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OH man! You ARE lucky! It's so weird!!!!

Oh, and I forgot to say: once I hit my goal weight, I think I will also go to the doctor and make him give me a once-over. I did a barium swallow last year and everything was still all good, but I think it will be quite fun to go in there at my goal to show off and make sure everything's in good shape. If the lap band wasn't developing such a bad reputation lately, I'd ask them to make me a poster girl!!!!

Wow, Skinny Jill! That's awesome!!!! I'm so glad that you're doing great too! Lucky for me, I lost weight so slowly that I don't really need the tummy or lower body things, but the breast lift....yeah, my husband and I have been having discussions about that. I'm just starting to become curious about how much it might cost. Have you had any issues with port protrusion? This is my biggest frustration right now. I was chalking it up to "oh well, it's worth it to be thin(ner)" but then, my 10 year old step son exclaimed, "what is THAT?!?!?!?" when we were hanging out by the pool the other day. It's so bad that not only is the port itself sticking out about an inch from my body, but you can also see about 2-3 inches of the tubing!!!! Crazy!!! I can't believe you are 127....my surgery weight was just a little higher than yours, and I'm REALLY struggling to get down to 145. I have lost 2 or 3 pounds in the last couple of weeks, which has gotten me off my 8 week plateau, so that's refreshing. I would really like to make it to 145 by my 5 year bandiversary! Weight Watchers lifetime member.....oh, I'm so jealous!!!!! It's just so close for me I can taste it! And like you, I NEVER thought I would get there! It's definitely been a finely mixed cocktail for me: lap band, discipline, exercise, weight watchers, and total rock-steady focus (that part doesn't always work out: for example, I've eaten cake two days in a row now oops!)

Hi Everyone! Is anyone still out there? It's been almost 5 years since we were banded! I have a confession to make....I came back to the site today just to make sure I'm not the only one still hanging in there. Are you all still doing well, or have complications arisen, and bands come out? Don't get me wrong, the last 5 years has certainly had its ups and downs....in life and on the scale. However, I figured as long as I have this thing and it's not hurting me, I should take good care of it. Over 2011, I gained about 20 pounds. I was just being lazy and having a good old time. I'm in grad school, I started a new job, and just otherwise enjoyed the heck out of some Mexican food. I decided I wanted to make it my goal to be "normal", so on 1/4/12, I joined Weight Watchers. I didn't go get a fill--- a lot of times I feel like having noticeable restriction in the band is just so tiring. I wanted to see it if I could do it at the level of restriction I was at. Well, As of today, I've lost 30 pounds. I'm 10 pounds below my initial goal weight, and am 5 pounds from being "normal." For the past 12 weeks, I've been going to the gym 5 days a week. I'm doing Zumba, Body Combat, and the GGX Challenge--all at Gold's Gym. I'm counting points on Weight Watchers and only occasionally get the "reminder" from my lap band that I'm crossing the line. Ultimately, I just want to see if there's anyone else out there. I almost feel GUILTY that I've made this band work for me for 5 years now. I see a TON of people who have had complications and have gotten removals or revisions. How are you guys doing after almost 5 years?

I made it to my goal weight!!! Now I get to decide if I want to keep on going!!! I can't believe it actually happened!!! Abbisgood.........53.............23%.............?? Aubrie............65.............%...............31 BandChick64.......104............34.67%..........31.6 Bandpal...........141.9..........49.6%...........23.6 BarbBee...........154............51%.............25.0 Cherlita..........60.............20%.............55 Cindyg............62.............24.5%...........34.5 Close.............50.............20%.............33.1 Firebolt..........67.............27%.............30.2 Foofy.............50.5...........18.5%...........35.5 gabeekeeper.......101............30% ............40.2 Hajohnson1........49.8...........18.2%...........39.8 Hollyberries......113............31%.............36.2 HoppingToIt.......69.............19.7%...........49.1 Huskerette........54.............22%.............30.5 kandiceb..........63.............26%.............27.6 linda.............52.............23%.............29.9 lindseyann2u......115............N/A.............N/A Maincat...........141............46.5%...........22 Mariegabrieleee...86.............40%.............36.9 Melanie1972.......80.............30%.............29.7 MollyBrown........36.............12.5%...........36.5 Momto1plus1.......144............54%.............19.6 NYGirl1...........102............33%.............32.6 plump_princess....57.............22%.............36 QatarPhil.........55.............19%.............32.2 Rachel............63.............%...............28.3 Robin_Bird........132.2.........43.3%............26.3 Sades.............44.8...........19.5%...........33.7 scarecrow.........125............40%.............27.3 Shalee04..........70.............28%.............29.2 Shortgal..........44.5...........20.5%...........32.9 Skinny_Jill.......71.............32.4%...........28.5 Staysee...........70.............20%.............48.4 Stephanie.........67.5...........29%.............25.9 strangeratx.......70.............30%.............27.9 Teresajo..........93.............36%.............27.3 Tmusicmaker123....73.............19%.............48.7 TxArcher..........122............31.5%...........36.7 tyman311..........61.............31%.............28 want2lose.........91.8...........32%.............31 lisawach.........104.0...........29%.............??

