HotLikeMe

Well, I've been at this for 2 1/2 years now. I lost a total of 70 at my best and have now gained 20 of it back. I had to have an unfill because of acid reflux and unfortunately, it doesn't take long to fall back into BAD eating habits.

I havn't been on here in quite some time. It seems like forever ago that I had my band surgery. I've lost, gained, and lost again (and my body sure shows it). I've finally scheduled my "mommy makeover" (Lower Body Lift and Breast Lift) for November 4, 2009. I'm excited and terrified all at the same time. My PS has to move my port to a new location because he's gona try to take that scar off too!! I'm considering getting a low profile port, but I'm not sure how much of a difference it will make. I havn't taken any before pictures yet, but will post them when I do. Started at Size 22/24 - now in a Size 12 - hope to be in a Size 8 soon!! (or at least 9/10)

About 5 months ago I had my first acid reflux problems. I had just lost my job and think it may have also been stress related. I got an unfill (about 1/2 taken out). Anyway, two refills and another unfill later I can eat pretty much ANYTHING I want - and unfortunately, I HAVE. Stress is really taking its toll. I've gained 20lbs in the last 4 months!!!! I can't get another refill until I stop stressing and I can't stop stressing because I've gained 20lbs!! UUUHHHH ..... I've been trying to physcoanalyze myself - to no avail - somebody help before I gain ALL of my LB's back.

Hello - There are two of us down here in Cape Coral, Florida. HotLikeMe (Cheryl) and HotLikeHer (Jennifer). We are band buddies. We've had a great year - gone from Heffers to Honeys. I had my surgery in July and Jen had hers a month later. Our surgeon is Dr. Ernest Rehnke in St. Pete and had the operation at Palms of Pasadena Hospital. Jen has lost 65 lbs and I've lost 59.2 lbs. Jen's lost more weight than I have and doesn't even look like she was EVER overweight. Unfortunately, some men can't take a confident woman and she is now SINGLE. So she has started a new life, with a great new body, new job, new home...... just gets better. LBS is not offered here in Lee County yet - they do have seminars at Healthpark for it, but the actual surgery is done in Ft. Lauderdale. My insurance wouldn't pay for it, but Jennifer's did - so you should ALWAYS fight for your rights. We still see Dr. Rehnke on a monthly basis and he is still a WONDERFUL doctor with a great staff. These are our pictures - me and my daughter, Lindsey, and Jen with her daughter, Amanda.

Hello - I havn't been here in at least 6 months -crazy life. I've been banded now for just over a year and have lost almost 60 pounds. For some of the folks that have been around for awhile they know my husband has been gone since about 2 weeks after my surgery. (Although he did get leave in Feb). I feel as though he'll be coming home to a whole new wife. Even though I've still not reached my goal (got another 40lbs or so) my entire life / attitude / confidence is completely different. I've actually started becoming a little cocky (imagine that!!). My children and I recently took a month long vacation and visited many relatives that I havn't seen in years or have never met before. Most of the places we visited were up north so of course there were many STAIRS which I managed with NO problems at all. We went to a couple of theme parks (I fit in the seats) we toured DC, Philly, Detroit, went hiking, and even CAVING with NO PROBLEMS AT ALL. For those of you who are scared or questioning whether or not you should have the band - I too, was FREAKED OUT - WHAT WAS I GOING TO DO TO MYSELF? The scars? The pain? The problems? The food? If I had to do it all over again, I would - IN A SECOND.

Thank you so much - it has been a VERY long year. And, yes, we had a wonderful vacation, just wished everyday that my husband could have been with us. I did just post my pictures on the Before and After page.

Slowly, but surely, the pounds are falling off. The first picture is with my husband the day he left for Iraq - Aug 05 The last is 2 weeks ago with my daughter on her 12th birthday. Sorry I don't know how to size them or put them side by side.

Hi - I did need a boost to start the losing process again. Got stuck for a few months. Took Phentermine for about 6 weeks - completely under doctor's strict eye. I lost a few pounds and got my confidence back to get back on track. Doing great now.

I got my 2nd fill last Thursday for a total of 3.6cc I'm having problems eating/drinking anything - mushies not too bad, but everything else, even drinking seems to hurt. Does this mean I should get an unfill? or, wait a few more days to see if my stomach is still just adjusting to the change?

I've lost 20.5 lbs. Seems to be going way to slow though. Since my second fill I've had a hard time eating/drinking anything. Even cottage cheese tried to choke me.

Commando - I just got out of the shower.

I was banded July 26, 2005. I havn't lost as much as I thought I would by now - but at least the scale has gone down and not up. I've lost 19 lbs.

Thank You. I really enjoyed that.

My left foot is very sexy. (Both of my feet would be - but I lost my big toe on my right foot in an accident many years ago - it's still kinda cute too though.)

My a### is more than twice that size ... I thought this was a place for overweight people - what are you doing here?

WELCOME - Lots of great people here to help you on your journey.

Brownie/Icecream Cake- Yesterday for my daughter's birthday. (Just a small piece though)

I don't know if I'm a binge eater - but I'm definitely a stress eater. I would eat in the middle of the night even - get up to go potty and have a snack too. I'm only 5 weeks out of surgery now, havn't lost as much as others, but not doing too bad. I wish I could tell you that I didn't get hungry with the band - but I do. It doesn't FIX everything, but it does help. I don't eat in the middle of the night anymore, but not because I don't get hungry - but because I don't want to defeat what I've already gone through. I eat a LOT less than I did before though - instead of 4 pieces of pizza - only 1 small(extra thin crust) or no crust, just topping. I'm still trying to overcome the whole "head hunger" thing too. If it tastes good, I just want to keep eating - thanks to the band I can't.

I'm only 5 weeks out now with a 1.8cc fill. I havn't had a PB yet, but came real close . A small piece of left over pizza tried to get me. I had the tightening in the chest and the fear of god panic - for just about 10 minutes - then it went down. I would like to say I've learned my lesson and that it will never happen again - but, never say never.

Thank you thank you thank you thank you - I don't know if I'd have actually gone through with the surgery without all the support I received here.

Mississippi is going through a really bad time now too. I FINALLY just heard from my brother and his family last night who live in Bay St. Louis. We were all so afraid that they hadn't gotten out - thank god they went to Montgomery, AL before the storm hit. They are now staying in a parking lot of a Rite Aid in their truck, about 100 miles North of where they live cuz they don't have any gas left and since there is no power they can't get any. A pay phone finally started working and he called us. His home was completely flooded out and they've lost everything except what's on their backs. It's probably gona be months before they can even think about rebuilding. Once they are able to get gas, they plan to come stay with me for a while. I've been watching TV almost non-stop since this started, trying to get a even a glimpse of them - I THANK GOD that he is alive and well and my heart goes out to all those who arn't as lucky. Ironically, my husband, who is in the National Guard and is currently in route to Iraq is being considered with his battalion to be sent to Mississippi first - then on to Iraq. He was gone for over 2 months last year for all 4 of the hurricanes. Politics? I just don't get it!