cindyg1212

I'm It!! Go shopping, Cindy. You deserve it! That's funny about the bathing suit. Better get a tighter one!:tongue2: Lindata, that's amazing that you can run so much.:w00t: I couldn't run anywhere! You couldn't drag me to the gym at this weight. Wish we had an only ladies gym around here. Ok, got an issue worth bringing up. I had gained 5 lbs during the week of Easter cause chocolate melts before it hits the band and doesn't get stuck. So I go for a fill almost 3 weeks ago and lose 7 lbs that first week! Of course I was so tight I could barely eat but I'm happy. Band loosens up the following week and I could eat more and gradually get back on solids. I'm still not eating nearly as much as before the fill, probably around 1000 calories/day but the weight loss stalls! Just stops. I haven't lost an ounce in 2 weeks. The week after the fill I probably only ate 600-800 calories/day. Is my body in starvation mode and hording the calories? I thought about getting another fill to kick start the weight loss again but I am pretty tight. I get stuck too often as it is. I have around 7cc in a 10cc band. What do you think? Should I just ride out the plateau or get another fill anyway?

Kendra, that is fabulous news!! All of that positive energy is working. Not to mention all of the kickin' and stompin' My FIL's name is Herman George but everyone calls him George. Hate to say it but he is definitely NOT my favorite person. Abrasive and irritating. So go ahead. You could give that tumor both names and stomp away!:w00t:

Bandpal, you are doing great. Are you sure you're not too tight though? You should be able to eat more of a variety of foods. It did take me 2 weeks after my last fill to eat normal foods. I still have to make sure everything is moist and I can't handle solids in the morning. If you can hadle the tightness, then great! Have fun in the states. Sounds like a great trip!

Name..............Start...........Current..............Goal........ To Go Lizzie_07.........233...............228.....................220 .........8 Osangriared.....252...............247.3.....................232 .....15.3 Skinny_Jill.......180...............175.....................168....... ....7 Sades.............197...............197.....................185....... ..12 kandiceb..........187...............176.....................175....... ...1 shortgal............183..............175....................175....... ....1 TxArcher..........328..............315......................308....... ...7 Peaches11........217..............208.....................199......... 10 Momto1plus1.....223..............215.4..................210......... 5.4 zippykat...........173..............167.....................160....... ...7 Trixie...............219.5...........209.....................199...... ..10 wnt2lose..........219..............213.6.....................209...... ..4.6 plump_princess....215.............208.....................199.......9 Mariegabrieleee....250............250......................239...... 11 Foofy..............239.5............236.....................230....... ...6 Shalee04..........196..............189......................185....... ..4 Hollyberries......267...............260......................254...... ...6 CindyG............215...............211......................199...... .12 MollyBrown......258...............253.......................245....... .8 lindata............189?.............185.......................180..... ...5 I lost 1 lb this week but not till Sunday. I had gained 5 before my last fill 2.5 weeks ago and quickly lost that 5 plus 2 more in the first week after the fill. Now even though I am eating less than I was before the fill, my weight loss has stopped for the past week. Did I hit a plateau because I ate so little for the week following the fill and then added calories the next week? Did this happen to anyone else?

That's great news, Kendra! Wow, only 21 lbs to go? No wonder you look so good in your photo! Glad you're feeling well. All that kickin' and stompin' from everyone must be doing the job. Good luck with the next round.

tlwempen, glad the surgery went well. When will you have the results about the infection? So sorry you went through this. Hopefully you'll feel a lot better now.

Hit the misses dept. in Kohl's when Lane Bryant is too big. Misses goes up to size 16. Pluses start at 16W which is larger than misses 16. I just got back in there now. It does feel good to shop on that side of the aisle again! Name..............Start...........Current.................Goal........ To Go Lizzie_07.........233...............228.5.....................220 ..........8.5 Osangriared.....252...............249.5.....................232 ..........19 Skinny_Jill.......180...............176.....................168....... .....8 Sades.............197...............197.....................185....... .....12 kandiceb..........187...............178.....................175....... ....03 shortgal............183..............177....................175....... .....2 TxArcher..........328..............318......................308....... ....10 Peaches11........217..............208.....................199......... .10 Momto1plus1.....223..............217.2..................210........... 7.2 zippykat...........173..............167.....................160....... ...7 Trixie...............219.5...........215.....................199...... ....16 wnt2lose..........219..............213.6.....................209...... ..4.6 plump_princess....215.............209.....................199........1 0 Mariegabrieleee....250............250......................239........ 11 Foofy..............239.5............237.5...................230....... .7.5 Shalee04..........196..............189......................185....... .4 Hollyberries......267...............262......................254...... .8 CindyG............215...............212......................199...... ..13 MollyBrown......258...............253.......................245....... ..8 Only down 1 lb this week. I was going to get another fill this week but I'm getting stuck so much lately. Today a small piece of a matzoh ball got stuck. Took almost an hour to get it down. Sometimes I can't believe I have to go through this torture to lose weight! But I want to get to Onederland before summer. I can almost see it over the horizon!

