annielkd

I saw some great ones in Kohls... they had the tankinis (which are like shorts, with a tank top) I think they are great. They are expensive... but, they are on sale. Try it out... I think you'll like it!

I used to be a good dieter... I could lose weight, but then I would gain it right back. I have lost 80 pounds so far... I would NEVER have been able to do this without the lapband. I would have given up. I think I would have ended up being 300 pounds if I tried again (I was 280). I'm thrilled. It takes a while for the band to work... months. BUT, if you are like me, and a good dieter, you can do it at first... and then when it would come to the time you would give up... the band starts to work. It does limit your hunger. If you are like me, and you over eat... it's a WONDERFUL tool. Yes, I can still eat sweets... but, I'm not as hungry, so I can control myself (for the most part). I highly recommend it!

I know that you are not supposed to eat sweets at all.. but, I think it's great that you (and I have as well) are able to eat a few bites, have the satisfaction, and not see too many consequences as a result. We are not dead... we just have to make good choices. You know exactly what you need... and you know to limit yourself. I'll bet anything that before you could have eaten the whole cake yourself. I know I have in the past bought something, and then eaten the whole thing so my husband wouldn't know. Now, I tell him, have a few bites, and deal with it. Good for you.

You are all too funny... I was thinking the exact same thing... I have two pounds to go... they are the longest two pounds I have ever tried to lose. I am hoping to be there by Friday... and I know I can do it. My oficical weekly weigh ins are on Sunday... so it will still count if I get there by then (close enough) I just need to really watch it this week. Good luck everyone. Hope to meet you there!!!!!

HI everyone... I haven't posted in AGES... I was reading some of your latest blogs... great for you. So far I've lost 80 pounds... I'm almost under 200... that will be a BIG day for me... hopefully by the end of the week. I can't beleive all the success everyone is making. I NEVER thought I would actually be where I am now. I dreamed and hoped.. but, to go into a regular store, and buy a size 16? Never. I originally thought I would be so happy just to get where I am now.. so I have to come up with completely new goals. I still have body image issues, I think that I'm heavier than I am... so I'm working on that. Thanks for listening!

I was just wondering if anyone is also experiencing body image issues. I've lost quite a bit of weight, but don't seem to think of myself that way. I was talking to someone who is the same size as me... and I think in my head I'm about 50 pounds heaver then her.... anyone else dealing with this? Any advice?

Thank you all so much for your advice, and comments. They are very helpful. I keep asking my husband over and over... am I bigger than her... what size do you think they are? He's being very good about it... so it's helping me. I don't have any pictures of myself... and I don't even have any of me before (my doctor does)... so the next time I'm there I'll ask to borrow it, and then take ones of me now. I guess I'll go buy a full lenght mirror too... this might help. Thank you all!!!!!

I just posted a thread about this. I've lost about 80 pounds and people keep saying how "great" I look. I know I've got to lose about 30- 50 pounds more... but, I still think I'm fat. I was talking to someone today and she had the same size, and I said... NO way... you can't be. She said we could switch pants... and I asked my students if I looked about the same weight, and they all said yes, It was shocking!

It did pinch a little bit... don't look. Also, I was terrified that it would make me have incredible restriction... it doesn't do that on your first fill. In fact, my first fill made things easier for me to eat. Bear with it... it will work out. I've had 4 fills... and I've lost about 75 pounds. It's worth it!

I haven't found the "sweet spot" yet... I was banded over 8 months ago. HOWEVER, I've lost 75 pounds. Yes, it was HARD work. I probably could have lost some weight without the band. BUT, the difference is, I'm not putting it back on, and I'm not giving up. I can usually lose weight (30 pounds usually) and then I put back on about 50. It's not as much of a struggle for me now (it was very, very hard in the beginning) I don't think I could have gotten this far without it. It DOES take work. It's not a magic pill... people who know I've had the surgery think it does all the work for me.... which is soooo not true. If you think you are going to have this, and it will do the work for you... don't bother. You will not lose weight. If you think you are going to make better choices and have this as a tool to help... then it will. Good luck!

speaking as someone who's had the surgery (no, I didn't have Aetna) No matter WHAT you have to go through... it's worth it. A year from now when you are down 75-125 pounds, you will look back and say.... it doesn't matter what I went through. DON'T GIVE UP!

I think people were shocked to hear cheeseburger (I still can't eat the buns) AFTER my surgery I wasn't really hungry but after my first fill I was. The doctor told me on your first fill it actually makes things easier to eat. SO... just warning you... you might be ABLE to eat those foods until the adjustment is right (mine was right after the third fill)... and you are going to have to try to restrict yourself on your own till then. good luck!!!!!

I would definately do it again. I took off one week... I wish I had taken off two. I have not had any problems that you speak of. One time I had a fill and it was very difficult to drink water. I was almost at the point of calling my doctor, but, it improved. I have not thrown up, had BP's, or anything like that. It helps more than I can do myself. I've lost 75 pounds so far... and I'm thrilled. I did have pain after the surgery... and I think if I had walked more, and used a heating pad... it might have been much better.

I have lost quite a bit of weight... but, I have so much more to go (40 pounds). It KILLS me when people call me skinny in the hallway to refer to my losing weight. Does it bother any of you?

No one has addressed what restriction feels like. it sounds to me like you are not having restriction. I know that for the first SEVERAL fills, I didn't either. Now, when I eat what I "think" is the right amount, I feel full. If you are not feeling full after a fist size portion... you are not full.

I just wanted to know if anyone else knew how I felt. I do love the compliments... but, that one just gets to me. Thanks for all the responses everyone!

Thanks... but, I'm still huge (yes, I will get it off) I'm a size 18 now... which is a start I know you can appreciate it since I read somewhere else you started at a 30.. I was a 26. So, yes... I'm more normal now... but, skinny... that's off. Calling me that when I'm a size 8 will be a compliment... now it's kind of inappropriate.

I actually had a very hard time with it... I wasn't able to leave the hospital till the next night. I think everyone is different. I had reacted poorly to the pain medication. I think that if there is a complication and you need to stay longer, they will keep you. I'm sure they won't send you home before you a capable. (That would be a law suit waiting to happen) Good luck!

Was any of this covered by insurance?

I love Unjury... BUT, when you mix it with coffee... it clumps. You have to watch how hot it is.

I told people.. BUT, for some reason people think that once you get it... all the work is done for you... like it's a magic pill or something. I had to do the work... I had to watch what I ate. I had to resist the temptations. Yes, the band helps me (now) control eating too much... but for 6 months that the band wasn't adjusted correctly... it was all me. I did it so that when I lost the weight, and then gave up (as I always did) I wouldn't put it back on plus more. Now I'm still losing... I feel great... and the band is helping. But, I hate that people always think it's been easy for me.

Mine WAS a 45... now it's a 33... I love that!

I think it's ironic that a good food (low in calories, fat... and high in protein) is something that I can't eat... but ice cream is sooo easy! Thanks for letting me know, I thought I was the only one.

Ok... it's going well... I'm happy about the loss, but do you know of any products to help tighten the skin... I do exercise... but, nothings helping. My dermatoligist said there was nothing that works... but, someone must know something :scared:

Some doctors don't tell you that you can't eat for 2 days... mine says, liquid only that night, soft food in the morning, then regular lunch.