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I love the name Isabella. My daughter just gave us our first grandbaby and I wanted her to name her Isabella so bad but instead it's Briana which now I love to. Good luck on your new baby and your new go at marriage. I've been married to my husband for 25 years and we still have our days where we could walk out and not look back so I think everyone does you just have to keep on keeping on as my Dad tells me. Don't worry about your weight, taking care of dh and 2 children and the band it will all come off.

OVER A YEAR AND HALF NOW OF EVERY DAY OF SOME KIND EXERCISE. AND OVER A HUNDRED POUNDS LOST , iT SURE WAS NICE TO TAKE A TWO WEEK BREAK AND DO NOTHING! AND ONLY GAINING TWO POUNDS THAT GREAT! ONLY EATING RIGHT. SOME TIME YOUR BODY JUST NEEDS TO TOTAL SHUT DOWN YOUR SYSTEM. GAIN A NEW FOCUS~LET YOU BODY HEAL AND THEN CHANGE UP YOUR ROUTINE IT WORKS WELL. gOOD LUCK JOHNQ THIS HELPS PLATEAU....................................................................

Bubbles, I had never even been admitted to a hospital prior to my surgery on 2/15. I am 48 years old so you can imagine how anxious I was about everything that could go wrong. I absolutely refused to attract any negative energy whatsoever. Anytime a negative or "what if" thought entered my mind, I simply pushed it out and replaced it with positive thoughts of everything I was going to be able to do once I got this weight off. Laws of attraction. Good luck with your surgery and keep positive, healthy thoughts.

:clap2: OH how I NEEDED this today!!!!!!! This is EXACTLY my problem!!!!! I am STILL afraid of food! I still obsess over it...I'm still afraid I won't have enough...of I will eat too much!!! Jachut, if I could hug you right now, I would! But this will have to do :hug: Old Attitude: I MUST clean my plate New Attitude: It's OK to stop when I'm full and leave food behind Old Attitude: I'm afraid of food (too much or too little) New Attitude: I will listen to my body and stop when I've had enough, eat right, exercise, enjoy my life, and the weight will come off in time. Old Attitude: I'm afraid of social situations with food New Attitude: I will enjoy the company and occasion and concentrate on the people. I will enjoy the food, but not more than the people/occasion. "oo..oo..oooooo I got a new attitude...."

I will post in the "before & After" thread when I have had my hair and make -up done. I am going to the theatre on Friday night with DH (hence the hair make up and fancy pants), I will get the boy-child to take some photos, that pic was just for me to "see" what the suit looked like on. Now I am blushing! Thank you! The 0cc fill is just so I stop losing. At this stage, I am a pretty strict vegetarian, and the majority of my favoured foods are very bulky, and by nature low fat and calorie. Add to that the running and other exercise. I am at a point where I don,t want to lose any more weight. I weigh on a good day 49kg / 107lbs, and that is the low end of a healthy weight for my height. We tried taking the fill out 0.5cc at a time, but I was still losing, so it all came out, and at this stage, I appear to be maintaining. I must say, I do feel all special now, having been "called out" like this!! Thank you!

Ok. With the caveat that they are both good options... I have the lap band and I am glad I do. It comes in sizes and so my doc was able to fit me during surgery with the one that was the least traumatic to my stomach. I have the AP Large. I like the fact that I have 14 ccs to "play" with. I like the construction. The port is larger than the one with the realize band (I think) but as my surgeon said, in obese people, finding the port is a challenge (at the start, before we lose) and he said when I lost he'd cheerfully put in a low profile port for me...no big deal. I also don't like the thought of the port being clamped to my abdominal wall, and that's how the realize band's port is placed (I think). Lastly my surgeon uses the lap band because it's been in the USA the longest and it's the one he's familiar with. Having said all that, people who have the realize band also lose weight and thrive. I think it's like MP3 players...many different brands with small differences but they all play music!

