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I haven't posted in a while and realized it's been 3 months today since my sleeve! Life has been so different since surgery. I was exhaustes all of the time until about 3 or 4 weeks ago. Now I have all kinds of energy. I've been exercising since about week two. I ride my bike or walk. That's the extent of my exercise. I've lost pretty consistently since surgery, averaging 2 pounds a week. I'm eating approximately 800-1000 calories a day and at least 70 grams of protein. I still drink shakes-at least one a day, and sometimes 2. I still struggle to get water in. I'm lucky to get 24 ounces a day. I went from a tight size 18 pants to a loose 14. I even fit in a size 12 last weekend. Everyone tells me how young I look now. I'm not used to all the attention that I get, and it makes me quite uncomfortable. But it's to be expected. I'm so glad I did the surgery, and I'm even happier that hubby did it with me. Btw-he's down to 279 from 364!! HW 241 Pre Surgery Weight 3/1/18: 228 CW 182

Unfortunately, loose skin is not really something you can avoid. The amount you will have depends on your sex, age, genetics, how much you had to lose, and how long you were overweight.

I started my pre-sleeve journey in October 2012 after noticing an old friend of mines posting different issues pertaining to her "new" diet on FB. I was very intriqued and inbox her to see what surgery she had. She mentioned the Sleeve and also stated she was down 30 lbs in about a Month! Im like great.. I want that surgery and I was going to do whatever I needed to get it since Hey 30 lbs in a month is awesome especially to a person who wanted to loose 90 lbs and Fast! I contacted a doctor in my area to have a consultation. As far as my numbers are concerned I am 282 lbs 5'8. After learning My BMI was 41 I was definitely a canidate to have this surgery. I had struggled previously with yoyo diets, watching my social life deteriorate, insecurities, appetite suppressants, unused gym memberships. Moving along I thought hey I qualify, my insurance would approve me and I would be on my way.. Not sooo fast! Aetna required I have a pulmonary clearance, psy eval and weight history from the past two years. Went in for my pulmonary clearance and the doctor ordered a sleep study test. Great I thought I have to now sleep away from my husband and our 1 year old daughter. Received the results back in 3 days! Positive for sleep apnea... couldn't believe it! Went in for another sleep study now I have this mask to sleep with at night.. Boy oh Boy.. Again anything to lose this weight I thought. Meant with a psychiatrist also required by my insurance.. all the info was submitted to my insurance and within a few days I was approved.. I was thrilled.. Surgery set for March 18th. I go to the hospital on March 14th for my presurgical tests which included an EKG, ECHO and routine blood work. A breeze this would be I thought. Results get sent to my doctor on March 15th that the hospital has denied my surgery and I now needed cardiac clearance! Surprise! My ECHO showed signs of artery coronary disease and myocardial infarction! What? Could not believe it.. 28 years old and diagnosed with having had a heart attack!!! This was the turning point... This surgery was no longer about getting a few pounds off to feel sexy again but to SAVE my LIFE. I have been on an emotional rollercoaster since the ECHO results. Finally after a stress test and another ECHO I was cleared for surgery. I had lurked on this forum many months before actually writing My Story.. I wanted to be honest in case someone else out there felt guilty bc I did. This Sleeve has brought a new sense of hope and the ability to actually be able to live longer and enjoy doing it. I guess the moral of the story is that for one reason on another we were all brought to this decision. For me mines at first was just to loose weight and feel skinny but now it has possibly saved my life. SW 281 SURGERY W 284 CW Don't have a Clue... First weigh in Tuesday 5 Days Post Op

Tummy tuck removes the loose skin. Lipo removes fat.

