LEXUS86985

Today I am feeling pretty good!! A friend of mine from Florida told me after I had my surgery that her daughter was thinking about doing it too. I got together all my information and made copies to send to her. I found out yesterday from her mom that she was scheduled for surgery today. So I sent her a quick message of encouragement. She's still so young and I think this is the best thing for her!!! She told me that I helped her make her decision to go through with the surgery!!! YAY ME!! :confused: I just got word from her mom that she is out of surgery and everything went great!!! Im so proud of her...and now I feel re-inspired myself!!! It's amazing to... almost be a buddy for someone going through the process that I have already been through. It feels great to be an inspiration. I've said before I would love to speak about the lap band procedure...but the way I feel now... I think it's a calling!! Changes can be made with some help from others!!! So this goes out to Rachel.... YOU GO GIRL!!! :rolleyes2:

I had the lap band procedure in October 2009 and have since lost 72 pounds!! I'm very excited and love to share my story with anyone and everyone that will listen. I definitely recommend it to anyone that would ask me!! Along those lines...does anyone know of any opportunities to maybe do a commercial or become a speaker in support of the lap band procedure??? I see so many people benefitting from their success and to be honest I would like to do that as well. The important thing is that the information get to people that could really use the help...extra money certainly would not hurt me at the moment!! Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!!! :bored:

It took me a very very long time to even consider having weight loss surgery. I was so against it for so long. I felt like it was failure to not lose weight on my own. But obviously at 37... I had failed enough!!! I had to face the reality that if I hadn't lost the weight by now...I probably never would if I didn't get help!!! At the time of my consulation, my mom had been battling cancer for about 4 months. It was an up and down rollercoaster that I chose to ride ... and I rode in the FOOD CAR!! I gave myself free reign to eat whatever I wanted because I was upset!! But as times got harder...I felt worse and worse. I didn't know how long she would be sick. It could have gone on for 2 years!!! And at the rate I was gaining weight...she would have outlived me!!! I felt like I needed to do something quickly to make a turnaround so I could be the best I could be for her sake. I work for an insurance company and came across this doctor...so I researched and saw some things I liked about him. He was soo nice!! Everyone in that office is sooo nice!! He told me weight loss surgery is NOT failure. Some people are predisposed to be overweight. I never thought of it like that. So while I was still deciding on whether or not to have surgery...I went ahead with my other appointments. I just kept moving forward. Unfortunately my mom passed away 2 weeks after my consulation with my surgeon. That was the worst thing that could have possibly happened to me!! But I made the decision to move forward. For the first time in my life...I didn't allow my situation or circumstances to affect what I needed to do. No more excuses! My whole life had been once excuse after another. But with the Lap Band, I have the "TOOL" I needed to be successful. Do I still get upset...YES. Do I still want to eat when I get upset...YES. Can I eat anything and everything to supress the pain....NOPE!!! That's the key!!! I can no longer physically eat that much!! And it's not like...oh my god I want more and I can't have it and this sucks!!! It's like...Ok...I'm full... I'm going to stop eating now. But I am still living my life and I enjoy food!!! I have always been a "foodie"... I enjoy fresh ingredients and whole foods. And Yes I still eat dessert...but it has to be something FABULOUS!! All in all...I'm so glad I made the decision to have the surgery and I would highly recommend it to anyone!!! Take the first step and have a consultation with a surgeon!!! It just might change your life!! :smile:

It took me a very very long time to even consider having weight loss surgery. I was so against it for so long. I felt like it was failure to not lose weight on my own. But obviously at 37... I had failed enough!!! I had to face the reality that if I hadn't lost the weight by now...I probably never would if I didn't get help!!! At the time of my consulation, my mom had been battling cancer for about 4 months. It was an up and down rollercoaster that I chose to ride ... and I rode in the FOOD CAR!! I gave myself free reign to eat whatever I wanted because I was upset!! But as times got harder...I felt worse and worse. I didn't know how long she would be sick. It could have gone on for 2 years!!! And at the rate I was gaining weight...she would have outlived me!!! I felt like I needed to do something quickly to make a turnaround so I could be the best I could be for her sake. I work for an insurance company and came across this doctor...so I researched and saw some things I liked about him. He was soo nice!! Everyone in that office is sooo nice!! He told me weight loss surgery is NOT failure. Some people are predisposed to be overweight. I never thought of it like that. So while I was still deciding on whether or not to have surgery...I went ahead with my other appointments. I just kept moving forward. Unfortunately my mom passed away 2 weeks after my consulation with my surgeon. That was the worst thing that could have possibly happened to me!! But I made the decision to move forward. For the first time in my life...I didn't allow my situation or circumstances to affect what I needed to do. No more excuses! My whole life had been once excuse after another. But with the Lap Band, I have the "TOOL" I needed to be successful. Do I still get upset...YES. Do I still want to eat when I get upset...YES. Can I eat anything and everything to supress the pain....NOPE!!! That's the key!!! I can no longer physically eat that much!! And it's not like...oh my god I want more and I can't have it and this sucks!!! It's like...Ok...I'm full... I'm going to stop eating now. But I am still living my life and I enjoy food!!! I have always been a "foodie"... I enjoy fresh ingredients and whole foods. And Yes I still eat dessert...but it has to be something FABULOUS!! All in all...I'm so glad I made the decision to have the surgery and I would highly recommend it to anyone!!! Take the first step and have a consultation with a surgeon!!! It just might change your life!! :cursing:

