Amanda1982

I want you to know that I just lifted up my shirt in the middle of my office for you... I have 4 or 5 (not sure if one has always been there or not lol) and just like others my largest one is where my port is about 1in long. I've been banded for about a year, the scars are almost faded away. But I think my complexion has something to do with that.

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Dont get yourself down. some of us are slow losers. My 1yr anniversay is tomorrow 3/7/2012 and Im just at 64 lbs down. I was feeling the same way you do this morning and my nutritionist told me that I'm doing great. Try not to compare yourself with others, make sure you are workig out, and eating right the weight will come off. Good Luck!.

Welcome, if you are looking for “assurance” that this will help you, I’m sorry to say that we can’t give you that. Nobody can no matter what program or diet you choose. Honestly the band does not work for everyone and we can only speak from our experiences. “Were my expectations met?” No, but to be honest my expectations in the beginning were not realistic. I wanted the band to help me lose 145lbs in a year because I’d seen posts where others have lost that much weight. I based my expectations on other people’s successes not realizing that I’m different and I’m a slow loser. I’m very happy with the 63lbs that I’ve lost so far. This is the beast decision that “I” have made for myself and my children and I look forward to losing more as the days go by. It’s a life style that you have to be mentally ready for. Eating right and working out is important to your success. Be ready to give up some things with the understanding that the peace, energy, and boost to your self esteem will outweigh those things that you are giving up. Pray about it, talk to your family, ask questions on this site, talk to your surgeon, and make the decision that is best for you. Good Luck on your Journey!!!

I went home the same day....Surgery at 6:00 am, home by 2:00pm. Good Luck

Congrats....you should be very pround of yourself.

Alright ladies...lets calm our heads and just agree to disagree. Exercise is important for health. You may get results without it. But your life, health, and overall wellbeing will be great if you include it in your life style changes. At the end of the day, the choice is yours...and my definition of success my be different from your definition of success depending on what our goals are. Me is to live longer and be s healthier me. And "I" need exercise to accomplish this. Your goal may just be to lose weight....and you only need the band. Whatever the case its your life and your decision. Not for us to judge eachother. We are here to support eachother.

Alright ladies...lets calm our heads and just agree to disagree. Exercise is important for health. You may get results without it. But your life, health, and overall wellbeing will be great if you include it in your life style changes. At the end of the day, the choice is yours...and my definition of success my be different from your definition of success depending on what our goals are. Me is to live longer and be s healthier me. And "I" need exercise to accomplish this. Your goal may just be to lose weight....and you only need the band. Whatever the case its your life and your decision. Not for us to judge eachother. We are here to support eachother.

(crying) so yesterday, I went to the store looking for a black cami, I hate to admit I went straight back to the plus size section. Well when I got there I could not find what I was looking for so I started to leave. On my way out I spotted a black cami in the regular section of the store.I was like "WOW I totally can fit this". Then my mind started playing tricks on me. I felt like people where watching me saying. "Why is she over here? She knows shes needs to be in the plus section." "She can't fit that". I hate to say that I put the cami back and left the store.......I wish my mind would catch upwith my body...I'm a work in progress....

Leslie Sansone "Walk Away the Pounds" is my staple too.. I also switch between 3,4,5 miles daily and my 5 miles dvd has the Firm Band.

WOW the truth hurts dosen't it? LOL... I am a single working (Mon-Fri 8-5) mother of two, an 8 yr old and a 2yr old. But I get up every morning at 4am and do 4-5 miles of cardio (1hr) and sometimes even strength training. It's the only time when my children are asleep and I have time to myself. Why??? Because I know I wont be able to fit it in at the end of the day. I'm too tired..but I also know that a good cardio workout in the morning will give my slow metabolism a extra boost for the day, it will help tone my body and the green tea I drink before my workouts puts me in a better mood and gives me a little extra energy to deal with my daily duties. Do I love it?? Not really but I will admit I do like how I feel after a workout. I do love the way sweat helps release negative toxins and feelings. and I also love a good stretch in the morning. I guess what I'm saying is you may not love it but it works, it's important, and your grown to like it if you find a program that you enjoy. At the same time I want to stress..don't beat eachother up. This is a lifestyle change and for some it harder than for others. If you haven't been working out to help out your band, today is a new day and it not too late.... To the OP every pound is a success 30 pounds is not bad maybe they could have lost more in a year.. maybe not. Anyone who has lost 30 pounds is 30 polunds healthier in my book.

Does anyone who has lost a bunch of weight, still go straight to the plus size section when shopping? If so why? I think it's a mental thing, what do you think?

omg, I would love to get a chance to go to Vegas....Have a great time

I'm so sorry this happened to you....but I'm glad you posted this. Newbie’s need to hear success stories was well as horror stories before making their choice to have the band. Stay positive this wasn't for you, but I'm sure you will find the answer to your weight loss problems.

Thanks so much I just downloaded it

OMG Congrats....

WOW...Congrats

My first goal was to be able to cross my legs under my desk lol......Im happy to say that I can do that with room to spare.

Welcome Tressa, and good luck on your journey

Im pretty sure it took them about a week to get back to me, but I have United Health Care...Good Luck!

Welcome, All insurance companies are different as to what pre-op tasks they will have you do. You can see a list of mine in my signature. I can eat almost anything (bread and eggs and dry chicken are a problem for me), but should you eat sweets as a part of your diet probally not. Your band will hold a certain amount of Fluid (mine holds 10cc's) the more fluid in your band the tighter it is. Fills are when your doc adds more fluid into your band this usually happens about .25,.5, or 1 cc's at a time. (Every's doc is different) . They will do this until you can eat a small amount of food and be satisfied for a cetain period of time (the greenzone). For me I eat about 1 cup of food and it keeps me satisfied for 4-5 hours. It took about 7cc's for the to get to the green zone (again eveyone is different). I have been a member of this site for a long time. Keep asking questions ppl here are happy to help. Just remember everyone is different and your exerpience will be too. Good Luck Amanda

Here is an interesting article on African American Women and their BMI http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0CYD/is_20_39/ai_n6346067/

February WALK Challenge 60 Miles Can we walk 60 Miles together in February…I bet we can. Walkers our February challenge is to walk 60 miles between Feb 1st 2012 and Feb 29th 2012 so tie up your walking shoes, pop in your DVD’s or head to the park with your kids. See everyone at the finish line. Don’t forget to create your ticker and update it when you complete any of your miles.

Good review for new and old banders... IMO when the weight really starts to come off you will be able to see how much effort you have put into your own success.

Good Morning Alaa, 75 pounds is a hudge success. What I want you to remember is that the band did not do it for you in famous lapband language lol "the band is just a tool." I contribute a lot of my success to the the things that I have been doing to help the band. Eating right, exercising, the life style changes. IMO if you lost even 1 pound thats 1 pound to being a healthier you. Don't give up, stay foucsed, stay strong and remember your story is a success story to a newbie.