electronicart

Well Hellooooooooooooooo Lap Band Land! I haven't been her in a while, but, next Wednesday, September 29th I celebrate FIVE years with my lapband! I am holding rock steady in the 130s! My highest weight was 218 and being only 5'1" I was miserable. I waited/contemplated many years about having weight loss surgery! I am so happy that I decided to jump into the unknown! Never in my life would I have dreamed that I would be eating real butter, cheese, and balanced meals. I still say the band is a tool. You have to take care of it, respect it! I eat about half of what I use to before surgery. My choices are better. Actually nurturing my body has become a way of life. Protein up! Walk! Enjoy Food! Did I mention my bloodwork is awesome? No more high blood pressure, rarely go to the doctor at all. Have not been to my lap band doctor in years. Love John Bagnato in Macon, Georgia! He is marvelous! Looking forward to the next banniversary and the next and the next.....Will post new pictures soon! Change is good! Everybody take care, take charge and above all Respect the Band!!! Jackie O.

Oh yeah, I have the little apron that comes with weight loss! I was so self conscious, especially when I recently got into a serious relationship. I've known him almost all my life and when I saw things were headed to the bedroom I told him "you know everything isn't where it use to be, ha". He said "you're beautiful and I love you just the way you are". I love it when he has his arms around me and says, "you're just a little bitty thing". Really makes a girl feel good!

When friends ask me about lap band surgery, I always refer them to this web page. I call it "The good, the bad and the ugly of lap band". I know it took me years to decide to have lap band surgery. It has been a blessing to me. Overall, very few people have serious problems. I think I can speak for most when I say that losing weight improves your health and it prevents many health related issues as you get older.

Love the veterans forum Thanks!

If I happen to get sick from eating too much or if I just have a bug, I usually take it easy and eat mushy foods for a couple of days. Seems to help.

Coming up on my two year banniversary and can honestly say I have had very few problems. I have only had one day when food got stuck in the band. While I can eat pretty much anything if I cut it into small pieces, I do avoid a few foods like scrambled eggs, sausage and bread. Funny how different foods affect us bandsters differently. Now, the hardest part about having a lap band has nothing to do with the band at all. Its making good nutritional choices and continued exercise. Afterall, the band is a tool, not a magic fix. I love my band and only wish I had gotten it years ago:)

I know its not easy, but I will tell you this......ITS WORTH IT.....and so are YOU!!!! Hang Tough!

Can you relate??? Hi everyone, I feel compelled to post this morning about where I am in my journey. For the first time in years, I feel so free to be me. As I have lost weight over the past year and a half, I have gone through so many stages. First there was the "can I do this stage" then the "you mean I have to work at this too stage" then the "whos that girl in the mirror stage". Now, I feel so free to be me. I tucked my shirt into jeans and wore a belt. I wore a cute Easter dress to church. I spent so many years hiding from the world and hiding from myself. I tried every diet in the book, I really tried, then cried, got mad, gave up, and gained. I am so thankful for lapband surgery. It has changed my life in more ways than just losing weight. The person that has always been on the inside is making her way out. Have a wonderful journey, Jackie O.

Thanks yall "Live outloud" Jackie

I've been banded a year and a half and I must say it is one of the best things I have ever done! Of course, success is more than just getting banded. You still have to WANT it and work at it. I'm so blessed, I've had no complications. I can eat just about anything in small amounts. Of course, no soda what so ever and very little meat and bread. I exercise five days a week and feel great! BTW, I have been the turtle of lapband, I lost very slowly, but never gave up.

Excited for you!!!

It definitely is a process! I'm a year and a half in and now it seems like time has just flew by. But, the truth is, it has been a lot of hard work, mentally and physically. It is SOOOOOOOO worth it. Just keep taking one step at a time in the right direction and never, ever give up!

Whoop Whoop....Congratulations!

Wow, I am excited for you! Get your Protein and your water! I like Syntrax nectar Protein powder. (Vitamin shoppe and amazon) Best wishes

It is such a personal decision. I made a list of pros and cons before surgery. For me, there were so many reasons to take the leap. I love, love, love my band!

Just hang tough with the pre-op diet, you are almost there. Once you are banded, the first six weeks are for healing. It may go slow for a while. I know how anxious you are, I remember so well. Eat healthy, take your vitamins, exercise and be good to yourself. It is soooooo worth it!

You will be amazed at what you CAN do. I was so worried about not drinking with my meals and giving up diet coke. However, that has been a breeze. Saying the lap band is a tool is spot on. Thats exactly what it is. Its not a magic pill or plan, we all know that just does not exist. Learning to eat slow and eat less is a process. I love my band and would do it all over again in a minute! Good luck to you.

Hey, if the scale is going down, its working for you

Whoo Hoo.....Awesome! BTW....I was late for work today because I could not find a pair of pants that fit. They are all too big

Merry Christmas to YOU!!! Congratulations!

I weigh once a week. It will drive you crazy if you get on the scales every few days. Just stick to the plan....protein, water, vitamins, exercise and change