Veggestyle

Hello! I live near the Chicago area as well and have been 'banded' for almost five years now! I can hardly believe it when I type that number! It really has been quite a journey. I would be happy to answer any questions that my years of experience with the lapband may be able to help me answer. Best of luck to you all!

I totally understand what you are going through. I was on bedrest during most of my pregnancy and had a very difficult pregnancy. I gained about fifty pounds and only lost about ten of that post-pregnancy, probably mostly due to breastfeeding (which I was only able to do for a few months). My baby is now about 5 months old, I have had two 'aggressive' fills as the doctor put it and have not lost a single lb! I easily lost weight, of coarse with giving up many types of foods, pre-pregnancy and I cannot drop a lb now! Advice? Well, I think i need some of my own, but my plan is to begin tracking calories on www.myfreecaloriecounter.com and my fill doc. suggested to stay under 1400 calories and begin walking once it is nice outside (I am in Chicago) bc I don't have money to join a gym. I hope that helps--I know just support helps too.

I have not written in quite some time-I think about two years to be exact-alot has changed in my life is WLS-luckily including my weight-I began my WL journey at around 280 lbs and prior to getting pregnant I was about 180lbs! I have much in my life to be happy about-especially that I am just about 6 months pregnant (will be officially tomorrow) with my first baby. My husband and I are expecting our baby girl on Thanksgiving-which is interesting b/c about three Thanksgivings ago I just went through lap band surgery. I am so happy that I am in a loving, supportive marriage-my husband and I both have jobs in this difficult economy-and I am lucky to have a job I enjoy. Even with a variety of aspects in my life to be happy about I suffer from bouts of severe depression and anxiety which I have been struggling with and I am currently not on any medication-trying to stay that way during the pregnancy, but it is becoming increasingly difficult.

I have not written in quite some time-I think about two years to be exact-alot has changed in my life is WLS-luckily including my weight-I began my WL journey at around 280 lbs and prior to getting pregnant I was about 180lbs! I have much in my life to be happy about-especially that I am just about 6 months pregnant (will be officially tomorrow) with my first baby. My husband and I are expecting our baby girl on Thanksgiving-which is interesting b/c about three Thanksgivings ago I just went through lap band surgery. I am so happy that I am in a loving, supportive marriage-my husband and I both have jobs in this difficult economy-and I am lucky to have a job I enjoy. Even with a variety of aspects in my life to be happy about I suffer from bouts of severe depression and anxiety which I have been struggling with and I am currently not on any medication-trying to stay that way during the pregnancy, but it is becoming increasingly difficult.

Hello Everyone! I was banded about three years ago and am now 6 months pregnant! I used to be very active on lapbandtalk.com and would love to rejoin the community for support and to share stories!

Hello fellow bandsters. I have to have my gallbladder removed... I have already had a severe gallbladder attack and much gallbladder pain since. I now have to have it removed next Wednesday. Fortunately, my lapband surgeon will also be doing this surgery. I am sad about it though...I feel that my healthy choice to lose weight had gotten me back into the operating room, and right before the holidays...again...:biggrin:

Fellow Bandsters-- I have a ton of clothes that I am looking to get rid of. I have donated alot of my clothes as I have moved to other sizes, but I also have alot of clothes that I am looking to sell for cheap prices. The clothes are mainly from Lane Bryant, The Avenue, and Torrid. They are all in great condition and range from summer to winter wear and from casual, business to evening wear. The sizes range from 24 to 16. Please let me know if you are at all interested. I can post pictures, measurements etc. I am just looking for about $5-$10 per piece depending on what it is. You can contact me through here, via email or myspace. e-mail= cottonkandy28@hotmail.com, myspace=http://www.myspace.com/slaytera28

Kathy5--My name is Cassandra and I am in the Northwest suburbs. I have been banded just over 2 years now. Actually my '2 year bandiversary' was Nov. 20th! I am more than happy to be a source of support. You can always e-mail me at cottonkandy28@hotmail.com, including anyone else out there that may need support! We are all in this together and I am hoping that maybe some of my experience may be able to help someone else!

Hello! I am looking to join WLS support groups, I leave near Rockford, but not actually in, I live in DeKalb and I just found out that they are shutting down the WLS program down at the hospital I got banded at in DeKalb.....any advice or known support groups?

Hello! I was happy to find some people near my area in IL who are going or continuing their weight loss journey. I live in DeKalb, IL and work near the yorkville area right by...Raging Waters! I have been banded for almost two years now and have lost about 100 lbs. Just a few days ago I found out some devastating news that they are shutting down the bariatric program at Kishwaukee Hospital where I was banded....that means, no more support groups, no more check ups, no more fills, etc. with my actual surgeon. I have had a lot of experiences with the band from being banded for quite awhile, i am always happy to listen and support...i really could use some support myself...:smile:

I am really excited for everyone on here who has given birth after being banded and is currently pregnant! I am really really looking forward to the day my husband and I can start planning on being pregnant, which we hope will be sometime around one year! I really am wondering what it would be like to be pregnant as a banded person...heck just wondering what it would be like to be pregnant in general!

Hello! I am excited for you guys!!! I have been banded for about two years now and was banded in the western suburbs. :biggrin:

I was banded about two years ago in DeKalb, IL and very sadly the Kishwaukee hospital has to shut down their entire bariatric program due to people not being able to get insurance to approve the surgery...very sad....

I was banded in November, November 20th to be exact...since then I have lost 100 lbs and my life has totally evolved...I just found out that my bariatric clinic is closing down in Dekalb, IL (where I live) and I am devastated...the main reason why they have to close down the program is b/c no one can get insurance to coverage the surgery....it is just sooo sad:frown:

Is there a particular reason why people are trying to get off their meds after surgery? I am just curious. I am on a variety of meds. for depression/anxiety and have been on them pre-op and post-op...

Good luck with everything! It can be an overwhelming process, but is soo worth it. The doctors are usually so good with trying to help get the insurance to approve you!

After losing 75lbs, I have also reached quite a plateu and have remained without losing a single pound for about a month or so. I really needed to reflect on my habits and what i was eating...i thought i was eating healthy, but then I began to use a calorie/fat counter on myfitnesspal.com and really began to see exactly what i was putting in my body. I would really recommend using the website as a guide, since I have began to use it, I have already dropped two pounds! But beware, you can become addicted to the program! : )

Hey Mandy--Where did you and your family go? Disneyland by any chance? : ) So you all are meeting on Sun. at the Oak Brook Panera??? Where is that Panera located exactly...what street (s)! I wish you all a wonderful day!