April Tanner

So I have never done anything like this in my life. I decided to do this because I need to have communication w/ people "like" me. My surgery was April 1st, 2010. A new April at the beginning of April 2010.....pretty amazing I think. I have lost nearly 80 lbs. to date. Physically I feel better but not always emotionally. Lap band is still fairly new to people in my neck of the woods. Most people look at me w/ the deer in the headlight look when I tell them what I have done. I waited until I had lost 50 lbs. before I openly talked about my surgery. Mostly due to the fact I had little support. I had some friends who thought I was taking the "easy way out" and some friends who were down right jealous that I was given this opportunity. My life has changed a lot. I have tried to remain the same person I have always been. I feel trapped sometimes though. I can't always openly share my successes. So I am hoping I can use this as kind of a support system.

I have the same issues. I want to be "normal weight". Not overweight anymore. I have gone from Morbidly Obese to Overweight. I have roughly 10 lbs to be "normal". I didn't do this to get a little bit healthier. I did this to go all the way. Don't worry about everyone's opinions. You go until you are satisfied. There is nothing weird w/ having a goal. I have people tell me all the time "enough is enough"!!! I will determine what is enough for me.

Do not get discouraged. Just make wise food choices. I did the same thing. I had to do 10 days of liquid diet pre-op and another 11 days post-op and lost 20 right off the bat. I did struggle for a few mths. after that. Take in as much protein as you can. Are you taking a vitamin?? How about B12? It took me several fills to get to the point of not feeling hungry and the feeling of fullness. Try to start exercising too. I always lose more when I'm exercising regularly. I went into the band thinking everything would be immediate. It will eventually all come together and you'll do just great!!!!! I am 9 mths. in and have lost 80 lbs. so far. I have gone from a 22/24 to a size 12. It feels great!

I am overwhelmed w/ emotions reading these posts. Thank you guys! I really needed this. My starting weight was 236 lbs. I am currently 156 lbs. I was doing some Zumba ( which I LOVE LOVE LOVE), but haven't been for a few mths. because my husband has been on evenings. I do contribute that to a lot of my success as well. I can not believe I have been missing out on all of this support!!!!!!