nycm00

MSBoss, I have to agree with annie. You have lost 48lbs in 3 months....that's amazing!! Great job! I have lost 37 in the same time frame. It's all individual....and any loss should be celebrated for what it is...gone forever! Christine

Gee guys, get busy for a few days and many of you do so well with your losses! CONGRATULATIONS HARLEY!!!! I am so happy for you. You are really working your band! Go girl! Fenton, I must admit I am hoping for a wii fit to enter my home soon. I just learned that the boad has a weight limit of 350 pounds....so with the speed of your loss, you too could have one soon. Not making the best choices here...lots of head stuff going on....hungry too, but have restriction...just have to get back on track...No pity party just puttin it down here, because I need to. Christine

mscathyl, I too am my own worst enemy. I have to log on here to keep myself in the right weightloss state of mind. People are all too quick lately to tell me stories about "so and so who was banded and only lost 40 pounds, etc" I refuse to go through all of this for 40 pounds. Starting tomorrow I am really pushing to get below 240. I was going to type 250, but that is way too close. To do it I will have to watch every bite and start excersizing more often....and not just a walk around the park or a bike ride with the kids. I must elevate my heart rate to the zone prescribed by my cardiologist and I must do it at least 4 times a week. Feel free to hold me accountable....If I whine about the scale, ask if I'm excersizing. Christine

You guys look great! Kerri....what a difference! Christine

I have 6cc in my 10cc band and have good restriction. My doctor's office let's you go in every two weeks after the first fill at 4 weeks. They ask you to describe what you're eating and what you are struggling with, then they decide how big a fill to give you. I have another fill scheduled for the 23rd. Not sure at this point if I will need it or not, but I made the appointment. My doctor's office is so busy they tell you to always make sure you schedule before you leave.....hunger is not an emergency and they will not squeeze you in if you don't have an appt. Christine

Harley you look amazing what a difference! Wish I knew how to post a picture, but I'm a bit challenged in that area. You and your daughter are beautiful! Christine

Without restriction I was at a standstill. I am so grateful for my MD's office being aggressive with fills. I was honest about how I was feeling and what I was able to eat in a sitting and after 3 fills (6cc in 10cc band) I know what restriction is and I cannot overeat. In fact I am rarely physically hungry. I still deal with the head hunger, but it's easier to push away. It is true that junk passes through the band faster and easier than the good stuff, but it's easeir for me to choose the good stuff now. Hang in there and be persistant about what you need from your surgeon. I am now losing 1-2 pounds a week which is where my surgeon wants me to be. I go to NYU which is a center of excellence and the head surgeon is banded himself for 8 yrs. I am 8 weeks out and have had 3 fills. Christine

I did not feel restriction until I hit 5cc in my 10cc band. I think it's your surgeon's job to help you not chastise you. When you go in with no loss, you should get help...ie...another fill. Best of luck with your aapointment! Christine

It's so true what Busy says about being able to accomplish more physical stuff. I have always wanted to kayak, but have been afraid I would get stuck in that little hole in the boat and not be able to get out. Now I know I will one day kayak....without the fear of getting stuck. I also would love to ski again. Now I know I will be up there on the slopes having a blast without worry of flopping around like a fish out of Water trying to get my footing to get up. We are all on our way! Christine

Can I talk about my pants? I am so excited to tell you that those pants that I wore to the playground with my kids before surgery (the one's that would not even come close to closing) are now buttoned and zipped and comfey! I am so excited for myself! I have a few pairs of pants to give to good will they look rediculous on me....flapping in the breeze as I walk. Fenton, I don't take a fiber supplement...I have no troubl going, it's the occasional opposite problem, and tons of gas. Hoping it'll just go away! Bratz, sorry to hear about hepneumonia. Feel better soon. Christine

Bratz, I have been having a horrible problem with bloating, abdominal pain and weird GI stuff. My surgeon has told me she thinks it sounds a lot like Irritable Bowl Syndrome. I did not have these issues b4 band, but know it was not caused by the band. I went to my GP and he is a total dweeb and I need to find a new one. In the mean time I am just tolerating it and trying to control stress better since that makes the problem worse. Hope you feel better soon. You really should see your doctor. Christine

CONGRATULATIONS FENTON and JULIEC !!!!!!!! Please never feel bad about posting any type of victory! I love to read about them. It gives me motivation and strength to know someone else with the band is succeeding. I am really impressed with your loss! I can only imgine how you must feel. I am approaching 250 and I have not been there in about 6 yrs. Excersize is key. I have added a floor routine that I do while watching TV after the kids have gone to bed. Can't do it while they are awake....because then I become the jungle gym. Now while they are playing at the playground I am circling it....getting in some walking instead of just sitting and watching. It is so much easier to move now that I am down 35 pounds. My feet are not swollen at the end of the day and I just feel lighter. Christine

Diva, hope you are doing OK after your accident and I would think seriously about getting a small unfil....sounds like you are struggling. I had another fill ysterday. I now have 6cc in my 10cc band. I learned that stress, and congestion can make your band tighter as well as your period. Looking back over the past 3 weeks since my last fill...this makes sense. She also said that some people find tighter restriction after air travel....usually if there is an air bubble in the band. Down another 2 pounds, so that puts me at the 2-3 pounds a week mark, which is where I woudl like to be. I can still eat whatever I want, just smaller controlled portions, without that need to feed feeling. Christine

I have decided I am going for my fill on Friday. I can still eat too much at one time if I allow myself. I felt great for the first week after my fill, but this week has been a battle for me. So I'll go for that fill scheduled for Friday and I just KNOW this will be it for me for a while. Hugs to all those struggling with that dang scale! I have been pretty good about weighing once a week, but sometimes the scale calls to me and I just have to take a peek. It's usually a dissappointment. Christine

Diva, my surgeon's office says 2 days of thin liquids (cream Soups and bisques are not thin enough by their standards), then 2 days of soft mushies...yogurt, cream soups, runny eggs. Alos, they don't let you leave the office until you have drank a whole glass of Water. Since you have such a long drive to the office, you may want to keep this in mind next time. Christine Each time you get a fill, you really have to be kind to your stomach. It really is hard to tell how much you'll be abe to tolerate until you try. I hope you are feeling better soon, and don't need a un-fill.

Not sure if I should get another fil on Friday or not. I have 5cc in my APS band and I have lost 7 pounds in the past 2 weeks....4 of which were re-gain from previous loss b4 restriction. I can still eat more at a sitting than many I have read about, but I do have to be careful about how quickly i eat and being mindful about chewing etc. If I cancel my appt and re-schedule, I know I won't be able to get in again for another 4-6 wks. If I go and decide not to fill, they will put me in sooner....I guess I will see how this week goes. My clothes are really getting too big finally I feel a difference. People are beginning to notice, but mostly ask if I have changed my hair. Sort of like they know something is different, but not sure what it is. I have been having some horrible lower abdominal pain that radiates to my left buttock...I really think it's gas, but also having some TMI..........icky BM issues..... I am waiting for some results from bloodwork and ......samples....yuck. Which reminds me I really need to find a bariatric friendly local GP. I went back to my original GP whom I left because he would not write a letter of support for the surgery. I found a great doctor, but she's in Manattan....close to my surgeon...but hours away from me. Not convienient. When I went back to my GP with GI complaints, he of course blamed the whole thing on "dumping syndroms associated with what you have chosen to have done to your stomach and intestines." Trust me I tried explaining the surgery....but he would not listen. Eventually he decided to do some tests to make sure it was not anything else..... Really need a new doctor. Christine

FUnny you mention a leak. When I was waiting for my last fill someone in the waiting room was saying that she had been banded since August and just now they figured out she ha a leak. She said they had just done something to try to fix it. Hopefully whatever they did that day worked otherwise she would need to be opened up again to fix it. These are not thing you want to hear in your surgeons waiting room. Check with your doctor and see what he thinks. I have had good restriction since my last fill, but just yesterday had a bit of a binge session....nothing like b4, but more than usual by fat. It was head stuff looking back I chose foods that would pass pretty quickly. Christine

