Great2BThin

Thanks for the coupon offer, didn't know about that one but I did use one for 20% off. Though 30 would've been better, it's quite a drive to me to the store, I'd spend the 10% on gas, so will stick with what I got. Thanks for the offer though. I googled coupons before I went and didn't come up with any. They did take my email address today so hopefully I will get more coupons going forward. I also went to the Ann Taylor store, which I love too but didn't like anything I saw. They said they had a 'new designer', hopefully it's not a sign of things to come.

Well gals, it's me, formally Long2Bthin, they finally approved and changed my screenname. I put in for it the day I reached goal and jsut got notice today it changed. So now I am Great2Bthin. I went shopping with my daughter today and first I got me a new 'goal outfit' at Ann Taylor Loft. I got pants, sweater and blouse so pretty!! And then we tried on mother of the bride dresses. Found one I really like at Dillards but just am not sure about buying one so early as the wedding isn't til next year. What if I lose more, what if I gain more, what if I find another I like, etc. etc. etc. And Dillards return policy is only 30 days. I can honestly finally say when I tried on that dress that I actually saw how much thinner I was. I jsut have a hard time seeing it most of the time, but haven't worn a dress in years so maybe it was because it was something different. My daughter said my butt looked great in the dress that dad would like it! LOL Janet , I am worn out just reading all you did yesterday! Apples, have fun with your Aussie friend!! Arlene, never heard of the band tightening with lifting, I will have to pay attention to that.

Greetings, it's me, Long2BThin under my new name. I put in for a name change the day I hit goal, they finally approved and changed it today to Great2BThin. Allie, Congrats!! That's awesome. I bet you feel wonderful. Hunzi & Angel, good to see posts from both of you! Angel, I have a 14cc band too, I have over 10cc's fill in it. I don't think (but am not positve) it can be too big for you with the right fills. It might take a fill or two more for you. I know my dr tried putting in the 10cc band but had a hard time making it fit right so he put in the 14cc and put in 4cc fill at surgery and basically made it a 10cc from the get go and then I've had fills (many) since then. Glad you are starting to get restriction, a year is a long time to wait for that. Jen, I am sure you can lose those 18 by Christmas! Glad you feel good about your new goal. Well gals, I went shopping with my daughter today and first I got me a new 'goal outfit' at Ann Taylor Loft. I got pants, sweater and blouse so pretty!! And then we tried on mother of the bride dresses. Found one I really like at Dillards but just am not sure about buying one so early as the wedding isn't til next year. What if I lose more, what if I gain more, what if I find another I like, etc. etc. etc. And Dillards return policy is only 30 days. I can honestly finally say when I tried on that dress that I actually saw how much thinner I was. I jsut have a hard time seeing it most of the time, but haven't worn a dress in years so maybe it was because it was something different. My daughter said my butt looked great in the dress that dad would like it! LOL

Thanks, JoAnn, glad you are enjoying your time in Seoul. How great for you to have your daughter as your workout coach! Luchay, Yes I think you are too tight. If you can't eat solid proteins and are resorting to softer foods, that generally means you are too tight and that isn't allowing your 'tool' of the band to work for you. As you have found out the soft foods good down pretty easy, and they don't keep us full or satisfied so then we tend to eat more. You should be able to eat at least 1/2 cup of solid protein at a meal. Plus it's not good to be too tight, it can cause reflux or even your band to slip. Check with your doc and see what he says. And Welcome!! Good luck to you.

Laura, glad your dad is doing okay. I am sure it means a lot to him that you are there. Some say stress makes their bands tight and I'd say you are under some stress. I had a nice weekend, fairly uneventful and sometimes that is good! Back to work tomorrow and then am meeting my daughter at the mall. FUN FUN!!

Congrats, sabertooth, on your decision for the lapband. I wish you the best of luck with your decision and a speedy recovery from surgery. I had such a hard time making the decision but once I did I have never looked back and it has been the best decision for me. I am at goal just one year later.

Thanks Arlene, you will get there! Glad ou got a good fill and are at that sweet spot, that will help tremendously! BTW, how's DH doing??

