Cindy C

Was 48 when I was banded. 51 now. You're never too old!

I've been over weight since I was about 4 years old. I never had the will power to lose it and keep it off. The band is a tool and only works as well as what you put in to it, but yes....it helps. I never would have been able to lose and maintain without it. When I decided to do it, I never expected the success that I've had. I even refused to set a goal in the beginning because I didn't want to set myself up for failure. I would have been happy to be able to climb a flight of steps without getting winded. I went to my doctor religiously every 4 weeks whether I thought I needed a fill or not. He is very supportive as is his staff. That really helped too. Now here I am 3 years later, down 145 lbs from a size 26-28 to a 13. I was 48 years old when I had my surgery and if I knew then what I know now, I would have done it years earlier! I wish you all the luck in the world. I'm sure you'll make the right decision for you. If you decide to have the surgery, listen to your doctor and do everything he tells you to do, even if you disagree with it.

I had surgery on a Tuesday and went back to work on Monday.

That's really not a fair comparison. With 341 lbs to lose, 3 lbs/week is .8%. Deidre has 119 lbs to lose. 3lbs/week is 2.5%. That's a huge difference. Of course, someone who has more to lose is going to lose more lbs faster, but the percentage is going to be about the same. Deidre, a more realistic expectation would be 5-6 lbs/month. I'm guessing you didn't gain it all in one year. Don't expect to lose it all in one either.

I went back to work 6 days after surgery with a 25 lb lifting restriction. 3 weeks after surgery my aunt passed away and I drove the 500 miles to her funeral. You should be fine with your kids and your trip.

Taco Bell Pintos and cheese. 180 calories 10g Protein

Congrats. Glad you're feeling well. I'm sure the dog is fine and just think of all the extra energy you'll have to play with him once the weight starts falling off. Walk as much as you can and do some arm stretches and exercises. It will help with the gas pains.

Is that the same Dr. that was being discussed in another thread? http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/130385-100-restricted-empty-bandhelp/

It's fine as long as there weren't any lumps in it.

Your welcome. I called my doctor the next day and he laughed and said, "you learned a valuable lesson, didn't you?"

Your welcome. I called my doctor the next day and he laughed and said, "you learned a valuable lesson, didn't you?"

Congrats and welcome!

The same thing happened to me about 2 months after my surgery. I had been out in the blazing sun for 2-3 hours. When I came in, I chugged to big glasses of ice water. Before I knew it the slime was coming. I didn't think it would ever stop. It was horrible. As I recall it was a good 4 hours before I started feeling better. I'm sure you're fine and have nothing to worry about. Just relax until it goes away and don't eat or drink anything in the meantime.

Be careful with bananas. They're notorious for clogging up!

Well, I figured that since the world was going to end I would spend the day pigging out! Imagine my disappointment when 6 pm came and went and I was still here! Now I have to burn off all those extra darn calories!

<<<< Scale Junkie!!

When I feel like being "bad" I go to Taco Bell and get a $5 box. It takes me 3 days to eat it all!

You are 2 weeks post op and your EATING????? You should still be on liquids. Your body hasn't finished healing. You are probably getting those pains from over eating. Happens to me every time!

It sounds like you are ready!! Good Luck!

Good luck. How 'bout naming it "BOA" since its going to constrict your stomach?!

I find that the 100% whey doesn't dissolve very well. I use whey/soy mixture. I buy the chocolate Meijer brand but if you don't live in Michigan, Ohio or Indiana you aren't likely to find it. I'm sure there are other brands tho.

I lost 15 lbs in the 3 weeks before surgery. By the first month after I had lost another 24. The second month I only lost 6. After that I averaged about 8 lbs a month for about a year then it really slowed down. Only about 30 lbs in the past 2 years.

SKINNY JEANS!!!!! My daughter said "Mom, you're 51. Don't you think you're a little old for those?" I said, "Honey, you're 22 and I look better in them than you do!"

Acid reflux, especially at night, is a sure sign that you're too tight. You probably just have a little swelling.

For a couple days, try upping your calories and carbs . Skip the walk and do some cardio or weights. The trick is to confuse your body.