just wanted to check in with you all. I'm not updating the chart...I still haven't lost any weight. HOWEVER, I am running between 2 and 4 miles 5-6 days a week, working out and lifting weights, so I guess it's okay. I feel FANTASTIC! Congrats to everyone else that's doing well too. I hear you, Momto1plus1: I know EXACTLY what you mean about checking to see whose shirt you're folding. If his didn't have football, skulls, and cars on the front, I would have an even more difficult time!

I am proud of you too!!! If you don't slow down soon, you're going to wither away!!!!!!!! Like I've said so many times...I wish I could get down to "normal" but based on my trends, I think I'm about done losing. I think if I can get about 8 more pounds off, I will be at my "first" goal and I will be 100% completely satisfied. I'm about 90% satisfied the way things stand right now, which is NOT bad! Congrats, Momto1plus1!!!!

Hi everyone... Don't know if anyone will even see this....has everyone else kinda stopped logging in too? Now that I'm so close to goal, I feel like I will never really get there. We'll see. I had a little set back last weekend. I don't know how, but somehow after no fill for 4 months, I got super-tight. I must have eaten something that got stuck forever, because by Monday morning, I was in the doc's office. I got 2cc pulled out, so now I'm down to 4cc in my 10cc band. It's unbelievable what a difference it makes to reduce restriction. I pretty much had thought that my new habits were permanent, but man oh man, I sure have been eating a lot more in the past week! I think I've gained about 2 pounds. And I cannot help myself. It's the weirdest thing. I get hungry between meals now, and I eat more in a sitting. It's like I know when I would have stopped eating before I got an unfill, but for some reason, I eat right past that point. Clearly, it's enough food, but it's just not enough to satisfy. It's quite obvious that I NEED my band! I have a fill scheduled for Thursday--I'm hoping I can control myself a least a little bit until then. If I go back above 170 I'm certain I will feel terrible. Plus, I'm going to Costa Rica in less than 3 weeks!!! I DO NOT need to take any extra pounds with me!!!!!!

LOL...I recently heard a funny update to "why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free." Here it is: Why buy the whole pig when all you really want is a little sausage? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Name.....Lbs Lost...% of orig. wgt lost.....BMI Abbisgood.........53.............23%.............?? Aubrie............65.............%..............31 BandChick64.......104............34.67%..........31.6 Bandpal...........126.72..........44.3%...........26.1 BarbBee...........122............40%.............30.4 Cherlita..........60.............20%.............55 Cindyg............62.............24.5%...........34.5 Close.............50.............20%.............33.1 Firebolt..........45.............19%.............33.5 Foofy.............50.5...........18.5%...........35.5 gabeekeeper.......101............30% ............40.2 Hajohnson1........49.8...........18.2%...........39.8 Hollyberries......113............31%.............36.2 HoppingToIt.....69.............19.7%...........49.1 Huskerette........54.............22%.............30.5 kandiceb..........63.............26%.............27.6 linda.............52.............23%.............29.9 lindseyann2u......100............N/A.............N/A Maincat...........141............46.5%...........22 Mariegabrieleee...86.............40%.............36.9 Melanie1972.......80.............30%.............29.7 MollyBrown........36.............12.5%...........36.5 Momto1plus1.......105............39%.............25.7 NYGirl1...........102............33%.............32.6 plump_princess....57.............22%.............36 QatarPhil.........55.............19%.............32.2 Rachel............63.............%..............28.3 Robin_Bird........132.2.........43.3%...........26.3 Sades.............44.8...........19.5%...........33.7 scarecrow.........125............40%.............27.3 Shalee04..........70.............28%.............29.2 Shortgal..........44.5...........20.5%...........32.9 Skinny_Jill.......71.............32.4%...........28.5 Staysee...........70.............20%.............48.4 Stephanie.........64.............27%.............26.5 strangeratx.......63.............27%...........29.6 Teresajo..........93.............36%.............27.3 Tmusicmaker123....73.............19%.............48.7 TxArcher..........103............25.75%..........39.2 tyman311..........61.............31%.............28 want2lose.........91.8...........32%.............31 Total weight Loss to date: 3169.32 lbs!!!! I'm going one pound at a time now, but I'll take it!

