Twinkles

I promised myself, that when I hit a year, I'd post a "success" story. A year ago today, I lay in the "big" hospital bed at 274 pounds and completely miserable. The two days prior to surgery were the worst ever. I called my Dr's nurse the morning of surgery and told her "I think I need to cancel, I can't do this." She told me that she wasn't going to listen to me and that she expected to see me at the hospital in a few hours. I'm so glad I did. There are very very few things in my life that I'm more happy about than my decision to have Lapband surgery. I was 32 and miserable. Couldn't stand to look at myself, even more, couldn't stand to have my husband look at me. We got together when we were 17. I was fit then, always the bigger girl, but very active. Softball, cross country, track, etc. Almost immediately after HS, the weight just piled on. When we got married at 20, my wedding dress was a size 16. I hated my wedding photos, they are horrible. To this day, very few people have actually seen them. I still have them in proof form, in a box underneath my desk. I have no pictures of my wedding out on display. For that matter, I have very few pictures of myself in the last 14 years. We have two kids, two boys, who are very active. It was so hard to want to do anything with them. My husband, thank goodness, is one of those people who could eat the world and couldn't weigh more than 160 if he tried. So, while I always took the pictures or sat on the sidelines, they had the fun. I spent my 20's with no sexual drive whatsoever. I was disgusted with myself. If I couldn't even look at myself, how could my husband want to. It made him sad, he always said he didn't see me the way I did. I couldn't believe him. So, after three years of research, I initially tried to get the band in 2007. My insurance changed at year end and no longer covered it. So scratch that. In 2010, I went to my GP and he asked if I'd thought about it. Yeah yeah, I did, but insurance. He encouraged me to call and check again. Unbeknownst to me, they covered it again. I cried and cried and cried. That was in Feb 2010. I quickly researched the two Dr's that I had chosen and decided on one. Went to the seminar, got my 6 month supervised diet in, all the other pre-req's and next thing I knew, I'm laying in the hospital bed seriously thinking I shouldn't be doing this. Recovery was HARD, not hard hard, but not what I expected. The first week, I was sure that this was the worst decision I had ever made. Only a clinically insane person would put themselves through this, I was sure of it. However, things started getting better. I was losing weight and I was losing it quickly. When I was around 3 weeks post op, I started walking/running. Eventually, I was running a mile, then two, then three. I was actually able to RUN and ENJOY it!!! There have been some bumps along the way. Mainly mental. Around September, I was sure I was going insane. I was okay, but, it wasn't until then, that I actually realized my crutch, my addiction, was food. I was going through a "detox", lol. It made me for one very very grouchy and irritable woman. I believe, I finally hit onederland on December 8th. 75 pounds gone since July 29th, a little over 4 months. By the end of 2010, I was down 80-85 pounds. Now, today, I'm down 106 pounds. I still have 15-20 pounds until I reach goal but I'm happy. I'm so happy! I'm plateaued, but I'm happy. I run 5k's WITH my kids and husband now. I have energy. I'm the person, I think I always knew was inside of me. Make no bones about it, it is difficult. It is a huge mental mind screw. There are days I look in the mirror and I don't see me now. I see me as I was a year ago. It's hard. But there are days, I look in the mirror, with the biggest smile on my face and I see me as I am now. I've made it and I've done it. Hugs to everyone who does this journey. It's well worth it. I was going to post some pics from my gallery, but they were insanely too big. Here is the link. http://www.lapbandta.../7195-new-pics/

LOL - Yep, I'm excited. And I am honestly comfortable now saying that I am a runner. In fact, it is pretty much the only form of exercise I have the patience to do. I've ran a few 5k's but for some reason have been nervous to do anything longer, but I'm biting the bullet and doing a 10k on NYE. My ultimate goal is to do a half marathon next December.

My first fill was at 12 weeks. There is no set schedule for fills. It is when having a fill will be beneficial for you. I'm about 18 months out from surgery, I've had 3 fills and one slight unfill. Some people never have fills and some people have their band completely filled.

I had mine on Sept 1! Congratulations, recovery is one tough cookie, but so so worth it!

It went awesome. I'm putting a link to my surgery thread below. Everything is healed up and WONDERFUL! My scars are not bad and I would absolutely do it all over again! http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/136852-full-tummy-tuck-and-breast-lift-done-one-month-ago-progress-and-pics/

Just posting a quick update... A little over 17 months from surgery date and 9 POUNDS TO GOAL! And it seems to be going very slow. However, I didn't gain over the holidays, so that is a plus! It's still falling off, but falling off slowly. Definitely thought I'd be at goal right now, but considering where I started, you will hear no complaints from me! Still love my band and I'm still running. 3-5 miles a day, plan on doing my first half marathon this year!

I am ALWAYS cold. My husband thinks I'm crazy, lol. My hands and feet especially. Nothing helps, I run daily, about 3-5 miles, yep, still cold. Layers, layers, layers, I keep a jacket or sweatshirt everywhere. At work, in each car, all over the place, lol.

I've lost 115. Went from a 46DD to a 34D... However, there is a story behind this. I also had a lift a few months ago. Before my lift, I was a 34C or so I thought. I kept buying that size and they just didn't fit well. After surgery, I was buying 34B/C, thinking my boobs were the same, couldn't have gone up a cup. I finally went into Victoria Secrets and was actually fitted and measured. I'm in a 34D and the bras fit amazingly! I mean, I know they say about 86% of women do not wear the right bra size, but wow. Apparently I had enough mass in my boobs, they just needed tighter "packaging". Long story short, I would definitely wait until after being banded! I kept my boobs until my last 20 pounds of weight, then they just disappeared.

That is absolutely HILARIOUS!!!

Walk as much as you can! I started running (albeit slowly) about 3 weeks post op. But I was walking day of surgery and progressively longer each day after.

It is so hard because everybody (and our Dr's) are so different and we will all lose weight differently. I lost very very quickly. My first fill wasn't until 12 weeks, but by then, I had lost probably 50 pounds. Like the others have said, if you are consistently losing, there is no need for a fill because being too tight is not something that you want to experience. My second fill, I got because I just felt like I needed one, not for any reason really. Well, I got one and I was MISERABLE and ended up getting it removed after about 6 weeks. But those 6 weeks, I was trying to make the fill work for me, however, not being able to eat, throwing up and just being plain miserable isn't the way to live. I have had a fill since that one was removed in May. I'm currently about 9 pounds from goal but there is not any need to have a fill even though I'm sure it would make me hit my goal sooner, especially since I've been somewhat plateaued for a few months but it just isn't worth it. So, don't get a fill because you are in a hurry to lose. As much as we don't want to believe, our Dr's generally know what is best, lol, or at least we hope, right?

Walk walk walk!!! Nothing helped me better than walking and walking often. It is very uncomfortable but it will pass after a few days. I swear, I came out looking bigger than I did going in for all of that gas. Happy recovery!

Mine stayed on for about 2 weeks. But yes, my stomach was itchy itchy itchy the first week. Let them fall off naturally though.

HAHA!!! That is great!

Congrats!!! I'm still so pleased with mine! Hope you have a speedy recovery. REST REST REST!!!

This happened to me, not just the hair loss but the massive hormonal issues... Hair loss, well, I'm not convinced they know exactly what causes it. I paid particular attention to my Protein, Iron, Vitamins, minerals and still lost so much hair it was ridiculous. It did however stop and now my hair is very healthy and thick. Hormones, I went and saw my OBGYN about 2 months after lapband because I was a freaking wreck. I was told that our bodies are used to being overweight and when we are overweight we produce more hormones ie estrogen, etc. Our bodies are going through a shock with the rapid loss and haven't quite gotten the message that it can slow down on the production of hormones. Excess hormones are generally stored in fat, you have less fat so they are just floating around in your system causing some craziness, lol. It does stabilize, but will take some time. It took me about 6-7 months to feel normal again. I did end up having my Dr give me some liquid Zoloft to take 2 weeks a month between ovulation and my period, that is when it was the worst for me. I did that for 4 months and haven't had to even worry about it since.

