tnwhite2001

If you don't mind my asking, Jennifer, how much did all the plastics cost? I really need my thighs, stomach, and arms done. I'd also like to get some lipo in my calves, ankles, and knees. Seems silly but I've lost almost 200 pounds and it makes me mad that I still can't wear cute knee high boots in the winter. I don't need the beast reduction (even at my highest weight I topped out at a C cup) but a lift may be in order. Haha

Hello all, I'm wondering how you went about setting your goal weight. Starting out my goal was to lose 101 pounds since my surgeon was a jerk and told me I could only hope to lose 100 pounds at most. I was motivated to prove him wrong and I did! Now I've lost 198 pounds, I'm 5 years out, and I'm still losing. My "ideal weight" according to the BMI chart is 108 - 145 pounds. I do, however, have a lot of excess skin. If I were to get down to the bottom end of weight range and weighed 108 pounds but 20 of that is skin isn't that the same as weighing a very unhealthy 88 pounds? Did you take excess skin into account when setting your goal? If you had a pennilectomy how much skin were they able to remove? Perhaps I'm over estimating how much skin is really there? Any thought are welcome. Thanks in advance!

I haven't tried it yet but the brand that was recommended is called Syntrax Nectar. They have your standard flavors but also have fruit flavors that dissolve clear (like Crystal Lite). I ordered the samples but I haven't gotten them yet.

Thanks for the advice! I've stuck to liquids all day today and I guess we'll see how that goes. I'm feeling quite weak and tired so I'm trying to choke down a protein shake as I type this. I've developed a huge aversion to protein shakes. I recently heard of a brand that's basically like the Crystal Lite of protein shakes. I think I'll be able to tolerate that better so I ordered some samples. I'm hoping I can start back on food in the next few days but I guess for now it's liquids. Ugh!

Hey everyone, I was banded in 2010 and have had great success. I lost about 155 pounds and then stalled for about TWO YEARS! I gained and lost the same 5 pounds for two darn years! I actually lost heart and started eating unhealthy for a while because I was so frustrated. I recently started a new job and between extra (good) stress and being diligent I've managed to break through the stall and have lost about 40 pounds in 8 months. I'm usually able to eat just fine and feel like I have good restriction and only get sick if I eat too fast or things I know my band doesn't like. Well for the last two months or so I've been experiencing things I'm not used to. Everything will be fine for a few weeks and then I'll have a few days of not being able to hold down almost anything but it always goes back to normal after 4 day to a week. It's been annoying but didn't worry me too much. This week I've been having a "bad band week". I've just started new medications and I don't know if it could be from the meds or if I should worry about a slip. I'll drink something and after about 40 minutes or an hour I'll get sick but it's not like the typical slime of Lapband. It's like a thick foam vomit (sorry, gross!). There is nothing in the vomit other than this foam and I'm not sure if I should be concerned. I haven't been to my band doctor in years since I haven't had insurance and now that I have insurance he isn't covered so I'm in the process of trying to get another doctor to see me. Ugh! Looking for any advice that isn't "go see your doctor" because I'm already working on that. Thanks in advance!

Hello all, I was banded in 2010 and really want to start trying in about 1 1/2 to 2 years. There's no way we can accidently get pregnant or "just let it happen". Ours will have to be medically involved. Because of that, we can plan it out exactly and, in turn, think about all the angles before we start. What considerations should I take when trying to get pregnant? Do I have to get my band unfilled? Did you have any complications? What do you wish someone had told you? Did the Lapband become an issue during delivery? I want to hear it all, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Thanks in advance!

The first thing you need to do is find a surgeon in your area. This site has a surgeon search as do lapband.com and realizeband.com. Once you pick one you need to call them and set up to go to a seminar. Once you do the seminar they will tell you where to go from there. If you have anymore questions please feel free to e-mail me. tnwhite2001@gmail.com. Good luck to you!

I've heard of this before, but I'm single so I wouldn't know. Sorry to hear that you're having problems. If you need someone to talk to let me know. I'm always good for a listen.

I agree! It drives me crazy!

My dietitian said that if I'm feeling hungry to increase to 4 meals a day at 4 ounces each instead of increasing how much I eat at each meal. This is because the pouch can stretch, which is really counterproductive to the whole point of the band. I'm new, so I don't have much experience, but that's what they say.

I was in that same boat...only I'm heavier. I did weight watchers, started working out everyday. Did everything in my power to lose weight and lost 94 pounds. Then crisis struck my life and I felt like I needed the emotional salve of food more than I needed to be healthy. I gained it all back plus some. When I went for my first consult I weighed 374 pounds. I lost 30 pound prior to surgery. I just had my surgery last week and I have to say that I can already feel the difference. It is, like you said, I slap on the hand every time I want to reach for something I know I shouldn't eat. I haven't started working out yet, but that is the next step. I want to wait until I'm healed a little more. I think the surgery is totally worth it and, if your insurance will cover it (mine covered 80%), I would go for it. Best of luck to you!

I don't really think age has anything to do with it. I know someone who got banded at 19. I think as long as you fit the criteria for surgery (BMI, health, etc.) that they will do it. As far as finding a doctor, my first suggestion would be to call your insurance company (if you have one) and find out if there are restrictions on who you can go to. My insurance made me pick from a handful of doctors that they pre-approved so that really narrowed my decision down and made it easy to find someone because they had all the contact information on the website. After that, there is a surgeon search on here and lapband.com and realizeband.com also have surgeon searches. Best of luck to you!

I had surgery June 1st and it itches like CRAZY!!! My entire stomach itches and all I want to do is rip the little strips off and scratch until it stops. It's been harder to avoid that than to avoid food. I'm not infected or anything, it all looks good, it's just healing and itches like you wouldn't believe. Any miracle bandster secrets to get rid of the itching?