Hi everyone! I'm brand new to this forum and I am soooo happy I found it so I can ask a million questions. I'm 3 weeks post op. I really enjoy working out. I know they're limiting me to only 30 mins of cardio and I really hate that because I love strength training. My question is, what were your routines like around this time? Did you guys stick to the 30 mins cardio? Did anyone do more? Did it affect the weight loss if you did do more? Please help

Hello, I live in WA state & we switched last open season to BCBS Fed. Emp. Basic option. We called them before we made the switch & asked lots of questions. It seemed too good to be true. But it was true so we switched. Not sure if the coverage is the same for you but ours is.... $100 copay per surgeon (I had 2), & the EGD was considered a surgery too. $30 copay per specialty visit (it is considered a specialty, so that is the copay for every office visit including fills b/c they are a Weight Loss clinic where I go) my overnight was only a $40 copay b/c they didn't consider it an inpatient stay it was called a "short term stay" or something to that effect, but I was prepared for the $100 per night stay anyway so it was good. Hmmmm, and any difference in the labs & such that they have a cap on. So far I have paid $185.00 & my surgery was in June. Just call them & ask specific questions. Best wishes!

I have just returned from a week long trip to spain (I live in the UK). I had terrible problems eating much for 3 or 4 days after each flight. It felt like I had severe restriction after the flight and could not manage much more than a few mouthfulls. I was PB'ing extremely badly after a couple of mouthfulls when I had not PB'd much at all before that. I wondered if anyone else had experienced this. I am taking a 9 hour flight in August and am thinking of having an unfill before I go purely because it was so unpleasant. On the upside, I didnt put on an ounce of weight!!!

When did you start to notice excess skin from your weight loss. I have lost about 50 lbs. and not sure if my belly is more fat or skin???....It's definitely hanging more. I'm sorry if this seems like a weird question :cry I wonder how much the excess skin weighs???

That is awesome! I'm so glad you've kept your mind to continue doing this without the band. And I have to admit I am jealous over your weight loss.

This does sound frusterating! However, you do need to LIVE through bleeding and complications first.....then you can have the luxury to lose weight. Please be kind to yourself. Don't lose sight on what's most important! Trust your body to know when it needs to protect itself.

Hi all I'm new to the forum and am hoping someone can shed light on my problem. I've had my band almost 2 years now..August 20th to be exact..and here recently I've been having horrible pain in my stomach. I started at 325, got down to 200 then gained about 20 over the past 6 months due to stupidity..anyways..I've gotten back on my low carb etc lifestyle and am on the right track.... But...here recently, I've been having this horrible gyrating pain from my ribs to my lower stomach...no gas relievers work...I've literally tries everything to pills, home remedies to liquids for days and no relief the pain happens almost instantly I swallow a few bites of any food...I thought it was gas but it doesn't let me relieve it at all...the pain moves up and down side to side and hurts really bad. Also I am either really constipated or I have diarrhea...sometimes the pain is so severe it hurts to breathe. I have a doctors appt with my surgeon in the morning but I have no idea if I'm weird or if someone else has experienced this too.. Please give me some advice and thanks in advance. Ali

Hi, I was sleeved August 21st. Since surgery I have lost 34 pounds. Over the past 3 weeks I have maintained the same weight... it might go down a pound or up a pound... but it really hasn't changed. Is this normal so soon after surgery? Should I do anything to kick start it again? I am eating regular foods again, mostly protein and veggies, taking all of my vitamins and trying to exercise more.

I had surgery on 1-21-2013! First day I couldn't even finish one bottle of Water. But I remember people saying it gets easier everyday. And it's true everyday it gets easier . Ate 2 oz of Greek yogurt no problem and had some water too. And to top it off I am down 19 lbs since my 7 day preop diet. Everyday when I weight myself I say to my self "I will never weight this much again" Couldn't be happier! Even cooked my family 3 meals! Pork tenderloin, coffee crumb cake and turkey meet balls for lunch!!!

I was sleeved on the 9th and lost the same amount in my first when I went to full fluids it didnt seem like the weight was coming off, it was staying the same. So I feeling a little frustrated but I weighed myself yesterday and its starting to go down again! 8lbs towards your goal keep it up! Thats great!

