TCarroll

Hi there... I hope you feel better soon... I have been post op 8 months almost to the date... and my TOM started last night and I am having this too right now... so I think it has more to do with that-- my band seems to tighten up and swell during those TOM.... now not all my TOM do I get the nausea-- but it sure is happening right now...

Here is my latest before and after pics... first one taken 9-16 18 pounds lost.. 224 and the second taken saturday night 4/3/10 96 pounds lost at 146... definetly need to work on my arms more-- or never pose like that again!

I am amazed at how much my family does eat.... and I especially the ones complaining about losing weight...I say..well, you just ate dinner now you are snacking on cheerios-- which is a healthy choice.. how many calories?? they say only like 130 for a cup-- I said well thats great-- but you just ate dinner 30 minutes ago you need to add those calories and see how much it all is.... but that's not what gets me now... What truely gets me is the size bites they take... it makes me gag watching it... I finally said the other day bc they caught me looking at them weird... " do you realize if I took a bit that big-- I would be puking all over the table!" so yes, the way they eat can get to me.... but ya know.. pre-band.. I am sure peope said that about me... so, I am not gonna judge.. I just look at my plate and concentrate on how I eat!

Hi Ladies, I am just here to tell you not to get discouraged.... I had surgery on 8/25/2009 7 1/2 months ago and am now down to 149- a 93 lb loss and am in a size 8/10... and well I really keep trying to wear the 12's cause I just bought most of these and I am running out of money ! LOL! I did the same thing at first-- i remember being down 40+ lbs and barely seeing a change in size and honestly only peeople who knew about my surgery noticed or commented on any weight loss.... my dad- who had surgery 3 months before me- kept saying ... just wait baby.... once you hit 60 lbs-- it is very noticable and you will see it... and he was right! People noticed through-out my work building... I startedt o go down sizes-- once I got to 16"s ..... it seemed to just keep going and going and going... so it speeds up in sizes once you start getting to the smaller sizes...stay strong-- you are gonna start to see all the hard work pay off! And it is the best feelign to go shopping and tell your husband-- babe-- can you go get me a smaller size-- heheheh these dont fit!:thumbup:

Hi there.... stop, and take a deep breath. Ok, first I am sure it is completely natural to have second thoughts when it comes to having surgery and a whole new way of eating and well... life! But no I personally did not have a second thought. For one of the first times.. i didn't think about -- what if I fail... failure on this was not an option.. I looked at things differently, positively! That this tool is now going to help me be more like the "normal" people out there who can lose weight and keep it off... That I was gonna give it everything I had and follow the rules and let it benefit me. To be honest with you-- I really feel like this is why I have been a success. I have lost 90 lbs in 7 1/2 months. Now the true success will be me keeping off the weight but to be honest-- I don't think that will be a problem.... After I have been doing this for over 7 months now-- I have broken the bad eating habits and automatically eat the healthy things that my body needs. Don't get me wrong-- are there times that I want some chips or cheesecake-- SURE... and this is what "normal" people do...I have maybe a handful or a few bites - I am satisified and walk away.... I dont eat the whole bag or the whole freakin' cheesecake like before! The bottom line-- (and I don't mean this to sound harsh) make up your mind that this is going to be a positive life change for you... a rebirth to being healthy and happy. Not whinning that you may never get to eat this food again or that food again... you will eat it-- in moderation.. the way you are supposed to... let's be honest... it's this whinning and poor me I can't eat this on my diet that got us all here in the first place... Leave that in the past, you will now have a tool that helps limit the hunger we have... yes, I will be honest - you will still have to conquer your "head" hunger -- the annoying little voice that keeps telling you... you barely ate anything today-- I need food and I want chips and ice cream... so maybe, take a bite or two- and walk away... or drink some Water and realize how full you actually are and that it is just your head talking... not your stomach. If you want this and are gonna go through a surgery - then do it... stop worrying about what if I fail... blah blah blah-- start saying -- wait to you see what a success I am! The great thing is, you will start to see such a difference in how your clothes are fitting and on the scale... it is worth not eating the junk food... and soon enough-- your body doesn't want it anymore! I am sorry if I seem rude, this is not what I am trying to do.. but I personally believe that going into this with a positive attitude instead of thinking of what you can't eat or whatever is what will help you succeed. I think of my band as a gift in which I don't want to take advantage of. I knew from day 1 -- this is gonna be some work-- the band isn't magic.. BUT this is that extra strength I needed and I AM going to be a success and make myself and family proud!

Well I am engaged and our wedding is in May. When I started thinking about Lapband-- it was pretty much a 3 week process between yes, I want to have it- till surgery. I have had several other people in my family have Lapband. At first I was very nervous to talk to him about it bc I thought for sure he wasn't gonna like me doing it. He brought up some valid points about us getting pregnant in the future and wanted the answers for. I explained to him that I am not happy with myself... and that I would already be going into a pregnancy with heart problems and that my weight would just be adding to a problem pregnancy. He was supportive but distant the day before surgery- infact, he didn't take me to the surgery- I had a family memeber do it. But when I woke up from surgery he was there. I think he was just scared for me to have surgery. He has been supportive thru my whole weightloss progress... I mean he loved me Fat already-- but he did say that he didnt think he could of at the time- but is even more attracted to me now. He is funny now, he will go shopping with me and pick out stuff for me to try on..LOL! As a matter of fact, we went shopping this weekend and he was there making me try on a size 8 - which I thought wouldnt fit and it did...he then made a comment- about wow, you really are getting tiny... I didn't think you would get this tiny so fast. So I know he is proud and I have seen him a little more jealous at times if someone looks at me... but overall is just more proud. However, after a night out with the guys last night and a few drinks... he woke me up at midnight (saying he was sorry.. for being selfish...we had a minor fight before he left) then started in on how he is scared that with me loosing all this weight that I will think I can do better and leave him.... I didnt really respond last night- I was still a little upset at him and I also knew he had been drinking so ...best not to get into deep discussions.... but it is something that I will talk to him about after work. But overall, yes he has been supportive but was very scared at the beginning... 90 pounds later he is proud of me and taking me shopping!

Hi everyone! My name is Trish, I am 33 years old and am about to be getting married on May 15th. I had my surgery on 8/25/09 starting out at 242 lbs... I knew from the day of surgery this was gonna work and had no doubts about it... as of today (7 months and 1 week post surgery) I am down 89.2 lbs... in a size 10 clothes and to reach my original goal have about 17 pounds to lose. I will say that I am thinking about adjusting my goal by 10 more lbs to put me at 125. I guess I will make that choice once I hit my 135 original goal. I am happy to meet all of you and wish everyone the best in their journey!

yes that is normal for right now... I have never been a gassy person or really ever belched... but I remember feeling like if I could it would be the best thing EVER!! keep walking around --- it helps get the gas out .... eventually when you start to be able to burp or excuse my french... pass gas... you will feel so relieved! You are doing fine... like I said-- keep walking!!! stay moving!! and also... try the gas-x strips... I lived on those and they helped..

I know it's easy to be scared when going into surgery-- human nature... but honestly I got the jitters --a few days before surgery then I set myself down and said-- no this is going to be a positive thing in my life... and surgery day is the first day of it... I went in thinking positive and remembering everyone tell me to walk.... so much so that I woke up from surgery demanding from the nurse that she let me walk around.. my doctor came in about that time and said-- well let her up to walk then... and I did.... surgery was very easy for me.... I took it for what it was knew there would be some discomfort but ya know what-- exercising is a discomfort and pain... but you will do that too!!! Stay positive... say a prayer and look forward to the new you in a matter of months!

I just want to say that everyone looks great! Keep up the good work! Here is my in progress photo's ... First one- taken 9-16-09 (2 weeks after surgery) 18 pound loss... the second one- is taken today 7 months after surgery - 86 lb loss...[/img]

Wow , you put it in such great words... you are right- listen to your body... and understand what is head hunger and what your body really needs!

Hi Cheryl, I am sorry I wasn't trying to make it sound like it is easy and that you can't fail on it or it is a miracle.... The point I was trying to get across is that yes at times you might stubble and eat "your favorite unhealthy food" if you can handle it-- but it won't kill your diet like it would if you didnt have the band- bc you aren't going to eat that much of it. I would like to add that I agree with Cheryl-- I have worked hard and stayed committed to the band and eating right. I workout, I always eat my Protein, I stay away from breads and things with white flour... I drink my water- I gave up Diet Cokes... I have worked hard to get the results I have gotten... and also, I have to Thank God bc since day one of surgery I have had restriction.... I never went thru Bandster Hell.... and even still I only have 2 cc total in my 10 cc band... and I even feel like this might be too tight... I basically look at each meal like what am I gonna eat that is gonna give my body enough nutrients it needs since I am on such limited calories... I dont like to eat "empty nutrient " foods bc then I wont meet my daily goals of nutrients for the day. Now in saying that... I do have my Cheat meals 1 or 2 times a week... but not in the same day -- I make sure my other meals are every nutrient rich. So again sorry Cheryl if I made it seem like this was just easy or a miracle weight los thing.

