BarbaraG

Checking in at 213. Down 1 lb. Pretty good considering I was at a picnic yesterday with lots of tempting food... sigh!

This is what is called "Bandster Hell". We all get to go through it in the earliest stages It takes a few fills or more before you begin to notice the difference. There is a time of recovery from the surgery and then the fills before you'll be chugging along with the band working with you hand in hand - with you making good food choices. It's hard to wait when you see your gastric bypass friends dropping pounds left and right while you are struggling not to gnaw on your own arm in hunger. But it's so worth it in the long run. EVERY ONE of my GB friends has gained ALL their weight back. None of my bandster friends have that record. We are all doing so much better because we can get a tune-up when we need it. They can't. And they gave up their stomachs to do so. I came into this with an eye to the long haul and a desire to be as healthy as possible and I was discouraged at first, too. I recently celebrated my 1st bandiversary, and I can look back with such gratitude. I didn't loose as much weight as some and more than a few others, but that's not what I look at. I look at the fact that I'm 70 lbs lighter and feel so amazing. I have a new life and I'm not wasting it. I eat better than I ever have and I no longer think about food all the time. I have a fighting chance to get to my goal weight as long as I choose to eat right, exercise and get fills as I need them. My band does not control that - I do. One of the things that does not seem to be explained very well to those of us who decide to band is the simple fact that it isn't simply a matter of having the band installed and then we are off on our weight loss journey. Bandster Hell is survivable. Honest! Hang in there! You've already lost 27 lbs? That's fantastic! Cut yourself some slack - you are doing terrific! You are 10 lbs ahead of where I was at the same spot! Blessings!

Name, real or screen~ BarbaraG Goal weight for July 31st~ 209 Weight on July 1st~ 215 Age~ 57 Dietary goal for July~ Portion control - Just because I can doesn't mean I should! Exercise goal for July~ Walk, walk, walk Personal goal for July~ Organize! Date banded~ 6/21/11 Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 70lbs What is your favorite 4th of July activity~ spending the day with my hubby!

Nay-sayers will always exist, no matter where you are in life. We are particularly sensitive about this issue because we have all tried so many times to loose weight and it's failed. People see surgery as too high a price to pay (potential complications, high cost, etc) and by now most have seen the consequences of failed attempts we've tried, so they can very discouraging. I have passed my 1 year anniversary and I have learned a few things along the way regarding how to deal with others. First - decide if you want to talk about it with others or not. It's up to you. Then tell those you want to tell what your decision is and ask them to respect that decision - especially if you choose to only tell a few people. If you choose to be more open, be prepared with responses to the most common reactions Examples: Isn't that cheating? Response: How can getting healthy be cheating? But isn't this really a drastic way to loose weight? Response: Yes, but banding is a lot less drastic than gastric bypass This usually leads to a discussion of what the differences are between the 2 surgeries are. Most people who don't know the difference are usually very surprised. This requires understanding gastric bypass, because this is the surgery most have heard of. I chose the path in between - I told a very few, but since I am in the public eye a lot (pastor's wife of a larger than average church), I told them I was not advertising it and not keeping a secret. If anyone wanted to talk to me about it, I would tell them. This worked out very well for me. Loosing weight is MUCH slower than GB, so the loss is more subtle. I am 70 lbs lighter now (and plan to loose another 80) and many have noticed. But few have actually asked me for my "secret". That's OK with me. I know most are supportive, while a few are waiting for me to gain my weight back. That's fine too. I choose to work my new tool for all I can. I am so much healthier and happier. Congratulations on your decision. Looking forward to hearing from you on your one year 'Bandiversary'

Checking in - up one lb to 215 - I know it's fluid retention so I'm not concerned. Sweltering here

Checking in @ 215 = up one lb but not unhappy at all. DH and I celebrated our anniversary and Mothers day/Father's Day in Philadelphia (for 3 days) compliments of our wonderful daughter and son-in-law. Our son, daughter-in-law & grand daughter joined us for dinner one night so we had the whole family together. NSV - I was able to walk a huge amount for those 3 days, using public transportation so I was on my feet a lot. This past Thursday was my 1 year bandiversary and I can promise you, a year ago this was not possible. I am 70 lbs lighter and my life only gets better and better!

