Stitchy

I'd say so.

Hello all. I haven't visited for awhile, but thought I would post a before and after picture. The before was on surgery day, May 9, 2006. The after was February 23, 2007. From a size 22 pants to size 12. Size 2x top to a large (Mediums are still a little too snug.) I am not at goal, but even if I didn't loose another lb, I would consider this a success.

I haven't been here for awhile, but here is my progress

May 2006, surgery day

Aug 2006 - down 39 lbs

Oct 2006 - down 48 lbs

I agree with everything that ladydi and DonnaB said.

I also had about 100 lbs and a BMI around 37, so was self pay, too. In 4 months, I have lost 45 lbs. That's pretty fast, IMO. Anything faster than 1-2 lbs a week really isn't good for you. I may have the loose skin issue, but it doesn't look like it so far. I love the way I'm looking.

I wouldn't have had WLS if RNY was the only option. It scared the Hell out of me. That's how strongly I felt about it. It sounds like you have done your research, so you know all of the reasons. And you would still have to struggle with eating healthy. Even more so than with the band because of the malabsorption factor. Much of what you eat dumps out. Have you read about the dumping syndrome?

If you made a mistake or there are complications with the band, you can have it REMOVED!! There are no options with RNY. You're screwed.

And co-workers. Forget them. This is for you, not them. If they are talking, they may be envious. Lucky you!

Three days pre-banding should be doable. It's hard, but you can do this. I occasionally did liquid fasts for other reasons.

Post banding won't be as hard. Your stomach will be swollen and tender and you probably won't want to eat much anyway. It's the most difficult just before you are allowed to move on to more solid food. I liked Tomato Soup from Trader Joe's. Warm and filling. I also blended protein-rich Soups and thinned them down with broth and milk.

Visit the food forum for some information.

Oh, Yeah! WELCOME TO LBT!!

Oh, Malice-X. I hear you. I've been craving for a couple of weeks, now. And givng in too often. I don't need a fill. My band is working just fine. Lots of restriction. I just want to eat the wrong stuff. I need to get back on track, too.

Welcome to LBT. Keep asking questions. There are a lot of great folks here.

Congratulations on your upcoming marriage. Send pics!

What a relief!

Carbonation? Maybe. I have vodka and tonic with ice. Knocks the bubbles right out ... for me.

I don't know what your doc recommends regarding alcohol. IMO there is nothing wrong with alcohol per se, but it does have a lot of calories. I've been drinking too much during BBQ's this summer and my weight loss stalled. So, just take care. Don't be me. :nervous

Like I said obesity seems to cause cruelty in some people. You are a shining example of that. You must be very proud of yourself

WOW! The fruit doesn't fall far from the tree, does it?

I will miss him, too. Whenever I watched a show, I couldn't help saying, "He's cazy!" And I loved him. Peace with his family.

Diva - I'm glad your parties went well. Good for you.

Yeah, I know where my gain came from, much as I would like to play innocent. :embarassed:

I have left many of the other threads, too. There are just a couple that I am sticking around for. Like this one, the before and after photos, and my May bandsters thread. It's not the same, but at least they aren't being nasty. However, I am hoping that those that left on their own will return. I miss them.

I buy the dinosaurs' children's chewable Multivitamins from costco. I take two (although the doc said one). I also take two Activa chewable Calcium tablets a day. And two benefibers, but that's another issue

I waited about 10 weeks to get my first fill. The doc said that they would do them every week or two, but I prefer to wait at least a month between. I have heard that sometimes the restriction takes a couple of weeks to settle in. I really don't want to be too tight too soon.

I have been on a plateau for about a month. I think I will schedule my 3rd fill for a couple of weeks from now.

I weigh every day (sometimes more than once) - I'm a scale whore! Generally, there is up to a 2-3 lb difference between bedtime and morning, but last night there was 5 lbs. :omg: I don't get it. However, I only record Monday mornings on my spreadsheet.

Yep! Seems like every doctor is different. My clinic is very liberal. Water went down just fine right after the fill. He said eat whatever you want - but carefully. New restriction.

I would try to follow whatever your doctor wants, but if you slip up, it doesn't sound like it is going to hurt you much.

Mine was like that. But, maybe I was just being more careful right afterwards. A couple of weeks later, I think I was just more comfortable with it and not paying as close attention.

You've just been through major surgery. It doesn't seem like it because you have such tiny incisions, but major nontheless. You are going to have all kinds of discomfort for a little while. You'll be OK.

Mandy has had her band since March 23rd. She has only lost 22 lbs. I had lost 56 at that point. Should I be concerned? She started at 269. I started at 218 I feel so bad for her. :help:

Back to your original post. I think she is doing well. Some people are tortises. So no, I don't think you should be concerned. Just be her loving mom. If she asks for help, work with her, but as the mom of an adult daughter, I know from experience, that she probably doesn't want any help from you. My DD has no problem with saying, "Mom, let it go. It's my problem. I will solve it." I understand that you love her, and as a mom, you would like to help. But, adult daughters are still adults. It's so hard to let go. Just love her and be there if she wants you.

I lay down and try to feel for my port and it is nowhere to be found. I'm kinda scared.

OOOOH! TELLY! What if all you have are scars and no hardware? That would mean your weight loss and nifty waist were all on your own!

So, I'm sitting here drinking diet snapple, bagel chips and some wonderfully delish cream spread. :faint: Now I know why my scales are fickle. They're not. I am.

Somebody shoot me.

Last night, I BBQ'd chicken thighs. I soaked them in teriyaki sauce for about an hour, and it was wonderful! Why didn't I do that a long time ago?

Nana - vinegar? Just plain vinegar, or one of those flavored ones? Sounds interesting.

Keep the suggestions coming!

You sound like you are just fine. :clap2: Sipping is what you should be doing. Gulping wouldn't be good right now. I listened to my stomach, too.

Now is the time to heal.

Good luck