danaclark2

Was just thinking about this post...I haven't posted anything because I was thinking I hadn't reached the 100 lbs lost mark...but I really have. At 9 months pregnant with my first child, I weighed 323lbs. I am now 189 lbs. While I've just lost 82.5 lbs since my surgery, I've lost over 100 lbs...134 lbs actually, and boy do I fee better!

Just wondering if anyone has used Dr. Steeley in Clarksville, TN? I've heard good and not so good--more good than bad, though. Dana

Before Lap Band: 280ish During Weight Loss Process (195-200lbs)

Went to a local WLS support group meeting tonight. Out of thirty or more people, there were only two bandsters--three including me who has yet to me banded. The leader of the meeting pretty much said I would fail at this band thing--that most banded she's seen convert to the RNY eventually. She said that most of the lap band folks are not happy with their slow weight loss--and she said that there are so many things that can go wrong--slippage, erosion, etc. She said that I'd have a higher chance of having more surgeries than if I were to have the RNY. She said that if I have a sweet tooth, then the band is DEFINITELY NOT FOR ME. This bummed me out for a---SECOND--then I came to my senses. This is the best and safest way to go. Eventually, I am going to have to come to terms with the type of and amount of food I eat, and even if I were to get the RNY, I'd have to come to terms with eating sugar eventually. From what I hear, the "dumping" gets less and less severe as time goes on. I do have some what of a sweet tooth, but I don't care for sugary liquids at all. I do love cookies--cakes, etc., but I willing to say good-bye to them to regain my health. The main thing I'm looking for in the band is to help control real, physical hunger--not head hunger--but physical hunger--that's all my expectation of the band. It just frustrates me that she (leader of WLS meeting) tried to talk me out of the band. She even mentioned how she's struggling with her weight gain (after 5 years out/RNY) and that she still vomits a lot--and that her teeth are chipping easily (possibly due to a mineral deficiency). Ahh--I don't know. I just want SO BADLY to be successful. I don't expect a miracle cure. I just want help with this journey. Am I asking too much of the band for that--help to curb the ravenous physical hunger? Thanks all for listening...

Hi, all! I'm about 4 weeks post-op. First two weeks--no hunger--lost about 22 lbs so far. Now--the hunger's back--even with eating/drinking protien first. Big Question for those filled: When I get at the right "spot," will I feel like I did when I was first banded? It was really easy for me to resist temptation when I did not feel the pounding hunger in my tum. I hope my fills get me back there...

A few more... MISERABLY BEFORE HAPPILY IN PROGRESS

July 2005 (275 lbs?) Yesterday (Sept. 2007)-220lbs

<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p> </o:p> <o:p>July 2005--275ish lbs</o:p> <o:p> Below: June 2007--240ish</o:p> <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p>

Having a hard time finding the before and after pics. Anyone know?

Sarah--Thanks so much!!!

