SB0233

I've been maintaining my weight loss, but not losing lately. Can't seem to find the motivation to get rid of the last 20 lbs. I'm happy with where I am at and what I've achieved, but disappointed in that I know I could do better. I went back to basics about a week ago (high Protein, more exercise) so hopefully it will help. Hope everyone is doing well.

Anything with skin...includes fruits, meats, etc. Doughy bread is also a huge problem. So I rarely eat bread at all. If I do try it, it has to be toasted/crusty.

So having started this thread, I thought I should update everyone on my progress. I had an slight unfill in Nov and it has helped immensely. I really did not think I was too tight, but I was. I still have restriction, but I can eat normally if I chew and follow the other band rules. I was also worried I would gain. I have not, in fact I have lost over 10lbs since the unfill. If you are still experiencing pain during every meal, I would seriously talk to your doc about an unfill. It took me 8 months to figure it out, but it's really not supposed to be painful.

Happy Holidays everyone. Like many of you, I am fast approaching my band anniversary (only 2 weeks away). I feel really good about the progress I have made in the last year. I'm in a size 8/10, and can even fit into some of my pre-pregnancy clothing which has been sitting in boxes for the last 5 years. I've been fairly consistent with eating, but exercise has been minimal the last few months. I've recently started again, so hopefully I can start losing in the new year and finally get down to a "normal" bmi. I had a slight unfill about a month ago because of heartburn, but I have been able to continue losing, at a slow, but at least steady, pace. It's been really nice taking this journey with the Knockouts. I want to thank everyone for sharing their experiences and lessons learned over the last year. When I need inspiration, I always know where to turn. Look forward to hearing more from everyone as we begin year 2.

Heather-- Congrats on the pregnancy and at being close to your target weight. I have been following your progress and am excited to see one of us almost at goal. It's inspirational. Your lucky, the second I got pregnant with my son, I felt like I gained 10 lbs. Also, I took your advice, and did get a slight unfill last week. It has helped some with the reflux issues, but I've also started loosing again at a fairly decent rate. Not sure why doing an unfill would lead to more progress, but perhaps I was too tight before. Eating is a lot more comfortable now, so I do have to be careful. Have a great Thanksgiving everyone. Stay away from the pumpkin pie (that's my weakness).

Thanks for starting the thread Chrisann. Last year at this time, I had just started this journey and attended the seminar. I remember listening to the experiences of those who had already had the procedure with my doc, and wondering if I would ever achieve such success. Although not completely there, I have made enormous progress and am actually looking forward to see how far I can get by January. Lately, it's been going slow (halloween killed me), but I'm happy things are still moving. I started south beach this week, hoping to jump start things again and get to at least 90 lbs lost by my band anniversary. I've been having a lot of reflux lately. Have not had a fill since June, but I am worried that I am too tight. Prilosec helps, but it's still a problem in the evenings. I will talk to my doc next week. I am wary to get a slight unfill at this point. Anyone else experience this.....if so, what did you do? Looking forward to seeing more updates, especially as we close in on 1 year.

I have the same issue. My level of restriction fluctuates constantly. Could be hormones, stress, who really knows. It also means that I have many weeks with no or little weight loss, and then some with huge losses. But I have found it easier to just leave well enough alone as far as fills. I had my last fill in June and although there are days when I am super tight, and days when I am not, I worry that if I take some fluid out, I will have no restriction. Good luck at your next appointment.

Congrats Chrisann. 39.5 is a huge milestone. Looks like you are almost 1/2 way to your goal. Keep up the good work.

I finally reached 29.9 on the BMI chart today!! I am no longer labeled as "obese". I say labeled because I really hate these categories the medical community lumps everyone into. The last 6 weeks I have been loosing really slowly, but I guess it's not about how fast you go in this race, it's about finishing. Never really thought I would identify with a tortoise. Next stop "healthy"???

Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences. I guess it's nice to know that I am not alone...but I really hate hearing that others feel the same discomfort. If anyone finds a "solution" to it (besides a liquid diet), please let me know.

Just looking for some feedback from those banded around the same time as myself. I experience discomfort at almost every meal. I chew...chew...chew and eat slowly. But anything solid causes me some discomfort and sliming. I have had 3 fills (last one in early June) and it has been this way since the first one. I don't think I am too tight and have had several fluro's to check. I am just beginining to think that this is part of the band experience for me. My weight loss is on track (although slower this last month). My doctor says I should not feel discomfort as long as I take small bites...but this has not been my experience. Anyone else have similar issues with their band?

In my late 20s I had lost about 40lbs. I had not seen my family since losing the weight. When I finally saw my mom, her version of a compliment was "I'm so proud of you....you finally look "normal" again". I know she did not mean to hurt me, but she obviously thought of me as abnormal for being overweight. That stung.

Thanks so much for your post. I had not quite figured it out yet, but was just complaining to my husband that over the last month my level of restriction has been fluctuating, even though I have not had a fill in about 2 months. Some days I am really tight and have to resort to liquids....other days I can eat a lot more. I thought it was hormonal or related to Water retention, so I was trying to track it. But when I saw that you equated it with stress....that was an eye opener. I guess I now have one more reason to try to keep my stress levels low.