Meredith, I know you are scared and frustrated right now seeing that gain. But hang in there. This too shall pass. Same thing happened to me at about the 6 week mark. My non scientific explanation is that your body is in shock. It just had major surgery, now you are feeding it very little. It dropped lots of weight for you but now is saying whoa, what is going on here and fighting to hang on. I called it a correction week. But just keep on doing what you are doing and the scale should start being kind to you again. I tended to settle into a pattern after about this time where I'd lose big one week, then stay the same or lose or even gain a fraction for a couple weeks, then WHAM! a big loss again. I settled down and stopped panicking as much when I figured out my pattern. I think Phyl on here also said she loses like that. As long as you know you are following the rules of your tool, just keep on keeping on and it will start moving for you again. In the meantime, vent away.

I hit goal of 126 lbs lost in one year!! YIPEE!!! DRH, what kind of foods are you eating? Are you following the rules of the 'tool'? eating 80% hard protein, then veggies, few carbs? are you doing any strength training? walking at a brisk pace? are you sure on your calories? do you track them? are you eating slider foods? eating small meals through out the day? Not sure what the problem is but if you give us more specifics we might be able to help. Or does your dr office have a nutritionist you can consult? have you spoken of your concerns to your dr? How tall are you? 162 could be a good weight. Good luck to you!

Laura, sorry to hear about your dad. I hope it isn't anything real serious. How lucky he is to have daughters so concerned for him they'd consider giving him a kidney. He must be a very special father. Apples, hope you are destressing at the lake! All that cooking though would stress me out! I put in for a screen name change, but it hasn't happened yet, but any day hopefully I am changed to Great2BThin

Petunia, You'll get there, your ticker says you have 116 to go, I lost 126. Just follow the rules of the 'tool' and keep plugging along. I never thought I'd get there and here I am. I love my band!! If, I am for sure not quite thin, but probably 'normal' looking. I have some curves for sure. But I do know I have to work on the body image, and it's come along way but has some work to do.

Now it is me who has a senior moment. I know I noticed before you were in Utah and had surgery at Sandy but dont remember chatting about it. LOL We won't be at Swiss Days this year, but would love to be. Loved the 'Swiss Tacos' too. It's so beautiful there in Midway. I went to WW for years and their goal for me or maybe I just made it for me as it was the highest goal for my height and I could stop paying, was also the 169 or a BMI of 25. But of course could be up to 20 lbs or so lighter. I figure as long as I struggled to lose this weight I'll be happy at the higher end. If in the future I decide or happen to lose down to the lower BMI, so be it. When I first had this surgery, I jsut wanted to be in the 100's, and a size 14 and 12 was the ultimate, to be able to buy a few 8's is just so amazing, though I am probably more of a true 10. I am going to try and stop sweating about a number now and enjoy where I am. I bet you look great where you are. Good luck to you in settling in at your goal as well! Mountain & OntheWay, thanks so much!! Think I do need to go shopping soon for some new fall clothes!

I never heard that about a BMI of 22 being the healthiest. Don't think I could hit that. I am 5'9 and the range my surgeon gave me to stay in is between a BMI of 26 and 27, he said the BMI chart was just a range and not the end all for everyone. Did you have surgery at Alta View? I lived in SAndy, UT many years and we used to have a booth and sell hand carved Santas every year at Swiss Days up in Midway.

GOAL!!!!! I officially hit goal today!!! I had my one year post op finally with my surgeon, it had gotten rescheduled a few times. Anyhow, he said how fantastic I looked, weighed me, looked at my frame, looked at my lab results (excellent like a 16 yr old he said) and said I was at goal. The BMI chart is a guideline and for my height and frame he liked where I was at. He wants me no lower than 176 and no higher than 185, I like that he gave me a range, he said he could tell I was a number person that would get too hung up on a single number if he gave me one. He also asked what size I was when I began and was now, I went from a 26 to an 8. WOOHOO!! I feel like a tremendous weight has literally been lifted from my shoulders. I was stressing so much about getting to 169 and that normal BMI and hadn't lost hardly in over 2 mos. He wants me to visit the nutritionist now and fine tune things in my diet to maintain. I will be changing my screen name soon, probably to Great2bThin, though that sounds odd as I still don't consider myself thin and don't want to sound like I am bragging so not sure.