4-3: JenRN - 263/257/223/150 - 40 total 4-3: jenn28 - 282/265/229/165 - 53 total 4-3: Picardy3 - 298/300/257.5/150 - 42.5 total 4-3: tipper - 300/290/259/165 - 41 total 4-4: Sugar1 - 311/289/231/150 - 80 total 4-4: DeltaDawn - 358/202/179 - 156 total 4-4: Dak – 255/251/205/150 – 50 total 4-4: Angels - 264/255/235/? - 29 total 4-4: Harpseal Al - 327/295/220 - 34 total 4-5: Boo - 208/203/165/132 - 43 total 4-5: siestaqh - 180+/177/117/110 - 63 total--NO MORE BAND :-( 4-6: Disneynut - 290/287/260/125 - 27 total 4-7: Guysis - 234/170/134 - 64 total 4-10: JulieNYC - 358/186/179 - 172 total 4-11: Vickie1177 - 320/297/267/137 - 53 total 4-11: tellymelly - 240/235/143.5/140 - 96.5total 4-11: Fel0816 - 307/284/265/to get under 200 - 42 total 4-11: dsrjrr - 231/230/210/130 - 21 total 4-11: truckinmama - 262/234/160 - 28 total 4-11: waterlily1072 - 354/281/150 - 73 total 4-13: Nursekathy2u - 358/356/335/175 - 23 total 4-13: NJgirl - 248/230/188/140 - 60 total 4-13: Miper70 - 217.5/187/145 - 33 total 4-17: Amourette - 22.5 total 4-17: Jeepergurrl - 242/192/140 - 50 total 4-17: MelAnne - 245/207/150 - 38 total 4-18: KAYBEE-284/198/180 -86 total 4-18: Danaclark2 - 270/260.5/259/150 - 11 total 4-20: TrustUfirst - 210/205/177/135 - 32 total 4-20: Omamoon - 220/211.5/179/130 - 41 total 4-20: KimInMD - 288/288/228/156 - 60 total 4-21: Yoda - 273/257/198/150 - 75 total 4-21: kristielynn - 310/302/237/150 - 73 total 4-22: alisonb - 286/270/176 - 16 total 4-24: Eficka - 125/117/95/69 - 27 kgs/66 lbs total 4-24: Ceparano- 255/270.5/201/170 - 69.5 total 4-24: Kat - 289/281/203/165 - 86 total 4-24: hlj25950 - 262/257/200/160 - 62 total 4-25: momof2boys - 270/266/237/145 - 33 total 4-26: Bostongurl - 264/244/184/150 - 80 total 4-27: tinaj - 226/221/210/150 - 15 total 4-27: lookingout - 185/178/165/101 - 20 total 4-27: flowergoddesstn - 214/204/190/130 - 24 total 4-27: Dimples0323 - 284/284/241/145 - 43 total 4-28: Susan4794 - 283/228/150 - 55 total 4-28: bluehill - 333/228/150 - 105 total 4-28: Irish Girl - 225/214/150/135 - 75 total 4-29: Momofsixkids - 238/188/140 - 50 total <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

4-3: JenRN - 263/257/223/150 - 40 total 4-3: jenn28 - 282/265/229/165 - 53 total 4-3: Picardy3 - 298/300/257.5/150 - 42.5 total 4-3: tipper - 300/290/259/165 - 41 total 4-4: Sugar1 - 311/289/231/150 - 80 total 4-4: DeltaDawn - 358/202/179 - 156 total 4-4: Dak – 255/251/205/150 – 50 total 4-4: Angels - 264/255/235/? - 29 total 4-4: Harpseal Al - 327/295/220 - 34 total 4-5: Boo - 208/203/165/132 - 43 total 4-5: siestaqh - 180+/177/117/110 - 63 total--NO MORE BAND :-( 4-6: Disneynut - 290/287/260/125 - 27 total 4-7: Guysis - 234/170/134 - 64 total 4-10: JulieNYC - 358/216/180 - 142 total 4-11: Vickie1177 - 320/297/267/137 - 53 total 4-11: tellymelly - 240/235/143.5/140 - 96.5total 4-11: Fel0816 - 307/284/265/to get under 200 - 42 total 4-11: dsrjrr - 231/230/210/130 - 21 total 4:11: truckinmama - 262/234/160 - 28 total 4-13: Nursekathy2u - 358/356/335/175 - 23 total 4-13: NJgirl - 248/230/206/140 - 42 total 4-13: Miper70 - 217.5/187/145 - 30 total 4-17: Amourette - 22.5 total 4-17: Jeepergurrl - 242/192/140 - 50 total 4-17: MelAnne - 245/207/150 - 38 total 4-18: KAYBEE-284/198/180 -86 total 4-18: Danaclark2 - 270/260.5/266/150 - 4 total 4-20: TrustUfirst - 210/205/177/135 - 32 total 4-20: Omamoon - 220/211.5/179/130 - 41 total 4-20: KimInMD - 288/288/228/156 - 60 total 4-21: Yoda - 273/257/199/150 - 74 total 4-21: kristielynn - 310/302/237/150 - 73 total 4-22: alisonb - 286/270/176 - 16 total 4-24: Eficka - 125/117/98/69 - 27 kgs/59.4 lbs total 4-24: Ceparano- 255/270.5/201/170 - 69.5 total 4-24: Kat - 289/281/203/165 - 86 total 4-24: hlj25950 - 262/257/206/160 - 56 total 4-25: momof2boys - 270/266/237/145 - 33 total 4-26: Bostongurl - 264/244/184/150 - 80 total 4-27: tinaj - 226/221/210/150 - 15 total 4-27: lookingout - 185/178/165/101 - 20 total 4-27: flowergoddesstn - 214/204/190/130 - 24 total 4-27: Dimples0323 - 284/284/241/145 - 43 total 4-28: Susan4794 - 283/229/150 - 54 total 4-28: bluehill - 333/228/150 - 105 total 4-28: Irish Girl - 225/214/150/135 - 75 total 4-29: Momofsixkids - 238/188/140 - 50 total <!-- / message --> Well--I'm back! Yeah. For those who don't remember--I got pregnant 4 weeks post-surgery. My baby is 6 weeks now, and I got my VERY FIRST FILL on Wed. I gained back my 25lbs-lost with the pregnancy, but I'm back and in action...more to come. <!-- sig -->

