HEALTHY111

I agree that some people will require plastic surgery after major weight loss but I have found an alternative that is absolutely awesome. My friend had the gastric bypass and lost in excess of 100+ lbs which left her with saggy, baggy skin. I was getting lap banded and was kinda scared because my insurance doesn't cover plastic surgery because it is considered cosmetic!! She searched everywhere for something to help her and she started using these all natural body wraps at home and she lost over 30 inches in a little over 90 days and has maintained the elasticity in her skin on her lower abdomen, inner thighs, arms, front of knees! I started using them before being banded because I couldn't wait and immediately lost 3 1/2 inches off my lower abdomen in 2 hours. Talk about being sold oh my gosh I was blown away so I took one and cut it in half and put it on my chin and neck and cut the other piece in two and put it on my cheeks guess what I actually have cheek bones underneath the fat! No kidding my double chin was nearly invisible it tightened up my neck in an hour! I want to mummify myself ) I am soooo happy I am using them and will continue to use them through out my weight loss and lap band journey. I have told all my friends even the "skinny" ones LOL and one of them lost four inches off her lower abdomen above her c-section scar she said she had a "saggy pooch" for 8 years and it's gone now! They are about 2ft by 1 ft in size so they cover a large area (I even used it on my back fat!) I am still losing weight with my lap band tool but this is a real motivator when you can see instant results that last it targets fat and toxins not water weight!! They are affordable and easy to use check out www.wraptodaylosetoday.com they run about $49 for four large wraps if you agree to do the 90 day challenge and have autoship but if not they are $89 for four which is still an excellent deal because I have had a seaweed wrap before that cost me $120 and it only dehydrated me and targeted water so poof it came right back! These are well worth it and a great alternative and an affordable alternative to plastic surgery! :scared2: Love them!!

THANK U for sharing you look great!! I was feeling discouraged too because the weight loss is slower than I expected but I am happy with my weight loss so far. I am at 208 and can't wait to hit 199 but things slowed down greatly this past month. I seen my Dr last week and I was very disappointed with my weight loss since last month and he said 4 to 8lbs is average and not to beat up on myself that some months will be higher than others. Also I always tell everyone it could also be do to monthly fluctuations which us women are so lucky to have LOL... and I forget to take my own advice!! Some people that I told about the operation have made it a little hard on me as well because they are expecting me to just melt away and it is a process and it is still hard work ~ the band is a tool and I have to remember that. All in all I am happy with my weight loss so far and really am looking forward to the coming months, it all adds up! I am making smaller goals five pounds at a time!

Wowzer!! You are making excellent progress, Great job! What an inspiration thank you for sharing your pics!

Wow you look awesome. Good luck with your gathering you are going to knock their socks off! Keep us posted and stay strong!

Angela, Congratulations on taking the first step towards a healthier new you!! Good luck on your journey! You might want to try some chamomille tea at night before you go to bed to help you sleep or some melatonin it helps, but talk to your DR first.

Good for you, taking control of the situation and getting a new Dr!! Congrats on the weight loss you are doing GREAT!

THANKS for the inspiration. I have been a little discouraged this past month because I have been fighting with the scale on a daily basis ) I have lost weight 6 lbs and I shouldn't be too discouraged but it wasn't as successful as last months 14lbs weight loss so I haven't been too happy with my results. I know I can't lose 14lbs every month it wouldn't be healthy. Thanks for sharing.

Wow! Good for you.

Congratulations and good luck you will do great! Stay calm and relaxed and you will do fine, Happy Rebirthday! Remember the first few days are the hardest but it will get better, just walk, walk, walk to get the gas moving and to start the healing process. I slept sitting up on a couch because it was easier than trying to lay down and pull myself up. It was much more comfortable for the first four days. Also plenty of broth, jello, sugar free fruit popsicles, water. I also had a cracker if I felt nauseated from the medication but I chewed it up slowly and didn't over do it. Keep us posted!

This is very normal or at least it was for me, you haven't had a fill so yes you can eat more than when you start getting fills. For me I lost 15 lbs my first month and was eating more than I should as well. My second month I lost ten. If you think about it though it is still awesome 15 lbs in one month. Also your body goes through cycles hormonaly and your body will fluctuate with water weight etc.. don't be too hard on yourself this is a process and a walk and the lap band is one of your tools. I agree with AFITMEN2010 you need to make sure you are getting the protien required or you will start having hair loss, etc.. the protien is very important they stress that alot during nutrional meetings.

