freelance frog

I can share a super positive experience with you! I am almost 10 months out from my surgry (april 12, 2011) and I have lost almost 130 pounds altogether! I feel absolutely fabulous!! I will be doing my monthly check in in a few days with more details.. but just know that the lap band works VERY WELL if you are dedicated to losing the weight! I currently weigh 150 pounds and I can say without a moment's hesitation that my lap band not only changed my life, but saved it! It works if you work it!!

It's a good thing!!! I have lost more than 120 pounds in 9 months, and the one thing I can count on is that I can almost always eat steak!! You are one of the lucky ones, and it may not last forever, so enjoy it while it does! I don't know why I can eat steak easier than hamburger, chicken, or any other type of meat. Maybe because I take care to chew it better, it chews up easier because of the texture?? I don't know, but I LOVE it! I have issues with the strangest things, but I can eat steak, and because of my need for protein, I truly appreciate this fact! SO... don't be sad.. be HaPpY!!

Welcome 2012! Not that the old year was bad really, although the ending was tough for whatever reason, but I have super high hopes for 2012! I had some amazing things happen for me last year, that's for sure, and the MOST amazing thing of course was getting my band. It has changed my life HUGELY!! I have started off the new year weighing 115 pounds less than I did at the start of 2011. Can I get an AMEN??! For a lot of the past 9 months I've weeded out a lot of old clothes that don't fit, tossed them into piles and passed them along to others who could wear them. I need to do that again. I save stuff thinking that it will be okay even if it's a little too big.. but my vain self has become hyper-critical and I can barely stand to wear anything anymore that's too big. I know, it's a curse. I do still have some hoodies that are big and which I love, but for the most part, if it hangs on me, it gets tossed in the bag! I went to see my surgeon's nurse three days ago to discuss a fill, and determined that it wasn't necessary, which wasn't surprising at all. She told me that my next appointment would be with my surgeon, to discuss my final goal. I'm much closer than I thought I would be now, and I hope these last 20 or so pounds won't be too difficult to drop! From the very beginning I've been excited to see "my other butt" emerge, and I can say today that it has.. and it looks damn good comparatively! It needs work though. Lots of work! My workout goals have changed now to accommodate that realization. It's time to tone kids! I've been lax. Well, up until a couple of weeks ago I was super lax, but I'm getting better, and it feels fabulous! I've discovered the great workout that Ping-Pong can be! Go ahead, laugh! But it's true! I play a few times a week, and it feels pretty amazing the next day to have worked out muscles that I hadn't in quite awhile. Plus it's FUN! I'm really looking forward to some warm weather now! Definitely a new thing for me! I've always loved winter, and truth be told, it's because I could wear more clothes to hide behind. Sweatshirts layered over other crap just served as a bigger wall for me. It's taken me some time to break that habit in the past year. I'm doing pretty good with it now though, and I'm looking forward to fewer clothes for the first time in 28 years or so! I'm also looking forward to playing disc golf, walking, playing with the kiddos outside, swimming, boating, and yes even fishing as the weather warms up and I can get out there to play! I'm sorry winter.. I know I'm being disloyal, but I don't need you anymore to hide behind! It feels really fantastic to say that! The picture I'm using this month was taken a few days ago to show for my 9 month band birthday! I need to take a better one of my butt, maybe that will be here for my 10 month pic! If you are just starting out on your lapband journey, let me say that YOU CAN DO THIS!! You deserve the rewards that will come with the hard work! And yes, it IS hard work. Some days it's been the easiest thing in the world, but psychologically, and physically, it can be grueling to step outside of old habits that have kept you fat for this long, the worst part was honestly getting beyond the head hunger, and learning to listen to my body! But once the weight started coming off it got much easier to do the work, and reap the rewards! Follow me at: http://www.myotherbutt.blogspot.com Thanks for stopping by!