Dianne, surgery may be worth not having any complications in the future. I had to go to the ER a week after surgery because of dehydration. The gas was so bad that nothing was going down. My doctor's office always has a nurse practioner on call that does the fills so if there's a problem, someone will meet us at the office for an emergency unfill if it can't wait till morning. What you went through sounds traumatizing. The sacrifices we're making to get this weight off will be worth it when it's over. I keep reminding myself every time I have a stuck episode, almost everday, that a year from now I will be happy I did this. Good luck from here on. Let us know if you're going to have the surgery to correct your port.

Wow, Dianne. What an awful experience. My first fill was like that. 1 cc was too much and for 2 days, I couldn't swallow water. Had an unfill at the doc's office and now we're moving slowly, only filling .5cc once a month. I'm at 6.5 in a 10cc band and feel pretty restricted. Weight is coming off slowly but it is coming off. Can't rush it! How did your port get twisted? Will you need surgery to correct it?

Funny how I can have a PB with almost anything except my one big vice - chocolate. Easter did me in. I actually gained 5 lbs from a week's worth of chocolate. I had Easter dinner at my house and everyone brought baskets of candy for my kids. Never a stuck moment from chocolate. I think it melts before it even hits the stoma. I got a fill a week later and am happy to report that I lost those 5 lbs plus an additional 2! I think I'm finally on my way to Onederland! Lots of you are already halfway to goal. Even with the occassional junk food slip, we'll all get there. It's really hard to give up an addiction like junk food. The band helps but we need to fight those demons every day.

Name..............Start...........Current.................Goal........ To Go Lizzie_07.........233...............231.....................220 ..........11 Osangriared.....252...............251.....................232 ..........19 Skinny_Jill.......180...............176.....................168....... .....8 Sades.............197...............197.....................185....... .....12 kandiceb..........187...............178.....................175....... ....03 shortgal............183..............179....................175....... .....4 TxArcher..........328..............324......................308....... ....16 Peaches11........217..............208.....................199......... .10 Momto1plus1.....223..............219.0..................210........... ..9 zippykat...........173..............167.....................160....... ...7 Trixie...............219.5...........215.....................199...... ....16 wnt2lose..........219..............217.....................209........ 8 plump_princess....215.............210.....................199........1 1 Mariegabrieleee....250............250......................239........ 11 Foofy..............239.5............237.5...................230....... .7.5 Shalee04..........196..............192......................185....... .7 Hollyberries......267...............262......................254...... .8 CindyG............215...............213......................199........14 The scale is moving again. Had a small fill last week, .5cc, and I'm finally feeling real restriction. It's so hard to eat though. I get stuck all the time no matter how slow I eat. I'm not going to unfill. I'm not in pain so I'm going to suffer through it so the weight comes off.

Hey Kendra, Looks like all that kickin' and stompin' is doing the job! so glad that tumor is shrinking. You have such an amazing, optimistic attitude which will definitely help you beat this thing. Hope you can keep the nausea at bay. If not, have a cookie for me!!

Hi Kendra, So glad that you have a treatment plan in place. Try to be optimistic and keep up with visualizing those tumors getting stomped away by the chemo. I'm sending you lots and lots of positive energy from New York!

Wow Kendra, if it's not one thing it's another! What a roller coaster you're on. It looks like you'll have your appointment but I'm sorry you had to go through so much unneeded stress to get it. I think it's a good idea to get a new doctor after your visit to Anderson. You need someone who has a positive outlook. Hate those doom and gloom doctors who feel the need to look at the worst possible scenario. There is no good reason in the world that you shouldn't beat this thing! Your car and cell can be taken care of. Try not to stress too much about these kind of things. I've drowned a few cell phones myself. My daughter actually left her's in her pocket of her jeans and it went into the laundrey! Keep us posted after your appointment. I'll be thinking of you and kicking and stomping along with you!

Kendra, So glad to see your updates! Great news about finally getting that appointment. It will be a relief to get a treatment plan and to know exactly what your plan of action will be. I absolutely love your new boots. They're gorgeous! All the better to kick and stomp with! Great song, Bandpal!!

Name............Start.............Current...............Goal... ...........To Go Lizzie_07.........233...............233.....................220 .............13 Osangriared.....252...............252.....................232 .............20 Skinny_Jill.......180...............180.....................168....... .......12 Sades.............197...............197.....................185....... .......12 kandiceb..........187...............187.....................175....... ......12 shortgal............183..............183.....................175...... ........8 TxArcher..........328..............328......................308....... ......20 Peaches11........217..............217.....................199......... ....18 Momto1plus1.....223..............223.....................210.......... ...13 zippykat...........173..............173.....................160....... ......13 Trixie...............219.5...........219.5...................199...... .......20.5 Shalee04..........196..............196.....................185........ .....11 wnt2lose..........219..............219.....................209........ ......10 cindyg.............215..............215......................199..............16 Well here I go again. I've been up and down the same 5 lbs for 2 months. I'm getting a fill next Monday. Hope it helps this time.