Also, remember, muscle weighs more than fat. Unfortunately, lol. I'm pretty much the same right now. I have 9 pounds left to goal and it is taking forever but my clothes are getting bigger and bigger. I also, still, measure myself every couple of weeks and I'm still dropping inches. I run 3-5 miles a day and I'm in great shape, I would just like this 9 pounds to melt off my body like the first 115 did! So, keep exercising because you are toning your body and changing the way your fat burns. Try not to get frustrated, I know we all tend to concentrate on that number that is displayed on our scales but there are so many other factors too.

Hey all! So, I had a TT and breast lift about 4 weeks ago. I feel GREAT! About two weeks post op, I was able to start getting out and slowly exercising a bit. Walking, etc. Last week (3 weeks post op) I started walking about 3-4 miles a day. In the last couple of days, not quite four weeks out, I'm able to go for my runs again. I've taken it slow and have only started running about 2 miles, planning on working up to my regular runs of about 4 miles over the course of the next few weeks. Recovery was not as bad as I had thought, but definitely not easy. The first three days were the worst, but at day 5, I was able to walk to the bus stop with my boys in the morning and able to move around on my own. I was still sleeping in our recliner until about a full week out, then in bed, with the help of my husband. All in all, definitely worth it. As you can see, I had A LOT of stretch marks and still do, albeit, definitely better, but I definitely didn't have unreal expectations that they would all just disappear. He removed about 10 inches of skin, top to bottom. CRAZY! I have to be taped up for about another 2 weeks. My breasts are amazing and I LOVE LOVE LOVE them, lol. He raised my nipples about 5-6 cm. They are the same size now and "normal". I have lost zero sensitivity in them, in fact, I'd say they were a bit MORE sensitive than before. Anyways, if anybody has any questions, feel free, I'm an open book. PM if you want. Before Before After After

My incisions go around my nipples, then down from the bottom of my nipple to the crease of my breast. Someone told me the other day it was called a lollipop incision, not sure though, although that seems very fitting. Thank you... Having a TT before having kids would be a very tough decision for me. At first thought, I would say I would definitely wait. This isn't an easy surgery and having kids sure stretches you out. However, at the same time, I know the feeling of just wanting that excess skin off. So, while my completely logical side says to wait and make it worth it, don't do it too soon and end up regretting it. My impulsive side would beg me to reconsider.

Thanks! Cost for both was $11,660. I totally need my arms and inner thighs done, but I'm holding off on that for a year or two, my body needs a surgery rest, lol. No implants and I'm about a C cup. Apparently I had good mass, just stretched out "packaging", lol. I do have before and after pics of my breasts that I'd be willing to show you, send me a PM. Thank you. Yes, I still have my band and port didn't move. It is right to the left of my belly button. I'm surprised as well, that it is not noticeable. I can feel it a lot more, but I thought it would stick out a lot. LOL - thanks! I think my lapband Dr used a low profile to begin with, but I'm not positive. Thanks to everyone else. I cannot even begin to say how much better I feel about myself after having lapband surgery. Getting all the skin removed was another huge step. I was definitely nervous for the tummy tuck, but it is so incredibly worth it!

I have it and really like it. I'll admit, I don't do it too often, but it is a nice change when I do decide to do it. It works well, IMO. I would definitely recommend it.

Thanks! It was $11,660 for both. I would, also, recommend doing both at the same time if you can. I didn't even notice the work on my boobs because my tummy work was so uncomfortable.

I started running about 3 weeks after surgery, if I remember right. Albeit, a slow run, lol, since I needed to get into shape. I was however, walking, immediately. The day after surgery I was out walking around and getting moving. I was paranoid to do any ab work for a long long time. This irrational fear, more than likely, that my port was going to pop out. I don't think I did sit ups or crunches for a good 5-6 months after surgery.