drew05

I just recently told everybody. If you're really successful, people will wonder how you lost all the weight. It's better for them to know you had a tool like the lap band rather than rumors about eating disorders or diseases. People can be really weird. Haha

I still have some loose skin, but working out and drinking lots of Water is helping!

I've gotten to do so many of these things now! Work hard and you'll have the things you want!

Hey there everyone. I've been a member here for a long time, but I haven't been on in years. I've been busy with my school, work and life, and I am finally at a good place in my life with everything. I thought I would pop in and let everyone know how I was doing, and hopefully inspire a few of you!!

I got my Lap Band in December of 2008. I weighed 395 pounds at my heaviest, right before surgery. With the help of my band, I have lost almost 200 pounds. I currently weigh 195 pounds and I am still losing!!

Besides changing my diet to the general knowledge things (no fast food or processed food) I increased my physical activity tenfold. I park as far away as seems sane, and take the stairs everywhere. I haven't been in an elevator in over two years!! If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask.

I attached a before/after picture for all to see

Hey everyone! Just saw the email and thought I'd stop by and say hey. I'm currently sitting at 220, about 20 lbs from my goal weight, kind of like everyone else here. Doing incredibly well, and I couldn't be happier with my band. Hope everyone else is doing well!

Jane, I know EXACTLY how you feel. I shared clothes with my friend the other day for the first time ever! It is such an amazing feeling to look in the mirror and be ALMOST completely satisfied with how you look.

OH! One more NSV.... I've started swimming without a shirt! I've always wanted to be able to do this, but being big I never had the courage. No more!

You're all looking great!!

Here's a new picture.

Dude you look great! Awesome job!

great NSV's everyone! Jane I'm so proud of you :w00t:

I officially fit into a 36 and a large shirt! I never thought I would be smaller than a XL.

I was approved in less than a week.

You look great Blackcherry!

I finally have a decent before and after picture to compare.

Here's the before, at 365

and after, at 220

My stomach growls ALL THE TIME. Sometimes so loud its embarrassing. As for the constantly being hungry, before you hit your sweet spot with restriction, you're gonna have to use your willpower to cut yourself off. From what you said you did that. Keep it up until the next fill!

Here we go guys! Take a look at these. Before was me at 360 and the recent one is me at 230ish.

Awesome NSV's everyone!

I had a great one today. My roommate was telling me about her calculus professor and when describing him she said "He looks like a fat ugly version of you actually."

I've never had anyone tell me someone looked like a fat version of me. Wow!

Hey just wanted to stop in and say hey! I'm about 20 pounds from goal, hoping to be there by the end of the year!Hope everyone is doing great.

I posted a pic in my album... I didn't want to post it here because I don't have a before picture for it and I'm kind of self conscious about it :sad: but feel free to go check it out!

Oh yeah. Do things to take your mind off of the wait and it'll fly by. I had a 6 month pre op diet that turned into 7 and it just flew by.

I was just like you. I was hardly in the doctor's office for a good 3 year span. So long as the insurance can get ahold of the pediatrician and the pediatrician can fax your health records, you'll be fine. Good luck with getting approved!! And good choice going with the band. Best decision I've ever made :sad:

Heyyy everybody. Just wanted to check in. I moved out of SA but I'm still just up the street in Austin. Just wanted check in and see how everyone was doing!

No way! Really? I wanted to ask about alchol but was hestitant. I assume beer is a no,no. How about vodka? Bloody Mary's anyone?

Oh I still party too. I can play beer pong and chug drinks with the rest of them. I think I'm just the exception though, not the rule. But you will get drunk SUPER quick. I'm such a cheap drunk now

I smoke marijuana probably more than anyone else on this board (to be honest every single day) and I'm doing GREAT on my journey. it's all about WILLPOWER! Weed doesn't make you gain or loose weight, YOU DO. Don't insult people because they smoke weed. I don't insult people on here because they smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol. That's their choice.

Mine was super strict with the carbs. But I went through the same thing you guys are with the weakness. It'll change soon though, promise! In the meantime, try to get rest and don't do more work than you need to!

Welcome! This is a big first step (I remember my seminar and consult like it was just the other day) and if you have any questions we're here for you. We've been through it :thumbup:

I have to resurrect this thread. I actually have to use marijuana to get myself to eat. After banding and losing all this weight I've completely lost my appetite. I can go an entire day without eating and not feel any adverse reactions. But that's not healthy. So while I do smoke for pleasure, I use it to help me eat when I need to.

I agree with all of the above ones, but it comes down to you at the end. I told no one except like three close close friends and my family. My brother thought I was taking the easy way out and then he saw how hard I had to work to actually loose all the weight and now he wants it himself. As for my friends who don't know, they wouldn't understand. They've never been fat. They haven't been fat their whole lives and they didn't have to endure the ridicule I did as a kid. If they think it's the easy way out (like your bf) then they need to research and actually learn what the band does. It always hits home with me when someone says this is the easy way out. If they only knew...