Leona06

All I can say is... sure people can be unsupportive, and yes, we do need support- BUT if the person that had had lapband surgery didn't talk about it to me, I would have never known it to be a possibility, so as long as my friends and family have questions, I will answer them because there are SOOO many people who would benefit from the knowledge. It's like the AIDS epidemic- the more we know, the more we can stop the stigma against it. And yes, I have experienced people not being supportive, asking me why I couldn't do it on my own, and I tell them- how many people can actually keep the weight off? This is not a diet, its a tool to a new lifestyle. And yes, I mourn food sometimes. I no longer have that comfort, but I am finding comfort in other areas of my life. Food no longer controls me, and when I explain that - even to my skinniest friends, they understand- they want me to be happier. They look forward to shopping with me and sharing clothes. Maybe I'm lucky? To the people that don't agree, I would say, "You have no idea whats it like to be me, or what is best for ME. If you do not agree, then thats your opinion, and its best kept to yourself." Just my two cents..... and I'm sorry you had to deal with that! (HUGS)!

Regarding the heel spurts... my mom used to get them all the time, then she thought she had another one so she went to the doc this week and he said she had a stress fracture! So make sure you have a heel spurt before dealing with that huge needle! Btw, I'm in NYC now at school and its hard... everyone wants to go out for a drink or dinner and then I explain why I'm eating sooo little. Which is fine, I don't mind telling people who I eat with, I just want to advertise it. But its hard because I keep forgetting to eat, I've just been drinking a LOT of water because its so hot, and then not really wanting to eat. I haven't weighed myself, but I'm sure I've lost a lot because of my clothes. So thats the only benefit of running around so much! I'm walking sooooo much and up and down stairs on the subway like there is NO tomorrow! I even drug my 90 lb luggage up 3 flights of stairs... that was fun lol NOT! So I think I'm doing pretty good, but that's why you guys haven't heard from me in a while! Talk soon :confused:

Hey! I feel that way too! I always go out of my way to be everyones friend but its hard. I think its my issues and I'm gonna start going to a counselor about it. I imagine what others think about me way too much and I don't know what do about it. I am lucky to have a large group of friends that told me I didn't need the surgery because they thought I was beautiful already, but they support my choice. I just started my Masters program in a new school in the same city as my undergrad so its weird. I'm now away from home constantly with a band. I have to be constantly aware of what I can eat... and its hard... but its life.

hey! I go to school in NYC so I'm in Manhattan now... I had my surgery in MD though at St. Agnes... anyone else in nyc?

I'm an opera singer lol... I just finished my undergrad at Juilliard, and am about to start my masters at Manhattan School of Music... and no it's not over til the fat lady sings... its over when the fat lady isnt fat anymore!

wow 503-250... I hope it helps you too.. I can't imagine having the feeling of starving all the time... hugs to you! But the feeling of losing is probably helping the feeling of starvation! Thanks for responding!

WOWOWOWOwOW! CONGRATS! keep it up! you Look Great!

YES DON'T forget to take a pillow with you or have it in the car... our doc doesn't hand out the pillows for the ride home. I'm doing good! I just had my first fill- not bad at all, and am about to head back to NYC on Monday for school... I even survived a Ravens Game last night... didnt get too tempted from the beer and junk- I actually got kind of grossed out by it. I no longer have pain- haven't in a few weeks, and life is as normal as its gonna get. I'm joining a gym in NYC and thought I had a personal trainer, but she is leaving NYC so I have to find another one! Good luck and don't be too nervous... Dr. Singh is a great doc - as you already know!

Thanks Health1st! I'm gonna do my best to work this band... I hope it won't be too difficult in the big apple... I'm looking forward to going back to school and being a "loser" lol. My friends are all so supportive and are all helping me with an exercise plan. I can't wait to show them that it works! Congrats on your weightloss so far and good luck with your losing in the future!

My doc doesn't numb the area before a fill and mine wasn't that bad at all. The worst part was sitting up with a needle in me, but as long as you don't look, its no worse than a weird feeling. And within 10 min after the fill, I felt normal.. except the fact I felt no hunger and I was hungry when i got there lol. I drank some water while my mom got filled, and we left. Simple and easy and QUICK!

Well, being really young... I've dated but never loved. I hope that one day I can find a person that likes me for me... but its something that I hope people who didn't want me "big" will want me smaller... Those are not the types of people I would want to date anyway. My standards are already high... I can only imagine them getting higher. I'm not sure how I will deal with the attention, but I do LOVE attention. I love attention from friends, strangers, anyone... I always dress funky and fashionable and alway have my hair/makeup done because I believe in PRESENTATION. While I understand that I probably will get attention, I also shy away from it because I don't really know how to deal with it. I've never gone on more than 3 dates with the same guy... so I don't know what to do, and I allow myself to be wooed quite easily by attractive men all the time. With more woeing... I'm not sure how I'll react. I just know that I won't give the time of day to something that didn't give me their time when I was this size. Just because I will/am thinner, doesn't change who I am inside.

