lianna

No, I am so technologically challenged!!!! I have a digital camera but dont know how to get the pics on my computer.....or how to attach them!!! That was one of my New Years resolutions! I would love to post some pics, I have gone from 20W jeans to a loose size 12...the difference is amazing! I think I carried most of the weight in my big butt, lol. 140lbs should have me back in an 8!

Luckily the hair on my face is blond, but I have a lot of peach fuzz on my cheeks that waxing will take care of for months (and it probably isnt noticable to anyone else anyway, it just bugs me). The bane of my existence is the darker coarser ones that sprout on my chin!!! I had electrolysis done once (15 years ago) and never went again....it was painful and uneffective. I would love the laser removal, and have been considering having that done. My morning makeup routine includes spending a minute tweezing anything I can see or feel. Unfortunately for me, the weight loss has made no difference in the amount or rate of growth on them. My periods are like clockwork now though.

I dont drink sodas at all. The carbonation makes me feel very uncomfortable, but it isnt really painful. More like a bloated gassy feeling, but higher up above the stoma. It isnt worth it when there are so many other things to drink. I lurk on this thread off and on, and can share my first year result with you!!!.....I am not sure if I qualified as a lower BMI bandster because I was pretty darned fat, lol. But with 85 lbs to lose I definitely didnt have as much to lose as most bandsters start with, and my BMI was just under 40. October 27, 06 was my one year mark and I lost 80% of my weight by then (60lbs). I feel like I lost very slowly, but statistically I was actually on target....averaging just over a pound a week. I stress the averaging part because I really lost most of that the first 6-9 months, losing around 2 lbs a week, and then started having weeks at a time of no loss or slow loss, but it still averaged out to over a pound a week. I have severe Insulin Resistance and still have to take 1000mg of Metformin daily, and if I dont watch the carb intake I dont lose at all, I think that has also impacted my rate of loss. In the past I have had to work very hard to lose anything, so I am thrilled with the results I have!!! I know I will make it to goal this year, for sure by summer! I weighed 162 this a.m. so I am less than 20 lbs to my surgeons goal of 145!!! (My goal is to get to 135-140) This band has been the best thing I have ever done for myself!

I buy the Body Fortress at Walmart also! It is very economical, and since I am a breakfast skipper I feel better having a protein drink each morning.

I've been a slow loser since the beginning! I lost 6 lbs the first month, and I think it was 9 by my first fill. I averaged about 1.5 lbs a week until I hit 180, and I have been in a series of plateaus and slow slow loss for months now. There is some consolation in knowing that whether it comes of fast or slow.......it DOES come off. Even losing slowly, I will be at goal soon.

I am echoing what the others have said, but it really just takes time for the soreness/pain to go away. I remember feeling miserable on the 2nd and 3rd day, to the point of wondering what the hell I had done to myself,,,and was back at work on day 7. I still didnt feel 100%, but felt so much better in comparison. Take whatever they gave you for pain, or some liquid Tylenol, and get as much rest as possible and let your body heal. Sorry you are actually in pain over this.

Yes, cold drinks make me tighter. I drink most things room temp and dont mess around with the restriction like that. Get it to a good level and dont play games....

I am glad I read your journal entry. I got the patches and am going to quit on the first. My husband quit cold turkey over a year ago and still I dont know quite what to expect. I will remember to tough it out for that day if I feel like I am going insane, lol. I am proud of you, quitting smoking is the one other aspect of my life I have never been in control of....besides my weight. I finally have the weight under control...time to tackle the smoking!

Kristen, that is excellent!! You should be very proud of yourself! 2007 is going to be a great year for you!

I will not be Obese in 2007!!! I am now officially considered overweight! What a wonderful thing this band has been. I hope everyone has a Fabulous 2007!

I truly dont think anyone was trying to be mean or make you feel like a failure, but anyone that has researched the surgery, already gone through the post-op experience, and understands the importance of the healing period should not tell you that it is okay to eat (or nibble) on solids right now. The title you used implies that you know the risks. I know myself and many others probably did slip up, but that doesnt make it right. It would be irresponsible and uncaring for us to say "nibble on whatever you want, we know better than your doctor what is okay". To answer your original questions: I doubt you have done any damage but yes you need to tell your doctor you have been cheating. Maybe he can progress you to fuller liquids or suggest more filling choices that you can have during this stage. Look in the food forum. You might find some ideas for new or different things you can have to alleviate the boredom!

I will be thinking about you and wishing you a fast and painfree surgery and recovery! What a great way to start a new year! I liked the ZeroCarb Isopure and the Unjury post op. They mix well and taste pretty good. Now I just pick up a protein powder at Walmart or HEB, whatever one has the lowest suger.....I think it is Body Fortress Whey Protein I get. I am not a breakfast eater and still drink a protein drink for breakfast, but dont worry too much about the quality of it since my real protein and nutrients come from food now.

Absolutely when I am even slightly dehydrated my band is tighter. It seems like it would be the opposite but for me it is not. I also notice that I if I am retaining water around TOM I am more restricted. I have learned that if my rings are tighter, my band will be too. Thankfully, drinking plenty of water is the remedy for both dehydration and retention.

