hollyberries

Hey everyone! I went for a fill today and am hoping that it will finally be my sweet spot. I lost 5lbs from the last fill a month ago so things have slowed down for me. However, I am still very happy with my progress. I just want to lose this dang 3lbs to hit 100lbs and beat my buddy TXArcher. Love ya buddy...wouldn't be cool if we hit it the same day together. I have had the weirdest experience all day drinking my liquids. I drink and I can feel go down to the stoma and it stops and then all of sudden it is like a woosh and goes further down. I have been doing this all day and it happens every single time. I haven't noticed this before so it must be tighter. I have 2.25cc's in my 4cc band so I am hoping that I am close. I found people with a 4cc band have anywhere from 2.5 to 3cc's before restriction; so we will see. I am attaching a picture of me in my new bathing suit. As many of you are aware, I have had the hardest time finding a bathing suit for Water aerobics. Today I found a Croft & Barrows at Kohl's. Now, what has me so excited is I am now in a size 22 bathing suit. I am elated at this fact because just 6 months ago I was wearing a 32/34 and was moving out of shopping in a Plus size store to catalog. Now, I can go to Kohl's and actually buy stuff off the rack. So totally awesome...I know for some of you that phrase was an 80's flash back. Love ya guys, Cindy

Thanks Bandpal! The 3 haven't left yet. They are stubborn. I think they know that I am in competition with TXARCHER. LOL! Are you back from the states yet?

I am anal as well. Must be from my corporate world days and having to do many reports. LOL I am glad your losing...I know how frustrating it has been for you. You are losing the weight I am not...you will catch up to us soon... Cindy

Congratulations Sades! Love the look the chart.. Very pretty. Keep up the great work everyone! Cindy

Amen Cheri! I have lost rather quickly in the first 6 months 97lbs. However, I had a lot to lose to begin with so I think that is why I lost so quickly. It wasn't until the 2 months that I saw a slow down. You see, I did most of my weight loss with little to no exercise. It just seemed to melt off. I wasn't eating a diet per se, just eating lower quantities of food somewhere between 1200-1500 calories. I like you agree that the band is just a tool and we must work it and that I won't ever gain this weight back. Although, when faced with the daunting fact that you have to lose 179lbs it seems like a mountain but I have climbed over half the mountain and now is going to be the tough part. Now I am having to rethink my whole process. I have started water aerobics which I do 5 days a week and I am doing some strength training. I am trying real hard to eat high protein & low carb because my friggin hair is falling out for the rapid weight loss. I am so uncertain that this will work but I am willing to try it and am more determined than ever to get the last 80 or so pounds off. I was thrilled to see that you have had 6 fills with 2.9cc's in your band. I had my 5th fill this week and have 2.25cc's in my band. From what I have been able to figure the sweet spot is anywhere between 2.5 & 3.0cc's in a 4 cc band. So maybe we will get there eventually, but I can't complain and won't because I have 100lbs give or take less on this body now and I still way smaller portions than I ever did and for that I am grateful. Good post...even got a chuckle. Keep up the great job and attitude. We will conquer. Cindy

Foofy- That is the first thing that I lost was the chin...if you notice the arms are flabby and the stomach is still there. I asked my surgeon yesterday why it is that we lose from the top down and the stomach is the last to go. He laughed and said everyone asks him that... Now under the skirt lies extra flabby upper thighs. I went to my first Water aerobics class this morning and I loved it. I kind of amazed me how much it worked me out. I was skeptical but I liked it and I am going to go five days a week so that I can get the rest of my weight off. If you could have been a fly on the wall to see me so uncoordinated with the aerobics part but once I can do it watch out. Also, I was the youngest girl in the whole class. They were chuckling at me but I think I might have found something that I can stick with. As for the mini skirt, my husband was drooling over me in the bathing suit. He thought the girls looked good. LOL Cindy

Awesome Job Shalee! You have done remarkable. Size 14 that is fantastic. You must be elated. Hell, if I am elated at size 22, I can't imagine you. I don't blame you on not getting a fill before vacation. Enjoy! What is good about the band is that it is forgiving and you can hope back on the train when you bet back. Keep up the great work! You are a superstar. :cry_smile:

I don't have the pain that you all are experiencing but I have a really cool swooshing experience. I can only have liquids because of my 5th fill today. Every time I took a swig of Water, I feel it go down to a point and then it stops but then all of sudden swoosh right through the stoma opening. I have some pressure today but nothing painful. I do think this swooshing thing is cool but I am not sure about regular food doing the same thing...we will see. Good luck and here is hoping to restriction. Cindy

I agree Linda! I couldn't have been as successful without my band buddies. Love Ya too! Cindy

Thank God! I thought that I was going to gain everything I lost back but I got another fill today so I am hoping this will get me some good restriction. I met up with my Doctor in the Elevator today! We had a nice chat. I told him that I have to travel 2 hours to see him but he's worth it. LOL! I asked Dr. L about my goal weight and he said that he doesn't like to set a goal weight because he doesn't want you to get discouraged if you don't get down to it. He indicated that there are specific guidelines and I told him I knew that my ideal weight is between 155-175 and he thought that for my height that it was to low. He said go until you feel good. Which is what I was planning to do anyway. I also told him I don't remember ever being under 200lbs and that would be my next goal. I want to get to onederland. 60lbs away from it....with the extra 3lbs that I have gone up in the last week. Hopefully, I have that gone in a few days with being on liquids. I am feeling a little different with this fill. I don't know if it is just me or what but I feel fuller even without eating. Keeping my fingers crossed. I weighed in at the Doc's office at 263.50lbs. I go by my scale which is 3.5lbs lighter. So my real weight today was 260.

Thank God! I thought that I was going to gain everything I lost back but I got another fill today so I am hoping this will get me some good restriction. I met up with my Doctor in the Elevator today! We had a nice chat. I told him that I have to travel 2 hours to see him but he's worth it. LOL! I asked Dr. L about my goal weight and he said that he doesn't like to set a goal weight because he doesn't want you to get discouraged if you don't get down to it. He indicated that there are specific guidelines and I told him I knew that my ideal weight is between 155-175 and he thought that for my height that it was to low. He said go until you feel good. Which is what I was planning to do anyway. I also told him I don't remember ever being under 200lbs and that would be my next goal. I want to get to onederland. 60lbs away from it....with the extra 3lbs that I have gone up in the last week. Hopefully, I have that gone in a few days with being on liquids. I am feeling a little different with this fill. I don't know if it is just me or what but I feel fuller even without eating. Keeping my fingers crossed. I weighed in at the Doc's office at 263.50lbs. I go by my scale which is 3.5lbs lighter. So my real weight today was 260.

Rascal76- I noticed that you are from Dracut MA. What hospital are you going to? Who is your doctor? I am from MA and go to Brigham & Women's and have Dr. Lautz. I must admit that when I chose the Lapband no was going to talk me out of it. I was dead set against RNY because of the side affects and I wanted something reversible. I had heard that the RNY would be pushed instead of Lapband but my Doctor actually said that I was a good candidate for Lapband. I had no medical issues and was as healthy as a horse..LOL! Funny thing was he asked me why I wanted to have WLS and I responded, "Have you looked at me...I friggin fat." He laughed and said your going to do well with the band. He was right. 6 months out I have lost almost 100lbs and I feel great. It was the best decision of my life and I do know if I have a problem in the future that it can be fixed or I can do another procedure. I can't tell you what to do but go by your heart...it won't let you down. You know deep down what you are comfortable with. Best wishes, Cindy

I am so darn close to hitting 100lbs but these last 3 pounds just won't budge. I have yo-yo'd up 2-3bls down 2-3lbs up 2-3lbs and down 2-3lbs. I want off this roller coaster ride and just get rid of this last 3lbs so that I can say I have lost 100lbs. in 6 months. Which has been my only goal since starting this journey. Don't get me wrong, I am very pleased with my progress but 100lbs is a pivotal point for me and I want to hit dang it! I go for a fill tomorrow and I am hoping it will be the preverbial sweet spot that I long for. The last 2 weeks have been hunger hell. Can't figure it out but I have been so dang hungry all day long. Nothing is filling me up and I have had to diet through it. So keep your fingers crossed everyone...I want my sweet spot. Thanks for letting me rant. Cindy