wow, I thought i had it tough with my insurance 3 groups 2 Dr. visits with the doctor who did labs 2 phyc visits 5 appts. w/nut 2 actual visits with the surgeon sleep study I think that was everything lol All in all it took 9 months. They sent it to my insurance company in march 2013. I got approved on 4/19/13 but it took until 6/25/13 to have the surgery cause my surgeon wa booking 6-8 weeks out. From going to the support groups I found out that this was quick. I have BMC BOSTON HEALNET w/MASSHEALTH as secondary. I am just so gratefull i have the coverage. I hear all the horra story's. My heart breaks for the girl who was billed years later and had to declare bankruptcy. I was able to get a tummy tuck 5 weeks ago cause of all the skin and rashes. I was denied 3 times. I had to changed the plastic surgeon and when I did I was approved in 7 weeks and my surgery was scheduled 2 weeks later. i had sleep apnea, as well. I really hope everone who needs this surgery gets it. It is a tough decision to make to even go for the surgery. KEEP FIGHTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am entering the New Year in the Onederland - 68.5 lbs down and feeling great. The greatest thing I ever did for myself. I went to the doctor on Wed to get my 2nd fill, and was told I only needed 1/4cc, giving me a total of approximately 5cc in my 14cc band. I wish you all a happy and healthy New Year. May you loose all of the weight you want to lose, not be hungry between meals, stop craving carbs, come into a lot of money for your new wardrobe and be comfortable enough to wear a bathing suit this summer!

Reading all of your wonderful posts has me sitting here at my desk with big ole tears rolling down my face! Thank you all so much. As for any words of advice...don't for one second think it can't be done because no matter what you need to lose, it can be done! I say my band was kissed by an angel before it was put in me because I've had hardly any problems. The changes in my life are unbelievable! At 469 pounds, I had given up on life completely. Now I have a life and man, what a wonderful feeling! I have 2 little granddaughters, 4 and 2, and the joy of being able to actually sit on the floor and play with them is priceless. Before, I couldn't have gotten down on the floor much less get up. It's some of the most simple things in life that I'm amazed that the weight loss has changed. I'm having a huge issue with the large amount of excess skin, but I just keep telling myself to just concentrate on my accomplishments and not the negative part. I run into people that I haven't seen since my surgery and they don't recognize me. I've gone from crossing my fingers and hoping a size 32 would fit (most times it didn't) to wearing a size 12 or 14. I can walk a country mile now compared to walking 10 feet before and then pretending to have something in my shoe so I could stop and catch my breath and hope people bought the excuse. I think one of the major secrets to my success with my lap band is sure determination and being a lot bullheaded! So many people said I couldn't do it...well, I dang sure am! I told my surgeon on the first visit, I was going to be his biggest loser and I am. I'm speaking at a convention in Dallas in October and I can't wait to share my story. I want people to know that if someone that had let themself get to 469 pounds can do it...they can too! Thanks again for all the kind words. This site has been my savior so many times. It would be hard to find people anywhere that are as supportive and kind as the folks on here! It might sound silly but I can't wait for those 4 pounds so I can do something that I never even thought possible...lose 300 pounds! I just got chills typing that. I have to admit, I'm very proud of myself and God bless whoever invented the lap band!!!!!!

OMG, that is the best news!!!! You need to give the details......... any complications? Really any advice you can give would be great...... That is such an amazing accomplishment...........I am overwhelmed just having 100 to loose I can't even begin to comprehend the magnitude of what you have done........ It must be the greatest feeling.... Congradulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Is that a record here for lapbanders?..........it must be!!!

Interesting experience Glitterqueen, sorry you went through that, but your thinking was actually pretty solid. I appreciate that information as it does almost sound too good to be true, especially about the part where it increases the circulation in that area. Being a diabetic, there's a chance one day I will suffer from some form of neuropathy, a lot of diabetics do, so why wouldn't the medical personnel be using it for something like that. If it truly increased circulation, it could save a limb on someone suffering from this neuropathy. I'm gonna take a peak at the website though. It does sound interesting as I am not all that wild about going under the knife yet again for anything and I am quite sure I will need to once all of this weight is gone, I already have sagging skin on my arms and thighs, exercise isn't touching it either. Thanks for all the info Miro, always good to check these things out for ourselves. That's how most of us ended up getting our bands, was by checking out info on this new way to lose weight. Cindy

So, I've had my band for over 3 years. (1149 days to be exact!) For the past 2 years I've been able to run my finger over my port and feel it through my skin. I never really gave it much thought but it always seemed to be smooth. Monday night I was laying on my back in bed watching TV and reached down there to scratch an itch and felt my port. It was different somehow. It seemed to have a divot in the middle. I was slightly concerned that maybe something had happened to it so Tuesday morning I called the Lapband nurse and told her. She said "There is a divot in it. The doctor has to hit the divot with the needle when he adjusts the band." Seriously? All this time and I never noticed that? The only thing that makes any sense to me is that I have lost another 12-15 pounds in the last couple months and maybe that last little bit of fat on top of it is gone. Who knew?

