vlb11752

I have had anethesia several times...always get depressed after...lasts for about 3 days for me. As far as looking at the total amount you have to lose...try little goals first. I started out saying oh my gosh I have a 145 lbs to lose...now I say only 55 lbs to lose...sounds better. Also, go out and buy a pair of jeans 2 or 3 sizes smaller than you wear...make them a goal...personally I waited too long to try mine on and they were too big...lol...gave them to a friend and bought smaller ones!!!! Hang in there soon you will know this is the best thing you have ever done for yourself!!!

I too lost weight on weight watchers...I lost 50 and my dh lost 90...we both gained it back. I must have lost thousands of pounds over the years and regained every one and more. I wish this surgery had been available 25 years ago when I was almost 30...whatever you decide get the weight off and keep it off...25 years from now your joints will love you for it...not to mention your heart and liver. Lapband was best for me...you will find what is best for you...I have not regretted getting the band for even 1 minute in the last 10 months...I don't think you would either Good Luck in finding your best solution!!!

I wasn't afraid of surgery, I was afraid of failure after. But my dh is the best in the world. Actually the day of surgery I was fine (except for hating the IV..my veins were the only skinny thing about me). They put the IV in, my wonderful doc came in and talked very seriously to me and very encouraging and assured me that he would not do anything to endanger my health if thing didn't look right in there. By this time I think it was dh that needed sedation. The nurse gave me a little happy juice, and about 30 minutes later the anethesiologist came in and said time for kisses...dh and I told each other we loved each other and just when his lips touched mine, I was out....the anethesiologist had PERFECT timing...I think he had been practicing that move....lol After it was over I woke up joking with the doc and the nurses...and the doc said I want her up in 30 minutes....my room wasn't ready so they moved me to a quite part of recovery and found me a chair...and I was up in 30 minutes...whew...I stayed overnight and was up by my own choice about every hour or so walking the hall....did not have even one moment of gas pain from the surgery... Best thing I ever did for myself!!!!! I would do it again tomorrow it I had to

It calms down after a while. My husband used to think it was hysterical. When we were out and public I would just make a face and him..like it was him that was making that noise. I occasionally have the throat gurgle thing and hope that my clients don't hear it on the phone. Oh well...I may gurgle and growl...but I'm getting cuter by the minute...lol

For me there are certain things that just have to be GULPED or BIG GOOPY bites...soda, beer, and cheeseburgers...if you can't gulp it's just not right...so I've given up soda, beer and really good cheeseburgers.... It hasn't been bad, but now and then I sure miss my Mountain Dew...however, occasionally, you can find Mt. Dew or Coke Icees at Target...they switch flavors so its hit and miss, but what a treat when they have them

Went to my support group meeting last night and the guest speaker was a plastic surgeon. I feel so discouraged right now. I've been overweight since I was 10...I'm 54...needless to say the hanging skin is horrible. With about $50,000 I can have everything done. It might as well be $500,000. How do you choose what to have done when it all bothers you. I guess I will just never wear a bathing suit again...the thighs and arms gross me out...the stomach hangs...the back hangs...the butt is non-existent...the breasts getting kind of empty. Oh but I FEEL better. Sorry, just had to vent. If you've got an extra few thousand laying around, send it over...lol My hubby will love me anyway...I hope

I've been doing pretty good, but back when I had my first fill which made 1cc in a 4cc band. Did great had some restriction. Then I got another fill which made 1.25cc did great. Then I got another fill which made 1.5cc. Could only tolerate that for about 3 days. Was unfilled back down to 1.25cc. Did ok then the weight started going up and down. Went back for another fill up to 1.5cc again. I hung in there for 2 weeks but only had about 4 meals in that time and could barely drink Water. So had another unfill back down to 1.25cc. I did fine lost 13.9 lbs in those 2 weeks I was too tight. I knew I would gain some back from the unfill, but that was ok. I gained 5 lbs. After that I was losing. I lost the 5 I had gained back plus 2 more. But now, one morning I weighed 193.4 lbs. The NEXT morning I weighed 206.6 lbs. How do you gain 13 lbs litterally overnight? I have taken a couple of those lbs off, but....I don't understand. I watch what I eat and the amount and I exercise. I don't seem swollen. How much does everyone else have in a small band?

Sorry this is so long, but I am so frustrated this morning. I only have 1.25cc in a 4cc band. I've had 2 fills up to 1.5cc and each time the extra 1/4cc had to be taken out because I couldn't eat. Last time I thought maybe I didn't wait long enough for the swelling to settle before I had it taken out so this time I waited 2 weeks. It was over Christmas and New Years..I was miserable. Finally, my best friend and hubby made me call the doctor. I lost 13.9 lbs in those two weeks. After the fill was removed, I gained 5 lbs. I could live with that, I hadn't eaten in two weeks. Then the next couple of weeks I lost 1.5 and 6.5 lbs. This morning (I weigh every Monday morning), I had GAINED 13.2 lbs. I have been careful, I am exercising. I just can't seem to get to that 100 lb lost mark. Granted I am thankful for every pound I have lost. But it's not enough. I'm only 5'3" ranging between 206 and 193 is not good enough. Anyone else have this problem? Any suggestions?

Thanks for the help and encouragement!

You can't lose your job for taking 401k money. Its yours. You can usually take up to 1/2 of it and pay it back with interest to yourself. I had left a job and still had a 401k with them that I had not rolled over to my new job. I cashed out the whole thing and paid for my surgery and paid off our credit cards. Of course I'm paying taxes out the rear this year (but medical costs are tax deductible). 401k rules are governed by the federal government. They don't want you to take out the money, but ultimately it is your money.

Had surgery on Tuesday, back to work on Monday. Desk job in commercial insurance. Files are heavy sometimes, but a friend carried those for me for a couple of days.

Mine was not long after banding...went out with family for a birthday...lots of people...talking...laughing...good time...food came...mine had fries...talking to someone...picked up a big ol fry...popped it in my mouth...chewed a couple of bites and swallowed. My hubby saw me do it...we looked at each other with that OH CRAP look....and I headed toward the restroom...no more dinner for me. Now when we are out like that with a lot of people...he sits next to me...and if I start to do that he reaches over and touches my hand to stop me....he watches me better than I do sometimes...he's such a sweetie

The only thing that effected me....I FIT in the seat with SOMEONE ELSE...it's such an NSV not to be afraid you will have to get off because a seatbelt doesn't fit...go, ride, scream, laugh...think how much more stamina you will have...!!!!!....ROLLER COASTERS RULE!!!!!!!!!!!!

My doc told me no microwave. And I do seem to have more problems eating things from the microwave. I can heat things (except meat) just a bit and do ok, but to fix a whole frozen meal...it just wont work. I make wraps or pita sandwiches for work. There are so many kinds of wraps and the variety of things you can put in one keeps me from getting too bored. If I do take leftovers from home, such as some kind of meat of chicken, or like today quesidillas, I heat them in the toaster oven we have in the break room.

I actually started this band journey when I was diagnosed as diabetic (no meds,diet contolled). I weighed 287 lbs. in October. I tried the diet, the I discovered the band and went to a seminar. So the day before surgery (Tuesday), I made a chart. I was told I should average 1 - 2 lbs per week. I put the date of the first Monday and the weight at 287 lbs. I put the date of every Monday and a 1 lb. loss on the chart. With the diabetic diet and the pre-op diet, my first loss recorded was 30 lbs...so I was way ahead of the game. I weigh every day, but I only record on Monday. I keep track of what I weigh...what date that reflects (which I am several months ahead)...how much I have lost in the week....the total loss...and every 4 weeks I average for the month. I know it sounds kind of complicated, but if you saw the chart you would know it isn't. I may gain a pound in the week, but I am still WAY ahead of the game.

