pink dahlia

Bandedmi, sloooowww doooown . Take a deep breath............. or 2 or 3...... You immediately fell into "depression" because of 1 Dr.s opinion. One ! You CAN'T be the only person in the world with bad knees and a Lapband. Get a 2 and 3rd opinion if necessary. Talk to your WLS Dr. for advice, he/ she might have some ideas. I started a swim class just before I was banded because it's so easy on the joints, my Dr. approved, and 4 yrs later Im still going 2-3x a week, helped immensely with the weight loss. There's other exercises that you can do that are "knee friendly ". Weights ( done right) , modified yoga or pilates, a rowing machine, horseback riding, etc . Think positive !!! Good luck !!

What HAVEN'T I found to celebrate ??? Everything is a reason to celebrate ! Walking without getting tired. Doing 1-3 hrs of yardwork almost daily, talk about a calorie burner ! The pants that I bought a few months ago ? That fit fine ? Literally hanging off of my hips ! I almost had a wardrobe malfunction with my undies ! (4 pairs of pants that are off to Goodwill ! Again!) The skirt that I couldn't zip yet ? Yesterday it zipped . Several co workers asking me this week if I've lost weight recently. Yes thank you ! 18 lbs since February ! I havent been 150 lbs in over 20 years ! 10 lbs to goal ! Color me happy !!!

I just recently started having horrible muscle cramps, for no reason other than I have a hard time getting in my water. I was lucky if I could get a 32 oz,of water plus 1-2 cups of tea a day. I started taking Potassium pills from the drugstore (for cramps) and added coconut water or a low cal Gatorade every day. No more cramps ! (midnight ! Sleeping ! During exercise class !) The bonus ? I have lots more energy now ! Dont know why, but Im not complaining !!! Maybe talk to your Nut. ? Good luck !!

No you're not weird. Well, you are, but thats why we like you. Anyhoo, you and are are the same height, but Im guessing you have a tiny, tiny frame, because if I weighed 110 lbs I would be very underweight for my thicker , heavier bones . (125 -140 is my good weight) So, if you have a small petite frame, maybe there just isn't enough of your body to fill out the shirt ? Maybe thats why the bra straps keep showing ? Maybe it's time to treat yourself for reaching your goal ? How about a trip to Victorias Secret for you, Miss Tiny ? Give the "girls" something pretty to be in all day ? Have fun !

1. Stop beating yourself up. STOP. NOW. That is all. 2-It took me 4 fills to get to "the green zone", it may take more or less for you, everyones different. 3- My Dr. said to follow his rules 95 % of the time to see successful weight loss. Not 100% , just 95 %. That 5% "allowance" made a huge difference for me, because I was "allowed" to eat a little bit of sweets or whatever I craved, because "The Dr. said I could !!!!" Because of that , I was able to stick to healthy foods 95% of the the time, more or less. The weight started falling off of me ! I added in some exercise 3-4x a week, and from the beginning , I was averaging 1-2 lbs a week. So, I started planning my meals out daily, protien 1st, fruits and vegetables 2nd, carbs last, and left 5% for my treats. If your Dr. or Nut. agrees with this, give it a try ! Good luck !!!

Newsandy56, Im sorry you're having such a rough time, but I hope your surgery goes well in September and you have a quick recovery. I know you're having gastric bypass and that I was banded, but we're about the same height and age. Nobody , but nobody should have to feel bad about the scooter and feeling "broken down ". I hope things go well for you , and you are a "Success Story ! " Good luck !!!!!

(Sorry, operator error, ) and realizing you're out of one ingredient like salt. Would you give up the whole thing or would you substitute something similar ? Same thing. Hope this helps ! Good luck !!

The only "funeral" I had was for my fat ! That , and a funeral for all the too big clothes I couldn't wear anymore. But no "funeral" for food !! I can still eat most of what ate before, just different textures or substituting something similar. Chicken breast, no , chicken thighs , yes. Raw broccoli no , raw celery , yes. You get the picture. I can still eat pizza, cheeseburgers, fries, I just eat them rarely and and in small amounts. Its kind of like cooking soup or stew and rwali

Sorry, operator error. I eat a little chocolate or WW ice cream every day, I m not deprived, I eat normally. My life has only changed for the better, not gotten worse . So the little bit of extra thought that I have to put into my band daily is time well spent, for me anyways. I hope all goes well for you and you make a decision thats the best for YOU . Good luck !!!

I personally am VERY happy that I was banded. Life just got better and better and feels really good to live with a strong healthy body after so many years of being unhealthy. A year or so before being banded I slowly cut back on fast food and heavy meals, and switched to healthier homecooked meals. I even went on Weight Watchers for a year, lost a big 12 lbs. Whoopee ! Obviously , I needed help. Enter the the Lapband. I lost 50 lbs the 1st 7 months, and continued slowly to lose. Im 10 lbs from goal and I still eat normally, have little chocolate or WW

"Fit and well nourished ?" That's because you're amazing. Just sayin '. Congratulations !!!!

Awesome ! Way to go !! Soooooooo, now you have to figure out a fancy place to wear it to ! Any ideas ? Congratulations !!!!

Ok shellyd88, slooowwwwww waaaayyyyyyyy dooooowwnnnn !! You're "only " loosing 3 lbs a week, and you're complaining ? I think you're doing great !! It sounds like you're more worried about a number on the scale than if your body is getting stronger and healthier ? Hopefully youre seeing good results and not just on the scale. ( Stay. Off. The. Scale.............) As far as hair, I don't know what to say. I have thin , fine straight hair, never lost ANY after surgery, but made 2 changes and now have healthier fine straight hair. 1-taking Biotin EVERY DAY ! It was about 1-2 months before I noticed a difference , and my nails are growing healthier from the inside, finally growing out a toenail infection that I've fought for 8 years! 2- Switch to a "No Sulphates " shampoo and conditioner, I swear by Joico brand, sold at salons and T.J. Maxx. Good luck !!!!!

