TracyW2

I love those!! They also have veggie chips and apple straws that are even better!!

Everyone is going to have their own opinions on what they prefer and why.
I'm heavy into weight lifting and use the Optimum nutrition brand from GNC. Chocolate Mint is my favorite.

I can officially post in the post op section! Arrived at the hospital at 9am went back for surgery Around 11am and woke up around 1:40pm. I am banded !!! When I woke up I thought omg what the hell did I do to myself . Once I got that pain medication in me I changed my mind lol. I feel awesome I'm so blessed and thankful. I'm ready to begin this journey with massive success like many of you ! :)
ps. I'm a little loopy so please excuse me if this isn't making any scense .

2 or 3 times a week. Make sure to give yourself a day or two in between doing them. Believe me, you will want a day or two rest. Wow, they can hurt for days!

I had the ultimate test of willpower today. I am sitting in a faculty meeting around 3:45, and we have about 50 pizza delivered, every topping, every type. They sit four pizzas at every meeing table. I wanted a slice so bad, but i knew it would only get stuck, make me hurl, and probably make my already tender tummy hurt even worse. i have not had to throw up yet and I know my will power will probably be way less once i know my incisions have healed and it is less likely that i will damage my band. BUT today right as I drink another bowl of beef broth i fell damn good about myself. ·

Its hard not to read the horror stories and they are going to be there no matter what you do. Stick with the positives and you can do this! I love my band and know I never would have accomplished this with out it. Yes it is just a tool and I used my tool to its fullest ability. I have changed my life style and my band helped me do that. I enjoy eating healthy, granted those cravings still come knocking. Dont be afraid to give in to cravings. You are human! And I love to exercise. Right now I am extremely passionate about weight lifting and toning everything up.

I am almost 4 years out and love my band. But I have days I hate it too. Everybody on here is right, this weight issue is a lifetime struggle and you have good days and bad days. I would have never lost all my weight without the band. I have no fills and do not ever feel the need to be that tight to not be able to sit down and have a meal with my husband. I had gained 8 pounds last year and finally put my mind back in the game and lost it again. I am comfortable where I am and try to change the bad habits I have which have made me the perfect yo yo dieter for life. I thank the good lord for getting this band and saving my life and adding many more years to me. Good luck and this is a decision that you and you alone will have to make.

Havent been on here in a while, I did post a couple threads months ago, I had Surgery Oct 25th 2011. I hit my goal June 7th of 2012. Total lost 176 Lbs in 8 months. It is possible, But the band was truly only a small portion of why I was able to do what I did. It was 99% Mental, 1% physical. Keep your heads up out there its a road well worth traveling.
God bless.

Push up bras are my new best friends! I nursed 3 kids for all at least a year, plus the weight loss. My boob flap jacks are a far cry from the full DDD I use to carry around.

Push up bras are my new best friends! I nursed 3 kids for all at least a year, plus the weight loss. My boob flap jacks are a far cry from the full DDD I use to carry around.

Push up bras are my new best friends! I nursed 3 kids for all at least a year, plus the weight loss. My boob flap jacks are a far cry from the full DDD I use to carry around.

Yes my doctor told me to be mindful of the bike as well starting slow, but love the stomach and waist. The fact that I can tuck my blouse in witout looking at all my stomach hanging below is great. I hated the pump, and the drains that I had to keep in for three weeks wellthe pump was ok due to keeping away the pain. I am really focused on my work out now as well since I can move, I will be asking you a lot of questions, and you look great....thanks for replying I am going to go for my work out now.

Ok, I am just getting started due to my having some surgeries I have joined curves, Zumba, and I also work out in my gym in the apartment comples. All of thisis done three times a week so far for a half an hr. I dont know how to make this tape, I have lost inches so far and have to be careful now due to having tummy tucl/lipo in June 5 2012. thanks and looking for the support.

Put the scale away! It isnt accurate and can flutuate daily. There can be so many reasons as to why you are up.
I know its hard to not base everything off that number, but it will just drive you crazy!

Had the best day at the gym today....EVER!!!!

After completing the C2-5K program, I now start each workout with a 30 minute run. But I wanted more than just 30 minutes. So i decided, after the 30 minutes are up, I would then repeat the entire C2-5K program again and see where it leads.

