LilMissDiva Irene

I especially just would like to show a difference in my face. Wow! Of course in the first picture I'm not smiling and I have no makeup on. Sorry about that! I keep trying to find some pics of me at my high of 330. I'm really going to have to hunt for it....

This is me... now you can put a face to a name! PS, please see my before/current pics on the attached link... http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/before-after-pictures-pix-only-4642/index95.html#post805192

Hi everyone, I am attaching my pics as I said I would once I got below 259. My weight today was 255.6 pounds and I took the pictures today. My before pics were at the weight just before surgery at 283. I can only hope my pictures will bring just as much inspiration as all the other posters before me have done for me. I do still have a long way to go, in fact nearly another 100 pounds, but NOTHING is going to stop me from reaching my goal! Keep up the good work everybody!

Jachut, Just curious, but does it ever bother you, as in getting in your way? I don't have this problem too much, but I've noticed it does for me sometimes with my higher waisted pants... :rolleyes2:

If you liked someone's post enough to give them credit for it, you can click the little scales next to the "online" indicator. Leave a little message and click "OK". Your rep number will go up with every time someone clicks the scales for you.

I liked Ali from the start, and it couldn't have happened to a more deserving contestant. I am so happy for her!! She gives me so much hope and I liked watching the show while on my treadmill or spinner at home. I would see her working her hiney off, and I would try to keep up with her. CONGRATULATIONS TO MY FAVORITE BL CONTESTANT EVER!!!

Everyone has different metabolisms, but maybe 700 calories isn't enough to keep your metabolism burning at its maximum. Maybe keep your minimum at 850 and see how that works... Tack on maybe one extra Protein shake per day or a 100 calorie snack. Good luck!

I started my exercising several years ago. I'll do at least 1.5 hours per day. I highly recommend exercising as a part of your weight loss goals. The weight just falls off on the good days, and the bad days tend to just keep the scale from going to high, if it even does. I also cannot even begin to describe how great it makes you feel. You feel so much better mentally, physically and otherwise. Start slow but make sure you are at least pushing yourself.

I had this problem too pre-banding. I'm sure there are so many of us who have. The best thing to do, I've found was to take it one step at a time. First, go buy some small plates. I mean maybe one inch larger than a coffee saucer. Fill it with maybe 6 oz of meat, one scoop of your side and fill the rest with your veggies. Then after you acclimate that, move on to taking tiny bites. Next maybe remove any and all drinks from the eating table. Then try getting away from eating in front of the TV. I mean, it's up to you. Cold turkey has NEVER worked for me. I've always made my achievements in small bits. Good luck all! You can do this!!

Most likely as some have mentioned, if you are on your liquids stage it can cause a runny stool. I had this as well. Funny thing now is, I have a hard time even going anymore. Blech.

lauren, try some of the outlet stores if you have some near you. You will be really surprised at what you can find there. Name brand clothes for dirt cheap. Like BBK said, you and only you will know you bought them at the outlets. I just recently bought a large Coach bag at the Nordstrom Rack for about $130. The original price tag said about $400. Then I bought a pair of Coach sunglasses and another pair of Fendi sunglasses for about $70 each. I know these are not clothes, but just wanted to give an idea of how much you can really save. I did buy some cute tops there as well, as I have recently started to fit in the 1X size and all I had was 3X in my closet. I paid maybe $15 per shirt, some even less expensive, for Nine West and Calvin Klein, etc. Venture out! By the way, if you do go to the outlet stores, make sure you have plenty of time to look through everything. There are so many hidden gems!

So do I! I thought I was the only one this anal (I mean no disrespect either). I really like to see the progression. I also have my measurements on a sheet all it's own along with other sheets of information. Back to the thread topic: I think I lost about 15/16 lbs. I lost the weight, but I never gained it back, which I was grateful for. When I went from clears to fulls I noticed a few pounds of weight gain, but it fell off quickly and I started to lose again. Same thing for mushies, and then solids. I was just fortunate I guess. Everyone is different.

Congratulations Nikki! You must be so proud and on top of the world!! Good for you! :biggrin2: I am doing my first check in here too. I have about 28 pounds to go to reach that 100 lbs. lost mark. Seems like a long ways away, but it's going fast...

