My name is Gigi, I was banded by Dr.Gonzalez in 2005. He is a very skilled surgeon and very well known in the US, my life is so much better since the surgery. I went from a size 22 to 6, my everyday life is much much better. Now I feel much more comfortable in public. Going up the stairs, long walks, and shopping is a lot easier and less tiring. For anyone out there looking for a great surgeon, check out Dr. Gonzalez at www.golap-band.com. Or www.myspace.com/lap_band;-) ;-)

Hi Gigi--welcome to the boards! You can be an ispiration for the rest of us. I also started out at a size 22, and would give anything to be a size 6. HOw long did it take you to get there? I had my surgery 3 months ago, and have already lost 50 pounds, and am down 2 pants sizes--getting close to being 3! It's always nice to hear the success stories--it keeps me motivated! Do you work out a lot? I always wonder if it is a lot easier and faster for people who do?

Welcome Gigi,

I will be banded on 3/30 and am currently a size 26/28 top and 22 bottom cannot wait to shop in a regular store!. I have made a deal with myself, when I made the decsion to have the surgery (Nov) I wouldn't buy anymore new clothes, I have keep it so far. I can't wait to buy smaller clothes. Thanks for signing on and inspiring us!

Hi , Congrats! well at first it was quite hard to get used to eating so little and getting full so quick. After a while i got used to it and i found out that if i work out it will help me lose weight faster and it did work out. I havent been working lately though because I am pretty satisfied with my weight although i havent acheived my weight goal.

WOW - that is fantastic, I can't even imagine being a size 6. I have gone from a 22/24 to a 18/20 and have decided to get rid of my work clothes that do not fit me anymore. I know I am not going back up and have met a someone who I talk to every day who came up with a great idea to pass clothes to others instead of spending money we don't have. So I have a home for clothes I won't wear and hopefully some day i'll have room in my closet for much smaller new ones.

Congrats Gigi! I was banded on 2-9-07 and I am almost done with the post op diet. Sometimes I feel like I am trapped in a fat persons body! I have been on the post op diet for almost 3 weeks and I feel like I should have lost 20 pounds by now. I guess I need to have patience. Next week I will start exercising on a regular basis and I will be eating solid foods. I am hoping that I will feel full longer even though I haven't had my first fill. I have no regrets about my band and the future is bright! I am just so ready to buy smaller clothes and look in the mirror and see big changes.

You've done so well and it feels good to read about your success. When did you notice the weight really falling off??

My name is Gigi, I was banded by Dr.Gonzalez in 2005. He is a very skilled surgeon and very well known in the US, my life is so much better since the surgery. I went from a size 22 to 6, my everyday life is much much better. Now I feel much more comfortable in public. Going up the stairs, long walks, and shopping is a lot easier and less tiring. For anyone out there looking for a great surgeon, check out Dr. Gonzalez at www.golap-band.com. Or www.myspace.com/lap_band;-) ;-)

Hi Gigi, my name is also Gigi. I just wanted to say hi and congratulate you on your success. That is wonderful! You must feel fabulous! How long did it take you to go from a size 22 to a 6? How much weight did you lose? I was banded exactly 1 month ago and have lost 28lbs. I feel great. Anyway, I just wanted to welcome you and thank you! You sure are an inspiration to all of us. Gigi:)

Congrats Gigi! I was banded on 2-9-07 and I am almost done with the post op diet. Sometimes I feel like I am trapped in a fat persons body! I have been on the post op diet for almost 3 weeks and I feel like I should have lost 20 pounds by now. I guess I need to have patience. Next week I will start exercising on a regular basis and I will be eating solid foods. I am hoping that I will feel full longer even though I haven't had my first fill. I have no regrets about my band and the future is bright! I am just so ready to buy smaller clothes and look in the mirror and see big changes.

You've done so well and it feels good to read about your success. When did you notice the weight really falling off??

Thank you, my weight loss was noticeable after like the first month. I was a bit like you too, I was beginning to worry 2 weeks after the surgery because I wasnt losing weight. So i started talking to people who had been with the lapband for several months, and I found that if I am patient and workout I'll be more relaxed not be worried about losing weight so quick. I dont only see the lapband as something to help us lose weight I also see it as something to help us get rid of our bad eating habits.

I hope you are all doing good and keep losing weight, for all you beginners out there please feel free to ask any doubts or any questions, glad to help, the lap band is great!

GiGi.

Banded by Doctor Gonzalez in 2005 was a size 22 now size 6 (thats my scale!)

Hi Everyone, I love this site! I've been reading all your helpful info for a couple weeks. I'm about 3/4 through the long careful process that my Dr.s here in Wi have us go through. Still don't have a surgery date. You all seem to be so young. I'm 66. Has anyone reached that ancient age and had the surgery? I would love to hear from you if you have. I failed on Dr Atkins, Nutra system, hypnosis and acupuncture. I'm so afraid of failing again. :faint:Sharon

Hi, I've been reading the posts a few times. I was banded 7/20/07, I'm doing ok. I've lost only 6 lbs. I'm supposed to be in a soft food diet for 4 weeks but I don't understand why because I can eat anything with no trouble. I've only eaten a plum that was not very ripe & it stayed in the top of my stomach (I guess I didn't chew it enough), I had to drink Water to wash it down.

Does anyone know the reason for the soft diet?

Thanks!!

My surgeon was Dr Spivak in Houston.