Allison0927

Thanks everyone!!! I do always want to share successes along the way for the newbies, people thinking of lapband or those that are discouraged and need some inspiration. Truly my only regret in this whole thing was not doing it much sooner! I had the surgery at 37 and wish I had it years ago. Oh well - better late than never!!! I look forward to getting dressed to go to work or out just because I now have so many cute outfits to choose from it's hard to pick just one!!! I NEVER imagined saying that two years ago. Keep up the faith everyone - I'm no one special and have not been a saint on this program - believe me. I've hardly exercised and I "cheat" often. However, I do stick to the 800-900 surgeon recommended calories most days - and the weight just literally dropped off. I will be in maintenance mode soon which will be a whole new adventure I'm sure. But, I visit here multiple times a day and will keep posting my experiences - hoping to inspire and educate others when I can. BEST OF LUCK TO US ALL ON OUR JOURNEYS!!!!

TWO WORDS: HEATING PAD. Nothing else worked for gas - nothing. Heating pad saved my life.

Thanks dawn when were u banded and how u doing so far?

i got my surgeon to waive it - i knew i didn't have it and the insurance would not cover it unless i had it and it would have cost like $1500 or something crazy. Try to talk the surgeon's office out of requiring if you know you do not have it. I did go to the consult with the sleep study doc and he agreed it did not sound like i had it - that helped.

You are doing the right thing - the only thing you will regret is not doing it years ago. Oh well, better late than never. BEST OF LUCK TO US ALL ON OUR JOURNEYS!!!!

I agree heating pad was the only thing that helped me on the gas.

5"4 139 pounds size 6

just think in the old days many of us would have finished that whole meal off at the table - plus tons of breadsticks and salad - a few drinks - and maybe even a dessert!!!! LOL - amazing how things change. Happy belated birthday!!!

OMG OMG OMG~~~!!!!!! I stepped on the scale this morning and guess what!!???!!! I weighed in the 130s for the first time since high school (20 years ago)!!!! I CANNOT BELIEVE IT! it's surreal and too good to be true. I LOVE MY BAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

vanilla sky that sounds exactly like my PS plans - and in that order - how much was each procedure? and what was done separately v. all at once?

I got out of mine he required it but insurance wouldnt cover sleep study unless I ended up having apnea n I knew I didnt have it. I talked my dr. out of it and I am glad I did.

great newsletter and info - keep it coming!

agree and amen!!!!! God's help through this process is there and we need to ask Him for help!

i was so excited to cross my legs (about 3-4 months after surgery) that i did it all the time no matter what!! such a novelty~!~~

I also tell anyone who specifically asks me how i lost the weight about the surgery - everyone at work knows - but here's the thing - i did that on purpose specifically because i know myself very well and would never want anyone to give me a look let alone say something to me about eating something wrong - so it's like my own private insurance policy - i KNOW i will not eat anything "wrong" in front of others because i KNOW i can't stand looks/comments. It's worked perfectly and 135+ pounds in just over a year later - i know it was the right approach for me.

congratulations!!!!!! that is fantastic~!

I drink a ton of coffee every day - no need to give it up - it has not hindered my weight loss - i even drink decaff at night instead of grabbing a snack - the heated drink makes me feel fuller/satisfied for some reason (tricks my mind into thinking i'm having soup i guess). I typically drink it black to ensure no calories - but for a treat sometimes i'll add a little cream. Can't give you suggestions for the type of cream you are looking for - but BEST OF LUCK TO US ALL ON OUR JOURNEYS!!!!

Congrats on your bandiversary! I just had mine. It's great isn't it? My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner -but better late than never!

fills never bother me - i always want them so badly that i know the couple seconds of pain from the needle are well worth the restriction and weight loss. Sorry it went so bad - hopefully next time is a lot easier!

congrats and best of luck tomorrow- you will do great!

Been there - we started about the same weight and my surgery was july 5 also (2011). just wait - at 141 pounds the compliments are pouring in - you will experience the same~! BEST OF LUCK TO US ALL ON OUR JOURNEYS!!!

i want to say the rule from my surgeon was like 6 weeks after surgery but i cannot recall for sure. If i made it the whole time i'd be surprised - i'm sure i indulged a little earlier than i should have. My go to drink is vodka (i stopped drinking absolute it got me way to drunk too fast - started drinking the diluted/cheaper stuff) with ice and water and then crystal light - any flavor. A great, low cal, non-carbonated drink. CHEERS!

i'm the same way - i've been blessed with such success with this thing that when i see really heavy people struggling i want to take them aside and tell them - but i do not nor would i - 2 years ago if someone had done that to me my feelings would have been hurt - right or wrong. There is enough info about weight loss surgery out there (perhaps not so much about band or sleeve - but gastric is pretty much common knowledge) that these people should really know the options or be able to research it on-line. They do not need me to enlighten them or at least that's how i view it. I know all of our intentions are good but i suspect we will not be well received if we say something to strangers. Great topic!

I routinely walk away from donut stores.... with a large plain black coffee!!! LOL great job!

i am pretty tight - going to any restaurant is a crap shoot whether i'll be able to each much of anything besides soup - and that is the way i like it - no temptation that way. I go to restaurants now strictly for the atmosphere and conversation and to see and be seen now that i get to dress cute everyday - ha!