Yesterday was my 8 month bandiversary! I have to say that I have not had even one moment of regret for having made the decision to have a lap band! Not ONE!! Today I am wearing cute jeans in a size 9 and they are fitting loosely! Today I weigh 106 pounds less than I did at my highest weight just before my surgery. Today I can more than keep up with my grandbabies and match their energy all day long! Today I can share clothes with my best friend! Today I am healthy beyond my wildest imagination! Today I can wear bras that I bought from Victoria Secret (her secret is that if you're bigger than a 38DD you don't get to wear her stuff!!) Today I barely remember how I used to look until I see those photos! Today one of my grandsons 3 year old friends told me "You don't look like a grandma!" Today I know that my goals are completely obtainable, and very well within my reach! Today I know that I need a new driver's license photo and well.. a whole new license because mine says I weigh WAY more than I do! Today I want to tell you that a Lap Band can help you be the you that is hiding inside beneath all those layers of weight. YOU know who you are.. now it's time to show everyone else!! Here's to better health, better self esteem, better shopping, better dating, better sex, better sleep, better choices, better LIFE!! Today I look like this: Today is GOOD!! Cheering you all on from the Nebraska prairie!! Follow me @ http://www.myotherbutt.blogspot.com

Strangely enough I didn't start losing the girls until i was 8 months post op!! FINALLY I'm seeing them go and I couldn't be happier! Of course that's after I bought 2 Victoria's Secret bras that cost a small fortune LOL!! They aren't disappearing quick, but they're going. From what I've heard from 99% of my weight loss buddies, that's the usually the first thing to go. I don't know what happened in my case. I literally lost over 100 pounds before I noticed any loss in the boobs!

Yep.. 8 months! You can do it!!

Remember that even when the scale isn't moving, you can be (and probably are) still losing inches!! It happens to me, still almost 8 months later and remembering that always makes it a lot easier! Hang in there!!

Hmmm.. I was banded 4/12/11 and to date have lost 105 pounds. I have had several fills, and haven't ever counted my calories. EVER!! I just eat what my band allows, and when I'm full, I'm done. Over time and with my fills my band has disallowed different foods, but I seriously haven't had to worry about a single calorie, fattening food, sauce or dessert. I absolutely can not tolerate anything carbonated. It makes me so sick... so I'm grateful for that because I can't drink my calories either (pepsi, coke, beer, etc) But if I want cheese on something I eat it. If I want sour cream on something, I eat it. I decided from the very beginning that I wouldn't have a miserable experience with eating, and I absolutely haven't!! I love that I can eat whatever I want, but my fills keep the band tight enough that I can't eat enough of it to sabotage myself! The key for me has been to listen to my body. Thankfully, overeating isn't comfortable, and super crappy food makes me throw up! So... while what you have done worked great for you, I have to add that there are other ways to be successful with your band and have the same rate of weight loss along the way! It's not always all about calories in and calories out! Congratulations on your success Michael! I love hearing how the band works for everyone differently!

Oh, by the way.. I'm a little over 7 months out and have lost 98 pounds! Seee... there's hope! You're going to be fine!

I ate corn chips on day 3 post surgery, I had to do it, I really needed to chew something LOL! I ate very few, probably 5 or 6, and trust me, there were no bad consequences! You'll be alright! Promise! I didn't feel a bit guilty about doing that for the record.. I knew that 6 chips weren't going to do any damage. However, had I eaten the whole bag, and did it again the next day I'd have worried! No harm, no foul.. tomorrow's a new day! Hang in there!

No honey, you're not being mean, but this is going to happen. He doesn't have the lap band, you do. And I'm sure you knew how it was going to be before you got it. I don't want to sound mean to you, because I'm on your side. I get it. It's not easy by any stretch of the imagination, but I promise you it will be worth it!!! It stinks that he mentioned he wanted to share the cookies with you. That was definitely thoughtless, but it's pretty new, and maybe he forgot, or just wasn't thinking. At any rate, I don't feel like you will be able to expect him to not make popcorn, not have snacks, and not continue to eat the same way he did before. Think about how difficult it was for you not to eat that way before surgery, and what you had to go through in an effort to make it stop. YOU had the surgery, so the difficult part is yours to take on. It would be awesome if he could manage to stop eating in his normal way to make it easier on you, but that's not likely to happen. Sooooo, the best advice I have to give you is to hang in there, and don't be too hard on people for doing what they have always done. And mostly, remember that nothing tastes as good as being thin feels!! NOTHING! You can do it and I hope you will. By the time your first 100 pounds is gone, you will realize that it was a very small price to pay! Trust me on this! Cheering you on from the Nebraska prairie...

