go through and admire your courage and perserverence during this difficult time. Best of all to you!