Lizalee

Oh you echo my thoughts. Its been nearly 4 years for me...the first year was easy. But it's been tough since then. It is so easy to slip into bad habits, and so hard to get back in the zone to stay healthy and re-re-loose those pounds that creep back on. Now I'm up 60 pounds from where I want to be, and can't seem to get back into the healthy diet groove! Each day I think tomorrow will be the day I start ...and then the next yummy thing gets me off track!

Congrats! And doesn't it feel good!! You've stuck with it too...after 2 years! You give me hope I can get back into loosing mode again and get back to at least where I was a year after banding! Enjoy it and never go back!

Gwen, Best of luck with your procedure!! Hope it gives you relief of the symptoms (makes total sense - it's called referred pain). Nice to hear I'm not alone with having to struggle to stay on the "straight and narrow" regarding eating habits! Enjoy your new bander status...the feeling full after on ounce is a wonderful feeling! Enjoy! (once you get past the pain, the bloating, etc).

Congratulations to all you losers! It's quite a milestone to reach. All I can say is...keep with it! I was there, and now I'm starting over again...have to get back to over 100 lost...I gained a bunch back again because I quit following the rules and went back to old eating habits (cookies and ice cream, and other bad foods, often go down easier than protein! Junk food is poison! Never give up! Keep at it!

Yeah, Wow. All I can say is...enjoy that full feeling. I wish I could get back there. I was like you for the first year...did great, enjoying my new life, followed all the rules, etc. BUT. You can to stay with it or you'll end up like me. I never thought I'd be in this position again...but here I am. It's not like I didn't beat myself up every day about it...but I guess old habits die hard - it's an addiction and it never really goes away. I know there are people who totally turn their lives around - like Indio! But, I guess I'm not that strong....and have a totally inappropriate ability to be in denial! (I've had lots of strong talks with myself! But my other half has been winning the conversation! I lack that strength to get past the impulsive carb craving - on a long term basis. Where do you long term 'losers' get the willpower? I am trying, again, one day at a time. I've done OK x 2 days. That's good for me! Coming back here was the first step to getting my head on straight again.

Hi everybody. It's been a 1 1/2 years since I logged on. Just wanted to say Hi, and if anybody has any advice on starting over...I need some coaching! I have succumbed to carbohydrate craving, and managed to gain 60 pounds back from what I lost after my 2008 banding! Its not the band's fault. While I could perhaps use a little fill, I've learned to eat around it. How to I start over and get back into the healthy eating and losing again? Every day I start with good intentions...and then overeat. Now I'm full blown carb addicted again...and I hate what I'm doing to myself! But can't seem to take control.... Anybody been there and found their way back?

Hi April Avengers. It's been 1 1/2 years since I visited this forum. Like some of the others who've posted, I'm struggling. I finally came back here to try and regain my resolve and get advice! After getting below 200...and feeling great...I have totally fallen off the wagon. Carbs are my addiction, and I've gained 60 pounds!!! So my question is, for anybody still out there, HOW do you get back to where we were in 2008 - dieting - yes, dieting - following the band rules, eating healthy and losing weight? I can't seem to get past the carb craving! I was doing well for the first year, but then, my old habits were rearing their ugly head and I started on the path to where I am now. Its a daily struggle. Every night I resolve to stop...every day I can't stop eating. It's not the band's fault - its there telling me to stop, but I've learned just wait a couple minutes, and then I can eat more. And the really toxic stuff just slides on through. So, has anybody conquered this carb addiction?

