fefebutterfly

I just wanna say " I FEEL GOOD"!!!! I am a changed person on the outside, and I am starting to change on the inside within my mind. I had this mentality of the big girl that I was. I am still considered plus size, but totally not on the same level. I have my wedding photo on my desk at work and lately my new clients have said, "thats a beautiful picture, whos the bride?", " Wow, Is that you?"...and so on... And I'll say that its me, then I see the embarrassment on their faces, or they'll say something polite like, "you were pretty then, but you are beautiful now!" For someone like me, hearing all these compliments are a little overwhelming, and wonderful for my self esteem. I am now just embracing the weight loss, because in my mind I still felt fat eventhough my body was shrinking. My hubby is loving it, he actually said that he has a "trophy wife", thats the first time I heard that, it stunned me. Its just giving me motivation to keep going. My health is GREAT, and I can forsee a brighter future. Now I am ready for the world and I see it in a new light with new possibilities. LapBand is the best thing I have ever done for my self and my family and I get emotional just thinking about it because it saved my quality of life. I FEEL GOOD FeFe Lapband with Plication April 11 2011

Hello All, Thank you so much for you replies. I am so glad that people out there are having the same type of issues as I do. Weight loss is a wonderful thing, especially because I feel free now. Still Got a long way to go, but some how now, Im a step closer. Jennifer16005- Love your post, and great weight loss so quick, good for you! Its funny because my husband also will wrap his arms around me and clap! Its crazy how the little things make you smile. Jeff2ang- I love that now I can pretty much go into any store and find something to wear. No more LaneBryant or OneStopPlus for me! But really it takes another set of eyes to tell you that you look great. I am wearing things that I wouldve never been caught in. Good luck to you on your WLJ Keiva29- Someone called me skinny the other day and I was like, it has been a long time since anyone referred to me as skinny!!! So I just say "Thanks". Sometimes I think about how I felt in that big body, and tears do come because I was in bondage. Glad to be free. FEFE Lapband with Plication April 11 2011

My personal experience is not much but I noticed a difference. I had a one mojito on my birthday and was very typsy.... Needless to say I didn't need another. The acohol starts to effect me a lot quicker now. Just be careful, sip, cause it'll sneak up on you. fefe Lapband with Plication April 11 2011

I have noticed that some days my band is tighter than other days. Maybe not for a week but certainly sometimes. Also at Breakfast I feel extremly tight an have to eat a little at a time as to not get stuck. FeFe Lapband with Plication: April 11 2011

WoW Sharilo, Looks like you are doing everything right. You should be proud of your diligence and good health habits now. I know the numbers on the scale mean alot, but all in all you are doing great. You have reduced your calorie intake and you are doing well getting in your Proteins. I would suggest more aggressive cardio and strength training through the next 2 weeks. For Example, Zumba Class or Curves, Eliptical Machine at the gym. That has helped me get some extra pounds off. I wish the best for you. FeFe

It has been a while since I have posted a topic, so I just wanted to give an update. Went on Friday Oct 7th to get my 3rd bandfill and got a weigh in; I have lost 70 pounds since April and I have a total band fill of 4.5cc. About a month ago my primary doctor took me off of diabetes medication and I have never felt better!!!! In August I hit a bump in the road and I only lost 1 pound that month. But in September I lost 6 pounds by getting my diet back on track. With the fill and increased exercise I hope to lose 2 pounds a week until Christmas. That would bring me to a weight loss to around ninety pounds in less than a year. My Nurse says I am doing great and right on track. My goal is to lose 200 lbs so I am almost halfway there. It is a bit difficult to control my appetite and I don't get another fill until January 2012. On a very positive side, I am seeing so many changes in my body and gaining so many small victories. I am fitting back into clothing that I had tucked away far back in my closet, I am packing up my big cloths just from earlier this year, I am shopping for new clothing and I look so much better now, I can wear my high heels again, and no more swelling in my legs and feet. I am doing zumba and now exercise is so much fun! I was looking at some pictures from my wedding and honey moon and I am now smaller than I was on my wedding day. I just feel so GRRRREAT within my body, health, appearance and well-being. I feel free and light on my feet!!! FeFe April 11 2011 Lapband with Gastric Plication

Thank you all for your replies because this is truly a milestone for me. Congrats to all who have lost any amount of weight. I feel better and better each day and I have to give the praise to God for this technology that has literally saved my life. fefe

Hi there Carol, I have been where you are right now, we all have bumps in the road, but you have to know when to get up and do something about it. Everyone has given you some great advice so far, so please try whatever it takes to get yourself back on track. I see my Dietician once per month just to talk about what I am eating and she will give me healthier alternatives instead to try. Also I am an emotional eater, Could that be you??? Find out what is at the root of your issue and that should help steer you in the right direction. I love pizza, Ice cream, etc.... I eat all of those things in Moderation. Instead of getting the pint of Haagen dazs, I get the little sample 3 oz cups. I may have one per week. Pizza, we may get that once or twice a month and I may just have 2 slices. It is not too late for you, I got my lapband in April too, and I went thru a rough patch as well. So pick yourself up and try again. I had to start over and teach myself to eat better again. YOU CAN DO IT! FeFe

I had my surgery in April and I am still excited about the Lapband:) People tell me that I look great and it just boosts my self esteem. But the first days and weeks after the surgery, I was not a happy camper. I cried like a baby and had pity parties but soon enough it got better and better with each passing day. Be encouraged because this pain you feel will disapate in a few weeks; its just a healing process. FeFe (60 pounds down and losing since April 2011)

Wow you look so beautiful. Keep up the good work. I am inspired by you. FeFe (60 pounds Down and losing since April 2011)

