TheDuchess

You look fab!

Bless you sweetie. Hope your recovery goes well.

That is awesome!!! Non-scale victories :] Not people who love you. I don't care what people think, I haven't been able to keep it off on my own, I want quality of life, and this IS me getting HELP. And if for some reason the lap band did fail I would hope you'd be surrounded by people who encourage you to move on to the next thing that could help and support you into not giving up. <3

I'm guessing that there's a good portion of banders who had second thoughts before getting the band, how did you talk yourself out of letting fear get the better of you? Did you talk to friends or family and find comfort in them? Or other bandsters? Also, what was your major fear?

Just curious if there's a place or website where you can get singles or samples? I've started with the Matrix Milk Chocolate and love it, but would like to try some others, especially the "non flavored" ones.

How sweet!

Awesome awesome awesome!

How exciting! Congrats on starting your journey :]

Yes!!!! Keep us updated :]

Get it girl! :]

Hi shelly! It sounds like you did a great job! Even with weight gain you seem very successful, congrats on that! Stay positive!

My biggest fear is definitely something happening during the surgery, but I love all the advice here! Thank you all so much, very supportive - I love you guys!

I'm just curious how much it dropped (if any) after you had any skin removal or tucks? Also state which procedure you had done please!~

Awesome! Share pics of what you get

I agree whole heartedly with Kime - Good luck to you finding a new doctor, find one who cares and will treat you right! Seems like the last one has definitely put a bad taste in your mouth, and you need to be surrounded by supportive people, doctors and nurses included.

Wow wow!! Looking forward to it! Good luck!

I determined mine (thus far) based on wanting to weigh less than my husband, and by looking at mybodygallery.com - I'm 5'5 and settled on wanting to weigh about 170'ish when all is said and done (skin removal assuming to be needed).

I'm curious out of all the changes they list that could be helpful in weight loss what was the first bad habit you changed? Is it still a staple in your weight loss now? (Do you still practice it)

You look great!!

Oh no! Hope you find one!!

When I lost weight I found that I was in a lot more pain, especially my hips. When I looked it up online apparently when you gain weight your spine and body adjust, but not when you lose? It advised that for every 25 lbs you should get an adjustment, and I had lost 50! I felt so much better after the adjustment, could finally sleep at night again.

I've known multiple people who have had some sort of WLS and only chose to eat the same foods, just smaller portions. Initially they lost, but then turned around and put so much of it back on again because they didn't make permanent changes to their plan. I know this probably isn't what you want to hear, but that combined with taking in calories through drinks can really discount what the band is supposed to help. Additionally - if you've been doing it for awhile and start calorie counting, but nothing happens, you might want to ask your doctors to look at your hormones or cortisol levels and your thyroid - birth control even. It took a long time to figure out that my body survives on a much lower calorie count than what's considered average. It short it could be something else, but I would start logging calories first to bring to your doctor and then discuss afterward what other things might be hindering your weight loss.

I've had to deal with a lot of depression in my life, and while I'm not banded I think I can relate in some of the thoughts you're having. I worry about these things also - favorite foods - or wanting to finish my meals, that sort of thing. We give too much power to food, we can allow it to dictate our emotions far too much. When it comes to depression I believe a lot of what's going on is when we don't feel like we are in control, and in this instance you're focusing on the things you feel you're not in control of - but you are! This isn't the sleeve or the bypass, this is the band! It is your tool, and I think it'd be best if you took control of your weight loss, or you'll forever feel as though you're being screwed out of all the things that make you happy, as well as being robbed of this personal victory. I'll pray for you to be able to find peace and proper focus in this - this is your life, and at 21 it's just beginning! You set the mood for it, take control <3