dcowens

I was 20 when I had my surgery and I am 21 now. I have had the band 8 months and have lost 71 lbs. I get married this sunday and I have a two year old little boy. I can NOT even begin to explain to you what the lap band has done for me, or how it has made my life so much more amazing. I feel as though I am the luckiest woman alive. It is NORMAL to be scared. I was scared but I looked at it as though it were a life or death situation. I needed this surgery. I wanted this surgery. My son benefitted from this. I am so proud of the decision that I made and you will be too. I would like to give some advice before I leave though. PLEASE do everything in your power to stick to your diet. I have seen so many friends with the lap band eat wrong and work around their band and become miserable or have to have their band removed so they gain their weight back....I have worked REALLY hard at my diet and I still have days where I slip up. For the first 3 months of my band i didn't cheat once. NOT ONE TIME. I had faith in myself and I knew that I had a goal to acheieve. Please do your best to keep your head in the game and do this the right way. =) it WILL be worth it in the end.

I just have to say that for the past week I've been doing some research on implants because I want them really bad. I have the problem that Jachut says she has. I guess we'll call it the puddle syndrome. I'm empty and flat and saggin with a little boobie on the bottom. I still fit into a small D or large C, but I would like for that top portion to be filled up because being 21 and not able to show any cleavage is a little embarrassing and ridiculous in my opinion. Saline implants only ripple when the implants are very large and the skin is really taught on them. In other words it seems to be that the smaller you are, the larger implant the more likelihood of rippling. I am going to get silicone implants because They feel and more more like natural breasts would. =)

I think you'll be fine just stick to your diet now as you said you would. My pre-op was only shakes, water, jello and broth! I snuck a biscuit one day and felt like smacking myself. I understand your pain there. You'll be alright, doll! DEEP BREATH and push forward!

hiya! my name's dani and i am 21 yrs old. I was banded on January 11th and in 6 months i've lost 60 lbs. =) (68 today). I exercise at the very least twice a week and I stick to my diet 90 percent of the time =) (nobody's perfect) I was petrified minutes before I was taken back for surgery. I had a hernia that was repaired at the same time. Everything went well, and I'm so happy now. I went from 240 to 172 today and from a size 18-20 to now a 10-12! I wish you well and hope you stay strong! YOU CAN DO THIS!

I do count calories and I have 900-1000 calories a day. 300 per meal and MAYBE a cup of skim milk as a snack =). It sounds to me like you're eating enough and taking in the right amount of calories for weight loss....maybe it's the foods you're eating. I do not eat bread, rice, pasta or potatoes. I also do not eat ANY sugar. Not even artificial. I don't eat fruit either. My nutritionist made a good point when she said 'you don't realize your addiction to something until you have to take it away.'

I'm really interested in doing the 5 day pouch test and I've looked it up but all I seem to be able to find is a book I have to purchase. Do I just do liquid for 2 days, mushy for 2 and then solid or is it different? I'm lost!!!

how encouraging, I have recently not been doing so well. I haven't gained weight but haven't lost any either....in over a month. So maybe the 5 day pouch test is what I need. I have a fill coming up on tuesday, so that wouldn't hurt either.

Beans are great protein as well as fish. maybe try steaming or broiling some fish?