CTMom

Yup, I can see mine very easily after dropping 80 lbs. A 1/2 golf ball, that's funny! I even have a picture where I am wearing a tank top and you can see it. I don't wear a bikini b/c of it but honestly, that fact that I can now even CONTEMPLATE wearing a bikini makes me so happy I don't mind "little lumpy." Although maybe I'll look into one of those low profile ports if I ever need to change out in the future. Thanks for posting about this - I was wondering what everyone else's experience has been.

Great topic. I'm wrestling with my personal goal at the moment. When I started my WL journey, I was 208 and gave myself a goal of 138, which at 5'2.5", would put me at a normal BMI. Eighteen months out, I'm 129 and a size four, but realize I my optimal weight is probably about 123-125. So while I'm over the moon about my results, I think I have about 5-7 more lbs to go to reach goal.

Congratulations, Taysidebell! 100 lbs is amazing! Hey, could you do me a bit of a favor and sort some nice weather for when I come over next week for the Edinburgh 1/2 Marathon? Thanks! :-) As for me, even though I'm not offically participating this month because I got a slight unfill, I have managed to lose two lbs for a weight of 130. My goal is to step on that plane to go to my 1/2 marathon at a weight of under 130. Hopefully I can pull it off! Congratulations to everyone who has come into Onederland this month!!

Wow, congratulations! Way to go!!!

Nice job, May Flowers! Seeing some good movement this month- let's keep up the forward momentum! I had a bit taken out of my band last Friday so I can better train for my 1/2 Marathon on May 27 but am visiting a place world renowned for both its amazing food and its unhealthy lifestyles for the next couple of days so lets hope I stay strong. :-)

Thank you all so much for your responses and support! I think you are all right - I need to be firm (I usually have no problem with this at all in any aspect of my life, but I am just floored b/c I have never had people tell me I am too skinny ever!) and let them know it is under control, healthy, monitored by my doctor, etc. And I think Jachut is right about how people rarely see significant weight loss. And honestly what they are doing is comparing the former 200 lb me with the 130 lb me and of course there is a dramatic difference. Whereas, if they compared the 130 lb me with another healthy 5'2.5" tall 130 lb woman they would see I looked "normal." Does this make sense? Like if they had never SEEN the big me I would look normal to them! Really, I just need to smile and say "thank you" for any compliments and leave it at that.

While I am ecstatic to be so close to my ultimate goal, I have been encountering rather annoying comments from family and coworkers to "not lose any more weight or I'll be TOO SKINNY!" The implication in their words and tone is that I obviously couldn't control my weight pre-banding so I probably cannot control becoming too thin now. I don't know if it is supposed to be a backhanded compliment, but it frustrates me because it belittles my efforts and my hard work. I have lost almost 80 lbs and at 130 and 5'2.5" am truly in no danger of becoming too skinny. My goal of 125 is well within (even on the high side) of normal BMI and I am healthy. So why do I feel the need to defend myself? And what do I say to them? Yes, I realize it's a nice problem to have but I want them to back off!

Just posting here so I can get the replies sent to me so I can follow along. Just because I'm not participating this month doesn't mean I don't want to be able to cheer everyone else on! Go Go Go :-)

Today I weigh 132, which was exactly my goal for the month. Yay! I would like to drop another 7 lbs, but it won't be next month. My 1/2 marathon is at the end of May, so I am going in next week to get a slight unfill, as I need to make sure I can get in enough hydration and good calories to combat fatigue during training and the race. I so love hearing how everyone is doing and about everyone's NSVs as well, so I'll definitely be following along with you all in May, and hopefully I can make my final goal in June.

I had to do the math on that, Elcee! So you're 5 feet and now weight around 110. Excellent! And yes, RO, the months of Sept- Dec were pretty crazy, weight loss-wise. Once I was finally filled to where I couldn't eat very much, the weight just started coming off. Plus I started training for a 1/2 marathon at the time so the combo was a double whammy. It was actually a bit of a challenge to get in all the Protein and healthy foods I needed. The past couple of months have been a bit slower but that is to be expected now that I have less to lose. Of course, everyone is different. I know I really struggled with hunger in the weeks after I was banded before I could get a fill, so if you don't have good restriction right away do not worry. You have the whole rest of your life to get it right. Good luck!

I was 195 when I went in for my initial consult (I'm 5'2.5") and I was 206 the day of my surgery, 1/9/11. I didn't qualify for insurance so I was a self-pay. I was already in fairly decent shape in terms of my athletic ability so the Dr. had me on light exercise the day after my surgery. I had a pretty easy recovery, although I delayed and didn't really find my green zone until Sept 2011. Now I am 131lbs and a size 4-6. I would ultimately like to be about 125 and at the rate I'm going, that will be sometime next month. It was a great decision for me and I'm really glad I did it.

That's exactly why I only told a select few when I had it done. I sort of "went public" with it when the weight started seriously coming off. Now, 75 lbs lighter, people ask me every day and I am honest with them about how I did it. But only after the fact and in response to their questions. It's certainly nobody's business and absolutely a personal decision to tell or not but for me it worked so well and if I can inspire people to maybe take the same step then I am glad to share my experience. So many overweight people suffer in silence and maybe look into options but don't feel comfortable discussing them with others. So if I can help open a discussion I am glad to do it.

I told family and a few good friends before I had the procedure done- also not sure how it was going to pan out. But in the last few months as I've gotten to my goal weight, I have answered people truthfully when they ask how I lost all the weight. I am not ashamed at all and am very proud of my progress with the band. I want people to know the option is out there if they need it.

Checking in this week at 133- one more pound to this month's goal!

Checking in at 136 today. Losing more slowly then I'd like, but as long as the scale is moving in the right direction I'm happy!