Humming Bird

Building muscle on any part of the body is a very good thing, but ........ The pectoral muscles are located behind the breasts and will not lift saggy breasts. Jachut is right ..... breasts have zero muscle. They are mostly fat, glandular tissue and skin. It also depends on how large they start out and how many years gravity has been working on them. If you start out with a DD or larger and you take off 100 pounds ....... no amount of exercise is gonna give you perkys. I myself will cross that bridge when I get to it. I will have to live with saggy deflated breasts or pay for a boob job.

I've had 2 fills and they did not hurt at all. They gave me instructions to not eat before I go and only drink a little. I usually go late morning, so it has not been a problem. Many Drs do fills different .... mine has me drink water to see how it feels going down, then fills some, then has me drink more water ..... I can feel when the water feels slower going down. Both fills really helped me with restriction and continued weight loss.

I am on strict orders not to swallow any pills, and at this point I fear one would get stuck, (band tight right now)so I try to always find some other way. chewable, strips, liquid ....... maybe try a little prune juice?

I had the same problem and I had some stool softeners that were gelcaps .....soft gel on the outside and liquid on the inside. I put a hole in it and squirted the liquid in my mouth. Do NOT try this!!! OMG! it was SO BAD! It was the worst thing I have ever tasted in my life!!!! It burned and stayed on my tongue forever! After that I went and got some childrens laxitive strips to keep on hand. I have not tried them yet, but they have to be better than what I did with that other thing,

I am a 39 y/o artist, Mom and Wife and have been fussing over my weight since I was 13. A day hasn't gone by in that many years that I haven't thought about food or my weight from the time I wake up to the time I go to sleep. I feel your pain! I too have had weight problems most of my life and it is a constant in my mind. I love fashion but can't wear what I want. I am running out of sizes and styles that are wearable. My next fashion step is the mu-mu and I REFUSE to go there. I agree. It seems like everything larger than a size 14 or 16 tends to look like a mu-mu to me and I hate it! I have saved many clothes over the years thinking I will get back in them someday. I have everything from a size 9 to a size 24. It feels so good when the sizes start dropping. I have also entered menopause and all my fat (which I carry around the waist) seemed to drop overnight. I had surgical menopause and after that is when the weight really packed on and sent me up the obesity scale. Sometimes, I have to take a shower after using the toilet because I can't reach my butt to clean it properly. That hurts to type but it's time to be honest. Again, you are not alone. What if I can't stop myself from eating past the full point? In my case, the band stops me from eating past my full point. If I take even one more bite past full, it does not feel good (pain). I learned very fast to stop. How will the lap-band® stop me? Being full doesn't stop me now. I am full right this second and planning to go find a snack any minute now. It is a very different full with the band I really have no choice but to stop. The seminar host told us that what stops her from overeating is the throwing up process. For me it is not throwing up, it's pain. I have only thrown up one time since being banded and it was not from eating too much. It was from eating the wrong thing (5 french fries) I am dead-set against Gastric Bypass and lap-band® is the only procedure I would ever consider. I feel the same way about GB. I know a few people who have had it done, and after seeing and hearing the problems they have had, it is not for me. Since I can't seem to do it on my own, it's either this or die fat and early. I can't do that to myself or my family. I have the most perfect, darling little boy and I need to be here for a long time to watch him grow up. Great motivators. How did you deal with the emotional/head/obsessive eating? So far I have not had too much trouble with this, but if I do, I will go talk to someone and get help. What did you say to yourself when visions of cupcakes floated into your consciousness? I agree with others. I can get by with a bite or 2 and do not feel deprived. Does anyone have TriCare Standard who can talk to me about options and OOP costs? can't help with insurance. I have no insurance and was self-pay. Who is having a hard time with the band/lifestyle changes and what are you doing to change your thinking or behaviors in order to make it work? I don't have children at home, but think it may be hard to deal with the cooking changes. I do have my 7 yr old grandson 3 days a week. There will be times when you cook something for your son that you just can not eat. Is there anyone here who regrets having it done? I do not regret it at this point. The weight is coming off! How does losing the weight (or having the band) affect your relationships with others? I have not noticed a change at this point. Would you do it again if you could? Oh YES! wish I could have done it sooner. Do you tell people you had surgery? I ask because so many people consider it "cheating" even though we know it is hard work. (I have considered not telling anyone BUT I have a big mouth and probably can't keep it shut even if I try) I have pretty much told everyone. These people around me are great a support team. If it's cheating, then oh well, it works and that is the most important part! Good luck to you on your journey!!

To me a "garbage truck person" is someone who has had many problems, disapointments, and general negative things happen in their life. They gather all this negativity much like a garbage truck that is overloaded, then they dump a little of this garbage on other people they encounter. I try to just stay clear of these garbage truck people. I too have had a very rough life sometimes, but try not to take it out on others and be a garbage truck myself. The law of the garbage truck comes from a guy named David J. Polly. Here is a link to his site : David J. Pollay's Blog: David J. Pollay's "The Law of The Garbage Truck™" I am sure Headhunter has much experience that could help us all in this journey, but with all the garbage, the help/support is lost. I am just starting my lapband journey. I was banded 07/09/09, but will post my experience below to your questions ....

I have tried eggs twice since being banded and both times had problems. I have accepted the fact that I just can not have eggs.

I don't know why others would tell you that the band will not work for someone with a BMI over 50. I would think that your weight will drop even faster than mine has. I started with a BMI of 42. I'm glad you found LBT. I have found it very helpful to read what other people post and the support here is great. I hope all goes well for you Monday !!! See ya on the other side!

WOW !! That is so wonderful !! You are an inspiration to me. I hope I will do as well as you have. You should do something for yourself to celebrate (non-food) . GREAT JOB!

wow, have you heard of garbage truck people? I think headhunter may be one.

I was banded July 9,09 and have lost 44 lbs. The weight loss has slowed down a bit and today I'm still feeling so obese, but I'm keepin' on ....

I have sister issues too. Very close to the same you have. Cheating or not cheating ...... It really doesn't matter at this point..... What matters is YOU ARE DOWN BY ALMOST 70 POUNDS !!!!!!!! WHOOO !!!! HOOOO!!!! YOU SHOULD BE DOING A HAPPY DANCE!!!!!:cursing:

I drove to denver. There is a super8 hotel about a block from the hospital it had the lowest rates. I only had to stay at the hotel one night as I live in state. Yes, you should rent a car and print out maps/directions from google maps or mapquest so you can find his office from the airport and the surgery center and hotel.

Vit. water doesn't have any protein does it? From what I hear, Vit. water is a waste of money and sometimes has way too many carbs in some brands. The Isopure that I have seen/tried is a protein drink. I tried the clear/red isopure and it did not taste good to me. It had a very strange aftertaste, like hairspray. I have not tried the shake type isopure.

On my pre-op paperwork the only meds I listed were all NSAIDS, Aleve, ibuprophen for frequent headaches and other pain related to fibromyalgia. I take no Rx meds. Every time I have gone in for a fill they have me fill out a paper with a few questions on it and one of the questions is what kind of medication do you take. I always write ibuprophen. I can not take pill form at this point, so I use a double dose of Jr. strength chewable or liquid. I will have to ask about it at my next visit.

Oh yea, I was a "DD" Now I'm a "D" ....and they are already saggin' bad. I wouldn't mind being a "C" when I reach goal, but so sad about the deflated and saggy part.

Latrice, Have you talked with your surgeon about this? Throwing up all the time can cause you many problems with the band and with other things as well.

I have to admit, I am not exercising much at all .... Bad ! Very Bad! I was going on a few walks in the beginning, but had 16" of snow this past Thursday and it put me in winter mode. I did buy an elliptical though ..... now I just need to get on the darn thing and use it!

I was banded 07/09/09. I have had 2 fills and a 3rd one is scheduled for this Friday, 11/06, but I think I might reschedule that one because I still feel pretty tight from the last fill. (it may be a sweet spot for awhile, we'll see) Overall I am pretty pleased with the band and my results. Last time I weighed I was down 44 pounds. It may be 45 by now. Long road ahead still......

I was size 24 & 3x ("street clothes") and size 2X tight (scrubs/work clothes) Now I am size 18 / 20 (street clothes) and sixe 1X loose (scrubs/work clothes) WoooHooo I'm on my way down to see size Med. scrubs someday in my future!!!

The nice thing is .... yes, I know he loves me no matter what my weight it. BTW, He is thin and stays that way. It's just that after taking such drastic measures to take the weight off, I would love it if he complimented me. If I have to ask him or tell him to do it, it just isn't the same. I'll wait it out. Great responses from everyone tho.

My last fill was very tight. I had to extend the liquid and mushie stages, but am now doing better. BUT.....If you continue to throw up, you are too tight. They can take out just a very tiny bit and get you to a good spot.

lies tend to catch up with you. Just avoid showing the scars. Turn the other way if someone is around when you are changing clothes. As for me, just about everyone I know is aware I had lapband surgery and serves as my support team.

yes, a fill will help you. It really depends on how much they put in at the fill for you to feel restriction/tighter. Remember to go slow after a fill. Start with liquids the first couple days and slowly work into other foods. It may take several fills before you beat the hunger between meals .... known as "banster hell." Your sweet spot will be that place where you can eat a very small meal ( about 1/2 to 3/4 cup) and stay satisfied until the next meal time. The looser your band, the more of your own will power comes into play.

What is your BMI? It sounds like weight loss will help so there is less pressure on your body. If you look on the home page here, there is an area to find a surgeon. Post your location in the title of a new post and you will get some good feedback from other's in your area. Do a search for others who used medicaid. I think you will get it done without too much problem. Medicaid will also have a list of surgeons in your area. I wish you good luck with your journey.