marfar7

I'm with Mis73. No lotions or magic potions out there. Depends on 3 things: Your heridity, your age, and the amt you have to lose. I think it also matters how fast you lose it (if your skin doesn't have time to catch up with speedy weight loss - like from Gastric Bypass- then it'll sag big time). Your family history is also big time here. If you have family that lost a great amt of weight and had no saggy skin, that's good news. The trainer I had at the gym the first yr after being banded told me that no amount of exercise would get rid of saggy skin. You can tone muscle but not skin. Having lost 100 lbs, I have minimal saggy skin on my stomach. I got really lucky. While I'd luv to be able to afford a tummy tuck someday, there's only two people that ever see it - myself and my husband. And he thinks I'm beautiful. I'm sure he wouldn't mind it being a little tighter, but tummy tucks are over $8,000.00 so I don't see it happening anytime in the near future. Good luck! Marci

After almost 3 yrs, I find myself weighing every day. The first year or so, I was weighed once a week by my trainer at the gym - thats it. When I bought a scale a couple of yrs ago, I could stay off of it most of the week. But now that I'm closer to goal, I find myself weighing everyday. Helps keep me in check. If I gain more than a few lbs, I'm on top of it. I'd advise tho to weigh only once a week. Some people can weight themselves only at the dr's office - kudos to them. I couldn't do it. Marci

I would think that if you absolutely needed it for surgery, the hospital you're having your band placed in would supply it. They have respiratory depts that have every breathing machine known to man. If you're spending the nite (like I did), they can supply you with a CPAP machine for the night stay. Good luck! Marci

Regarding saving old clothes: I do advise everyone to save at least a couple of outfits from their biggest size. I saved NOTHING and now I can't compare to what I used to wear. I know I used to wear a 22 and now I wear an 8 - whcih is great, but I wish I had the tangible proof that I once wore that big of a size! Marci

A new clinic opened up in my town a couple of years ago. I had to go there for an emergency unfill once. My clinic is 3 hrs away. I made an inquiry of what it would take to transfer to this newer clinic. The new one wants $1,600 just to transfer and then $300 for very fill/visit after that. My dr is $160. It's worth it for me to drive 6 hrs round trip. Make sure you get the low down on the costs involved in transferring also. You can find referrals on this site. Just click on the "Lapband Surgeons and Hospitals" part on the forums. You can get a little info about each surgeon. I didn't have too many choices, as I was covered by Medicare and they only cover Centers of Excellence. There's only 2 in the whole state of Oregon. I'm very happy with mine tho. Even tho I have to drive so far to see him. Good luck! Marci

You need PATIENCE! It wasn't till my 3rd fill (5 mths post op) that I felt any restriction at all. That's the thing thats different with the band than the bypass. You definately need patience. I went thru the 4 hr seminar and I guess I must've missed that part! I thought I had failed yet another diet. I promise, you'll get there. Most people need at least 2-4 fills before they feel a difference. Good luck! Marci

I agree, don't work out at least 4 hrs before going to bed. I suffer from insomnia and take a sleeping pill every nite and if I work out within 4 hrs of going to bed, I don't sleep at all. I vote for working out before work. And then you also get it out of the way! Marci

My first "food" was mashed potatoes. They were sooo yummy. I wish KFC had frequent flyer miles! My first "real" food was a Burger King cheeseburger. Yes, I did it. And it didn't even fill me up! I felt so guilty after that, I just kept eating the wrong foods until I found restriction at 5 mths and my 3rd fill. I ate just as much as I did pre band. My first meal after the 3rd fill was 4 bites of chicken, 2 bites of a baked potatoe and a couple bites of green Beans. I was uncomfortable. Yeah - it was finally working! I don't recommend doing the "free for all" that I did after my liquid diet. If I had to do it over, I would have played by the rules more. Maybe I'd be at goal by now! Marci

I'm eager to see if your slip fixes itself with a liquid only diet. My band slipped about 6 mths ago and after unfilling it by half, they waited 4 weeks and started refilling it - but didn't do a follow up xray before starting the fill process. After my 2nd 1cc fill, I started having the nightly severe reflux. After an xray, they determined that my band hadn't moved 1 bit. So he took out the recent 1cc he put in to see if that would fix the problem. I don't have frequent reflux like I used to (maybe twice a week now), but I hate the fact that my band is still slipped. That if I don't have reflux routinely like before, they're just gunna keep it slipped? Guess if I have no symptoms, it's safe to let it stay there? Let us know how it's going. I'm so scared of losing my band. I'm almoat at goal, but have been gaining since my slip - I'm so afraid of gaining all 100 lbs back! Marci