Try planning your meals ahead a day or so so you dont make poor choices if you suddenly get hungry. Portion out your foods into different marked containers so you can just grab and go. Having everything ready to go helped me alot, and I couldn't use the excuse of " I didn't have time to cook/fix it so I grabbed junk food/fast food." Good luck !!

Woohoo !!! Congratulations to all for those NSV's !!! Way to go !!! One of my first NSV's was sitting on the couch and pulling my foot up to my rear to give myself a pedicure !! No more big tummy in the way, and I did it without gasping for breath !! Hope that happens for you soon ! Good luck to all ! !

1. I wish that someone had told me about WLS period !! I didnt really know about lapband until a relative had it done Spring 2011, so I started investigating and was banded December 2011. I wish the information was brought up more or "advertised" more as a possible solution to obesity ! 2. I wish I hadnt put the idea off when a co worker with a lapband told me I would never be able to have rice or pasta again ! ( not completely true, 3 bites, I'm done ) for some stupid reason that threw me and I lost interest in lapband ! (Temporary insanity...........I know, I know............sigh......) I wish someone had told me how great I would feel as the weight fell off ! It was like watching a butterfly emerge from a cocoon ! Healthy , strong, happy !! Clothes falling off every few months, shoes too big, shopping again ? Nice looks from people ? Compliments ? Hubby very happy ? Yes to all of the above !

I agree with the above advice, have your band checked first and then get back to healthy eating and exercise ! Im not sure why your good habits changed when your schedule did, but hopefully you have a plan that works with your schedule. As far as eating, nothing special except what the Dr. ordered. Protein 1st, fruit and vegetables 2nd, any room left over a bite or 2 of carbs. Limit junk food , fast food and overly processed food. Lots of water, flavored or plain. Exercise minimum 3x a week, something you like, mix it up ! I cook at home 99% of the time and make enough for planned leftovers, (no last minute unhealthy dinners ) I pack our lunches when I cleanup after dinner, and keep only very little sweets in the house (my downfall ) sigh...... no soda , fried foods etc. Hope this helps , good luck !! You can do this !!!

To Canyonbaby, Happy Birthday to you !!! And sending you lots of strength, hugs and good karma too !!!! Sparksrn, you said " food, all food is the enemy " , how about changing that to " food, all food is fuel !" ? Food is your fuel for a strong, healthy body . Now , go try some healthy foods, slowly and see what happens ! ! Like most of us, you'll find out what you can and can't tolerate. But ohhhh the rewards when your body starts loosing the excess weight are soooooo worth it ! And Gowalking ? What can I say that hasn't already been said ?? Well, I'll say it again, YOU'RE AMAZING , AWESOME AND EVERYTHING ELSE !!!!

When I went to my regular Dr. for something , I mentioned that I was interested in lapband and explained why. She knew my family history of cancer and knew of my struggle with Weight Watchers etc, so after a question and answer time , she approved of it knowing I had done my research well. She saw me 6 months after I had it done and was very pleased with my progress, as was I ! Only 12 more pounds until I hit my goal !! Good luck to you !!

Great nsv's ! No chubrub !!? Denist compliment (, strange compliment ) but take It ! Good for you ! Funny, we both had an nsv while wearing a long dress the other day. Mine was my half slip ( that used to be tight ) literally fell off me ! Thankfully I was at home and not out in public, but all of a sudden I looked down and it was on the floor ! And by the way, you are definitely NOT a fake !! You're as real as one can get , and we are all happy you're on this forum !!!

Robga999, the next time your insensitive sister yells across the room, "what are you going to do about your loose skin ? " yell back " I don't know, what are you going to do about yours ?" "What loose skin?" "The stuff that keeps flapping around your big mouth !!" If you've tried ( nicely )everything else to get her to stop, I say give her a taste of her own medicine as a last resort. Some people either dont get it any other way, or they're constantly loud to bring attention to themselves. ( Sadly, I work with one of those................. sigh...........)

No regrets. I always say "Being banded is an inconvenience for 5% of my day, but being obese was an inconvenience 100 % of my day ". I' ll take the 5% any day of the week. No regrets !!

Way to go !!! Summer is the time for pretty dresses ! Keep it up !!!

After reading the story I could see that Dr. Clueless hit a nerve with you but I did'nt see it as intentionally rude. I think he was trying to be nice and complimentary about your weight loss and didn't think twice about saying it in front of others. Some people are more uncomfortable and /or sensitive about "congratulations on your weight loss " comments than others, I'm personally not offended by the comments at all. That doesnt mean you're wrong because you're not, I just don't think he meant it to make you uncomfortable. Since you still have to see the Clueless family for awhile, you might want to casually mention that you prefer to keep you weight loss journey private, etc, especially now that you have your power of speech back................. (Lipstick lady speechless ?? No way !!!! Did pigs fly ?)

I cant speak for others but being banded just made everything better, not worse. My hubby met me at a slim 125 lbs, married 5 yrs later at a 143 and after our son was born (26 yrs ago) watch me balloon to 225 lbs . He never said a word but I know he wasn't happy about my weight. I wasn't the attractive outgoing person who could do things anymore. Too tired or no energy or uncomfortable. Now ? Complete opposite ! I'm baaaaacccckkkkkkk!!!!!!!!!!! We are both very happy with my decision to get banded !!