Thanks for the congrats on goal!! I am still on cloud 9! Apples, it felt weird and I still don't believe it, did it take your head a long time to catch up with your body and realize you were at goal? I've spent my entire adult life on a diet, I don't know what this is supposed to feel like. I did still weigh myself first thing this morning. I figure I probably always will. I had a real stressful day or two on top of things. DH was offered a wonderful promotion that meant a move across country. We are very happy here, just moved my 100 yr old grandma here so I could help care for her and my daughter is getting married. Moving is not an option right now. He graciously turned it down 'this time' and they understood the family situation. I was so torn between wanting to support my husband as he is our main bread winner and has climbed the corporate ladder quite well, but on the other hand my heart is here. I was relieved when he really didn't even consider it too much.

Allie, I am wearing my daughters slacks today! LOL She gave them to me as they are actually a little big on here, but I'll take them. She shops at better stores than me! It is so weird to not be in losing mode anymore. I too have been a 'dieter' my entire adult life. It's hard to wrap my mind around being at goal it's still hard to say thin. I still see myself as fat, maybe not as fat as I was but overweight for sure. I am glad my surgeon gave me a range to stay in or I would be obsessing over a number every day. I'd beat myself up if I was a half a pound over it, etc. I will be curious to see if or what the nutritionist says to do differently now if anything. The dr asked me about a fill yesterday and for the first time I said I am good, I don't need one. I always felt well maybe a little one will make me lose more, etc. I am truly at a sweet spot now. Allie, good luck with your unfill. I had to have a small one a few months ago and it was such a relief.

GOAL!!!!! I officially hit goal today!!! I had my one year post op finally with my surgeon, it had gotten rescheduled a few times. Anyhow, he said how fantastic I looked, weighed me, looked at my frame, looked at my lab results (excellent like a 16 yr old he said) and said I was at goal. The BMI chart is a guideline and for my height and frame he liked where I was at. He wants me no lower than 176 and no higher than 185, I like that he gave me a range, he said he could tell I was a number person that would get too hung up on a single number if he gave me one. He also asked what size I was when I began and was now, I went from a 26 to an 8. WOOHOO!! I feel like a tremendous weight has literally been lifted from my shoulders. I was stressing so much about getting to 169 and that normal BMI and hadn't lost hardly in over 2 mos. He wants me to visit the nutritionist now and fine tune things in my diet to maintain. I will be changing my screen name soon, probably to Great2bThin, though that sounds odd as I still don't consider myself thin and don't want to sound like I am bragging so not sure.

GOAL!!!!!!!!!!! Yep you heard me, I am officially at goal!!! I had my one year post op appt and my surgeon took one look at me and said 'holy crap I looked good' given my frame and excellent (like a 16 yr olds) lab tests that I could consider myself at goal. I am not at the 'normal' BMI but he said those are outdated and he just uses them as a guideline pre surgery. He then said he could tell I get too hung up on numbers so that I have a range to stay in between 176 and 185 never to go above or below. I went from a size 26 to a size 8 at times or 10's and that was perfect. He wants me to fine tune things for going forward with the nutritionist and come back and see him in 3 mos. WOO HOO!!!! So how cool is that? Me, at goal???? Whodda thunk it??? I feel like a weight has been literally lifted from my shoulders. So I am going to change the goal in my ticker to 180 which is the mid point of that range. Apples, what a horrible, rotten, totally bad day. Glad you are still able to keep a smile as you are right a frown just isn't going to fix things. Are you ready to go back to the lake??