I walked out of the house this morning in a pair of light weight khaki pants... of course I was late... so I could do NOTHING about the fact that my pants were halfway down my butt as I walked to my car!! :cursing: It's a good feeling to know that my clothes don't fit because they are TOO BIG!!! Fortunately I do have some really nice stuff in smaller sizes. I've been so afraid to get rid of anything for the fear of gaining weight again. But Just when I think that will happen...I lose more weight. I'm looking forward to the summer for the first time in a very very long time!!! It's also mother's day this Sunday...and it will be the first since my mom passed away in July. This surgery has been the best thing I could have done for myself. Even though I have bad days, I can no longer use food to avoid feeling my emotions!! That was what I was hoping would happen for me. So I have to deal with what I am feeling. I miss her so much...and sometimes I feel bad that I don't miss her enough!! I wish she could be here to see me now because she was always my biggest supporter!!! But I think if I can be proud of myself...she would be even more proud of me!! :cursing: Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms!!

I walked out of the house this morning in a pair of light weight khaki pants... of course I was late... so I could do NOTHING about the fact that my pants were halfway down my butt as I walked to my car!! :smile: It's a good feeling to know that my clothes don't fit because they are TOO BIG!!! Fortunately I do have some really nice stuff in smaller sizes. I've been so afraid to get rid of anything for the fear of gaining weight again. But Just when I think that will happen...I lose more weight. I'm looking forward to the summer for the first time in a very very long time!!! It's also mother's day this Sunday...and it will be the first since my mom passed away in July. This surgery has been the best thing I could have done for myself. Even though I have bad days, I can no longer use food to avoid feeling my emotions!! That was what I was hoping would happen for me. So I have to deal with what I am feeling. I miss her so much...and sometimes I feel bad that I don't miss her enough!! I wish she could be here to see me now because she was always my biggest supporter!!! But I think if I can be proud of myself...she would be even more proud of me!! :cursing: Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms!!

I actually did not have to attend a seminar. My doctor apparently is one of the BEST in New York. He had a great program but there was no seminar. We had a consultation and then went about getting all the other stuff done to schedule the surgery. I've found each surgeon is very very different!!

Sounds a little bit like me. I was banded in October 2009 and had no problems at all until recently. It seems I may be a bit sensitive to the band. If you were vomiting you probably irritated your stomach and have some swelling. Try taking some childrens liquid Motrin or Liquid Tylenol. That should help the irritation and swelling. Stay of liquids, try some ice pops or italian ice. That seems to work for me. Just take baby baby sips so it slides through without being restricted by the band. If it's not better I would say by this time tomorrow or the next day then I would definitely call the doctor!! Good Luck!!

So this past Saturday I actually went through that dreaded process of pulling out the spring/summer clothes!! I was trying to hold off until I moved, but I'm soooo glad I did it now!! For the first time I was excited because I KNEW all of those clothes were going to fit!! I was running late, but I had to try everything on!! I literally had a 4 ft by 3 ft pile of 90% brand new with tags still on them clothes!!!! And the kicker....some of them are TOO BIG!!!! But hell...I'm going to wear everything just once!!!! It's such an amazing feeling!! I drove out to Long Island for the weekend feeling better than I have felt in such a long long time!!! Today I came to work in a one of my new "outfits". This guy I work with who has never said anything to me about my weight loss watched me walk in. He was watching me as I came around to my desk. Then he said, "HOW much weight HAVE you DROPPED??" LOL... um 72ish?? He was amazed...he said that with what I Was wearing that you can really really see it now!!! Awwww... I feel even better!!! Just when you think it won't work....look again because chances are ...it probably already has!! :thumbup:

So this past Saturday I actually went through that dreaded process of pulling out the spring/summer clothes!! I was trying to hold off until I moved, but I'm soooo glad I did it now!! For the first time I was excited because I KNEW all of those clothes were going to fit!! I was running late, but I had to try everything on!! I literally had a 4 ft by 3 ft pile of 90% brand new with tags still on them clothes!!!! And the kicker....some of them are TOO BIG!!!! But hell...I'm going to wear everything just once!!!! It's such an amazing feeling!! I drove out to Long Island for the weekend feeling better than I have felt in such a long long time!!! Today I came to work in a one of my new "outfits". This guy I work with who has never said anything to me about my weight loss watched me walk in. He was watching me as I came around to my desk. Then he said, "HOW much weight HAVE you DROPPED??" LOL... um 72ish?? He was amazed...he said that with what I Was wearing that you can really really see it now!!! Awwww... I feel even better!!! Just when you think it won't work....look again because chances are ...it probably already has!!

