agreatknead

Hi Hamu, Thanks for sharing your story. Those of us that are new to our band really appreciate stories like your. It is good to know that long term people like you still love their band. Congrats on your new little one! Send pictures since I know we would all love to see her,and you!

He Benito, Congratulations on your weight loss. I am 59 as well and had the band placed in April. I feel so much better and this way I feel there is just as much of me to love, just in a smaller package. You will be the same person, just healthier and finding it a little easier to get around. Many blessings on your journey to good health. Sally

Hey Von, We have all been there. If you want to take control in an area where you have not been able to before I found the band to be the tool to help me. I only wish I had done it soon. Do your research and ask questions. The people here are great! Sally

Name_________StartWeight___CurrentWeight______Goal________ToGo *****<v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f" filled="f" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" coordsize="21600,21600">:Banane27:</v:shapetype>***********:Banane53:*************:Banane27:**********:laugh:******:smile2:* agreatknead........204............197...........180...........17 areellady..........189............189...........159...........30 BIGB...............342............342...........300...........42 BellaPerdente......287............230...........200...........30 Boos02.............258............226...........200...........26 Brandy.............221............215...........191...........24 BrownBear..........240............235...........200...........35 Cadets71...........223.4..........223.4.........189...........34.4 Claudine...........250............250...........225...........25 Bunkey1965.........194............180...........170...........10 CubsGirl17.........172............164...........150...........14 Cutiew/booty.......251............243...........220...........23 cQQlgirl...........195............195...........175...........20 crzytchr...........276............275...........246...........29 Dionna113..........199............196...........160...........36 Ekat...............527............172...........152...........19 feefee57...........262............212...........180...........32 FeliciaLevy75......240............225...........190...........35 GillieBean.........304............296...........264...........32 HeatherO...........150............145...........130...........15 Hollie ............l54............154...........125...........29 Jeni 85............182............182...........160...........22 Jillbeme...........235............207.5...........185.........22.5 Josie74............260............255...........215...........40 klmsilva...........216............212...........190...........26 legster............183............183...........160...........23 linksmom...........251............240...........200...........40 Liquidbluegal......225............220.4.........199...........21.4 Liz_hager..........161............158...........130...........28 Long2BThin.........253............234...........215...........19 lotzasunshine......292............284.5.........250...........34.5 Luu2008............230............199.5.........153...........46.5 Mamanmidwife.......295............295...........260...........35 MELISSA AGUIRRE....266............233...........160...........73 Melody2006.........223............223...........173...........50 MiniPearl#2........???............???...........???...........?? Minxz..............299............287...........270...........17 neefam.............238............189...........158...........31 odizzzydori........242............242...........199...........43 paige65............252............252...........208...........44 rainer.............236............233...........199...........34 reif78.............294............195...........140...........40 RichardCranium.....338............276...........200...........76 soontobehottie.....201............194...........165...........29 srknepler..........285............262.6...........255...........30 squale.............353............353...........325...........28 Sunshine2..........177............171...........160...........11 stevegoad..........370............341...........267...........74 Terilynn112........240............230...........199...........41 Truediva...........299............285...........235...........50 thininside28.......255............255...........215...........40 Turler.............219............218...........194...........24 youcandoit!........196............191...........165...........26 I more down, still moving in the right direction, just not as fast as I would like!

Sounds great, just remember to eat s-l-o-w-l-y and chew, chew chew. Getting stuck and sliming are no fun so don't let yourself get too hungry. Thats when I have a tendency to eat too fast and have problems. You will learn quickly whatyou can and cannot do, good luck. Sally

I have to say that I agree with most of the posters. The more people you tell, the more people you have watching your every mouthful (or not). I didn't want people judging my progress, although its been great. When people ask me how I am doing it I just say I am eating less. It's been about 6 months and I can go out to eat with friends and no one really even notices how much you eat. You will know when and if it is time to tell someone. Blessing on your journey to good health and a sexy body. Your husband will love it, mine does! :-) Sally

I think you need to go out and pick up something that weighs 23 lbs. Maybe a couple of 10 lbs bags of flour and 3 lbs of butter. That's a lot girlfriend and you have only just begun! Its so easy to beat up on yourself but if you had a friend going through the same thing YOU would be telling them how great they were doing. Just look in the mirror, I'm sure you can see it! This journey is for the rest of your life. Those that do the bypass surgery see more immediate results but many seem to fail in the end. Your body appreciates the slow and easy progress, it gives the skin time to find balance as you loose the weight. You will feel better in the morning! Congrats, Sally

Hi Penny, Congratulations, I was banded in April and have lost 47 lbs. You are doing great. How many fills have you had? Do you feel like you are at the "sweet spot"? Isn't it wonderful to get on the scale and see it move down? I love it! Best wishes. Sally