I totally pigged out at my classes party on Thursday (the last day of school for us) cupcake, cookies, chocolate, nachos, etc over the course of the day... pure sugar and carbs, then our what our school literally calls our "Pig Out Lunch" of a buffet style brisquit and sausage, a little of all the side dishes, cheesecake and pumpkin pie. (I am obviously very very loosley restricted, by choice.) Saturday we made a 6 hour drive to Katy, Texas and I had a bag of Cheeze Nips and a candy bar in the car and then a big family dinner and dessert. Sunday, all food and snacking all day and then a big Chrismas eve dinner. Monday I had turkey dressing 3 times and hersheys kisses and cookies all in between. I totally dont understand how but after a 3ish month stall/plateau I have LOST 3 lbs this week. Maybe I wasnt eating enough before? Maybe I just needed to shake things up? Whatever, I totally ate horrid all week.

I remember feeling your frustration and impatience! Dont let it discourage you! I was 6 lbs heavier the day after surgery from the swelling and water retention. I finally dropped that and was down maybe 6 lbs total the first month. You are likely severly calorie restricted right now, well under 1000 per day, and some people dont lose with that. Fast or slow the weight WILL eventually start coming off. This is not a magical instant fix, but a gradual process. You are starting at a relatively low weight also, and will probably not lose at the rate of someone that starts out much heavier. Hang in there and have some patience, I remember well the frustration, it will all even out and you will be posting in a few months about what you have lost and having to buy new clothes because nothing fits!!!

You definitely become centered somewhere along the way. I like the way that was described. Somewhere along the line I quit worrying so much about calories and carbs and protein and portions, etc... and it just became second nature to make better choices, eat them, and get on with life. I eat pretty normal now. Not normal the way I "used" to eat, but normal like a healthy thin person would. I rarely ever eat fast food now unless my coworkers choose that for lunch, then I order a salad. Normally I take a Lean Cuisine to work for lunch out of convenience. I also love tuna salad on Wheat Thins with a sliced cucumber and Ranch dressing,,,, much better than a burger and fries. Supper is whatever DH wants for supper. I eat the same foods. Yesterday we had a New York strip steak he cooked on the grill, grilled bell peppers and onions, and broccoli & cheese. Tonite I had Chicken Tortilla Soup and just didnt put the tortilla strips in mine. I rarely think with "diet mentality" now....just healthier choices and smaller portions and it all adds up!!!

Yes, I am very picky now! I can hardly eat ground beef, it is the worst. Physically I can, but even if I get super lean ground sirloin by the time I chew it up there is a ball of weird stuff that I have to discreetly spit into a napkin. I swear I even found miniscule bits of ground up bone in a meatball I got at an Italian restaurant! It totally grosses me out. About the only red meat I eat now is a small filets mignon or roast.

I would love to have a hot tub! What a great present! Like others stated, I think I waited around 2 weeks before I really soaked in a tub. Enjoy and have a fabulous 2007!

I was also scared of the anesthesia. Just remind yourself that this is no more dangerous than a gallbladder surgery or an appendectomy, lol! Seriously. I kept hearing the recovery and surgery being compared to gallbladder removal and told myself "Get a grip, I have never heard of anyone 'not waking up' from gallbladder removal". Honestly, you dont even know when you go under. One minute they told me I would start to feel drowsy and the next minute I was waking up in recovery. You will be fine!

You are so right! The difference from this Christmas to next will amaze you! I remember feeling that way last year. (I am not at goal, but not "fat" anymore either...like you predict for yourself by next Christmas!) The thing that makes me sad is that I dont have one single picture of ME from last Christmas, not one picture with any of my family.....I was 2 months post op but still over 200lbs and heavier than any of my extended family had ever seen me. I had gotten so used to being the one to take pictures just so I wouldnt be IN them, lol! This year I alternated between taking some pictures and asking others to take them so I could have some with me and my dad, me and husband, me and my neice, etc... I even have a hard time finding "before" pics because I am usually hiding behind someone or not in them at all. The band has totally changed my life and I cant wait to see you posting next year about what a great Christmas you have had and how healthy and happy you feel!

I go anywhere from 1200 to 1600 per day. It varies. I am over a year out and keep looser restriction (which allows me to eat virtually any healthy food but breads), so I have pretty balanced and varied meals....just smaller portions and healthier choices than I used to. I have been sticking pretty close to 1500 calories and notice that I am mostly maintaing or losing slowly at this level.

Welcome to LBT!!! Lack of restriction definitely wont help take the weight off, but at least you have lost and maintained a 30 lb loss up to now. I bet with your recent fill, recommitment, and accountability with WW that you start dropping pounds again! What a perfect time to start fresh with the New Year!

The GasX only works on air that is already in your stomach or intestines ready to be come out. I didnt find that much relief in it, but it certainly cant hurt and it is all some people need. I had the air that was still trapped in the abdominal cavity....I looked pregnant with the bloat, lol. The walking is what helped me immensely to work that air around where it could absorb and pass. Maybe you will be one of the lucky ones and not have any problem with the gas pains!!!!

The thing about taking pictures is the ONE thing I wish I had done. It is virtually impossible to find pictures of myself at my highest weight. I wish I had done some in bike shorts and a sports bra (or a swimsuit) so that I could take progressive picks as I lost. Good luck on the uncoming surgery, it gets pretty nervewracking the day or two before!!!

167 lbs I am pretty excited! I weighed this morning and I have actually dropped a few pounds over the holidays! I am just 22 lbs from goal now, 145 is getting closer and closer. I had to buy some new jeans and size 14 DOES NOT FIT ANYMORE!!!! I am solidly in size 12 now.