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As of today it's 2 years since surgery.....I wanted to write,though it's been FOREVER & due to my CRAZY schedule I'm not good at responding, so to all that read this may it enlighten or even encourage you.
  Before surgery I weighed in @ over 350lbs. I was pre-diabetic, had hypertension & really wasn't living life...or the life I deserve for my family,friends or myself!!! I was so miserable & didn't even realize it! People don't look you in the eye when your'e that BIG. They treat you as if you aren't there.And shopping is a nightmare!As of Sept 18,07 that began to sloooowly change. After surgery I was sure it wasn't going to work...why would it nothing else EVER did. I was depressed for about 6 months. Not only was wt. lose slooow but I also was grieving the old me.After I received  about 3-4 adjustment in my 10cc AP band the wt. lose was becoming noticable. I'd a few fills here& there, Even was wrongfully completely unfilled & gained  about 60lbs back.I just tuck to it. Proper fills are vital!
Support helps! Never lose track of your goal! 
 On tue I went in to get unfilled....I was sooo scared. Obesity will forever be trying to get me! Forever I will fight it! You see, I love to eat, I love to cook & bake. Before I'd eat anything whenever I wanted.Don't even think I realized all I consumed daily. So now at 135lbs I knew I didn't want or need to lose any more wt. At my appt the Dr thought my band had slipped. Which his office informed me that's common once alot of wt. had been lost. I was scheled to see my surgeon today but due to severe abdominal pain & high fever I made the 1.5 hour drive in to Chicago to be seen at UIC. That's where my surgeon is from & the hospital out here recommend that's where I go.  I thought for such something was seriously wrong with Richard [my band] Come to find out my Rich is perfectly fine though he's completely empty. I am just impacted. Yes, full of **** But not about lap-band & wt lose!
 With losing so much wt. I'm ALIVE! I'm more active than ever. I feel as if I'm a better mother,partner,friend & over all person. I'm out of my fat suit. People look at me...some really look at me  Even hold doors open for me.Shopping is tooo much fun. Of course I was a 26 pant/ 28-30 blouse & now I'm size small 4/6. People tell me I inspire them. I know my family is proud! I'm no longer the fat Mom. My surgeon tried to hire me because I've done so well. I just can't tell you ALL the good lap-band has done for me!  As for ALL my health issues...they are GONE!I'm so thankful I made the choice I did!
My BFF even has the band now & 2 other friends are working on getting their aprovals from ins. I hope by letting you know my success it will help!!! I sincerely pray that everyone will be able to have similar success!!!! Best wishes & stay on track!! You can do it & you deserve it!!! I'll post pics soon!

That's right...I'm below my personal goal of 180lbs. I'm 177lbs. I love it! I went to see my surgeon & she even offered me a job.Saying I'm an inspiration. I'm getting that all the time. Feels great!!! My life is so great on sooo many levels. I wish this or better for everyone. Speaking of which, my BFF is beginning the process to get lap-band.I'm so proud of her! She'll do good! And when we go to Hawaii for our big 40 we'll look cute in our grass shirts...versus looking like we are wearing tents.LOL!
     

I still can't believe how well I'm doing! I never REALLY thought I'd come close to my goal wt. Now here I am just 9 lbs away! My PCP & a general surgeon[whom I saw for a complete different reason] are sending in referrals for me to see a plastic surgeon for my tummy & thighs. I think I want a complete 360 lift...boobs & all. But $$$$ is the issue. We'll see. 

I can't believe it but I'm less than 200lbs now & only 17lbs from my personal goal. I feel GREAT!!!! Shopping is toooo much fun! Life is fun! I feel so blessed!

It's 6 months now & I'm down to 234! Ya-hoo for me! I'm feeling better all the time. I'm off my b/p med which I started taking in my early 20's...Never thought I'd be off of it. I'm starting to look like a flat tire but I welcome that! I can't believe I'm down 116lbs. Only 54 more to go to my personal goal. I'm loving the CONTROL I have over food/eating! It's great! Can't wait to see what the next 6 months bring! People are noticing more & more. I'm called sexy ALOT. I'm so glad I chose the band!

