lakegirl88

good for you and congrats..just hang in there..some days are harder than others..what a wonderful thing for you..i remember well getting under 200 recently...i felt 16 months ago i wouod see 400s...but the band helped me get it in hear......just like with you.GREAT job honey

Hi Zingy as for flying I think you will be just fine, I travel and have never had any problem with my band. As a matter of fact I have never ever thought about an unfill. Now of course ask you Dr. Funny I am always so excited to sit and buckle my self in is all I can think about.
First Class you are so lucky. This will be a trip of a liftime go have fun eat little plates and enjoy yourself.
If you dont mind I would like to make a couple of sujjestions. There is a restaurant called Spoon, it is one of the in places in the world to eat at.
Also my favorite is the Aqua Luna Victoria Harbor cruise. You need to take the 7:30pm so you can see the light show from the harbor. PM me if you want any other advise on HKG.
Go have fun enjoy your new life. That is why we did this RIGHT?

I fly several time a year and flew a week after being banded and have never had a problem and it will be 3 years in December.
Have fun!!

Sorry for you loss. I to just found out a week ago that my Golden has a huge mass on her liver and is not expected to live but anther month or two. She is home with us in hospice care.
This is making me very deppresed.

I got a happy 3 year anniversary email today and since I haven't been on here in a very long time, I thought I would post.
I honestly thought it had been longer than 3 years. Life has been such a roller coaster.
I did very well for 10 months, I was down 70 lbs and doing great, then went for a fill which involves 10 hours of driving time. It was the first time the nurse did the fill instead of the Dr and by the time I was home I knew it was too much. But I hoped with time and liquid diet it wold settle down and be ok. That started a long time of frequent stuck episodes and a plateau that lasted for over a year. Then I found I had a tare in the meniscus of my right knee, while in the wait and see how it does phase with the Dr (I had been getting shots in it for 3 years then) I tore it so badly it required surgery. Over the next 6 months I gained 22 lbs and there I sit still.
Currently I am recovering from having my gallbladder removed last week, been diagnosed with GERD which seems to be responding to treatment. I guess I had that and gallbladder trouble for years before the lapband and didn't know it. I must say, some of what I thought was the overfill causing stuck problems now seems to be the GERD, (which the overfill probably made worse) because since following the instructions from that Dr, I have not been stuck.
Now that I can eat again without fear of getting stuck all the time, or running for the bathroom because the gallbladder was making me sick, I am going to get back with the program and take off what I gained and the other 30 lbs I still needed to lose!
130 here I come!

It is funny, nothing fits or looks the same now and I am not even a month out!! I am in the same $$ boat as you. I hope to have this all paid for so I can get my thighs done and Tummy Tuck. But for right now I am happy. I have never seen my boobs and arms look so good. I almost don't know what to do!!! I can not wait to for you have your surgery too!!! xoxo

Ah Vent away you are amoung friends here!

Quick responses back:
I thought you were cuter!
I thought you were smarter!
I thought you weren't rude!
I can tell you don't have Lap Band!

The good news is you've already had weight loss surgery so you're not really starting back where you were. You've got the tool...time to start using it again!

Can't comment....get back to you in 3-1/2 more years, my 6 year mark....
Untill then, I'm enjoying MY sweet spot...no one else's.

Next time you want to eat and it is not a meal time set the time on your stove for 10 minutes and don't eat until the bell rings. If you still feel like eating set it again for 10 minutes. Don't eat at all during the 10 minutes and then if you try a 3rd time and still want to eat have a light snack. This has worked for me. I suffer from depression and I used to believe that food helped. It didn't!

