The Geologist

My surgery was on July 11. I've lost about 30 pounds so far, but the rate of weight loss has leveled off the last few weeks. I go in for my first fill tomorrow and I intend to lose another 30 between now and Christmas.

I'm down 26 pounds this morning one month and one day after I started my pre-op diet. Wearing my 2XL shirts that were too tight and knowing that they now fit a little loose on me. Stopped snoring and waking up in the night. Now I wake up actually feeling refreshed in the morning. My energy level is way up. I'm building a kit car and I've gotten more done on it in the last three weeks than I did in the previous 10 months. Also knowing that I will actually fit into that car when it's done. Putting on some jeans and realizing they fit well. Then realizing that I put on a size 40 waist, not a 42. Seeing the end of my belt sticking progressively further out beyond the buckle. Looking forward to getting on the scale. Hearing friends tell me they already see a significant difference in how I look. Getting into my or my wife's car and not feeling the side bolsters diggning into my spare tire. Joyfully throwing out (donating to charity) old clothes that I would have kept when dieting before, just in case I got fat again. Playing a round of golf and noticing that I'm swinging the club better and that I'm not in pain after walking nine holes. Not grunting (as loudly!) when I get up from the sofa or an easy chair.

Peaches, I hear you, because I'm in the same boat. I also was banded on 11 July - 12 days ago. We've both lost a similar amount of weight, which is fantastic - we're off to a great start. I was at a golf tournament today (I specifically got my doctor's OK to play on this date) and I had some solid food because I was out of the house all day and didn't have an opportunity for anything liquid. Don't feel guilty, just move on. Only two more days of liquid diet (and excellent weight loss that accompanies it) then we can start in on mushies. Take a look through the recipe thread - there's some good stuff in there.

<p>Hi. By way of a quick introduction, my name is Mark and I had my surgery 8 days ago by Dr. David Lautz at Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. Fantastic medical team at the Brigham! All is well and I've made a good start on my weight loss, having lost 8 lb on my pre-op diet and about 8 more pounds since then. My clothes are already fitting better!</p> <p> </p> <p>I'm building a kit car that I currently probably couldn't fit into but I hope that is changed by the time I finish the car! I'm 46 and have had limited success with weight loss before. I had to take control of my life by getting control of my weight, and my conservative primary care physician was the one who recommended that I look into the lap band. It took nearly 6 months from then until I had my surgery last week.</p> <p> </p> <p>Anyway, it's nice to read about all the positive experiences from forum members - they are very encouraging. It's also a little distressing to read about the disappointments, too, but those posts have given me things to look out for and helped me get my head together for serious, sustained long-term weight loss.</p>