Chrisann

Wow Diane, how completely frustrating. The only thing I can give you is support, so just hang in there. Maybe you can complain to your insurance company and see what happens. I got 1.5cc's in on Monday, bringing me to 6.5cc's. Still not where I was before the complete unfill, but will be back up at my next visit. I had an allergic reaction to the drugs from the colonoscopy, broke out in rashes everywhere, and my primary care doctor put me on prednisolone. What he didn't tell me was that this drug causes you to gain weight. I started the drug, and two days later had the fill and gained 6 pounds. In 2 days. I was stunned. My fill doc said that once I am off the drugs the weight will come off in a few days. They weren't concerned with the gain, but hell, it bummed me out because some of my clothes were tight. Christmas Eve I didn't eat alot, and couldn't eat anything Christmas Day. Some relatiives there hadn't seen me since last Christmas and were aware of my weight loss, but hadn't seen me. Their reactions were stunning to me. Seems everyone brought old pictures of me to compare and it was wild seeing the old "fat" me. I go for my annual esophogram on January 16th. Never had a fluoro, so are they the same? Well, I hope everyone had a great Christmas!

Thanks, I hate posing I look like a deer in the headlights sometimes. The doc wants me to increase my activity because I am eating the right foods and the right quantities. It was warm here in NYC yesterday, so went walking, today overcast, rain/snow mix, so don't want to walk, but will anyway.........:blushing:

Ok, so I know some of you posted in October, and I am 12 days late making a thread, but still, here is November. I am officially in a plateau, its been 6 weeks since I lost weight, and in fact gained 3 pounds. Not overeating, I'm sticking to a plan, no candy, or crap. I decided to not stress over it. I figure that my body is revolting against the weight, loss and has to catch up, so to speak. My plan is to write down what I eat and go from there. I have great restriction, but think I am retaining Water, because what I drink is not coming out in the same quantity. Not to mention a friend said my face looked bloated. I guess now being thinner you can tell! Hope everyone is fairing better, as we approach our 1 year anniversaries.:thumbup:

Nice Photo, looking good!

SJK, hang in there. We are here for you, come back and update us on your recovery, and chat with us if you need to!

Here in NYC the restaurants have to post calorie content in the food they sell, but no other stats. Some places are listing the fat content though. But boy was I shocked to see what the calories in the appetizers in TGI Friday's were and the Snacks at Starbucks. WOW.:thumbup:

I did well on Thanksgiving, I was able to see the bottom of my plate! My family is concious of my diet and in fact prepared alot of the food in a healthier way. My parents dug out old photos of me because even though I am down 73 pounds, I can't see it. Well, holy shit, I saw the weight loss on Thanksgiving. I couldn't believe what I used to look like. I go to the doctor on Friday, getting a complete unfill, as I have to have a colonoscopy on December 8th. I have to do liquids 24 hours before the test. Then I go back to the doctor to get a refill. I think that I have lost the pounds I gained so if I am back to my October number on Friday, I can live with that. Its comforting in a way to hear that we are all facing similar problems, it just proves that we need to use the band as a tool to help us.

I live in Brooklyn, so I would love to attend. I am glad its close, cause with the mortgage and taxes, I am in no position to be spending money.

Ok, I am in this now. I am fasting today as its Ash Wednesday, so, went and got a smoothie, the ones I was drinking during my preopt phase. I guess that I drank it too fast, because I started sneezing, and slime, and lots of it, came out of my nose and mouth. Its just hanging in there now. It really is slime. Its clear, not the color of the smoothie, but thick. I have to keep clearing my throat to get it up, like when you have a sore throat.

Hey guys, there's been little action with our January people the past few weeks. I hope all are doing well. I had a doctor visit today , lost 8 pounds, so no fill! I was really sick a few weeks back, dry heaving for two days, and thought for sure damaged the band, but everything was fine. I was aggressively filled in September, and it was hard to get food down, but now things are better. I am in a size 18 now, and its been at least 20 years, if not more since I was this thin. Buying clothes is a challenge, and I seem to be doing laundry more often these days. Exercise has been limited to walking. I haven't had the time or the desire for more. Hope all are doing well, post your updates here.

