StartingOver

In my experience, yes I can definately say that my old stomach has shrunk. When I didn't have good restriction I could eat and my pouch wouldn't fill up, but still with a small amount of food I would feel a fullness in my "old" stomach that was different than having a full pouch.

Thanks for the responses. I think that I'm just getting used to the changes that my body has gone through these past 7 months and I have forgot how it feels to be 305lbs. I looked at some photos of myself before, and I do recognize my accomplishment, and feel somewhat better. As far as setting an unattainable goal, well, that's just the way I am. I have seen others lose 100lbs in their first 6 months, and figure if they can do it so can I. Some have had a much higher start weight than I did, but some haven't so I figured with some strict discipline in the diet and exercise department I could do it. Truthfully, I can think of a million reasons why I didn't make it, again diet and exercise.Sometimes making high goals is good and it drives me to succeed, and other times it just sets me up for failure. I'm always one to make a reasonable goal out loud, but in my mind I'm shooting for the stars. I'm back on the wagon. Can't wait for my spinach & egg salad for lunch. Yummy!

Congratulations Becky, that is a wonderful accomplishment!!!

Congratulations on getting banded! My thoughts are with you for a speedy recovery and much success with your band.

I'm down a bit this morning to 238.

Weight today is 238 (I lost what I gained last week) Under bust: 42 Waist: 44 Hips: 45

I'd like to join the -100lb club. I have a total of 145lbs (at least) to lose. I am currenlty down 67lbs in the past 6+months. Hopefully down 100lbs by my 1 year bandiversary.

Congrats Kellie that's wonderful. And I second the question, "What do you mean 'slower than alot?'" You are doing an amazing job and I think you're right on track. Take 100% credit and acknowledge your accomplishment. Great loss in an amazing amount of time!

I just wanted to check in and see how everyone is doing. I am now down 67lbs since being banded Marh 30th '05. My fill level is 3.5cc's in a VG band, and it tends to be finicky at times. Sometimes I can feel even the tiniest sip of Water pool in my pouch, and other times, like right now, I can eat chicken rama and rice with no problem. I am down to mostly size 18 pants and 2X or 22/24 shirts. I started off in 24 pants and 22/24 and some 26/28 shirts, but both were really too tight on me. I'd like to lose another 80lbs at least, and originally wanted to be at my goal by my one year band anniversary, we'll see..... I am working out now quite often and even have started seeing a fitness trainer. My heart and lungs are a lot stronger, and I can jog about a mile & a half without any problem. How are you all doing?

I went to the gym today and did 30 minutes on a stationary bike and then did some ab work. I met with a trainer at the gym and am really hoping that she can kick my butt into shape. As she says "pain is temporary, pride is forever".

Went to the gym today and met with a trainer. She was pretty cool, but I know that she can easily kick my butt if I slack off which is just what I need. She had me flexing my abs (really really sucking in my gut but still being able to breathe), and says that's what I need to be doing when doing ab work. I did 30 minutes on the staionary bike plus 2 types of ab work.

Anyone up for an exercise challenge? I've been battling a cold this past week, and have totally gotten out of my exercise routine, not to mention eating ALOT of comfort food. I propose a challenge to exercise 30 minutes each and every day. Each day we will post how much and what type of exercise we did, this means anything that raises your heartrate: housework, walking, gardening, riding a bike, swimming, whatever. Perhaps we can start a new post each Monday, then edit it with the stats as the week progresses. Who's with me?

I gained 3 pounds this week, but lost several inches??? I weighed and measured twice, here are my new stats: Weight: 243 Under bust: 42 Waist: 46 Hips: 48

I gained weight, now 243, but lost several inches. Weird week!

Jennifer, Ultimately the decision is yours. You are the only person who can judge which is the right surgery for you. Please don't base your decision on how difficult it will be to switch surgeries at this point, but instead on what is really important to you and your family. There were several deciding factors for me in favor of the lapband. I do want to have more children, and I know that with the band I am less likely to gain back my weight or stretch out my pouch than with RNY. It is a personal choice that should be yours, but since you asked for an opinion I think the lapband is the way to go. Your BMI is rather low for RNY (IMHO) and with your plans to have another child I'd say go for the band. The surgical and postop risks are lower, so that in and of itself is a major reason to chose the band. You want to be healthy post op not only for yourself and your family now, but healthy enough to have another child. Good luck in making your decision.