Congrats MOM!!!!! I myself, am hereby claiming an additional 2 pounds. I think some people haven't updated in a while. I sure wish they would stop on by!!! Name.....Lbs Lost...% of orig. wgt lost.....BMI Abbisgood.........53.............23%.............?? Aubrie............65.............%..............31 BandChick64.......104............34.67%..........31.6 Bandpal...........126.72..........44.3%...........26.1 BarbBee...........122............40%.............30.4 Cherlita..........60.............20%.............55 Cindyg............62.............24.5%...........34.5 Close.............50.............20%.............33.1 Firebolt..........45.............19%.............33.5 Foofy.............50.5...........18.5%...........35.5 gabeekeeper.......101............30% ............40.2 Hajohnson1........49.8...........18.2%...........39.8 Hollyberries......113............31%.............36.2 HoppingToIt.....69.............19.7%...........49.1 Huskerette........54.............22%.............30.5 kandiceb..........63.............26%.............27.6 linda.............52.............23%.............29.9 lindseyann2u......100............N/A.............N/A Maincat...........141............46.5%...........22 Mariegabrieleee...86.............40%.............36.9 Melanie1972.......80.............30%.............29.7 MollyBrown........36.............12.5%...........36.5 Momto1plus1.......100............37.2%...........26.5 NYGirl1...........102............33%.............32.6 plump_princess....57.............22%.............36 QatarPhil.........55.............19%.............32.2 Rachel............63.............%..............28.3 Robin_Bird........116............38%.............28.7 Sades.............44.8...........19.5%...........33.7 scarecrow.........125............40%.............27.3 Shalee04..........70.............28%.............29.2 Shortgal..........44.5...........20.5%...........32.9 Skinny_Jill.......71.............32.4%...........28.5 Staysee...........70.............20%.............48.4 Stephanie.........64.............27%.............26.5 strangeratx.......62.............27%...........29.8 Teresajo..........93.............36%.............27.3 Tmusicmaker123....73.............19%.............48.7 TxArcher..........103............25.75%..........39.2 tyman311..........61.............31%.............28 want2lose.........91.8...........32%.............31 Total weight Loss to date: 3147.12 lbs!!!!!

OHHHH EMMMM GEEEEEEE! That is by far the funniest EVER!!!! "What's for dinner, Batman?" BWAH HA HA HA HA HA HA :tongue2:

No kidding. Delrio:

Congrats, Lindsey! What an amazing accomplishment!!

I did not know Kendra at all, except the very little bit of interaction when we first got banded. My friend Mindy (coltonwade) knew her pretty well. Her cancer journey was shockingly fast. It's very sad, but I do honestly believe it might be better that way....better than it lasting longer. Maybe she left this world with a little better esteem than she had before. Bandpal, I understand how you're feeling. I'm running somewhere around 8-10 pounds from goal. I got a fill on December 11, and even after all this time, some days are better than others. I've even had my boyfriend threaten to not go out to restaurants with me anymore because he hates sitting alone while I run to the bathroom. It's weird...some days, I could eat a whole pizza, other days, swallowing a cracker too soon sends me over the edge. C'est la Vie, I suppose.

Gosh, Mom!!!!! You're STILL melting!!!! I'm super jealous!!!!!

I definitely understand what you mean. Then, there's also the feeling that maybe my big goal isn't enough and perhaps I should be shooting for more. I really get a lot of comfort out of encountering people I haven't seen since "before" or just after. They are always STUNNED. It really reminds me of how far I've come. But, then, there are still the people who say, "What's different about you?" And I'm like, "uh, I've lost 60 pounds!!!!" Kinda makes it seem like they've noticed something different, but I'm still fat or something....probably all just in my own head--who knows.

I don't think I'll ever be "normal." Normal for me would be 140, and I don't think that would be a good look for me...Besides, it would also mean another 30 pounds of weight loss, and I just don't think it's gonna happen. Especially at the pace I'm moving at now!!!! Even in high school on the drill team, working out almost 20 hours a week or more, I was 160. I think an "overweight" 160 is so nice....I hope I get there!!! Momto1plus1, you are doing soooo well! Keep it up, and good luck pressing foward to NORMAL!!!!