It is true. I have also found that if I eat too little my weight loss stops. Guess the old body thinks I'm starving it! Best wishes and enjoy your food, this is a life long change. Sally

Hi, On my trip to Mexico to get banded I met a lady who was banded just before Thanksgiving last year. She said she was bagging little bits of things she knew she could eat in a few weeks and putting them in the freezer. I think the idea of it is harder than the actual experience. I was back to work as a massage therapist 2 days after my surgery. I think it depends on what you do but remember to walk, walk, walk as soon as you can after you wake up, it makes all the difference. Best wishes on this amazing journey. Sally

Hi, I know I'm full when I get that little sensation that says, if you eat one more bite your going to be sorry. You'll know it when you feel it. Your doing amazing, so you must be doing what your body needs just pay attention and keep up the good work.

It seems everyone is different. I was told I could eat and drink before the fill, just don't have a heavy meal before you come it. Sounds like your fill is early enough you shouldn't have any problems. I really didn't notice much of a difference in restriction with my first fill, its just part of the process to get you where you need to be, depends on how aggressive your Doc is! It was really easy for me, it should be that way for you also. Sally

Name_________Start Weight___CurrentWeight______Goal________To Go *****<v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f" filled="f" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" coordsize="21600,21600">:w00t:</v:shapetype>************************:tt2:**********:thumbup:*********:biggrin:* agreatknead........204............198...........180...........18 areellady..........189............189...........159...........30 BIGB...............342............342...........300...........42 BellaPerdente......287............251...........200...........51 Boos02.............258............226...........200...........26 Brandy.............221............216...........191...........25 BrownBear..........240............235...........200...........35 Cadets71...........223.4..........223.4.........189...........34.4 Claudine...........250............250.......... 225...........25 Bunkey1965.........194............188...........170...........18 Cutiew/booty.......251............251...........220...........31 cQQlgirl...........195............195...........175...........20 crzytchr...........276............275...........246...........29 Dionna113..........199............198...........160...........38 Ekat...............527............172...........152...........19 feefee57...........262............212...........180...........32 FeliciaLevy75......240............232...........190...........42 GillieBean.........304............296...........264...........32 HeatherO...........150............150...........130...........20 Hollie ............l54............154...........125...........29 Jeni 85............182............182...........160...........22 Jillbeme...........235............210...........185...........25 Josie74............260............255...........215...........40 klmsilva...........216............212...........190...........26 legster............183............183...........160...........23 linksmom...........251............251...........200...........51 Liquidbluegal......225............220.4.........199...........21.4 Liz_hager..........161............158...........130...........28 lotzasunshine......292............289.5.........250...........39.5<v:shape id="_x0000_i1025" style="width: 21.75pt; height: 15pt;" alt="" type="#_x0000_t75"></v:shape> Luu2008............230............199.5.........153...........46.5 Mamanmidwife.......295............295...........260...........35 MELISSA AGUIRRE....266............233...........160...........73 Melody2006.........223............223...........173...........50 MiniPearl#2........???............???...........???...........?? Minxz..............299............287...........270...........17 neefam.............238............189...........158...........31 odizzzydori........242............242...........199...........43 paige65............252............252...........208...........44 rainer.............236............233...........199...........34 reif78.............294............195...........140...........40 RichardCranium.....338............276...........200...........76 soontobehottie.....201............196...........165...........31 srknepler..........285............285...........255...........30 squale.............353............353...........325...........28 Sunshine2..........177............171...........160...........11 stevegoad..........370............341...........267...........74 Terilynn112........240............236...........199...........41 Truediva...........299............285...........235...........50 thininside28.......255............255...........215...........40 youcandoit!........196............196...........162...........34 __________________

How wonderful, you are almost at your goal. I have lost almost 50 lbs so I over half way there. I have only needed 3 fills and feel like I am still at that sweet spot. I'm not sure why Dr. G. doesn't have more enthusiastic supporters on this site but I was more that happy with my experience. I did find a good Doc in MI for fills since it is a long trip to Mexico from MI! I do look forward to going back next year and just showing off the new me, it feels good. Sal

HI Life Goes On, If you have the questions, we have the answers! Lot of them. We love sharing our experiences and there are some people here that really know a lot. I was banded in April this year in Mexico. I did lots of research before I was banded but my experience has been pretty typical. Not a lot of grief, just slow and steady weight loss. About 48 lbs so far. Give us your questions and we will take a shot at giving you some answers. Congrats on your weight loss, it must feel great. Sally

Are you doing mostly protein? Ketosis and make you smell a little funky. Things should get back to normal once you start eating more normal.