Cheering you on! How exciting!!

You look absolutely amazing!! Happy Bandiversary!!

I'm not sure why your band isn't working how you think it should.. but if there's any chance at all that it's not working because you're not helping it, then the gastric bypass and the gastric sleeve won't work for you either. It's possible to cheat ALL gastric surgeries by eating the wrong things, and not changing your habits. And like LovetheNewMe said, I too know two people who have had gastric bypass, lost all of their weight, and now weigh more than they did when they started. I also know 1 person who did that with their band and have heard of MANY more. You have the perfect tool. This isn't an easy journey.. I hope you will give your band the chance to do it's thing for you. 4 months isn't that long.. if you do what you're supposed to do, nomatter how hard it is, I don't see how you can't lose your weight eventually unless there is some other medical issue not being addressed.. in which case I'm out of my league for advice. Hang in there!! YOU CAN DO THIS!!

HOLY CRAP!!!! I just had to post these like this I hope no one is offended, but my blog IS called MY OTHER BUTT!! The one on the left was taken on April 11, 2011... 7 months ago. The one on the right was taken this morning ~ November 10th, 2011. I'm almost embarrassed to post the original... but a picture says 1000 words eh? Follow me at http://www.myotherbutt.blogspot.com

I agree with everything zil has said in the above post. I'm sorry that you aren't finding support where you hoped you would.. but it's important that you keep searching for that support, because without it this journey will be much more difficult! Ask your surgery coordinators if there is a support group for lap banders in your area that you can attend! I"m not going to lie to you.. you will miss eating the way you used to, but once those pounds start to melt away, you will have more resolve, more determination than ever to keep on going. I've been very pleasantly surprised at how I still find it very enjoyable to cook food for my family, and am completely satisfied to sit with them while they eat like normal people, and I eat what I can eat. I've lost more than 95 pounds since April, and girl, I don't miss eating that way anymore!! I look and feel fabulous, and it was worth the difficult beginning when all I wanted to do was eat the way everyone else ate. Quite honestly, I love being the one at the table who eats fractions of food portions, and easily turns down dessert without a problem. It feels fantastic, and I hope you will find this out for yourself! Hang in there Daisy!

Cheering you on from the Nebraska prairie!! :welldoneclap:

Yes, you toot that horn!! Beep Beep! Way to go!!

hehe it made me laugh too!! Thank you arnetta!

I caught my reflection in a window two days ago, and I was so surprised. I looked AWESOME! Now, for whatever reason, it's so different for me catching my reflection by chance than it is looking in the mirror every day. Don't get me wrong, when I look in the mirror now I can definitely see changes in myself. I know I'm not physically the same person that I was 7 months ago, but I don't think I see myself honestly, because I do mostly see a bigger person than I think I am now. But my reflections that I catch in windows, doors or unexpected mirrors still keep surprising me!! More than once I truly didn't even realize it was me I was looking at.. well, at least it didn't register that it was me if that makes any sense at all! I went to see my surgeon today for my 7 month check up. I have lost 95 pounds! The nurse whom I regularly see told me that soon I will need to sit down with the doc and set my final goal! It feels fabulous to have reached this point so much sooner than I had planned! My other bit of fabulous news is that I am now wearing a size 10 jeans! Can I get a HELL YEAH?!! No fill for me today. The nurse warned me that I may not make it a full month though without reaching "super hunger mode" and if I do before my next appointment to call them and come right up for a little fill! I'm still floating up here on cloud 10, and I don't plan to come back down anytime soon! And I might just add too, that "my other butt" is making a very nice come back if I do say so myself! It definitely needs work, but it sure is lookin good in jeans! For those of you reading this blog who are just starting your lap band adventure, or whom are just thinking about starting it, I want you to know that if you are willing to make a few sacrifices, this tool is the best thing you can do for yourself! If you are wondering if you can cheat your way through, the answer is yes, but why the hell would you? And last of all, attitude is EVERYTHING with this process! You must believe you will succeed, and be ready to put forth every effort to do so! Be willing to give some things up to gain SO MUCH!! It's worth it.. worth every last penny, worth every piece of bread you eventually won't be able to eat, worth every bottle or can of soda that you probably won't be able to drink for a good long time, and worth dealing with the head hunger for awhile. Keep your eye on the prize!! Thanks for stopping by! Follow me at http://www.myotherbutt.blogspot.com

