dadunwoody

I started my journey from the land of lard on 9/18/03. I started with a weight of 340 lbs. I have lost 132 lbs. It was SO WORTH IT!!! They would have to pry my lapband from my cold, dead hands! Whatever you have to face or go through, don't get discouraged. I have been obese since high school and come from an obese family. I weighed 12 lbs. and 9 1/2 ozs. the day I was born. I wore a size 26/28 when I started. I am now a size 14/16. It is a whole different world. People treat you like a real person. That is not to say that I am justifying the way overweight people are treated. I do however, enjoy the benefits of being able to breath and talk and walk at the same time. Restaurant booths are a joy. The way my husband looks at me is a thrill. He is so proud. I know that the lapband process is not all roses but it is the best thing I have seen so far. After losing my weight I decided to go ahead and get rid of the apron (yuk! what a word) of flab I had and have a face lift. That was wonderful. I would still like to lose a little more weight but that will happen very slowly and with more exercise. I walk and bike. What fun! Life is good. Smile while you shrink!!!!! I am attaching a photo (not my best but what an improvement). :)

I have lost 132 lbs. Had lapband surgery 9/18/03. I have had a tummy tuck and a face lift. Wouldn't trade it for the world! Insurance paid for the tummy tuck. (My retirement fund paid for the face lift.) People say it took 10 years off of me. Husband is very happy! Doesn't love me more, just smiles more and keeps his hand on me when we are out. (I'm sure no one will steal me, but it is nice that he is concerned. I am attaching a picture of us on the beach at Wilmington Beach where my daughter got married last July. Lapband surgery was a miracle to my life. I was diabetic, asthmatic and have lousy knees. We now walk and bike. Life is good! Thank God for my lapband!!!

I have lost 132 lbs. Had lapband surgery 9/18/03. I have had a tummy tuck and a face lift. Wouldn't trade it for the world! Insurance paid for the tummy tuck. (My retirement fund paid for the face lift.) People say it took 10 years off of me. Husband is very happy! Doesn't love me more, just smiles more and keeps his hand on me when we are out. (I'm sure no one will steal me, but it is nice that he is concerned. I am attaching a picture of us on the beach at Wilmington Beach where my daughter got married last July. Lapband surgery was a miracle to my life. I was diabetic, asthmatic and have lousy knees. We now walk and bike. Life is good! Thank God for my lapband!!!

I'm 53 and have lost 131 lbs. and am sure I will be having a boob lift and tummy tuck. I have exercised and still have excess skin as well as flab. Do they remove flab? The plastic surgeon's office I spoke with said they do lipo at the same time of the tuck. Can't wait!

I buy the prepacked 100 calorie Wheat Thins so it will limit me. I also buy the Kraft Squeeze Sharp Cheddar Cheese. I do well with things prepackaged. It costs a little more but sometimes I need the help. The little prepacked chips work well also. A big bag of something munchy is dangerous on a long trip. :Bunny

Thought I would update you all on my progress. Since my last picture I have lost about 10 or 15 more lbs. This was taken at my recent vacation to Gatlinburg, Tennessee in front of the fireplace (cozy). I hated to come home. I rode bumper cars. (Not a good thing to do as a lapbander....I didn't think about it until the first whack of the padded bar. I had a great time but would not do it again because of my port. I also rode the alpine slide.) It was great doing things I used to not be able to do. Life is great as a smaller person. Best of luck to all you losers on the road to success and skinnyness.

I don't think the picture showed up very well so I am sending it in its original size. I had resized it but I don't know what I am doing.

Thanks for the concern. I will probably go for a minor unfill. However, something curious has happened. I have been taking birth control pills for about three months because my estrogen level is so low and that is the period of time I have been refluxing on a regular basis. I ran out of the pills because the manufacturer is not making them. They were causing me to swell (feet and legs) and I thought I would go without them for a few weeks and see what happened. That was three days ago. I have not refluxed since then. I assume if I was swelling on the outside perhaps my stomach was swelling as well. Maybe???? Anyway, I am just grateful not to be refluxing. If it returns, I will do the unfill. Thanks for the input.

New Hope ~~~ Don't worry. I don't intend to lose my band. They will have to pry it from my cold, dead hands. I am aware that reflux is not something to play with. I am just experimenting and trying to educate myself on methods of dealing with it. I don't eat for a minimum of two hours before I go to bed. Sometimes 4 or 5. Spicy foods seem to be the worst. It also fluctuates in severity. As I said, I never experienced reflux or even indigestion prior to surgery. It is my understanding that if you have it, the band usually cures it and if you don't have sometimes you get it after the band. Whatever! I have it. Thanks for the information.