Hello All, I have been a bit down lately and been going through a few personal struggles, that I dare not burden anyone with today. So for the last month, Honestly I did not do so good with my choices of food and physical activity. I have not had a band fill since June so I have pushed myself to see how far I could go. I was not pleased with my self. I pretty much ate what I wanted and neglected the gym. I may have only gone once a week or none at all. I have seen that I can't deal with stress very well and so everything in my life that means anything has been on the backburner. I hate that I wasted a month to goof off so early into my Lapband journey. So yesterday, I went to the gym and met with my Fitness Coach and got a weigh in. I had only lost ONE POUND in one months time. I felt so down and lost because I knew that I had messed up. And then My Coach said to me, " At least you didn't gain any weight" , I understood that but it still doesn't change the fact that I wasted so much precious time wallowing in self pity. If anyone has gone through times when you didn't lose any weight because of whatever reason, How did you get yourself back on track.? Or if you just want to give some positve feedback. Thanks FeFe

Hi PumpkinPanda, I am 27 years old and I have been over weight my whole adult life. It took me to get up to 355 pounds before I did something about it. One thing that I regret is that I didn't do it sooner. Because I feel sometimes like I have wasted my early 20's being UNCOMFORTABLE and self conscious and low self esteem etc.... But on the flip side, I had to get to a breaking point and a maturity to make a decision that would effect my life. (I am a skeptic at heart) So if you are fed up with being overweight and you are ready for a change, and willing to become more physically active. I would Defintely get the Lapband if I were you. Get it and lose the weight and enjoy the rest of your life. Goodluck with your decision FeFe

Omg, I just realized that we had the same surgeon, this is really a small world! Dr Enochs is a great surgeon. Anyway, I understand where you are coming from although I have only been banded since April 2011. But now I am understanding the ups and downs of being on this journey.I am still finding my way so the Only advice I can give you is to just be encouraged. FeFe

Hi, I hope all goes well with which surgery that you chose to go with. I am sure you will make the best decision for you. Goodluck with everything, FeFe

Thanks Everyone for the uplifting posts on my discussion. I have gained strength from it I just love this forum too because you have folks that are going through the same thing or have been there and done that. I have dried my tears and now it is time for me to get serious about my weight loss and being healthy. One thing I forgot to mention, which an upside to the weight I have lost, My doctor took me off of all diabetic medicine! I no longer need it. Yayyyy! So I can definitely smile from that FeFe

yl2010, That is wonderful to Celebrate not just the number of pounds lost but other great things that are associated with weight loss. Well you wanted to hear some of our non-scale victories: 1. I can wear my HIGH HEELS again! without cramping and swelling. Yayyyy! 2. Regulated my Blood Sugar/Glucose levels. Dr took me off of all medications! 3. Walk up a flight of Stairs without feeling like Im gonna have a heartattack, seriously! 4.Not afraid to Sit in any chair I please, without doing an on sight inspection first. (afraid it will break or will I fit) Yayyyy for all of us. FeFe

Hello, I had my Lapband with Gastric Plication done on April 11 ,2011. I don't think this is the same procedure that you are referring to though, but at least very similar. I feel that I have lost a lot of weight with it but mostly in the first three months after that it is hard work from there. But I do feel more restriction sometimes because of it. I have 3.5 cc band fill and did not get my first one until the end of May. I lost 30 lbs the first month after the surgery with out a fill. So it is pretty successful. Goodluck with Everything. fefe

Hello, I had my Lapband with Gastric Plication done on April 11 ,2011. I don't think this is the same procedure that you are referring to though, but at least very similar. I feel that I have lost a lot of weight with it but mostly in the first three months after that it is hard work from there. But I do feel more restriction sometimes because of it. I have 3.5 cc band fill and did not get my first one until the end of May. I lost 30 lbs the first month after the surgery with out a fill. So it is pretty successful. Goodluck with Everything. fefe

Fran, I just Love You ! Thank you for your reply, that really touched me and made me look at things in perspective. You are an inspiration because through all you went thru, you still never gave up! That is so Courageous. Best of Luck to you, FeFe [code ]

Thank you Kittyforet, I needed that. It is time to put on my smaller girl panties and deal with it ! I decided that I the month of September and from now on, I am gonna watch what I eat and exercise more. Plus my fitness coach got me on a whole other fitness regimen. She says that my body needs to be shocked again. I got my Surgery in April 2011 and I lost the weight quick, so now I have to kick it up another notch

Hello, My doctor actually suggested Gastric Bypass for me because I needed to lose 200 lbs to get to my goal weight. But I was uncomfortable with the fact that they would be messing with my insides and cutting etc...... so I told him that Lapband was for me because It is totally reversable and I am still intact. Then he came back to me with Lapband with Gastric Plication, which is a procedure where they fold the stomach in itself and sew it up, as to mimick the vertical sleeve gastrectomy. It has so far been great for me. To talk with more people that have the LapBand with Gastric plication go to: sleeveplicationtalk.com Goodluck on everything FeFe

Yes, I feel you on this situation. I get attention from the opposite sex alot more now. I get compliments from alot of my regular customers and family, friends saying things like, "Lookin Good, You losing weight girl, There's something different about you, What are you doing, You are glowing, whatz up slim, etc..." I have my wedding picture on my desk at my highest weight and customers say, " Is that You" and I'll quickly say,"that was 2 years ago" because I know what they are thinking. I like the attention because I never had that and even my hubby is crazy for me. He tells me everyday that I am so HOT! This gives me encouragement to do better, and my self esteem is at an all time high. FeFe Lapband with Gastric Plication April 11 2011 Starting Weight 355 Goal Weight 145