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I've Lost 157 Pounds After Lap Band Surgery!!!!! Yay!



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I am so inspired after looking at your pics. I have not been banded yet (hopefully in June) and seeing your success lets me know I can just as well as you.

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Wow..... I'm overwhelmed by all the sweet comments. Don't feel like I deserve all that, but thank ya'll so much!

To answer a few questions..... I don't really count calories or Protein anymore. I did very consistently for the first year. It got so I could eat so little that I didn't really see the point in counting calories, because I knew that I would be way under my proposed calories. I have problems with solid Protein, chicken and steak mostly and eggs. I have lost lots of hair. I used to have really thick long hair. I can now see my scalp. I'm sure this is probably a protein issue. I don't really know what to say as far as secrets. I just can't eat very much. I've got 6.25 or 6.5, can't remember which, in a 14 cc band. I went every 6 weeks or so for the first prob 6 - 8 months. Then I began to get restriction and spaced it out. I've never had to have any unfills, although I thought many times that I would have to. I always waited it out and usually the extreme tightness will resolve within a few days. I've noticed that I did lose most of my weight within these extreme tight episodes. I've noticed I would lose say 4 -5 pounds and then nothing for a while then more then nothing. With that being said, I am, to me very restricted. I usually literally have bites and I'm done. Not full but uncomfortable and if I don't stop I'll end up being sick. I've learned that It's much more pleasant of an experience to just stop while you're ahead. Some days are better than others and there really seems to be no rhyme or reason to this. I have noticed it is tighter when I'm stressed and when my stomach is irritated. I honestly don't exercise a lot. I at one point was running about 3 miles a day, but have slacked on that alot.

Plastic surgery..... I've had none. It's amazing what clothes can hide. I have the most issues with my apron and with my breasts. It's actually pretty extreme. When I show people they usually say "I would have no idea that you hid that under there". It's really amazing what I can tuck in those little jeans. lol I recently had a plastic surgeon consultation. I was hoping for insurance approval for coverage on my abdomen, but was denied. I was very disappointed. My skin hangs below my mons pubis. I know hard to tell from the pics, but trust me it does. Sooooooo since the abdomen alone is $5000 and the breasts are $7000. I think I'm gonna have to wait a while. Gotta save some money.

Thank you all again for all the kind comments. If there are any questions that I've overlooked, please ask again. I'll do my best to answer.

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wow,same problems with my hair my doctor told me about this oil to put in my hair as well as to get more Protein in my system, went on there site it looks good and that lil girl with all that hair is crazy. im going to try it cocoafreshorganics.org is the web site

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I had my surgery on 2/11/09. As of this morning, I've lost 157 pounds. I started at 300 pounds and this morning I weighed in at 143. I am 5'7". My surgeons office told me I hold their current record for most weight loss with their lap band patients. My BMI that started at like 46 to 48 is now 22.4, which is in the normal range btw. :) I used to wear a size 26W/28W or 3x/4x. I just bought a pair of extra small scrubs pants and a small shirt. I also just bought a pair of size 6 jeans. NEVER IN MY LIFE WOULD I HAVE THOUGHT I COULD HAVE ACCOMPLISHED THIS! YOU CAN DO THIS TOO! IF I CAN.... ANYONE CAN! This tool has been a miracle for me. I love my life.... although it's been a crazy two years. You really learn who your true friends are. I am a different person..... inside and out.

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You look amazing!! You sure give me something to look forward in my journey.I had some fear with the lap band and seeing your progress.You have uplifted my worries.If you have any tips for me with what you went through ,I would appreciate your views Thanks

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Did you ever have some backslide moments or stall at a certain amount? I seem to be stuck, not losing...any ideas to get it going again?

You look amazing!! You sure give me something to look forward in my journey.I had some fear with the lap band and seeing your progress.You have uplifted my worries.If you have any tips for me with what you went through ,I would appreciate your views Thanks

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Thanks for being such a inspiration to me, this gives me a lot of hope! :)

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You look wonderful! Congrats! You're an inspiration. I was banded 3 days ago I hope I'm as successful as you :)

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OMG YOU LOOK GREAT!!!! I PRAY THAT WHEN MY TWO YEARS ARE UP, I LOOK LIKE YOU WOW!!!! THIS IS MOTIVATION FOR ME.

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Wow...you look a,a zing and sound so grounded and happy. Congratulations!

Also, you are very beautiful and look about 30 years younger now. I would guess you are in your early twenties.

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Amazing I mean :)

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That is soooo awesome, you look fabulous and are an inspiration for all. I can't wait to have ankles!

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Thanks for sharing your story and pictures. You have inspired us all! :)

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You look Fantastic! Congrats!!! Do you ever still feel

big?

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    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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