Susanbee

I think that this is not our choice but theirs. I know that I wouldn't want to have the life changing lap band put in unless I really needed it. If I could have lost the weight without the band then that is the way to go. Also at one time I weight 200 pounds and that was before I weight 270 and needed the band. If I got the band at 200 maybe I could have got healthy faster

I thought I could do it myself....that is how i found myself weighing 267 pounds and climbing. One thing that is great about the lapband is that you have control on how tight it is. The tighter the more restriction. When I didn't have any fill in mine I could eat almost anything....but I wasn't as hungry as without the band. Now I'm very restricted and I really need to watch what I eat....the band if my friend

At first I didn't tell anyone. I wanted to make my decision without input from others. Before surgery I told my family and discussed what I was doing. I even took my daughter (22) to a banding seminar so she would know more about it. That make her feel a lot better about the situation. After surgery I told those that asked. And now I tell anyone that will listen. I live in a small town so people notice when you drop 75 pounds and they want to know about the "magic". So I'm happy to discuss the band with them.

I was kept overnight. That is the norm for my doctor. I was glad to be there. The pain meds helped and the next day i felt like a different person.

I have had my band since april o8. I have lost 75 pounds and yes I see it as a tool. I walk 30 minutes a day and try to stay away from high calorie foods. The band doesn't let me overeat. I can only eat a small portion and I'm full and satisfied. That is the key....I don't want anymore to eat. People who don't have a weight problem don't understand the HUNGER card. When you are hungry you will overeat. The band makes it so i'm not hungry. Infact sometimes during the day I forget to eat. Now that is new to me. I also think that it depends on your fills. Up to fill #3 I could eat a lot. Fill #3 and 4 changed that. I'm now very restricted in the am and sometimes can't eat till dinner. I drink a protein shake for breakfast and something small for lunch. Usually, dinner I can eat whatever I want but not a lot of it. I'm completely satisfied and love my band. Good luck to you....i couldn't do it without the band.

Honestly i could have written this post....minus the monster in your chest...what's with that. I was banded in April and have lost over 60 pounds. This last fill is the one that I finally feel restriction. Like you, i need a thyroid pill in the am and have trouble getting it down. Coffee helps open things up....I too can't eat in the am by lunch maybe some soup. At suppertime i can eat more. At first I couldn't eat hardly anything but now i can eat pretty normal food. I went from a 22W to this weekend I bought a pair of Liz and Co. 16 whooohoo.....I have 5cc in a 10 cc band and go every 5 to 6weeks for a fill....after this fill i felt like maybe i was there...but now because i can eat so much at night.....i think i may need another fill....plus with the holidays coming i want to be in control...good luck to you....susan

take zinc for hair loss...ive been taking it daily and haven't lost much hair at all....

zinc will prevent hair loss.....make sure your vitamins have zinc in them....i alway loose hair after surgery ...but took zinc this time and didn't loose it....zinc is the answer....

as you get fills you will eat less and feel fuller longer. It wasn't until my 4th fill that i knew what that meant.....hang in there and make good choices especially when you eat too much.....good luck

Good luck to you. Today is my 6 month bandanniversiry...I have lost over 60 pounds and haven't felt so good in many years. I look and feel like a different person. I have 60 more pounds to loose. The band was the best think I ever did for myself and once I made the decision to get it i never looked back. At one time I was thinking gastric bypass....so glad i went for the band. It may be a bit more work but the upsides are the band is better for your body.....good luck to you and keep me posted....susan

you are not responsible for their mistake.....

Buy yourself something nice....but don't spend a lot of money on it....because....they to will get too big for you. I was one of those keeper....i have clothes from size 22 down to about a 12....problem is ....I'm now in a 16 and my 16's are summer clothes....and it is fall and winter is coming fast....so unless i can squeeze into a 14 soon I will have to buy some 16's to get me through the winter. I refuse to wear baggy....diaper looking clothes. I have worked too hard not to look my best. I went to walmart...and i hate buying clothes from walmart...anyway they had Tshirts for 3 bucks....i bought every color...size Large....never thought i'd see that again....anyway...so what if i waste 3 bucks....and they looked nice because they fit. I'm going to buy basic black, brown and blue pants and some sweaters to make it through the winter. I do have some sweaters that i kept but i want to buy something new. I also refuse to buy things that are too small for me....been there done that....I want it to fit...even if i'm growing out of it....I told my husband that this weightloss thing might cost a few bucks...the insurance paid for the band ....but i have to pay for the clothes.....I can't wait to shop in JCrew....susa

I think that is great. I have lost 60 pounds and colored my hair blonde and cut it. My hair was dark and long. No one knows me and I love it. I start talking to them and they give me that " who the hell are you look".....then a wow...look. good luck to you....have fun with it....

I'm thirsty all the time. I carry G2 with me constantly.

i'm printing out your post and giving it to all my friend that just don't understand....good post...thanks

I will shop "OTR" ....off the rack.....

45 min is a breezy i drive 2 1/2 hours

I tried to put this information on the spreadsheet but i just couldn't make it work...so could you please add my information......as of Sept. 4 it will be 5 months I weight 217...a loss of 48 pounds.....

The problem is that you are still hungry. As you get fills you will not be hungry and will not miss the food. I was banded on 4/4 and have lost 50 pounds. I have had 2 fills and can eat anything....just less of it. Give the band a chance you'll get use to it. What were your expectations? It seems that you weren't prepared to have the band.

i to had to get a cpap machine and was told to bring it to the hospital the day of the operation....to find out they only wanted me to bring the mask...they supplied the machine at the hospital...and after losing 40 pounds i no longer need it...so i understand your delema

though i can't speak for you and your husband i can tell you about my experience. I took my teenage daughter to the first meeting so she won't be so nervous about the banding. My husband never asked and I never told. He felt that if i'd just go on a diet and exercise i would loose weight....dah...anyway I did the rest all myself. 6 month preop 2 1/2 hours away in the wintertime in PA. Worked all day then drove to the meeting and home by myself. Had most tests done locally but still had to drive 2 1/2 hours to pre op and operation. Got my mom to drive me down the day of the operation. My mom stayed with me till after the operation and my daughter...who goes to college near where I had this done came in the afternoon. The next day my sister in law picked me up and brought me home. As you notice no husband anywhere. He just didn't want to do the hospital thing and it was okay with me....i got others to support my cause. I thnk my husband was worried and i know he hates hospitals. I never minded that fact that his support was so little. I wasn't doing this for him I was doing it for me. Now that the weight is coming off he is a bit more excited about the process. Except he make comments like how much weight have you lost this week....if i say 2 pounds he seems disappointed ...and states is that all.....IS THAT ALL>>>he just doesn't get it....see why i'm glad he stayed home. Don't get me wrong. He is a great guy...but he just doesn't get the overweight thing.

i didn't feel like being up the first day...was kept overnight in the hospital and the next day i had a 2 1/2 hour trip home...no biggie...didn't feel like doing much for about 5days...then i was just sore...

i called the ins co....just because i didn't want to wait for the call from the Dr. I knew 2 days ahead of time by doing it that way

best wishes to you...it will come fast ....good luck

you need zinc....