FighterGirl

Jacq, I agree with everyone. Plus, right now weight loss should come second to healing. Stay away from that scale! Nutrition is the most important part. As you will learn with time, this surgery will make it harder for you to heal.

Its okay to get fustrated. This is the point when you have to get creative. Find that challanging workout, maybe try weight watchers, see your doctor... Just don't give up! Banded or not banded everyone reaches this point in his/her weight loss journey.

but a good high quality burger without the bun and a little A1 is heavenly...lol you can enjoy a lot of your favorite foods, it just takes time and creativity

Get it Bill! Now is the the true battle, maintaining. We are all here for you.

Balance was my biggest thing. I always ate my protein first, followed by my veggies and then my carbs. Well, it still is. The funny thing is now that I am "thin" no one thinks it is odd that I eat such small portions.

Girl, find a new doctor. Just because you were banded there does not mean your aftercare must be there. Henry Ford is always slow, lol

Barbee that is a great rate! Imagine if you got all these things separately. I am so excited for you hun!! We all expect to see you posting in your recovery boredom. You will do great. I am praying for you.

Girl please! Have fun! I agree Torrid is your best bet. Monifc.com has a fab convertivable dress that goes from the club to brunch.

If it is dry and stringy it is not going down. The Tyson Fajita chicken (precooked and frozen) is the answer, it is most and very tender.

lol@ Gucci port! My doctor told me she put it on my left in case I ever had to self adjust. The strange thing is now when i stretch I see it and when people touch the area they freak out. lol

At 3 weeks you really should not be focused on what you are losing. I know it is hard not to, but the goal now is learning how to eat again. Also, I would start measuring myself once a month and only weighing my self one day a week (if you feel you must) at around the same time on the same day. It is great to see your excitement and dedication, but even during weight loss...the scale can be the enemy.

I needed a tummy tuck in the worse way. I had killer muscles under all that extra skin and now you can actually see the hard work. Excess skin has a lot to do with how much you weighed, how quickly you lost it and plain old genetics. I know 20 something patients who need neck lifts, so it is really a luck of the draw sort of thing.

Welcome! Great to have you! Please stay for life, lol. That is an awesome achievement. We can't wait to see the pictures from the wedding.

You need to continuously see your doctor and have it documented to state that it is due to the excess skin. Your GP can see you and give you ointments for it.

Honey, after my first two years I was still plus sized. I think at that point I had lost around 150 lbs leaving me stil in the mid 200s. I think I was wearing an 18-20. Your chart does not apply to Queen Thunder Thighs. lol

It was my mindset that has helped me be successful. The lapband is not a diet, but a bew way of living. You have to reprogram your brain about how it thinks of eating and drinking. You have to think of it as a permanent physical change.

I was only out of school for a week. The great thing about the band and laparoscopic surgery is you are back on your feet fast. I simply asked for a letter excusing me from class on hospital letter head and I was all good. Check your schools attendance policies or see if you can wait until Winter break.

Mini, my seroma lasted me 2 months worth of draining...it was horrible. However, it caused no damage or complications. Seromas occur because your body is use to something being in that area so it floods it with white blood cells to fill the space. The one thing I will tell you is stay away from heating pads and ice. Congrats!!

Relax. You will be banded for life. You are clearly on the right path to losing weight. I know it is fustrating because of course these people don't find it as imprortant as you do, but it will all get done. You will be banded before you know it. You have everything. BCBS will get it and more than likely sign off on it quickly. It took me a week and that was 6 years ago, so hopefully it will take you days. Have a glass of wine today and Celebrate the future.

I just purchased baby spoons, which you can get at any child store or Toys-R-Us. I like to eat from bowls, but I did get rid of all my big plates and purchased 8 inch.

Due to my job I have to eat out a lot, so I have a few tricks that work for me. Lunch - I like to go for soup and half a sandwich or an appetizer. I get soup but I do not eat the broth, I will take the veggies or pasta out because it is mushy and easy to digest. The sandwich...I don't eat the bread, which is nothing unusual in this day. Dinner - I always start with a glass of red wine because my doctor told me it helps rest my esophagus. I check and see if anyone wants the bread and ask them to take it away if no one wants it. I do not get a glass of water, I ask for a glass of ice to prevent me from drinking while eating. I look for a fish and mashed potato combo as it is always a winner. Always see if someone is willing to share a meal or ask them to box half of it for you before they even bring it out. I hate how people look at me because I eat so little, lol.

CONGRATS!!! Enjoy the journey.

Kartman, it is a personal journey. It is your decision as to how you want to live your life and you plan to utilize your WLS. I know for me it is really scary to think about going back to the days when I was almost 400 lbs, but I have maintained my current weight for almost 2 years now. food is an addiction for me that I will always fight and I have to take it one day at a time. My problems did not develop overnight and they will not disappear. It is an everyday struggle for me and I am sure you can relate. You have to take it in the moment and try not to look back. Be the inspiration for those who are trying to pull you down. You have done it! Don't let anyone take this achievement from you!

I get asked out a lot. Getting a date now is almost too easy, however there are things that are keeping me single. If a guy puts someone down for being overweight it is a no go. When I try to explain that I was overweight and your only response is do you think you will get that fat again, its a no go. Then of course there is me. I had always been overweight, I have excess skin (have had a tummy tuck, but want a couple of other tweaks) and that still carries as such an insecurity for me. Almost like I will block getting close to someone to prevent having to reach intimacy. Because as we all know we may look fabulous in clothes and have saggy everything outside of them. OY I think I am going to start a WLS dating group, lol

LOL! So, true. It is really hard being comfortable with being intimate with someone when you have excess skin or boobs that look like great-grans. I had to have the conversation when the insecurity became apparent. It is not easy opening up to someone and saying well I have lost 100 plus pounds and everything is not where it "should" be. I really wish I had the answer because it is tough. I think you have to just open up to him about you having lost a significant amount a weight and your body does not look how it maybe expected. GOSH, being a woman is so difficult