I am 4 months out from the surgery and went back to my therapist for some anxiety/depression issues. She prescribed Zoloft and said to start out with half a pill and work up to the whole pill. Well, its been awhile since Ive had to take these kinds of meds (10 years) and they just seem soo strong. I dont know if it seems stronger because im eating less or what. These pills make me not want to eat and make it hard sometimes to swallow. I dont want to stop because I really need some help with emotional stuff but Im not eating, I dont mind I dont feel hungry at all, but I dont want my weight loss to stall because Im starving either. When I do end up eating I rush because I finally feel hungry and I either get stuck or feel nauseated. Any suggestions? Anyone else have something like this happen to them?

:w00t:Hi! I need a buddy/mentor. I have been reccommended to get lap band for about 8 months now, but was rejected on first send out by Cigna for "Improper" documentation on my 6 month doctor visits...so here we are and I just finished my 5th month and on August 22nd will have completed my 6th visit, August 25th I will go and schedule with the surgeon. I have lost about 5 lbs. in the 5 months that I have been going to see Dr. Guth at UTSW. My BMI is 37.4 and my weight is 238.5. I want to loose at least 100 lbs. I live in Lewisville and commute to Royal and 75. I am also training for a 5k...the Turkey Trot to be exact. My surgeon is Dr. Rivas at UTSW and I love their program. So I need some one to play the big brother/sister role...I feel like I'm on an emotional rollercoaster with this...and I would love the support.

A lot of people understand just may not still be hanging around here when it gets to that point of removal etc... Those that do well don't always want to hear negatives and don't want to "jinx" their band situation. For those of us that don't do well or have complications it can be very frustrating because we want that same result. It doesn't mean we don't work as hard our bodies are just different. I just never was able to lose the weight and ended up gaining back what I lost before the surgery. It's hard to pin point exactly why but possibly with all my issues I just needed the malabsorption that other procedures have. I ended up being too tight and vomited too much and ended up with acid reflux which a lot of people get and even without any saline in the band was still having issues. So it was removed. I waited about six months before deciding to revise to another surgery, the RNY. My daughter had RNY a few months after I received my lap band and I've been with her through all the ups and downs but in the long run she's been successful. I got the lap band in 8/07, was put in the hospital for chest pains in 9/08 (acid reflux) and had it removed 10/08. The removal was covered by insurance and I'm in the waiting stages of approval for the revision to RNY 6/09. As far as I know it should be covered and am crossing my fingers and toes! Good luck to you Nancy.

Gastric bypass usually takes less time to lose the excess weight, but it comes with different risks and consequences than banding. Bypassing connects your esophagus to your large intestine, bypassing your stomach. You won't be able to digest food in a normal manner anymore and many bypass patients end up with nutrient absorption problems. Also, gastric bypass is not generally reversible, in most cases. If patients are so morbidly obese that the risks are worth the benefits, then a bypass is right for them. Banding is a tool that helps you eat smaller meals, but only if you follow the rules. You will still digest food normally, but the benefits of banding can be defeated by poor eating habits and bad food choices. It takes discipline and it's not a magic weight loss bean. Bypass was just too drastic a step for me, but you need to decide what is right for you. Bryan Banded August 26, 2008

Working out helps...if you don't work out with weight loss your less likely to tone nicely. Good Luck.

