chrisssssy

Hi everyone.....I think we r all in the same boat regardless of how much we lost.....2 plus yrs out is hard 2 stay on track nd focused!!! I'm so close 2 my goal weight but just haven't made it yet! I think a support system is so important....prob more so now than b4! Noone can understand what its like unless u r living it!

I love this idea!!! I am currently have great success with my band! I am almost 18 months post op and I have lost 150 pounds!! food is still a struggle and prob always will be!!! Does this program work like AA and have sponsors and such? I have mastered the lap band aspect of this whole journey, but I still feel like I am a food addict even tho I dont eat like I once use to!! I guess that just doesnt go away just because you lose the weight! I have always considered myself a "spiritual" person, but not always religous! I am going to have to do some more research on this, but I would welcome any thoughts, advice and knowledge on this! Thanks!!! : ) Much love and success to everyone!!! Thanks! Chris

Hey everyone!!!! Can you believe it has been a year already?? Where does the time go??? How has everyone been doing since being banded?? The band was the best thing I could of ever done for myself!!! I was banded Sept 30th and I weighed 299 and as of today I am down 165!!!! I have lost 134 pounds.....I never thought that was possible! I was hoping to have lost 100 in the first year....I am very pleased!!! More than anything I just love being a healthier and happier person! I would love to hear about all your successes!!!! Heres to us! Cheers!!!!

I was just curious if there were anyone out there from the Youngstown area. I have an appointment with Dr Vanek. I would love to hear about your experiences! Thanks! Chris :biggrin2:

I honestly think it has to be the all the above answer!! I give it 100% and I have been having great success!! I journal everything, and try to make good quality food choices, I only drink water and lots of it. Of course exercise is key! I know it is alot, but after you start doing it, it become second nature! I was banded Sept 30th and as of today I am down 70 pounds! I never thought it was possible! The band works, but it is just a tool....you still have to do the work! Best of luck to you!

Hi everyone!! I am just checking in and to see how everyone is doing and post my progress! I just had my 3 month check up and had my first adjustment (fill) I am down 69.5 pounds and my BMI has gone from 45 to 35!!! I am thrilled with my success!!!! I just wish I could see it more when I looked into the mirror! The scary thing is I am still wearing some of the same clothes I did at 299 pounds! Of course everything I own is elastic! So I am trying to figure out if I was squeezing into things I shouldnt of or does the elastic just grow really big! LOL I refuse to buy anything elastic from here on out!! Where is everyone else at on their weight loss journey?? Oh I was banded Sept 30!! Have a great day and hope to hear from you soon! Hugs! Chris

Well I was banded in Sept and I dont have anything bad to say! (I am down 65 pounds) I do not have constant stomach rambling or noises. If you decide to do this, I would just recommend that you follow your doctors instructions and you will be fine! Trust me I have pushed the envelope a few times and ended up in pain or puked but it was my own fault! Good luck to you!

Hi all you Sept banders~~ happy holidays!!! I just wanted to check in and see how everyone is doing! I was banded Sept 30th and so far all is going well! I have lost 63 pounds to date and I still have NOT had a fill! My doctor likes to wait, so I go for my first fill on jan 7 and I am ready for it! I am starting to feel hungry and it is getting much harder with the smaller portions! My goal for 2009 is more exercise! Where is everyone else at? I would love to hear from you all! Have a happy and healthy New year! Cheers! Chris : )

Hi everyone!!! I have banded 9/30 and to date I am down 43.5 pounds! I went to the dr today for my 6 week checkup and they said since I am losing so quickly and I am not feeling that hungry that I should wait another month to have my first fill! I have mixed emotions about it, but I figure the doctor knows best and who am I to doubt him! I think I am the only Sept bander that hasnt been filled yet! ugh!! How is everyone else doing?? I am down 40 pounds and still wearing the same clothes can you believe that? Granted they are getting loose, but OMG can you believe I smashed my butt in those jeans! LOL

I went back to work on monday! Today is 3 weeks since my surgery and I feel great! I could of went back after 2 weeks, but I had the time so I took it! I work at the post office and I do alot of lifting so I didnt want to push it to much! I know for myself 1 week would not of been enough time, but everyone is different. Good luck and keep me posted! I would love to hear about your journey! I actually go for my first fill the day you think your surgery might be.....we can compare notes! : ) Chris

I bought all kinds of things for post op and I actually didnt need any of it! I would say just make sure you have plenty of protein, your calicum and your vitamins. Broth, jello, crystal light, might be good staples for you. Good luck with your surgery!

Hi Lisa! Congrats on getting your surgery approved!! I was just banded on Sept 30th and it has been wonderful so far! It is truly a learning experience, and day by day it is getting easier! This site is amazing you will love it!! Where in Ohio are you? I live in Ohio too! I was banded by Dr Vanek at St joes in Warren.....how about you?