When I visit my doctor's office, the first thing they give me is a form to fill out that asks if we're having trouble swallowing, heartburn, etc. but it also askes what we typically eat for break, lunch, dinner, and snacks. I actually lie when I fill that part out as I don't want to be scolded. I never see the doc anymore, just his nurse practioners who counsel and do the fills. They always ask about the diet and if I'm following it. I think with another small fill and really watching what I eat will get the scale moving again.

Hi Kendra, Just checking in to see how you're doing. Glad the radiation seems to be doing it's thing. Hope you hear from MDA this week. Stay strong and keep on kicking! Love the boot.

Thanks Foofy! I'm re-motivated. I'm going to try to follow an old weight watchers diet I went on years ago and did well. Not the points. This one allowed a certain amount of proteins, carbs, and fats per day. My friend found this old plan and we're going to get started on it.

Elizabeth, You will get there, one pound at a time. I am older than you but my family questioned the surgery too and couldn't understand why I couldn't lose the weight on my own. Your family was just worried about you. I think it is absolutely wonderful that your bulemia is under control. The weight loss will follow. Maybe another fill or two will get you where you need to be. Stay motivated. You are young and beautiful and it's great that your self-confidence is back!

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm definitely going to try some of them. I wish my doc was more realistic. When I visit with the nurse practitioners who do the fills, they always ask what I'm eating. If I mention rice or bread, they remind me that it's not on the diet. And I love soup. It's filling and doesn't get stuck. I try to eat low salt soup whenever possible. Even the group meetings aren't as supportive as I would like. So much talk about what we're not supposed to be eating. I only go about once a month if that. Our doctor wants us to lose the weight as fast as possible according to the nurses. Maybe it's good for his reputation and brings in lots of business? I need to find a plan that is high Protein, some carbs and something I can stick to long term.

Cindy, You are an inspiration! I just followed you from the last thread. I'm glad you started this one to help us gain some perspective, especially if we're struggling a bit. While I'm moaning and groaning about not losing fast enough and getting stuck too often, I forgot that I did lose 38 pounds. I went down 2 sizes and my back, knee, and foot pain is so much better. I can also climb a flight of stairs without panting. Yesterday, my son and I were scrolling through the photos my husband has on his cell phone and we came to one of my son and I from our cruise last July. I was 38 pounds heavier and I gasped. My stomach was in folds and my arms were straining against my short sleeve shirt. I demanded my husband delete it which he refused. I told him then he has to replace it when I get off the next 40 pounds. I have rarely allowed anyone to take my picture in years and don't remember my husband taking this one. On the other hand, seeing my progress is motivating. As the lady (also named Cindy) on the lapband commercial says, "I will never look like THAT again!" Thanks for reminding me that I did not go through this process in vain. I will get to the end of this journey eventually.

Thanks Cindy! I'm going to follow your advice. I have an appointment in 2 weeks and will ask for a small fill. My doctor wants us on this super strict diet. It's pretty much the Atkins or South Beach. Absolutely no carbs except in 1-2 pieces of fruit. He doesn't even want us drinking skim milk cause of the sugar content. He wants us to use Equal instead of Splenda cause Splenda is a derivitive of sugar even though it has no calories. No Soup because of the salt. I mentioned early on that his diet guidelines seem to be stricter than any I read on this board. I don't feel well on a carb-free diet so I don't follow it. But my way isn't working too well either. What kind of foods do you eat? You're doing amazing! Could use some advise. After my last fill, I was craving Protein and couldn't tolerate solids for a few days. My husband made me a chocolate milkshake with low fat ice cream, skim milk, and a squirt of low cal choc syrup. Now I crave them daily and I never wanted milkshakes before the band. I have been having a small one each night but I don't think that's what has slowed the weight loss down. I know my portions are still too big. The other problem is I have to wet all of my food with gravy, ketchup, mayo, or butter or it will get stuck. If it wasn't for this stuck problem, I would be doing a lot better. How have you been doing after your last fill?

I went back and read the first post on this thread. The advise seems to be to get a small restriction and see how it goes. We may need to do just a little at a time like .5cc or less and wait a month for another one. I can't do more than that anyway as the last time I filled 1cc, I had to get it unfilled 2 days later cause it was too tight. Even my last fill of just .5cc caused pain for a night and then went away. I thought I would need an unfill again. Maybe our esophogus is more sensitive than others? I just don't know. I hate that I'm not losing as fast as I was in the beginning.

I'm in the same boat! I try to be really careful and chew slowly but I still get a stuck episode almost daily. I drink before eating but it happens anyway. On the other hand, if I eat slow enough, I can still get in a large meal before feeling full. I know I'm not restricted enough but I can't stand the thought of getting stuck more often than I am now. I think I'm going to have to leave the restriction alone and really try to diet which is not why I got this band. I have been going up and down the same 5 pounds for 2 months now. I'm getting discouraged and losing my focus. I'm not even posting on the spring challenge board. My "eating" demons are on my shoulder every night and I think the only way to chase them away would be to go to bed earlier. I'm a night owl so it's hard. Maybe a very small fill would be the answer. It could always be unfilled if there's a problem.