Hi Everybody, I was catching up on posts and wanted to say Hi! The grass here in WIs is finally turning green and the daffodils and tulips are FINALLY coming up! We stopped at our old house today, and picked up some perennials that I had dug/sunk into pots last fall before we moved. It was fun to see my old gardens again - I miss my flowers (I had a lot of them over the years - my favorite was a patch of bloodroot that is blooming right now...happy to see my cuttings were still alive!) Now I've got stuff to plant here at the new place, and I feels SO good to be back in the dirt again. I had all but given up gardening in recent years, due to two reasons: 1 being that I was always gone with the girls to their boarding stable and 2. I couldn't bend over or squat to weed or plant without nearly passing out! It's so cool to be able to kneel down and weed and bend over and plant! It's amazing - I didn't realize how much I missed this kind of thing! And now that the beasts are home, the girls can ride while I weed.(not much of a trade off, but they do let me ride their horses now AFTER they have them tired out and "safe" for old mom. ) We are putting in an outdoor riding arena in the next few weeks, and I'm excited to see the girls really work them and ride myself a bit more. They want to show in dressage and cross country in the new couple months, and need to start getting them in shape again. I had a half-cc removed from my band a week ago. It's amazing how that tiny bit of fluid makes such a difference. I was having so much PB's and uncomfortable so often - I just didn't want to keep living like that, especially with fresh veggies from the garden coming soon. Also, made it more desirable to fill up on ice cream and cookies 'cuz they didn't get stuck. Unfortunately, I can eat mroe now --- it's like freedom again. However, I have been making a point of eating healither and making better choices. I have lost a couple pounds and am delighted about it! I'm back below where I left off before Christmas, and with the extra physical activity, loosing weight slowly but surely. This new lifestyle sure beats weighing 339 pounds anyday!!! Those of you just starting out - wishing you the joys I discovered by finally being able to loose this weight! Enjoy!

Good morning everyone. It's finally a beautiful spring day here in Wisconsin. We even have some green grass sprouting! It seemed like it would never come. Mis Leanne - read your posts a few pages back, and it really struck home with me. I did great until last Christmas, when I moved and my lifestyle changed. I had a small fill in November and it was too much I think. I started eating junk food over the holidays and couldn't stop. When I tried to eat more healthy foods - lean meats and vegetables, they'd easily get stuck. This went on until recently. My band has been getting 'tighter' and I've had more PB's. So on Monday I have an apt to see surgeon and get a little unfill - hopefully that will allow me to eat more good food choices and I will have to do my part and skip the junk food. I'm optomistic! Butyour post on stretching the stomach and espophagus is a good incentive to me to take care of my band and organs! That's exactily what I'm afraid of - I think I"ve stretched my pouch, and the constant pressure of cramming food in my esophagus I have done (which results in vomiting;PB's) can't be good. Thanks for sharing. I didn't have those problems before my last fill, so I"m hoping by going back a bit I can get back into the groove. I have done good this past week, and lost back the few pounds that I had gained over the past 5 months. With Spring here, I am able to get out more. Spent a few hours yesterday reclaiming an old flower garden area from the weeks that the previous owner had neglected. (They put landscaping fabric down, and then mulch. But the field weeds have reclaimed, and now it's 10X the work to rip that fabric out underneath!) Oregondaisy: good luck with your surgery. When is it? I know that you have throught this through and it's the right decision for you. I sometimes wonder if that wouldn't have been a better choice for me. However, for me, cutting away tissue is non-reversable, so if things go bad, you can't go back like you can with the band. In my job, I deal with medical cases that go bad, so that's just toooo scarey for me! Who knows? Maybe I will be in your shoes several years from now. I have a new shortterm goal - and I'm 4 pounds closer now- only 36 pounds to go! That makes me happy. Spring is a new beginning for the plants outside - and I feel like it's a new start for me too. Elayne - FINALLY you're a banster! Persistence does pay off! Congratulations and welcome to bandland! Orea - I read way back you have had appendix surgery and have been through quite an oreal. Hope things are going well! Well, I'm off to watch the girls ride and pull out some more landscape fabric. DH is going to finish rototilling the veggie garden (hasn't been cared for in several years - completely overgrown and quite a job to get it tilled up). Gonna be a very busy day! Happy Spring.