This has not happened to me, but the last time I met with my nutritionist she told me that alot of people have a hard time with food that is heated in the microwave because it cooks from the inside out and can be to dry to tolerate. She actually recommends when you get to the solid food stage to try and avoid frozen meals because of that reason! I know everyone is different and evey doctor is too.....just wanted to share what i learned with you! I hope this passes soon for you I know how uncomfortable it can be! Good luck!

If you are having chest pains you really need to call your doctor! That is nothing to mess around with! Please dont wait.....I would hate for something to be wrong with you and you are ignoring it!! Keep us posted on everything! Good luck to you!

I would call and see if you can have your fill moved up. That seems like a long time to get a fill? I was just banded on Sept 30th and my first fill is Nov 12 and I am starting to really feel hungry so I am thinking to give it another week and call and see if I can have my fill sooner! Hang in there you can do this....you didnt go through all this to fail! Good luck to you!!

Hi there! I was glad to see your post.....so I know I wasnt alone in this department! I had my surgery Sept 30 and it took my 3 weeks to go on my own.....I use to be an everyday "pooper' now it seems to be every few days and it is strange to me! My doc told me not to worry that I am not taking as much in so there isnt as much to come out! Hang in there and hopefully we will all become "regular" soon! Other than, how is everything else going? Chris

Hi everyone!!! I just wanted to check in and see how everyone is doing! I was banded Sept 30 and it has been going really well! I am down 35 pounds (including my weight loss pre-surgery) I am in blenderized food now and I am starting to feel hungry.....that concerns me a tad! I am determined to do this, so I wont give into it! My computer crashed right after my surgery so I havent been online lately and it was driving me crazy! So I would love to hear how everyone is doing! Take care and I hope the weight is melting off of you all! Chris : )

Hi there! I am not trying to sound like I am preaching to you at all so please dont take this that way at all!! You really need to up your exercise, your protein (including shakes) you CAN NOT eat fast food at all!!! In order to lose the weight you have to put forth the work, it isnt just going to melt away! Do some major soul searching and figure out why you did this in the first place and get adjust your attitude! You can do this and you are worth doing it!

Hi falcon! I can not speak for monkey but I was banded on Sept 30th and the doctors were very concerned that I list 20 pounds before so that I could shrink my liver and lose some fat around the liver. If your liver is to fatty they are unable to put the band in place and they cant tell that until they are in you. So my best advice is to try and lose some weight before surgery! Good luck to everyone!

I am orginally from the pgh area and I moved to Ohio. I considered going to magee to be banded because their reputation was so great! I am about 1 1/2 hour from there so I decided to look into hospitals around here, I found a great one and I was banded Sept 30th! I am down 25 pounds already! It was a great decision! I wish you all the best of luck! Where in Westmoreland county are you? My mom still lives there in west newton.

Wow I cant believe that I am finally banded! This journey was years in the making! I flip flopped with this decision! When the time was right I knew I had to have to the procedure done! I have 2 beautiful daughters and I needed to be healthy so they can be heathy! I am in a little bit of pain, but it is not terrible! I am shocked that I am not hungry! I am confident and happy in my decision to do this! I feel a sence of pride and it has been a long time since I have felt that! Well this is day 3 of my brand new life.....I love it!

Wow I cant believe that I am finally banded! This journey was years in the making! I flip flopped with this decision! When the time was right I knew I had to have to the procedure done! I have 2 beautiful daughters and I needed to be healthy so they can be heathy! I am in a little bit of pain, but it is not terrible! I am shocked that I am not hungry! I am confident and happy in my decision to do this! I feel a sence of pride and it has been a long time since I have felt that! Well this is day 3 of my brand new life.....I love it!

Hi there! I was also banded on the 30th! There is so much to learn through this whole journey! Right now you should just be following what the dietician gave you. In the up coming days and weeks you will be adding more and more! Tomorrow is my big day for adding the Protein shakes. I know my self right now I could not imagine taking in 8 ounces at once! I am going to be going 3-4 oz shakes and each one has 20 grams of protein. My goal is 60-80 grams of protein a day, I am really going to do this as hard as it may be in the beggining! Other than that how are you doing? Are you in much pain? I have to admit that I am uncomfortable, but after having 2 c-sections this isnt nearly as bad! Good luck to you! If you ever want to talk let me know I would love to compare "notes" with someone that went through this the same time I did! Take care and stay healthy! Chris

Hi everyone! I am being banded tomorrow! I just wanted to drop in for any last minute pointers, tips, advice, encouragement.........I am ready for this!! Keep me in your thoughts and prayers! Anyone else out there newly banded?? Chris : )