hanna61

If the surgery is out of the question then my response is mute. However, my experience with the lapband has been nothing but successful. I, too, had some hair loss but use biotin and a good shampoo/condition has aleviated the problem. I have lost 130 lbs in 12 months, have kept it off, and am more alive then I have ever been. having been overweight my whole life, living in a healthy body it the best. Once the weight was gone, I was and am more able to concentrate on WHY I eat. THAT is the true struggle. Most of us don't overeat because we're hungry. That has not changed with the band, it has just given me the ability to true be honest with myself about myself. I would recommend the surgery to anyone who is willing to be honest with themselves as to why they are overweight. Losing the weight does not make all you problems go away. It just enables you to more readily see where the issues are. Johanna

Sweetpea, do not be too hard on yourself. We tend to concentrate so much on the numbers that we stress ourselves out-thus sabotaging our effort. The weight WILL continue to come off. The slower the better. I was blessed with quick weight loss-130 lbs in 12 months-and i contribute it to A LOT of walking and constant movement. Now, after three years, I still stuggle with my desire to eat. It's such a mental thing that it is only the band that is preventing me from regaining the weight. So, even after keeping the weight off for over two years, I am still struggling with learning how to react to food appropriately. It's not easy! Hang in there girl, you made a good choice and you WILL be succesful!!! Johanna

I had my surgery three years ago. It took a bit to hit my "sweet spot" but once there, all was well. I recovered quickly and have had no complications. I lost 130 lbs in one year and have keep the weight off. The biggest struggle is mental!! Keep going, you WILL succeed!!!

mellabella, i so understand what you are saying. i keep thinking that there is no way i will ever be at a healthy weight. i have lost 80lbs but i am sure something will go wrong and prevent me from reaching a healthy goal. It's so sad that we view ourselves like that. if you had a friend say to you what you are saying to yourself, how would you reply? probably with encouragement, support, and an attitude that she will reach her goal. but we just refuse to give ourselves any slack. It's a slow journey to renew our minds isn't it?

I didn't begin to feel better about myself until I made it though an incredibly rough spot without comforting myself with food. I have lost 82lbs since April 3rd and am 3 pounds away from being under 200 lbs or the first time in 31 years! It is only know that i can look at myself and say "no, i am not where i want to be but not only can i get there, but i kind of like the way i am looking." It's a long journey but I believe in the using God's guidance and love for me to stop looking at my faults and start looking at my potential. It's a long, long, journey but believe in Him and believe in yourself. You can change your eating habits and your opinion of yourself. Keep moving forward!:tongue_smilie:

I just got my first fill (1cc) three hours ago and I am so hungry already! Is that normal and do i need to just bite the bullet and hold on till my next fill (next month)?

I got banded on Friday as well. I have stayed on the prescribed liquid diet and i am hungry too! If i have read the literature correctly, the liquid passes right through, hence, we are hungry. I just started on 1/4 cup diet jello or pudding and it does very little to relieve the hunger. I am just keeping in mind that, once i start the more solid food phase, it should be better. The more solid food digests slower and will keep my full longer. Just hang in there. Put up with the hunger knowing that it won't last forever! Remember-NOTHING TASTES AS GOOD AS THIN FEELS!! Good luck!

I am having my surgery on 4/3/09. I am on a protein rich diet for two weeks and am having a hard time sticking to it! Do you think this is an indication as to how successfull i will (or will not) be with the surgery? Opinions please.

I am on my four day of pre-op diet and i am struggling. I am getting anxious about losing my idol, my confidant, my best friend-food! I am afraid that if I can't stick to the pre-op diet, how will i stick to eating right after banded? I am a self pay and you would think that would be motivation enough. I think i am self sabotaging. I am going to work with my counselor and my 12 step group but most imortantly, i am going to try to remember to pray my way through each time i am feeling driven to eat. THanks for letting me share. My surgery date is 4/3 and the diet is for my liver. I was not given an amount that needed to be lost before the surgery. I am so excited but so afraid of the change.