YES it counts Thank you for being real! I really needed this !!!! I my self am going through this

YES it counts Thank you for being real! I really needed this !!!! I my self am going through this

Well said!
My family is scared i'llbecome a "skinny b*tch"
But I know i'll do my best to avoid that, especially growing up obese and really struggling

The past year has been incredible. Struggling for quite a few months in the beginning to get the hang of my band and ever so slowly losing the weight. Many of us have been there. The joy at reaching a milestone. The tears when we do not.
I had never really felt successful in life at much of anything and I became so driven to be successful with this.
Once I had my confidence up and was getting closer to goal, I took up yoga and began to do that 6 days a week. It was my new addiction. Inside, I was so proud of myself and amazed at the things my body could do after being a couch potato for 20 years. I wanted more. To see more change in my body so I took up bootcamp 4 days a week at 6am in addition to the yoga. My body developed muscles that I never knew existed. I loved my body (except for the saggy boobs) more than I did in my 20s. I was confident. Reached my goal and wanted to pay it forward to other people. I decided to take my yoga instructor certification course just to show myself that I could do it and could encourage others.
Around this same time, I decided that I didn't want to keep losing as I was getting too thin and physically could not eat enough food to sustain my activity level so I got a bit of an unfill. I began my yoga teacher certification and it was intense. I was not nearly as flexible as many in the class but it didn't matter. I was there. Doing it. The very last class I pushed myself too far and tore slightly a tendon in my shoulder. I got my certification and continued going to regular classes.
A week later, I could not turn my head or raise my arm and I was soooo hungry. This was 3 months ago. Since then I have regained 12 lbs and have not exercises a minute. I was becoming so depressed and fell back into my old habits of using food for comfort. Cheesies and ice cream. I felt like all I worked for was in vain.
I got a small fill last week that feels close to how it was before I got the unfill and I am optimistic. Tomorrow, I am going to my first yoga class in 3 months but have to take it very easy.
Not sure this post will help anyone but I just wanted to share my story in the hope that it does. We all struggle at some point or another. Even us "successful" ones.
I also realized tonight that none of it was in vain because I learned to listen to my body and that I can do it.
That does count for something.

3823 we are almost at the weight of a car. This is amazing. Great job everyone.

150

Ok Mermaid lift is what I want with breasts and arms. Any one know what this would cost?

I have not heard the term...but for those of you were were wondering...this is what I found. And after reading it... I need it. LOL
Mermaid Lift procedure is designed to achieve the following:
1. Accentuate the waistline to create a more feminine flare at the hips.
2. Flatten the abdomen to improve its contour and definition.
3. Lift the pubic area to create a more smooth youthful transition to the lower abdomen.
4. Redefine the belly button to compliment the bottleneck waistline.
5. Lift and restore shape and volume to the buttock and lateral thighs.
6. Cinch and redirect the skin to reduce /or eliminate the appearance of cellulite in these areas
The design of most lower body lifts often does not address each of these crucial aspects, leaving many patients disappointed with their results. Over the last ten years, working with over 2500 post-Bariatric patients, we have developed the Mermaid Lift procedure--inspired by the feminine curves of these mythical creatures which are emulated both in art and fashion, to enhance and accentuate the female body.
The key to this surgery is properly placed tension. Just as in any graceful, well-constructed wedding dress, the lines smooth out wrinkles, lift key areas, augment curves and give an overall pleasing shape. We begin centrally by making sure to lift the pubic area smoothly without leaving any unsightly mound while flattening the upper abdomen, without any need for a vertical scar. The incision is then carried out to the sides along a bikini cut, lifting and curving the thighs. We always tighten the midline abdominal muscles since this helps lower the scar further and brings in the waist, allowing us to have the thighs flare out naturally from an hour-glass shaped abdomen. The incision is then carried to the back along an imaginary bikini line and the buttocks lifted and augmented with fat from the lower back creating a pleasing curve. The total effect is similar to that achieved with so-called Mermaid-cut dresses and perfectly addresses all the key points that concern most massive weight loss patients.
Another very important aspect to achieving the optimum shape is that we pre-operatively size every patient for a compression garment customized to her figure. By choosing the right size and shape of garment before the surgery and placing it directly on the patient in the operating room we are able to better control tension and allow the newly placed tissues to conform to their ideal positions. This also allows easier mobility for the patients and they are encouraged to begin walking the same evening after their surgeries.
Proper preparation before surgery is also crucial. Patients’ weights need to have stabilized and their nutritional status must be optimized. In addition, any anemia must be addressed pre-operatively. We are often able to combine tummy tucks or the Mermaid Lift procedure with hernia repair or gallbladder surgery by the Bariatric surgeon at the same time, saving the patient recovery and expenses. Because of the extent of the surgery, we are cautious about doing a great deal of additional surgery. On select patients we will also do breast or arm lifts or augmentation along with a Mermaid Lift procedure.
For most patients, a day or two in the hospital is sufficient, but depending on whether other procedures are done simultaneously we sometimes keep our patients longer. Recovery is usually about three weeks, but varies a great deal. Insurance coverage for at least a portion of these procedures has improved dramatically over the last few years and this often takes a great deal of the financial pressure off of patients allowing them to recover with a little more peace of mind.
Plastic surgery is often the “icing on the cake” of the Bariatric experience. Once a patient has lost the weight and is feeling good, she feels complete when her newly restored inner harmony is matched by a newly harmonious outer appearance. The Mermaid Lift procedure transforms these patients’ figures and helps them radiate their new inner happiness outwards.