Shellyj ~~~ I am Debra and had my lapband surgery 9/19/03. I have lost 104 lbs. and have done great. I am at 2.7 of a 4.0 band and am experiencing reflux quite often. I have taken Prilosec and received good results sometimes. Other times, it doesn't work. I sleep on three pillows. I don't want to have any of my fill removed due to the fact that I am about 25 lbs. from my goal and then I plan to have a tummy tuck (YIPPEEE!!!). Since you are at 3.7 I was wondering if you have reflux. I had never experienced it prior to my lapband surgery and did not for probably 8 months and then WOW. I don't like reflux. Got any thoughts.

I agree with both Tricia and Leatha! I love pizza. I used to eat three or four pieces of a large pizza. Now I only eat the topping off of one slice. But, I am full after that so what difference does it make? All I need is to not be hungry and to get slim and the band has accomplished that for me with a little help from me. (Almost slim at least.) Later.!

I have those times as well when it seems like it is inconsistent but I think that is probably a permanent situation. Some days your stomach may be swollen. Hormones may be raging. The weather? Who knows????? I have days when I can eat much more and others when I eat only a little. Perhaps I don't expect as much as some others. I live with a little hunger some days because I know there is a reward for doing so. I am losing weight, I still have my hair, my skin looks good, and I can get around so much better. (My legs are crossed under my desk as I type this!!!!) My point is this. The pros outweigh (no pun intended) the cons. Most importantly.....give it time. I have three basis rules: Drink 64 ozs. of Water DAILY!!!!!!!!!!! Exercise 3 to 6 times a week. Listen to my body when eating (and yes, sometimes it whispers). I currently am at a plateau. (Eleven months this week.) I lose about 1 to 3 lbs. a month. They say it hits everyone around a year. I don't know how long it will last but after having lost 93 lbs. I guess my body needs time to adjust. I promise it will get better if you drink the water, exercise and let the band do its job. Chin up!!!

Thanks, Alex. I realize that so many folks are new, they feel bombarded by all the change and I want to do a little hand-holding when needed. I agree. Soup is your friend. The "experts" will tell you that soup will go through your stoma and not make you feel full. However, a good can (or homemade even better) of Campbell's Chunky Sirloin Burger and Vegetable Soup will give you lots of bites, a big bowl full and a lot of satisfaction once in a while. Sometimes, 2 ozs. of chicken and whatever doesn't cut it. Go for the soup or chili at those times. It is not high in calorie and will give you that old sensation of eating the whole bowl full! By the way, Alex, I have e-mailed you a couple of times regarding changing my user name to just Debra. Can we do that? Thanks. Keep the faith, Banders. We shall overcome!!

Hello Everyone! I have read of the confusion and advise from everyone and I wanted to say a word. I was banded 9/18/03 (eleven months this week) and I have lost 93 lbs. so I have a bit of experience. I guess I was so miserable before the surgery (326 lbs. the day of surgery) that I was mentally prepared for the restriction. The inconvenience and the adjustment (which I don't trivialize) are a small price to pay for sitting here in an XL skirt and top. I can walk around pain free and not feel that people are gawking at me. My husband is so proud of me (and is THOROUGHLY enjoying his new slimmer wife). You'd be amazed how you can twist your body around as it slims down. Anyway, enough of that. The point is....don't get discouraged. It is soooooooooooo worth it. It seems that some of you are not letting the band do what it was designed to do. I don't mean to sound like I never had a problem, but they dim compared to the joy and satisfaction. I have had many of the PB's. When I do, I know that I ate too fast, had too large a bite, or ate too much. It is a matter of physics. The pouch is there and it is our job to police it. It will hold what it will hold. The just right feeling takes a LONG, LONG time or at least it did for me. I did not seem to have a sensation that this feels right until about 10 months. I don't know why it took me so long but nonetheless it did. It was worth the wait. I am going to have this band for the rest of my life. It is my friend, my tool, and my solution. We have had years and years of bad habits. Those don't change by themselves. We have to replace that crutch (food) with something else......reading, walking, biking, prayer, exercise, a new club, etc., or a combination of all the above. I just wanted to encourage some of the new folks. I am still learning myself but just as anything else I have accomplished in life, it did not come overnight. To all those feeling bummed out about the adjustment, please give it time and don't panic. Your mind and your body need several months (and it will be different for each one of you) to adjust to eating one slice of pizza instead of the whole one you used to eat. Your body thinks you are starving it and is in survival mode. As someone said, it is only food. There is more and you do get to eat for the rest of your life. You are stronger than anything you put in your mouth. It is a choice. God Bless Everyone!!! :rolleyes:

I am going to try to send a couple of pictures a before (YUK!!!) and an after of a couple of months ago.