HI Jen, Everyone seems to have something supportive to tell you and I just want to add my 2 cents. I am 59 and a year ago I would have told you all about how I couldn't loose weight. I don't think I realized what a small amount of food you really need to eat consistently to substantially loose weight. The hardest work for me has been to see my favorite meal on the table, smell it, taste it, think I might cheat a little and be able to eat only a few bites of it! I have lost weight in the past, usually to get a man (I know some of you have been there) then I got a man and eating became the prime form of entertainment. Don't let anyone tell you its easy but it is consistent. You can't cheat unless you choose foods that slide past the band. I have lost 50 lbs since April and every week the scale moves in the correct direction. You will feel so good that you won't care what anyone has said or will say. Your life will change. I tried on a pair of size 18 slacks the other day and they were too big. I wanted to buy them just to hang them in the closet and point to them from time to time saying "those are too big". You are going to have so much fun! We will always be here to support you if you need it. Blessings on your journey. Sally

Name_________Start Weight___CurrentWeight______Goal________To Go *****<v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" stroked="f" filled="f" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" coordsize="21600,21600"></v:shapetype>***********:confused:*************:wink2:**********:wink_smile:*********:smile:* agreatknead........237............198...........180...........18 areellady..........189............189...........159...........30 BIGB...............342............342...........300...........42 BellaPerdente......287............251...........200...........51 Boos02.............258............226...........200...........26 Brandy.............221............219...........191...........28 BrownBear..........240............235...........200...........35 Cadets71...........223.4..........223.4.........189...........34.4 Claudine...........250............250.......... 225...........25 Bunkey1965.........194............188...........170...........18 Cutiew/booty.......251............251...........220...........31 cQQlgirl...........195............195...........175...........20 crzytchr...........276............275...........246...........29 Dionna113..........199............198...........160...........38 Ekat...............527............172...........152...........19 feefee57...........262............212...........180...........32 FeliciaLevy75......240............232...........190...........42 GillieBean.........304............296...........264...........32 HeatherO...........150............150...........130...........20 Hollie ............l54............154...........125...........29 Jeni 85............182............182...........160...........22 Jillbeme...........235............210...........185...........25 Josie74............260............255...........215...........40 klmsilva...........216............212...........190...........26 legster............183............183...........160...........23 linksmom...........251............251...........200...........51 Liquidbluegal......225............220.4.........199...........21.4 Liz_hager..........161............158...........130...........28 lotzasunshine......292............290...........250...........40<v:shape id="_x0000_i1025" style="width: 21.75pt; height: 15pt;" type="#_x0000_t75" alt=""> <v:imagedata o:href="http://www.lapbandtalk.com/images/smilies/modern/thumbup1.gif" src="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Chm253198%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20image004.gif"></v:imagedata></v:shape> Luu2008............230............199.5.........153...........46.5 Mamanmidwife.......295............295...........260...........35 MELISSA AGUIRRE....266............233...........160...........73 Melody2006.........223............223...........173...........50 MiniPearl#2........???............???...........???...........?? Minxz..............299............287...........270...........17 neefam.............238............189...........158...........31 odizzzydori........242............242...........199...........43 paige65............252............252...........208...........44 rainer.............236............233...........199...........34 reif78.............294............195...........140...........40 RichardCranium.....338............276...........200...........76 soontobehottie.....201............199...........165...........34 srknepler..........285............285...........255...........30 squale.............353............353...........325...........28 Sunshine2..........177............171...........160...........11 stevegoad..........370............341...........267...........74 Terilynn112........240............236...........199...........41 Truediva...........299............285...........235...........50 thininside28.......255............255...........215...........40 youcandoit!........196............196...........162...........34 __________________ Ahhh! Onederland at last, never to see the 2's again! yeah

My husband and I used to split dinners all the time even before the band and we do eat out a lot. Some restaurants will split the dinner and bring it out on 2 plates which is way more than you can eat so we just ask for an extra plate and tell them we don't split it even. I guess I can understand the restaurants hesitation on splitting the buffet. If one person can do it others will want to, but the server should have checked before she told you it was OK. Best not to get angry about it because the person you are hurting the most is yourself. You should eat your food with joy. Enjoy your journey we all have to eat something. Sally

I wouldn't think it would be a problem unless you are really tight. I have not flown since my band has been filled but I flew home from Mexico to MI the day after surgery. I will be flying to AZ in December and don't expect any problems. Have a great journey where you are going! Sally

Congratulations to you both. I can only speak for myself. I am a massage therapist and I was back to work 2 days after surgery (seeing a couple of people a day) and back to full time in a week. I am so happy I have the band and love the feeling of freedom from the extra weight. You Dr. should be able to guide you about recovery but mine was so easy. Blessings, Sally

Hi, We all listen, why do you say we don't listen? I did a liver flush before my surgery, kinda like the whole body cleanse. I didn't do the pre-op diet because I was on a cruise with my daughter before my surgery and because my bmi was 40 my Dr. did not insist on it. I have not told many people about my surgery but when you do, it becomes their business. Hubby was probably being supportive in his own way by telling his co-workers and he might have been a little scared, it is always scarry having someone you love have surgery no matter how simple it is. I love my band and would do it over again in a minute. Congrats on your decision and your parents will be proud of you too when they start seeing the changes. Blessings, Sally PS: I thought I didn't eat enough to maintain my weight before the band but I couldn't loose. Now I realize how little you need to eat to reach your goal. NO wonder I did't loose, not I have lost 45 lbs since April and feel great.

