Nobody's Girl

Here are three after photos untitled.bmp

These are my before and after pictures. I am two years post-op. I lost most of my weight (50lb total) in the first year. The past year I been at a plateu. I want to lose 30 more pounds, but I thought I would post my pics so far... These three pics are my "before" pictures, the three in the post below are my "afters".

I had my Lap-Band surgery one year ago. After I had it adjusted a couple times and felt some restriction (around last December) I noticed some changes. One being that I have permanently dry lips. They are dry and chapped constantly! It's not big cracks like I used to get in the winter when I lived in Minnesota, but instead the skin on my lips is forever peeling off. I know this is graphic, but it's like they are shedding! All the time! I have tried every kind of chap stick and lip repair treatment, and nothing really helps. I still put chap stick on about every 10 to 15 minutes, and sleep with it on. I live in a very humid part of the country, so it's not like the air is dry outside. And none of the other skin on my body is dry, just my poor lips. I thought it could be a Vitamin deficiency, but I take a daily vitamin. Have any of you experienced this? It is embarrassing and unattractive, what can I do? Thanks

UPDATE: I finally have a hold on my peeling lip problem. Here's what I found: 1) The two lip treatments that work best for me are blistex in the blue tub (or is it carmex?) and BURTS BEES original lip balm. Burt's bees is really the only thing that helps significantly thou. I buy it in huge quantities from eBay, lol. 2) I am trying to drink more Water but I haven't really seen a correlation there. I’m sure it doesn’t hurt thou. 3) Most Importantly: I said in my original post that I took a Vitamin daily. But truthfully I only remembered sporadically. I started with a new personal trainer who made sure I took a vitamin pill EVERYDAY and also has me on a daily Protein shake that is very high in Vitamins. I found that as long as I remember to take my vitamin EVERY SINGLE DAY, my dry lips clear up in about one week. However, if I forget to take my vitamin for even two days in a row, my lips start “shedding” again and it takes a week of daily vitamins to fix them. I looked online and it says a deficiency in the vitamin B2 and a few other vitamins can cause this condition, so I guess that’s what’s going on with me. It also suggests taking a daily hair & nail supplement which I also do for my hair that is falling out. I just wanted to share this discovery with you, I hope if anyone else is having a similar problem this will help.

Yes I agree that the problem is proabably with hydration. I don't really drink any water during the day, but I will make a real effort to step it up to see if that helps.

OK here is my new baby: This pic isin't MY bike, but its pretty much the same thing, I haven't taken pics of mine yet (cuz I lost my camera). I bought it a few months ago after selling my Yamaha R6 and I counden't be happier! It's a 2003 Kawasaki Z1000, a naked streetfighter. In-line four cylinder engine, Liquid-Cooled, fuel-injected, 130 hp to the rear wheel, 170mph top speed. My bike has a wrapped shorty exhaust under the bike, no windsheild, no rear views, black high gloss rims, and everything else is blacked-out with black powder coat. Iv'e had it 2 1/2 months and Ive put 6,000 miles on it already. I'm learning to stunt on it too because I just feel so comfortable on it. So... what do ya'll think????? :smile::wub::smile::wub::sad::wub:

2003 Kawasaki Z1000 Street Fighter I love it more than life itself. Once you go naked you never go back!!! Before this one I had a Yamaha R6, and before that a Kawasaki Ninja. I also ride all kinds of dirtbikes. I liked them all, but seriously, naked bikes are where it's at!

I know but I just can't stand the way rear views, blinkers, and liscense plates look! lol Its so streamlined and pretty now... Hopefully I won't crash and burn anytime soon. That reminds me thou, everyone be very careful on your bikes this season! Bikers have been dying left and right in the last few weeks, at least in my town. Don't be a "squid", wear your gear!!!

I moved to Texas 2 ½ years ago from the north because I am a cowgirl and I wanted to fit in better. Well, actually I pretty much came here to try meet a cowboy. I have had NO LUCK at all, and it’s very frustrating & depressing. Last week I was telling my friend that I’m “giving up on cowboys” because if I won’t settle for anything but a cowboy then I might be alone forever! Lol Well anyway, I was working at a rodeo on Saturday night and I met a bullrider. He was the most handsome cowboy there, I couldn’t believe he actually wanted to talk to ME! We all went to the bar after the rodeo and my girlfriends were hitting on him but he wasn’t interested in anyone but me. He was so sweet, I was just about falling in love with him right then and there! He lives in Oklahoma so I will probably never see him again, but that’s ok. The night was perfect, it was just what I needed. Lately I have been thinking I will never find a good guy to date, that no one will ever want me. But interacting with him that night showed me that I AM beautiful and that I am worth it. I can get a good cowboy, I shouldn’t have to settle for less because I think a guy is out of my league. They’re ALL in my league now. I feel so good.

I just go on liquids for a couple days then don't overeat and it seems like that works.

I rode the DAY i got home from durgery and I was fine! I dont know if i was supposed to ride that soon but you know I cant live w/o my bike!

Sorry you haven't gotten any replies to this thread, you might try posting it in the general forum. But in general, you will find that when you talk to people on here we are all mostly happy with out bands and would suggest them to others who are overweight. Just keep doing research and monitoring conversations on this site and you will the the truth about what it's like to live with a band.

I am from Andover as well! I had surgery in August 08 in Mexico. And my mother-in-law also lives in Andover and got her lap band in January in Mexico too. :smile:

I relate to you feeling that you are "The fattest girl" at the party and no one will talk to you. I am a cowgirl in Texas and I love to go out to honky-tonk bars here. In Texas, the whole reason that you go out to bars is to listen to the band and dance (two-step). It really fun, everyone dances with everyone! I am a good dancer... but NO ONE every askes me to dance! Every once and a while a super creepy old guy will but theyre usually gross. I go to the bar with my best friend (who is very pretty and thin) and within 10 minutes of walking in every guy in the bar is asking her to dance, and I sit all by myself the rest of the night. IT SUCKS. I have lost half of the weight that I need to and I still have trouble with this. But I think its really more about how I carry myself. I get so depressed and sad that no one is talking to me that I put a sour face on, and who wants to ask the girl pouting in the corner to dance? I need to change my attitude and not be discouraged if it takes a while for someone to ask me to dance.

Hey girl! I also had surgery in August 2008. I have only lost 30 lbs. However, I don't think that I'm a failure! I am happy for the weight that I have lost and I have confidance that I will lose the weight eventually if I keep working on it. You know, I had only lost 20lbs in the 9 months after my surgery. I had a fill not too long ago and thats helping... maybe you need a little fill?

If your insurance will pay for it then why not? This is what I don't understand. I was self-pay and I always wonder why obese people don't get this surgery when their insurance would pay for it. It adjustable and removeable, so if worse comes to worse you can have it unfilled or even removed. What do you have to lose? It seems like a no-brainer to me!

I feel you on this one. I had surgery one year ago. I used to be bubbly, outgoing, friendly, and positive. Lately I have been so sad, depressed, lonley, and crabby. And when I drink I get worse. I coulden't figure out why but now I think it's because I don't have food to help me deal with my problems like I used to. It's getting worse, I think I'm going to make an appointment with a counselor today.

Just because youre eating the required amount of protein doesn't mean your body is getting everything that it needs. Your body requires 21 essential amino acids, which are in the protein you eat. However, different forms of protein (beef, chicken, eggs, nuts) all are made of different KINDS of amino acids. So if you are only eating one or two kinds of protein you may not be getting all of the amino acids that your body requires. This can lead to many health problems, realized or not. (AMINO ACIDS AND VITAMINS/MINERALS ARE NOT THE SAME THING, YOU NEED BOTH) *Note- eggs are the best source of protein, because they are 94% complete protein (they have 94% of the 21 essential amino acids that you need). But even eating just eggs still won't provide you will all the amino acids you need to survive.

I am from Anoka MN and I had to fly to Mexico fro my surgey at a BMI of 32. It was well worth it.

Mine havent shrunk. Ive changed from a 42DD to a 38DD. Im losing everywhere else thou.

Actually, It's Science! :smile2:

I also find myself fighting the band. I don't want to. It's like my body takes over and I have no control... like an out-of-body experience, I can't explain it. I will force food down, no matter how much it hurts. I will wash meals down with water so I can eat more. I will stick my finger down my throat to throw up so I can continue eating. WHY DO I DO THIS??????

Yeah I have experienced that. It makes me want to scratch my chest really bad all of a sudden! LOL. It doesn't happen to me every time thou.

I have long, curly, course, thick hair and I am literally an EXPERT at taking care of it. I teach clinics about how to take care of curly hair. I'm actually thinking of writing a book! So needless to say, I could go on forever here... But to sum it up, I would say the #1 most important factor in keeping curly hair healthy is DEEP CONDITIONING TREATMENTS. These are conditioners that are meant to be used on the hair once a week or so. You put them in and put a plastic shower cap on your head. You now have two options: sit under a dryer on high heat for 15-25 min and get your hair as hot as poddiable (this gets the best results). If you dont have a way to heat your hair, you can sleep with the treatment in your hair and shower it out in the morning (then shampoo and condition as usual). You can find single-use packets of deep conditioners at Sally's. Some brands I like are Aphogee, Henna & Placenta, Dr. Miracle, Beyond the Zone, Silk Elements... the list goes on forever. IF YOU HAVE CURLY HAIR AND NEED HeLP CARING FOR IT PLEASE PM ME! I would love to help!

If it hurts or feels very uncomfortable, youre doing it wrong. It takes some getting used to but once you get the hang of it it can be awesome!