Thanks for your reply. My band had a slight slip about 6 months ago so my PA unfilled me by 1/2. I had 10cc in a 14cc band and they took out 5cc. Let it rest for 4 weeks then slowly fill it back up. Mistake was not xraying me before starting the fill process. After my 2nd 1cc fill, I started the severe nightime reflux again. When I got an xray, it showed my band had never gone back into place, it looked exactly the same. So my dr just took out the 1cc he had previously put in there that sent me over the edge. He said he goes by my side effects and not the xray. If I didn't have reflux and I was still pretty much restricted, then it's ok to leave it be. I occasionally have reflux still (about twice a week) and still have some restriciton. I can't really afford to keep going 6 hrs roundtrip and pay $160 everytime to tweak it. One good thing now is I rarely vomit anymore. Vomiting often (about 5-10 times a week) is wha got me the slip to begin with. I ate way too fast this past week and it was the first time I've vomited in the last couple months. I just notice that I'm not really restricted like I used to be in the evening. I can still only eat a few bites at a time, but I can go back to it after 30 minutes, whereas before, I would be satiated witha few bites till morning. Thanks again for the tips! Marci

Hey all, Well, I finally cleaned out my bedroom dresser! I've gotten rid of a ton of clothes the past 2 yrs and I think this is the last of them to go. I've got a med size laundry basket (about 30 items) of xl/xxl/3x Old Navy cami's, pajama shorts and tees, a few nightgowns, 4 Addidas tees and regular tees for working out. A few work out shorts also. Mostly xl and 2x - only a couple of 3x sizes. Got rid of most of those a long time ago. They're yours - for shipping costs. I'd rather give them to you guys than to the Goodwill (they're so overpriced!). They're coming from Oregon (97502). I'll box them up and take them to the post office tomorrow to get a price on shipping. I took a pic of the basket just so you can get an idea how much I have. Don't have time to get a pic of everything. It's a great deal tho. It's all nice stuff (from Penneys, Kohls, Old Navy) and I'll throw in a few bras too! I think they're about a 40 or 42 D or DD. Just message me if you want them! First to act, get em! Marci

But, you also need to weigh the "forever" fact with the band. You will forever be going to dr's for adjustments. That's what I'm complaining about 3 yrs afterwards. Not that I regret my band (totally opposite, I would do it again in a heartbeat), I just wish I didn't have to drive 6 hrs roundtrip and pay $160 each time I visit the dr's (and following a slip, I've had to visit quite often). Yes, I will forever be able to "tighten up a bit", but it also give more room for complications (like a slip). Weigh that also. Like I said, I would do my band again in a heartbeat. I'm just bummed that the maintenance is more than I expected. Marci

I've heard that too! I've also heard that I don't look like I used to be fat. Like I would have a certain look about me if I was once fat vs thin all my life? Silly... Marci

Sorry. They're gone. If I find some more stuff, I'll letcha know! Marci

I'm with you! It's been 3 yrs for me and I've been stuck at around 150 for the last year (was down to 144 last Dec, but I had a slip and gained). 150 was my dr's original goal for me, but when I got there, I realized I still felt/looked fat (ok, maybe chubby) so I made it 135. Have never in my adult life been 135! But I promise, I will get there! The last 20 are the hardest to lose, for sure! I used to laugh at friends who had just 20 lbs to lose and think "whats the big deal?" Now I know! Good luck to you! Marci

The first 5 month after getting my band were really rough. I thought I had failed yet another diet. I ate just like I did pre band. I lost maybe 5 lbs. Then my 3rd fill, the magic started. I could only eat a few bites of anything. I've never counted anything or measured. I go by what my body tells me to. I've lost 100 lbs with about 15 left to go (and the last 20 are the HARDEST to lose, btw). As soon as you get to the "sweet spot", you'll start losing more. I promise. I think people with failed bands give up before finding that spot. My insurance only covered 1 yr of fills, so I have to pay $160 every time I go to the dr. My band slipped about 5 mths ago and I'm still working on rectifying it. Haven't lost (but I did gain a few lbs!) in the last yr or so. Just letting you know that you still have time. Don't give up. Finding that "sweet spot" is a pain sometimes, but well worth it. Good luck! Marci

I take whatever meds I need to take. I do take aspirin for headaches, Ibuprofin for cramps - I even take an RX pain med for back pain. My doc warned me if I was apt to get ulcers not to take them, but I've never had one so I take them. Not sure why a band around your stomach hinders taking any meds at all. I don't get it. Tylenol doesn't work for anything for me. Good luck! Marci

I spent a fortune on GNC online before my surgery on Protein shakes and Iso Pure Protein drinks. My nurse told me they tasted like Jolly Ranchers. They don't. It took me all day to gag 1 down. I found the only one I could tolerate was the strawberry Protein shake mix from WalMart. And it was like a 10th of the price. After my liquid phase was over, I quit drinking them. Haven't had a Protein Drink in almost 3 yrs now. I get enuf protein in the foods I eat (and I don't count it, I just go by how I feel and I feel terrific!) Good luck! Marci