LOL Elisabeth about the Motrin... boy do I KNOW ABOUT THAT! lol MY school had a required class my 2nd and 3rd year of college- movement! It was sooo hard, but it got easier. It was 2xs a week - an hour and half each. It was stretching/aerobics/yoga/dance etc... and it made me feel really good! That was hard too and I know I can push myself, so this is something I think I can do well. And once I take the control to be able to do it, I think I'll be fine... its the first step thats the hardest to take! I can't believe that life is changing for the better, I'll be able to have a life now... This band has saved me! Good luck to everyone with their crazy PTS!

Nochoice... your date is coming up! woohoo! How are you feeling?

I woke up kinda late sooo B- 1 cup OJ Lunch- (took me an HOUR - I AM restricted!) 3/4 cup Chicken salad, 6 crackers S- yogurt D.. no idea - I am going to the Ravens game tonight... SAVE ME lol i wanna beer! ahh! lol

I took off almost 2 weeks... my mom took off 2 and a half and then worked at home for almost a week. The surgery was MUCH MORE painful than we expected. It is MAJOR surgery and your insides are all tore up. I am at 6 weeks and just now feeling good enough to exercise. I was so weak the first week and a half because I was scared to eat. Once I ate more than 500 calories in a day, my energy went higher, but I was still weak. I was on pain meds for 2 and a half weeks. I also had a reaction to the steri-strips and bandaids and had to be put on steriods for constant hives. I then found out I am allergic to adhesives. But this didn't stop my healing, it just took a long time. For the first few days, I regretted the surgery, then it got better. MY mom felt better on day 3 then worse again on day 4 like diva. It all depends on you. I am 22 (was 21 then) and had horrible pain- my mom is 53 and somehow recovered faster. I didnt have gas pains, but she did. So its all different. I'm not trying to scare you, but I think 3 days is not enough even for a desk job- thats what my mom and I have. My doc was iffy about letting me go back to work after almost 2 weeks. He wanted me to take a month off. Going back to work was hard- on the first day back- sitting straight up in a chair for 8 hours was IMPOSSIBLE, so I went home, took a pain pill and went to sleep. Don't forget to drink your water! I got dehydrated as well, and almost had to go back to the hospital- so sip sip sip! Not scolding or anything, just trying to let you see my situation. Hope this helps!

Hi Health1st! I actually just got a fill on Monday... 2 ccs in my 4cc band (I posted this before I knew for sure what size band I have).. My doc was aggressive with the fill because I am leaving for school on Monday and he wanted me to succeed. It not impossible for me to come see him, but it will take planning. I am already feeling a difference with my band! I am happy that I can start using my tool. For a while there, it was like having a tool kit in the back of a shed without the key to the shed. Now I have the key. I've tried ISOPURE and I couldn't stand it! lol I've been using Permalean (chocolate) with vanilla soymilk and a few drops of mint extract. I have also used whey Protein, which is good. I have no trouble getting my protein in each day... just the Water is sometimes hard. But I'm trying and sipping constantly. I finally understand what it is to sip sip sip! Before the fill, I could gulp and drink water quickly so it helped me stay hydrated. Thanks to everyone for making this a really interesting thread! I had no idea that it would be popular lol I was just REALLY curious about it! Happy Losing

I havent had any trouble eating out... In fact, I've eaten out 4 times since Friday. I don't mind it, I even ate out while on liquids. I don't find it too overwhelming, but I do choose safe foods. I was really sad while i was on liquids and eveyone ate my favorite chinese foods that i will never eat again but food isn't gonna control me anymore! grrr

I starting with a PT next week... and guess who it is....my cousin! I haven't seen her since I was 2 years old, but she remembers me and wants to train me for zilch! WOOHOO!!! she is gonna focus on pilates and endurance training. I am in pretty good shape already... I go out and can dance for HOURS! and I walk the zillion blocks in Manhattan all the time, so hopefully she won't kick my butt too hard... but whatever! I am also going to start going to Columbia Universities Gym since my school is a partner school with them.. I get a discount and its huge! Wish me luck- I am six weeks out and SOOOO ready to get exercising again! and great post btw!

Thanks Tardisintime!

Hi Mark... copy/paste that awesome ticker in your signature page and you'll be all set! Congrats on your weight loss!

I worked at the Macaroni Grill singing Italian Arias and Opera at 14... lol that is, until they realized how much they needed silverware rolled... The tips were good, and I was paid more than a hostess. $7.00/ hr In fact, until last summer, I can proudly say I never worked less than that... I only work in the summer, except for workstudy at college. So thats good!

I'm gonna join too - when I get home lol sounds good!

ahhh thanks you guys!! LOL I'm on liquids on my BIRTHDAY!!! So I'm getting a starbucks! lol and later on.... a fruit smoothie with a candle in it lol Not too bad, and no I don't want cake haha

It is a shot given every 3 months for birth control... and it stops your periods for the entire time you are on it. It is GREAT lol :clap2:

My mom got a heel spurt so walkings been hard for her, but I've been playing my Dance Dance Revolution.... and we took pictures but they are pictures in our undies (so we see our bodies not clothes)... and they are private pics lol. But I have some before pictures for me from a photo shoot I did in late April. Whew... I needed lapband bad!