They had me wear a large hospital pad and hospital stretchy underwear because if they got any blood or anything on them, they could be thrown out. But it wasn't an issue during surgery. It became an issue all night after because the nurses were monitoring my Fluid intake and discharge and it was difficult for them to take an accurate reading.

People says that I glow and project happiness when I talk about my weight loss the first time with them. Like recently, seeing some business associates at the locations I visit once a year.

I have one, but like Facebook alot more.

Diane, I would think they would start filling your band again slowly and build you back up to your max. You are so close to goal you don't want to get filled right up and then have more problems. Bread? It may be bad for you, but if you have learned good eating habits, and eat in moderation, you should be fine. Mentally pretend that the band is there and full. The power of mental stimulation can do wonders...

Decided to send everything to Charity. I have a busy job, and while I thank everyone for their interest, I was not interested in opening up 15 garbage bags to sort through the clothes to pick out things. Not only that, the one gigantic box I did ship, was received at the post office near the person, who gave me one address, but lived at another, and still hasn't reimbursed me for shipping. Now that sucks. If anyone, between now, and next Saturday wants to come over and go through the bags themselves please let me know. Ms. Boss, as I come out of the 20-22 sizes I will try to put them on the side. I think though, the 22's are mostly packed, and I am just coming out of 20's and into 18's at this point.

I look in the mirror and really don't see it either. I think its because we look at ourselves all the time. I look at pictures and then can see it. With clothes, before when I was larger things were usually tight, now they are bigger, but I can't see that either in the mirror. A guy at work pointed that out how baggy my pants were on my butt to me, and thats when I went to Macy's at lunch and found out I was a size 18. The pants I wore that day were size 22, and the shirt was a 3x.

Great job everyone!! I lost the least amount of weight amongst us, and you know what? I don't give a damn. Once while getting ready for the surgery, I was concerned at the rate of weight loss among people, but now, having been 10 months out of surgery, I could care less how much everyone else loses as long as I am on my own pace. I feel like I have matured a little bit.

Maybe consume half of the cheater foods you are eating. Also, my doctor told me that with more activity you do need to eat more. When I am tight, I make chili, eat tunafish, make small portions of flaky fish. I also bought Lloyds shredded pork at my local supermarket. I make homemade Pea Soup with shredded ham too. You should probably not think of weight loss, or get on the scale for a few days, maybe getting your mind off of things will kick your body in gear.

This is great, cause I am down 73 pounds now and still can't get the high ankle boots I have to get past my ankle. Hopefully they have something that will help me.

Everyone is looking fabulous!!!! Keep it up!:regular_smile:

Nice, I had the same kind of conversation with the owners of my company, they commented on the weight loss, and my big clothes, and I said, well, I am taking donations to the Clothing fund, care to contribute? They said as soon as I was getting desperate for clothes, in an area where I have nothing to wear they would. I am not holding my breath, but it is nice that people are commenting. I am not offended in the least.

If still interested let me know. I sent some out already, but honestly, going to donate all of them soon. The bags are taking up the floor space in a small room. I even am getting rid of bras and shoes at this point. I have just cleaned out all my clothes in size 22 and up, now including winter clothes. The only problem I have is that they are just in bags, not separated by size or style.

First picture October 2008, Second picture October 2007. Sorry for the size, I can't make it larger.

I got this at one of the support groups I went to right after I got the band, but I am not sure who gave it out. It said that some saw results in as little as 1-2 days. How to break a plateau: Do this for 10 days to break a plateau Drink 2 Quarts of Water per day You must have 45 grams of Protein supplements and take all of your vitamins/mineral supplements each day. You can consume up to 3oz of the following high protein foods 5 times a day: Beef, Pork, chicken, Turkey, Lamb, Fish, eggs, Low-fat cheese, Cottage cheese, plain yogurt/artificially sweentened, Peanut Butter, Beans/Legumes. You may also have: sugar free popsicles Tea or coffee Sugar free Jello Broths/bouillions Crystal light drinks If its not on the list, don't eat it. Keep a food diary and try to get up to 30 minutes of exercise a day. I haven't tried it yet, so I can't vouch for anything working or not. But if someone is really struggling, why not try it?