Sharpie

very nice anniversary Terry ... my husband of 37 years has always been pretty good with gifts til the last few years.. we just don't need much.. he does do flowers sometimes and used to do candy but that of course is not going to happen now.. we buy each other weed eaters and stuff like that now.. not romantic but practical.. at 15 years we were way more romantic and I was way cuter.. lol

call your Dr. it looks infected from the photo.. you don't want that getting worse...

Teens are pretty selfish.. they aren't concerned with our health just how much "fun" they have. I wouldn't worry much about those comments.. they don't understand the struggle especially if she is a size 3... You might remind your family that you would like to stay around for them and that is why you are trying to do something about your health... but once you start losing I am sure they will be happy for you.. My grandchildren who are teens noticed recently my 40 lb loss.. and they are really happy for me... hang in there..

You have the will power to quit smoking and determination to start exercise.. You now have to get the "want" power as CG says... you can do this.. at your age you have a lifetime ahead of you to live healthy... Continue on your path and your body will thank you.

banded Jan 2013, have lost 40 lbs so far.. I feel great.. I track my calories and have started to work out 3 days a week... Thanks to everyone who contributes their experiences and encouragement on this board...

My nutritionist and Dr. said 1 cup 3 x a day .. I have a 1 cup bowl and a small plate that has a portion area for protein, carbs, veg's (non carb) I doubt I could eat 2 cups of green beans after eating my protein.. I also use My Fitness Pal.. it really helps keep me in check.. my weight loss isn't fast but I feel really good and am steadily losing... Good Luck to you on your journey...

I did not get a fill until 6 weeks out ... I didn't have much hunger until week 6.. then I got a small fill .. I have only had one more fill since surgery I am now 1.8 cc in my band.. I probably won't get a fill on my next visit cause I am not hungry.. my 1 cup of food keeps me happy for 4 hours... we are all different though so it depends... don't be in a hurry to get a big fill.. sometimes that is worse than no fill from what I can tell. My Dr. says if you can't eat a 1/2 sandwhich and some potatoe salad (as an example) than you don't need a fill...

If you have a high enough bmi and/or co morbidalities.. (diabetes, etc.) it shouldn'ttake too long.. I had medicare and bc/bs of fla. it was a few months by the time I had psych evaluation, referral from my primary etc.

the nausea is probably from anesthetic... I experienced that in the hospital.. they finally gave me a suppository for that.. it also sometimes happens if you are on pain meds.. some of them make people sick.. I got off of the pain med as soon as I could went to Tylenol liquid... I felt the same the first week like "what was I thinking?" but now I know it was the right decision for me... good luck sweetie.. you will feel a lot different when you start dropping pounds and sizes...

You are young.... I turned 66 in Dec. and had my band surgery on Jan 15... My Dr. says he would rather have older patients because "they get it" .. they have a better success rate because of some maturity and the desire to change their health... I have not felt this good in many years.. I have tons of energy.. am working out daily, riding my horse again and enjoying shopping with my granddaughters... you won't be sorry.. my health has also improved greatly..off of diabetic meds. cholesterol getting better and blood pressure improved... plus I get to shop for new clothes..

My surgeon and nutritionist recommends 1 cup of food 3 x a day and if needed a healthy snack .. I get plenty of protein with my eggbeaters and turkey sausage in the morning or yogurt and lunch I can get good protein by eating chicken, tuna or even beef.. 3 oz usually I try to stay under 1200 calories but my protein stays around 60-70 gms. I did every program, from weight watchers, jenny craig, nutrisystem, and hcg.. the only thing I did not try was sense cause I figured that was crap... lots of diet pills , injections, everything.. nothing has worked as well as my band.. so far so good..

I think it's unfortunate that some people have to drone on and on about their misfortune. I have found nothing but good advice and encouragement on this group... no one has purported themselves to be experts.. That being said I do find it easier to take information from successful people on here than people who have a hard time understanding the rules.. I don't think everyone who has had problems is at fault but I do think there is a fair percentage just like anything else that like to place blame on anyone but themselves. so, my advice to you is to go to another board where you can whine and gripe... we've all seen and heard enough negativity and frankly it's tiresome.. so if you are happy then act like it and move on..

Donna no pity here , admiration to you for overcoming everything .. being huge is a honest term.. I am only 5' and weighed 198.8 when I started and I felt huge... my mobility was also affected and now with 40 lbs lost I feel so much better no longer obese just overweight.. lol.. short people don't carry their weight so to speak.. I was as wide as I was tall...

Our family constantly celebrates... lol.. every event involves food.. however, since being banded, I just eat what we have in a very small amount or bring my own food.. my family has been so supportive and they try (bless their hearts) to make healthy food but they all still love bbq and lasagne and burritos, etc. so, I haven't stopped living I just make better choices where food is concerned.. I am very happy these days not worrying about my weight 24/7...

It should be the longest incision.. usually about 1-2 " ... I can't tell by your photo.. the gas will go away in a few days or so.. walk around the house and make sure you drink.. good luck

wow guy you have lost a whole other person... I am sure you feel so much better and you sure look great... thank you for posting your success.. We all need that positive reinforcement ...

6 weeks is the norm... but if you are in doubt ask your Doc...

Donna you have indeed come a long way.. just think at your age how much there is for you out there.. I wish I was 47 again... but as your weight decreases your confidence will increase.. Keep your eye on the prize and keep on working towards your happier , healthier new life... I will pray for your success.

yeah not a good idea...You would be surprised how many people think they can get thru it ... we had two days of driving rain and wind... hope you all don't get as much of Andrea as we did...

You are a beautiful girl.. it's amazing what weight loss can do... I am thankful that I had the opportunity to have the lapband surgery... my diabetes is under control.. my cholesterol is lower, my blood pressure is lower and I am starting to live life.. I can actually bend over and clean my bathrooms, I can tie my shoes and I can exercise.. I can ride my horse again.. clothes shopping is way more fun.. no longer have to look for the 1x or larger sizes.. after losing 40 lbs life is good, can't wait til I lose the rest (33 )... thank you for your positive message..

all great suggestions.. you will have some down days but you can get though it.. big important thing.. do not get constipated (tmi) but make sure you have milk of mag or something on hand for that.. sip , sip, sip. then move around the house as much as you can.. in between moving, rest... take pain meds if you need them... after about a week you will start to feel normal... take care and good luck...

yes making the choices especially in that type of restraunt is difficult.. I have not ventured into chinese or japanese food yet.. I loved it in the past and not sure I could make good choices.. portion size does matter though and like b52 I always bring food home no matter where we eat... sometimes I split my dinner with a friend or husband... he doesn't eat like I do and only likes fried foods and gravy.. so we don't eat the same...

My Dr. said 6 weeks before exercise.. walking was fine early on but anything more he wanted me to heal before I started anything more strenuous...I also use myfitnesspal to track protein, calories, etc.

you look amazing... I like the positive statement.. following the rules.. what a concept... lol very happy for you .

I think every penny you spend on your health is worth it... at your age you can reverse your comords.. I had diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and arthritis in my knees.. my life was so dormant.. couldn't hardly clean my own house.. I decided I had enough years left and wanted to be active and healthy for the rest of those years if possible. getting lapband was the best thing I have done.. by the way I had a personal trainer last year.. lost some weight, got some muscles and ended up with knee problems and back issues.. If I had all the money I have spent trying to lose weight , every system known to man, ww, nutrisystem, hcg, all and more I would be rich... do what you want to do and tell your husband he's gonna like it.. or not.. he can build a deck somewhere else...