HamuChan

I've had my band for 3 and a half years. NO REGRETS still. None. It has been the best decision I have ever made. My situation is extremely different then yours though. You only have 5 pounds to lose?? Did I read that wrong? I was about 80 pounds overweight when I got the band. Please don't think that the band will not drastically change your life. You will never eat out the same again or have some of your fav foods again. Make sure that's worth it for 5 lbs. Or maybe I read it wrong. Annnnnyways, I love my band. Go lap-band!!

I lost OVER 50% of my hair in the first year. The hair has grown back to normal thickness over the past few years. Don't worry, it'll come back! :biggrin:

I've been on LBT forever and hope to read it over and find some of the people I used to chat with on here. I just wanted to tell me story since it's changed so much since the last time I was on here. I got my lapband in May of 2005, so about 3 and a half years ago. I was about 263 pounds at that point. I lost down to 185 at one point, then got pregnant in October of last year. Our sweet baby girl is 4 months old now and I am around 220 lbs. I just had a fill and don't feel too bad about my weight since I just had a baby. If I was asked if I'd get the lap band again I would do it for sure. I have loved my band from day one. The band is not for people who are not 100% serious about losing weight though. If you cheat it will hurt or make you sick. If you eat the wrong thing it gets "stuck" and feels like crap. My band is tight as a drum right now and I'm on straight liquids. I'm trying to do a quick weight loss thing since I gained like 35 lbs from the baby. Thank you lap-band for stopping me at least 900 times from eating the wrong foods. I could never live without you!!! :biggrin:

After i lost a bunch of weight my gallbladder went nuts and I ended up in the ER. I had to have emergency surgery to have it removed. The surgery is about as painful as having the band. Your pain level really depends on you, but for me it was a bit less painful than the band. After the surgery high fat foods give me stomach aches and don't agree with my body. I really can't do anything fried or cheesy unless I want issues. Good luck!

It is definately possible to lose 100% as you've heard from other banders in this thread. My response is the same as theirs. I hope I can lose 100% of my excess weight as well. The 1st 50 lbs was the easiest, after that my own effort had to be put into this. I need a nice tight fill and exercise and I can successfully lose.

Congratulations!!! You are an inspiration to banders! 100 lbs in a year?? How wonderful! :) :success1:

I lost weight weight for the 1st year, then it stopped. Now (since January) I have started working out 5 days a week and the weight is coming off again. At first I was able to lose weight without exercise but eventually exercise was necessary for weight loss. I am averaging about 2 lbs a week right now. I can't wait to hit my goal weight!! :success1: When my weight loss was stalled I was eating the wrong foods. Better food choices make the lap-band work!! Wrong food: Ice cream, chips, cheese, alcohol, chocolate, tacos, candy. Right foods (your band can't be too tight): chicken, veggies, fruit, ground beef (lean), Water, yogurt Those were just some ideas for those that are having trouble losing.

:update: Ok, so I wanted to let you guys know where I am now. I've been working out 5 days a week for the last 8 weeks. I am still not back to the weight I want to be but I am getting SO close I can taste it!! My body is looking very different though. I am much more tone and I look slimmer! So all and all I've lost 16 pounds in the last 8 weeks. Two pounds a week isn't too bad. I need to lose two more lbs this week!! :eek:

What's your opinion on those? Good or bad? They don't really fill you up, but they're a convinient way to track your calories.

Now my sister is getting a lap-band too. So that makes me, my mom, and my sister to get lap bands in my family. Is there anyone else that has had lap-bands in their whole family? I LOVE MY BAND!!!

My mom had lap-band surgery at 57. I think it was a great move for her! As you get older its more important than ever to keep your weight down. Don't worry about your age.

My mom is a recovery room nurse at The Surgery Center of Richardson! It's a nice place. I was banded by Dr Jayaseelan in Dallas. According to my mom his surgery methods are the best. But for fills I go to The Surgery Center of Richardson because my mom works there. Dr Jay does a great job securing the band in place during the initial surgery. He's a nice guy but is REALLY busy because lap-bands are so popular.

I have been working out now 5 days a week for 3 weeks. My workout does include weight training. I have not lost a pound in 7 days and I have been watching my diet. In fact my weight may have even gone up a little. I am really depressed about this and am wondering if my weight training could be stalling my weight loss. I thought weight training may slow my weight loss but not reverse it. Does anyone know exactly how the weight training effects weightloss?

**UPDATE** I am so depressed again. I lost no weight in this last week eventhough I have been working out everyday. Maybe I am gaining muscle?? I am doing weight training. You guys, I know I ask so much but I need support yet again. My weight loss has stalled in the past week and I am working out SOOOOOOOO hard. 1 hour a day... I cried today because having no reward in the past week has been an emotional drain. I am so depressed about this I can barely lift my head. (I did work out today though)