So much for my weekend strategy. First, I ate a grilled cheese sandwich & fries for lunch. I PB's on the 5th bite so I decided to get a warm cup of tea to wash it down with so that I could eat the rest of it. What is wrong with me???? Then I ate some red licorice. Once I got home I ate 2 slices of pizza, microwave popcorn, and a BabyRuth (over the course of 5 hours). What is wrong with me??? It's hard to believe that I am super tight in the morning-so much so that I'm thinking of getting a partial unfill. Yet at night I can stuff my face like there's no tomorrow, and not even feel the tiniest bit uncomfortable. What is wrong with me??? Yes I know I've asked that 3 times now. The really sick part is that I've been busting my butt at the gym and even though I've been eating a ton of food, mostly junk, I have gained 2lbs this week and I am trying to convince myself that it is muscle weight. Yeah right! But seriously even with all of the calories I consume, I burn a ton at the gym. No time this morning for my protein drink as I was running late. Instead I had a capuccino and 2 pieces red licorice. I can already hear the cafeteria calling my name. Anyone have ear plugs???

Does your doctor remove all of the fill each time before giving you more??? I only ask because mine does, and that's where we've figured I have 3.5ccs. If you add all that he gave me, it would be 6.5cc's. I was really worried because I thought I had a leak, but I guess not. My other thought was that either I have ALOT of fat around my stomach that is making my band tighter at 3.5cc's, or maybe my doc got mixed up and gave me the Inamed band that holds 4 cc's. How much and what are you eating? (If I may ask) Also, if you're exercising your body may be converting fat to muscle so you don't see a difference on the scale, just in how you feel and how your clothes fit. Since I started exercising alot I have noticed that I'm not losing as much which does and doesn't make sense. Hang in there!

I've been banded 6 & 1/2 months now with a Vanguard Band. I have 3.5cc's in a 10cc band and do feel like my band is a bit too tight. I have a hard time eating before noon, and cannot even attempt to eat bread, pasta, rice, or tortillas. Even though I am tight, I'm not losing very quickly at this point because I'm eating junk (candy, microwave popcorn, icecream, soda). I have upped my exercise now, so I'm hoping to see some results from that.

That was hilarious! I'm glad I went all the way through the "demo"

Look at you up and at it already!!! Just think of all the calories you've already burned and it's only 9am! I am going to try to focus on work and not food. Oh please 4:30 get here fast!

Alright DeLarla, we're here to help you get through the weekend. I have the same struggles with the weekend. I'm usually working the whole weekend, and I just sit here hearing the vending machines and the cafeteria calling my name. Even right this moment I am thinking about eating my left over salad from yesterday, or maybe walking across the street to the cafeteria to grab some oatmeal or cream of wheat (my favorite!) Honestly, I am a bit hungry, but I told myself that I need to wait until lunch. I drank a big ol' Protein drink (chocolate Protein powder mixed with water) at 6am, it's now 8:30 and I really want some Breakfast. My food/exercise strategy for the day is: 1. Protein shake for breakfast. 2. Eat left over salad from yesterday for lunch (spinach, egg, cheese, turkey & ham) 3. Eat small protein rich dinner, maybe some salmon and some green veggies. 4. Go to the gym and work out on treadmill for at least 1 hour (4 miles) then do some ab & leg work with weights and machines. Then do it all over again tomorrow, but for now I'll focus on today. Can I do it???? Honestly I don't know. Wait, take that back, YES I CAN !!!

Way to go RoadQueen!!!! I just got back from the gym. 30 minutes treadmill (walking & jogging I did 2 miles) 15 minutes recumbant bike

I went to the gym last night and did 20 minutes on the eliptical trainer and 20 minutes on the treadmill at a pace of 3.5 miles/hr.

I made it back to the gym yesterday since it's too dark and usually raining by the time I can get some exercise into my day. I did 20 minutes on the eliptical machine and 20 minutes on the treadmill at 3.5 miles/hr. I'm going back to the gym today to see a trainer and establish a program that will hopefully help tone my arms and my abs.

Day 1 was a no go for me. I went to bed about 2am this morning, and ate a Butterfinger at 1:30am. Then tonight I made an apple crisp and ate a piece with some ice cream. Tomorrow is another day, and it might be day 1 of no candy. We'll see.......l