Weight Loss For Teenage Girls Top 5 Best Diet Tips Ever<img src=http://www.fatloss4idiots.com/00009/photo4.gif/>from weightlossteenagegirls.comAre you hoping to shed some pounds in time for the summer so you can show off your new trim figure? Are you wondering how to keep it off once you have lost it? The information provided in this article; weight loss for teenage girls ¨C top 5 best diet tips ever will enable you to do just that and much more.If you are overweight and as a result you have lost your self confidence and all your friends ¨C this is for you too. If you will stick with it, you will not only lose the excess pounds but you will gain new friends and a new sense of achievement and self pride.You will have less anxiety about your appearance and your weight will no longer be ever-present in the back of your mind. You will feel healthier, have more energy and learn to enjoy many new kinds of foods.Top 5 Best Diet Tips EverSet realistic expectations ¨C 3,500 calories is equivalent to one pound of fat. A weight loss rate of 2 pounds average a week is a safe rate ensuring you are only losing fat and not muscle or water. The target and focus should be to consume fewer calories while getting more exercise.Get enough sleep daily ¨C Adequate sleep will diminish the urge to overeat during the day. Enough sleep will allow your body to burn off unwanted calories. It will slow down the aging process. It will restore, repair and rejuvenate your body.Exercise regularly ¨C If you haven't been exercising on a regular basis get together with one of your girlfriends and begin walking. Start by walking for 5 minutes 3 times a week and slowly build it up. Walk slowly enough so you can talk but fast enough so you can't sing. Develop it into a good exercise program with aerobic exercise, strengthening and toning and flexibility. Choose fun exercises that you enjoy.Eat a healthy diet ¨C for example layer fruit on the bottom of your ice cream dessert so that you will only take one scoop instead of two and still enjoy it. Eat more fruit, vegetables, lean meat, diary and whole grain foods. Eat less fat and drink less soda. Have weight loss smoothies instead. Don't go more than 3 ¨C 4 hours without food. Use a 9 inch plate to ensure you have smaller portions.Weigh yourself regularly ¨C at least once a week. It will help you stay focused and motivated. Depending on what the scales say for any one week you will be able to adjust your food intake and exercise routine accordingly.Apply this weight loss for teenage girls ¨C top 5 best diet tips ever and you will be happier in a lot of ways.Click here For More Ways For Easy Weight Loss

Hi all, Im Noura, Let me just say thank you for all who post everyone has been an inspiration to me from day one I am currently waiting formy date. hopefully first week in january. my employer cant give me an time off right now. I dont wanna tell them why so I cant exactly fight them.... I have not told anyone no friends or family everyone was totally against it when i mentioned it a year ago so have not done so since my questions are how do i explain my way of eating afterwards? , my goal the oc gave me is set pretty high I am 252 and 5'6, he gave me 195, but I know I need to lose more than that . if I follow the rules will I lose more and how do I keep from getting saggy? should I start to lift weights now or just wait till i get clearance? if anyone has any thoughts or coments....I will def. embrace what i can get... Thank You again for all that post and congrats and goodluck on all your ventures.

Uh.. So I admit, I've been watching for that crossover to the under-300# realm: Weight at start (mid-April): 345 Weight going into surgery (30 Jun): 306 Weight @ 1 day: 310 Weight @ 2 days: 304 (dropping about 0.5# every couple hours) Weight @ 3 days: 301 (just measured), 299.8 (lunch) I seem to be losing roughly 2-3# per DAY. At this rate, I'll cross the 300# mark by the time I finish Breakfast. [### EDIT: I went back to sleep, so the best I can say is that I crossed it before lunch...###] This is not an exaggeration: I dropped half a pound yesterday over the course of *consuming* 16oz of Water. Obviously I had 4# of Fluid pumped into me at surgery. I've obviously lost that.. but I didn't expect initial weight loss in the 3#/day range. Honestly, I feel fine overall.. just hungry, not weak. I'm able to consume (water, yogurt, soup .. overall about 300 calories, with plenty of Vitamin supplementation) without difficulty, as long as I don't gulp things down. This, too, seems normal. Am I just lucky, or is this rate of weight loss actually not unusual? I cannot account for it on a simple calories in/calories out model -- it's as if the surgery has told my body to shed a lot of fat up front. I suppose it could be extra energy requirements during healing, but still -- a factor of 3x seems extraordinary. No complaints, of course. I just haven't seen this magnitude of response reported here before.

Hey guys, i am new to all of this and have a couple questions....... ive been having port pain for about a week now. I have an appt with my surgeon (who is 2 hours from my house) on Friday BUT....... is this normal? Also... I lost 23 pounds since my surgery on 4/7/10. In the last 2 weeks ive gained 2 pounds after 1 fill. I HAVE NO RESTRICTION!! Is that normal? I know everyones different but just asking