Hi old friends and new ones. Today is my 1 year bandiversary! I just had to put up with the slow internet dial up service tonight that keeps me off this site most days, and say HI! The last time I posted, a couple months ago- I was struggling to get back on track. Unfortunately, I just haven't done that. In fact, gasp, I've gained about 3 or 4 pounds. But, today, once again, I'm starting over. I'm seeing my surgeon next week and getting an little unfill. I kept thinking that time would loosen things up - but since my last fill in November, I've been having problems with PB's, and getting food stuck. It's getting worse, which I'm sure is irritation of the tissues. I was afraid to get an unfill - thought that keeping it tight would help me loose weight. But the oopposite has been true. Restrospectively, I can see that the past 4 months have been getting worse, and being too tight might be part of the problem. I agree wholeheartedly with the post above - logging food daily, keeping in touch, and exercise are the keys. Since we moved, I've been unable to keep on this site and log my food the way I had been. Dial up internet is a big factor -- it takes a full minute for pages to load, etc., and I've been busier now being on the farm/taking care of the horses and driving longer to get home, etc. Also working longer hours because work has been so very busy. There just isn't the time to spend on this web site. :-( When it's decent outside, I liek to go out instead of sitting here typing. I'm hoping that the unfill will help me eat healthier foods, since the slider foods I've been eating (and craving) go down easy, but the meats, vegetables, fruits and low-cal foods get stuck way too easily. I wanted restriction - but think that its just a little too much. I'm planing a big veggie garden this year, and want to be able to enjoy the fresh produce. Right now, I can eat cooked carrots, but things like fresh asparagus, sugar snap peas, even beans or broccoli are too fibrous and get stuck. Meats have to be really tender. Some mornings I can't get water down easily. So, we'll see if this helps. Ulitmately, It's up to me to make better choices and get back on track. It's a battle -- I am a stress eater, and eating sweets (or anything) is my self-comfort. While life at home is great, work is stressful and I find the busier I am, and the more the work piles up on my desk, the more I just want to fill my face. I know this, but play the mind games and always rationalize it "one more time." As many people have said over the past year + that I was on this site, it's a daily battle and we just have to keep with it. I've been fighting against my band, and it does it's job only as long as I do my job. Having complained about my struggles over the past 5 month, I have to say that I'm happier than ever otherwise. Even though I've not met my goal and finished my journey YET, life has changed SO much in the past year, and I can hardly remember how awful I felt when I weighed nearly 340 pounds! Each morning I carry two jugs of about 6 gallons each out to the barn for the horses. They are HEAVY! And each time I do it, I think to myself - I carried more than this every step of every day. No wonder I always was tired! No wonder I could never imagine exercising! NO wonder taking the stair was a herculean effort! I'm still far from goal, but I always walk up the stairs = to the 5th floor even, where I work. I can RUN up the stairs at home. I can run! (well, still a bit floppy!) I go swimming for aerobics x 2 a week. AND - my biggest achievement - I actually rode one of our horses around the farm. This was my lifelong childhood dream - to have a horse, and just ride around any where I wanted to. I did it a couple weeks ago! :-) Life is good! My goal now is to loose 40 pounds before my son's wedding Sept 5th. Say a prayer for me fellow bandsters. I think once I get started and off the sugary carbs, I will do OK now that the weather is warming up and it's easier to get outside.(it was almost 50 today...our snow is almost gone! seriously! There are still spots of snow in ditches and north sides of woods and stuff up here, and we still have frost in the ground in the shady spots. ) We have more work to do, fences to put up, burdocks to cut out (we've done a lot already). Then there will be the garden to plant, and the list goes on. I love Spring, Summer, and Fall! I am trying to log my foods now at work - we;ll see how that goes. I can use paper, but love the internet based programs because I don't have to look up the calories. Hope you all are doing well!

Hi April 08 Bandsters! Just wanted to pop in and say HI! It's my 1 year anniversary, and what a difference a year makes! I've been "off the wagon" since Christmas - just unable to get myself off the carbs and chocolate. I've gained a couple pounds and unhappy that I haven't 'FINISHED' my journey. I've been very tight - PB'ing a LOT, some mornings can't get water down, etc. I think this is part of my problem - I tend to eat the slider junk food because it doesn't get stuck; Veggies, fruit, lunch meat, and other healthier options are more problems for me. I'm seeing my surgeon next week and getting some saline taken out. I'm vowing to loose 40 pounds by my son's wedding Sept 5th. Doggone it, 40 pounds is NOTHING! :-) If I had fast internet, I'd be on here more and that would help. I also stopped doing my internet-based daily food log, which has been disasterous. I'm trying to do it at work - started back today, but it's hard because I'm SO busy at work. I think it's really important though -- It's so easy for me to play games with myself. I feel like I'm going through detox! Remembering a year ago, when an ounce of liquid seemed like a lot and the weight was falling off.... But, even though I haven't kept up loosing, my life is SO good now compared to a year ago. I do water aerobics x2 a week, and we've moved to our farm and have our horses at home. Life is so good and I'm so happy. For those of you being banded soon - hope you have as good an experience as I have, and great results. Stick with it! HOpe everyone is doing well!