Ok, guys-- I've been banded for almost one year and have never had a fill--the reason? I got pregnant just 4 weeks after LB surgery. So--I've been able to eat like I never got the band--occasionally, I'll have an issue with eating too fast, etc., but for the most part--doesn't even seem like I had surgery. I go for my very first fill on March 7. I am extremely worried that I have damaged the band or stretched my upper pouch or something...and the band won't work for me...all that money,time, hope... Do fills really help? When you all are unfilled do you really notice the difference? Like you can eat a whole lot more? I'm hoping the fills will help me with restriction.

Well--I've made it through pregnancy with the band (altought it was never filled-not even once). I'll keep you posted how it goes when I get my first fill. I'm hoping I did no damage, too. That would be horrible to spend all that time, energy, and money on the band only to have it fail... You'll be fine. Enjoy your pregnancy.

Well--I became pregnant just 4 weeks after my surgery. Two weeks before my first fill, the test was positive. I about died...I had just lost 25lbs and was on may way... My baby is 2 weeks old now. I am scheduled for my first fill on March 7, about 1 month shy of my 1 year "bandiversary." I was able to eat normally and gained about 35lbs. I'm really hoping I did no damage to the band while pregnant. I'm really hoping the fills will work.

I'm in the same boat. Less than two weeks ago, I gave birth to my little surprise, Lily Jene. I became pregnant with her just 4 weeks after my lap band surgery--now that's bad, huh? I had just lost 25lbs and was about to get my first fill...needless to say, I never got that fill. Finally, after waiting almost one year, I will get my first fill on March 7. I'm so excited about this and am hoping I get restriction as I had NONE during pregnancy. Here's to a new year!!!

I sure hope so--never been so ready to get this weight off. I was SO excited about gettting my first fill in May--then the positive pregnancy test. Don't get me wrong--thrilled about my little girl coming--but also ready for the weight loss.

Hi, all-- I haven't bee active at all here for the past 9 months. I was banded on April 18, 2006, lost over 25lbs, then found out I was pregnant at the end of May: stupid, I know, though I know my littlel Lily is not a mistake. I'm happy now to say that I'm just over a week away from delivery... On March 7, 2007, I'm scheudled for MY VERY FIRST FILL AFTER 11 LONG MONTHS... My question is this: should I request some type of check to see if my band is still in place, not eroding, etc. before I get my fill? I've never had a fill--was just about to get one when I discovered my pregnancy. Thanks--Dana

Thank you all!!! I cannot WAIT to begin joining you all in our weight loss journey....it's been so long-- 10 more days to go until Lily Jene comes into the world--then the weight loss begins... I haven't vomitted/heaved at all during this pregnancy--just mild heartburn, so I hope my band is in place.

