marie715

Bill, Congratulations on your victory! You did fantastic. I share your enthusiasm because today I participated in my first 5K also but not as a runner, as a walker. It was a Mutt Strut so my dog Skipper and I participated. Last year I volunteered at one of the Water stations and I was not even able to fit into the free t-shirts they gave out. This year, minus 75 pounds, the t-shirt fit great and I completed the 5K in 1 hour and 9 minutes. I was actually the last one to cross the finish line but I CROSSED THE FINISH LINE!!! And now I have a time to beat for my next 5K. Also, I am hoping that maybe, just maybe, next year I will run some or all the 5K. That would be too cool of a goal to reach for me. Bill, keep up the good work.

In that case, what I'd do is conclude that the doctor's office scale as 'inaccurate' and deem the pool scale as your 'true' weight! ; )

Lapbandmom, I just wanted to comment about the family member who had 'asked recently if she had her band removed or something.' If I were you, I would have told them to 'MYOB, buster'. That's a quote from the late Ann Landers. People who do not have lap bands have no idea what it takes to lose weight with a lap band and they should not comment on other's weight loss. This rattles my cage.

Heather, you stated it exactly how it is for me. I'm 8 months out from surgery and very happy living with this sweet spot. Hopefully, it will take me down another 50 pounds.

It is a very good site. The url is Arizona Bariatric Center - Dr. Simpson welcomes you!.

IMO, I would not go if I were you. One week post-op, you are still recovering from surgery. You need to rest and take care of yourself and not be concerned about all the things that go along with an out of town business conference. What happens if you have some sort of complication or question? I think for the first few weeks after surgery, you need to be near your doctor. All you need to do is to provide a medical excuse from your doctor that says that you are not able to travel until after such and such date. You probably won't have any problems or complications but be extra cautious. You won't regret it.

tcbgirl, feel better soon. Those treatments will quickly get you better.

Yep, I have 2 in my purse right now!

I can so relate to the looking in the mirror thing. I avoided looking in the mirror for at least the last 18 years. The mirrors at my house are at shoulder level so I don't see my full body. But last week I noticed that I actually do look up in mirrors in other places like in the ladies room at work. I like what I see until I turn sidewise and then I'm like 'Ugh!'. I carry all of my weight out front in my stomach. I also love my band and thank God every day that I did not have any complications. I never even experienced the gas pains. I believe I have the band that holds only 4cc's so I think I got to my sweet spot quickly. Only 3 fills and the last one was Dec. 7, 2008. My surgeon says that as long as I continue to lose 1 - 2 pounds a week and I cannot finish a 4 ounce hambuger patty then I don't need a fill. So far, so good. So I have lost 67 pounds since surgery and 72 pounds if I count in the pre-op week. I am totally amazed. I haven't been able to lose more than 25 pounds at one time and I never kept those pounds off. I need to lose at least 30 to 40 more pounds but according to those lovely BMI charts I need to lose 70 more pounds before I am 'normal' weight.

Sure, I'll chat. I see you were banded about 2 weeks before I was. How is it going for you? Any complications? What is the BEST thing about being banded, for you? What is the most unexpected thing about being banded for you?

I agree with the stress at meal times issue. I hadn't been warned of that before I got banded but finally realized it on my own when everytime my father called me during dinner time it felt like my stomach had a vise around it. One other thing that I suggest. Measure out your food before you start. This way you will know that you are not overeating. This helps me. Good luck.

Hi Cleo's Mom, I believe I have this band because the wallet card they gave me says that my band holds 4cc's. When you find out more information on this band, will you please post it? I do not know when I will be going back to my surgeon so I won't be asking her any questions until then. My experience with the band for the past 7 months has been good.

I was just thinking about this no carbonation rule. What I don't understand is since it is a liquid then it should just go right through your band into your stomach. So I don't get why they say that the carbonation will stretch your pouch. I would think that would only happen if you drank too soon after eating when you still have food in your pouch.

Kennedy, I am so sorry to hear that you have had a terrible time with the band. I hope you can get relief soon. I'm glad you posted your experience. People researching the band need to hear both sides of the story.

Welcome, Roscoeburke. Where in Illinois are you at? I am in a suburb of Chicago and had my lap band done at Loyola Medical Center in Maywood, IL. I am so glad to hear that your year long journey to get the lap band is almost over. Congratulations for sticking with it. Best of luck to you.

Boy, our stories could not be more similar. I'm a little bit shorter than you. Before I was banded, I weighed a little bit less than you but my BMI was about 53, like you. The rest of your story is me, totally and completely. The real story is that even with all we have stacked against us, I was able to lose 65 pounds in 7 months and it has honestly been relatively painless. Don't even give a 2nd thought to any difficulties when eating out with others. No one at your luncheons or dinners is going to care how little you eat. Do you care how little anyone else eats at these luncheons or dinners? Of course not. I can honestly say that the lap band is NOT for everyone but I encourage every one to check it out and learn as much as they can through the internet and support groups. You won't regret making an informed decision. When I was doing my research, I just figured that if it was meant to be then everything would line up as it should and I would feel comfortable having the surgery. If it was not meant to be, then there would be some obstacle presented to me that would give me a clear indication that the lap band was not meant for me. Keep reading the posts on this site and keep asking your questions. I've always had prompt and excellent replies to any question I asked on this forum. Most of all.. . GOOD LUCK!! Go get 'em!

Certainly!! Enjoy!

Hi Happychick! I want to encourage you by letting you know that I had a BMI of about 52 when I got banded 7 months ago. I'm very happy with my weight loss of 66 pounds. Good luck going through the process of getting banded. Stay in touch.

Hi! Yes, May 1st really will be like a new life beginning for you. You will remember May 1, 2009 like it was your birthday. Good luck and stick around here. It's a great website.

Congratulations, Skyjoe! You're almost at your one year band-iversay also!

I agree with you guys. If we can keep our bites down to the size of a pea and chew that really, really well, then we should not have any problems. I learned it the hard way.

Hey, Cassie! I bled for 2 years straight also until I could find a gynecologist competent enough to diagnose a simple fibroid. :welldoneclap: Thanks for the link to triabeauty.com. It's very interesting. I just wish it could be used on the face. Let us know how the laser works out for you guys. Congratulations on your 50 pound weight loss. Way to go!

Hey, Sweetbean! Your PCOS story is pretty much my PCOS story also. How can doctors NOT know about PCOS? I diagnosed myself after reading a Good Housekeeping article and realizing that I had 7 out of the 10 symptoms of PCOS. To encourage you, I got my lap band on Sept. 4, 2008 and have lost 64 pounds since then. So it is very, very possible to lose weight with PCOS and the lap band. Without the lap band, the most I ever lost on my own was 25 pounds. If you follow the lap band rules, which really aren't difficult to follow, you'll do GREAT with the lap band. Stay in touch with us and let us know how you are doing on your journey. Best of luck to you.

Hi Antliz, Well I am only 7 months post-op but I have lost 65 pounds since being banded and so it is very possible that I will hit the 100 pounds loss mark by my first band-aversary. I am only 4' 10" tall. My pre-op weight was 248 pounds. I have had a wonderful experience with the lap band and I hope you do also. Best of luck to you.

When you say you were throwing up 'too much', how often was too much? I think I may be too tight but I'm not sure. I am keeping a record of how often I slime. I don't get the sour stomach like you said you had.