The past 6 to 8 months I've not like posting my weight on my anniversary, as you can see, it has stayed in the same range. Today makes 17 months since my banding. I am still struggling to get my fill just right. I thought my 10th fill would be the perfect amount, but I still believe I need a tad more. I still can eat anything, bread, steak etc. some days are tighter than others, but I find that it is only about 1 week out of the month that I have perfect restriction - and that is during my monthly. sometimes when I ovulate I am tighter, but again, that is just a few days out of the month. I will be going for fill #11 next week, right before my cruise.

I know some might think I'm crazy, but I'm sick of not losing so I don't care if I am tight on the cruise. I don't want to gain on the cruise, I actually would like to lose a few pounds while on the cruise - this will be a first if that happens.

The average weight gain for a cruise is 10 pounds and I've always gained weight while on a cruise. Always, at least 5 lbs, last year, I think I only gained around 3 or 4, I can't remember.

Well, it hurts, but I have to be honest with myself - so here is my weight history since banding......month by month. I am still determined to finish this race by my 2 year anniversary! I want to lose and hit my goal, I will lose and hit my goal! I will not give up and I will not quit until I reach my goal!

Highest weight - 248

1 mo post op - 206.8

2 mo post op - 198

3 mo post op - 193

4 mo post op - 184.2

5 mo post op - 178

6 mo post op – 174

7 mo post op - 178 - went on vacation and ate big (7 day cruise)

8 mo post op - 174

9 mo post op - 170

10 mo post op- 167

11 mo post op - 170 - haven’t even been trying

12 mo post op - 174 - again, not trying. But finally refocused - exactly where I was at 6 mos post op – so basically no weight loss in the past 6 mos

13 mo post op - 183 - Ouch! started taking steroids and made my weight go up, along with not eating right and no exercise!

14 mo post op - 185 - grrrrr

15 mo post op - 180 - weight is finally going down, but inches are actually coming off faster since I've been exercising a lot.

16 mo post op - 178

17 mo post op - 175

Sunshine2,

Congratulations on your choice to take your life back and to get back to bandster basics. Your numbers look good to me!!! I am 3 weeks post op and I would just be in heaven for a weight history like yours. Please stay encouraged and always remember that there is always someone else that is struggling way more than you with their weight loss - such as myself. I appreciate your struggle and again, please stay encouraged!!!!!!!

Thanks so much for your support Sunshinelady, I really appreciate it!

Sunshine2, don't look at the bad weeks or months but look at the big picture - you've lost over 50lbs since your heaviest - that is amazing!!!!! And you have not given up that is the best part ----just go out there and do it!