transforming jlaroux

yeah, I can feel mine. I just discovered it about 3 weeks ago. I couldn't feel it before I lost all the weight. Thank God my doc could find it though! lol

I've lost 84 pounds and my port is higher than it was when I started. I was banded in May 2011, and I still have some soreness in that area. My doc says it's normal and not to worry, however, if you are concerned, talk to your doc!

welcome to Bandster Hell, my friend! It sucks, it feels like you have no band there. Don't give up! Go back on your scheduled visits, and get filled. You'll notice you eat less and less each time. Sometimes you'll return to what feels like no restriction. You'll be fine! Just don't give up.. Keep chuggin. You can do this.

my first bite is always the hardest too! I hate it. It's like a little reminder, courtesy of my band! Eat slowly, and chew chew chew, like a train! after that I'm good. Hiccups usually mean STOP! do not pass go, do not collect $100.00! lol. It means your body has had enough, and there are going to be problems if you keep eating.

congratulations! That is super exciting!

I'm not morbidly obese anymore!! I'm still obese, but what a big milestone! Just wanted to share!!

I can't wait to be "just" overweight! I have 6 more points on the BMI scale to get there! I wonder how much weight that translates to?? lol

PB'is awful! I have had several experiences, unfortunately from eating too fast, or eating the wrong foods. I agree with the previous posters, you lose interest in those foods, altogether. For instance, bagels, pizza, french fries, bread, pita's, oranges and grapefruit are no longer of any interest to me. I don't miss them, I don't want them, they don't even appeal to me. I am in my green zone now, if I eat to fast or don't chew well enough, or take too large of a bite, my band gives me a not so friendly reminder that she is in there, and to take heed. The next bites, are smaller, slower, and more completely chewed. Sometimes I need to modify what I've chosen. I find myself disassembling and picking at my food- which is something I have never done before.

226! Down another pound! Ill take it!

how did it go?????

down to 227. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...

Hello! So you want to hear my story? Here goes: I am 38, I have an 8 year old daughter, a domestic partner, and I live with two adults who have mental retardation. I have, at last count, 9 pets. We have 4 dogs, 2 cats, a lizard, a guinea pig, and 1 lone fish. I have been overweight my entire life. I was born 3 weeks early, and weighed 9 pounds 8 oz. I have been on various weight loss programs as long as I can remember. As a child, my mom took me to a childrens hospital for a weight loss program! I always thought I was fat, however now, I realize that at 155 when I graduated high school, I was not fat. I ballooned up to 250 pounds during college, then lost 65 pounds doing Jenny Craig after I met my partner. I felt amazing, I was in great shape. Then, we got compacent, and I gained up to 270 pounds. I got pregnant, had a miscarriage, and gained up to 310 pounds. 3 years later, I got pregnant again, and had an uneventful pregnancy and have a beautiful daughter because of it. So, I have been on weight watchers, some stupid liquid diet, just watching what I eat, Jenny Craig again (I'm a lifetime member afterall)... etc etc etc. During the time after my miscarriage, I looked into RNY, and was denied by my health insurance saying I needed 6 months of doctor monitored weight loss. I stopped, dead in my tracks. I was completely deflated, and gave up. (THANK GOD!) That brings us to my feeling completely beaten, and feeling completely helpless. I met a friend who I watched lose 174 pounds over 2 years with her band, and decided I needed to look into it. I was told I wouldn't lose what I wanted to lose with the band, and should consider RNY. I knew I didn't want this, but left that appointment reeling with emotions. I went thru all my testing, which showed absolutley no co-morbidities, so I decided the band was for me. Boy am I glad I did! so that' a snapshot of me. Hope you enjoyed the read! Jenn

no more oranges, grapefruit, chiken/turkey breast, bread, thick crust pizza, globby melted cheese, or apparently, as I found out this morning, raisin bran. also no potatoes with skin. And if I take too big of a bite, it doesn't matter what it is, it doesn't stay. So, then I get rid of it, and am reminded to take small bites, chew slowly, and take my time!

I take tylenol rapid burst liquid.

I do Zumba with a friend of mine. She doesn't really follow along at all. She does a little bit of what they do, but mostly her own stuff. Pretty funny actually! I on the other hand try very hard to follow along. The instructor tells us, it doesn't matter as long as you're moving and having fun!

Split Pea soup has lots of protein and its so yummy! Yogurt is good too! And don't forget your protein shakes! Enjoy!!

Yah, I didn't think of it that way! I guess that translates to 1 foot, 7inches! HAH, that's pretty cool! even better. Thank you Larry, btw, that picture is from August, when I was down about 50 pounds! I guess I need to update those. lol I am much happier now than I was 80+ pounds ago, it really is an amazing adventure, isn't it?

welcome and congratulations on making the decision to change your life!

up 1 pound to 228 Stinks! However... I was measured at the gym for the first time since 12/29, AND I have lost 19 inches! oh and I ran on the treadmill!!!! I guess exercising is working !!!!

That is so cool!

sometimes I have pain in my port area, and have trouble sleeping because of it. But the pain I feel when I sleep on my sides is because I have less padding to keep it soft and squishy! lol

congratulations! What an enourmous accomplishment! Good for you for not giving up!