GlenSand

I was banded on 01/06/2008 and have lost 88 lbs. I gained a little over the last few months due to an unfill, but I'm back on track now!

Valerieee, I am so glad you decided to do this! It was by far the best thing I've ever done for myself! I am 48 and have had a weight problem since I was 14... My highest weight was 255. I had lost weight 3 different times in my life and had always gained it back. It was a constant battle, even to keep below 250! Then I heard about the lap band!!!!! I had my procedure a year and a half ago and am down 88lbs! The great part is that I will never gain it back! The band is so flexible. When it's too loose, you get it tightened...when it's too tight it can be loosed! it's wonderful! I no longer have problems with my knees or shoulders or climbing up stairs. I am active and feel 20 years younger. Know you are doing this for yourself and, in spite of others opinions, it will be the best thing you can do! Good luck and keep us posted!

When I get stuck, I take a drink of warm water. Hold it and then spew! Sounds gross, but you asked... This usually rids the offending food piece but if it's still there I will repeat the process till it's gone. Then it takes a few hours for my pouch to feel better. Later I will baby it with hot chocolate or orange tea.

Based on the "education" we just received, the choices would have been more accurately: Man Woman or shades of both. There is actually ONLY male or female, no "other" option. This is true throughout all of nature. I can understand having degrees of one or the other, but never can there be another sex! Even if you want it to be... Also, men, you are a REAL minority based on the poll results... there are almost as many others as there are men!! I'm glad I'm a woman!

I was addicted to diet pepsi vanilla before surgery. My doc and nutritionist said "absolutely no carbonation." I am a rule follower so I gave up soda. A few months after surgery, my mom said "try this drink" Well, it was carbonated and it hurt... I've never wanted any since then. However, I love root beer floats! and guess what, there is no carbonation. About once a month, I get a tall glass of diet root beer, add 1/4 cup of vanilla ice cream and voila! Some ladies say to use SF ice cream. I have even used SF vanilla creamer. But if I keep it at once a month, I just use regular ice cream. The ice cream kills the carbonation (don't drink the foam at the top) It's actually a good science experiment too. All that foam rising at the top is what carbonation does to our pouches! I, for one, don't want that!!!

There are soooo many reasons that I love my band. I'll try to narrow it down... Going from a size 22 to 12 and hoping for 8 when I'm all done. 47lbs left! Being able to run upstairs when I need to instead of dreading it or sending my kids. All the many compliments I get from family and coworkers. Feeling 20 years younger when I'm almost 48! And, not taking up so much room -in elevators, airplanes, my car, restaurants etc. Look at my before and after pix! I am VERY thankful for this band!

Josie, I'm reaching out to you cause I am in trouble. I got a complete unfill 3 weeks ago and have gained 20 lbs!!!!! I think that most of it is because before my unfill I was completely empty ((my guts- I hadn't eaten for about 2 months). Now I feel backed up. Also when you can't eat for that long, then suddenly you can eat anything you want...you go crazy! I am not saying I eat like before I was banded, just more. I am making very bad choices and have no willpower! I am going in for a fill today, I know my doc will go cautiously... but I want to be like I was before. Too tight! It was what stopped me from eating. I was wondering how you and Luluc were doing? I am really needing help with this and you two were in the same boat as me. Sorry I havn't posted in a while, but my ticker is wrong. I refuse to change it to put weight back on!!! Hope all is well, Glenda

My goal is 100 lbs also. I have 23 lbs to go and 40 to get to my goal weight! (my ticker is wrong, but I don't want to add back on 10 lbs). I currently hit a snag though. I have been too tight for the last 2 months and doc took out a lot of Fluid saying My pouch needs a rest from being swollen. Now I have NO restriction! :crying: I am having trouble limiting myself, just like in the old days w/o the band! I am trying very hard though! I would love to lose 23 lbs by January! I go in for an adjustment on Nov 16th, so that's a whole month on my own. :thumbup: Good luck to you both on your journies. I will keep you in my prayers.

I would love to join you! Thanks

Here is a low calorie drink I just came up with. I absolutely love root beer, and haven't had any soda since my surgery in January. Well, on a trip one time my hubby got a root beer float from A&W. I noticed that all the gas had gone out of it because of the ice cream. I then realized that diet root beer with a small scoop of ice cream, was something I could have and I love it, however, it has calories. Then I thought of a trick. Diet root beer and sugar free creamer (french vanilla) = very low calorie float! The creamer does the same thing to the gas, but it takes a little longer and I have to stir it more, but it tastes great! I hope you all enjoy it.