Parvathi

Congratulations Debby - you're doing wonderfully! I can't wait til I look at my pants and see size 12 stitched into the label lol. Keep up the great work

Congratulations, Estela. Can't wait to see the pics - I bet you're looking even more fabulous! If you feel like company, I'm up for a challenge to lose 10 lbs by Christmas

Wow Ruthie - no wonder they noticed!! Looking fantastic - congrats

Bleh - how rude of me!! Forgot to say a HUGE congratulations to SuperDaddy!!! I'm still a slave to the demon caffeine and really can't see myself even attempting to give it up lol. Good on ya!

You need to host the pic somewhere online (ie it needs its own url), then add it to your signature by clicking on the lil picture of a mountain under the User CP>Edit Signature bit(that lets you put in the url for your picture and makes it stick).

Very sorry to hear about the erosion, Francesca. While I realize its probably not going to make ya feel any better at this point, from the last pictures I saw of you, you're looking absolutely stunning, so hey, you've got that My thoughts will be with you through the surgery. Oh .. and tell the hubby that a Saints helmet would look soooo much better in that space

So glad to hear your first fill went well. I too, worried nonstop before hand about the fill. Was a piece of cake

o0o gotta jump in on that hijack - I *know* you're not the only one here Angie lol, but nice try Can I be the token fence sitter, cause I just can't make up my mind hehe... Kimber-lilly, you look fabulous!! You've just got this amazing glow to you. And you're right, your son is the spitting image of you ... adorable

Congratulations Good luck w/ the new job.

Hi Amy - Welcome to LBT. You have a beautiful family I've only been banded 8 months now, but I would do it again in a heartbeat. For me, its been an amazing experience and opened so many new doors. Good luck with your research and feel free to just yell if you have any questions.

Wow! Look at that gorgeous face .. and there's so much less of it hehe. Well done

*hugs* Kel. You've done great so far! We all have our ups and downs .. and when we're having our downs, its so hard at times to pick yourself back up. You're right - its a viscious cycle. At your meals, are you eating hard Protein? That's gonna keep you fuller for longer (I know I don't need to tell you this though lol, we've all had it drilled into our heads enough). Are you still going to Curves? If so, its very possible you're putting on muscle. That's a great thing. If not, get back in there lol - you're paying for it so you might as well use it *nods*. Do they have a service whereby they call if you stop coming? My personal trainer used to do that and it always made me pick myself back up. If they don't, I'm happy to call and harass you Keep your chin up though. Plateaus and gains suck, but they're only temporary and we will get through them!

Fantastic news! Keep up the good work

YaYYYY Maria!! I had a couple of vodkas on your behalf today LOL. 99 is a great number, isn't it? Keep up the fantastic work

Corrine, I can so completely relate to what you feel. I've been banded just a few weeks longer than you and reckon we're right on the same track. My goal for 6 months was a bit more realistic - 50lbs - but only because my doctor was really good at reminding me to stay realistic. I too, am losing on average 2lbs/week. I lose more after a fill and then it slows. Its frustrating as hell!! A few things I do to help remind me of what I've accomplished are:- Look back at my before picture. I've only got one because I avoided cameras back then, but I can sooooo tell the difference now. It makes me feel good. Go to the gym and lift weights. On the lat pull down, I stack up how much I've lost and try to lift it. Oddly enough, I can't lift it all at the moment, when just a few months ago I was carrying that much extra weight around every day! Surround myself with people I haven't seen in a while. When I'm feeling down, I'll schedule a lunch date with an old friend I havent seen in ages. It gives you a chance to catch up and usually and endless string of compliments on how great you're looking now LOL. Step away from the scales for a few days. The past two times I've went on mini holidays (like weekend getaways) and didn't have a scale, I've come back and lost. It feels great. I know its hard to see how well you've done - I too get in that headspace more often than I'd like - but we can see how well you've done, so take our word for it If you need to talk or want to vent, feel free to yell at me

Congratulations, BigMan! Keep us posted on how ya go. Wishing you a speedy recovery

Wow Brenda!! You look marvelous! Ya know, you've lost a whole person... and not a lil bitty person either, but a normal size person LOL. Well done - that's a huge accomplishment

Thanks everyone! Today's a public holiday in Melbourne so I'm celebrating by spending the day at the beach hehe ... and for once, perhaps I won't be embarassed while I'm there *g*

Well, it seems I've finally slipped from obese to overweight on the BMI charts. As of this morning, my BMI is 29.4. When I started this journey (almost 8 months ago), my BMI was 41.0. Look out ideal, here I come hehe Thanks to all of you, for being there - I couldn't have done it without you!!!

I'm extremely happy w/ my band to date. I've gone from a BMI of 41 to a BMI of 29.4. I've went from 262 lbs to 187.8 lbs. I have heaps more energy and self confidence. I even managed to wear a pvc outfit to a party this weekend (after much encouragement lol) and looked fantastic *g* I have had no complications, apart from an overfill and a few PBs, but that's to be expected. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Time for a bit of an unfill, I'd hazard to guess. Last time I was having night reflux and couldn't drink in the mornings (Water, coffee, anything), that's what it was. I was waking up at night gasping for 3 days straight - it was hell. The dr took out 0.1ml and the world was a much happier place lol. I could instantly feel the difference. If you can get to a doctor, it'd be a good idea to do so. Leaving it as is can irritate your esophagus and stoma, which will make it worse.

I've been banded almost 8 months now. While I don't feel the band and have learned to make healthier choices by force of habit, if I'm honest with myself, I do think about my band everytime I sit down to eat. Its not life consuming by any means, just a gentle reminder, which I need at the moment.

Becky, that is simply amazing!!!! Well done! I can't wait to be where you are. I've already warned my hubby that when I hit -100lbs, I'm going to dance naked in the street LOL. He's got the camera ready *g* Are you at goal now, or still want to lose more? Thanks for the inspiration. Its because of posts like this that I know I can make it (although its taking a bit longer lol).

Awwwww, she's adorable!!! Well done, Carrie Pretty soon she'll fall through the bottom of em if you're not careful hehe.

Happy (belated) Birthday, Theresa!! Hope you had a fantastic day