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I hate diets! And yet it seems like I've dieted for my entire life. My entire 29 years of life! At my heaviest I was 220lbs. I'm only 5'4 so I was quite a butter ball! I went on the prescription Phentermine in 2008 while at my very biggest. I lost 47lbs. in about 6 months taking me down to 173lbs. And then I had to quit taking the prescription, partly because I got the flu and also because it's unrealistic to think after six months the drug will have the same affect it did on day one. It doesn't. Not to mention the awful side effects! Jitters, cotton mouth, extreme irritability, constipation, sleep apnea...just to name a few. But what I loved about that drug was that for the first time in my life, I was losing weight without dieting! I ate whatever I wanted but very small portions. It was so great to be able to eat what everyone else was eating and never feel deprived and never feel the need to rebel! It also gave me a huge amount of energy, so I was working out almost every day. But when I stopped taking the Phentermine, the weight slowly but surely crept back on...like it always does...I mean, did! I had looked into the Lap Band surgery years before Phentermine but never really had the nerve or the pounds to get it done. Years ago you had to be at least 100 pounds over weight. Today you only have to be at least 50 pounds over weight. As the weight started to creep back on, I knew I had to do something! I felt like I needed something like Phentermine but better and that was for life! And that's exactly what Lap Band has been for me...my no dieting weight loss plan! This hasn't been a cake walk, but it has been relatively effortless so far! Notice I said "so far". On my surgery day, 7/8/2011, I was 208lbs.Today, 12/13/2011, I am 177lbs so in 5 months, I'm down 31lbs. So I'm still over weight, but I sure look a lot better! I've had 3 fills in all and I think I will stay with only three. I feel good where it's at. I'm pretty tight, but not too tight. It's been a slow process. And I realize if I worked out it would be quicker but I've actually not worked out for a reason...not that I would recommend it. I also DO NOT diet!!! If I have fast food, I might have a couple chicken fingers or part of a cheeseburger. Sometimes I have a grilled chicken salad. I eat whatever I'm in the mood for, but I eat small portions. Now I realize that I may not be able to keep this up. My goal weight is around 125-135. And fried chicken and burgers probably won't take me to my goal. So when I begin to plateu from just calorie restriction alone, my plan is to start the exercise. Please don't get me wrong, I do eat very decent. And have also found that veggies actually are easier for me to eat than any other foods. But I am by no means on a strict diet plan or ANY diet plan for that matter! The month before my surgery I went crazy eating, as though I would never be able to eat any "bad" food after my surgery and that is not the case at all! I have everything and anything I want. The band had just taken my "want" away. I explained it to my mom and sister like this, "Before the Band, my stomach was a bottomless pit,my appetite was huge! With the Band my stomach is a very shallow pit and my appetite is tiny." So life really is pretty good! I'm finally seeing progress, getting compliments from others, feeling so much more confident in myself and also realizing that success is actually within my reach! I'm actually going to achieve my goals this time! I asked my doctor, "About how much weight can a person like me,who wants to lose 80 pounds, lose with the band?" He said, " The band will give you about 40 pounds, the rest is up to you." That's fair. I can meet my band half way. So far it's given me an easy 31lbs. It's about to be my turn to take myself the rest of the way!

My name isz Kim, I am new here as well. Have been on pre op diet for 2 weeks. I have lost about 12 lbs. My surgery is tomorrow. Very excited about this Journey. Any words of wisdom regarding after surgery.

I agree, and our goals are individual as well B-man's cooment about not feeding him that "I dont want to bulk, only tone" line as been bothering me for days. Its not an unreasonable comment and its certainly correct and it was not said with any intent to offend, so I am not refuting it or taking offense. But here's the rub. . Personally, I would rather look loke Miranda Kerr than Jillian Michaels a million times over, and my routine gives me that kind of body (well, the closest a non genetically blessed 44 year old can come to it anyway). I know women dont generally bulk anyway but I like the result my routine has given me, So I will stick with my high cardio and Body Pump routine and not loading up on protein. I just wont buy into the supplements and heavy weight training scene because first it bores me sh*tless and secondly, I have no desire for that sort of body. And if it turns me into a calorie burning furnace, well I can already pretty much eat what I want coz I burn it off running ( which I love so it is not a chore) so really, I couldnt give a crap whether someone. Thinks thats right or wrong. It ist fashionable to want to look thin rather than like an Olympic athlete these days and I think all the supplements and advice are a part of that fad, great if its what youre aiming for and theres nothing wrong with having that goal, i just dont.

One week ago at this time I was in the hospital, groggy and uncomfortable but so relieved all went well. Today I am feeling good, healing well and for the first time I am truly feeling motivated and sure that I can do it this time. It is a little scary to write or say that outloud after so many failed attempts but I am writing it anyway -- I need to lose that fear of failing again and see this as the first time I have ALL the tools I need to succed -- I really believe the lapband was the missing tool in all my previous efforts to lose weight. Since surgery last week, I've lost another 5 lbs since surgery bringing my total loss to 24lb since August! And my husband has lost 45lbs since August (he was banded 11/7)!! I have been using MyFitnessPal daily to log my intake and I check this site at the beginning and end of every day to keep myself motivated by reading about others successes and about their struggles. I feel so supported when I read the entries and I offer my support and cheers for them. I think checking in here each day and blogging each week will help me keep my goal front and center so I will be better able to stay motivated. So here's is this week's entry to keep me focused and a thanks to all those who share thier story. Hope anyone who may read this has a great week and stays positive in their journey Kath

I can totally relate to that! A co-worker brought me a dozen beautiful and very yummy Cookies today. They are gone. Sweets go down so easy for me. Going forward....... I am NOT going to eat anymore treats!!! I am going to get back on track so that I do not continue to gain over the Christmas holiday. WLS is by no means the easy way out. We still have to work very hard to lose and maintain our weight. I do NOT want to be that fat person again!!!

Hi Angel, you've chosen the safest form of WLS you could have, provided you've selected a reputable surgeon and decent hospital. I went to a Center of Excellence and have lost almost 60 lbs in 3 months and completely gotten rid of my diabetes. Like you, over the years, I've tried almost every weight loss diet I could find and most worked until I gained it all back. The band works, if we are willing to work with it (and it is work) we can lose all the weight we want. If you're willing to follow the instructions you're given, you'll be 100lbs lighter at this time next year.

Was banded on 12/05. Was in the hospital from Monday to Friday because of other medical issues taken care of at the same time as the banding. Had a pretty rough week but am home now and feeling a whole lot better. Moving around pretty good and almost standing straight LOL. Now I can concentrate on the losing weight and looking forward to being fully recovered.

"One-derful News!"

I've been banded for 1 week and 2 days now. I would LOVE to have a cheeseburger, just a little one. I would drink water, exercise, forgo the fries and dessert.......just to have the taste of a small juicy cheeseburger.

Here is a picture of me taken last night, with another "during" and a "before" Penni, feel free to delete the last post of my photos! Congratulations Everyone - we're looking great!!!