Hi Heidi, If I had 80 lbs to lose-- I would do this again in a heartbeat! I am currently down 84 lbs... I am working getting off the last 23 lbs... I am 6 months and 2 weeks post surgery. Yes at first I kept thinking-- oh I am gonna want samdwhiches and what if I cant eat any fries.. blah blah blah... bottom line.. even if you dont have surgery and stick with your plan of liquids and 1 small meal a day.. you cant have sandwhiches or fries.. and when you do-- you will immediately gain weight. Here was my point... I knew I had it in me to stick to a plan, eat small meals, don't drink when I eat... and get the weight off-- I just wanted this to be the LAST time I did all this work! Not get it off and then resume back to my old habits and start all over. And FYI I still can have a few(very chrispy) fries here and there-- and guess what... I lose weight still-- bc I dont eat a LARGE McDonald Fry... First and foremost-- this is your decision... are there gonna be times you really really want (insert favorite food here) yeah and you might be able to tolerate it too.. so have it once in a while-- the small portion.. and sooner or later- you will notice your body will crave less and less of the unhealthy stuff... this is hands down the best decision I have ever made... the ease of walking into a store bc I need an outfit for some event and grabing 3 dresses to try on in a size 10 and they all look good... versus shopping hours over hours to find a dres that looks ok - or "not look huge"... it is a great feeling. I made the decsion going into surgery - that I was gonna be a success... I was gonna give it everything I had-- meaning not just eat correctly but workout, drink Water, and follow lap band rules... so much so that I vowed that until I reached my goal weight- I would do no alochol either... and in the last 6 months I have had 2 glasses of wine which I didnt even finish but felt like I had to order them at the work events. At first it was kinda hard socially-- but now-- honestly it doesnt bother me... Bottom line is I feel like for the first time in about 13 years.. I had a normal body where I could eat things I loved in small amounts a couple of times a week and eat healthly all the other times -- and I lose weight not gain... My mind is currently trying to catch up with the new body image.. I think that is gonna take alot longer than the weight loss did.. but I am working on it... and honestly I realized that why I might have had issues with food(which got me fat) I am not emotionally tied to food... however I am having new emotions coming up about my body and I guess I am now more critical of it then before... so I am watching that. Good luck with your surgery.. stay determined... leave no negative thoughts in your mind-- You, Heidi are gonna be a success and be happy and healthy by this time next year! Let me know if you ever have any questions... God Bless

Oh do I know where you are coming from!!!! I am getting married on May 15th... I had surgery on August 25th.... I was putting off going to get my dress as long as possible and then every dress store I called said I HAD to get in ASAP.. so I went on my mission in Novemeber... by then I was down a little over 45 lbs.... and I was feeling alot better about myself... that was until I went to try on dresses!!!!:eek: I was very honest with the lady(who was the shop owner) about how I had surgery and it was a definite that I would loose more weight before the wedding.... and she was pulling dresses that once I lost weight probably would have been the best fit for my figure.... and would have looked great-- but when the dresses are 4 -5 sizes too small and pinned on you -- yoiu just CANT say- yep thats the one!! so I went for a more A-line dress which would be easier to alter if need be.... finally I found the one.. and at the time it was a bridal dress size 16-- and was too small.... Well it came time to order the dress... and both the lady and my mom INSISTED that I order teh 16 dress-- and that it could be taken up -- UP TO 3 sizes without effecting the look of the dress.... I really thought we should go a 14 so 3 sizes from that would be a 10.... nope they thru a fit and had me doubting myself... so I ordered the 16... So now I am a little upset.... my dress hasnt come in yet-- it comes in March 26th... a size 16... and from there I still have pretty much 2 months till the wedding and am currently down 81 lbs...... recently I went to a bridal shop with my mom and future mother in law- to look for their dress-- and decided to try and easy my mind and see what size I wedding dresses fit me... hmmmmm.. in a size 10 wedding dress... with 3 months to go till my wedding and still losing... I have no idea if they can alter a wedding dress that much without completely losing the look of the dress... I am very mad at both the lady and my mom for making me order the 16 when I knew it was better to order a smaller size so I would be within the 3 size alteration. Not only that-- to my surprise-- I did try on the dresses that the lady thought would be best for my figure and at the time I looked like a blimp in .... well, she was right-- that style looked amazing once the weight came off... not that I dont like my dress.. it is beautiful-- but if I would have waited and bought off the rack--- I could have had my choice at so many different styles-- not just the one that looked good. So as of right now--- I guess I have to wait till the dress comes in-- try it on for the alterations lady and see what she says... the one thing they did tell me-- is that for me they were going by my bust size- bc if those were still big-- then yoiu have to order it to fit that area and the rest can be altered to fit around it... also-- I made the decision to do have them make the top part a corset--- they said that this would help alot in the size change part too... I paid extra for that-- lets hope that pays off! I was always one of those people that thought it was stupid for a bride to have 2 dresses.... and do a change... well I have my big fancy dress- but now that I can fit into the slim -- sleeker style dress too-- I am thinking about getting this one that is only 300.00 that is like that and changing during the reception - if I think that my other dress is just not the right dress anymore... but I have to use it-- once all said and done withthe major alterations - the dress will probably be over 1500.00.... SO, it is a tough call.... while I felt a little relieved that I found my dress and that was over-- now I am wishing that I am a size I could have bought off the rack and had more choices-- so I should have waited.... If you need to talk -- please feel free to contact me trish_talbot@yahoo.com ... I will be more than happy to help. Here are pics of my dress wedding gown front.bmp

Hi, I have been banded for a little over 6 months and am down 80lbs as of this point.... I know that there are plenty others out there that have a more "veteran" status than me-- but I will be more than happy to help you in your journey-- it is amazing how different your life can change in 6 months.... I just turned 33, was 242 pounds and I am 5'3". During the week I am on yahoo IM and I always have my Iphone with me-- so if I can help I would be more than happy too. Good luck-- and enjoy the experience!:thumbdown: