mmmakala

Hey everyone! What a exciting adventure this has been for me! I got banned Aug 2, 2010 when I was just 20. I weighed a whopping 260 pounds. The first year of my lapband SUCKED! I must have had 15 fills and even more unfills I just couldn't find my "sweet spot" I only lost about 50 pounds my first year. Now this second year has only exceeded my expectations. I lost 70 pounds and I still believe I am losing weight and I am NOT complaining.

Although its been a long road I am very happy with my results. Not only do I feel like a brand new person I have found my confidence level has grown beyond anyones expectations. I even go out dancing on the weekends and let me tell you pre surgery that would never happen!

Now I am onto the next step of my journey. Cosmetic surgery. I just got approved for a panniculectomy and will have to pay the difference for the Tummy Tuck. I'm not sure if I am going to try and get a loan for the difference ammount or just go to my scheduled surgery date, get the panniculectomy, and maybe a year or two when I save up the cash finish the TT. Anyone else do this?

I have attached a few photos of my progress. Please enjoy, and best of luck to everyone out there!

Me at my heaviest

A before and after I did after I really started

seeing my differences!

first time ever wearing a dress!

This was taken today and I couldn't be happier.

I've been doing great! First fills in a week and I couldnt be more happier. What about everyone else?

I started back school and living on campus i thought would be hard but really its been simple following my diet and everything

I just got the Wii fit plus over the weekend, and since Sunday I have been on it for over 2 hours! I have a lot of fun with it!

Tuesday seems like it cant come quickly enough for ya!

I cant wait to eat some chicken my mom was cooking it yesterday and boy it smelt so yummy

Duuuude. I don't even get Jell-O or Pudding! *supersadface* LITERALLY just broth, Water, crystal light, Protein powder.

Finally had the gas pain though, huh? Bleh. I'm sooo glad it's pretty much over with for me. So uncomfortable.

If I neever ever have to have a Protein mix drink again...I will live HAPPILY. UGH.

really? no Jell-o? wow your doctor really is a bad ass. It's ok though you would get SO sick of Jell-o faster then any Protein shake. When can you start other foods?

mmmakala

How has your first weekish been?

I wish I could add some banana or strawberry. Strictly liquid. No pulp or cream or anything. My doctor is very badass apparently. Haha.

crazylegs

Gas has SIGNIFICANTLY subsided and I am feeling so much better. Recovery went GREAT. I'm feeling good. The scabs are all coming off.

I'm settling with the nectar Double chocolate.

My first week has been hard. My doctor is liquid ONLY. But I wont lie, I had some refried Beans. 1. they tasted so good, 2. They deff helped with some gas pain.

I am so dang sick of liquids in fact I promised myself I will NEVER eat jell-o again after this.

Good luck on your surgery tomorrow! You will do just fine, just keep taking the pain meds and everything will be ALLLL set :thumbup:

Hi amber I had the same problem. I had surgery Monday and Wednesday night I found myself vomiting. I called my doctors and they told me as long as I wasn't doing it constantly I was all set. She also told me to go buy some milk of magnesia to get my bowels moving since I hadn't moved them since before surgery, and she said to start my Protein since I wasn't on it but ever since I did all that I had no issues and actually have felt great.

Hope you feel better :party:

I also want to renew my vows and wear a totally gorgeous wedding dress when Im skinny!

I know i'm only 20 but U picture myself in such a beautiful wedding dress, in fact I want to be on the show Say Yes To the Dress. So look out for me in a few years!

Also, being able to go out in confidence without secretly thinking people are talking behind my back is going to be amazing!

I have been having a lot of gas (burping) are you as well? The gas pains seems to hurt around the stomach more when I do burp too,anyone else?

It was not untill a few hours ago my stomach started hurting I don't want any liquids or anything. Everytime I try to Burl I feel like I might throw up, but I'm guessing it maybe due to gas pain? I'm going out to buy some gas x and hopefully release all this gas if that's what it is.

I stayed over night, and did about a mile and a half, while i was walking in the hospital. I brought my own pj pants which I put on after a few hours of surgery, and kept my gown on till I was ready to go home. I just wore a baggy shirt when I left and was very comfortable with my pj pants and loose shirt.

Good luck to everyone this month!

I am now 2 days post op and I'm feeling awesome! well besides the soreness around my port its nothing the pain medicine wont help me.

I cant wait for this week of liquids to be over so I can move onto my mushy stage! All I want is mashed potatoes.

again good luck August Rushers!

That's such a neat bonding experience. I can only imagine how much each of your relationships are going to grow. Congratulations to all 4 of you :thumbup:

That's awesome that it is not slipping hopefully its just a temporary issue your having and you are all better very soon. Best of luck!

Hey twosteps my surgery was a week after you and I'm 20 so it would interesting to compare our progress with each other! I was lucky and didn't hAve any gas pain but from the sound of my roommate here at the hospital it sounds painful. I hope you get it all out. As for Protein I use the whey protein from wal mart its not the greatest but when u can add some banana and or strawberries SO MUCH BETTER :thumbup:

HAPPY RECOVERY

Contracts to both of you!

I was banded yesterday the 2nd and feel awesome, I am having a hard time falling asleep ( yes my over night nurse is gorgeous so that might explain it) but already this band is my beat friend. So happy for everyone :thumbup:

My band has no saline or anything in it yet, however my doctor did make mine tighter then her normal patients, because there was so much belly fat so I should be shedding those pounds in no time

Just out of curiosity why did it take 2 hours for your surgery??? i was told it takes 30 to 45 min??? Thanks ZEN

You know I was told 45 minutes too but my Dr I guess took her time. She also made my band a little tighter then normal because I had so much belly fat

Hey everyone as I type I'm on the other side! I'm finally banded and I'm loving it. My pain level is a one. I had to gas pain just my throat is sry as ever but since I can't drink anything I'm living off biotene mouth wash and cotton swaps with Water.

EVERYONE BUY THIS MOUTH WASH IT HELPS SO MUCH!

the surgery was about 2 hours went in at 2 out at 4 and went right to my recovery room. Then I had about twenty visitors so it kept my mind off the soreness of were my port is located but a little morphine and I'm good!

I am so happy and today I finally told the world about my surgery and to my surprise everyone was supportive.

Good luck to everyone this month and please any questions message me

Ps. I'm so bored in the hospital

Tomorrow is the big day for me too! I was on the pre op liquid diet but i cheated tonight with a slice of a cake (had to Celebrate my boyfriends birthday)

Good luck to everyone going in this month! I'm getting nervous now its so close!

Hey everyone!

My surgery is on MONDAY! the 2nd. I cant believe how close this is getting.

phew! One week till Aug 2 I am so excited =)

I had a real hard time with my liquid diet last friday, I got sent home from work early because I was shaking and my head was spinning, I'm not diabetic but I am convinced my blood sugar was low. I had two Cookies and everything went back to normal, it was kinda scary.

anyway with Aug being so close I hope everyone is getting excited!

uggh I was having surgery on July 26th but I just got the call. Changed to Aug 2

not too bad but after 6 months of waiting it seems like forever!

I am doing everything from Lowell General.

Hi everyone! I have been lurking on this board for many months, well since Jan when I first deiced I would start the LAP-BAND® process. I started at around 260 (wow I never tell anyone this) And have lost 15 pounds for my pre operation goal.

My name is Makala and I'm 20 years old from Mass. I have been doing this process and FINALLY 5 months later I have a surgery date of July 26th =)

I must say if it wasn't for this board I would be nowhere as ready for this surgery as I am.

I look forward to talking to all of you, and good luck to everyone!