Checking in - 214. Same as last week. But since I lost 4 lbs last week, I'm fine with this

You are doing FANTASTIC! I think there is a general misconception that the weight will "simply melt off in enormous quantities" like in gastric bypass. It doesn't. Period. We are considered a success when we loose 1-2 lbs a week. You selected banding, which is MUCH healthier in the long run. And statistics have shown that while GB's will loose faster in the beginning, by year 3, bandsters have caught up AND are more successful at keeping the weight off long term. Plus we get the added advantages of: 1) No digestive issues - we do not loose any of our stomach! 2) We can have 'tune-ups' or a fill. GB have no such recourse. 3) Band is adjustable - no "one size fits all". It can be unfilled if necessary and re-filled as needed. 4) We learn to eat correctly long term as we journey to the Green Zone and IF WE CHOOSE to comply with our required eating plans, have a greater chance of long term success than GB's My Gastroenterologist told me he wanted to tell people who wanted GB to consider the number of new cases he got each year of people who had had GB and now were in serious or life threatening gastric situations (like cancer) and who seriously complicated his ability to help them. He was totally anti bypass, but very supportive of LapBand. All this to say, give yourself a break - you're doing fabulous!

Checking in at 214. Down 4lb

Name, real or screen~ BarbaraG Goal weight for June 30th~209 Weight on June 1st~218 Age~ 57 Dietary goal for June~ Weigh and measure everything Exercise goal for June~ 30 min. everyday Personal goal for June~ Get back on track - and keep track better when out of town! Date banded~ 6/21/11 Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~67 What is your favorite summer activity~ hiking

Checking in today at 214. Down 1

Name, real or screen~ BarbaraG Goal weight for April 29th~ 209 Weight on April 1st~ 215 Age~ 57 Dietary goal for May - portion control Exercise goal for May ~ Walk Across the Hudson parking lot to parking lot and back Personal goal for May ~ FLY Date banded ~ 6/21/11 Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 70 What is your favorite flower~ peonies!

Checking in - 215. Same as last week. Missed my goal but not going to complain. Every lb lost is good by me

Checking in at 215.

Checking in - down to 216 - 1lb this week. I'll happily take it!

LOVE, love, love this analogy! Thanks, Jean!

Thanks, Larry for all the work you do for us - You ROCK!

Down 2 lbs - 217!

Name, real or screen~ BarbaraG Goal weight for April 29th~ 213 Weight on April 1st~219 Age~ 57 Dietary goal for April~ Protein 1st, veggies 2nd Exercise goal for April~ 30 min every day Personal goal for April~ Just because you can doesn't mean you should Date banded~ 6/21/11 Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~66 What is your favorite part about spring~ New beginnings

Down 1 lb - 218. Whew - rough month. April will be better!

Yay! 219 - Down 2 lbs! Back where I started this month but it's amazing what a little fill can do!

Grrr - 221 - up 1 lb this week. I need a fill but they can't get me in until next Weds. So I'll fight the good fight until then! The rest of the month should be easy after that.

Sigh - up 1 lb. 220. Gotta get my head back in the game!

Name, real or screen~ BarbaraG Goal weight for March 30th~ 212 Weight on March 1st~ 219 Age~ 57 Dietary goal for March~ Increase Water consumption by 16 more oz per day Exercise goal for March~ Add stationary bike 3x per week to exercise schedule Personal goal for March~ Spring cleaning! Date banded~ 6/21/11 Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 66lbs What is your favorite outdoor excercise/activity~ walking Thanks, Larry!

Checking in - 220. Down 1 lb. Yay! Didn't make my total goal but I'm not unhappy with loosing 5 lbs this month. Every little bit counts! Once again, Thanks, Larry. Looking forward to the next challenge tomorrow.