slim2be

Hi Everyone! Just had to share my great news....today I hit the 50 pounds lost mark...as a matter of fact, it's actually 52.1! I am so excited and really find it hard to believe. I've been overweight most of my life and the most I've ever lost was 40 pounds at Weight Watchers when I was in my 20's. When I hit that mark, I just stopped following the program and continued to gain weight back plus some extra. Now, I can't believe that at the age of 45, I could lose 52.1 lbs in 3 1/2 months. I am so totally happy with my Band and I thank God for it's availability to us and for all the support I've gotten from my family and the people here on this website. As I've said before, it's the best gift I have given to myself. Good luck to you all on your weight loss journeys! Lisa :smile:

Hi Josh! First let me congratulate you on your weight loss....WAY TO GO! It's been 3 1/2 months since I was banded and I've lost just about 50 pounds. I am so happy with my band...it's the best gift I have ever given myself. I know that I never could have lost that amount of weight in 3 1/2 months. As a matter of fact, I've never lost that amount of weight, even though I've been heavy since I was 6 years old (now I'm 45). The most I've ever lost was on Weight Watchers when I was in my 20's and that was 40 pounds. Since then, I've tried WW numerous times, just to go off the program and gain it all back plus some. So, to answer your question, no, I don't think I could have done this without the band. Good luck to you on your continued journey!

Hi! I was banded July 2 of this year and I absolutely don't have any regrets. I've lost just about 50 pounds in 3 1/2 months...there's no way I could have done that on my own without the help of my band. But you do have to really make up your mind to eat the right things and try to get in some exercise. You will still be able to eat "fattening" things with the band, it won't stop you from doing that but you have to be conscious to eat healthy. It will give you the "gift" of not being hungry all the time and not being able to eat as much as you used to. Lisa :biggrin:

I don't know why your doctor said to wait 4 weeks. I only waited a week and it was fine...there's no way I'd wait 4 weeks!

Hi All! Hope it was a good day off for those who had it today. Susancarole: I'm glad you agree about the unjury. I know what you mean about the Medifast...a friend at work gave me a few samples of her Medifast shake and it didn't taste good at all, there was an unpleasent aftertaste. And yes, it is very costly. The Unjury is really a very good price, the shipping is even reasonable, and the taste is great. You were banded 2 months after me...I was July 2nd. Have you been losing consistently? Elisa: 23 pounds is great!!! It's going in the right direction....keep up the good work! shrinkinmom: Oh yes, you are so right, after having to drink the shakes for a few weeks, you can't wait to have real food but at times I still do have a shake for lack of time or needed extra Protein. Oh, and I too can't stand those commercials with Brook either...really dumb! Have a good evening everyone! Lisa P.

Hi To All! Hope you're all doing well. Just had a thought this morning...for those of you with up-coming surgeries: Cappy, Shrinkinmom, Lcubed(Lisa) and everyone else, I wanted to pass on my suggestion for your liquid Protein drinks for pre and post-op. I did a lot of research into the nutrition and taste of all these Protein shakes and I found the best and tastiest to be

Hi Everyone! Thanks for including me in your plans to get together in December....it will be so nice for us all to share our stories and offer encouragement to each other in person. Cappy: Oh, you made my day! I will always remember your words saying I was an inspiration with my weight loss. Thank you so much and I'm happy you're on your way as well! Lcubed: Thanks so much for the compliments....I'm looking forward to meeting you in Dec as well....your time is right around the corner! It is so worth it! Shrinkinmom: Thanks so much for the welcome...I'm looking forward to meeting you and the group. I too have only told a select few people...my husband, my 2 kids, and a friend at work who was MY inspiration to do this because she had it done by Dr Geiss too. I see we're neighbors, I'm in Patchogue! Have a good evening everyone!

Hi! How are you doing with the band and your weight loss?

WOW, you look great....congrats on your success!

Good morning everyone! I've been reading in the above postings that you are planning on meeting sometime in Dec.? Please let me know where and when in Dec...I'd love to meet all of you! Thanks, and hope you all have a great day with a little bit less of you to show the world! Lisa :redface:

Hi Lcubed and all! I had my surgery with Dr. Geiss on July 2, 2008 and they are wonderful there. All went great....thank God! As for the question if Dr. Geiss uses the Realize band, yes he does. I heard that he only knows that day of surgery and when he looks inside of you, he knows what band is best for your own body structure. I've heard from many threads on this website that the Realize and Lapband are comparable....just a slightly different structure but they both will give a person the same results. Good luck to you on your upcoming surgery and to all on their weight loss journey! Lisa :tt2:

I can relate with you as well as all the others....I"m a side and tummy sleeper and was so upset that I wasn't able to sleep well in the beginning. But at night 10 post-surgery, I was able to sleep on my side and tummy again. Before that, I always started out in my bed but then wasn't sleeping well, was restless, and got up and slept sitting up on the couch a few hours before returning to bed. When in bed, I also used lots of pillows and had one of my big dining room chairs next to my bed to help me pull myself up so I didn't have to keep waking up dear hubby for help getting out of bed. I know it's a tough time but you WILL be slepping your ususal way soon. Good luck to you and congrats on your surgery! Lisa

Wow, that was great you were able to get that pic and post it. It's very interesting for anyone who has a Band or anyone who might be interestted. Thanks!

How long ago were you banded? I had a lot of gas after my surgery too and that went on for about a month or so. Now my system is adjusted and I don't have the gas problem anymore. I was worried at the beginning like you are because I never had a problem like that but you'll see, it will go away. Good luck to you! Lisa :teeth_smile:

I think it's a long time too for it to still be bleeding. I understand it could take time for it to HEAL but I wouldn't think it should still be bleeding. I would call your doctor. Good luck!

I have a 10cc Lapband APS band. I've been steadily losing weight since my surgery and have only had 1 fill so far of 0.5cc. The fill nurse said she "was on the fence" with me concerning if I needed a fill or not because I've been steadily losing but we decided to give me a small one when I went mid September. I was suprised to find out at that time that I had 2.7cc in my band already from the surgery. So now I have a total of 3.2cc and I'm feeling pretty good. I've started to feel lately that I can eat a little more but I don't have that strong hunger as I used to have before being banded. I don't want too much of a fill because I don't want to be too tight and have the discomfort that I've heard comes with that. Next time I go for my check-up in mid October, we'll see what happens. If I had to guess, she'll probably give me a small fill.

My doctor requires an over-night stay and I thought ithat was a good idea. Everyone has a different experience with their surgery and mine went very well....thank God! Yes, there was some pain and discomfort the first few days and you feel even more lousy because at the beginning you really don't get your usually good nights sleep but that will all pass and you'll see that the Lapband will be the BEST gift you can give to yourself. I wish you good luck with your surgery and the recovery...keep us posted!

Hi Patty, As someone mentioned earlier about bruising, I too got some bruising (black and blue) on my tummy where some of ther shots were but it totally clears up in a few weeks. Good luck to you and keep us posted! Lisa :confused:

I had to do the Lovenox for 7 days post-surgery. I had to self-inject it into my tummy. The needle was so thin that it was no big deal. Had to do that because I had a blood clot in 2003 and my doctor wanted to take the necessary precautions. It all worked out well....thank God!

Hi! I'm in Suffolk too and I used Dr. Geiss in Syosset. I'm very pleased with my results (was banded July 2, 2008) and his staff is wonderful as well. I highly recommend him. Good luck in your lapband journey!

Wow Holly, that's great! Congrats to you and keep up the gopod work! Lisa

Hi Shrinkinmom, Glad all your appointments are scheduled. I did the same as you, had all my appoints. lined up and was amazed at how many I did in such a short period of time. And don't worry too much about the liquid phase. You'll be on it for a week pre-op and 2 weeks post-op. Just keep the thought in your head that you've come this far, don't blow it for food....it's not worth it. Also keep in your head that it won't last forever....before you know it you'll be eating regular food again and you'll be feeling great. Keep us posted on when you get your date! Lisa :thumbup:

Hi Chris, I wish I could help you with a pulmonologist but I wasn't really happy with who I went to. I wasn't too concerned about it because she did do all the necessary things needed to give me clearance for that dr. I can say that you should call around and ask when you can get the soonest appointment....I'm sure you can probably get in sooner with another dr. Oh, and I too used Dr. Geiss and he and his staff are all wonderful....they really care about their patients and make you feel comfortable. I highly recommend them! Good luck to you! Lisa

Hi there Country girl! Welcome, and what's the question you posted earlier? I was banded July 2nd, maybe I can help. Lisa :smile:

Hi Bobbie, Just be sure to follow the pre-op diet just as your doctor recommends....you don't want him or her to go in on the day of your surgery and find that your liver is too enlarged (that's the purpose of the pre-op diet, to shrink the liver). You've come this far, made up your mind to do this, so just let that be your mantra as you go through those difficult days of not eating food. Just know it won;t last forever. Before you know it, you'll be done with your surgery, eating regular food, losing weight, and feeling great! Good luck to you! Lisa :smile: