MelAnne

I had a band placed around my tummy a year ago today. It was an easy decision, and might I say the BEST decision I have ever made for myself. I get along with my band, we have a relationship I wouldn't have fathomed even nine months ago. I LOVE MY BAND. It sticks out and I can feel it. It protrudes and I can see it very clearly when I lay on my back, and I can see it the mirror too! Insurance made my life hell. (Yep, that would be Cigna you lousy &^@%$@#) Thank you UnitedHealthCare for believing in this surgery and the critical role weight factors into a healthy MIND and BODY. There is nothing like the lift of 'weight off' my shoulders when social events come up and I am not freaking out because I have to put together an outfit so that I can feel like I 'fit in' with my peers and will be judges less because of that chosen outfit. I simply go into my closet and pick something, because it's all so CUTE and HOT !!!! I wish all Bandsters and BandsterWannaBe's -- all the best, all the happiness, and all the success they desire!!!!

Hi Tonya! Congrats on getting banded!!! I married my busband, and wear a wedding band proudly! I banded my stomach and wear my tummy band proudly! You asked a few questions, and here's a quick response. You can always eMail me - as I can not get on this website as often as I want too!!! 1) What do you think contributed to your weight loss (besides the band) Determination. Determination. Determination. I have been fat. I have hated myself. I felt like the world didn't approve of me, and I couldn't stand all those feelings. EVERY SINGLE DAY I woke up with yet another day to make a difference or choice about my fat. I worked it every single day. 2) Did you do low carb or low fat or both? HIGH Protien. 60grams minimum a day. NO Sugar I cut carbs WAY down - I didn't want ANY, and avoided at all possible opportunity - by doing this, because carbs are naturally in so much, I was able to really keep the carbs at bay. Avoided all empty calories. (i hate water, and some bottled waters have empty calories - i use that as an example of 'empty calories') 3) Did you have PB incidents? Nope. My husband does. (he was banded 7-5-06) Eat small bites, and slowly. I was really taken back by how much slower I eat, and damn if I wasn't full faster! I had one incident, where I was having dinner with friends, wrapped up in talking, took a bite of salad and we are guessing it got stuck. I spent the night in the hospital, great morphine, but it was painful, embarrassing, and down right frustrating!!! 4) Did you exercise - if so, how much? Ok, I have OCD. I was exercising 7 days a week. Doctor, Nutrionist, trianer and husband all made me cut back to 6 days a week. I would go in there and pound myself for at least two hours - and still not think I did enough. Then I decided I would go in, burn 100 to 200 calories, then think, if I can burn 200 cals, I can burn 300.. Eventually I was burning 700 calories in 45mins, and could allow myself to leave the gym feeling like I had contributed to my daily process of weight loss attempts, and not beat myself up that I did not do enough to loos weight that day at the gym. I have not been back to the gym in MONTHS !!! I started a new job across town and just could not fit it into the day. Well, hubby and I are going back to the gym this Monday, as he needs to loose weight and I need to FIRM up my butt and thighs!!! I hung a calendar in my closet. I weigh myself everyday. I lost 10 to 14 pounds a month, and this contributed to my weight loss goal being hit in under a year. Was I starving? No. I learned I was craving crap. I craved bacon that I used to eat up to ten pieces for breakfast b4 surgery. I craved high carb snacks - because emotionally I was depleated. Upset, happy, and even stupid. To resolve the need for a sugary snack, and to hold me over when I know we're only an hour or two away from dinner and I know I need to eat my dinner..... I will grab about 6 or 8 animal cookies. (Stoffers are the best) We keep them in the cabinet, the kids and hubby and I will grab a few on the run. It resolves that need to 'snack' and a little sugary taste so I don't totally feel like I am depriving myself. It is all in moderation these days. And I still focus big time on my PROTIEN first. There are still items I stay away from in my diet choices. But slowly I allow a few things in very concentrated moderation form, back in. Someone on this board once posted - and it is my mental chant: NOTHING TASTES AS GOOD AS SKINNY FEELS Physically, mentally, emotionally, ...... I am honestly the best Melanie I have ever been. I have rambled enough. Sorry!!! Sending you then very best for banded success!!!! -Melanie

They sew the port into the muscle. However, mine has 'moved' or 'turned'. It's no big deal, and doesn't hurt. It will have to be fixed, but nothing to worry about. I only needed two fills, and each time he was able to hold the port into position as he needed.

Someone once posted on here: Nothing will ever taste as good as thin feels. Thank you for that wonderful reminder of where I have been and where I will never go again. I am down 98 pounds, and plan on rounding it out to 100 just because I weird and like even things. I met my goal in under 8 months. I love my band. My port protrudes out on my side and I like to feel it. It's almost as important to me as my wedding ring. Like my wedding ring, they better bury me with it, because it's as much a part of me as anything else. Thank you to all the medical genuises who discovered and resolved my issues with fat by developing my LapBand !!!!! :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

I started this journey at 245. I am now 155 and 5 pounds from what I thought would be my dream weight. I had a closet full of clothes that I JUST WANTED TO GET INTO again... that was my focus and goal. I was happy at that size, I felt healthy etc... (all thoughts I had prior to surgery and thus the determination to get surgery) All those clothes were size 14's and 16's. I am now wearing a 12 and can squeeze into 10's. I think if I loose anymore weight, I will be too thin. If I were to loose another 10 to 15 pounds I would honestly look sick. Does anyone else have any thoughts on WEIGHT and scale numbers? With the whole Keirsty Alley announcement, and dealing with my own perception, I am confused. Oprah says she weighs 150. Her goal weight. I weigh 155 and am much smaller then she is. We are both 5'4 to 5'5. Is it possible my bones actually weighs more? My organs? What?! I remember telling my doctor I just wanted to get to 150 to get into my size 14/16's and his reply was no, size 8. I remember thinking he was off his rocker at the time, and I still think so today. I would be too thin and feel frail all the time. My sister is a size 2, and she was wearing 18/20's when she had her surgery (she had RNY) and she is TOO thin. But with her surgery, she will gain back a little. (hopfully) Any thoughts anyone?

HealthQuest - you got it right!!! I am so on board with this !!!!! It is NOT about the number on the scale. It's about the number on the TAG !!!!!! Tonight I had to clothes shop for a Christmas party this weekend. It was SOOO weird. I am in a size 10 and a 12 in two items. I am a size 10 !?!?!?! I wore 9's in Highschool. I am 38 years old. I don't need to be in 9's. I need to be in anything between 10 and 14's. No more watching the scale.

I am FIVE pounds from goal. See other post - wondering if anyone else is re-considering their 'goal' weight?

I originally posted my desire and anticipation for surgery. I sit here posting this, 77 pounds lighter, a mere 6 short months after that original post. My husband has lost 40 pounds in 3 months. The head-crazies, the anxiety, the frustration, the exercise, the education, the successes, the pleasure...... HAVE ALL BEEN WORTH IT !!!!!!!!!! I have about 15 pounds to goal, and feel very secure in believing in myself that I can obtain that goal by Christmas. I have lightened up on myself, and know that I could be more like 85 pounds down right now - but I also know I would not have learned the lessons I have learned and therefore the lifestyle modifications I needed to make for the rest of my life... as they say, slow and steady. So I sit here in total pride and own my own happiness in my successes thus far. Today I look at the saggy skin on my tummy and it is a reminder of where I have been and what I have done about it. Not a reason to self hate myself in yet another manner. I say to you this: If you can not find yourself in your journey of LapBand Surgery, your not looking. Just had to post as I have been away for a while, and needed to put my success out to the world. (the internet: a manner in which you can stand on a mountain top and yell your head off! LOL) Now I am going to go look up MellyTelly's profile and see how bad she has surpassed everyone and hopefully she will have great new pics of her skinny little self!!!!!!!!! :clap2: :tsk:

I LOVE the pure Protein shots I do in the AM - or right after a work out. They come in a test tube looking thingy. (my husband makes me put them at the bottom of the garbage can - what is up with that?!?!) They are: 25g Protein 0 Carbs 0 Fat 0 Calories Two swollows and it is gone! You can do up to 3 a day - I have only done one a day. http://store.bariatriceating.com/conewwhlipr.html

I have been told that a plastic surgeon will not touch me until I am one year out (after LBand surgery). I am glad to see others were able to have it before then. I am looking for a doctor now. I need apron surgery and breast reduction. I want to get it before I cancel my ins. and go back on my husband's, as my ins is expensive, but appears to cover everything as long as it is deemed medically nessec. I have wanted BR surgery for YEARS - like 20 years. Didn't need apron surgery until I gained all this weight in the past 4 years. The rashes etc, hopefully will be enough for the apron surgery. Rashes, back pain, shoulder pain and bruises should be enough for the BR surgery. Won't know until I find a doctor that can submit the request and get me taken care of. Thanks for any feed back or reality checks I may be in need of!! -Melanie

There is a new machine at the gym!!!! It is a treadmill that is split down the center and while the tread rolls and allows you to adjust the speed, each side go up and down at an incline - which you can control how much of an incline as well. It is TWICE the workout! Burned 200 calories in 20 mins on this machine alone.

I LOVE THIS MACHINE !!!!! I am so tickeled pink with it!!! And I mean that pink part - I leave with a nice glowing pink face, and drenched in sweat! -600 calories in less then 50 mins. Can not beat that with a weight bar!!! We only have four at our gym and they stay busy, I find myself sitting behind a machine waiting for one to free up. I HATE doing that as I feel like I am pestering people - but people, like myself will stay on it for an hour !!!!

Exactly Kathy!!!!! When I do not eat, I do not get hungry !!! I am stll loosing very steadily. And see that I can and will do this, I will see this trought to the end, and reach my goal!! I can eat rice fine, I think I just 'wolfed' down, as I was talking and to animated in the conversation and the hibachi grill and everything that was going on? We ate at that resturant two more times as it is a family fave, and remote family came in from out of town and we took them there.... not a problem. Of course I only ate a few bites, to maintain my low to no carb rules... but did great! I am thinking of getting a fill Aug 3rd, at my husband's and mine appt. It will be the last one I get for free.

I decided to watch my intake ever so much more closely. I cut out carbs. OMGosh !!!!! (was 217 two weeks ago, and am now a happy 211) Well, here is the weird issue: I went to dinner and decided to enjoy my dinner in the order they serve it - salad then fried rice then chicken then veggies (we went to a japanese steak house where they cook the food in front of you) I could not eat more then 3 bites of salad and two bites of rice and I was DONE - I mean things coulda gotten UGLY done. I went from eating close to if not a 1000 plus calories a day to 500 - 600 a day. Do you think my band/stomach tightened? We went back to that same resturant today (our families favorite and my InLaws came into town) and I had Soup no salad. I had 3 bites of the AWSOME rice, and then I ate my chicken and then a few bites of the veggies (bamboo shoots zuchini and onions). Dinner was MUCH more enjoyable today, as I held off and focused on my Protein. DH and I think I just ate too fast yesterday. But I still seem to have really good restriction!

See my post on the Plastic surgery board, as so far so good, Called INS and they said it is covered at 80/20 with $500 deductable, which I have already met this year. Waiting on call from doctor to schedule the procedure. Anyone have any advise or help on the size, I can not seem to understand the size, I only know 42DD's that hang like sad Water balloons.

First and foremost - Thank you all for your replies and insight!! My appt. went well, we will do the breast reduction but refuses to touch my tummy until I loose all my weight. 30 to 40 more pounds! Gotta respect a doctor who stands his ground. He will be taking me from a 42DD to a small C/large B - therefore with all weight loss I will end up large to small B. Now I am worried. After so many years of being so large, I have no true idea or concept of what a large or small anything is or will look like. He mentioned that if we go to a small B I will not look right. He will be doing a free something or other, as he will have to totally remove the nipples and replace them back on my breasts. He said I would definately loose all feeling or sensativity in the nipples. I have read other's posts and some loose the sensativity and some do not. Can anyone shed some light on my foggy mind on all of this. I want it so bad, and have wanted it for so long, that I am now seeing I better know for sure about the sizes as I really do not want to look like a freak, I am working too hard to get my body into shape, I don't want to screw this up on top of it all. I have wanted breast reduction surgery since I was a teenager. I finally have insur. that will cover it. Ins. changes in October so I have to get it approved and done b4 it changes. Thank you again for all the insight and wisdom!!! -Melanie

I am in O N E derland !!!!! What is up with this?!?! I am down 48 pounds, with 47 to go! ?? I don't know, maybe I will be happy at 170 rather then 150. My goal is still my goal, to get into the size 14 clothes in the rubbermaid box in my closet. That was when I was at my happiest with my weight. I was a skinny kid, and had no shape. When I wore those clothes I felt by best. We'll see what happens. When I reach 185 I am treating myself to a SMORE - I know sounds nuts. But then again, you all know me by now, I am nutz. AND IN ONEDERLAND !!!!!!!

Thanks Jack! And to you too !!! BTW -- many of your posts of information have been very valuable to myself, and now to my husband, as you are a man, he tends to give it more weight. ...let's not go there... Anyway, wanted to let you know your information has been very much appreciated !!!!!!

Thanks NewShoe - I appreciate the kind words and encouragement!!

The big exercise ball? While he is leaning back on it, tummy crunches? It only takes small movements, not big ones like sit ups. Or laying on his back on the bed/floor? Hold the ball with both arms extended, turn to the left then the right slowly in controled movements. Twisting at the waist. While you work out, hold your abs in. This tightens the abs, but BREATH! DO NOT hold your breath. With each movement, inhale, move and exhale.

What is your workout routine? I go 6 days a week, and have not missed a day once for 2 and a half months. Do you use a combo of cardio and weights or other like swimming? MWF - Eliptical machine TThS - I am supposed to stick with the treadmill and do the weight machines. I become addicted to the Eliptical. I also became addicted to making sure I burned 500 calories a day at the gym. This week, I have been making sure I burn 600 calories - and will break it up on the Eliptical and the AWSOME new treadmill machine. Or I have done nothing but the AWSOME new treadmill. Do you have a trainer? What are the benefits? I have been considering a trainer, when I am down to my last 20 or 30 pounds. For serious toning. What are good questions I should ask a trainer? No idea. I am worried myself, and will watch other's replies here! Should I have a trainer experienced in working with WLS patients? I think they should be interested in knowing more about us for sure! The basic $99 package at my gym (24Hour Fitness) is a routine they give each and every person, they are NOT curtailed to specifically you. It's 5 sessions, and you get the basic "this is how you do this to work this muscle, this machine, etc..". I saw some at my gym pair up. There is a mother and daughter (or Daughter InLaw?) and the one trainer takes them around together while they do their workout routine, swapping out on the equipment. My honest advice? Persistance. Determination. Selfishness. Persistance - don't stop moving! Even when you have a reason to quit. You can do FIVE more mins!!! Determination - stay focused, keep your eye on the goal. Selfishness - This is about YOU, For YOU. Give an hour to yourself every day. I wish you the very best!

I am at my In-Laws - 120 miles away from home - and no I did not get fed up with them and walk home !!!! :confused: :biggrin1: I went to their local gym (Not no 24 Hour Fitness gym!!!) and did 60 mins on the eliptical machine!!! For $17.00 I got a two day pass, so I can get in there again tomorrow. Keep your goals, and never let a mole hill get in your way of them!!!

Several phone calls, and several conversations later - I have an appt with a doctor Friday !!!! July 14th. Breast reduction should not be a problem, the apron surgery is more then likely going to be a fight with the ins. I did not know apron surgery was the same as tummy tuck.

I am supposed to be keeping my heart rate between 119 and 153 when I workout on the eliptical or treadmill. Yeah right?!?!?! I stay between 167 and 179. I know, that is high. To burn fat - I am supposed to stay in the low numbers - but man that makes for a REALLY long workout !!! I feel like I have accomplished something when I pound it out. I make sure I can talk while I am working out, and breath breath breath - through my nose! And of course drink drink drink Water. Anyone else have any thoughts on this? Success/failure due to staying in the zone?