PattyGirl66

Thanks everyone, I really do appreciate the insight on the protein bars. I would think a much much better alternative and to use for emergencies.

I think I know what she is saying. She wants to 'try' the pre-op diet we all are on before we get banded as a 'trial' to see if she can lose weight? Am I right? In anycase, we are on the pre-op for a reason: is to 'shrink' our liver before surgery. We will not be eatting like this for the rest of our lives. Once banded we will have what is called 'restriction' and will only be allowed to intake very small amount of foods in at a time. This is what gives ourselves the 'advantage' of loosing the weight and keeping it off. I know you said you are only 21 and still want to hang out and party. Understandably so, I know so many people banded and still continue with their daily lives. Yes, they go out and drink, party, eat, but its relatively in 'smaller' portions and when consuming alcohol you have to be super careful because drinks can easily add up to some pretty hefty calories and are loaded with sugar. Some of those yummy summer drinks can easily be over 800 calories for just one. Lastly, you really need to be ready to do this and have a good head on your shoulder when making this decision. Its not a miracle fix or cure, its a tool to help you lose the weight. My only advise to you because you are very young is to do more research on the lapband. go to youtube and watch the video about lapband surgery. Stay on this site and read read read. As said by Cazzy, I think some of the 'younger' bandsters could be of more help..... Best of luck to you in your decision -Patty

Thank you Yvonne for your help! Yea you are right it has 20 grams of carbs I missed that and yes that would be like eatting a candy bar, LOL.

Hi Tom, Thank you so much for sharing your story and success with us. Happy 6th Band Anniversary!!

My husband and I are great team players. We root for eachother no matter what. He is my best friend, so we both count on eachother for moral support, etc. He met me when I was a big gal (around 285), I am pretty sure it was my ditzyness that captivated him, LOL. He has seen me litterally fall apart, health wise. He thinks this is a very good decision I have made to get healthy. We still have at times discuss what not to bring in the house so that I don't get tempted. (we don't have any children that live with us) so no snackies are around. I am sure once i am banded he will see how difficult it will be for me and hopefully I won't have to keep remininding him not to bring cake and goodies in the house. He 'sneaks' them in occassionaly (but hides them), hahaha. I can't really answer your last question because I am not banded yet, however I have lost a lot of weight while dating him and it never seems to phase him as far as how different he would act towards me. He is very affectionate to me at all sizes, I mean really he has seen all of me and I always said if he hasn't ran by now now....

I drink almond milk (unsweetened), its much healthier for you, I love it!

Rest up and heal, you have lots of recovery to do! Keep us posted on your progress along the way

Motivated, you have your Mother as a mentor to you as well for the lapband. You can work as a team together, you can be eachothers support system. Honestly, combat it now while you are relatively healthy. Believe me, when I started hitting my higher weight, I developed high blood pressure and severe arthritis. I have a total hip replaced and my other one needs to be replaced as well. I use to go out and dance all night and have fun even at 300 pounds. Well, its not fun anymore and believe me weight is very very sneaky. I went from 304 to 367 in all of 5 months. Best of luck to you hon

Absolutely amazing!!!

I can't tell you how much weight I have lost throughout my entire life. The ups the downs, its tiring. Putting the weight back on as fast as it came off. Ugh! The stress alone of doing this, its pure torture! Never give up, thats the key. I think that is one of the reasons why I lost and gained and did it all over is because I wouldn't give up on myself. You can't, you are the only one that can take control of your life, nobody else can do it for you...

Age, weight, exercise level, and body frame will probably determine how much extra 'loose' skin you will have. I mean it really does vary. I have seen some people who are in their 300's exercise vigarously and much of the skin bounced back. Many do have that small belly hang. I have loose skin already from losing and gaining practically half my life. I have noooo clue what I will look like when I start losing the weight. It will be either a surprise or a nightmare. Either way, I am not stressing about it because as Carolina said above "better to have sag then to be obese". And what can be a better feeling than that is to be healthy and more active

after yesterday, I think that was my last hooooray, LOLOLOL

I am so glad I read this so I don't get worried when I feel the same way. Thanks for sharing gals

hahahaha, you know you did the right thing with those beans. I LOVE beans, knowing me I probably would of headed over to them first, so you did really good there LOLOL

thank goodness then for some restriction! Because honestly, I don't know anyone who has only eatened 2 oreo cookies and stopped, or half hot dog, 1/4 bun. You did gain some control today. I am not banded yet, I was going on pure will power and a hail mary. I was trying, because i know once I am banded, I am going to have many days like this and I want to be in control.

Sasha, looking at your list, it doesn't appear you did that bad at all, considering you still watched and planned each meal with caution. and like you said, it could of been really really worse. ...

Highland, that must of been the best tasting corn on the cob ever!!!!

I ate so much I actually feel sick. I was going into this whole bbq-ing thing with very good intentions. I started out just picking on chicken and green tossed salads. I had some fruit, a glass of sangria. Mind you I skipped Breakfast and lunch just so I could have this. But after the sangria I started dipping into other things, like the crab salad, potato salad, mac n cheese, everything that had to do with Pasta I ate. Mind you I had stopped eatting pasta months ago. I am not going to beat myself up because I already feel bad. Its done, its in the belly, I can feel it, it hurts. Tomorrow on track....

Hi Chevy-Truckin, Honestly, for me it was initially going to a seminar. Its very informative and you would be able to get to meet and speak to the surgeons afterwards and ask all the questions you want. Also, you will get to hear some stories of other weight loss receipients share their journey with you. Now, first things first, always check with your insurance carrier to see if weight loss surgery is covered in your plan. What are the requirements, how much will your insurance pay? what are the guidelines? etc. Good to have all these questions written down before you call. Once you are done gathering al that information, do some research of good reputable bariatric surgeons in your area and take it from there. (Make sure the surgeons and hospital where you are having the surgery is in your network). No one really knows what is going to happen to you after surgery, no one. The surgeons can only give you a list of possible side effects, but believe me as you come on here and read, you will find many lapbanders experience different results. Some even as none. Everyone is different and it really varies. Just keep reading and you will learn. This is where I have gained all my knowledge about the lapband to be honest. Good luck on your journey and I hope you keep us all posted on your progress -Patty

Its so true with what Cazzy and Elcee said, consider yourself very very lucky. I started this journey in November. I had originally had a June 13th date, but because my insurance company had made a clerical error I was actually denied. Long story short, they fixed it and my new surgery date is July 25th.

ohh gosh, I am not banded yet and feel for you. I struggle just to lose a tiny bit of weight now without a band and as you all know it is difficult. I agree with both the above posters that you need to stick to your surgeons food plan in order to make the band work for you. I will be in the same boat very soon. I don't know what your food plan is, but mine says strictly ALL liquids for the first 2 weeks, mushies for 2 weeks, then graduating to solids by the 5th week. shake it off and get back on track you will be happy you did!!! (hugs)

Missy, that is really a beautiful tattoo! perfect inscription

Puppypaws, ohhhh this is very good to know. I could have done it but I was always afraid of having a tattoo. I have pretty small ankles considering my large size, probably why I am always falling all over the place, LOLOLOL I think it would be a nice birthday present to myself

for my 50th birthday i would like to have an anklet tattoo with 2 hearts dangling with my daughter and granddaughter's name inside the hearts. I don't have any tattoo's this would be my first. I heard from others that is a delicate area and hurts

Yaaaaaaa!!