oldiebutgoodie2

I had no trouble swallowing pills until I hit my green zone/sweet spot- luckily, since the band, I got to delete most of my pills!! But the vitamins and calcium are just too big now, so I found a small round vitamin (generic brand at Safeway) and I get chewable calcium at Costco.

During my liquids only time, I was allowed to do sugar free jello and pudding- I made my own and added a scoop or two of protein powder to each recipe. It was like cheating it was so good! And it really helped adding the protein powder, as my guidelines were 80 grams protein/day.

Hi, Karen, First of all, super congrats on getting banded! I have been banded for almost 2 years, and still burp- not always, but when i do, it is a very good thing! It has served me well as a "pre-stuck" warning! And believe me, it's not fun to be stuck! Secondly, you are so lucky to be filled after 3 weeks! I didn't get my first fill for 2 months. Best of luck to you- it is the best thing that I have ever done for myself!

I looked up cosmed.com- it wouldn't come up. Is that the correct web address? How much did it cost? Thanks!

Wowey zowey! You look amazing! Super congrats!!

I recently had to dig up some "before" pics for my bariatric group, as I am going to be speaking to prospective bariatric patients soon-- hard to believe how we can change is just one year post band. The prior me seems so long ago, and I am so loving the new me. Have to pinch myself when I catch myself in the mirror; every time I get into medium (instead of 3X) tops, etc etc.! Do you have any before and after pics? I just posted this "after"; will re-dig up the painful "before"-- super congrats to all of us for making this great decision for ourselves! Keep up the good work!

I'm just about the same as you- had my surgery a little over a year ago, am down 81 lbs, and 9 to go to goal. Ain't it grand?! Super congrats to all of us. I love that people are continuously losing so much weight with the band--some over 200 lbs! My medical group tried so hard to have me do the bipass surgery cause I had so much to lose. I am going to talk to the prospective bariatric patient class this week and hope I can inspire some of them to go band instead of bipass! p.s. I agree- time to change your screen name- maybe "prior plump dude"! Anyway, super congrats! Keep up the good work!

Would love to see your before and after pics, and know what your dream job is! My surgery was about a year ago, and I also left an unhappy relationship! I haven't gone into faze two like you yet (finding my soulmate!), but hope springs eternal! Thanks for the 2-year inspiration! I can so relate with you how fun it is to go shopping for clothes now! Keep up the good work! Thanks for sharing!

From one grandma to another, welcome to Onederland!!! Super congrats! Keep up the great work! Never too late to do such a wonderful thing for ourselves, right?!

Alien, I would love to have a copy of your speech/outline! My email is mamamav1@yahoo.com. By the way, I have read a lot of your entries on this website and seen all your pics- so neat to see your tummy tuck pics- your pics were the beginning of my research before MY tummy tuck! Thanks for the inspiration on that as well!

Thank you so much one and all! Your comments brought me back to when I was sitting in one of those seats about a year ago as a prospective bariatric patient and listening to every word the "success story" person was saying. I don't remember anything she said now- I only remember I could identify with almost everything she was saying, and how good she looked. She was such a big motivator for me. So as suggested here, I will tell my story chronologically- why I did it, how it went, and the many ways it has positively changed my life. Will let you know how it goes, and what most people responded to- for when YOU get to tell your story! Thanks again! I will rest easier tonight!

My bariatric surgeon has a group once a month for prospective patients considering bariatric surgery. She asked me to be a guest speaker at her group this month! Has anyone done that?? I need some guidance regarding what to say. I asked her, and she said to just tell my story! But how much should you tell? How long should you talk? Do you give helpful hints about after the surgery (diet, exercise, problems, whatever)? Do you say how much you weighed and what you weigh now (gulp!)? Any helpful hints/ suggestions would be greatfully appreciated. The meeting is this coming Tuesday, and I am already starting to wake up thinking (sort of worrying!) about it! She said about 50 people attend!

Amazing information, picture, weight loss success!! Super congrats, and thanks for all the great info about Mexico prices, credibility, etc.

Well, I think I have you all beat on the age! I am 64, and just got a tummy tuck two months ago! And my arms reduced 4 months ago. Like many of you said, it is never too late. Only regret is not doing it all sooner! And I also second the thought that the plastic surgery was my second best thing I have ever done for myself; the first being the lap band. Congrats to all of you who went for it so much younger than I did!! I also am wearing bikini underwear for the first time in my life! Can you believe having an hourglass figure and a flat tummy at 64? I'm still amazed every time I catch myself in the mirror. But no fear, I am definitely not wearing mini skirts or anything! Just looking so nice and NORMAL in form fitting, SHORT-SLEEVED tops for the first time in probably 40 years! Life is good! I am so happy for all of us, and that we are so lucky to have had these opportunities!