Welcome home MOM!!! Glad you had a good time. Now get your work done so you can come play on line with us! apples, glad the fridge was just a wire! Constipation? yep, my doc said not to take the Miralax every day but I started eating the kashi and it's help a lot!! I get the higher protein kind of Kashi or the Go Lean bars (I only have half a bar a day). Food blahs? guess I was lucky, I never really got that. I loved going out to eat from day one and have made it work. I try to look at eating out as the experience and not the meal. So what if I waste the food? I'd have spent that and more and eaten it all before and not thought twice about it, so what if I spend it now but only eat what I need now? though many times I share with DH or take doggie bags home and he eats them later. My food blahs are at home, I hate making the same stuff over and over, but that has nothing to do with my surgery, I jsut hate cooking and am not adventurous to try new things either. Sunday night we had the engagement party for my daughter, it went well. Yesterday I went looking at wedding dresses with her. Goodness I got teary eyed already! I'm anxious to look for my dress but got lots of time!! Sure would be nice to be at goal then or below!

Thanks Lucy, my husband is willing to workout some with me as is my daughter. My friend and I had such a good thing going, then her sister got involved. I like her sister a lot but she is one of those type of people that is jealous of anyone elses successes and feels left out but when you invite her she just whines and makes excuses. So she wanted to join our exercising, so we changed the time and everything to accomodate her. She gave it 3 times and now says it hurts her back and she wants to walk, well the day came for walking and it was too hot. get the picture??? Problem is my friend gives in to her all the time and almost enables her. Now she feels obligated to workout with her sister (I think the plan is walking) so will be giving up our workouts to do so. I feel I get much more of a workout with these DVD's and it's more all around, plus with my bum knee walking is tough on the pavement. She probably won't walk long and my friend will be back. The frustrating thing is that we had such a good routine and thing going and we went and changed it all to accomodate the sister and then she still wasn't happy, and I am afraid never will be. I'm trying to be understanding as I know I used to be the queen of excuses, but because I recognize all the excuses so easily it's hard to be sometimes. Know what I mean?? Plus I just spent $60 on the new DVD's that we were going to use and am a bit miffed that my friend who committed to doing them backed out for the sister. Oh well, she bought the last DVDs and I benefitted a lot from them. Glad I have them and don't have to rely on her to use them.

You were brave to even try bread! I haven't tried it yet in over a year am so afraid to. Not much on my agenda today so hopefully it's a nice relaxing day. Just gotta go to Costco to pick up a cake for DD's engagement party tomorrow where they are going to surprise everyone and announce it. Have a great weekend, hope the travellers are enjoying too.

Good morning! Yeah Lucy on the new excitement and fill! I see my doc on Tues. and not sure I want a fill or not. Sometimes I can eat way too much and others i am PBing and getting stuck. Jennifer, no Dave Ramsey isn't expensive. Or it doesn't have to be. The Financial Peace University classes are about $100 for the books and classes for about 12 weeks. And that's the best way to get the whole teaching and program, but wouldn't be entirely necessary. YOu can get the stuff on Ebay for less and do it on your own, or get just the Total Money Makeover book and get some of the basics and you can print lots of the forms off his website, etc. Well I am hurtin' today. I got my new Power 90 Master Series workout DVDS and these are definitely tougher than the Power 90 I was doing before, these pick up where those left off. But alas, after 3 workouts one of my workout partners has quit already and we hadn't started the tougher DVD's yet. Unfortunately she's a sister of the other gal I've worked out with for the past several months and I will probably lose her too and be on my own. This sister really babies and makes excuses for the other one, who really has no commitment. OH well, DH said he'd do them with me.

I was banded in June of 08 and lost 126 lbs in 11 mos. I've been stuck with 8 or 9 to go for the past 2 months. It was the absolute best choice for me. I didn't choose bypass for some of the reasons previously mentioned, also knew 2 people who regained right away and the idea of keeping restriction with future fills appealed to me. I work out just fine, the only workout restrictions I ever had was during the first few months post op when things were still healing. Also, my reflux was totally gone. It came back for a short period of time when I got my band too tight. A small unfill took care of that. As for the hunger, no I am not hungry if you are talking about physical hunger. However, I do suffer from head hunger sometimes, but then again, I would think, but don't know from personal experience that that could be the case with any type of WLS.

Congrats, JoAnn, on ONEderland!! WOOHOO!! Never to see a 2 again in front of your weight. Isn't that an awesome feeling? Have fun camping and watch out for bears! :thumbup:

Found the pics on your profile. Looking good!!