Hey Sue, sorry to hear your frusterated, when did you get your band? Are you eatting every 2 - 3 hours small amounts? No one ice cream is definatly not going to kill you and make you not loose weight, just as long as your not eatting them all the time. How is your restriction with your band? You say that you can eat cold chicken? I still have a hard time with chicken??? Well it also could be that your body is going into shock, cause of this new foreign object inside you and it's just going to take a little while to get used to having this thing and then your going to start loosing big. Don't worry unless your eatting way too much, your body will catch up!!! Good luck!!!

Right now I'm lucky to loose 2 lbs a month. but still very happy with my band. I just try to remember how long I was heavy and then this waiting game doesn't seem so bad.

I know it turns people off when you point out their faults but it just comes out. Like another poster, my mom also made snide remarks growing up about what I eat and my dad still corners me with questions even if I don't do anything "wrong". I guess I'm psychologically giving payback or something who knows. For about a week I quit eating and just worked out like crazy. I managed to lose a few lbs but my work outs began turning into crap because I just didn't have enough energy. So, I knew I needed to start eating again, but I felt like an 80 calorie apple is 80 calories more ill have to burn for a 3,500 calorie pound. I began throwing up food. One side of me knew this was wrong (I know all the problems it can cause. I've worked in the medical field for years) but it makes total sense to the other part of me. The problem kept getting worse so I confronted my parents about it. I guess they figure if I admit to it, then it's not really there versus if I turned to skin and bones and they caught me doing it. They don't understand at all and were just thrilled that it made me lose weight. When I quit doing it, I gained those few lbs back immediately so I feel like I need To go back to those bad habits, but at the same time I know it's going to reflect in my workouts. I'm completely torn down the middle.

You look amazing! Such an inspiration to me it gives me hope. Dont woory about the skin your beautiful !!

I've been told all my life that I have a pretty face. Up until now, I've been content with just having a pretty face. Now I ask myself, what is a pretty face with the confidence to go and do all the things life has to offer. I second guess even the smallest party or event. I am consistently starting and stopping the diet process. I eat for so many reasons now that it is just unbelievable. I ask myself, how did I let it get this far? I visualize every event. From the seats on the airplane to the rides at the amusement park and everything in between. I worry that this is going to take over my life, no it has taken over. I use to be a lot of fun now I'm more of a hobbit. I stay home and I cook and clean for my husband and I even go to school online for fear that I will no longer be able to put my big hips behind a desk. I hate this fear of embarrassment, but it has started to control every aspect of my life. My mother is completely for the surgery, but my husband isn't as understanding. My mother has watched me struggle with my weight for what seems like forever. Whereas my husband thinks that because he can diet and exercise and loose weight, so can I. I wish I could make him understand that I am tired of fighting a loosing battle. I need something more than just a diet and exercise plan. My biggest downfall is that when I am what I call hungry, I am going to eat. I need something to control my neverending appetite. I believe lap band is just what I need. My weight has gotten far enough out of hand and I refuse to let it continue to control my life. Where do I go from here? (excuse my rambling on, but it really made me feel so much better!):cursing:

I'm eating alot of fish, yogurt...chicken. Drink plenty of fluids. It's been so hard to get used to new thing, occasionally I eat a bite of cookie or candy. Lol but I'm walking 2 miles daily, my stomach is pretty much shrunk back by itself I don't do any weights or toning as of now, I'm 24 yrs old so my skin is elastic still. thanks gals! I'm finally feeling good!!!!!!

