kkarryall

Before pic is me at my highest of 280 lbs. The current is at 217 lbs.

Here is me -50 lbs First is before--second two are current

One of my favorite dinners is this: 2 cups mixed greens, 1 oz cheddar cheese (2%), 1 teaspoon full fat dressing, 1/8 cup cottage cheese, and on top I chop up a Perdue Breaded Baked Chicken Breast (160 cal) that I bake in the oven first. You can find this chicken in the refridgerated section of the grocery store, like where they keep fully cooked chicken strips, etc. It's very good and filling...

I go through phases with what I eat...but currently I have been obsessed with making this salad. I use Arugala--but you can use any lettuce. Then I add a perdue baked breaded chicken breast (160 cals), 1/8 cup of cottage cheese, 1/2 tablespoon full fat dressing, and 1 ounce of 2% cheddar cheese. It's really good and filling. The other thing I love bringing for lunch is the Bumblebee sensations flavored tunaas--already comes in their own sauce---three different flavors---130 cals and 18 grams of Protein. Good luck :shades_smile:

You all look so amazing!! This thread is soooo inspirational. I haven't lost much weight--34 lbs, but I have decided to post some pics anyway. I am not sure if I can see much of a difference...but then again my weight has gone up and down so many times, I am convinced my body image is totally warped!!! Here are some face pics: December 2007 August 2007 July 27, 2008 And here are two body pics, although the second isn't the greatest: December 2007 July 2008

Hi there-- well there are a lot of things to consider when making this decision...your age, your weight/BMI, how long you have been overweight, etc. I did not try weight loss drugs prior to being banded, but I had tried every diet know to man!! I was able to lose many times, but always gained it back. The problem with meds is that once you stop taking the medication, what is to stop you from gaining it back. Having the lapband has not been easy--following the rules etc...but that being said, I don't regret it. How long have you been seing your therapist? Is she guiding your thoughts or is she making suggestions? Good luck with your decision

After I had the surgery, my friend's father said to me "You are such a brave soul." I got a little teary eyed thinking he was talking about the journey and finally taking control of my life, etc. Then he goes on to say "One of my friend's got gastric bypass in his 30s and died on the table." I was like THANKS.

I had my first fill today and it was a piece of cake!! It really didn't hurt at all I lost 7 lbs--so I am down a total of 35 lbs since June 5th---beginning of pre-op diet.

I thought Dr. Fielding was good--I also did not see him before or after my surgery but he did talk to my family. I thought my stitching was bad---but now at 4 weeks post op it looks great!! I think for the ticker you click on your own ticker in one of your posts and then it asks you to sign in---I beleive that is right. Do you live in Westchester?

Do you have GHI? Thats what I have and I was also banded by Dr. Fielding. I am scheduled for my first fill tomorrow, so I will be interested to see what they charge me...

I agree!! I am much happier--and I just feel peacful. It's very odd. I feel like food is not playing as big of a part in my life and I am just fine with that!!! p.s. I am up for going anywhere!!!

I have heard that it is the gas and bloating from the surgery. I also don't have a scale at home and i don't plan on getting one! I become WAY tooooo obsessed with the numbers on that scale.

I did a lot of research before I was banded. I decided that since Dr. Fielding and Dr. Ren were real pioneers in the field--that they were the best choice for me. I am not sure of other programs--but NYU was great about helping me with all the insurance requirements and they have a patient liason there--who is great. I also LOVED the fact that Dr. Fielding has the band himself. Overall, I had a really great experience at NYU---the only downside there is that their office is often like a zoo---lots of people there. But I am willing to wait longer to get into the office, because I feel like they are real specialists in the field. Good luck

I am sure your son will do well. Even though I am just beginning my journey I feel that this is the best decision that I have ever made for myself. The frist three days after my surgery were the worst---after that, for me, it was smooth sailing. After about a week, I wasn't even really sore anymore. Maybe just a little if I bent over. The liquid diet for me was 10 days, then 10 days of purees, then regular food. But depending on how he is healing, the surgeon MAY give permission to move to a phase sooner...After the first few days of doing high Protein, low carb, he will probably feel fine--just takes some getting used to. I actually feel lots better doing that diet. Hope that helps...