To New Hope: You're so right! But when you wore a size 28 (3 or 4X) they fall off and we don't want that ever or at least until the tummy tuck!:eek: I'm in a 14/16 and I will probably a true 14 or MAYBE a 12!!! At that point, I will probably drag out my trusty sewing machine and take them up. Yippee!!! :eek: :eek:

Thanks Neicy for the kind words. To Sascijo: Corny or not, I feel the same. I could do the Julie Andrews twirl on the mountain in the the Sound of Music. I have just about driven my poor hubby crazy I'm sure (although he is a happy boy and you are right, we are in love and very happy) with my prattling on about my joy. Everything is different. That is why I really don't understand some of the whiners. You don't usually get something for nothing and the lapband is only a tool. We have to work with it. I have MO family members that won't even consider the band. Go figure. To each his/ own. All I know is that I feel like God has blessed me abundantly by allowing me to be able to be banded and I love everything and everybody better (except dusting). Thanks again. :eek: :eek: :eek:

If you saw the before (YUK!!!) you must see the after. I'm not really great at posting pictures yet. (They come out really large.) Anyway, I will post the after again for you. I don't know how to get the before and after together. It will not let me have more than one attachment. Congratulations on your 92 lbs. and yes it is great. Like I said yesterday, it is a whole new world. I have been dragging my husband all over the place (with a smile on his face) as I shop for a totally new wardrobe. Here goes!

I guess you're right. I am just normal. That has been my heart's cry for 37 years.....just to not be noticed. I was extremely self-conscious about being obese and I hated walking around and having people stare at me. No matter how you fix your hair, how good you smell, what you wear or how much time you spent on makeup, all they noticed was how fat you were. I am soooooooo glad those days are over. I don't need to be the center of attention. I just wanted to walk into a room and not have everyone look at me. (I'm sure some of it was in my head but I know people are really cruel about MO.) Since losing my weight (which really is 117 lbs.--I had lost about 25 lbs. prior to surgery), people treat me so differently. It is unfair I know but it is a pleasant experience. I have about 30-40 lbs. to go before I get to my goal but it is already a whole new world. The future looks very bright these days. I am glad I can be an inspiration to anyone! I give my band about 80% of the credit. I am a non-smoker and a non-drinker and I don't crave sweets so that has helped me. I don't eat a lot of "empty" calories. I try to make them count. Don't get me wrong, I'm not perfect, and I do have my moments. They just aren't daily. Drinking water faithfully makes a huge difference. Hope this helps anyone. :eek: :eek:

Thanks for the kind words once again. This really helps to have folks see you and be impressed by your weight loss. I guess I'm boring everyone I am around. (Two of my co-workers have had the surgery since I had mine. I am always rambling on about the wonders of the band.) I used to get a lot of praise on a daily basis but either it is getting old or a little jealosy is kicking in. Not that I am going to stop traffic with my great looks but I am getting to the size that a lot of women are (14/16) and they don't like me getting as small as they are. I guess it makes them uncomfortable. Whatever! Anyway, I am losing this for me and I don't need praise from friends a co-workers this far down the road. Thanks a bunch for the kudos. :eek: :eek:

Donali--- Ever since I read your e-mail about having to have your band taken out I've been fretting. What causes the erosion? Is it something you had control over? I am terrified of losing my band. I don't want to do ANYTHING to cause me to ever have to have it removed. I glory in your spunk that you have been able to continue with your weight loss. However, I want to keep my band FOREVER!!! :phanvan

What is the secret to getting my picture as my avatar? It says my picture is too large and it is 50 pixels which is supposed to be the limit? Can someone help me? Thanks.

My these are large photos. Sorry but I did not properly resize them. Here is the after.

Thanks so much for all the helpful comments. I have never been called a "hottie". That works for me. One of my biggest battles is overcoming my mental image of myself. I get in booths and go through passageways that I used to would have used a tire tool to get my big self through. It still amazes me. Has anyone else experienced this yet? I'm sure it gets more natural as time goes by. It has been 10 months for me.

Thanks so much for the encouragement and nice words. We all need to hear those. I have had such a positive experience that it is difficult for me to complain. I have had my share of PB's. However, it is not painful for me. If I overeat, it's just like a cup overflowing. I can keep swallowing or go and rid myself of the excess. It took me several months to find that feeling of "this is enough or oops too much". Once I found that sensation, the PB's got better. I can control it by limiting my quantity. I am NEVER depressed. I hated being overweight more than you can imagine. I was diabetic and asthmatic, both of which have been resolved. I weighed 320 pounds the day of my surgery. I am down to 228 and am 5'7 1/2" tall. I probably have about 40 lbs. to go. How could I complain about that? I wore a size 26/28 or 3X/4X. I am wearing a XL top and a 14/16 skirt. Who could be depressed over that? In my opinion, if a person is not losing consistently, they are taking in too many calories. (Unless you hit the dread plateau.) Calories are what it is all about. I don't drink milkshakes and eat candy bars. I could be more strick and eat only grilled meat and steamed veggies. However, that is boring to me and inconvenient since I share a meal with my hubby and I don't want to torture him unnessarily. So I just control my portions and that way, I get all the flavor which I love and get to experience the same foods that I've always shared with my husband. Sorry for rambling but as I said, I am a lapband fanatic. I am deliriously happy (so is he).