Sharpie

I have told my family of course and close friends and anyone else who ask... I am not ashamed of taking control of my health.. I am. not ashamed to utilize weight loss surgery ... I am not ashamed to admit defeat.. when all other programs, pills, gimmicks , etc. failed I researched my options.. I am not ashamed that I now have a "life"... my mobility and health were worth it. I also have discussed the surgery with other obese friends.. They have asked my advice and I am happy if it helps one other person get healthier and live a better life. Anyone who thinks it was the easy way.. should try it.. lol.. as everyone else has said.. weeks of liquids, gas pains and having to go have fills is not the easy way... being aware of what you are eating and how fast and chewing enough and not drinking with meals is part of the deal... but I would do it over again to get where I am now....

Candace you are awesome... 90 lbs is a whole person ... don't you let anyone tell you they can't tell that is pure BS..My best friend spent the night by my bed when I had surgery and she has been there with me all the way.. We travel together and she is always supporting me.. that is what friendship is .. fair weather friends you don't need.. I can't wait to see how well you will do the next 10 months.. You may have a long way to go but not as far as you had 10 months ago... I know you will do it.. If I can do it anyone can.. After years of dieting, weight watchers, nutrisystem, Jenny Craig , Etc. and failing at all of them I am amazed at how great the band has worked for me... Best Wishes and Health for the New Year...

Not only could I not put my socks on easily.. as B52 says from the side sort of.. but tying my shoes was pretty near impossible.. Today my husband and I had pictures done for our kids Christmas present... first time in years I wanted a camera near me.. I actually put my jeans on without holding onto anything.. just slipped them on.. it's really amazing how weight affects our everyday tasks.. going shopping tomorrow to the Mall.. lots of walking and less eating than last year... Thanks everyone for your words of praise and encouragement.. I feel very blessed to have found banded friends who understand..

yes I am happy and my granddaughters keep telling me how proud they are of me.. that is worth it all... Priceless as the commercial says...

Real or Screen Name: Sharpie AkA Mary Lou Sharp Weight on Dec. 1st- 144 lbs Weight Goal for Dec 31st- 140 lbs Age: 67 City/State- McAlpin, Florida Dietary Goal: Drink More Water, Eat leaner Protein Exercise Goal: Walk with my hand weights Personal Goal for December- Stay away from Sugar---- Date Banded: January 15, 2013 Total Weight Loss- 55 lbs Favorite Christmas Activity- Watching Grandkids open presents and cooking dinner for my family...

Thanks B, Patience is a virtue as my Mom used to say.. I had to learn to be patient..I wanted to get healthy and thin quickly.. but it doesn't work that way.. A new life is what I have and I hope to hang on to it... Thanks for your support...

CG you make my day.. lol... Hey did you notice I am wearing boots.. yes, boots with skinny jeans..omg who would have dreamed that a year ago....

Sitting on the computer, ordering Christmas gifts for Grandkids... should finish my shopping Sat. just got back from San Antonio with my oldest Grandaughter... it was brutally cold and nasty .. but we walked and walked around the Lackland AFB where he graduated from basic.. 60 lbs ago I would have been dead.. thanks to my band I was able to keep up with everyone else.. I only gained a lb. which was great since eating healthy was difficult... hope everyone is doing well.. haven;'t been posting much lately.. but I am doing good..

Catfish, Missy, CG and others who post their inspirational stories and answers to questions... I am so thankful for all of you and hope that when I have a 4 year anniversary I am able to come on here and inspire others.. I am so much happier and healthier than I was this time last year.. after years of being miserable, unhealthy and just plain tired I have a new exciting lease on life.. I got discouraged with some of the negative post on this new forum but when I see some of my favorite people still posting and keeping it going I think I will try to hang in there. Thanks Again guys,, Hope you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving.

I went to Dr. Peter Sarantos in Gainesville, Fla. excellent surgeon and staff.. He is with the Bariatric Surgical Group..

wow this is quite a active thread.. I had 55 emails related to t this subject.. I joined this site (Lapbandtalk) to see other people's success and learn about their issues with their band.. I don't want to banter back and forth with bypass and sleeve people all the time.. it's counter productive.. You are not going make me run out and get a sleeve or bypass because you think you are right... I lost a friend who had bypass surgery and was okay for a little while then had severe malnutrition.. I see people who have re-gained all of their weight then some who had bypass (case in point Carnie Wilson).. she now has a band over bypass.. don't know about the sleeve don't care I'm not have my healthy stomach hacked up... My surgeon specializes in lapbands.. however he did discuss the other options with me.. It was my decision.. I am totally happy with my band.. I think some people just need to get a life and stay out of other people's business... I am going to stop visiting Bariatric Pal.. it's no pal to me...

Hi: I wasn't super morbid obese but I was obese.. at 5 ft. nothing I weight 198.8 but after years of struggling to lose weight and keep it off I made the decision to change.. my diabetes was getting worse, my blood pressure was high and I had high cholesterol.. at my age (66) I had to make a decision to live out the rest of my life in as good a health as possible..I was banded in Jan 2013 .. the nurse who walked me to the surgical area made a comment that "they must have lowered the requirements for weight loss surgery" she stated that I didn't look that big... don't let what other people say or think bother you. nobody knows your struggle but you..It has been the best thing I have ever done.. after years and years of deprivating diets and gimmicks I am free.. My band and I get along fine.. I no longer take diabetes meds, blood pressure is back to normal and I am no longer on cholesterol medication

My surgeon has done thousands of lapbands.. he in fact does not do sleeve or bypass.. He does belong to a group of Bariatric surgeons and some do the other surgeries.. He advised me that it was my decision.. however, I chose the band because I did not want to lose 85% of my healthy stomach or have it re-routed.. I have had zero problems and couldn't be happier with my band..

