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Hi everyone! I had the lap band in 2015 and thought I would be completely different within a year. I initially started to lose weight but even at the beginning felt like I shouldn't be able to eat as much as I could. I was constantly hungry and felt like I was starving all the time. I had several adjustments and even got to the max allowement then had to have it drained because I couldn't even drink Water.. It was aweful! My heaviest weight was 289.7 and I didn't even realize it! I seen a picture of myself and had no idea who that person was. I am 5'8 and have always been told that I'm curvy and look "good" so it never occurred to me that I was actually that big since I carry my weight well. Don't get me wrong, I knew I was a big girl but still felt like I wasn't that bad. My horrible motto and cop out was, "You can fix chubby but you can't fix ugly!" How horrible right?? Smh.. Well, I had pain, brusing on my belly button and could no longer hold down real food. But let me tell you that chips and candy went down super easy. I ate the big Reece's cups everyday! I felt like a complete and total failure and started feeling like everyone who loves me was being nice to me and telling me I was beautiful because they knew my heart. I am currently 33 and was 17 when my beautiful mother died and 19 when my amazing father died. I raised my 2 brothers and 1 sister when that happened and worked 3 jobs to make sure we had a roof over our heads. I sang in a band for many years and always felt like the fat girl. I even had a miscarriage 5 years ago that devastated me to the core. I was tired, and tired of being tired. Last week, October 19th I changed my life!! I had the revision to sleeve!! Let me tell you the honest raw uncut truth... I NEVER EXPECTED THIS! My amazing, supportive fiancé got me a scale yesterday as a surprise. I almost felt like maybe my doctor didn't actually do the sleeve since I don't notice any changes. I went into surgery at 281.7 and I weighed myself this morning at 262.4!!!!! I AM IN AWE!! I go to the doctor today for a follow up and am honestly in pain (mostly super tenderness) and man oh man do I want a cheeseburger.. Lol.. But this has been all worth it! I know that if I stay focused, stay connected, stay honest and give my all.. I will have amazing results! This site has been so inspirational. I have literally been reading stuff all night!! Haha.. I had to tell everyone a part of my story and really stay accountable. Thank you for reading my extremely long story. I hope that someone out there can relate and feel encouraged. My new motto is, "Live the life that you want to live and live it well!" Bee Sent from my LGMS550 using the BariatricPal App

For me this has been one of the biggest surprises of all! I went through this process to get healthy, it was never about getting thin. Well, I got healthy very fast. Then it became about losing the weight and getting to goal. I am currently 1lb overweight and 10lbs from my ideal weight although I would argue that I am literally Boney in places and I have a lot of loose skin after losing 135lbs. If I don't lose another pound I would be happy where I am, knowing some day soon I will have several pounds of loose skin removed. Now, I cannot believe I am saying this but I love clothes! I can shop wherever I want and normal sizes fit me! I wish I would win the lottery so I could have a giant closet full of beautiful clothes that were meant for me. Shoes too! They never mattered, now they do. I am currently holding off assuming I have another 10lbs to go and I am in between a size 12 and a size 10. If I have all this excess skin removed I would likely be a size 8. I own two pair of jeans that are becoming too big fast. Several pairs of yoga pants which I wear all the time. 2 long sleeve tops for winter, a couple of sweater dresses. A couple of tanks and a couple of sweaters that are too big but I can still wear them over my tanks. That is literally my whole closet. My husband hangs my pjs in there when he does laundry just to make it look better. LOL! I have purged so many times in the last year! It is the best part.

3 of mine opened pretty wide and deep 10 days post op. I kept them clean, dry, no band aids, and kept a close watch for infection. They healed on their own in about 4 weeks. Don't close it with steri strips because it could trap bacteria in there.

Yea! I got a new bra too recently and its the bra I always dreamed of. The old gals look 10 years perkier I haven't shopped in a brick and mortar store for years. I figured if I could fit in it that was good enough and putting on makeup felt like decorating a gourd. Now that I've dropped some weight I find I do care about fit and color and makeup etc so i went out shopping last weekend. And it was a blast!. Enjoy your new attire!

I've been past goal for almost a year now and my craving for food has hit the roof. I constantly think about food. Yesterday at church- food was on my mind. I wake up in the middle of the night thinking about food. I eat 7-10 times a day, so I am eating constantly! [few bites here and there] My weight is not suffering because I have the band, whew! But, I think I'm going off the deep end. I have been thru many life changes this year, especially the past few months: mother's death 2 daughter's moving away-1 military move quit nursing school [moved] -I'm sure there are other things- thyroid problems just now diagnosed(although suffer for years-family history) So it's no wonder I'm suffering....but food is the way this is manifesting itself.

First picture is the morning of my surgery, 2nd picture was 10 months out. Love my new body and hope it inspires you that this CAN be done.

I take Protonix RX for 6 months now. this is a new symptom....long history of complications. I am asymptomatic which is good and not at risk for esophogeal issues at this point. not eating - tube feeding, which my body is handling just fine. who knows?? it is just yucky.....(10# to go, but i might change it from 140 to 135 when i get healthy.)

Last summer I got a couple of things on clearance that I thought I might be able to wear this summer. I got some 10/12 and now this summer they fit perfect. Although the 12s are a little big, but still wearable. I did the same thing for the winter stuff. So I should be pretty set come fall. Congrats!!

Here's what amazon came up with for me when I typed lap band in the book search - [ame=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/ref=s_b_rs/002-6452256-0337656?page=1&url=ix%3Dstripbooks%26rank%3D%252Bsalesrank%26fqp%3Dlaunch-date%2501-1y%2502newrelevance%25013000000-%2502keywords%2501lap%2520band%26nsp%3Dscore%2501proj-unit-sales%2502bin-fields%2501none%2502post-process%2501docid-ve%2502search-type%2501ss%2502fpn%25011%26sz%3D10%26pg%3D1&fpn=1&rank=newrelevancerank&x=8&y=10&results-process=default]Direct Link[/ame]

Iv had testriction from day one but the doc also put 2 cc in at time of surgery! 4 weeks out got my first fill now im due for another and i can tell my band is ready! And so am i! I go in friday! Thatll put me at 6cc in my 10 cc band! Good luck! ' FEELIN IT '

Since my surgery, well I should say since I have started eatin, I have to immediately go to the bathroom within 10-20 minutes after i eat???? All I had was 1 strip of fajita chicken meat and 1 strip of fajita beef meat and serving spoon of mashed potatoes and I am full! I have not had a fill yet I am almost weeks post op. I can definately stop eating and say im done! I love my band ..I wonder how it will be when I get my first fill?? And I feel like I have to go to bathroom....this morning I hap my protein shake for breakfast with a little dry lemon pepper tuna (not blended together)...just trying to get extra protein in.. oh and big cups of cystal light water through the day Is this happening to all you bandsters too?

I had my 1st fill 9/4/09 and have not lost a lb since. I am trying not to get discouraged. I walk eveyday for a hour. I am still drinking protien shakes every morning, sometimes 2x a day. My next appt is not till 10/15/09.

Your are singing my song. I was sleeved on 11/01 and able to drink anything and as much as I wanted. My doctor cleared me to foods also on day nine. I learned that we are always supposed to measure and weigh our 4 ounces per meal and eat that. Sometimes you will feel fuller before finishing in which case of course stop eating. I feel the same way. I wonder if your Dr used a larger sized bougie and maybe you have a slightly larger sleeve. My Dr used a 40f which is on the larger size. No worries though all the science shows that we lose as much if not more than our smaller bougie counterparts. I also can eat half a large size Wendy's chili. I think that is because it's in a liquid base. Liquids will go right through our sleeve. It's more dense Protein that will sit against the pyloric valve and cause fullness. I'm hoping their are people like us who have been successful in their weight loss. If you hear of any keep me posted. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Became a banded chic 8/19/11 yay!! Still having slight discomfort. What were some comfortable ways to sleep? I generally sleep on my stomach but feel the port and some pain if I do that now. I have gas issues right now too. Maybe a way to alleviate some gas while I'm sleeping... Any and all suggestions

I went to have my first fill with DR Nottle. When I was called in the room it wasn't DrNottle but some other Technician I have never seen..he tried to fill it but couldn't find the port. He told me that the first time was always the hardest and it would get better in time. After 5 trys and alot of pain later he gave up and called dR Nottle in telling him he couldn't put the needle into the port. Then DrNottle tried and after about 10 try's and swapping a big needle to an ever bigger one he had no luck!! He told me that this happens and that he would need to do it via xray. I went to get it done with the xray and he still had no luck. He was baffled and told me this was very rare and that they almost always have luck with the xray. I had heaps of questions and by the time the nurse bandaged me up he was gone!! He quickly spoke to my fiancee saying that he would get his receptionist to arrange for me to see him as he is going to have to cut me open and see what is wrong. I am so scared..I don't know what is going on, I feel like I am left high and dry with no answers. His receoptionst didn't get back to me so we had to chase them up..When we finally got through she told me that it could be a faulty band and that we had to spend a further $1100 to get it fixed and god knows how much if it is really a faulty band!! We already paid over 12k and there are still more bills coming from the hospital, anethisist!! I just can't believe this..I didn't think that I would have to go through all this stress!! It's even more stressfull when your own doctor won't tell you what is going on, we had to find out through his receptionist!! Sorry for rambling on..I just needed to vent!!

Yes, walking starts almost as soon as you wake up from surgery. You'll be on some level of restriction for a while, I couldn't lift more than 10 lbs for 6 weeks. Afterwards I was cleared for certain levels of exercise, and then more shortly thereafter. It's subjective and personal based on a number of factors. But always listen to your doctors!

I had my surgery on 10/29/08. Starting 2 weeks b4 my surgery I had to be on a full liquid diet and that lasted until 2 weeks after my surgery and then to musshy food. Between 10/15 and 11/10 I lost 24 pounds. I have maybe lost 2 lbs since then. I actually gained a couple and since Jan 1 have lost maybe 3 lbs. I have had 2 fills - one on 12/1 for 3 ccs and one on 12/28 with 2 more cc's. At first after the last fill - i felt restricted but that was probably because of the fill causing swelling or something right after. I watch what I eat and I want to start journaling online - need a recommendation on that. BUT I AM frustrated with no weight loss. Not to mention I need to start exercising. For the last 5 days I am having what I believe to be Gall Bladder pain and it hurts down by my port as well. Please someone tell me that I am not going nuts. I mean based on how I am eating I would think I would be losing weight. I am Diabetic - but my diabetes AC1 test took me from 9 to 6.6 which is excellent - so that is good news. I am Insulin resistant. I need a buddy or something. My mother constantly asks me how my weight loss is going - like it should just be falling off. I have been trying to tell her that I am not at restriction - so this is just me doing this. My band holds 11 ccs I think and I am at 5. I just need some guidance from someone who has gone thru this as well. Vitamins I could take - besides the multi or something. I got my Wii Fit out of the box and will start using tomorrow morning. Help!!!!! I need help and cannot wait to help others once I have this down - but I do not have it down. I do not eat to the point of stuffed. I am now rambling........ Help!:cursing:

MollyAnne: I am exactly the same way that you are. The only difference is I haven't had any fills yet. I had my surgery on 10/30/08 and I lose 22lbs 8 days after my surgery. Since then I probably lost about 5-7lbs more. But ever since about the end of Nov. I haven't lost anymore weight. I think I may have put another 1-2lbs back on, too. I will be getting my first fill on Feb 4th so I am hoping that that will help me a lot. According to other people that I know that has the same DR as me they say that he gives very good fills. I'm also like you in the way that I don't exercise like I should. I can't seem to stay motivated to exercise. I always get motivated the day before I decide "ok I'm gonna do what it takes to lose this weight" and then the next day rolls around and I don't wanna do anything. I know that we're kinda in the same boat so if you want we could try and be moral support to each other. My parents, especially my mom, always asks me about my weight loss too and it's very hard to tell them that it's not working right now. Especially when they don't understand the whole being restricted or not restricted thing. Anyways, I hope things start looking up for you and if you would like to stay in touch let me know and I'll give you my email address. Bye!

I wonder if any one is experiencing thin hair?. I was told before surgery that hair lost is one of the side effects. My hair is thinning and this is not funny. Has any one tried anything that has helped? I am great full with my weight lost at this point, hopefully still to loose more a little stalling but that's okay. Initial weight 200 lb, surgery date 10/10/16 current weight 157 so far. Sent from my SM-G920T using the BariatricPal App

http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2007/08/pureed-foods.html?m=1 HW 493lbs 3/2/16 SW 416lbs 1/10/17 CW 411lbs

Well, At six months, I think I'd lost about 30 lbs, and now I'm at about 18/19 months and I'm at 55lbs lost, so even if you aren't going to reach your goal of 100lbs in one year, you are still doing really great.

I am in the same position as PLaywithworldchamps. My hunger came back right away, only now I was better able to control it. Before I was like a horse with a feed bag on and going to town with my food. I literally inhaled my meal in less than 10 minutes!! Now, when I am hungry I am able to nibble on a cheese stick and not have to worry about becoming "hurricane hungry" eating everything around me. Another thing is that often time when we think we are hungry we are really thirsty. I know my dr said to drink 64 oz of Water per day, but my body wants me to drink about 90 oz a day. When I have drink an adequate amount for my body I know that I am doing good with hunger. Each body reacts differently and I have noticed that when I was heavier I needed more water than I do now. Another thing is head hunger. If you know that you are satisfying yourself nutritionally, then head hunger is probably rearing its head and now, you have to be able to be stronger willed than your brains automatic desire of wanting to grab more food or junk foods. Are YOU in control or are you putting your body back on auto-pilot?

First of all, 10/20 is my birthday! I will be having a great time having pre-op testing done that morning, my sleeve surgery is on Halloween! Secondly, are you going through insurance? Most have hoops to jump through, various appointments to make and keep, meetings to attend,etc. Mine was pretty easy but I still had to do a psych eval and various appointments and tests. If you are interested there are many people on YouTube documenting their weight loss surgery. You can search WLS, RNY, VSG or DS. People do a video diary of their journey, very informative and fun to watch. A LOT of them are from California, many northern Cali.

Every person is different. I lost 6 pounds post-op some people loose 10, 2, 7, it varies.