ellen1224

OMG! I am going through the exact same thought process! When I was 283 lbs and a size 22 I said to my husband I will be so happy to just be a size 14-16 (so I could shop in regular stores), then when I got there I thought wow...if I could only be a size 10-12, passed that...had my tummy tuck now I am a size 6, was too tight for a while and got down to a 2-4 loved my body but my face looked terrible I looked like I was dying. Now I am back up to a 6-8. I just had an appointment at my lap-band doctor. She looked at me dead in the face and said "what are you doing here". I said what do you mean, she said, "do you know how well you've done"?....long story short I told her I wanted to lose another 20 lbs. She told me the band had done all it was going to do for me, and if I wanted to lose more I would have to do it on my own. She also gave me a referal to a therapist so I could talk to someone about why I am still not happy/satisifed/proud of and with my accomplishment. Please keep us posted on your journey...and especially if you ever figure out how to see yourself as the beautiful person everyone else sees you as! Good luck. Ellen

I also love Jazzercise, I get up early 4 morning/week and go! It is great fun and even though I am not a morning person I absolutely love getting my exercise out of the way in the A.M. If I wait until the P.M. I always have some excuse for not going!

Everyone is different, I am over 5 years out and I still have a hard time with chicken and turkey. The easiest proteins for me are lean ground beef and beans. It's all trial and error, you just have to find what works for you! Good luck!

Try not to worry, if you get your fills it will start coming off. I took me over a year to really see significant weight loss, I am now 5 years out and I have lost about 140lbs, I stuggle a little with gaining and losing 10lbs but for the most part I am stable. I thought I had failed at this attempt at weight loss too, until if finally started dropping off. Hang in there it will happen!

My band ALWAYS gets super tight when I fly...to the point I can't even sip Water on the flight! The tightness usually lasts through the day and then slowly returns to normal. I agree...would have been nice for someone to warn us about this!!

I get my fills done at the St. Francis Weight Loss Surgery Clinic in Federal Way. I don't know if they will do unfills for someone who didn't have their surgery done there but here is the number 253-275-6030. Good luck.

Click is a brand of Protein Shake, they have their own website, but you can also get it on Amazon.com

I have also lost over 100% I now weigh less then the amount I lost! Starting weight was 282 Goal weight was 135 weight now is 128 (still losing) I was banded 8/2006, it has taken me the entire 4 years. At 2 years I was still around 200 and didn't think I would lose any more, then all of a sudden the weight loss started again!

I use unflavored Unjury, you can order it online at Unjury.com. It's okay, not to thick.

The calcium gummys taste great they are cream/fruit flavored. I think they even have one that includes fiber now. The best assortment of all the different vitamins can be found at Amazon.com, Costco doesn't carry them all. You can get the Vitafusion gummys for every vitamin you need.

I take Gummy Vits by Vitafusion, they are adult gummy vitamins. Vitafusion has an entire line. They are soft and gummy, they taste great ! You can get them from Costco.com, Amazon.com and at Target stores, but I think Amazon.com and Drugstore.com have the most complete assortment.

I use Vitafusion gummy vitamins, they all taste wonderful... you can order them from Costco, but Amazon.com has a wider selection. You can also find some at Target stores.

I can't eat fresh tortilla's or bread but the crispy tostada shells I can do !

Hi Mimilou... How are you feeling? Has it been what you expected?

That is crazy! I wish there was some way we could see inside, I would love to have a better understanding !

If it's been a while since your last "fill" adjustment, you might go in and get a small one. That might just be the kick start you need ! Good luck.

Do you know what caused your band erosion? What were your symptoms? Ellen

Congrats to you ! You will do great and be so happy. Keep us posted on your progress!

I am still losing, I have lost about 10lbs since my TT. I started out at 282 (5'4" size 22-24)-now 142 (size 6-8) goal 135...how about you? I never thought I would get to a size 6-8, when this all first started I told myself I would be happy to just get to a size 14-16 ! :-). What about you?

Good luck with your upcoming TT you will love it !! I just saw my lap-band Dr. 2 months after my TT and I asked him if it was normal to feel tighter after a TT. He said it is very possible as the PS could have tightened the muscle around the stomach area leaving less room for expansion.....

Has anyone tried ProJoe by Bariatric Advantage? They are sold in glass bottles like Starbuck's Frappuccino's and they come in Mocha, vanilla, and Chai flavors. I don't like most Proteins so I am wondering if these are any good. You have to order a case of 12. Thanks.

I had a tummy tuck and lift on Dec 17th, I am healing quickly and feel great, except that my band has gotten extremely tight, almost to the point where I can't keep liquids down some days. I did have a slight unfill before my surgery, but my band Dr. didn't want to take all the Fluid out. Has anyone else experienced a very tight band after TT surgery? Thanks !

Hey Kate - Sorry you are having such trouble with itching. I just had a tummy tuck and breast lift on 12/17, and I am also having a lot of itching. My doctor suggest an antihistamine, so I have been taking benadryl, it seams to help. Hope you get some relief soon!

Hi! I was a slow loser. I started out at 285 and it took me 3 years to loose 135 lbs. I am now at 150. I lost very slowly for at least the first 1 1/2 years, then the weight just started coming off. I felt like a failure for about the 1st year. Just try to relax, follow the rules and don't make weight loss your life's focus....it will happen. Good Luck.

WOW ! Good luck to you ! I am 113 days away from my TT and breast lift. Please let us know how it goes and how you are feeling. I am already nervous ! - Ellen Pacific, WA