Good evening. Just wanted to say, I tried eggs for breakfast (skip the cereal...eat protein.) Ended up eating half the egg, (yes, chewed well) and then throwing them back up while DD drove us to work/school this am! (couldn't be late for my meeting or her school) (Eww...really grossed her out) they did NOT slide down like I thought they would. But tonight, I did really well with some roast chicken. Won't be doing eggs first thing in the morning... Good news though...I feel renewed and back on track for the most part, and even joined a water aeobics class tonight! It was fun, and so far, don't feel sore. Tomorrow may be another story. Came home hungry, and ate some sugar free pudding. Feels great to be getting back in control. And tomorrow will be another great day... Re: water pills. I do think our bodies get used to them, and it takes a while for the kidney's to readjust the fluid balance without them--at least that's what I found. Meanwhile, the blood pressure goes way up....without symptoms, and that is dangerous. Get the pills....:-)

Thank you, one and all, for the kicks! I needed that. You are all correct. I was thinking about that today at work...I just always think to be a good mom, I have to have treats for the family. That's how I was brought up. Perhaps there is a part of me that secretly plans this so I can have them... Meanwhile, my DD is putting on weight too, and we could use a change here. Wouldn't hurt DH either, though he's lost a little weight with all the work he's been doing in the past month (building stuff, all the heavy lifiting). I am a master at rationalizing things...as many of us are! Today was better than yesterday, but I wasn't perfect. I always want to be perfect, and of course, it's hard to be perfect, so then I rationalize being 'bad." I've really slipped into my former lifestyle, and I don't like it at all. You are all 100% correct on the protein bars. They need to go. They aren't helping me. I've begun to depend on them because they are sweet. I used to think it would help me to keep my hair....easy way to get protein, but they are way too many calories. And my hair is still thin! I used to eat lunchmeat...but that always seems to get stuck. While I THINK I actually am hungry...perhaps you're right, I'm not. I will plan my meals right now for tomorrow. I've got a chicken ready to roast for tomorrow's supper. And the treats I made yesterday, I packed up and froze, which helps me avoid them. (Out of sight, out of mind) OK, tomorrow is another day. I have to figure out what I'm going to eat.... I remember once Indio, I think it was you, that said you 'forgot' to eat supper once. I wish I could put food out of my mind, but it's always there calling me. I tell myself - good grief, there is plenty of it, I don't need to worry -- but I have a hard time forgetting out it. OK, no more excuses! YOu're right. I can do this! :-)