I too suffer the exact same problem. My story mirrors your completely. I have spent my 2 years throwing up more than anything else. I feel extreme frustration and the same thought of removing the band. I can't eat anything with real substance. I have survived off of icecream, watered down oatmeal and Protein Shakes. I am always hungry!!!!! I am tried all of the time and moody. I am ashamed to say I have had lap band because I am not thin.
So, I took myself down to my surgeons office and let it all out. I have been reduced to zero fill and will be starting all over. I eat off of a baby spoon. I put the spoon down after each bite and wait a full minute to take another bite. I do not drink soda or sugar sweet drinks. I now take my time eating or drinking all food or liquids. I have had to rethink my entire way of eating. I am sometimes so hungry I want to shovel food into my mouth. I have had to make myself slow down. I will have my first fill on October 16.
I told you all of this to say:
I did not apparently understand the new way I would be eating. I did not listen or hear how my life would be changing so dramatically in relation to food. I am not your traditional success story. But, I am a success; I have lost weight. I have lost 45 lbs. I now walk and or use an eliptical machine. Maybe you should speak to the doctor and put it all on the table. I think if the nurse admitted fault they should be covering some of the fills. I would most definetly be looking into that.
I wish you the best of luck and hope that you find the solution that works for you.

Good luck to all getting banded tomorrow.

I had awful gas the first 10 days or so. About day 5 or 6 even just my saliva going down felt like a huge air bubble going down. I ended up with this awful feeling of needing to burp constantly and nothing would come out! I ended up chewing on a clean rag just to prevent swallowing any air bubbles...It was not one of my prettier moments. It passed after about 3-4 days. I had surgery 8/20 and am pretty much back to normal. The air escapes suddenly and I'm constantly surprised by how little warning there is to a burp, but no more pain!! It gets better and I'm ready to start my full workout routine now!
Banded 8/20/2012 - Heaviest: 512 - Current: 461

Hey everyone -
Thanks for all your encouragement and words of advice and experience. It took me awhile to get back to everyone because I decided I needed a mini vacation and went to visit my mom, who lives in rural Oregon so not much for internet down there.
Anyway, I'm doing much better since I posted this, and actually managed to lose 5 pounds this week! I'm allowing myself around 1500 calories a day with the working out until I can talk to my nutritionist.
Anyway, thanks again for all the love and support it means a lot to me and I'm so glad to have you all on this journey with me.

This is me laughing, laughing because I want you to smile. NOW! Forgive yourself because this is a part of your new life. Not everyday will be easy nor will it be this hard. I spent last weekend crying, in part because now that I finally got restriction...I am gaining. I am so Pick it up and keep moving to the next step. Get ready, you can run this race, and you can win it.