Feeling much better today. It seems that once I realize what the cause of my stress is...regardless of whether I can do anything about it... I feel better. Just knowing the cause it a relief!! So now I'm 6 days after my 2nd adjustment (well 2nd, 3rd & 4th) ... and I'm finally able to drink without pain. I'm still taking it slowly as far as eating is concerned. Egg salad, tuna salad, cottage cheese, yogurt etc. Keeping it soft just in case. I am in love with shadybrook farm turkey meatballs!!! As an italian with the mac daddy meatball recipe... I highly approve of these. They are nothing like MY meatballs, but as far as turkey products are concerned...they are GREAT!!! They have a little bit of spice, but just enough to make it interesting. The texture is great too. They are pretty low calorie vs beef products and they have a good amount of protein!!! They have been my "go-to" protein source!! Also, Jennie-O hot dogs are fabulous. A regular hot dog has about 170 calories each!! These have only 70 and taste just like a beef hot dog without the greasiness. And in my area... a package of the Jennie-O hot dogs is only $1!!! Crazy right?? Butterball makes a great Turkey Kielbasa too...that is awesome on the grill!! Shadybrook farms has good Sweet and Hot italian sausage... it's not bad. The texture isn't quite like pork sausage, but it's pretty decent!! Anyone else have any secret foods they'd like to share??? :smile:

Feeling much better today. It seems that once I realize what the cause of my stress is...regardless of whether I can do anything about it... I feel better. Just knowing the cause it a relief!! So now I'm 6 days after my 2nd adjustment (well 2nd, 3rd & 4th) ... and I'm finally able to drink without pain. I'm still taking it slowly as far as eating is concerned. Egg salad, tuna salad, cottage cheese, yogurt etc. Keeping it soft just in case. I am in love with shadybrook farm turkey meatballs!!! As an italian with the mac daddy meatball recipe... I highly approve of these. They are nothing like MY meatballs, but as far as turkey products are concerned...they are GREAT!!! They have a little bit of spice, but just enough to make it interesting. The texture is great too. They are pretty low calorie vs beef products and they have a good amount of protein!!! They have been my "go-to" protein source!! Also, Jennie-O hot dogs are fabulous. A regular hot dog has about 170 calories each!! These have only 70 and taste just like a beef hot dog without the greasiness. And in my area... a package of the Jennie-O hot dogs is only $1!!! Crazy right?? Butterball makes a great Turkey Kielbasa too...that is awesome on the grill!! Shadybrook farms has good Sweet and Hot italian sausage... it's not bad. The texture isn't quite like pork sausage, but it's pretty decent!! Anyone else have any secret foods they'd like to share??? :confused:

Well I'm glad I'm not crazy!!! I am sooo not a hypochondriac... I need to be dying to go to the doctor!! I actually drove myself to the ER last month because I was in so much pain!! So I guess my system is more sensitive than I thought. I just wasn't expecting "pain"... shouldn't it be more of a pressure feeling?? Like the feeling of being full?? So I was told if I wanted to lose weight quickly to go for a fill every 3 months... So now I'm thinking maybe I should get smaller increments like .5cc each month and see how I do from there?? Thank you for the childrens motrin idea...didn't even think of that!!! I feel like pain meds hurt my stomach and they never did before...but that should work nicely!!

I don't know anything about any procedure other than what I've had done, and the reasons that were personal to me for choosing the lap band. Each person needs to do their own research and figure out what will be best for them. I assumed my doctor would try to persuade me to have bypass surgery...but he didn't. He asked me why I wasn't considering it, and I told him. I was one of the heavier people to have the lap band procedure done... but 8 months post op....he is THRILLED with my results!! I haven't been perfect, but I'm using this "tool" as it should be used. If I choose to eat half a gallon of ice cream each night...I seriously doubt I would lose any weight. I am a foodie...I love food...I love to cook and bake. Things are definitely changing in that aspect of my life...now instead of cooking alot, I cook small amounts. I treat myself well because If I don't, who will? We're all here to help one another, so please don't feel like you can't express your feelings and opinons, because I do care!! :-)