Hi Everyone, I haven't been able to get on LBT for some time now - between my schedule and the slow internet and for some reason - couldn't get it to load some days. But I caught up on the last few pages tonight...lots of new 'faces' and many of you are doing so well! Katydid - you sure have had more than your share of troubles! Hope this next one gets sorted out quickly! I have been really struggling. I'be gained 3 pounds, and am dangerously close to crossing back into the 200's again ! :-{. Yet, can't seem to wean myself from the fattening foods and get back into the zone I used to be in! When I'm at work, it's like I'm hungry every hour, so I eat and eat and eat - but it's usuallyl the healthier snacks like apples, protein bars, sugar free pudding, and healthy choice or lean cusine entrees. But the calories still add up. When I'm home, I've been eating unhealthy choices...because I can. And because it relieves stress. I can't blame the band, because I'm actually tight. I"ve had PB episodes and even thrown up a couple times because of tight band. I have to eat my Kashi Krunch very slowing in the morning, with breaks when it gets uncomfortable, to get it down. But an hour later, I'm feeling hungry again. As others have mentioned, it does seem to be tight in the AM. In an odd way, the band being tight seems to be working against me instead of for me...in that cookies, candies, bars, etc., slide down much easier than chicken, pork, etc. I"ve considered getting .5 taken out...but then I recall that I wasn't doing much better before then which is why I had the .5 put in. The band is TRYING to help me, I'm just not listening! I didn't realize how important it was for me to be logging my food each day, and now that I don't have the internet as available, I haven't been doing it - and without that feedback, it's so easy for me to cheat myself. I let myself go over the holidays, and now it's twice as hard to get back in control. It's not like I couldn't do a calorie count on paper, but IDK, I just can't seem to get back into that habit. I think because my whole life has changed with our move - new routines - it's just been so hard. I think Orea mentioned that carbs are like poison....it's definately an addiction. I need a stern yelling at! Every day, I'm like "tomorrow, I'm going to get back on track." But then, by 9 am, I'm rationalizing again. Today I made toffee bars because I had some family members stop in for a visit...and I ate a bunch of them. The weather has been DREADFUL. Not sure which is worse -- minus 13 degrees with wind chills in the -30's and -40's below zero that we had last week (It's 10 right now) -- or 107 like in AUs!!! Either way, it's really hard to get out and do much. So while I do get to clean the horses's stalls every morning for exercise (while the fingers and toes are freezing)...the rest of the time I'm trapped in the house or at work. I know exactly what I have to do...log my food, plan healthy meals, get rid of the snacks in the house/office. I've done this before. Why is it so hard this time??? How can I psyche myself back into this? I want to be at my goal by my 1 year anniversary - April 9. Which means, I really need to get back on track. OK you guys...let me have it. Your words of wisdom that will get through my thick skull.....

Stress eaters...count me in. I have had a stressful 3-day week at work - thank goodness I'm off till Monday! And I thought going back to work would help me get back on track...WRONG! I came home and gobbled up Christmas Cookies and candies. Now I'm hating myself for doing it.... Why does this have to be so difficult? I know I need to get rid of the fattening stuff in the house...but I can't seem to bring myself to do it. The Mom in me wants to make these last few days of 'holidays' special for the family. You know...for the kids, for the hubby...and I love the stuff. We only have it once a year... Now my in-laws are coming for dinner Sunday, and it will be another "big" meal....and dessert... I guess I'm not ready to be back on the wagon yet. Thanks for listening...

HI Theogillis7, Re: not to loose weight -- well, if you choose high calorie "slider" foods - cookies, candies, ice cream, high-fat things - you can still eat too many caloires and not loose weight. Regain - same story. Loose weight before surgery? - well, it depends on your program/bariatric center/surgeon. Some require (and insurance companies often do) a pre-op diet like 3 - 6 months supervised diet - to show that you can follow the diet changes. I had to do 3 months, and lost about 40 pounds. However, medically, you may not need to loose weight - some surgeons want you to loose some weight to decrease the fat around the liver and make the surgery easier, but not all do. Talk to you surgeon! A happy story - Christmas Eve my brother and sister-in-law who I have not seen for a year came home. I email them occasionally, but I guess the topic of the band and weight loss never came up with them -- I assumed our mother told them, or somebody else in the family. Well, apparently, he wasn't sure who I was and was about to ask, when I guess it dawned on him that it was ME! He didn't say anything, but told my mom afterwards that they were blown away with the change. Pretty funny! :-) I guess I do look a bit different now! What a difference a year can make.

I echo JoAnn's thoughts - so many people saying goodbye to loved ones. It's always hard, but especially when it's supposed to be a happy time of year. I returned to work today (hospital) and was informed of several deaths - unexpected - in the past days, and especially on Christmas. Very sad! This is a tough time of year all around - from economy issues, the usual winter trials and short dark days, and the let down after the holidays (well, there's still Near Years, but for our family NY's is kind of an anti-climax) It's still so long before the hope of Spring can set in. Basically, I hate winter! Yeah, the snow can be pretty - but this one has been especially brutal (or maybe I'm just getting old!) Best wishes and prayers to all you who are grieving and struggling! I was 50% better today with avoiding junk foods -- still succomed to a couple Peanut Butter balls and pepermint brownies tonight after supper. On the other hand, kids home today and they ate some of it up, so that's good. Tomorrow will be better!

