Leepers

I always love your positive posts and great attitude. And your before/after pic? Amazing! You are an inspiration to me.

Congrats with your awesome weight loss! I was banded the day before you. I too started exercising and going to the gym. I've been doing the elliptical and weights but just started C25K. I was able to skip to about the middle of it because I had gained enough stamina doing the elliptical. I've only had one fill so far. I think about 2.5cc in my 10cc band. My doc has been so pleased with my loss that he really hasn't wanted to give me any fills. I struggle with this because all my band really does for me is slow down my eating. I'm happy that it does because then I can stop and take time to think about my portions. I struggle with portions though. I see everyone talking about 1/2 cup, one cup, etc. My doc said he doesn't care about my portions as long as I'm losing weight. But I wonder about after I reach my goal and loosen the reins. I have seen this whole experience as a chance to retrain my brain. After 7 months, I do great most of the time but still have struggles here and there. I honestly believe that that is how it will be the rest of our lives. A band can be tight but we still have to make good choices for the years to come.

Yes! 157 pounds?? Incredible! I entered Onederland, went out, back in, back out. That 200 mark is a difficult one. But I'm gonna keep on keepin on. I'm so proud of you. I'm thinking about a new tat also. Post us a pic!

It's under My Surgery. You can change your current weight there.

Usually they want you to leave them on until they fall off. Mine were really attached and needed a little help in that matter. Just be careful not to reopen the incisions.

Go back to your surgeon. Don't let others treatment of you keep you from your goals. But be ready to get serious and follow the rules. You have to be patient until you get your fills to the green zone. Along the way, you have to stop grazing. It's okay to have healthy snacks every now and then. Just follow the rules religiously and exercise. You can be successful!

Awesome, Bandista! You're doing such a great job and you're always so supportive of others. I'm so happy for you!

I've been getting those comments from a few people lately. Most surprisingly they have been from male acquaintances. I think that people were so used to our heavier image that they think we look malnourished or something. I still have 30 pounds to lose. People just see my thin face and arms. They don't see the 25 pound tummy successfully hidden by flattering clothes. Just keep doing what you need to do. When you have so little amount to lose, they probably won't notice the last few pounds anyway.

And BTW, you look fabulous!!

Another story of success that brought tears to my eyes. You have so much to be proud of.

Made it to Onderland this morning! I feel great! 97 pounds gone. 33 to goal weight. Also, with getting to Onderland, I went from obese to overweight on the BMI chart!

WOWZERS!! What a great transformation.

Thanks everyone! It is definitely a very flattering picture. I still have quite a bit of tummy hiding under there. I am one of those people who carries all their weight in the belly area. Also, my work out leggings are some shaping leggings I got at Meijer. Love them!

@@Junebug36 Just stick with it, every day. Not everyone has to be a crazy calorie counting exerciser like me. The key is to find your plan and stick with it. Go out, eat, have fun, but always get back to the business at hand. Becoming healthy!

@@catfish87 Hi Catfish! Did you ever find a reason for the passing out? Do you still have any episodes? Weirdly enough, I have had 2 episodes within 3 weeks of each other, where I have almost passed out. The one I had this weekend really freaked me out. I was at a restaurant and had just finished eating. Nausea, sweating, room going dark as I ran to the bathroom. I'm interested in the whole vagus nerve theory.

Hi everyone! I've gotten some really good ideas about different places to have meetings. Could everyone respond and tell me what days/nights would be good for you? Obviously we won't be able to make everyone happy, but it would be good to have a general concensus.

They generally say no carbonation with the lap band too. I have beer every now and then. I try to pour it in such a way as to get most of the carbonation out, then it's sort of a flat beer. I do find that sometimes after one beer I start getting bloated and gassy (no burping anymore with my band) so I will switch to wine or vodka. I do think I tend to get drunk faster, but I have 95 pounds less flesh to help absorb the alcohol. So I'm careful not to overdo it.

@@jess9395 I feel that my weight loss has a monthly cycle too, that goes along with my period. Two weeks leading up to my period? Barely lose. Two weeks after? Lose like crazy!

I do not deny myself happy hour on the weekends. But I definitely get my butt into the gym the next day.

I have a large chest. I hate when women have floppy books at the gym. So I do my best to reign these puppies in. I wear my regular under wire bra. Over that, a very tight sport bra, over that, a tank with a built in shelf and then a loose tank. Lol. Sounds crazy but it works.

I officially quit smoking 6 years ago. Since then, I occasionally would smoke when I drank alcohol. Lately though I've been struggling with wanting to smoke more. Possibly trading one addiction for another? I'm fighting with myself because I really do want to be healthy.

Good for you! Hopefully the right people will see your message and realize that the band is not meant to be so tight that you stop eating real food. It's a tool to help us eat less and be satisfied. And most of all, healthy!

@@lisacaron Buy the chips and Pepsi and give them to a skinny person.