Barb

Weight: Waist: 44.5 inches Hips: 55 inches Upper Arms: 16.25 Wrist: 6.75 Bust: 44 inches Calves: 16 inches Mid Calf Thighs: 25.5 inches CHANGES (Since last measurement) Weight Loss: Waist: 3" inches Hips: 3 inches Upper Arms: 3/4" Wrist: .25" Bust: 3 inch Calves: 1 inch Thighs: 1"

Weight: Waist: 44.5 inches Hips: 55 inches Upper Arms: 16.25 Wrist: 6.75 Bust: 44 inches Calves: 16 inches Mid Calf Thighs: 25.5 inches CHANGES (Since last measurement) Weight Loss: Waist: 3" inches Hips: 3 inches Upper Arms: 3/4" Wrist: .25" Bust: 3 inch Calves: 1 inch Thighs: 1"

Yes, I felt normal and many times forget about the band......except when eating.

I also use fitday.com. It helps me know for sure that I am doing what I think I am. I also like having the history to go back to. If I stop loosing I can go and see what is different. Here is the link for my before picture. I will post the "new" me before long, at least for a little while. :-) http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=7729&page=17&highlight=Picture+Page

I don't have any advice but just wanted to let you know that you are in my thoughts and prayers and wish you the best.

Hi all, I do not know my weight prior to banding. I know that seems odd but I wasn't weighed the day of surgery. So, the closest I can get for a starting weight is 231.5. That was my weight at my follow-up appointment. I was very surprised at that I though I weighed more, and actually probably did, I suspect I lost about 20 lbs. the months prior to deciding to get banded. I was the definition of yo-yo; I was always going up and down and not just 5lbs. either. I honestly thought I was close to the 260 range but I don't have a scale (still don't) so I weigh very seldom. I am 5'7" and my original goal was to get under 150. I then decided to set it at 145 and not let myself get above 150. I am 138 lbs. right now. To answer kabeerah's question - I am not sure how to put the breaks on it. I posted about maintenance a couple of months ago when I knew I was getting very close to goal but I didn't get any responses. My fill Dr. is on vacation until September 5th, but I will be gone from September 4th -14th. I won't be able to see him until after the 14th. I don't know exactly how he is going to feel about me being under my goal weight, but I hope he is happy for me. I am ready to stop loosing; I haven't weighed since the 12th but I suspect I have lost a couple of more pounds. I am not filled to tight. My average over the year is right on the mark of 1-2lbs. per week. However, that is not actually how I lost it. I lost fast initially after surgery and then it really slowed until after my second fill. I was filled to much on my second fill and had to have an unfill the same day; I couldn't even swallow my own saliva. I was fortunate and hit a very good spot with my second fill and went to goal with it. In general I followed the band rules. I ate protein first and then whatever until I was full. I drink at least 48oz. of water each day. I do not drink any sodas and I really really watch my alcohol consumption. I have never been much of a snacker or sweet eater. But, sodas were a big problem for me. As far as pictures go; there is a picture of me somewhere on here from about a year ago. I think it is somewhere in the lounge area but I can't find it. I tried one day to post a picture but it wouldn't upload from my cellphone. I may try again next chance I get, but again I will probably take them down pretty soon afterwards. My reason is that there are only three people in my life that know I am banded, my husband, my brother, and my best friend. Notice that my mother, other family and coworkers, etc. are not on that list. They DO NOT know, I have never lied about it, I have just never told them. So for those of you who wonder how I have managed to keep it a secret, it hasn't been to hard, they are used to me gaining and loosing weight. I was at my highest all time weight when I had surgery but they don't have a clue that I have the band. So, I will likely post pictures before long, but I worry about it because I don't want them to find out over the Internet. Even though I have never lied to them I haven't been upfront about it either. I hope I don't get the award for the longest post in LBT history. My fill Dr. and I discussed maintenance a few months ago. I am very worried about maintenance. While our discussions are very professional we have very different points of view. The first time he ever saw me he flat told me he would have never banded me. His reasons included the fact that I didn't go through a psych evaluation, I told him I already knew I was crazy but he didn't find it humorous. His other reason was that I had been to my goal weight twice before in the last 10 years. The problem was no different than many others, I gained it back and it was always more. He and I agreed on the following for my maintenance. He will begin unfilling me about 1cc at a time (I currently have 7.5cc) until I stop loosing. If I start gaining (get above 150) we will put more in, until we find the spot where I can maintain. I hope he will still agree to this when I see him the middle of September. I don't think either one of us expected me to be below goal. Best wishes to you all and I hope I answered all of your questions. Just always know you all have been the BEST.

I am a Pisces married to a Pisces. Hmmm, what was I thinking?

Hi Julie, Never loose hope!! You will be successful with the band. Take it one day at a time and enjoy each and every day. Best wishes on your journey.

I just reached goal, but I am not planning on any plastic surgery. I am still having to work hard on my upper arms and I do have some excess skin on my upper thighs but I think I will give it a little while and see how it does. Everywhere else my skin seemed to return to normal.

That's the best NSV of all. Best wishes with the rest of your journey.

Hi Poodles, I haven't had to many PB's but yy experience with those I have had is that I am not hungry for several hours. My Dr. told me to do liquids after a PB for the rest of the day. Hope this helps.

Well Kat, there are so many "best" things, I will tryt and keep it short. I feel great. I can wear anything I want to. I only eat when I am hungry. I went to speak to a group the other day and I was introduced as beautiful and charismatic. And probably one of the best things for me is that I am in control of many things, the given is probably food, but the other is alcohol. I don't drink much now because I stay to full to drink. This is a good thing for more reasons than one.