Hi everyone. It sounds like many of you have much more will-power than me. With the move and lifestyle change, and now the holidays, being home more often, and just plain STRESS of it all, I have completely gone off the wagon- snacking on Christmas cookies and candies, eating way too much at family meal after family meal. Every day has been a challenge - with trying to get the new home in order, getting all the supplies for the horses, constantly dealing with bad weather and miserable driving in icey roads, blowing snow and drifts while trying to get everything done, and finally bringing the horses home yesterday - I just let myself go and reverted into all my bad habits. It's been really hard, since we have so many traditional family food favorites this time of year. I totally admit, I'm a sweet freak! (Orea, nothing is ever too sweet! :-) But you're right - it's poison, and once on this addicting sugar high, it's hard to come off it! Tomorrow I go back to work - at while I don't want to, I know it will be good for me to get back into my old routine. I haven't gained much, but I've sure not lost anything, and with all the exercise I've been getting I should have lost a ton. And I can't blame the band - it reminds me constantly that I've eaten enough and too fast, I just wait a while and eat again! So - I hate to say it - but thank goodness Christmas is over, and now we've got New Year's and Resolutions to make! My first resolution is to make this the year I make my GOAL. And it's starting tomorrow! I want to reach goal by April 9th, my one year band-anniversary. I've had my vacation, and now I'm ready to move on to my next phase of life -- with the band, and here on the farm. I don't get on line very often anymore, and I miss loging my food on thedaily plate - that really kept me grounded. HOpefully, I can find a way to get back into that despite the slow internet service. One more week and my DD goes back to college, and the other DD goes back to high school every day - in a few days my DS and DIL go back home, and then it will be easier. At least I keep telling myself that! For those of you who got through the holidays maintaining your healthy diets and exercise - KUDOS!! You are amazing! And if you're like me -- time to make those resolutions!

Merry Christmas! Hope everyone is taking the time to enjoy the warmth of the holidays with their families and friends. I'm happy to be back on LBT. We've moved to our 'dream' hobby farm. It's been a challenge! Mostly because here in Wisconsin, we've had nothing but snowstorms, frigid temps, and high winds. Those of you with dial-up internet service, how do you do it? After being spoiled these past many years with cable-speed internet service, we're back to dial up - and it's agonizingly slow. I haven't had the time to go back and read the posts I've missed :-(. HOpe you all are doing well and welcome to those who have joined. We are getting really close to having everything in place to bring our horses home. Just have to get hay...hopefully after Christmas. My DD's are anxious to get their boys home, and DH is anxious to be done building stuff and buying stuff for them. Our transition to country life from the city has been interesting - we've already been in the ditch in a snowstorm, and learned how expensive it is to heat a house on the top of a hill (wind tunnel) when it's wind chill of -30! I haven't lost much during all this...stress, holiday baking and all...but sure am building some muscles moving all those daily snow drifts around. But aside from all the obstacles and complaining, it's so wonderful to be able to be living my life-long dream of living on a hobby farm and soon to have our horses home! This all would not have happened if not for having made that committment to have the band. What a life-changer! I wish all the best to my fellow and potential Lap Banders - hope 2009 is as sweet for you as 2008 has been for me! Merry Christmas!

Hi 50+ers: Just a note to say bye for awhile. We are moving today, and I won't have internet access for a while. Don't know when, as the wireless guy I had out to the farm yesterday couldn't get a signal at all... This is pretty rural where we are going, and some glacial hilss are blocking all nearby towers. No DSL or anyting like that available at the moment. Anyhow...I will miss my daily support reading your posts! I need that to keep me focused on my goals. Your wisdom, advice, and support have been invaluable! Hopefully, I'll be back soon...but if we have to have dial up....well, that will be tedious! I've been spoiled with city life and it's conveniences...like high speed cable internet! Hope you all enjoy the holidays and make it though this trying food tempation period!