HI---well I decided this was the right decision for me in early December 2007--had my first appt with my PCP for the 6 month diet on Dec. 5th 2007 and was banded June 23rd 2008. When I heard about the 6 month diet I was soooo discouraged---but time goes on anyway, so just do it and it will be over before you know it. I haven't had my first fill yet---but I have been working very hard and i think that part of my motivation to eat healthfully, watch portion size etc., is due to the 6 month prep period. Not only did I do the diet, but I learned soooo much about the lapband....the most important thing being that it is only a tool and will not lose the weight for you. Good luck

Thanks!! So are you!!

Well---I am not sure of your weight/stats---but I am sure if he wants you to lose that much weight it is for your own safety and to minimize risks. As far as recommending the sleeve---I would just recommend ressearching that procedure and deciding if YOU think it is right for YOU---if you are adament that you want the lap band---then see a second surgeon for another opinion... DO a search on the sleeve on this forum---there is some info on here

Hi--I just got banded on 6/23/08---I am about 140 lbs overweight--at time of banding---and had slightly elevated cholesteral---otherwise no comorbities. MY PCP just wrote a very short letter stating my age, height and weight. He said that I had tried a variety of diets "to no avail" (true--I have lost weight, just never kept it off). He also said that I suffer from elevated cholesteral (true), knee and back pain (not really---maybe ON OCCASION), and that I was at high risk for heart disease (true, especially bc my dad died of a heart attack at age 47.) He then just stated that he recommends me for the lap band. Hope that helps.

Advice to you---get rid of your scale if you have one at home. Personally, I get discouraged even if I weigh in as much as once a week. For me, it needs to be more like once or twice a month---because when I see a two pound loss--which I know is a great loss for a week--I feel discouraged and depressed. I have not weighed myself since my posst-op appt---1 week after the surgery--I was sooo discouraged since I weighed the same as i did on the day of my surgery. So I know I have lost more since then, but I will find out at my first fill on t he 23rd. Good luck ith everything AMY

I was freaking out too, had never had surgery before---but it was TOTALLY fine. All of a sudden ---it was so quick--I was asleep. You will be fine, I am sure. Good luck

While I think it is important to be open about the surgery to some, I think it is equally important for it to be a private journey. I have learned through my experience getting the band; its wonderful when your friends and family are supportive. But on the other hand---I told all of my extended family--and I have a big family--aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, etc.--now when I go to see them I feel self-consciious bc everyone is looking me up and down to see how much weight I have lost. And sometimes I feel like if they do say soemthing--e.g., "you look great"--they are saying it only bc they feel obligated to SAY something!! It is a bit frustrating.... My advice to you is--if you get the idea that a friend or family member might be unsupportive---don't tell. And as for your unsupportive friends that you have already told, just stop discussing it with them. It is your decision. They most likely will NOT see your point of view---untill they see you after surgery when you have done well, of course :party:

My skin has also cleared up significantly. I think it is the change in diet for me :biggrin:

<P>My first day home was OK, but I was in a bit of pain. Did the Dr give her a prescription for pain meds? I only took mine twice, but I really needed them. Also, the gas pains can be terrible. You can get the Gas-X strips at the drug store--they dissolve in your mouth and they help. Also, the more she walks...the better she will feel--plus it prevents complications and is highly encouraged. </P> <P> </P> <P>Good luck</P> <P></P>

What is seriously wrong with people? I cannot EVER imagine being that mean to someone. I have had several rude comments over the years; not many, but the few that were said really, really hurt...and have stayed with me. 1. Once, when I was about 15, my grandmother bought me a vest for Xmas. I opened it up and tried it on in front of everyone...it didn't button up. My grandmother said...in front of everyone..."Have you thought about gong on a diet?" After that, I never , ever...to this very day, would try on a piece of clothing that was given to me as a gift...unless I am alone. 2. In college, I went to a party--got all ready, cute clothes, hair done etc. It was a frat party, and the guy standing at the door says "We charge by the pound for girls like you." Interesting thread...

I too have been reading more and more about positioning of the band. My mother read an article that stated that ONE of the biggest predicters of sucess of people with the lapband is the experience of the surgeon---which I find interesting---maybe it has to do with placement of the band? Not sure---but curious what other people think.