I told everyone the truth. There are 21 people in my office and probably 17 of them know, my actual boss is in another city and she probably told 10 people there. These people have been my biggest cheerleaders. I went through about 2 weeks when my band was too tight that I had about 4 meals in all that time. I got to looking kind of bad and everyone was concerned and told me I had let it go on too long. My bosses boss even told me if I didn't call the doctor he would! Why lie? You are doing something great for yourself which I think is commendable.

I am so fortunate to work where I do. The people I work with all know about my band. Everyday someone makes some encouraging statement. I work in an insurance office so we have a very nice digital camera. The "keeper of the camera" takes after pictures every few weeks. Everyone is very concerned with my health and ask often "but how do you feel" when I tell them wonderful they are happy for me. When we have a big luncheon and food is catered, the lady that does the ordering has made it a point to know what I can and cannot eat and she always makes sure that something is on the menu that I can safely enjoy! Two years ago God put me in the right place for work and personal support and guided me to a great surgeon...how blessed I am!!!

At one point in our lives my hubby lost 90 lbs and I lost 50. Let's just say there was "new territory explored"....he gained back the weight and so did I... Now I've lost 90 lbs and he has decided its time for him to get back on weight watchers... Weight loss makes a big difference in how close you can get and the that pesky pad of fat in the genital area Better sex is one of the biggest NSV's...a personal favorite of mine!!!!lol

I am so excited...and nervous...I'm being banded March 14. Would love to see who else is being banded this month, where you are from, and who's doing your banding!

Aren't we all cute!! Here's to 2007 being a wonderful year! I'm now in onederland for the first time in 25 years!!!! Only 51.6 lbs. to go!!!! Keep up the good work everyone!!!

Yeah I hit onederland this morning!!! However, its probably temporary. I'm having a hard time with fills. Back in September the doc put in 1/2cc which put me up to 1-1/2 cc's in a 4cc band. That lasted a couple of days I couldn't stand it...even Water was gurgling. The doc took out 1/4 cc. Did ok and lost, but for the last couple of months I've just been averaging 3 lbs a month. So a few days before Christmas he put back the 1/4 cc. I haven't been able to eat anything. Even my very thin Protein Shakes make me slime. Even coffee and sometimes very small sips of water make me slime. So its back to the doc today to have the 1/4cc taken back out. I've lost 13.9 lbs in 13 days, not good, I feel horrible. Some of that will come back I'm sure, but onederland looks good this morning. Anyone else have a 4cc band that can't tolerate more than 1-1/4 cc?

When I told people about my band, THEY were afraid I wouldn't cook anymore. I do all the Thanksgiving cooking for about 30 people. I've been writing my own cookbook for years. I love the food network. I've been banded since March 06...I still love to cook...I still collect cookbooks...I still eat...I fixed Thanksgiving dinner...all the old tried and true favorites. The only thing that was difference was...I didn't eat a gigantic plate of food. I cooked yesterday for Christmas. I did have to send more leftovers home with people because DH didn't have much help from me for leftovers...lol! The only thing I crave and truly miss is a big ol Subway sandwich. Holidays and family meals...and going out to eat is more about the company and enjoying the time spent together... Oh and a big plus...I wasn't totally exhausted and barely able to walk after all that cooking like in years past...instead of 3 days of cooking because I had to sit down so often, I cut it down to 2 days...it was alot easier on me!!

My port is about 3 inches to the right of midline...about halfway between my waistline and bra line...doesn't get in the way of anything. The only time it bothers me is when I lean over the bathtub to clean it. It is much easier to find now that I have lost 75 lbs. But its still not readily visible.

Awww...the memories...living in Oregon...hot tub...in the snow...nothing like it!!!

It's a strange thing...I'm not huge, but ample. I've worn a C cup since I was in my teens..ranging from a 44 to a 48...well the 44's got too big so I went to the store bought 42C's...came home and tried them on and the cups were too SMALL...so back to the store...now I wear a 42D...doesn't make sense to me but hey...I still have boobs! I think I'm loosing around and the side boobs are going but he actual breast tissue isn't...it probably depends on how much of your breasts is fat tissue and how much is actual breast tissue. Just my thoughts