So here I am... almost 8 months after having the LAP-BAND® surgery. I've lost 72 pounds so far, and up until now I think it's been too easy. This should be difficult right?? I think the losing weight part has been easier than what's happening inside my head. I always thought that losing weight was the beginning of everything. I would have more confidence, I would be able to get a better job, get more respect, etc etc etc. So far... all I've gotten are a bunch of pants that hang off the back of my ass!! :-) Losing weight before has always been exciting!! Like, WOW, my pants fit even after being in the dryer on HIGH. For some reason it doesn't have the same emotional high as it once did. Maybe my expectations are too high. I've lost an average of 10 pounds per month...that's great!! I'm actually a weight that I haven't been down to in over 15 years!! That's great too!! But I've realized that it's not just about losing weight. I'm still stressed about money, still hate my job, still can't get the respect I deserve and still see myself as the fat girl. Anyone out there...does this get better?? I'm certainly not upset that I had the surgery... I just want my head to catch up with my body!!! :confused:

So here I am... almost 8 months after having the LAP-BAND® surgery. I've lost 72 pounds so far, and up until now I think it's been too easy. This should be difficult right?? I think the losing weight part has been easier than what's happening inside my head. I always thought that losing weight was the beginning of everything. I would have more confidence, I would be able to get a better job, get more respect, etc etc etc. So far... all I've gotten are a bunch of pants that hang off the back of my ass!! :-) Losing weight before has always been exciting!! Like, WOW, my pants fit even after being in the dryer on HIGH. For some reason it doesn't have the same emotional high as it once did. Maybe my expectations are too high. I've lost an average of 10 pounds per month...that's great!! I'm actually a weight that I haven't been down to in over 15 years!! That's great too!! But I've realized that it's not just about losing weight. I'm still stressed about money, still hate my job, still can't get the respect I deserve and still see myself as the fat girl. Anyone out there...does this get better?? I'm certainly not upset that I had the surgery... I just want my head to catch up with my body!!! :biggrin:

it's funny how different doctors have different pre-op requirements. I didn't have a pre-op diet at all. I Had my consult in July and went through the process of doing the nutrition and psych eval. Once they got the auth from the insurance company I was scheduled for surgery. I was allowed to eat right up until the day before surgery. I thought that was odd myself too. But My surgery was on a Thursday and I had my last "hoorah" that sunday then went on Liquids for my own pre-op diet. I felt I wanted to be cleaned out so that my nerves didn't make me feel sick!! I was ready so nerves were not even an issue!! Just keep thinking you'll feel better very soon!! You'll be bursting with energy!!

Hi there... I chose the lap band because I felt that my organs were ok where they were!! I had the surgery in October 2009 and have really had not problems at all. I was up walking around that night!! My doctor has the fills done in the radiology dept under fluoroscopy. He feels that it's better to be able to see everything and make sure when you take a drink it goes down and it's not overfilled. The actual injection does not hurt at all. They do use a numbing agent, but you can't see them do it anyway becaue you're going to be laying down. If there is one thing I've learned...is that each and every person is different. Just because someone had pain it does not mean you will!! You just have to make the decision to change your life. The lap band is a tool.... if you choose not to use it you will not lose weight. It's been 7 months since my surgery and I've lost 72 pounds!! My doctor is thrilled!! I have a long way to go...but I've recommended this surgery to anyone and everyone that inquires!! Good Luck!!

Thanks for the advice. I'm thinking at this point that it might just be stress?? Things have been crazy. I'm not the type to be a hypochondriac, but pain is pain. I've gone back to square one... pureed food and baby sips. I'd like to be able to eat normal food... going out to dinner with anyone won't be happening anytime soon I guess.

So I guess the Lap Band has some weird side effects!! I was banded October 1, 2009...just 7 months ago. I had my first fill in January. I was 2cc and had not one problem. It's been easy sailing for me. I'm down 72 pounds. :scared2: So this past Thursday, I went for my 2nd fill. Now my surgeon feels more comfortable doing the adjustments under Fluoroscopy. His Nurse Practitioner does the adjustments in the radiology dept of the hospital. She can see the band, watch you drink and see how quickly it goes down. So this isn't just a guessing game. I had the fill done, and went to 3cc. When I got back to my office I realized that I could not tolerate swallowing my own saliva. I started to throw up just to get the pressure to decrease. I had to go back and have some of the fill removed. The NP told me it was going straight through the band, nothing was restricted. I was ok until that night where I started having pain while EATING CHICKEN BROTH!!! I went back again the next day and had more taken out. Now I'm down to 1.25 cc...less than the original amount!! And I'm still having terrible pain!! I even went to a GI doctor yesterday and had an endoscopy done. He said there is nothing wrong, no blockage and not even a "waist" because the band is not inflated enough to be restricting anything. So I'm glad there is nothing wrong, but I can't wrap my head around having pain from taking a baby sit of water??? It feels like a giant air bubble trying to go down and it just plain hurts!! I knew this wasn't going to be easy, but should drinking water hurt this much??