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6 months and a week ago, i had no health problems even with a 47 BMI - BUT i felt so disgusting. I hated clothes. I wore things just to hide myself. I knew I had a pretty face but that all others saw was the fat. Today, 6 months after surgery and 88 pounds later, I feel INCREDIBLE. i am all about what i'm wearing, my make up, I feel just plain unstoppable. I want you to know that yes there can be complications. I have experienced none so far (truly this is thanks to GOD and following my surgeon's instructions) - but they can happen. I am very, very sorry I did not do this 10 years ago (I'm 38). But i cannot dwell on that. This is a LIFE CHANGING thing if you let it be. I truly wish all of you the best of luck in your decision and if you have the surgery - the best of luck on your journey. It TRULY is a journey. God bless us all!!!!

For protein powder drinks, you can get Pure Protein 100% Whey for $17.00 for a large, large jug at Walmart. One scoop with 1 cup skim milk, 1 splenda and a handful of ice blended in your blender make a nice, chocolately shake that tastes great at about half the price of the isopure. However, I too really enjoy the Isopure clear protein drinks in the bottle, especially grape. I drink at least 1/2 a 20 oz bottle daily to boost my protein intake (I am just 16 days out from surgery). They are expensive but you can shop around.

Was there ever a time that you felt everything was totally working correctly? Comfortably in the Green Zone? If so, then you need to get it back. When I feel things are starting to get a little out of hand, I go full liquids for a few days. This is on my assumption I have stretched out my pouch a bit, and giving it a rest will let it contract. It does work for me, usually extremely tight afterwards. Also, and many people fail to mention this, that IF you are constantly eating small portions, over time, your primary stomach will shrink also, just as it stretched when we overate constantly.

Congrats!! This is exciting for all of us. I can't wait to get started. Monday is when I start my liquid diet. What date is your surgery queen bea?!

Didn't your doctor warn you about that before your surgery? It's like the biggest NO NO of all the NO No's.

This is what I'm doing for pre-op it works down 10lb in 6 days. Goodluck.

Hey! I had my lapband surgery in 2008 in Nov. I had lost about 50 lbs in a year and a half. I think that's slow! Anyway I then lost about 75 lbs. by the summer of 2010 and had a penniculectomy(more than a tummy tuck) as I had a lot of hanging fat! I weighed 236 when I had lapb. so at the time of the stomach surgery probably weighed 160(can't remember exactly). I had many, many stiches across my lower abdomen and drains on both sides. I had virtually no pain, just discomfort trying to sleep and etc. After about 1 month the swelling was gone and I then lost about 25 more lbs. During the time b/f the stomach surg. I had may 4 or 5 fills. Then about a year ago in this coming up April, my band seemed to tighted. I was having indigestion almost constantly and I would throw up my food, etc. I went to my surgeon and he took almost all my saline. I then gained about 20-25 lbs. Very discouraging!!! Then I began to get a little at a time put back in and I have lost about 10 of those 25 lbs. So I went from being in a 6 to some 8's and mostly now 10's. That is great considering I was wearing a 22 at the beginning! But it was also very depressing for me. I loved the 6!!! MY friends and family thought I looked too thin and sick though and think I look much better and healthier now. I am trying to exercise each day doing something. Also in the last 2 or 3 weeks I think my band has tightened again b/c it's very easy for me to get indigestion if I don't eat just about a palm full of food at one time. I'm trying to live with this though b/c I don't want to have saline taken out b/c I know I'll eat again too much a gain weight. I think from talking to friends that had the surgery after me that it's just going to be a struggle all the time. I'm trying to live with it. I do know I would not change the fact that I had the surgery. I don't ever want to be big again. like right now I have indigestion adn I've only had to eat this morning about 1/4 cup of sugerless cereal and about that much milk and my vitamins. Usually when I start out with indiges. I'll have it all day long. It's miserable!!

This just goes to show how individual- from both a patient and surgeon perspective- this journey is for everyone! We're all comparing numbers to help us feel like we're in the "right" area of where we think we should be, but there's a lot more to it. People have different amounts of fat around their stomachs and different sized stomachs, so 10ccs may put one person on a liquid only diet while another person with 10ccs can still eat pizza. With my band almost full, I could still have anything I wanted. Also, I sometimes wonder if getting multiple tiny fills is a method used by some doctors to make more money off insurance companies/patients for those who are paying a considerable amount for them. My fills are only about $10, so I don't think my surgeon wants to see me that often (kidding!).

I was also feeling really gross about my appearance. I was tired of hearing "you have such a pretty face". In my head, I was hearing "you have such a fat ugly body". Its only been about 5 weeks since my surgery and since then I've lost a few lbs, hired a personal trainer and work out 3 x per week. Even though its clear that I have an incredibly long journey ahead of me, I'm feeling so psyched that I've finally started the journey. It feels so good to be doing something about my fitness and my health instead of just feeling horrible about myself. I was not expecting to feel better about my appearance before losing a significant amount of weight but here I am feeling great just because I'm taking action and doing something about it. I'm not sure how I'm going to feel after the first "dreaded fill" but I'm up for the challenge. I already feel more confident and attractive and wore 2 dresses to work this week that I have not been able to fit for OVER 2 YEARS!!

My ipod ran out of charge half way through my run this morning, grrrrrr. I would DIE if anyone every found my ipod dropped in the street and listened to it, lol. I actually like to listen to the Best of Wham when I run, its like an 80's revivial party!. Old 80's aerobics dance mixes are good too. Ipods are so wonderful, you can listen to the most embarrassing, daggiest music that you wouldnt be caught dead with playing audibly in your house or car. I dont know why they never took off in the US, too Aussie pub rock I think, but you guys just dont know the joys of some loud Cold Chisel!