Drake alp

Congrats on leaving the 240's behind!! Pat yourself on the back - YOU did it! I had surgery 6/24 so I'm hoping to be right behind you, following in your footsteps of success!!

@2excited - 19 lbs - way to go! I have my fill around 7/26. I am seeing the dietician tomorrow and excited to do that - she's wonderful at helping me figure out why I'm having cravings. Usually her suggestions take care of it so I hope that will be true tomorrow! Funny how I was so hungry yesterday and today I am doing really well. I'll take it though! @imaluckydog - Thanks for your encouragement! 103 lbs WOW -- I wanna be YOU in a year! It's so motivating to hear from others who have been successful. I will take you up on the offer of questions - I'm sure I'll have some!

I had surgery 6.24.10. I've had a really great experience and am very glad I took this step, although I was really questioning myself right before my surgery date. Just panic I guess. I started pureed food this weekend. Really glad to have something that requires a bowl and a spoon! I did the pre-op diet for 19 days and then the liquid post-op diet with no cheating (really proud of myself - never imagined I had that will power!) Anyway, today is the first day that I feel my hunger is out of control. I've lost 24 lbs since 6.5.10 and have been journaling what I've been eating. I'm following the doc's orders to a tee but the 2 oz. at a time of food is not filling me up. I am watching the clock for 60 minutes when I can eat again. Wondering if my stomach healing and the swelling being reduced is giving me less 'restriction' naturally and that's why I am hungry?

My experience is that I was banded 6.24.10 and have lost 24 lbs since I started the pre-op diet 6.5.10. I decided to tell the folks at work that I am around constantly. I figured they would have the most opportunity and be most interested in asking questions. Fortunately they were all supportive. I tell them "I'm not advertising it, but I'm telling you because we're close and I don't intend to lie about it." They may or may not have told others - I don't really care. A couple of them have already started looking into Lapband surgery for themselves now though so I hope it helps them! My family is a different story. They are very judgmental and gossip abounds. My 80 year old mother would love to keep a secret but she's not capable these days so I've chosen to not tell her either. I don't see them often, so when Thanksgiving comes around they will be surprised!! We just had 2 family events - one birthday and a July 4th celebration that I didn't attend. I told them I was under the weather but would be fine. My husband and son know and are extremely supportive. When they are questioned they say I'll be fine and that I don't want to talk about it. It's going ok so far and I wouldn't change a thing if I had it do over. I agree with everyone else - it's your choice and do what is best for you. This is one step you are taking to take care of YOURSELF so don't worry about others' feelings or wants. Put yourself first. This is major and you are going to do great!! I wish you the best of success!!

Protein shakes are recommended by my doc - 4 a day, to get protein. They do let me substitute Carnation Instant Breakfast mix with fat free milk. I wasn't interested at first but I tried it this weekend and much prefer it over the Bariatric Protein Shakes I had for pre-op. I had surgery 6/24/10 - am finding the 2nd week much better than the first. Once I got on pureed it's been easier. Good luck - you are going to do great!! PS - If you try Carnation, you have to get the blue box not the yellow - the blue is sugar free.

Hang in there - you can do it! I had the hardest time when I was around others who were eating or if the food and dishes weren't cleaned up right away. My family was really good and either ate outside on our patio, in our dining room where i couldn't see them or we shut my bedroom door and put a towel underneath it. For some reason my scent of smell was really good. I started liquid 5 days early because I didn't know how hard it would be and I didn't want to start it during the work week. Turns out I made it 19 days with no cheating. And I lost 15 lbs pre-op . I'm down a total of 24 lbs betwen 6.5.10 (start of liquid) and today. Just think about how great you are going to feel when it starts coming off!! Good luck!! PS - I was having a hard time craving meat..porkchops, burgers, you name it. I thought that was crazy on a liquid protein diet. Turns out my dietician answered it - I was craving sodium. I drank a cup of broth a day and that really helped. So has adding crystal light lemonade. Starting/Surgery/Current 6.5.10/6.24.10/7.4.10 242/227/218

Thanks for sharing your story. I was banded 6.24.10 so am brand new at this. Very excited and have dropped 23 lbs since 6.5.10 due to pre-op liquid diet. That being said, this is new and hearing first hand success and also advice really makes a difference. I can't wait to accomplish what you have...I'm headed for the 140's also....now at 219. I'll also keep in mind not waiting too long once I start getting fills. I tend to think things will blow over on their own but your post convinces me that's not good for LAP-BAND®. Happy 4th and congrats on your achievements - you look great!