mauraclegg

Well, if I am starting a blog to hold myself a little more responsible then I guess I should start with a bit about my journey thus far: I was banded June 8, 2010 and June 9, 2010 by the most wonderful surgeon, Dr. Nahmias here in CT. Yes, my band immediately slipped and I had to have a second surgery, but really it wasn't all that bad. The worst part was the NG Tube before the second surgery - I swear I could have punched the nurse tech who did it square in the face it hurt so damn bad. But after I woke from my second banding I felt like a million dollars and I didn't look back from there I started about 262 lbs and by I lost my 100 lbs within 15 months, although the last 10 were as a result of my TT. But I am relatively happy with my size 10 bod. I will say though I have HUGE body image problems. I think I look worse now than I did before. I don't see (somehow) that I look smaller. It's insane, but it's true. I have gone from a size 22 and a 44DDD to a size 10 and a 36DD and when I look in a mirror I see no improvement. I know it's all mental, and I am working on it, but it's HARD!! My TT was uneventful, except for the hospital not being able to give me any ICE.. freakin crazy. My JP Drains were removed within a week - I did have 2 small probs after - some fluid that had to be manually drained by my doc every week for about a month; and a small wound right above my pubic bone (smaller than a dime) that had to be chemically debrided - but it did eventually close (icky scar). Lately I am maintaining my 96-100 lb weight loss - but I am occasionally bored with my food choices and I do push the envelope at times. I rarely vomit - only if I am talking when I am eating or I eat too fast or something I really shouldn't (more than 3 french fies) I have to say my journey has been pretty easy - I lost my weight with minimum exercise which has led me to not want to exercise. I have been trying to walk again though.....

once I lost the weight I had a large amount of hanging skin on my abdomen and I wasn't feeling real self-assured about the new me. I didn't feel like I could dress like my weigh should allow - tighter fitting clothes, etc. And for health reasons I was getting redness in between the rolls of hanging flesh (gross). And it was hanging slightly onto my thighs. Honestly the recovery wasn't super easy - prob because of the complications I had, but the surgery itself was worth it. I won't do it again, even though I still have some hanging skin - I wear a spandex tank when I need too I still have the same body image issues, so it wasn't an end all be all to my issues, but it did allow me to get into some smaller clothes

Congratulations to you LyMarie!!!

Banded 6/8/10 and reached 100 lbs lost 8/31/11 and have maintained since then - thinking about another 10 or more pounds but it's strictly for vanitys sake

I think after having a baby only 9 weeks ago you should cut yourself a little slack. Take a breath and wait for everything to go back to "normal" and then concentrate back on you -

Hi, I am nearly 2 year out from my banding and I have lost between 96-100 lbs, I started at 262 and today 164. I still struggle with "head-hunger" which is really why I came on here today, but really the lap-band does take some work You need to start by tracking calories - it sucks and can be monotonous, but really it is necessary. When you see the amount of calories you are taking in then you will see where you need to cut back some. Really I HATE diets and I never considered that I was on a diet. I have tried to think of my band as a way for me not to be fat. I am at a point now where I can eat a variety of foods - and I really need to refocus on eating healthier. That being said the lap-band can't cause you to lose or not lose weight - only you can. You have to hold yourself responsible for your weight-loss and not blame the "tool" that you were given for your failure or success. We all have set backs or little gains. It is what you do with those setbacks that will help you. Start with calorie counting and dropping your intake and see if you can jump start your weight loss. also - I was fat my entire life. I yoyo dieted and tried every fad out there. You can succeed with your band - it takes a little work is all

