Mimilou2004

Katie, it was very kind of you to post your before pictures....thank you. I can't wait to see your pictures as you progress through the different stages. Mimi

Who is your doctor? How much weight do you want to lose? Do you want your guts cut up thrown away and rerouted or just portion restricted? You need to get educated on the long term side effects as well as the short term before making a decision.

I recommend seeing a plastic surgeon for a panniculectomy (abdominal apron removal) now and then saving for a full tummy tuck later. Mimi

Girl, every pound shows, you are doing very well, congratulations. Mimi

Congratulations and welcome to Bandland!!!!! Mimi

TracyNYC, everything sounds mushie to me, it doesn't seem like you violated any rules. Only problem is that you made me hungry!!!! Mimi

Congratulations, B3, you have done so well. I really enjoyed reading your story and wish you continued success. Mimi

I suspect that your stomach is swollen and the band is snug. As your reflux heals and your whole GI system heals you may start getting hungry again and may need a tiny fill. Something similar happened to me but "they" took my whole fill out and I went into immediate Bandster Hell and gained 9 pounds in 2 weeks. Best wishes and let us know how you are doing. Mimi

Mathematically, if you are maintaining your wt with no exercise then you are probably actually eating closer to 2100 cals. The good news is that Isaviolinist is right, that by journaling and maybe weighing and measuring everything that passes your lips including beverages, you can find where those cals are coming from and cut back to the 1500cal mark and start losing again. You may also need a fill, there really wasn't enough info for me to encourage or discourage that. When I hit what I thought was a plateau, one day I realized that I had started using various liquid coffeemate flavours and my coffee intake shot up too equal over 400 cals a day that I wasn't journaling or even thinking about. I hope you can also start walking 5 or 10 minutes a day and work up to 30 minutes. That would be an extra 150 cals burned. Please keep posting and let us know how you do. Best wishes, Mimi

It is wonderful that you have these measurements to keep track of, congratulations!!!! When your wt loss goes through a slow period you can recheck these measurements and feel better about making progress. Best wishes, Mimi

Start saving your $$ for a boob job!!!!! Good luck, Mimi

Good luck, you are doing a GREAT thing by quitting. I hope the patches help. Mimi

Congratulation on your easy recovery. I agree that once you are on full liquids and protein drinks and shake off the anesthesia you will feel less tired. Good luck, Mimi

I am sorry you are going through all of this. When he finally accesses the port I hope you insist on 2.5cc to get to restriction so you can start working the band. Best wishes, Mimi

Hi, Lisa, welcome. I think many of us had that same fear as you about not being a success. Part of me thinks the doc was being very negative, yet he was telling the truth. The band is a tool that helps but we have to do the work. Most likely you will be a success. Stay active here on LBT, we are a wonderful support system and spirit picker upper. Mimi

Elgrad, I have gone through bandster hell twice and may finally be out of it. I had to get a complete untill a few months ago and the docs have been filling me very slowly. I feel your pain and it will get better, hang in there. Keep watching your portions and exercising, and if you gain a little, it isn't the end of the world. Best wishes, Mimi

It has been a year since my band placement and my doc finally told me what he thought I should weigh, which is 139. Insurance charts say 120-125. I don't know where I will be ending up, but the losing journey will end when I don't want to cut calories and exercise any more than I am and the scales stop moving. I am actually more concerned about maintaining than losing since I have always been either gaining or losing, never maintaining a stable weight. Mimi

Nice picture, Shalee, and congratulations on your anniversary!!!! Mimi

I, too, was sorry to see Dina go, but she did great at home. Mimi

Sounds like you need a fill, exercise and to journal your food. Best wishes, Mimi

I am happy for you that you got restriction, even for just a few days. Many ppl do not experience restriction for many many fills. Part of your restriction could have been from your stomach swelling and then shrinking. Schedule another fill as soon as your clinic allows. Best wishes, Mimi

The military will NOT let you in with a lapband. Mimi

momwifelove, be careful, you sound very tight. Mimi

Some ppl might not agree, but it sounds like you are eating normal amounts. Are you still losing wt? If you are happy with your wt loss I wouldn't get a fill yet. Best wishes, Mimi

Amy, I so agree that a doctor should be supportive and kind. This is my last try with this doc, if he upsets me I am switching to another practice, even though it is going to cost me an extra $500 fee for the new doc to take me on. I have also been in contact with Fillcentersusa but they are over an hour a way and if I got into trouble that would be hard to get to. Southernbelle, you will probably be fine with Dr A. I have had several problems resulting in defills and vomiting episodes and this may have made him mad, I don't know. Early on I liked him fine. Mimi