Well, I am down the four pounds that I put back on while waiting for restriction. I still deal with the head hunger, but I know it for what it is and mostly tell it to go away. Magikelly....great job with your loss. I hope you get the help you need from your fill....even if it's just the jump in motivation. Busy, I agree with Chica, those liquids flow through way too quick. Try changing things up a bit and see how it goes. JDUB, what if you just happen to call your fill doctor's office and explaing that you are having a hard time and would like to come in for another fill sooner? It can't hurt to ask....and then ask again....and again....Maybe they'll give in and give you a nice big fill just to stop the calls. Happy Mother's day to all the other Shrinking Shamrocks who are mommies! Christine

For all looking for restriction...keep up the fight. Go back to the doctor as often as you can to get to restriction. I have had 2 fills and am at 5 cc in a 10cc band. I think I am happy with the restriction at this point. This morning I had a Protein shake and for lunch at around 3 PM I had a turkey and cheese sandwich on whole wheat. At dinner I was not really hungry, and have been drinking an Isopure to increase my protein for the day. I am not hungry. I made brownies for my kids last night and have had no temptation to eat one. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Keep pushing for it. I was really discouraged last week and now I LOVE my band. Christine

Today I was not hungry much at all. It was fabulous!! The only time I was really hungry was at lunch time and once I ate my lunch I was satisfied. This is so much better than what I had been going through the past few weeks. This evening i tried some corn on the cob and ate way too fast and I had a bit of sliming....no fun....must slow down...must slow down. Christine

I have heard a lot of people say that 7cc in a 10cc band is the spot that does it for them. Congrats and keep up the good work! Christine

(((Cathy))) so sorry to hear about your Brother in Law. Please know that I will keep you both in my prayers. It must be so hard for his family being so far away too. Hugs! Tomorrow I am going to check out the local CURVES center in town. It's on ly 30 minutes and I have heard it's not very expensive. I guess I can use some of the money I am saving by not eating as much and spend it on firming and toning. I'm also thiking about joining Weight Watchers to have the accountability and structure they offer. It is wonderful to have restriction. I'm still getting used to going VERY slow and chew, chew, chewing. A few slimes and you learn really quick to chew and take it slow. So, so, so ready to lose some more weight! Christine

Hey Guys! Lisa, congrats on everything working out with you and your pup. Fenton, 6 whole inches...that is AWESOME! I have been having pain in my lower back and I started thinking it may be the change in distribution of my weight. I have lost moore face, boobs, and butt, and only a bit in the midsection. Going to start doing some ab work and see if that helps. Harley, you are doing so well! I think of you often to try to stay the course. You are an inspiration...and I really appreciate your honesty and humor. I keep reminding myself that it's not "just___pounds gone" it's "____pounds gone forever!" I have been a bit depressed lately...yep that's why I've been in lurk mode. It has little to do with the band, just other overwhelming stuff. Just a bad spell I hope. As far as the band goes I had a second fill on Friday. I think I have restriction!!! She put 2 more cc's in my 10cc band. That's a total of 5cc. She said it was an aggressive fill based on what I told her I could eat without feeling full. The thing that sinched it for her was a whole bagle with cream cheese....I could eat the whole thing except when I got to the last bite I would feel like...yeah...maybe I should not eat this. I'm still on mushies, but after a half bowl of oatmeal, I feel full. It's been hard on my head. My stubborn head and mouth want to plow ahead when my band...not my stomach...says I am done...the new full. Christine

Going for another fill tomorrow. My first was 3cc in my 10cc band. Every doctor is different and I think they are diferent protocols for different patients too. My doctor told me flat out the day of the fill to schedule another because "this fill will not do the job". I am looking forward to tomorrows fill. Christine

Lisa, sorry to hear about your dog. I hope you can find a way to work things out. Hugs! Christine