Hello All Let me start with the basics: I was banded 6/8/2010, total weight loss approx 100 lbs (fluxuates btw 96 and 100) was a size 22ish and now an 8 or 10 depending on brand, and had my TT 8/26/2011 Here's my dilemma For some reason if I am not wearing a XXL sweatshirt/shirt or super baggy pair of sweats I am totally self-conscious. If I even attempt something slightly fitted I feel like I am bigger than when I started. It's strange I am sure. My best friend thinks I am a bit nuts (which I prob am), and I told her I would put more effort into dressing "my size" Sooo, for anyone out there, how do you move past what used to be in the mirror compared to what is there now - btw when I look in the mirror I still see that 270ish lb person Any input greatly appreciated

I am pretty sure that a lot of what we all feel is part of the media and the celebrities.. I see Jennifer Anniston (my age and height I think) and I know she is prob a -0- I should be happy with my 8, and I WILL GET there. I still hate my mid-section - even after my TT, but I am working on it. I guess I should hate gravity as well because it works against all of us

It's rather helpful to know that I am not alone in this struggle I guess it's something I need to work on a little harder and maybe wearing clothes (tops and bottoms) that actually fit and stop wearing my husband's XXL sweatshirts. Thank you all for your advice and CONGRATS on the weight loss!! We are an awesome bunch

I have been heavy since maybe my 20's (I'm 43). I think what still resonates in my head is my grandmother telling me maybe when I was in the 6th grade that I would never been smaller than a size 11; at the same time my mother always said that the dr said I would be petite (I'm 5'7") I also am stuck on the fact that I am not as skinny as stars who are my height. But at the same time I am learning to love me. Heck I am proud of the fact that I have lost 100 lbs in one year and that I can wear clothes from just about anywhere. I need to start telling myself I look good and not listening to that voice that tells me I am fat

I don't really know what mine "looks lilke" either Dulci.. my friend, sister and I all wear the same size, but I swear they look so much smaller than I do. So I seem to just be stuck on my "fat" image

I didn't get my lap-band to decrease my clothing size I did it to better my overall health. The decrease in materials used to make my clothes is an added bonus.

that's exactly how I feel JJ, that I still look to others that I still weigh over 250 lbs. I mean I could still lose maybe 10 lbs - and tighten up some, but I at a good size (number wise). Searching amazon.com now for a good body image book for my Kindle

I hope so, my bestie is really to kill me and my hubby just doesn't get why I don't see it.

thanks B-52. I'm trying. I did my a "my size" sweater today and I am hoping I will actually wear it... I'll keep looking

I haven't had a fill in over a year - I thought about it last month, but decided against it (not gaining)

Honestly, I have breakfast, a snack, lunch, a snack, dinner and then another snack. I stay between 1000-1200 a day and prob only around 50 protein. I have maintained 100 lb weight loss for over a year (I still think I may want to lose 10 more - but that would be the icing on the proverbial cake)

Holly, I don't know that the band alone can control hunger (imo). I think you have to tell yourself that you're not hungry - or, try eating small portions more often. I know I am still hungry a lot of the time, but I eat something small or Protein filled and I am good for another few hours - unless I am BORED, then all bets are off

I can say I am over 18 months out - 100 lbs down and still 100% happy. Like someone else said there are sacrifices involved; like I haven't had rice in those 18 months and I can eat a bite or 2 of bread rather than several rolls. The sacrifices are worth the end result of wearing a size 8 to me

I'm from New Britain, CT Banded June 8 (and 9) 2010 Tummy tuck done August 26th 2011 Lost 100 lbs

In my case, yes it was done lapriscopically (sp). My initial banding was a single incision thru my belly button, but for the repair with it was norm 6 small holes

For those who have said they don't have a goal - I am right there with you. I am 19 mo banded and nearly 5 mo from my TT - I went from 263 lb (size 22ish) to 162 (size 10) and I still have no idea what my end result should be. I don't have the right body type to be a size 2 or 4 - I would look ridiculous. I love that I have lost weight, although I don't really "see" it in myself. I still see a "fat chick" when I look in the mirror. I think somehow my body image is somehow tied to the number on the scale and knowing that many of the movie stars are so many less pounds than me just doesn't let me really enjoy the size that I am.