Hello, I'm Tracy... and I've created this page specifically for my fellow Weight Loss Friends who know me from Lapband Talk.com and Low Carb Friends.com
I HAD a Lap Band placed around the upper portion of my stomach, making a very small STOMA. The band HAS help me to lose this weight once and for all but more importantly MAINTAIN the loss.
I have lost 80 lbs 3 times in my adult life, all from following a low carb eating plan. ATKINS "induction" levels works best for me. Since first creating this page.. I have went through the entire insurance process and HAD surgery 4/26/07.
This is my docs website: https://www.malleysurgical.com/home.html
I have to tell you.. that I am A FIRM BELIEVER IN LIVING A LOW CARB LIFESTYLE, Eating Low Carb controlled my PCOS when enabled me to ovulate and get pregnant! Something that shots couldn't do. It was also the ONLY way I had ever been able to lose weight. I view the band as an ENFORCED commitment to a lower carb life.. because you must eat your protein first, drink plenty of water (although NOT with meals) and leave the carbs for last. (note: this is what a good bandster should do, but has not realy been my reality. I try to stay with Low Sugar Options but sometimes I eat like crap.
In contrast to what you may of heard, The Lap Band is not the easy way out...... it is merely a tool to HELP me keep the weight off while eating a Low Carb Meal Plan....... YOU MUST HAVE A PLAN even if that plan is eating less exercising more! Stuff that is not new to us professional dieters! :)
"Work the band baby and it will work for you!"
UPDATE 8/27/07...... 4 months Banded and I LOVE my little silicone fist! I am down 45 lbs and getting back into my size 16's.. mere weeks away from my beloved size 14 Levis.
People at work have really started to comment.. saying Hey Trace.. I see your losing weight AGAIN! You doin your low carb again?? (they don't know I'm banded) I laugh and say "I'm TRYING" or Announce, "I'm LOSING THIS WEIGHT ONE MORE TIME!!!"
UPDATE: 10/04/07...... my birthday down 57 lbs getting into two of my size 14 levis! OH YEAH BABY! Check out my real BLOG for more info!
UPDATE: 02/06/2008......... closing in on 80lbs! I was able to button and zip my first pair of stretchy size 10's!
I've had 5 fills and 1 tiny unfill to date. I LOVE MY BAND
UPDATE: 06/18/08... Summer is here and I'm down 90 lbs closing in on the big 100! Starting to think about a tummy tuck... wearing size 10 levis is freaking awesome!
UPDATE: 09/25/08... Fall is looming and I have found that this year the loss of pounds is much slower, partly because I've lost that initial FIRE and Determination to be ON PLAN.... I drink a little more, and I eat stuff that I can get away with, and yet I am wearing size 10's! Not in everything but I do have 8 items (jeans, capri, slacks) that are size 10. I have a deflated belly, saggy boobs and floppy arms. I never thought I would get a tummy tuck but now looking at the lumpy sack of potatoes that is hanging off the front of me I dream of not having the ever present XL muffin top. I have yet to get grooving with an exercise plan but I do belong to a gym and I plan to start using it...... tomorrow! LOL always tomorrow. I also think that getting to goal scares me. I have no idea why but it must be why I'm not drinking my water and not eating right! Self Sabotage has always been an issue for me. I am now almost the same size as my formerly skinny sis.. and I am smaller than my 18 year old neice. I caught her gazing at me the other day and I recognized the gaze of longing... My mom is seriously working on the financing issues that would get her a band, and my step dad has been doing good on a Low Carb plan and now has lost 55 lbs! I am so happy for them. I want them to be able to enjoy their retirement years together and active!
I am bouncing up and down the scale from 98 lbs lost to 91 lbs lost! and TODAY by god I'm GOING to drink my WATER!
NOVEMBER 6, 2008....... I had my 3rd unfill and now I am back to a measely 1.4 cc of saline in my band.. this is less than my very first fill. WHY? well because I've been having heartburn and I don't eat that much, so they wanted me to totally get over the reflux before I do any damage. I am freaking out because after all this time I actually ENJOY not feeling hunger pains and now as I type this my tummy is growling! I go in for refill in 4 weeks, maybe that will jump start me to goal!
December 5, 2008...... I chose to forgo a fill this week, as I am enjoying eating and I had a bunch of crap happen and didn't want to be gone from work. I Did make it through Turkey Day with no additional gain.. but I'm not going to lie.. I had hit a low of 174, and today was 184... my Goal for 2009 is to hit the 160's (my goal) Also, next week my mom gets a band of her very own. I'm so excited for her! Til next time!
December 30, 2008.... Well, mom has her band, she made it through Christmas actually LOSING a couple pounds.. I ate like shit and gained.... I bit the bullet and made a fill appointment for January 14th, so I'm hoping to keep my choices Low Carb and wrap my head around losing again. I want to catch some of my moms 1st year fire! My step dad is now down 85 lbs on strict LC! He looks awesome. I can tell that my pants are tighter and I don't like it one bit..... granted they are still the 10's and 12's but I know myself and my self sabotaging ways.... THIS RIGHT HERE IS WHY I HAVE A BAND! Its adjustable... and by god its time for an ADJUSTMENT! Happy New Year!
Update 01/22/2009 - well I had my fill, and if you've found my real blog then you've seen the video's although I've added a few here too.. oh and I have a youtube account.. so basically I'm everywhere! LOL Once I got my REfill the hunger pains went immediately away.. THANK YOU JESUS! Freedom from those pains is priceless to me. I'm still working to get back to my former low, but I really feel that with a little work I will see the 160's by summer. I have started drinking Calorie Countdown Milk.. really getting back to my LowCarb Roots! Mom has her band and closing in on 25 lbs gone! I have no plans for another fill at this time...