I received my 2 fill 11-27-07 & I'm happy to say I've been doing well. I HAVE RESTRICTION!!!!! I was 292 post -op. Now I'm 267. I don't remember when was the last time I weighed 267. My highest was 350...that I know of anyhow.  WOW, I've lost 80lbs!!! I'm still trying to go to CURVES but not like I should. My schedule is still as crazy as always.I think of you all often! Thanks for your prayers ,support & words of encouragement! I know following surgery I was depressed! I needed to see results to justify having WLS. I educated myself & knew it could take a few fills before I had restriction. But I wanted results! Now I'm seeing them. I cut my hair....shortest it's ever been. I use to hide behind it...can't anymore! It feels & looks great. Gotta get a new pic up.My kids are all great! They grow too fast! I hope to keep you all posted more often. Forgive me for not being a good friend!I'd love to hear how you are doing.

It's been almost one month...I wish I could say I've lost x amount of wt but I haven't lost one single lb! NONE,nothing! I'm frustrated! It's like having a hammer without the handle....a useless tool. I can eat anything to everything with NO trouble. I am trying to watch what I eat but somedays are easier than others. I don't regret wls YET or the band. I just want that restriction! At first my Dr. couldn't get me in till the end of November...10-12 weeks post-op. And as most know you usually don't have restriction with one fill. As of today, I'm scheduled to get a fill with another Dr @ UIC on 10/30. Everyday I pray for the strength to fight my demons. It's not easy. And  people don't help! They think I should be down 100lbs by now like my was with RNY. ] : On to a good note, I've joined Curves & I'm walking regularly...the kids love the walks. It's cute,everytime they se my incisions from surgery[all 10 of them] they kiss them. My Emily tells me not to worry the skin will grow back. I love those sweet gifts of mine! Hope to blog about my wt lost next time.

It's been 3 days'now....each day I feel better & stronger. Unfortunately, Dr Ayloo couldn't repair my hernia with the incisions she made for the band so I have 10 incisions instead of 5. Maybe that increases my discomfort. I hurt the most when I get up & down. I have tylenol#3 prescribed but I choose to lay off of it...makes me feel weird.I have no appetite! It's hard for me to get the liquids down! Nothing tastes good. I did lose 18 lbs on the pre-op liquid diet! Yeah for me. That makes it 60lbs gone! I didn't have to stay the night in the hospiyal but almost did. I had trouble with anesthesia. My b/p & o2 sat would'nt perk back up.Surgery lasted about 2.5 hours{I think} thanks to that &%$# hernia. The drive home wasn't too bad,though my hubby drove thank God it was late & no traffic.I came home with a UTI. Nothing new to me! I got antibiotics for that. I'm just trying to rest. My babies don't understand they can't jump & cuddle me. Well I better go rest.

I'm excited! It's good to see this tcker moving! This Halloween will be nothing but treats!

I'm currently on that fab liquid diet. I'm happy to say I'm doing it successfully. I'm not even as hungry as I thought I'd be...thank God! Today is day 4. Today is also 9/11. Not only does the nation mourn but I mourn privately b/c today my Mom died of kidney cancer 5 years ago! I miss her sooo much. I've had a couple dreams of her recently. They are always bitter sweet. Sweet b/c I'm with her.Bitter once I wake up. Anyhow, in my dream she was with me as I stepped on the scale & it read 199lbs. That's over 100lbs. less than what I am. I would love to be 170-180 when all is said & done. Maybe, Mom was just showing me what's to come. BTW,last week I finalized all the pre-op appts.They consisted of: upper GI {yuck},chest x-ray,lab work, history & physical & visit to UIC { where I ran into my dear OH friend, Susan} At UIC I went over everything with my surgeon AGAIN, seen their dietitain & anesthesiologist. I'm having 2 surgeries for 1. But I won't have to stay any longer in the hosp than the day, if all goes well. I'm feeling confident it will! Besides, I have a special angel on my side!