Fabulous times. A bra line cuts off the back skin

OMG , have you had the tv on in the last 4 days.. we are being bombarded with commercials showing us how we are supposed to look.. "the fast and effective way to lose weight fast" these bastards make billions of dollars every year off of people just like us who for some reason turn to food for comfort. they prey on us like a lion preys on a wilderbeast. i for one am sick of it... and then in a couple weeks the gym memberships commercials and fitness equiptment commercials will go away and will be replaced with restaurants and fast food commercials driving us insane. Thank god i was banded in late june.. my life has almost completely turned around.. i still have lots of issues to work through emotionally but i am getting there. Here is a warning for all you newly banded.. you are going to feel sexy and wonderful as the weight comes off. that feeling is like a crack addiction you are going to want it more and more.. do not let it consume you. i am down 104lbs and still going i will stop at 200lbs.. it is much slower weight loss now.. but thats ok.. i got into a 36 jean on friday and it was a little loose so even though the scale doesnt seem to budge much.. apparently the inches are still going away.. i have gone from a 4xl shirt to a 2x t shirt that i can actually put in the dryer.. anyway turn off the tv... dont by into any of the bullshit they show and just walk , bike and in general get off your bottom.. and i promise it will happen for you... stay strong

If it's for skin issues, I think what has helped me (along with patience), is resistance (weightlifting) work. Perhaps concentrating on the areas you think you may have a problem with loose skin.....tummy, arms, chest, etc. I was a little worried about a sagging tummy when I got my sleeve, so I did lots of core and oblique exercises like sit ups, planks, deadlifts, etc. It has built up muscle in my torso and has filled in SOME of where I would have had loose skin. Now I'm concentrating on my chest in addition to all of the other lifts I had already been doing. But there's probably only so much that lifting can do to help with possible loose skin. Also patience/time (I'm over a year and a half post op) and many other factors/variables that determine loose skin issues. In fact, I have a link posted on my profile about skin issues....it's simple, yet informative.

I'm wondering the same thing. What's the best approach to minimize excess skin as weight comes off? I've heard one person mention resistance exercises, but I'm not quite sure what that entails. I haven't been cleared for full activity yet... But I'd love to learn about what you're doing activity-wise.

WOW! what a great post! where to start - I mean besides mostly everything that has been said in the above posts... I no longer liked who i was... how i felt... I was so ashamed... I no longer wanted to do anything... besides going to work; I declined invites to do really anything... I too was a hot sweaty mess, legs rubbing together, and just feeling uncomfortable within my own skin. When i would have to use the bathrooms at work, i would pray that the handicap stall would be open... and lets NOT even discuss the whole "trying to wipe my hiney" syndrome!!! Now 5 ½ months later – down 80lbs and I feel better now than I did when I use to be thin… I think this is the BEST I have ever felt!! I am starting to run… (WAIT WHAT?? - ME RUN??? OMG its true!!!) I am healthier, I feel great….. Love being able to shop in any store... I am wearing clothes that haven fit in 10 years! I just can’t believe I got my life back!!!

Well, I do not think you ate anything that will "hurt" you...if it all went down fine....they told us that we were not on starches at first to get us to not "crave" them...you know...concentrate on Protein, fruit and veggies...so...... I think you should call the doc...but also try and limit high caloric foods like mashed potatoes and ice cream...not that we all don't want to eat it but to loose weight....less carbs and less sugar is best....This of course, is from my plan and I am NOT a dr. but.... Bottom line, I doubt you have hurt your band...you are still healing, so take care and remember...the time between banding and a fill is called "bandster hell" because it is not easy! I am actually still there! Oh, to be restricted....soon I hope! Good Luck....protein and healthy carbs! Shelley

Unfortunately when we lose weight, the magazine cover model isn't going to show through because our skin is stretched. But we are getting healthier and taking care of our bodies. Even Cindy Crawford is going to sag eventually right?

Be Patient. Follow the rules, and you will loose like everyone else. Best of luck

Just thought I would ask if anyone else has a weird pattern going. I stall for a week or week and a half, then loose steady for about the same time. Does anyone else have days that they have to force themselves to eat ? and when you have a day like that what do you try to eat ?