After 2 weeks post op, I was still on liquids! No fair! Can't believe you ate pizza after 2 weeks. And I'm a big time rule breaker - but don't think I would've done pizza on week 2. I don't think you can stretch your pouch from occasional overeating. I think it's got to be continuous. My sister in law stretched her bypassed stomach out about 3 yrs ago. Gained back 150 lbs that she had lost. But she continuously overate. Just pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and tomorrow is a new day. This WILL work, if YOU WORK IT!! (yes, my late husband was a 12 stepper!) Good luck! Marci

Good luck! Don't be afraid to ask for pain meds! Marci

The first 5 months after getting banded, I ate just like I did pre band. I had no restriction and I was thru dieting, so I refused to count or measure anything. I lost about 5 lbs in those 5 mths. After my 3rd fill, I finally found mecca.I was done with eating like a trucker. 24-26 lbs in 2 months? That's fantastic! When I was actively losing (like the first year or so), I lost an average of 10 lbs a month. Some months a little more, some a little less. But everytime I weighed in with my gym trainer (every 2 weeks), I lost something. I didn't start working out till I'd lost about 50 lbs. Then I went the expensive route for about 6 mths - hired a personal trainer and saw her every week. I really didn't work out all that hard either. I went 3 days a week, for about 60 mins a session. I still go 3x a week for about 60 minutes (I can walk much fast5er now tho!) You're doing very well, IMHO. I wish I would've lost more those first few months. Maybe if I had followed the rules, but I can't do it over again... Good luck! Marci

Absolutely! Even with recent complications... Marci

My band slipped after almost 2 1/2 yrs. Most likely from my excessive vomiting. I used vomiting as a way to stop the pain when I ate too fast. Not anymore tho! I never really had pain, per se. I began having severe nighttime reflux. I could keep most things down, but I was miserable at nite. After 4 mths of misery, my husband finally talked me into seeing my dr (I was so acraid of losing my band). After an xray disgnosed a minor slip, he unfilled my band by 50%. 8 started getiiing small fills again about 4 wks later. But after my 2nd 1 cc fill, I started the severe reflux again. Went back and they xrayed me again. The slip hadn't gotten any better (you"d think they would've done a follow up xray before they stafted filling me again). My PA told me he treats my symptoms not my xray. So he took out the revent 1cc fill to stop the reflux. It did stop. Temporarily. It started coming back about 4a wks later. Now I have it about twice a week. Guess I'll just suffer with it. Don't want to complain too much and lose my band. Just wanted to tell u that there's not always pain with a slip. Sometimes its reflux or nausea. Good luck Marci

My first fill (almost 3 yrs ago) was 5cc in a 14cc band. Didn't feel a thing till my 3rd fill (2nd one was 6 weeks after the first and 2cc). My 3rd fill was the magic one and it was 1cc (for a total of 8cc). My dr only does them 6 weeks apart, no sooner. I ate like normal till I finally got restriction on my 3rd fill. I don't recommend that (if I were to do it again, I'd follow the rules of measuring). So 5cc isn't too far off. My band is a bit bigger than yours, but there's alot of people who got a 5cc fill in a 11cc band. The more fills you get, the less amt of Fluid they will put in. After almost 3 yrs and many fills/unfills, I now have about 9cc in my band. Think I'm good where I am for a while. God luck! Marci

kcg, Thanks! I'm 5'5" - so my "perfect" weight is about 135. If I never lost another pound tho I'd still be happy. I'm now wearing a size 8 on the bottom, an Xl on top (I'm much bigger on top) and besides my back fat, I'm pretty happy with the way I look. So is my husband - tells me everyday how beautiful I am. He's also gained 20lbs since being married - he had lost 80 lbs lo carbing it, so he's pretty bummed about the gain. He's talked about gaining weight (and at 6' 1" for his BMI to be over 40, he'd have to weigh over 300) to 300 (another 85 lbs!) just so he can get a "contraption" too. He gets jealous that I can eat carbs - I just eat a few bites of whatever I want and it seems to work. He overeats carbs so he generally stays away from them. Anyway, thanks for the comments! Have a great bandiversary on the 18th. Oh and the nightime reflux sucks. I have to sleep propped up with 3 pillows. Not very restful. It's not as bad as it used to be, now I can control it better with Prilosec Rx. My doctor says that he treats my symptoms, not an xray. So if he takes a little fluid out and it helps, then he's done his job. I kinda wish he would be a bit more radical but I'm also glad that I'm not going thru surgery again. Don't know how I'd ever get thru the 4 weeks of liquids only! And the first time I had to do it, I lived by myself. Now I'd have to watch my husband eat - it would be torture. Have a great weekend! Marci