What an inspiration! Thank you for sharing your journey with us. Your success in only four months is absolutely awesome I hope to be as successful as you have been. I agree with Bklynike ~ You Go Girl!

Sandy, I know how you feel. I want to talk about the band and how it is changing my life and no one wants to hear about it. I work in a Pharmacy and just yesterday one of the girls had a Bday party and of course there was cake. I feel like I am under a microscope sometimes and even if I am "having a taste" I am being watched. So now I kind of regret sharing that I had the lapband surgery because I feel self concious every time I take a bite of something. I haven't shared with all my friends and family as of yet because some people think it's the EASY way out hah!! It is still hard work and I try every day to stay focused. It is my evening time when I am idle that I tend to lean towards snacking. Anywho I started rambling about me. I love too talk a lot too so if you ever want to chat send me and email ) Stay true to yourself, you are perfect just the way you are!

It's awesome and it is a great start!! Good for you! Always be proud of your accomplishments regardless of how small you think it is - Remember it all adds up. I was bummed because I kept losing at only a half a pound every other day and then all of a sudden I had realized wow that added up to fifteen pounds in one month!!! Look at the big picture we are in this for the long haul )

Congratulations and good luck with your journey!!! Best wishes!

You can do it!!!! Lots of protien get that ketosis going to burn some fat! Try to stay away from high carb intake as well as sweetened drinks and ice cream. We all know we can eat around the band but think about your surgery and the days following aren't YOU worth a second chance?? Do not give up show some progress even if it is two or three pounds and then go back to your DR let him know you are serious about making a change and get another fill. It isn't good to rely on the fills to stop you from eating but that is part of the tool isn't it? Restriction, after a good fill you will be very aware of your intake. Get up and get moving I say this because I personally need to work on that part. ) We all have our own battle but we are here to work together as a team and lift each other up when needed. Stay connected... I recently got too busy to log in and have been fighting with the same pound up and down for over a week. Time to focus!

I think this is pretty normal or at least it was for me. Just remember this is a tool not a fix all. I was eating way too much in the first three weeks as well even though I was still losing weight I am sure I could have lost even more had I been a little more mindful of my intake. It is not that I ate large portions it was just that I sometimes made poor choices & ate at McDonalds because I was in a hurry. This is a learning lesson to change our eating habits for life and sometimes it is hard. I am doing better now eating more eggs, fish, chicken breast, fruit, salads, etc.. I am hardly ever hungry and when I do get hungry I make a protien shake with 8oz milk and it is very filling it keeps me from over eating, high in protien and low in sugar and calories. I don't deprive myself I just change things around a bit. I used to love having a Venti Mocha every morning from Starbucks now I have a tall bold pick with cream no sweetener. It saves me calories and money and I still feel like I am getting a treat and if I haven't had breakfast I will get the lowfat turkey bacon and eggwhite breakfast sandwhich (don't usually eat all the bread). Again, this is a process and when the pounds start really coming off you get motivated and really want to make an effort. I track everything on www.myfitnesspal.com it is free and their data base pretty much has everything in it. It makes me more mindful when I take a look at what I have been eating. Good Luck and don't get discouraged because many have been where you are at and you are still doing good you have already lost over 15 lbs that is something to be proud of! You will do okay, especially after your first fill.

oops it posted before I finished lol - I was going to say I can just see you looking through everything for the hidden scale. My teenage daughter took mine upstairs one day to use it and I was looking everywhere the next morning waking the kids asking "Have you seen the scale?"

I know where you are coming from I tell myself I will not weigh tomorrow, I will weight a few days and bam first thing in the morning I am on that scale!!! It was great at first averaging a half a pound a day loss sometimes a whole pound ) then when it went up a pound I freaked. It came back down a day later but I now have this obsession with checking the scale every single morning. I have lost fourteen pounds in the past 3 weeks so I shouldn't be stressing but I do. I think it is because I still have so much to lose. Thanks for the post you are hella funny, I can just see y

Excellent words of encouragement once again! Thank you for the reminders and how easily we can slip right back into worldly thinking when someone speaks against us. Just today I had to "overcome" a liar, thief and manipulator also known as my ex husband (forgive me Lord) and I did good anyway. He didn't deserve my kindness but I did good anyway and if the tables were turned I guarantee he wouldn't have helped me the way I helped him but I did good even knowing that! Thanks Janet, your posts are very helpful!

Way to go Ellaal01! Have a wonderful weekend!

This sounds delish!! Thanks for sharing another great recipe DebraG it is greatly appreciated!! I need to create a new file with all your goodies!