-44 pounds in 3 months is pretty fast weight loss lady!! YOu should be VERY proud of that! You'll always have people trying to tell you what's best for you.. just let it go in one ear and out the other! You are doing AWESOME!! Cheering you on from the Nebraska prairie!! :woot:

Six Months! Goooo ME! I'm 8 days past my six month bandiversary! I can't believe I forgot to post this.. okay, maybe I can. I've been pretty busy enjoying life! So, six months out, and here's what I have going on: I have lost 84 pounds as of this morning. I have dropped more than ten sizes in most of my clothing I have shoes that are too big, rings that are too big, and clothes that I had sentimental attachments to falling off.. (yes I know.. toss 'em!) I have a collar bone. I brought another bone to my doctor's attention at my last fill... the nurse laughed at me and said "honey you will be finding all sorts of bones you didn't remember you had!" This particular bone turned out to be my xiphoid process which is right in the sternum and something I don't think most people are even aware of ever.. but when it suddenly appears, it's ummm.. interesting! I need a new driver's license photo, because my old one is almost unrecognizable as me! Plus my weight on my license is alll wrong now! I sleep so very well now, and I think that's because I don't snore anymore! I'm much healthier, and I feel FABULOUS! I actually like seeing my reflection unexpectedly when walking past a window, door or mirror and still can't believe it's me sometimes! There's more, but you get the idea, right? I love my emerging body.. I love not feeling like an impostor in someone else's bigger body! I love the energy that I have, and can share. I have always loved life, but I didn't realize that it was possible to love it more, and it is. I have no reason not to believe that by my one year bandiversary I will be at my ideal weight or very close to it. I hope I'm not jumping the gun on making that forecast for myself, but so far this lap band has exceeded my expectations! I went into it expecting it to work... I was completely willing to do whatever it took to make that happen. To date, I've had very few disappointments with my band, and many huge surprises! If you are reading these blogs looking for encouragement and positive results, I hope I have given you that. I wouldn't change one single thing, and if I had it to do all over again, I would in a New York minute. It's been the best thing that's happened to my body in years, and near as I can tell, it saved my life! The one and only tiny complaint I have that is worth mentioning is that I do believe all of my lost FAT used to keep me warmer!! It's getting cold here on the prairie, and the new healthier me is going to need to buy a big old coat for the winter... in a much smaller size of course! Not even a real complaint now is it?! Here's to six months under my belt, and here's to the next six months of losing and winning! Thanks for stopping by! Oh.. here's a couple of 6 month pics to share! I would have worn more flattering clothes if I'd have known I was going to do this blog today!! But this is me in my fall/winter uniform hehe... love my blue jeans and sweatshirts, even if they do make me look fatter than I am. Funny.. I used to wear them to hide all that fat! 'Scuse the messy hair too... dang I'm a hot mess!! Follow me at: http://www.myotherbutt.blogspot.com

You didn't ruin anything for yourself. My doctor advanced my diet fairly fast.. I was eating solid foods by the end of the second week. He let me advance as I could tolerate it and I did fine. I'm at six months post op now and have lost more than 85 pounds, so I'm fairly sure I didn't screw anything up by doing that! Don't worry!

thank you myseason and Glenda045! It's been a very exciting journey so far! I'm excited for both of you and will be cheering you on from the Nebraska prairie!!

I agree with SageTracey! Don't be afraid to celebrate every little thing along the way.. sometimes the end goal can seem so daunting, but as you celebrate each little victory it will help you to realize that you're really getting there~~ however long it may take! Even if the scale isn't giving up the pounds you may still be losing inches!! That has been a big one for me.. I've found that when I'm not dropping pounds, I drop more inches! It doesn't make sense in my head, but it's reality! Every time you drop a size, or realize a non-scale victory get on here and toot your horn! It not only will help you to feel better, but it will help encourage others too!