Hi Salome, Wow, I never knew about that standing thing, do you think everyone does it? My post surgery experience was so different than what you mainly read about on this site. I walked, and walked and walked at the surgery center (I had my surgery in Mexico) and I flew home the next day. I could have gone dancing when I got home. I think I took 2 pain pills the whole time. I had no gas pain and no shoulder pain and went back to work the 2nd day home. Just want you to know everyone's experience is different. I had surgery in April and 3 fills since I came home. I have had a couple of sliming incidences, mostly from eating too fast. Chewable Papaya has worked the best for me. Carry some with you and if you are going out to eat and want to appear somewhat normal with your friends or family pop 3 or 4 papaya a few minutes before the meal. It is a natural digestive enzyme. If you do get stuck DON'T drink anything. It just pushes it down and it gets more stuck (believe me you will want to drink) Walk, walk, walk, jump up and down, hold your arms over your head and think about how beautiful your are getting to be! That all helps if you are feeling stuck but really it is rare and if it happens too often you are not following the bandster rules or you are too tight and need an unfill. I am done, I thought I was only going to write a sentence or 2. Anyway, blessing on your journey, it will be a great one. Sally

Hi Travelin, Congrats on starting the process to get your band. Just wanted you to know I was banded in April and I eat anything I want (almost) just very little of it. The other day we went to our favorite restaurant and the owners wife is a pastry chef. Well, they had just taken a beautiful 3 layer chocolate cake our for display. I ordered a piece and took it home. I had 2 bites with lunch and 2 bites with dinner and 2 bites before bed. My husband had the rest and it was wonderful to be satisfied and still not feel deprived. I certainly don't do that every day and really would not want to, but that day it was wonderful. It is not nearly as bad as you might imagine, and when you get on the scale, it is great. Best wishes on your journey. Sally

Re: Last of 2008 Weight Loss Challenge <hr style="color: rgb(217, 217, 217); background-color: rgb(217, 217, 217);" size="1"> Name...............Starting................ Current.......Goal..............To Go agreatknead............237......................201...........180..... ..............21 areellady................189.......................189...........159…. ..............30 BIGB......................342.......................342...........300 …...............42 BellaPerdente..........287.......................251...........200.... .. ............51 Boos02...................258.......................226...........200…. ..............26 Brandy....................221.......................219...........191. . ................28 BrownBear..............240.......................240...........200.... . ..............40 Cadets71................223.4.....................223.4........189.... ................34.4 Claudine.................250.......................250.......... .225. ...................25 Bunkey1965...........194.......................189...........170...... . .............19 Cutiew/booty...........251.......................251............220.......... . ........31 Dionna113..............199.......................198...........160... ….............38 FeliciaLevy75 .........240.......................234...........190.................. .44 GillieBean..............304.......................304............264. ..................40 Hollie ....................l54.......................154............125..... . ....... .....29 Jeni 85..................182.......................182............160.... .. ....... .....22 Josie74..................260.......................260.............21 5. ......... ......45 klmsilva.................216......................216.............19 0. .......... .....26 legster..................183......................183..............1 60 .......... .....23 linksmom..............251......................251..............200 ... ......... ...51 Liquidbluegal............225......................225..............199 ... ............26 Liz_hager..................161.....................158..............13 0... ............28 lotzasunshine............292.....................292..............250. . .............42 Luu2008...................230.....................199.5............153 ... ...........46.5 Mamanmidwife..........295.....................295..............260.... .... .......35 MELISSA AGUIRRE..266....................233..............160................73 Melody2006..............223.....................223..............173.. ... ..........50 odizzzydori...............242.....................242..............199 ... ............43 paige65.....................252....................252..............2 08.. .............44 rainer........................236....................233........... ..199. .............34 reif78........................294....................195............ ...40.................40 soontobehottie...........201....................201..............165. . ............36 srknepler...................285....................285..............25 5.. ............30 squale.......................353....................353............. 325...............28 Sunshine2................177.....................176..............160 ...............16 stevegoad..................370....................341.............. 267...............74 Terilynn112................240....................239..............199 ................41 Truediva.....................299....................285............... 235..............50 thininside28...............255....................255...............21 5.............. 40 youcandoit!...............196....................196................16 2..............34 Yay! 4 lbs down, 21 to go. Keep it up everyone! __________________