Cindy C

74 pounds in 4 months...that's great! Don't worry about the clothing sizes. If you're anything like me all of a sudden they will start dropping like flies. It seemed like an eternity to go from a 28 to a 24 then suddenly I was a 20, completely skipped over 22 and then I skipped 18 too.

Cynpatt, 175 is totally doable. I started out right about the same place you did. Same height, a few pounds less (324) and a few years older (48). I'm currently down to 178 and still losing. I too, had a couple of long stalls but they pass and the weight loss picks back up. You're doing great. Keep it up!

There should be absolutely no reason to have to catheterize for a lapband surgery. If it makes you feel better, though, there are more than one kind of catheter. The one that you are talking about is a Foley. There are also condom catheters. Its just a condom with a hole in the end that a tube fits into. It's no different that slipping on a Trojan! Call your lapband center and ask for the person that handles insurance. They should be able to let you know what's covered. Just understand this journey requires complete commitment in order to succeed. You are going to have to change your habits. Don't worry about the pain. It's really minimal. In fact its far less than the pain of being ostracized because of your weight. One more thing and this is very important for you to understand....YOU ARE NOT A POS!!!!!

No, you are right. I did say that. I honestly can't say that I would donate a kidney to a stranger if it meant losing my band. If it was for a sibling I would do it in a heartbeat. Bone marrow donation is far less invasive and life threatening than major organ donation although it can be just as life saving but it would not jeopardize a lap band.

If you look at the back of the card it says: "Notice to restaurants: Please allow this person to order smaller portions as the amount of food this person can eat has been greatly reduced." It's up to the restaurant but most places will let you order from the children's menu. My local Golden Corral charges me the 12 year old's price. Anyone who doesn't have one can get one here: Lapband ID card

12-24 hours of liquids.

LOL!! My belly doesn't stick out as far as my boobiedo (not anymore), but my boobies hang down as low as my belliedo!!!

As you lose weight you lose fat around your band site which loosens it up. That's why they recommend going for a fill every month for the first year. Awesome job by the way. You're doing great.

I agree but there are other ways to make a difference without risking your own well being. I've been on the National Bone Marrow Registry for about 15 years. I've never been called on to donate but would not hesitate if I was a match for someone in need.

What do I know? Hmmm...look at my ticker. I know how to make a lapband work! When I read your post, you struck me as someone who is already trying to figure out how to "eat around" the band. Eating faster = eating more. Eating slowly is essential to success. I really wasn't trying to be negative. I was trying to make a point. I apologize for that last statement. It really was uncalled for. I honestly think, though, that your facility is doing its patients a great disservice by putting them back on solids so quickly.

Name, real or screen~Cindy Age~51 Weight on July 29th~178.4 Goal Weight for August 29th~172 Exercise Goal for August~Get back into gym Dietary Goal for August~More veggies, less carbs Personal Goal for August~Get son safely tucked away back at college. Date Banded~June 10, 2008 Total Weight Loss Since Banding~146

That's great!

I would not jeopardize my lapband to donate a kidney or anything else unless it was a life and death emergency for a loved one. Is there an intended recipient or are you doing an anonymous donation?

You're awesome, Jen. 51 pounds in 2 months? keep up the good work!!

Mine was not over 50 but it was close at 47.8. It's 3 years later and my BMI is currently 26.3. I don't think you should let your high number deter you. As long as you are completely dedicated to following the program you should do fine. GB takes dedication too and is really a more drastic way to go. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Number 1 on my DO NOT EAT list is red meat! I also shy away from salad. If I don't chew the lettuce well enough, it's like someone put Saran Wrap over my opening. I usually stick with chicken. It doesn't normally bother me. I also always ask what the Soup of the day is.

I can't believe there's a dr/surgery center putting patients back to regular food in 5 days. The purpose of being on liquids is to give the body time to heal and the mind time to get accustomed to the life style changes. It appears that the purpose IS being negated since your main issue here is that you can't eat fast enough. The band is designed to help you eat slower which will make you full sooner thus causing you to lose weight. Enjoy your pureed cheeseburger.

I always weigh 3 or 4 pounds more at the doctor than I did at home.

178.4! Almost 3 pounds for the month. I'll take it!

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/forum/1658-dr-howard-simon/

Onederland is a onederful place to be but don't get discouraged. You'll be there before you know it. You're doing great.

I don't agree that the super obese don't qualify for lap band. At 6'4" and 400# his BMI is 48. That is exactly what mine was at the beginning of my journey. I think part of the difference is that my doctor has been doing lap band since 2003 and has done almost 3000 of them.

Thanks, everyone. it's true that nothing tastes as good as skinny feels!!

I agree. I wasn't implying that he was a poor surgeon based on his profile here. I also checked him out on another website that rates doctors and found that the majority of the surgeries he does are gall bladder and abdominal scar tissue removal. It didn't even mention bariatrics as something he does. Based on that and the fact that he has only been doing lap band since 2009 I would think that he is somewhat inexperienced and think that the OP would have better luck with someone more experienced.

SMOKEY! Being from Detroit and growing up during the Motown era, I named "him" after Smokey Robinson because he's my own little Miracle!!!