Welcome Ruth.. First of all one thing to remember, everyone is different.. I have found very few things I cannot eat.. The rules are there for a purpose.. eating slowly, chewing well and no drinking with meals are standard.. I take Multivitamin, D3 and B12 daily. nothing else.. occassionally I have to take some milk of mag .. losing slowly is healthier and the band is reversible should you have a medical issue .. I did not want 85% of my stomach removed or re-routed..I chose the band as the least invasive and easiest to recover from. The band will allow you to control the portions.. You will get signals if you try to overeat and once you are at the right restriction it will be easier. There are always challenges but the rewards are so great. I have lost 55 lbs since my surgery and I am no longer a diabetic, have normal blood pressure and my cholesterol is under control.. Don't let anyone especially family get you down.. do your thing.. You will be able to show them how you can lose weight and keep it off soon. Best of Luck to you. Keep us posted... ask any questions you have, most importantly is follow your Dr.'s instructions...

wonderful .. You look fantastic.. I always enjoy seeing everyone's progress.. I agree that the band is not magic.. I have lost weight before on other programs.. (all programs known to man) however the weight came back with a vengance.. This time is different.. I feel confident that with the band I will be able to maintain my new body.. I hope to be a long term bandster...

See Blue you can resist it.. out of sight out of mind.. Sugar is very addictive.. I know I occassionally eat something sweet and it makes me feel terrible.. my face gets flushed and I suddenly get almost lethargic.. then you are hungry after eating crap too so it's a bad feeling.. but you've now lost 3 lbs which is wonderful and you can get back in charge of your health again... Take care and don't beat yourself up we all have those days..

yes I was on simvastasin for years and then became diabetic.. they did switch me to Crestor and my cholesterol level dropped.. but I was still diabetic.. now I do have a family history of diabetes so it wasn't surprising for me.. since being banded and losing 55 lbs I no longer have diabetes and no longer take Crestor or any meds.. I only take Vitamins and I still take a baby aspirin daily as prescribed by my PCP. So Happy to be off of Metformin and Crestor..

My reward has been to shop and enjoy it.. haven;t done that in many years.. used to just walk out of the stores in tears.. I love jewelry too and your ring Missy is really beautiful... I may have to hit my husband up for something sparkly... I have more to go before my goal but I am rewarded everyday by my improved health..

Yes I keep Lean Shakes on hand all the time.. If I get in a rush, I grab one and go.. They are by far the best tasting protein shakes on the market..

Americans are more into looks than intelligence that is obvious. Hillary will not be judged because she is a overweight older woman but Christie will because he's overweight man.. it's all a political game .. I have seen post from people who Judge Hillary for her haggard looks but not her weight.. Chrisite was very brave to make it public that he had WLS and I only wish him the most success with that.. We are still a long way from election time and lots of things can change before then..

I hope I've had enough posts.. apparently I have.. I am still under a year but doing well.. I have about 15 lbs or so to goal.. Floridays was one of the first people to give me advice before I was banded and I felt she was very motivational... I hope this group will continue to post their wisdom and helpful advice...

I think it's everybody's personal choice as to who and what to tell about your WLS> I believe in being honest and if someone asks me about why I am losing weight I tell them.. dishonesty is not a good policy it will always come back and bite you.. yes people who capitalize on their weight loss by hawking diet products when they have had weight loss surgery are basically dishonest.. Like Sharon Osbourne.. she had lapband years ago and now hawks Adkins.. Star Jones was another one.. But then we have Carnie Wilson who had Bypass and recently had a band over the Bypass she is out there talking about her weight and is very brave for doing that...

I think you have some kind of a chip on your shoulder and something to prove.. While some of your advice may be valid.. nobody likes it shoved down our throats.. I kind of remember your response to our posting about Obamacare.. You and several others called us racists . Nothing diverse or open minded about that response... I thought you were going to block all of who disagreed with your theory? I think you like the controversey... some people are natural s h --t stirrers.. I don't mind getting advice or information but when I say I am not doing that or this because my Dr. advises against it I don't want somebody who thinks they know better than my Surgeon to get pissy about it.. And I live in a very small town as well.. one post office and a blinking light.. I love the Country life and I would venture to say I am pretty darn smart.. I own my own business and have been successful in life . I have many years of experience in life and business and I am smart enough to know when someone is trying to degrade me... so please do us all a favor and block us.. I want to get back to normal posts from normal people.. people who are looking for positive reinforcement not brow beat..By the way being rude to other Weight Loss people such as sleeve folks is a great way to win friends... lol

B Thank You so much for your service.. We all have our freedoms protected by our brave servicemen and women.. I have husband, sons and son in laws who are all Veterans and I am proud of them all.. My Dad fought in WWII in france and in Korea.. He's been gone for many years but I think of him especially on this day... God Bless You..

I am not sure what you will have to do.. I had my surgery and was in the puree'd stage for a big birthday celebration .. We went to a steak house.. I had mashed potatoes and applesauce.. at that point however I didn't care.. I was happy to have food of any kind.. not sure if you would feel up to cooking so if someone else has dinner I would suggest you go to that.. I tried to keep my husband's diet pretty normal.. he's had cancer and I can't let him lose weight so I have to cook for him and then I eat my 1 cup of food accordingly.. You will be fine...