Kat817

When I say to you I have good restriction, I personally mean.... #1. That I can eat solid Protein without issue. #2. That I get full on just a small amount of food. #3. I stay full for several hours following a meal. #4. I no longer feel "hunger". Hunger meaning, my stomach growling and churning wanting food. Being properly restricted does nothing for head hunger. Yes I have had a PB experience, actually 2--and several times I have slimed, and wanted to lose it, but thought better of it!!! Both times were totally my own fault, for not paying attention. I have to be very careful when I am eating with friends, I tend to slip back into old habits, of big bites, chew twice and swallow. That does not work at all when you have restriction! Chewing small bites very well is very important! When you do have restriction, some people do have problems with some foods. If you cannot eat any type of meat, in my opinion you are too tight! Many cannot eat bread, that is because it tends to swell as it hits liquids---so it is bigger when it gets in there, than it was when you ate it, and you don't have much room in there! It also tends to ball up into dough that is sometimes hard to pass through the band, it doesn't break up well, it wants to pass through in the dough ball it has formed, which is not possible, so it is painful. I have no problem with bread, if I eat it either toasted, or with something else. I have not tried to be honest to just eat a slice of bread---I never would have done that before either! It seems if I have something on the bread, as in a sandwich or something, if I take small bites, and chew it all together well, I have not had a problem. Pasta and rice seem to work the same way, they continue to grow! So watch them very closely when you first begin eating following a fill. I think the biggest issue when getting a fill is to follow the Dr.s recommendations for liquids following it, and if something hurts, if it feels stuck, even if it doesn't result in a full blown PB, go back to liquids for minimally several hours, give your stomach a rest period, so you do not begin a swelling cycle every time you try to eat. Pick moist meats, and chew til you think it is good, then chew some more!!! It makes a huge difference! Take adding in new foods slowly, and keep in mind if it gives you problems today---it may not in 2 weeks. The band is a fickle friend---you never know for sure what today will bring!!! I had a fairly aggresive first fill I thought, at 1.25 in a 4cc. band---and only got a mild change. I did have to slow down, but could still eat a large amount of food if I did not make myself stop on my own. Then my 2nd fill was small only 1/2 a cc. and wham---I got good restriction on that little extra amount---and have been riding with it ever since---that was 7 months ago. So it will vary what kind of result you get---just work with your Dr. he will help you find a good level, without it being too much. Too tight doesn't help anyone, you don't lose more weight, and it increases the Dr.'s chances of you have problems, so he doesn't want you too tight either. It is so individual, you will just have to play it day to day---but it is well worth it! Good Luck!!! Kat

I would go online to San Diego's web site, and see what they have listed. It should show you what price, how far from each attraction--what ammenties each has. I found a huge page full of info at www.sandiego.com it would be a good starting place. Sounds like you all get a good time!!! Congrats on getting a surgery date! Kat

I am a babysitting Granny! I babysit for my grandaughter who was 16 months old when I had surgery. She was walking good, so I could let her hold my hand and climb into the high chair, or up into my lap (oh but thos little elbows were killer!). I tried not to pick her up from a dead lift for about a week, but then, we just went back to life as usual---except for the fact that we can now share a kids meal!!! If she was in my lap, I would go ahead and stand up with her, just holding her close to my body.Now keep in mind she is a small baby. She is 2 now and is not yet 20 pounds. What I tried to avoid was her standing there with her arms out, and me bending and lifting her straight up. I didn't have any problems with it. I had a very easy surgery and easy recovery---I hope you do to!! Several other April surgical candidates have started a thread devoted to you guys!!! They are talking back and forth with us April 2006 banders. We have an exercise challenge going that some want to participate in---others just want to have the support and commeraderie of others banded around the same time. Be sure to check them out, they seem like really fun people!!! Good Luck on your surgery!!! Kat

WTG Dawn---I knew you could do it! Your time will only go down from here---just like your blood pressure numbers---your time will surprise you! When my DH went to the Dr. las week for a check up I insisted on having my BP checked as well (it is so easy to insist when your DD is the nurse!!!). I clocked in at 118/72!!!! I took 2 different meds for my HBP for years!!!! Amazing what weight loss does my Dr. said---he is still considering his wife doing it. She is going to have problems finding a Dr. to do hers, she is not very overweight, he wants it for the diabetes aspects. He said he has been looking into it, and they results are outstanding. He (as a US Dr.) said if the only way she could get it done is to go out of the country, then it would still be worth it! No wonder I had no problem getting him to write my recommendation letter!!! Eficka--Julie is right. I know it doesn't make you any less mad, but in the end I feel like you were saved from someone not good enough. Would he still been so easily swayed 6 months down the road, if he were out drinking alone? And if he is willing to sleep with an obvioulsy drunk woman, with no protection, heaven knows what he could have---and condoms don't protect you from everything. I fully understand you being pissy, I would be too. And my advice, is to let the friendship go---IF she is interested in reviving it, away from where alcohol is, then consider it, but I would not pursue the friendship myself any longer. I felt like I stepped back into the past with your post--I too had a friend who drank like crazy. She would always go after someone elses man---never approach one on her own-ever! And when you were with someone, she told you all the time how much it hurt her, because she like him too.***This is not like your case, I was just referring to the drunk friend!!!!*** Well she was eliminated from the group of friends for the most part. We all went on with our lives, she married, and divorced, has 3 kids,(2 dads). I continued the friendship, I mean we had been friends since 4th grade! I told her straight up she had a drinking problem. Which for years she quit. We fought the court systems for child support, we worked together to keep her kids clothed. I had one Daughter, and a supportive family, but she had 3 kids, no child support, and her family was uncaring. A few years ago, as her kids hit their teens, and life was again difficult she began drinking again. I did my best to deal with it. She knew I didn't approve, and she hid it. We didn't stay in contact like we had been, which was fine. Her youngest daughter called me once for a ride home from a school dance because her Mom was too drunk to come for her. Little things--non stop. She called me one day to see if she could borrow $20.00 to help buy her son some boots. She sent her older daughter to pick it up. Well I wanted to see if Chris (the son) really needed it, or if I was buying the bottle--so I went by her house. Imagine my surprise when I find not only a very innebriated friend at home, but also "at home" is MY EX HUSBAND!!!!!!! He had been living with her for some time!! The same jerk she watched me fight to make help support his daughter. He too is a massive alcoholic--she knew of the abuses and the cheating. But it didn't even register a blip on her radar. My daughter says they stay drunk, and get this they have between them 3 teenage daughters, and a teenage son living at home. My daughter tried talking to her former step mom, his girls mom, she blew it off. It is a terrible situation, but at this point they are functioning alcoholocs---so even the state is not involved! It cost me $27.50 to stop payment on the $20.00 check---and I have never contacted her, nor will I respond to her contacting me. I deserve, and have better friends. She will do nothing but drag me down. I went through this stupid long story because the old saying "leopards do not change their spots" fits your friend. If alcohol is being abused---she is not trustworthy in any way shape or form. And you deserve better in a friend. And the guy is as unworthy as she is. A real MAN would not sleep with a drunk woman just because it is offered. Find you a man that thinks with the head on his shoulders!!! Sorry that was crass, but it fit! I am glad for you that it made you mad enough to vent about---it shows you have self esteem---you KNOW you deserve better! And with that kind of self confidence, you will find one better! Hang in there----it will happen!!! Look how long it took me to get it right!!! Kat

I am sorry you are going through all of this! I look forward to seeing what kind of responses you get. It is something that concerns all of us. If you don't get any responses by morning, "bump" the question. Just enter something into it, and it will bring it back to the top of the current threads. Sunday nights are pretty slow around here---lots of Desperate Housewives fans I think!!! Actually just a lot of people prepping for the week ahead. Welcome to LBT---I hope you get some answers, and some support for the ordeal ahead of you. Best of luck to you! Kat

Have you spoke with your Dr. about another fill? I didn't get much out of my first fill. It did make me slow down my eating a bit. I had apparently slipped back into some bad habits, and was eating too fast. But I could still eat too much. So one month after my first fill, I had a second, and it was a small amount...1/2 cc., but with it came great restriction, my weight started dropping again, and it worked great! That was over 7 months ago. Now like Jack, I am on a plateau. I do not want to get another fill, I still feel like I have fair restriction---I just need to watch my food a little better. But even though the numbers on my scale are not changing, the body fat percentage numbers, and the inches are dropping...now where they are all going I don't know but the scale is stuck!!! It will get to moving again---as soon as I do! Check with your Dr. Having the band, and not working with the fill level is like driving a car, and not adding gas----it is going to stall! Hope you figure it out! Good Luck! Kat

Welcome Deb! Glad to have you here! LBT is an awesome site, full of knowledgable and supportive people. I cannot say enough good things about my band---it has truly changed my life. I feel so good for the young girls (and a few guys) I see here on the site, knowing they are getting help while they are young, and that they won't have to fight it through the years, as you and I have done...I only wish I had done it years ago---or more accurately that it were available to us years ago. You are lucky you have a Dr. near you. Where I live, there are no lap band surgeons in the state! Insurance denied me, twice---a long story---I am now told I could have won in court---but instead I self paid and went to Mexico. Now a year later I am getting there!!! I feel so much better---it is amazing how this changes your life! I have actually hit a plateau for the last month or so---but in its own way even that is comforting, I see I can maintain and live a normal life, without regaining the weight!!! How great is that!!! I look forward to getting to know you, and watch your progress. Look around, ask any questions you may have---we will do our best to help! Once again----welcome! Kat

I'm so sorry----it can be so frustrating. And believe me very few have ever had the problems with the Dr.s nurse that I have. She has never called me a liar to my face, but she has talked back to me, ignored me, rolled her eyes at me.....oh yeah did I forget to mention---she is my daughter????? Which lucky for me keeps me from having issues like this you are dealing with. I read her your post to remind her to treat people right! She said mention it to your Dr. She said her head would be on a platter if anyone complained about her acting like that! I hope you get your meds. I am so glad you realized you could come here and find support for ANYTHING!!! Not just band issues. I can't replace your Mom, but I am willing to listen any time. Now that I am in the*** Mom mode****.....I know it doesn't forgive her actions, but if you saw the nurse as a family friend---maybe you need to check in and see WHY she behaved that way---she may be going through something terrible too. I once got totally pissed at a friend for ignoring a request I made from her. I was a room Mom, and had called asking for her usual help in a school function, and never heard back from her, I called back asking if she was still planning on bringing the things she said she would. The day of the school party, she never even showed up, let alone bring what she said she would. Come to find out, she had her younger son in the hospital with a cancer diagnosis, and she lost him several months later. I felt so petty worrying over sandwiches, when she was facing that. Years later, I faced my own cancer diagnosis, and wonder who I offended in my days of living in a haze. If you truly felt she was a friend, look into it a little deeper. If she has something going on--be her friend even if she can't be yours right now. And if nothing is going on with her, you know she is not the reliable type of person you need in your life, and then I would speak with the Dr. But then when you do speak to him, you can honestly say you tried to find out if there was a problem with her. ***Ok, I'll back out of Mom Mode ***now!!! (((HUGS)))) Hope your day goes uphill from here!

The band does require you to work with it, but it isn't as difficult a thing to do as it seems to be made out to be, in my opinion, although for everyone it does seem to be different. It does require common sense, and the ability to apply that common sense! If you can diet successfully, but have a problem with regaining weight, then this will be ideal is what it boiled down to for me. And seeing the weight drop is massive incentive to continue on! You can and DO see results! Take a tour through the "Before and After" thread!!! TTYL, Kat

Thanks my friends!!! I will be calling Sherry's DH when we get ready to make the big buy---and will for sure try the site. I had never heard of it---this is so cool!!! I got a new monitor last year for my birthday---a big LCD, that takes up so much less room on my desk! So I don't need that! I will keep you all posted. But keep in mind mine is like Betty's situation, if suddenly I disappear.....it is likely the 'puter! I sent Sherry my # too just in case. She is free to give it to any of you guys! (((big hugs))) for all the help!!! Kat

Hi Tracy, welcome!!! I too had high blood pressure, I had for years. I was taking 2 different meds a day for it. Now I take none. I haven't since the day of surgery! I also took Metformin for high blood sugar---I quit it the same day, and all my numbers are excellent now! I went to the Dr. with my DH the other day and while there I had my DD (she is the nurse) check my blood pressure, and it was 118/72. I felt on top of the world!!! If you want the band then stick to your guns. Do not let someone else convince you to have your insides cut and re-routed if that is not what you want done!!! There is a HUGE difference in the surgeries, and in the end they accomplish the same thing. I can tell you many, many reasons I went with the band, but everyone has their own reasons....as I am sure you realize! One thing I will say, is keep the word reversible in mind. If for some reason this does not do well with your previous health issues---it can be adjusted, or in worst case scenario, removed, so you can regain your health. Once they cut your stomach and bypass the intestines---that's it. Forever. If in 10 years they come up with a non invasive weight control---you will be able to share in that. You have not altered anything, that cannot be put back! I do not mean to do what they are doing in reverse...trying to sway you one way over another. Just wanted you to keep that HUGE difference in mind. I had my band done when I was 45 as well. The woman who spoke at the seminar I went to was banded at 45, and she lost 100 pounds in a year---and looked incredible! I haven't lost 100....yet! But I will! I have no doubt in my mind. This has been an awesome year---I cannot believe the changes! I began in a size 22/24, and am now in a 14 pants, and an XL shirt from minimally a 3X. I have lost weight in places, I would never have imagined. My rings, my shoes....everything was/is big! I used to have to use chain extenders on my necklaces, and make sure my watches would be big enough---now I can wear them all, as is right off the shelf. It has been a thrilling year. I have had some serious things happen this year, with my DH, his health was in a bad spot a couple of times, come close to losing him...so I fully believe if we had been able to go normally all year, I would have come closer to the 100 pounds, but as it is....86+ Is huge for me!!!! I am thrilled! I hope all your evaluations and tests go well. Please don't let yourself be swayed by anyone else. Keep your future health in mind, down the road..... Keep us posted as to how your testing goes!! We look forward to getting to know you!! Welcome! Kat

I used Dr. Aceves in Mexico who was mentioned earlier. Before surgery we set up a fill Dr. closer to me, but due to living in a rural area with no lap band surgeons even in my state, it was still a 10 hour round trip. So we also set up an appointment and met with a local oncologist (they are used to accessing ports) in case I had an emergency here. I know many Dr.s will not fill a band placed in Mexico. Be sure you point out that is not your case. If it is an American placed band they look at it differently. People move, they need follow up---seems like these Dr.'s would realize this! Good Luck!!! Kat

Awww you guys----I will save up some of the wonderful sunshine we have going on today for you. Actually we are supposed to be sunny and in the 50's & 60's all week. I LOVE it. I intend to walk outside EVERYDAY!!! Won't have my granddaughter much this week (I hate that) so will have to work on motivation. I can usually be easily persuaded to walk to the park! Maybe I will clean out some flower beds. Betty I am so glad to see you back---I knew something was up when you didn't do a morning check in. Glad all is well. I need to buy a new computer, but am dreading it soooo. I am not very comuter savvy, and I do not want to chance losing the things I have on here---my pics etc. I have the pics all onto disc just in case. I need a new computer jock.....my DD divorced the last one!!! Which was an EXCELLENT thing, not complaining, she deserved much much better, and now has someone much better in her life. Ok, I am off again. I am cruising the site, cleaning the house, reading a book....vegging out---in spurts today!!! Talk to you all in awhile! Kat

Welcome---glad you stepped out of lurker status!!! I hope you are as thrilled with your band and your results as I am. It was without a doubt one of the wisest moves I have ever made for myself! Good Luck with all your appointments--keep us posted as to how it is progressing!! Welcome! Kat

I have a cousin who just moved from Greeley to Kersey. I also have family in Meeker, and several (make that LOTS) scattered around Denver and the surrounding area. Some down in Cortez, others in Colorado Springs....all over CO. I was born in Boulder. My fill Dr. is in Canon City, he also operates in Pueblo. You guys will both see a size 14 again---and less!!! It takes awhile, but it is sooooo worth it!!! Kat

I had a simsilar situation, my breasts without a bra laid on the incision, and sweated (gross but true) and my bra rubbed. I finally got several small pieces of fabric, (from an old VERY soft sheet), and used it to "pad" the incision. I did that for about a month, and then the painof it eased, and the incisions were totally healed, and I quit worrying about infecting them. I still have a couple of bras that seem to hurt---and now I have a small piece of fleece I use with them, right under the band. I avoided the fleece until my incisions fully healed, because I was afraid lint might get into something and infect it! For the most part I never notice any pain in the incision areas anymore---so it does pass!!!! Good Luck, and welcome to bandland!!! And welcome to LBT!!! Kat

I would think it would be ok. You might check into some of the low sodium ones. That should be the only difference. You can't read the label and compare fat content or anything, because the chicken noodle soup label would include the noodles, chicken and veggies in the label. Have you tried some of the better broths out there? I personally found some that I thought weren't too bad. Not much different than what you are wanting to do...and lots cheaper over all I would imagine, since you don't have waste. Now if you have kids or other family you are going to foist your solids off on, it wouldn't just be wasted, then it makes more sense!!! Seriously tho, if you are ok with the broth off of the soup---check into some of the broths or stocks available---they are comparable and taste good. If you are strictly off of food now until surgery---be prepared for the inevitable "liquids in---liquids out" issues with diahrea (however you spell it!!). 2 weeks how excited you must be getting!!! Kat

Hi Lori!!! So you were banded in CO do you live in the area? I used to, and still have family all over the state. We are in New Mexico now. It is pretty normal for weight to drop rapidly then slow or stop for awhile. I understand your body is holding on with all it's got, as it thinks it is being starved! And in comparison to how we ate pre-banding---it is! More water will help with the constipation, and if you continue to have problems, talk with your Dr. mine recommended a stoll softener for awhile, until my body adjusted to my new eating style. You may see and feel a difference with your first fill, or it might not seem like much of a change. My first one, made me slow down, and begin eating smaller bites for sure! I thought I was already eating the bandster way, but without any restriction, I had slowly slipped back into some quick eating habits. My first fill while not giving me much restriction in amount I could eat, made me chew nd slow down. I had a second fill a month after the first, and then I got good restriction. I had it over 7 months ago. I find myself sometimes able to eat more, but not always, so am not intending another fill for awhile yet. It is so good you have a supportive husband, I do not know what I would do without mine! He too is right there beside me encouraging, and it is so helpful!! He is always telling me when he hugs me how much smaller I feel. I don't know if he gets tired of saying it, but I haven't got tired of hearing it yet!!! I began at 289 pounds and am now as of this morning at 202. I wore a 22/24 pants, and now wear a 14.Tops have been slower losing sizes---I have always heavy or thin been top heavy--but I have gone from a 28/30 or 3X to a X large, or a 18/20 in most styles. I tend to still buy my clothes too big. I have to take someone with me, I have issues seeing myself as changed. I look forward to following your progress----it is an amazing help in losing this weight. Tell us all about you-- Kat

HI--it's Kat, we have chatted before. I chat daily in the NJ thread, I haven't heard them say what insurance they each have. It is kinda quiet in there today---but pop over and ask in the thread, they will read it all when they get back and let you know. It is in the New Jersey thread---and we are currently talking in NJ March chat or something like that. They are an awesome group---will help with anything they can. I ended up in there, even though I am in New Mexico----a lot of us are from other states---but they welcome us! Good Luck finding out what you need!!! Kat

Morning everyone- Just stopping in for a few minutes---Rick made it home, no visits from the fence guy while he was gone! We spent the evening with the kids last night, had a nice dinner out. It was the actual day of my grandsons 1st birthday---he was a major grump---being a Mama's boy!!! I think he missed a nap...or 2!!! Hope everyone is doing ok. I am coming down with the sore throat, stuffed up head crap.....yuck! Dianne---it makes me happy to know that your FIL, as sick as he is, has you. You saying you hope you can "give him up" is very telling, that he has a DIL who truly loves him. ((((big hug)))) everyone should be so lucky to have someone in their life care about them that way. To keep that attitude through all you have been going through is really inspirational. Mandy---feeling any better? You being away all day worries, me---hope you are still home improving, and not in the hospital. GET WELL!!! Glad you got your card---sorry the get well message STILL works! Darcy---how goes it with your FIL. I agree that y'all have a heck of a road in front of you. Anytime you need to vent---I'm here. Well I am off to brew some tea---my throat needs it. Talk to y'all soon! Kat

I mean yes it obviously looked suspicious, but in a way, that it looked planned, like they already knew the outcome was not going to be good, so they made sure they were each doing something that "seemed right". It just doesn't feel right. Kat

Looks like you got the ticker figured out!!! Also the losing weight---we all know it will not fall off by itself. The amazing thing about the band, is that the weight you lost, is GONE----it is the maintenance of it no more yo-yoing! Glad you stepped out of lurker status---hang out, tell us about yourself. We look forward to getting to know you! Kat

I have not heard of it happening, but I would imagine if it were approved, you might be able to. But they look for any reason whatsoever to deny it, so it seems pretty chancy to me. I would try to get the approval prior if you need insurance to cover it. Kat

This does not relate to ANS, but to the comments on lowering body temp. They showed us the OR table they would be putting my DH on to do his open heart, and it is cooled and heated....depending on what part of the surgery they are in. Like the blanket, it is cooled and heated with water, inside a channelled stainless steel table. Pretty cool!!! I too was hospitalized as an adult when my fever went above 104.6, and the ER staff went into quick action when they realized how high it was---there was no fooling around at all. I had pneumonia. I would imagine most body guards, are Emergency trained. Even my DH in his job has to have CPR, and first aid training, because he is in charge of other people. I agree, it is concerning not calling 911 way sooner, and makes the whole thing look circumspect. Kat

Welcome to the world of lapband. I think it would be a challenge to find any 2 Dr.'s who do either the banding or the follow up that agree 100% on any aspect of the surgery or recovery, or ongoing care. Some Dr.s have a month of liquids prior to banding, some no pre-op diet whatsover. Some only require diets for high BMI's. Some are full liquid diets, some are low fat or high Protein. Some require a percentage of weight loss before surgery, some are a set amount, some don't require any loss prior. Then you get to surgery...some use 4 incisions, some 5. One Dr. will place your port high, another down at waist level. Some stitch, others glue or staple. Some Dr.s catheterize you---others don't. In the hospital---some keep you on IV, others remove it right away. Some say "use a straw to sip" others swear "straws are evil". Some do your surgery as a day surgery, in & out in the same day, others are in for 1-2 or even 3 days. Then it would be a whole new thread to even touch baseon how many different directions we all got on what to eat and when and how to eat it. YES it does get confusing, and intimidating. It leaves you wondering if there is a right way or not. What it boiled down to for me, was this. I chose my Dr. from the thousands who do the surgery, for certain reasons. I decided not only is he the one who will cut on me, and bring me through the surgery, he is the one I will listen to---it is his guidelines I will follow. I do not expect others to follow MY plan---neither do I expect, nor appreciate, them wanting me to blindly follow theirs. I have been on this board for almost a year now, and I have not heard of one person dying---and I know if one of us had, it would have been reported and mourned. So that tells me that even tho we all follow different guidelines, and plans through our Dr.'s---they must keep us within a range that is acceptable with the band. I fully believe there are things we can do, or not do, that will affect the health of both us and our bands. Some of it our Dr. will touch on--or maybe even more than touch---some things they will "forbid". But what it boils down to is common sense. If there is a viable reason to avoid something, then that is what we should do. Aspirin for instance. Yes I could likely take it today and it not bother me, I could maybe take it for weeks or months without issue. But common sense tells me, that would be hard on my pouch....it is my call, and I see good reason not to do it. So I don't. I feel the same way with certain foods and drinks...if I feel it is not band friendly--I intend to avoid it---regardless what my Dr. or anyone elses Dr. tells me, or them. I have a brain and I will use it along with the information and guidelines given to me by the Dr. There are entire threads dedicated to what each Dr, allows. There is for instance an entire thread concerning how much fill you have in your band. That is so individualized, it seems inconsequential to compare. We are all different, our fill levels will be different, our tolerence to foods will be different, our recovery, and lives with bands will all be different. So while I see where you are concerned with whether or not your Dr. is doing all he should or shouldn't....it should be a whole package that you accept when you choose the Dr. As I said before each one does things differently...good or bad. Most weight is lost prior to surgery due to strict pre-op diets. It doesn't sound like yours put you on one. And most Dr.'s site the reason that cosean stated--- it helps in manuevering the liver. Simply because he didn't prescribe you a pre-op diet, there is nothing stopping you from doing a smart, health concious diet prior to surgery. I would not do anything real drastic without his consent and approval. Only because you do not want to run down your system without his knowledge. But healthy eating...watching your calorie count, increasing your protein, decreasing fats and sugars---is not going to hurt you in any way. Same with giving up the Diet Coke. Have you ever seen the show they do, pouring Coke over the piece of steak and the nail? Withdrawals from the caffeine, and the habit may not be fun---but can be done!!! I am living proof! I looked back through my journal, and in my case by the time I was 4 months out I had lost 43 pounds. I know of others who have lost more, and others who have lost less. But you should be able to be down a size or 2 by the time of sons wedding without too much problem. Especially if you work it! Keep in mind though, that the less you have to lose, the slower it is to lose it. I began in a size 22, and am now in a 14. Working out will help in a BIG way!! I wish we had a YMCA here...I am finally to a point I would get in a swimsuit and go...but we don't only a couple of snooty clubs. Hang in there---through all the opinions and advice, keep your head about you---and listen to yourself (you usually know good/bad, right/wrong, if you just listen) and your Dr.---and you will be fine. Nerves are getting to you!!! Very normal!! We will be here---just pop in and have a little melt down anytime!!! Kat