PhotoNut

Ok, I have debated and debated whether I wanted to show this or not. But I have decided that it's important that I do. I want to show you what this band has done for me. It has literally saved my life. I had let go of all hope. I was so fat and always in pain. I hardly moved anymore and I really didn't care about life. I had shut out my family and friends and rarely went out of the house. Now, almost 90 pounds down, I want you to look at my eyes. Yes, there is a difference in the face, but look at my eyes. I think they speak volumes about why we are all here, and what we are all fighting for. I love you guys an awful lot to share this with you. *chuckles* I hope it means as much to you as it does to me. Far left, taken about a week after surgery (287lbs). The other two were taken last night, by me, in the bathroom mirror (218lbs). I was suddenly struck by how much more alive I looked, so I grabbed the camera. *laughs*

*huggles Bandayed* You're such a sweetie! And look at you! Only 25 to goal? Wowzers girl! I'm still snickering about those size 14s. And youre right, I'm not spending $30 on a pair of jeans that I don't plan on wearing for long! Woot!!

I'm so happy to hear that your complications are behind you and that you are now enjoying your weightloss journey. This is a wonderful place to find support, information and even friendships. Your post made me smile. Thanks

I drank them when I had no choice. Now my choices include beef, chicken, fish, milk and cottage cheese. I'm a much happier woman and much easier to live with.. I think. *grins* By the way, I eat about 75-100 grams of Protein per day and about 900-1,100 calories per day. I think my two month average was 85g protein and 950 calories.

I just realized that I haven't posted anything new on here since the middle of June. Sooo.... While I was at the store a few minutes ago, I thought I'd have a laugh and try on some size 14 jeans. You know, Levis and Lees. Guess what? OMG! They FIT!! 14s! FOURTEENS!! :faint: I haven't lost much weight in the last coupla months, but I'm losing inches. FOURTEENS!! WOOT! I LOVE MY BAND!

Regina! Wow! Grats hon! 19 more for me and I'll be joining ya. Aint life grand?! *boogies down*

Hiya Andy.. or is it Liz? hehe It was good to hear from you. Thanks for letting us know how you're doing. It is amazing how the upcoming surgery gets us in the "shock and awe" frame of mind. I went thru bouts of dancing around the house with pure joy and excitement, to bawling my eyes out over the thought of giving up my only comfort in life, food. Bah! I look back on that now and laugh. I didn't give up anything... I was set free!! Would I take back my near 90 pound loss in exchange for all of those foods I used to find comfort in? Helllll no! *laughs* Next Thursday huh? I'll be thinking about ya. Get prepared for the ride of your life girlfriend! You're going to be amazed at the changes that are in store for you. *big hugs*

My husband was very nervous about the idea of me having any kind of voluntary surgery. However, the more he listened to the information I found while researching the band the more informed he became about the risks and the potential benefits. Of course he was still very nervous when I went into surgery, but having his questions and fears addressed prior to surgery helped him relax and support my decision to be banded. Here is an hour long video that you might get hubby to watch with you. It shows an actual band surgery and the surgeons also go over a great deal of information about the band, the surgery, the post op expectations, etc. You might also go over this list of questions with your husband and get the answers from your Doctor. Having so much knowledge could help you both feel more in control about the decision. Best of luck to you. The video: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3190472028990485080&q=lap+band The questions for your Dr: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=15595

Ah.. my apologies. :nervous

Hi Lisa and welcome to LBT! Im glad you've done your research and made an educated decision. Barring any unseen complications with your surgery, I don't think you'll regret your decision. It has changed my life and continues to every day. Here are a couple of links that you'll want to check out if you havent found them already. Be sure to speak out when you have questions and above all, enjoy the ride! Questions to ask your Dr. before surgery: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=15595 Things to have on hand for post surgery days: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=14814 Best wishes for a successful journey. Keep us posted on your progress!

Hiya Hope! Long time no see! I get these at WinCo of Freddies. They are with the fish sticks in the freezer stuff, but they are not fish sticks. They are in a yellow box, and there are two fillets per box. Here's a picture: Gortons also has these wonderfully delicious shrimp scampi dishes. I just heat them in a big skillet, stir a lot until they are done and then serve over some mixed veggies, like broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots. Yum yum! 120 calories per serving. 6 grams fat.

Just checking in on you, Christi. Did you go to the Dr yet? What's going on with ya girlie?