Well, I'm making it official. I've weighed between 168 and 170 for the past 4 days, so I'm updating myself to be 170!!! 1 more pound and I will not longer be "obese." I've been saying a lot lately, "I'm overweight in the mornings, but usually obese by bedtime." LOL Name.....Lbs Lost...% of orig. wgt lost.....BMI Abbisgood.........53.............23%.............?? Aubrie............65.............%..............31 BandChick64.......104............34.67%..........31.6 Bandpal...........124.3..........43.4%...........26.5 BarbBee...........109.............36%.............33.1 Cherlita..........60.............20%.............55 Cindyg............62.............24.5%...........34.5 Close.............50.............20%.............33.1 Firebolt..........45.............19%.............33.5 Foofy.............50.5...........18.5%...........35.5 gabeekeeper.......101............30% ............40.2 Hajohnson1........49.8...........18.2%...........39.8 Hollyberries......113............31%.............36.2 HoppingToIt.....69.............19.7%...........49.1 Huskerette........54.............22%.............30.5 kandiceb..........63.............26%.............27.6 linda.............52.............23%.............29.9 lindseyann2u......82.............N/A.............N/A Maincat...........141............46.5%...........22 Mariegabrieleee...86.............40%.............36.9 MollyBrown........36.............12.5%...........36.5 Momto1plus1.......97.............36%.............26.9 NYGirl1...........102............33%.............32.6 plump_princess....57.............22%.............36 QatarPhil.........55.............19%.............32.2 Rachel............63.............%..............28.3 Robin_Bird........116............38%.............28.7 Sades.............44.8...........19.5%...........33.7 scarecrow.........125............40%.............27.3 Shalee04..........70.............28%.............29.2 Shortgal..........44.5...........20.5%...........32.9 Skinny_Jill.......71.............32.4%...........28.5 Staysee...........70.............20%.............48.4 Stephanie.........64.............27%.............26.5 strangeratx.......60.............26%...........30.1 Teresajo..........93.............36%.............27.3 Tmusicmaker123....73.............19%.............48.7 TxArcher..........103............25.75%..........39.2 tyman311..........61.............31%.............28 want2lose.........91.8...........32%.............31 TOTAL..............3,097.42 (Lets Keep this TOTAL on the list)

I know this will probably be stuff you already know, and may not want to hear, but perhaps you need it anyway: 1) Congrats on 100lb loss! 2) I've hit a plateau too. I've only lost 2 pounds since early October. UGH. 3) Take the Ambien. You need to sleep. You can't expect your body to work properly on 3 hours per night. You have control of yourself. If you don't give in to the emotional and mental addiction, it will not take over you. Besides, getting back into a normal routine will help you not get attached. 1) Take pills. 2) Sleep. 3) Feel refreshed and alert. 4) Make better food choices. 5) Get outside, do some walking, move your body. 6) Feel better--physically and emotionally. 7) Get a natural full night's sleep. YOU CAN DO IT. 4) Stay focused on your weight loss. I always say: Who cares how long it takes? You have the rest of your life to lose weight and be healthy. However, it is true that most people lose their weight in the first 18-24 months. That means, there is still plenty of time for you to lose. Just stay focused. Appreciate what you have accomplished so far, and remember you goal. I really really really hope this helps.

Wow Momto1+1!!! Have you REALLY lost 10 pounds in the last month????? Good for you!!! Maybe I AM the only one who's slowing down!!!!! (Although the scale did say 170.0 this morning--exciting, but I'm not logging it yet)

Eh, maybe.....well, probably. I just wandered in at random and really felt compelled to comment. I'm not sure "hijacked" is the right word....the people who initiated the conversation are still running it. "Strayed off topic" is probably more accurate. And strayed is putting it lightly. But, like I said, I wandered to this thread at random, and just had to comment. It's too brazen for me to not put my two cents in.

Hi SoCalers!!! I'm a Texan, myself, but have a San Diegan (is that what you call yourselves? San Diegites, San Diegoans, San Dieganians?) friend who wants to get banded. For some reason, the reputable UCSD is NOT covered on her insurance, and she is in the process of looking for another "Center of Excellence." I'm not sure what insurance company she is with, and will post that info when I receive it. Anyone have any input? I really just want my best bud to be my best BAND bud, and I want her to be as HAPPY as I am!!!!!! :biggrin: