hollyberries

I haven't posted in this thread yet. I have lost 90lbs. as of today and I am shouting it from the roof tops. I have lost this weight in just under 5 months. I love my Band! The 2st two pictures are of me at my highest weight of 354lbs. the 3rd is when I hit 60lbs. lost and the last two are of me this morning at 90lbs. down. I hope that these pictures can bring inspiration to someone that may be struggling with weightloss and looking into the LapBand. Do it! It's the best thing I have done for myself in a long time and if I can do it you can to. Cindy

Ok...today I realized that I have lost the same amount of weight as my 10 year old son weighs. Now, I can't even pick him up because he is heavy. So to know that I have lost in weight what a 10 year old boy weighs is mind boggling. By the time that I lose all my weight...I will have lost a whole person. Can't seem to grasp my mind around it. Yikes! cindy

I am having extensive hair loss for the last month or so. It started at 4 months post op. I am using Biotin, Nioxin & upping my protein. I can't say that I have noticed much of a difference yet but today the drain didn't have as much hair so I guess it might be. I am choosing these options on my doctor's advice and will be getting a hair cut to get about 1" to 1 1/2" off the bottom. It might to stimulate the growth a bit. I haven't had a hair cut in months so it might be time. I am bummed out about the loss but at the same time I wouldn't trade the 88lbs. back for anything. Cindy

Wasa- Gotta agree with you there. I have lost about 90lbs. since 11/07 and it has been primarily from eating about 600-1000 calories per day with at least 65-80gms of protein. I always eat my protein first, then fruits and veggies and carbs only if I need it. Typical day includes: Breakfast: Egg, cheese and veggie omelet, or Quaker Weight Control oatmeal and 1/2 an orange or banana. Snack: Don't need one because I am satisfied. Lunch: 1/2 turkey or ham sandwich with cheese and mayo, the other 1/2 of my fruit and 14 almonds/nuts. Snack: only if hungry, air popped popcorn or nuts or cheese or lean deli meat. Dinner: meat and veggies and sweet potato. Snack: only if needed; SF/FF chocolate pudding or nuts or cheese. Not often because I am usually satisfied. I drink K20 about 40 oz. and usually 40 oz. of Water. I do have I cup of coffee a day. I have not exercised up until this past week. I felt that I needed to kick my weight loss into high gear. So I joined the "Y" and am working on the treadmill for about 35 min. and lifting weights. I would like to do water aerobics but need to buy a new bathing suit because mine is way to big. I have gone from a size 34 to size 24 and feel fantastic. I am not always good about food choices and I am still dealing with head hunger/ real hunger but am getting better everyday. I do not deny myself anything, if I want it I eat it just smaller amounts and I try to keep within my calorie range. Oh Yeah, I track everything on sparkpeople.com and I weigh myself everyday to keep ahead of any weight gain (which has happened very rarely and usually gone within a few days). I have a 4cc band and am at 1.5cc's and definatly know that I need another fill because I am more hungry in between meals. My rule of thumb is if my weight is stalled and I get hungry within 4 hours of eating; it is time. I make sure that I see my doctor every 4-6 weeks regardless of whether I need a fill or not. It helps me to stay accountable. I didn't do this to not lose weight. I love how losing weight makes me feel and I am not going to sugar coat it because it isn't always easy but I love how thin feels. I hope that if anyone has read this far; it will help you if you are struggling. You can do it because trust me if I can you can. Cindy

Linda- You are making sense because I am a product of the 80's and I now about high hair! LOL! I have decided that I am going to get a haircut to give it a kick start. I am thinking that by having it cut it will stimulate some growth. Who knows! I am not a hairdresser but I don't want to be bald either. Thanks for the advice...well taken and I appreciate it. Cindy

I know that most days I get my protein in because I track on Sparkpeople. Maybe I need to increase it some more. I average 75-90gms a day. I eat a lot of eggs, cheese, chicken, rolled up ham and try to increase the protein in other ways. I was thinking about adding a Protein shake a day to increase it that way because trying to eat isn't easy. Thanks for the advice and glad to know I am not alone. I hate it because my hair is important as it is to most women. I think I just might get a hair cut to see if that will help with the growth. I have to admit that I wouldn't turn back because the weight loss is more important to my overall health. Cindy

Thanks Jill! I have really slowed down the last few weeks. This week I decided to change things up a bit and went back to the "Y". I am hoping that the exercise will help kick start things up. The last fill that I had kept me at 1.5cc's and I really should have gotten more because I am hungry. I go on the 9th for another fill and I am going to have him give me more since the 1.5 didn't cut it. I hope that I can inspire more people. I tell everyone that I had the Lapband and do not regret it. I hope that I can inspire someone to make the life changing decision that I have. Again, thanks. Cindy

These are my before pictures and one after where I have lost 60lbs. I am at 88lbs lost now and will post another picture when I get batteries for camera but for now. These are it. I am so shocked at how fat I was....what a difference 5 months makes. Cindy

Thanks Jill...how do you like Nioxin? Haven't seen much results but it is too soon to tell. Cindy

Skinny Jill- How did you resize your pictures to get them smaller? I would love to post mine but the darn things are way to big. Cindy

Hi Skinny Jill! You look fabulous! I see the difference. I know what you mean because I still don't see it either but I do see it in sizes. I am going to try to post pictures of myself but may need TXArcher's help to. Cindy

Hey, Congrats on your successful weightloss and being diligent to exercise. I have had my cycles like usual so I can't help you with that but I might agree with your OB/GYN that weightloss may have something to do with it. Also, you seem to exercise a lot so that your body may be in shock. If no one is concerned, I would wait it out. Now, I know they have checked you for Pregnancy right? LOL Best of luck! Cindy

Name............Start.............Current...............Goal.......... ...To Go Momto1plus1....223...............220.26.....................210....... ...10.6 Hollyberries......267...............267.........................257............10 I was behind the 8 ball last week and forget to get me in on the challenge. I have been remaining the same for about a week now and am trying to kick start the weight loss. I haven't done much in the way of exercise since banding so I went back to the "Y" this week and worked out. My goal is 3x a week with Cardio & Strength Training. I thought I would see the weight move but nope...this morning I decided to just have a Protein shake for Breakfast because I have been quite hungry lately. I know that I need a fill but am scheduled for 4/9 so I have to hold out 2 more weeks. I am just going to do the best I can with my wonderful but fickle band. Have a great week everyone! Cindy

You are an inspiration! Isn't it amazing what 4 months can bring in perspective. Keep up the great work. Cindy

We are all about 4 months plus out from being Banded. Some of us started this journey over a year ago and got me thinking about what has happened over the last year. A year ago I was researching weight loss surgery. I woke up one day and decided that I no longer wanted to be overweight. Not only could I not shop in regular stores but I was reaching a size that would force me to shop in the catalogs not store fronts. My knees were killing me. I woke up in the morning and I couldn't walk because of planters facititious (sp) and severe back pain. It just seemed everything hurt on me. I was just sick and tired of being overweight and it was restricting me. I was healthy according to the doctors but I knew that I was on a road that would lead to my down fall and worse yet but some type of disease. Worse yet I was close to hitting 400lbs. I can remember years ago saying that I would never hit 300lbs but here I was 354lbs and miserable. In May, I bit the bullet and scheduled my appointment for my surgical consult with Dr. Lautz. I would have to wait until August to see him but his reputation was impeccable and I was so ready. In August, I saw Dr. Lautz and remember him asking me why I wanted to have surgery. My response back was have you looked at me....I am freaking fat. He chuckled and looked over my test results and said that I was a good candidate for the LapBand. I was on my journey to getting a LapBand and my date November 6th. I followed the pre-op diet to the "T" and lost 24lbs prior to my surgery. Since the surgery, I have never looked back. LapBand Perspectives include: Losing 88lbs in 4 months Wearing the lowest size in the closet Having your pants fall down because you need new clothes Having people stop you to ask what you have done to lose weight Waking up in the morning and not being in pain No more foot pain Buying a bra and going from a 50DD to 44DD (the girls are so excited about there new home). Wearing a belt No lower back pain Knees don't hurt Eating small portions and being satisfied Putting the seat belt on it actually being loose and not having the steering wheel touch my stomach. Going from a size 34 to a size 26 and almost moving into a 24. Passing the 60lb weightloss goal because I never could move pass that without falling off the wagon. Just being damn proud of my progress So what are you perspectives 4 months out. Are you happy with your decision. I know that I am. I am never turning back. I love this lifestyle.

Foofy- I haven't exercised at all yet until today. Today was my first day at the "Y". I did the bike for 20 minutes and then I lifted weights for my arms (which are sagging). I came home and did the Ab-Lounger (which my Mom gave me). I have really been struggling with yo-yo weight lately. I am sure it is because I can eat more than I should be able to right now. My next fill is 4/9 and I am going to ask him to increase it. The last fill we chose to bring me back to where I was at the previous fill and it just wasn't enough. I was a very bad girl yesterday and overate and boy I felt like crap last night. My stomach hurt and everything. I am not used to eating candy and Desserts. Even today, I still don't feel right from yesterday. I should have just done shakes for today to calm everything down. I do know that to get the next 90lbs off that I will need to exercise it off. I can't be all fast losing forever and I am preparing myself for that. I sucks that it is still a struggle even with WLS but I wouldn't turn back because this is the most weight that I have lost in my entire life. Cindy

I was only required to do two week pre-op diet. I was told to drink 3 Protein shakes a day that had at least 15 gm of protein and a small meal in the evening. During the two weeks, I lost 24lbs. Best of luck to you! Cindy

Cag- You are catching up to me. Congrats on the 8lb loss! Woo-hoo! I probably gained what you lost just eating today. I feel like a stuffed pig. Darn Easter Candy is going to do me in. I keep telling the kids to eat it as fast as they can so that I don't have to see it. Oh well just one day. I know I need a fill. I went conservative with the last one but I am more hungry so I think that I will have him give me a bit more on the 9th of April. Hope your Easter was good. I love Easter service at my church. I lead worship so the music was very vibrant this morning. Not to mention I had to sing a special. Was a great holiday for me. Cindy

Name...................Start..........Current..........Goal ......To Go Momto1plus1.........228.8............223.0 ............218 .8.......4.2 Osangriared...........262...............252...............250......... ..2 Hollyberries............278...............267...............268...........(-1) Met my goal and happy about it. Now, I need to invest in some clothes. Dang everything is hanging on me. I love it though! Cindy

Way to go you are all inspirations. Just losing weight makes you a winner. I am so proud of you all. Keep up the great work. Cindy

Hey Peeps! What about Spring into Summer Weightloss Challenge to get us ready for summer and make Memorial Day our end date. I know that I have a goal to lose 100lbs my Memorial Day.. What do you all think? Cindy

Diddo to all of the above posts. I have had only a few episodes of things getting stuck and it was my fault and not the band. I find that if I wait to long to eat and am very hungry I forget all the rules. I have to remember to chew chew chew and chew some more. Have it done....these are small issues that you can control. Best of luck! Cindy

Shortgal! You are such an inspiration to me. Although, you have struggled with restriction you have handled it in such a positive way. I love reading your posts and know that you are doing fabulous. Everyone is doing great and I am so damned proud of everyone. Keep up the great work. Cindy

Lizzie... You should be so proud of yourself with conquering Bulemia. That is a very difficult thing to do and you should be proud of your accomplishment. I know that I am. Congrats on restriction it must be a wonderful feeling. Us Bandsters have a common perspective and isn't nice to be part of great family of support. I know that I couldn't do it without you all. Reading your posts always inspires me to do better. I don't know how some Bandsters do it without this group. Cindy

Not to shabby for you Shalee. You are 50% to goal weight. WooHoo! Cindy:thumbup: