lauslin

I am also an August All-star, banded 29 August 2008! I have had success with my band. I have lost 129 pounds so far. I am 25 pounds from goal. This has sparked some fire in me to reach that goal!!! I have had set backs. I had gastritis in July 2009 and had to be unfilled. I gained 22 pounds but I pulled it together and got my fills and got back on track. I exercise regularly. I do many different types. I'm now a gym rat!

Right now, I'm going to have my gallbladder removed and my doctor will reposition my band as it has some slippage. I am now unfilled but I'm okay with that. I went straight back to liquids. I've lost about 10 pounds so far. My surgery is Wednesday, 25 May 2011. I will get back on track and reach my goal by summer's end! I knew before getting this surgery that there were risks and I won't whine about them now. I'll just pick myself up and re-committ to my health and not complain. I have no regrets!

I feel so much better since getting the majority of the weight off. I cannot imagine going back so I will continue to work hard to keep my success a success.

hi there

I would love to help; feel free to contact me anytime. I am 16 months with my band and remember as if it were yesterday when I had my surgery. I look forward to hearing from you.

hi there

I think there is no "getting over a food addiction". My philosophy is once an addict, always an addict. I have just decided that if I'm gonig to be sucessful with me weight loss, I HAVE to stay sober. There is no middle ground with me, I wish there was. I can't have just one cookie. So the day I came home from my surgery, I decided that I would not eat anything with sugar and fat. As the days, weeks, and months passed by I became empowered by my "control". This is what helps me on a daily basis. Getting another day under my belt where I am in control of the food I eat, making healthy choices and doing a little bit of excercise, helps me to continue my journey. Good luck on yours

hi there, great to hear from you. I am not familiar with all the "classes" that seem to be required of you. They sound rather tedious, however try to keep in mind that all these "steps" will help you climb to the top of the mountain (your surgery, which will eventually happen, if you continue along your journey). Try to be more assertive and always ask questions.

As for me, yes, I have some hanging skin, but that is not a major concern for me. Lets see what the summer brings. I haven't worn a bathing suit for years, and my body was never the type to wear one, but I did buy 2 new suits when I was visiting my mom in Florida. She is extreamly critical of me; since the weight loss, she's a lot more tolerant and encouraging.

As for the band, I can not feel the band, but I can feel the port that is located in the center, between my ribcage. I can lay in any position comfortably, including my stomach. I have had 6 fills since my surgery last August and am at my "sweet spot" meaning that I eat small portions and feel full. Keep in touch and let me know whats happening with your progress. Feel free to ask me anything!! Lauslin

Hi there

I am a 53 year old female with two teenagers and a husband. I am a teacher and have been in the same school district for 24 years. I love my job and feel so fortunate to have a career that I actually enjoy every single day. I have had a wonderful life so far with the exception of my weight which of course leads to poor health, which then leads to negative thoughts and feelings.

My weight is my center. If I have control of what I eat for one whole day, my persona changes drastically.

On August 6, 2008, I had lap band surgery here in New Jersey. It wasn't easy for me as I have never had surgery before. I was most concerned that I would not "wake up". Well obviously, I did and here I am 9 months later with a weight loss of 84 pounds. It's quite an accomplishment. I love the number, but more important, I love the control.

Please feel free to contact me anytime; I would love to share thoughts and feelings about my new lap band life.

I look forward to hearing from you lauslin

dont worry, all of us have been through it and you will too. It takes about 10 days until you start feeling like yourself again. Hang in there

hi there

it seems you and I are at the same place. I just had my fill about a week ago and for the first time, feel that I have now reached my "sweet spot". I get full after a small portion of food and under no circumstance can I drink after I eat. I did experience severe pain when I did that the other day.. never again. I had my surgery on Aug. 6, 2008 and I am down 81 lbs. I am very very happy with the band, and I doubt that I will be getting anymore fills for quite awhile. Good luck

me too

after 8 months, I finally experienced what everybody was talking about. I hope I never have to go through that again

OMG how much weight did you lose??? FANTASTIC

guilt is a very very bad thing to carry with you. I suggest you get rid of the guilt immediately!! and...smile, you are on your way. good luck

hi there

I am a vocal music teacher and performer. I had my surgery last Aug. I found absolutley no change in my voice after recovering (about 2 weeks)

hi there

sorry to hear you are having such a hard time. I was banded a month before you and I am convinced that I am losing this weight all on my own. I think of my band as a policeman,and I have control of what I eat. I just am afraid that if I overeat that I will get sick, so.. I don't. Good luck

how awful for you. My advice is that you follow up on this and be on top of the situation. Call your dr. and get an unfill see if that helps. Good luck

i'm sorry you are having such a hard time especially now at this stage of the game. I hope yu can get some saline out; it sounds like you are just too tight. I have noticed for the first time since I had the procedure (aug, 2008) that I am starting to have the beginnings of acid reflux again. when I go for a fill at the end of the month, I plan on telling the Dr. and although I would like to get it tightend, I'm afraid more than anything that the reflux will come back. Good luck to you Leslie

my hair started falling out about 3 months post op. I have very thick hair and although people say that they can't tell; I know. so last month I decided to purchase a wig. The wig looks so much like my hair that people can not tell the difference. I feel better wearing it. I am a teacher and am in front of teenagers all day. When I get home, i remove the wig and I also do not wear it during the weekend. I have tried bioxin, but did not notice a difference. Good luck

I LOVE this post!! I tell anyone; I am not ashamed. Good luck to you

i too had surgery in august and although i am dong quite well (down 63 lbs) I still would like to know how it feels to only be able to eat a small portion and feel "full". I am scheduled for my 4th fill in 2 weeks. Continue the great work!

hi there

I was banded on Aug 5th as well and have lost the same exact weight as you. This is amazing to me!!

thank you for your reply. I too now know what it feels like to get things stuck from eating bread.< /p>

thank you dfor your quick reply; keep up the good work!!

that is so funny. I recently had the same problem with boiled eggs. My Dr. told me to eat eggs because I am lacking Protein and my hair is falling out. I said, no problem and boiled up some eggs, planning to eat 2. I could hardly get one down, stuck.

Hi everyone

Just curious about the foods that cause restriction. Is there a common link with certain foods and the number of fills? I had my third fill on Dec, 17 and find that when I eat any rice i feel restricted. Also, raisins do it to me as well. How about you? I would love to hear. lauslin

hi there. My surgery was covered because of my diagnosis of sleep apnea which I've had for 10 years. I had surgery on aug 5 and am still using my cpap. If I don't sleep with it I defenately notice a difference the next day. Good luck

Hi there I just keep reminding myself that I need to practice self control. I don't know about you, but I have been struggling with my weight for years and years. Getting this surgery was the beginning of me using this tool to finally take the weight off for good. I keep that in mind and I also constantly evaluate if I am hungry or not.

i totally agree. I was taking aciphex for years. I am glad to say that since my surgery (Aug 5) I havn't had reflux. Like you said, that alone is worth it.