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Carole I started at 378 and am down to 205. I deal with it by realizing it is a part of me. I much rather see it hanging and flat ( loss of fat) than out ther ein front of me. In time some of it goes away, especially if you are exercising. crunches and leg raises. Some of it may have to be removed whe you get to your goal. Look at it as success and weight underwear that has some spandex in it for now. Congrats on your weight loss, you are well on your way to bexoming healthy and adding years on your life!

Janet I hope your biopsy went well. I've had that 2 times and it was frigthening but everything turned iut fine. Since I've lost weight all the califications have gone. Thank's be to God! I have had 5 fills since July 24, 2006. I am down 105 pounds. Had a bad weekend so am up a few, but they will come off now that I am eating healthy again. It is slow but I figure any weight loss is better than going the other way. Consistency with eating and exercise is the key. You can do it! Cardio is the most important. you can do it!!!!

To those of you who are just beginning this wonderful exciting journey. Please let me tell a little of my journey. In 2001 I weighed 378 pounds. My left knee was "bone on bone" I was in so much pain I couldn't walk without crutches or a cane on a good day. I was forced to use the go carts at Disney World with my grandchildren and always shopping. If it wasn't for my job I would have been totally housebound. The pain was awful. Because of the weight the right knee got bad also. The physical therapy people told me to ask the Dr. for a go cart, they couldn't do any more for me. I went to the ortho doc who really didn't want to do anything for me because of my weight for a referral to the water aerobics class. She did give me that. I went and found women bigger then me there working out. Three days a week I was there faithfully, pain and all. After about 1 year I got down to 284. I went to another ortho doc who did arthroscopic surgeries on my knees and then referred me to another ortho doc who was wonderful and replaced both my knees. I should say by the time I was 325 and friend went with me to a gym where I found a trainer who was willing to take me on. That's how I got to 284. After the knee replacements I went from 284 to 315 back and forth until I got tired of it . My insurance company paid for my lap band July 24, 2006 I am not abut to break 200 for the first time since I was 18. I am 59! I have so loose skin on my arms and my abdomen but I am about to have a BM! under 30! I know this is long, but I just want you all to know there is hope! You can do it! I had a few little set backs with my eating and my exercising but the band wouldn't let me gain more than 4 pounds, and my Doc really got on my tail when that happened, helping me figure out why I did what I did! Go for it! :clap2::eek::whoo:

Pandagirl I weighed at my highest 378 by the time I had my surgery 1 year ago on Wednesday 7/24 I weighed 311. I know weigh 202 I did not have any problems with the surgery or afterward as far as surgery and the band. I do have a total change in life style, work out and eat small amounts and very slowly. I went from over 55 BMI to 32 right now. I have about 20 pounds to loss I can't believe I am even saying that. It sounds so weird! You can do it I just wanted you to know I did weigh over 100 pounds and I didn't have problems! Hang in there!:eek:

jano I was banded July 24, 2006 I work out with a trainer 2 times a week. I do cardio anywhere from 2 -4 days a week. I love the now me! I am in a size 14 at 230 pounds! That wouldn't happen if I didn't work out! Go for it! I love it@

Sorry, my bad for not reading all through the site. I had to pay a $200.00 program fee last year. My insurance paid for everything also. I had my surgery a year ago tomorrow and have lost 108 pounds! Good luck!

Sharon2u I don't quite understand, they want you to pay and your insurance is paying completely for the surgery? Have you called your insurance company to complain? Maybe they can help. Please don't give up! CAn you talk with your Dr? or his staff? What about the hosptial administrator! Fight girl for what is important to you!

RockinRobin Can you add me to the list at 107lbs. Ist anniversay is JUly 24, 2007 Yeah! Havinf trouble following instruction in how to updaye my bar! lol

I am a year out and trust me you will fell full once you get past that first fill. Stay away from carbs and sugars and ,ake sure you get enough protein . Begin to learn how to trust your band. It will not fail you! Give yourself time to change your thought processes and behavior! You will make it! Good luck!

I am a year out from being banded I did experience hair loss and I don't have a lot to lose! lol It was about 5 months out. My Dr. said it was a reaction to my weight loss and body changed taking place as a result of losing weight. I take hair vitamins and make sure I get my protein in no less that 60 more like 80 gms a day. Do ot worry, it is worth it in the end. My hair is coming back and is thicker than it has been since I had my children a long time ago. I am 59 and don't hav those hormones anymore. Relax and enjoy this new adventure!

RN@BEE2008 Relax. What you are feeling is normal. The tight feeling is from the gas. If you are suppose to be on liquuids keep drinking and eating those popsicles and sugar free jello. It's important to keep hydrated and to stay on liquids in ordr for your surgery and stomach to heal. It's only been one day and you did have major surgery, cut yourself a break! you ae doing fine.

Wstchband drink more water or liquids and have sugar free jello and sugar popsicles that may help.

Watchband I think the hardest time is that month after surgery until you start getting filled. Try really hard to follow your program and not eat anything you are not suppose to. I know it is hard, but you will feel better about yourself. It does take time for the surgery to hel and for you to fell restricted! Good luck

jvflorida I just answered your question but I need to tell you that I like Dr. Cywes and was banded by him July 24, 2007. I really cares about his patients, gives you his private cell phone. There are support meetings at his office twice a month. Everything is done "in house" as far as the evaluations go. I went to St. Vicent's seminar and Memorial. I liked Dr. Cywes better. That doesn't mean the other guys aren't good. I just didn't like their personalities. It is hard to pick but I really believe, based on the other people in the Tuesday night support group that all of them are good and will get the job done well. Hope that helps.

I have been banded by not by them I have been banded by Cywes at Memorial. There are people in our lap band support group that have. Go to JacksonvilleBandersters@ yahoo.com and ask and you will get someone who has been banded by them.

I hope by now you have comes to some kind of term with yur sadness. It is a big step to have the surgery. Your life will change and I hope for the better. I was badndded a year ago, and I would do it again in a minute! My health is better and I can move better. The band is a tool (I'm sure you've heard this before) that helps you accomplish weight lost. Your thinking is what can sabatage you! Grieve and then realize that you have given yourself the best gift ever.....a healthy life! God bless and best wishes! It is not easy but it is definitely worth it! :clap2::whoo:

At 5"7' and 211 I can wear a size 14 comfortably. My weight is fairly even in distrivution although I have more in my stomach than I want. I shop in regular stores now and this is really exciting. I started at 378 and wore a 3x in Catherines sometmes a 4X. Now I'm thinking I can get to a 10-12!

pandagirl I can understand your thinking. I used my weight as a wall for male attention. Since I have lost the weight 178 pounds, I have a concern about male interactin. I want to meet someone but at the same time, I am afraid. I was sexually abused as a child and do understand. I came to understand through counseling that the crime of rape isn't sexual, it is about power and control. Men rape women for the feeling of control and power over someone. It happened to be you. Fat women get raped also. So now understand that being "thin" and healthy gives you more power over your own body. You can move faster and kick higher than before. You have the control over your on body and your choice of male companionship. you are worthy of a healthy and beautiful body. Go for it!

Tootarts I could say all kinds of platitudes but the reality of the situation is you are who you are. So now you have great motivation to move forward. Your weight doesn't define who you are. You have lost 50 pounds! think about what you would have looked like with 50 more pounds added! Feel good about where you are, you will never be there again! Keep up the good work, you are on the right road! When I look back on my pictures when I weighed 378 pounds, I can't believe that was me. Now at 211 I can say thanks be to God I have the band and wil never be there again! I went from a size 28 to a size 14 and still moving. It took a good 100 pounds for people to notice and fornme to notice there is a difference. You are a person worthy of being healthy and happy, just keep on keeping on!

ladiebird I also had a MRI of my back with no probelm. They asked me and I told them I was a year out from surgery. It didn't affect me or my band at all.

Ericsmon Ok everyone, I had both my knees replaced while I still weighed 284 pounds that was before the band. I was in rehab for 2 weeks. I was bending at 117 degrees when I arrived at rehab. I was walking without a walker in a week (when they let me) lol and I waa back to work in 3 weeks. I was back in the gym 1 month from surgery. I had bone on bone with both knees. They were done Jan 30, 2004 By Dr. R. David Heekin in Jakcsonville. The best! I had minimal discomfort and was walking to the cbnair the next day. The key? I worked out 3 days a week with my trainers and even though we couldn't use weights, we worked my grads and got them really strong! It was by far the easiest surgery I ever had. The pain before was so accute I was on crutches and mepergan before! So good luck with your surgery, keep building those quads before the big day and you will see a big difference. I think I am one of a kind! lol Blessings

Boy I can relate! I am eating Ice cream and cookies. I have stayed the same but need to get past this. I am not sure how to get back on track. I am very frustrated with myself! I've been banded a year and can't get back on track for the past month! Any suggestions?

good for you! keep up the good work!

Carolyn I ditto what Marywalker 20 has said. You can reaad my reply before hers. I certainly would encourage you. It is never too late. I understadn that "60" is the new 40 so that must mean that "70" is the new 50! lol It will work! Blessings

Debi Hi I read your post and had to tell you about me. I was banded July 24, 2006.I was 311 # at surgery. 10 months later I weighed in at 211#! I am 59 years old. I was beginnign with diabetes, cingestive heart failure, arthritis and had alread bilateral knee replacements. At my highest I was 378#. I lost about 10 pounds a month, I followed the Dr. orders exactly food wise and exercixed as I was able. Now I have a personal trainer 2x a week for weight training and do cardio 3x a week. I had a slow down and due to my own stress stuff fell off the wagon so to speak. Now I am back to eating well and caring for myslef. I went from a size 3x to a 14 ladies. I still have trouble believing I can fit into these clothes! lol You can lose as slow or as fast as you want by eating protein first veggies second and exercising as you are able. The wonderful part of this is you will become more healthy each day and stronger! God bless you and good luck with all your test!