Today, I started with a 40 minute run...then jumped into the C2-5K, Week #3, day-2.
I did not feel challenged, so I boosted the speed and incline to maintain a good BPM.
Better, but still did not feel it was enough.

At the end of the C2-5K program, they have you do a 5 minute cool down walk...but I was not yet satisfied....even though I was past the 60 minute mark.

So for 3 minutes I did a all out SPRINT!!!!

It was both exhilarating and scary....scary because I felt if I slipped I would fly across the room!!!
But I was flying on the treadmill, so fast it was like my feet hardly touched the belt!

Now I know this a freak occurrence...like seeing a low number on the scale, I know it won't be there tomorrow...But I did see it! And that is enough to encourage me to see it again, and again....

This is not about me...this is about the band...something everyone can achieve....especially those here who are 1/2 my age!!!

3 years ago something like this would not even be something I could imagine myself doing...
If anything, being 60 years old and in bad health, including one Heart attack resulting in heart surgery, I felt I was on the down slide of life, not the other way around where things keep improving!

And it is all because I decided to have Lap-band surgery, loosing all the excess weight and fat which I could never have done on my own....and obtaining a new life!!
And that...is what it's all about!!

2 1/2 Years out and I still have moments where I grieve food. But I have learned not to live my life around food. So if I am really wanting something, I let myself have it. I just have a lot less of it. I remember seeing a quote on here that said something like, That piece of food doesnt taste as good as skinny feels. Its so true!

299.8!!! First time under 300 in 4+ years! I am so excited I can hardly stand it... and I got to start mushies today... first realy meal in 3 weeks... today was a good day

I ran an entire mile without stopping for the first time in 10 years. I am three months post opt, down 35 lbs and running again. I feel so blessed.

I am a school teacher and just started my new year. I had surgery 6/14 and am down 32 lbs. I was happy that a couple people at work noticed and said positive things about it! It always helps when I am feeling a little down or feel like I should have tried harder to lose more faster.

Vitamin C and tons of it! I use that Emergen-C a lot. Take 4,000-5,000grams a day.

Completely agree!

Completely agree!

Hey all. I've been banded since April 09,2009. I have went from 255 pounds down to 125 pounds. I no longer have diabetes 2, high cholesteral, high blood pressure, no longer sleep with oxygen or a cpap. I move around more and have less pain. I'm doing things I would have never even tried before surgery...like trying to climb to the top of a rock wall AT THE FAIR, yes IN PUBLIC. II'm 44 y/o and moving more than I did in my 20s. I've went from a size 4x top to a girls size 16 a 24w pant to a size 2 in adult or a size 16 girls, my hoodie is a boys size 10. From granny panties to cute boy short panties and a 44DDD to a size 34 A, even my feet and fingers are thinner. I eat better, sleep better, hurt less try and do more than I ever have. I still love food and cooking but am more likely to try new foods, recently I tried calamari..love it and escargot...can take it or leave it...I actually like the taste3 of some vegetables I would never have eaten like carrots..since I've changed my lifestyle and eating habits they are sweet now not bitter like before. I can walk all day without getting tired and I take the stairs not the elevator. I no longer have pain shots once a month as the pain I have is bearable without the extra weight on. I want to thank all the old timers that helped me pre and post band. The best advice I got from them was top remmeber this is a new lifestyle not a new diet, food can still be enjoyed even the rare sweet. Don't limit your diet, limit your intake. PEACE AND HUGGLES!!
Bonnie

Went this weekend for a few thinks and decided to try the regular department
To my surprise I was able to fit into a regular size 16 pants (no 16x,no stretch waistband) and normal 16 with a zipper and a button….also fit in a extra large shirt (it did have a little stretch but I am not going to complain) ……………I have been unhappy in the large department for the last 5 years or so
I remember in the early 90 shopping in the big department and being happy …the shorted the skirt and the low the top the better…but not for a very long time

Was tempted to buy a lot of stuff but it’s almost the end of summer and I think I will save the money for fall clothes….in the regular department….still smiling about that….would never have happened this time without the band

So happy I just had to share

Only regret I have is not doing it sooner!
I dont feel the band at all. I do feel the port esp now that I not longer have any fat covering it. It doesnt hender me from doing anything. I exercise with the best of them. If the kids get to playing rough and hit my port, that does sting a bit. At this point, I go through every day life not even thinking about it being there.
Good luck on your journey!