Me too! Me too! *Raises hand* This is SO annoying to me. How about, "Who'd have thunk"? Oh man I just want to strangle anyone who says that! It is supposed to be "Who'd have THOUGHT"?!!!!! ____________________________________________ From dictionary.com: thunk1 Audio Help /θʌŋk/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[thuhngk] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation –noun 1.an abrupt, dull sound: the thunk of a shutting window. –verb (used without object) 2.to make such a sound: The window thunked shut. [Origin: 1945–50; b. thud and clunk] Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This thunk2 Audio Help /θʌŋk/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[thuhngk] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation –verb Nonstandard. a pt. and pp. of think1. Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Or tap shoes? :thumbup:

Jaime & Angie, my Darling Husband is 10 years older. I get to hound him big time! :thumbup:

Exactly what I was trying to say!! Thanks!

No problem! We love to talk here! :biggrin2: Please don't be frustrated! That is what causes many to give up. You are doing great and 17 pounds is not something to feel upset about. It is 17 pounds that you did have clinging to your body before you went in for your surgery. Yes, 17 pounds is very reasonable. Please keep in mind that no two people are alike. Some have lost a great amount of weight, some in between and some had a hard time losing any at all in the first stages. All are ok, and the weight loss will come in time. With the Lap-Band, we, and I'm sure you as well were brought to the knowledge that it is going to be a personal effort along with much patience. The weight is going to come off our bodies more slowly than we might expect. As far as exercise goes, if you are just starting out I think you are doing a great job. I think anyone is doing a great job for a beginner who just simply gets up off the couch and does anything! Don't feel so compelled to measure yourself up to anyone else. You are an individual and as long as you are giving the cause your most, then you are on the right track. Not sure I fully understand your second sentence, but for awhile prior to my first fill just a few days ago I did have this problem. I am still new with my first fill, but I have already seen a big difference in my habits. My scale has been cooperative with me afterward also. This might be the case for you too. I do have to say though, it's not all the Lap-Band's job to lose that weight, so keep up your routine and it will all fall into place. As far as the doctor's office goes, I can relate to you. I wasn't able to get my first fill for 9 weeks! I hung in there though and did the best I could. The reason is, the Lap-Band surgery is better suited for those who wish to make many changes in their health habits. So even though you are struggling, you just have to stay on course as best you can. We are here if you need a little uplifting! Also, some of those questions regarding getting your fills at another location is something you'll need to contact your insurance or doctor's office about. Good luck! If you don't feel you are getting the service you require then it would be worth it to seek the answers you need.

Angie, you look so happy even though you are frowning! Oh, I wasn't supposed to look at that, well... you do! Again, the shirt as Gibson above mentioned - I wouldn't have noticed at all. I have to say though, I was LMAO when I was pointed to it. So funny! Keep up the great work, and I can see a major difference. V-neck shirt or no!

Well... let's see... My highest "recorded" weight is 315. I know I lost about 15 pounds before getting the nerve to actually step on a scale. This was about 3+ years ago. I lost under the 300# mark quickly down to about 275-285 and stayed there for a few years. That is why I chose to get a Lap-Band because I have so much trouble with portion control. My lowest was in HS, as I used to almost kill myself to stay thin. I was always yo-yo'ing between 135 and 150. Right after graduation the pounds starting creeping up and I stopped weighing myself (often). I must have gained about 85 to 100 pounds at that time, as I was 235. Then I got married - and gained *alot*!! Another near 100 pounds! Augh!! Well, thanks to my new my new healthy attitude and band friend, all that will change

My dream outfit would be anything in a size 8. My SUPER drea, outfit would be a size 6.

I basically don't have one particular word. What "peeves" me is when I hear purposefully unsimilar dialect.

Jaime, I'm 34 and I've never felt better, even when I was 21. Once you get over the shock of the nice round 3-0 - you'll see it was worth the transition. Besides, haven't you heard? 30 is the new 20! :rolleyes2:

Yes, BooBooKitty, you look so great up there!

For the week of 4/14/08: "Though I may lose externally daily, internally I am undefeated." - Sanjay Jattan