DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

I can't believe I'm posting this, but I keep getting asked for before & after pics. So, the first one was taken the day of surgery and the second one I just took today. Day of surgery, 1 year ago, size 46 Today, 181 pounds lost and size 18

Steroids are wicked! Yes, the steroids will make you seriously blow up with excess water. In fact in big enough doses for long periods of time, people even get "moon face" from all the water weight. Drink a lot of water and stay away from sodium. The weight will definitely come back off as soon the steroids are out of your system. I hope you feel better soon.

A week is no time at all, honestly. Plateaus happen and they can last weeks. I've had one that lasted 6 weeks before. I know people who've had them last months. Just stay within your daily calories, stick to a cup or less of food per meal, exercise, and the weight will come off. Best wishes.

I chose the band over Gastric Bypass or the Sleeve because I couldn't justify cutting out 3/4 of my stomach or re-routing my intestines. I also didn't want to deal with malabsorbtion or dumping. The band is reversible with much less risk of serious complications, so it was the right choice for me. As for weight loss, I've lost 183 pounds in a little more than a year. I love my band. It's the best decision I've ever made for myself.

Very inspirational post. Thank you for sharing such a personal journey.

Anything in a blender. Tuna, chicken, or egg with mayo and blended into a smooth salad. Sugar free applesauce, mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, chicken mixed with chicken broth in the blender, chili in the blender.

Actually, you can stretch the pouch above your band. Doctors put their Lap Band patients on liquid diets to try to shrink it back down all the time. food is supposed to pass through the band in less than a minute, however that is if the person is chewing it until mush and pausing between small bites. You can pile food above the band and it's actually pretty easy to do accidentally. This is why it's so important to stick to a cup or less of food per meal. Not for calories or weight loss but so you don't accidentally and unknowingly stretch your pouch. Best wishes.

Welcome to the forums!

I think setting small, attainable goals is really important when losing weight. It keeps us from getting overwhelmed by the big picture and gives us little victories along the way to Celebrate. I think you can lose 20 pounds in 16 weeks. Just really buckle down, count calories, and exercise and I'm sure you'll have no problem meeting your goal. Good luck!

If you're scared to eat after a fill, I say follow your gut instinct. You can't hurt anything by going on liquids for 24 hours. Always trust your instincts and always better safe than sorry.

That is just too awesome. You should feel so good about yourself! Congratulations!!

I agree with Chez, you need to talk to a nutritionist. Everyone has their own idea what works and what doesn't, and at the end of the day, what anyone else is doing is irrelevant. All that matters is that you're doing what's best for you. See your nutritionist. They will help you establish food and calorie guidelines to fit your specific needs.

I am so sorry you went through this. I hope you do well with the Sleeve and can live a happy, healthy life.

You've got some very good advice here, especially about the counting calories. I know some people can lose without counting calories but they seem to be the exception not the norm. I think it's particularly the case with food addicts because it's so easy for us to over eat unless we have that accountability. I know as for myself, there is no way I could've lost the weight I have so far if I didn't count every calorie that goes into my mouth. It's also really important to monitor your portions, too. A cup or less per meal. Again, this helps to assure you don't accidentally over eat and it helps to make sure you don't accidentally stretch the pouch above your band. Here is a really great link about the band, I think it might help you considerably too: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html Best wishes!

Oh yeah I already saw them at the grocery store here. They were parked over by the exit door so I exited through the IN door. I had to stay away from those temptresses and their d*mned delicious cookies or I'd have been victim to their sweet siren call for sure!!

Ohhhh YUMMM!! My family will love this!!!

It depends on your doctor and your specific needs, everyone is different.

It sounds like you need to learn to eat and live with the band. You shouldn't be throwing up and you shouldn't be eating until you're full. The band isn't supposed to stop you from eating anything, and if you're looking for that stuffed full feeling, you're eating too much. I would talk to your doctor and your nutritionist. Remember, small bites, chew it until mush, and pause between bites. Also, have a look at this link, I think it will help a lot: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html

You look beautiful! Congratulations!

You look great! Congratulations!!

Congratulations!!

A year ago today, January 6, 2012, I had Lap Band surgery. I remember being scared out of mind and seriously considering canceling the whole thing. I cannot not tell how glad I am I didn't give into that fear and went through with it. I have lost 175 pounds in the last year! I've lost it by simply monitoring my calorie intake and portion size, making good food choices, walking, and learning to work with my band. I won't lie and say it's easy but it's not hard either. It's work. The biggest adjustment has been getting used to a new, healthy way of thinking and living. I still have a little ways to go before I reach goal, but I'm confident I'll be there by my second band anniversary. To all those who are told you can't lose a lot of weight with the band, or you are too big or your BMI is too high to be successful with the band- I am living proof that's not true. The band is work and you can be successful with your band as long as you're willing to work for it. Thanks to everyone for being there for the last year of support and encouragement!!!

I get asked "what do you eat?" a lot. I know it seriously disappoints people when I respond "nothing special, just healthier versions of old favorites". So, I'm posting one of the old favorites that I changed up. This is what I'm making my family for dinner tonight, mostaccioli. It's one of my family's favorites and despite changing it up to be healthier, they still absolutely love it. I bolded the items I changed from the original recipe to healthier, lower fat versions. Mostaccioli Ingredients • 8 ounces uncooked WHOLE WHEAT mostaccioli • 1-1/2 pounds 93% LEAN ground beef • 1/2 cup chopped onion • 1 garlic clove, minced • 1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes • 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce • 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste • 1/2 cup Water • 1 to 1-1/4 teaspoons salt (optional) • 1/2 teaspoon STEVIA • 1 teaspoon oregano • 1 teaspoon dried basil • 1/8 teaspoon pepper • 1 bay leaf • 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded LOW FAT mozzarella cheese • 1/2 cup grated LOW FAT Parmesan cheese Directions • Cook mostaccioli according to package directions; drain and set aside. In a large saucepan, cook beef and onion over medium heat until no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain. • Stir in the tomatoes, tomato sauce and paste, water, salt, sugar, basil, oregano, pepper and bay leaf. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. • Discard bay leaf. Stir in mostaccioli. Spoon half into a 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese; layer with remaining meat mixture. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. • Cover and bake at 350 ° for 30-35 minutes or until heated through. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Yield: 10-12 servings. I've entered all this into Lose It, and this is the calorie breakdown per serving: calories: 291 net carbs: 21g protein: 9.6g fat: 5.4g