I'm laughing with joy over here, Mary. A size 10 Levis?? Goodness!! Rock on sister! :rockon:

Sure can! And you're right... you DON'T look like the same guy at all. You look fabulous. Grats Paul. :clap2:

This sure seems to be the Question of the Week! Everyone who is feeling this much restriction, please Please PLEASE get an unfill. You could cause damage to your esophagus, you could cause your band to slip, and you certainly won't be losing weight as well as you could. I recently wrote a lengthy post to Hopes Place in response to her question about being overfilled. I am going to put the link to that thread on here so you can all go have a peek. Please read my post, I think it's on page two of that thread. And get unfilled. This is NOT how your band was meant to be used. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=21952

For all of us dorks not on the metric system, that translates to a starting weight of approx 342 pounds, and she is now at approx 218 pounds. Ok, my mouth fell open when I did that conversion! Holy smokes! In 9 months?? You lost 124 pounds?? Wowzers!! Do you have before and after (or in progress) pics? I'd love to see them! Let me know if you need help posting them. Wow.. great job and congrats!! :clap2::clap2:

Heya Sho Your siggy looks great, grasshopper :scared: About that complete unfill. I never said it wouldnt take some self control. When I got home, my mind was going crazy with thoughts like, "Holy cow, I'm wide open.. I could eat a cheeseburger if I wanted to!" I even started a thread about my unfill and asked everyone if I should just go ahead and eat what I haven't been allowed to eat, realizing I'd be giving it up again when I got refilled. DonnaB said she wouldnt know what to do if I did that, as I've been her inspiration to make good choices. *laughs* A "what would PNut do?" kind of thing. Well, I suddenly felt responsible for others and just couldnt do it. I am still unfilled, and I'm still eating the right measures of food and only eating good Proteins and carbs (fruits and veggies). Its paying off too. My advice to Hope, and encouragement about being unfilled, was regarding a short period of time which would allow her body to recoupe after being too tight for so long. To allow her time to eat good hard proteins and then re-examine her need for a fill. Its too hard to judge how much you can eat, when you are eating pudding. :cool: Anyway, Sho, I admire you and your success as well. You and I can just keep on rockin' on together babe! *big smiles* Oh, and Hope.. my Dr says two days on liquids after any kind of adjustment to the fill. Adding or reducing, I'm on liquids. I typically have slim fast shakes, bean with bacon Soup blended till smooth, yogurts, etc. And actually, I find that those two days of liquids are often refreshing. I'm glad you found encouragement in my post. Now let's just get ya back on track. The sooner you get that unnecessary restriction (overfill) out, the sooner you'll be feeling better, eating better, and losing weight again.

Wow Sammee! Congrats hon! Job well done. Now be sure to get lots and lots of before and after TT pics for us.

Okie.. well, are you getting in a minimum of 60 grams of protein per day? If not, that could be why you are so hungry and having a hard time staying under the 800 calorie mark. Do you like Tuna? A can of tuna with 2 tablespoons of fat free dressing (I liked thousand island) will give you about 34 grams of protein. If you are relying on high sugar, high fat, soft foods, then yeah it will be hard to stay under 800 calories. Also, bean with bacon soup is very hearty, rib-stickin'. I couldnt have done it without that soup. Oh, and Gorton's makes the best frozen fish fillets that cook in the microwave in about 6-7 minutes. Two of those are only 200 calories and have 34 grams of protein. Have them with a 1/2c up peas and carrots and I guarantee you'll feel saited. Hope those help.

Ok, you posted that second post before I got my response posted to the first one. hehe I'm glad you called. Your band is obviously too tight. The blood is most likely from the esophagus being irritated by the vomiting. Bless your heart. Make sure that Dr does a thorough check on your band when you're there.

Call your Dr and get a slight unfill. Your band is too tight. Don't wait around for suggestions when you are PB'ing blood. Call your Dr. and get in to see him asap. Let us know how youre doing ok?

Is there a reason you have to stay under 800 calories? If it is Dr's orders then ok. I'm not sure where you are on your post op diet, so I'd need to know more before I could offer some help in food choices.

Being overfilled can slow your weightloss and cause serious problems. I just responded to something similar on another thread, rather than repeating it I'll just point ya to the thread. Also, I'll give you the link to an excellent checklist for fill guidance. I think you'll find both helpful, so please take a moment to check them out. My post is #23 on page two of this thread: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=21952 Checklist for fills: http://lapbandtransformation.com/Adjustments.htm

Uh oh.. watch out. Here come the Yankees I couldnt resist. *grins*

Eat more protein! I have days like this as well. I feel like a bottomless pit. So I feed myself everything I know is on my "allowed" list - fish, veggies, more fish, cottage cheese, fruit, more fish *laughs* Then, suddenly, I find I'm saited and I stop. I typically reach this point before dinner and then eat nothing the rest of the night, simply because I'm not hungry. You'll be fine. Don't panick and certainly don't reach for the Cookies. They will NOT help you feel less hungry. They WILL make you feel like crap, you'll be disapppointed in yourself for caving in, and you'll STILL be looking for something to eat! *laughs* Eat all you need, just eat the good stuff. *hugs*