Little different story for me... Was banded on April 18, 2006--got pregnant in May 2006. This was a HUGE whoops! I had just lost 25 lbs and was so, so, so looking forward to my first fill. I felt like the biggest idiot in the world? Who gets pregnat right after WLS? ***By the way, husband is getting "fixed" this fall. But, as life has it, I never got a fill. I'm close to 6 months pregnant now and have gained about 15 of the 25 lost back. I have had NO issues/complications as of yet. I just pray, pray, pray that my band will work for me after the baby's born and after I can get my first few fills. I just hope I haven't stretched the top part of my stomach out too much... Blessings to you when you do try for your little one. They really are such blessings...

Oh, the journey of life--an unexpected blessing has come my way. At only 6 weeks or so post-op, I discovered I was pregnant--not in my plans for the future AT all. I am now almost 9 weeks. I was well on my way--had lost 25 lbs. without my first fill yet. Of course when I discovered I was pregnant, I realized I would not be getting a fill for a long, long, time--probably not until 6 weeks after the baby's born. So--I've been fighting hunger again. I've been slipping back into bad habits: drinking with meals, drinking some carbonation, eating until I am slightly too full...sometimes I do this because I truly feel so down about what is happening--don't get me wroing, I'm thrilled about the new life in me, but I was just so ready to get this weight off... So---to my question---is it easier to slip a filled band or an unfilled band??? I just want to keep this band so badly. I don't want to cause harm to it, so that I can never get a fill--or cause so much harm that I have to have removed before I could even start the real weight loss. I'm not overeating to the point of being sick--I'm just eating way, way more than I did in the beginning after surgery. I haven't vomitted AT all during this whole process--surgery, post-op, early pregnancy, etc. Help!

Melody-- Thank you for being so positive--I've had people post me that pretty much made me feel guilty for getting pregnant so close after surgery, but I know this baby is God's will for my life, so I rejoice in that. I also believe that God lead me to get the lap band, so I'm confident that all will be well after the baby's born, and I'll resume my weight loss then. Sparkling, I know what you mean about the fatigue and lack of exercise. Before I was pregnant, I was jogging up to 2 miles/day and walking 2. At about 6 weeks pregnant, I was so tired, I couldn't do it anymore (and I have three children under the age of 5, so that makes me tired in itself ). Don't worry about your weight gain--just eat healthy foods and do the best you can... I think there are some signs to look for when dealing with a slipped band--more or less restriction (which I don't have much of at all because I have no fill), heartburn--I think that's the most obvious ones. I don't know. I just hope my band stays in place and works. I hope that I'm not stretching the top part of my stomach out too much...we'll see. Did you get a fill before you found out you were pregnant. I never made it that far...

Oh, it's so nice to hear of someone who's going through what I am...let's stay in touch. Right now, I'm 15 weeks and have gained about 8 lbs of my 25 lbs lost. This is my fault. I have been eating too much and too much sugar. My doctor said that I could safely lose weight in this pregnancy because I'm overweight. It's not really working... I just pray that my band stays in place until after the baby's born in January. The doc said I could have my first fill six weeks after baby's arrival. How are you feeling? Take it easy, and congratulations again!!!

Thank you so much, Mary.

Oh, no, you didn't offend me. When I first found out, I cried and cried--felt very stupid. What kind of idiot gets pregnant right after WLS? My husband was angrier with himself than anything. But, now, I've come to terms and am thankful God has given me another wonderful gift. I can't help hope that--and who knows--that God allowed this for a reason and that when I do get my fill six weeks after the baby's born, it will work better than if I had gotten it six weeks after my surgery. So far, I've not gained any weight--I'm almost 11 weeks. My doc. said that because I'm oveweight, I could actually lose up to 50 lbs in this pregnancy and still deliver a healthy baby. Fifty pounds sounds a little much to me, but he's the doc. I'll just be happy if I don't gain any weight during the nine months. Doc. says as long as I am eating 1800 healthy calories, the baby will get what s/he needs. Have a great day!