Dear Twirl, You asked a lot of questions - and for some of them, only you can answer - For me, needing dialysis and weight loss to get a transplant would be a huge motivator! "No one has ever died from anything to do with the band" Well - we all wish that was true, but, there is ALWAYS risk in everything we do! Even getting up in the morning. The challange is to balance the risks with the benefits. Yes, people have died getting every surgical procedure known to man. Now, the risk of laproscopic band surgery is certainly less than many other kinds of surgery - 0.05% is the mortality (death) rate that I'm aware of for gastric band with my surgeon - but that doesn't mean it won't happen to you, or me, or the doctor friend. Anytime you break the skin, or do anything invasive, you risk an infection. AS long as there are bacteria in the world, you are at risk. Before you undergo the procedure, I recommend LONG TALKS with your nephrologist, your surgeon, your primary care physician. YOu need to be sure you are weighing the risks against the benefits for YOU. Sounds like you aren't sure this is what you want to do! Often, the story you hear passed through the grapevine can turn out to be only a half-truth, etc. You need to know what's best for you. Best wishes!

That's a really good question. I've been noticing that mine is bugging me lately, and I'm sure that I don't need the same pressure rate that it's set at now. I've tried sleeping without it...but I've grown accustomed to it...and am afraid to just stop doing it. I suppose the answer is to call the doctor...but I don't want to deal with it right now. And like you said, not sure I lost enough weight yet. And, there are normal weight people who still have sleep apnea... Anybody out there have experience at what point you were able to go off? Did you have to have another sleep study done? What worked for you?

Actually, I just did the math...I've lost ~96 pounds since my April bandingl? Can that be right? I don't really track how much/fast I'm loosing. I just try to go down each day. To me it seems agonizingly slow. I guess I am doing OK-- It never seems like it on a daily basis, but the numbers in my sig are acurate, so it must be true! That surprised even me.

I have to tell you, the view from Onederland is great! I hope everybody here joins me soon! I have to say, I did nothing special to get there - even with the band, it comes down to eating less and exercising more. My strategy is to log everything I eat - I use thedailyplate.com, but there are other free sites out there too. I follow the daily calorie limit advised to loose 2 pounds per week as much as possible. I am NOT perfect by any means, but when I see I'm close to the limit, or over (as I have been more often lately), I fight the urge to eat more, and try to get some exercise. It keeps me from fooling myself about how much I can eat. I needed help with portion control! I was walking 2 to 2 1/2 miles a day till the Wisconsin winter set in. Now, I'm not doing much except packing to move in a few days. (However, I can sure go up and down those stairs with boxes now with minimal effort! :-) I hope to continue the daily exercise in our new routine once moved - hauling hay, water, and cleaning stalls at our new hobby farm - a whole new experience for me! But all of this would not have happened without the band. The band has kept me going. It has prevented that ability to overeat in huge quantities like I used to -- because I get too full. And then I walk away for awhile and forget about continuing to eat. Lilke a normal person! With all previous diets I was on, I would dream about food and feel empty all the time. Within a couple months, I would ditch the diet and just eat whatever, whenever, and as much as I could stuff in. Which was never those huge amounts you hear people eating (I never ate a dozen eggs or a half-gallon of ice cream), but I'm sure it was about 4,000 calories a day. It took me 30 years to get up to 339 pounds! But I was always hungry it seemed. This has not happened with the band - I don't dream about food. I don't feel deprived. Now, I can be full with 1400 cals a day. I still have my weaknesses - chocolate, and fresh baked cookies - when available! I still have bad days and make poor food choices. Just not as often anymore. The key is to not make the highly calorie concentrated, low nutrition foods very available! I still struggle with wanting to eat more - to clean my plate like I was taught as a kid. And to keep eating after full. I'm at my sweet spot - finally - right now and I will get full and uncomfortable, even "slime" until something goes down if I don't chew well enough or eat too fast. Being bull-headed about eating, I need that negative reinforcement to shout at me - "stop eating, for heavensake!" :-) I don't posses any stronger willpower than any one of you guys/gals out there. And that's the beauty of this band! Its working for me, and I hope it will for you too!

OH I know exactly what's you are saying...I just had 3 warm Peanut Butter Cookies out of the oven that my DD is baking - here I'm so happy to be in onderland, and then I can't even walk away from a cookie! Now I'm 400 calories OVER my limit for today, once again. The whole time I'm like - you shouldn't be eating this, and so I didn't even enjoy it!! It's all in our complex psyches I guess. Well, I'll go pack some boxes and burn off a few calories, and pray tomorrow will be better. This food addiction is tough to deal with!!!