Great2BThin

Good evening. HOpe everyone had a great Easter. Mine was nice, though the weather sucks it's cold and drizzly all day. I wore my new white jeans and a sweater and my new white sandals. My toes froze. I officially hit the 180's this morning, 189.9 but it was 180's! I can't believe it. It doesn't seem that long ago that I was excited to hit the 280's. I am 20 lbs now from a normal BMI. Allie & Teach, your photos look amazing. I'm attaching a recent one of me too.

Thanks for the kind words, Niecy. You asked about photos. If I figured this out right here is a before and current. I am down 115lbs in the current. Julie, sounds like you are feeling somewhat better. I've been concerned for you because you sound so depressed. I pray you get to go home soon.

Not sure about a congested feeling or bloated feeling. I have never felt that. Might want to call and ask at your docs office. Too tight for me means reflux at night and getting stuck more often on food. Hope you get settled in with the fill soon. I think aggressive fills have helped me lose so much so quickly but you need to stay on top of them and proceed with caution and stay in contact with your docs office. Marty, RELAX!! You are doing great! You've been banded less than a month and are down 10 lbs. That's great! The first 6 weeks they say aren't for losing weight, but for healing. The weight loss really doesn't kick into high gear until after the first couple fills. If you are lucky it will just take a fill or two, but some folks take more than that. We are all different. But this too shall pass and youwill get on a losing path. I know how hard it is to want to socialize when you are feeling so low about your weight, maybe you can start small. But it is really important to start getting involved in things, etc. as you lose it will get easier. Where in Utah are you? I lived in Sandy for several years. We could see the Snowbird tram from our front window.

Emma, congrats on the 1st fill. The 1st one is the scariest because of the unknown. Now that you know what to expect they are easier. Also as you lose weight the port is easier and easier to find. I don't even have to stick my belly up anymore. I got an aggressive 1st and 2nd fill too and think it helped me a lot. I got like 4cc in surgery and then 3cc at my first fill appt. I had a slight unfill yesterday and was really concerned I'd be hungry and not have restriction, but so far so good. And no reflux last night, though i didn't have it every night but often enough. At lunch today I PB'd even, I think I had the mentality that I had less restriction and didn't have to be so careful and took too big a bite. As for my Easter plans, on Saturday I am going up in the mountains with DS & DH while they go fishing they are dropping me off at an outlet mall for the day. WOOHOO!! There's an Ann Taylor outlet and a JonesNY one there. And I get paid tomorrow!! Sunday is church, of course, and then going to the inlaws for dinner. I got baskets for my kids even though they are 25 and 27, I still find it fun. No egg dying though. Although 2 of us at work stuffed 4000 eggs for the Easter egg hunt in our community on SAt. That's a lot of eggs when just 2 of us did the stuffing.

Wow, I couldn't imagine having to bury my son and my daughter at the same time. How tragic. I have seen Apples pic and she's gorgeous but not blonde!! Allie, congrats on the 16" calves!! Mine went down to 16 3/4 but went back up to over 17". GRRRR So far my unfill has been pretty unnoticeable other than no reflux last night. Now I didn't have it every night so time will tell. I PB'd at lunch today. I think I had this attitude I didn't have to be as careful as I wasn't as restricted. I found it comforting to know there was still restriction. But the scale was up one today GRRRR

Charlene, I started having a minor issue with reflux at night so mentioned it to the nurse and she suggested a small unfill to be safe. We'll see how that goes. She took out half a cc, more than I'd have liked but if I do okay she will put part of it back in soon. It just scares me that I won't lose now, but also scares me to have reflux too. I have a lot of fill in my band (it was over 11cc's) and when she did the unfill she could tell by the way the fluid went in the needle I was very tight, so it's probably a good thing. Congrats on your loss!

Well I just got home from my slight unfill. It was more than I'd like. She took out a full .50 cc. My last fill was only .25 so it was my whole last fill and part of the one before that in Dec. I'm so scared of gaining. I know I know I've been freaking out a lot lately about my slowed down progress. But I hope it does the trick for the reflux. I felt fine all day but would get a little at night. Time will tell. She may give me part of it back in a couple weeks, seeing how I do first. I am going to speak at this months surgery seminar I think. April marks the one year mark for me and when I went to my seminar for surgery. DH will be gone that morning so I think I might do it. Apples I PM'd you for that photo! Anxious to see it. Rose congrats on your loss and your exercise! Julie glad you are feeling a tad better.

good morning! Apples so glad to hear you are relaxing about the weight issue. Listen to your doc, you are doing just fine! And I bet look awesome. Are we ever going to see a picture of you??? Claudine, glad the fill went well. You have to be on liquids for 2 days after a fill? Poor thing, hope it goes well for you! I am actually getting a small unfill today. Since my last fill which I think feels fine during the day, I have had some reflux at night. I mentioned it to the fill nurse and she suggested I get half the last one taken out and see how that goes. I'm scared to death as I am losing so slowly now and felt I really needed that last fill as my portions had grown. For those at goal, did the last 20 or so really come off slowly? I just panic that I won't lose anymore. I think I got so spoiled at the rate I was losing that now when it's slowed down so much I get scared and the old thoughts of, 'see I knew you'd never lose it all' come racing back in this sick head of mine. Well I am off to work, then volunteer at the hospital, then my unfill, then home to get ready for the church small group that meets at my house tonight. WHEW!! I need a nap!

Sandi, Are these portions 1/2 cup to 1 cup per meal? This sounds like a lot of food to me. I have been a long time member of WW as well and let me tell you, if I ate all the points they said I should have I'd not be where I am now. I could've done that without surgery. I hope this doesn't sound harsh, it's not meant to be. For example, presurgery at 305 lbs I was allowed 33 points per day plus by weekly allowance so could've had even more than that. That's a minimum of 1800-1900 calories a day. Post banding, I averaged 800-1000 calories a day. Hope that is making sense. Most importantly you need your hard protein first that should comprise 80% of that 1/2 to 1 cup serving, then if still hungry the veggies, then some of the carb. I'm just telling you what I've done and what's worked for me as to what my doc has had me do. I realize there are many different docs and opinions, but only wanted to offer what works for me since you asked. I hope you find what works best for you. BTW, I still go to WW periodically but I track on dailyplate and basically eat like their Core program (they call it something different today). And I eat no where near the points they give me.

Lucy, I've only been stuck the way you describe. It's always come back up, never forceable like vomiting but just by bending over or sometimes a cough, usually though it just comes. I've never been stuck for hours or could feel it go through my stoma. So not sure if it's different for different folks or there are varying degrees of 'stuckness'. Am glad I haven't had the painful couple hours kind of stuck! I do notice I'm tighter too when stressed. Also congrats on your Pampered chef!! Well looks like I am getting a small unfill tomorrow. I've started having minor issues with reflux at night if I eat anything after dinner. I called and asked the fill nurse at my dr's office and she said I might be a tad too tight. I don't feel I am during the day, but don't want the reflux to continue either. So we are taking out half of my last fill which was only .25cc. She said it was okay to wait til Wed since I go down there to volunteer. Also maybe it will help me flying to Europe next month on my cruise. I've never gotten tight flying yet but haven't flown that long/far either. Went shopping with my daughter yesterday. She brought along a pair of dress slacks from Express that were too big on her from Express. THEY FIT!! I can now wear my daughters hand me downs!! how cool is that?? They are size 10's. She is normally a 6 or an 8 and had gotten these too big. Also got a pair of size 10 jeans at Gap. Of course I can finally shop there, found a cut of jeans I loved which were called Essentials. And guess what they are discontinuing? GRRR Makes me so mad, that happens so often in things like bras, make up, jeans, etc. I find something I love and they discontinue it. These were just marked down on their first mark down so I hope to keep tabs on them as they clear them out and hopefully they'll get super cheap and then still have my size. They are discontinueing some other cuts as well to bring in new cuts. So beware if you like any Gap jeans. Not sure of the other cuts though.

Well, what are you eating? Since your band is tight and you don't tolerate hard proteins good, it sounds like you could be too tight. Are you compensating by eating lots of slider foods? Sliders are things that go easiely down the band but don't keep us full for long. It's very easy to take in too many calories that way. Unfortunately things like ice cream, cookies, chips, etc. are all sliders and go down the band real easy. Have you ever tracked on a website like www.mydailyplate.com? I have used it a lot and it calculates your calories and protein grams, why don't you give it a try to be sure you are getting in enough protein, etc? Are you exercising? Are you drinking with meals? Are you eating more than 1/2 to 1 cup at a time?

Holly congrats on Onederland!! Becky, you could always opt for a little darker grout but keep your white tiles. I wouldn't go too dark on the grout but maybe a light gray or beige if you go off white. How exciting to be getting so much remodeling done! Well I went shopping, to lunch and got pedicures with my daughter today. I had to take back my white jeans for a smaller size!! wOoHOO!! Also got them reduced in price as they were 20% off now! Double WooHoo!! And then my duaghter gave me a pair of dress slacks that she had gotten at Express that were too big and they fit me!! I am now officially wearing her hand me downs!! Triple WOOHOO!! She's a size 6 or 8 and these were 10's. Great day!! Julie, I hope you are feeling stronger and better each day. Any idea how the bowel got perferated? I know that is spelled wrong. :eek:

Name___________StartWeight___CurrentWeight______Goal_________ToGo *****:cool2:***********:wink:*************:tt2:***********:w00t:* ********* :eek:*** AmethystJade.......231.8..........212.........150.......62.0 Babe...............308............278.6.......199.......79.6 Bellaperdente......196............181.........150.......31 Bklyn1984..........317............253.........165.......88 Bostongurl.........190............186.........133.......53 Brandy.............198............181.........166.......15 Cappy..............240............227.5.......130.......97.5 Chocolate_Snaps....244............224.........175.......49 CubsGirl17.........147............135.........130.......5 Clarebear08........192............176.5.......160.......16.5 Donna113...........183............172.5.......126.......46.5 Ebonie.............307............307.........200.......107 EmmaWang...........241............220.........140.......80 FalloutGirl........282............278.........165.......112 FeliciaLevy75......200............194.........140.......54 FlordiaPete........413............380.........300.......80 GratefulHeart......226............199.........135.......64 GuyMontag..........325............295.........200.......95 health4life........279............239.........150.......89 inri09.............287............254.........185.......69 janesays...........225............199.........160.......39 kimaly.............194............183.........160.......23 Lindar172..........246............222.2.......150.......72.2 Linksmom...........234............234.........145.......89 LocomotiveEngineer.311............311.........220.......91 Long2BThin.........216............190.........169.......21 lotzasunshine......270............257.5.......180.......77.5 Loveislovely.......216............194.........175.......19 ltgordon...........284.8..........250.5.......185.......65.5 lucyavery..........205............205.........140.......65 Mair...............231............222.........140.......83 Mamanmidwife.......264............260.........200.......60 mdgarcia31665......220............220.........165.......55 MissNilsa..........180............180.........132.......48 nicolerose.........365............288.........258.......30 Rhea2d.............283............233.........185.......58 Sandra267..........220............220.........165.......55 Tabithan...........240............240.........200.......40 Tuger..............192............187.5.......130.......57.5 Under200...........242............199.........155.......44 vzghj3.............202............202.........150.......52 Wendy_Wo...........242............218.........142.......76 WOWOX7.............173............157.........125.......32

That's strange. I wonder what they are basing this on? I've also heard the same about bypass that it will be more obsolete and the band will be the standard. guess it all depends on what their slant is or personal opinion.

Oh Julie, so sorry to hear of all you are going through. I am also relieved to hear it wasn't band related. It seems docs who aren't familiar with it want to blame it. I pray you heal quickly. I once spent 2 mos in the hospital as a child and was there for Christmas. That was tough, but I got through it and I know you will too. Glad you have a laptop to stay in touch. Keep us posted on your recovery!

Welcome Claudine! Sounds like you are aware of just what you need to change (less snacking, more H20, journalling, back to basics, and a fill) so as Dr. Phil says, 'you can't change what you don't acknowledge' so half your battle is won. Good luck with your next fill. I would think it would go better this time since you have lost more weight. I've had like 7 or 8 fills so it's taken me a bit to get to my 'sweet spot' each time I was afraid of being too tight but it hasn't happened yet. Too funny, I actually tried some on today but did not purchase. We have such cold snowy weather today with a bitter north wind. At least the snow didn't amount to as much as they said as they were talking major blizzard. COME ON SPRING!! I need to wear those sandals and capris I bought! I am so hoping to get to goal by June 5th (my one year bandiversary date) so have 2 months to go but not sure I can make the 20 lbs in 2 mos. but my one year post op appt isn't til the end of June so maybe by then.

Good morning! This website has been frustrating lately with the email notifications. I like getting them and rely on them a lot vs coming here and going to my CP and checking there. The email things aren't working again. I just knew the boards coudlnt' be that quiet! I was finally down one more today my first pound in almost 3 weeks again, so hopefully I'll lose a few this week before I stall again. I notice it is getting much slower as I get closer and closer to goal. I am a half pound from the 180's!! My dr highest goal for me is anything under 180, that's just over 10 to go for that. But I'd like to shoot for the normal BMI which is just more than 20. Heck after 115 that sounds like nothing now, but suppose could be the hardest 20. We were supposed to get another blizzard in the night. So far we only have an inch or so but is supposed to snow most of the day. And that wind is oh so cold. Ever since I got my new sandals it's been snowy! What's up with that??

I hear you about coming off slower! But slow but sure will still get me to goal! One more finally Name.............. Start ..........Current.......... Goal ........ToGo 3ShotRoc..............345..............263................220......... ..43 alabubba..............464..............464................400......... ....64 annieemmm.........200..............198.................170......... ..28 barb12590............173..............165................155.......... .10 Betelnut…………......95….……...…273 …....……..245………….28 Bklyn1984.............317..............256................230......... ..26 blaze21................200.8...........200.8..............170......... ..30.8 Chicky Abby..........314..............314................270...........44 countrygirlNY........253..............217................182.......... ..35 crzytchr2004.........237..............232................210.......... .22 Fab by 50.............215..............215................175...........40 Fordgal88.............199..............175................199......... ..24 Htaylor1021.....210............210............185.........25 Jennyt71...............245..............207................170........ ...37 keepingfaith08...225..........225.............190.......35 LessJess...............228..............228................199........ ...29 Letsgetitstarted.....229..............229................199.......... .30 libbyjane1976.......283...............283................250.......... 33 LilMissDiva...........251.6............247.6..............227......... .20.6 liz_hager..............158..............158.................145....... ....13 Long2BThin...........192..............190.................169......... ..21 Mair.....................222..............220................199...... .....21 mamacj................316..............269................233......... ...36 MsNickelback....172...........172............149..........23 nicolerose.......365..........288............260.........28 onehotmama.........272.............237.................210............ 27 pbpuniser.............212..............212................182......... ..30 peachwood......251...........251............230.........21 picklesix...........197..........187.............170.........17 sexylips................238..............238................199....... ....39 SillyGoose............258...............243................228........ ...15 simone................182...............176.............160........ ...16 ukcatsfan.............340...............340................300........ ...40 workingmom.....214...........214............175.........39 ZiggyLove........226...........202............180.........22

Alright!! That;s fantastic news. I am so glad things are going so well this time! Congrats! And welcome back to bandland!! Thanks for sticking with us Junes and keeping us up to date!

Did you pose your question on one of the mentor's threads? There are several here, I post in Janet's IndigoGirls and she gets back to you a lot. If you didn't like the mentor you chose to post on's thread, try another one. I think there are several here with threads. Hope that helps

Sure you can lose more! Those are just statistics and they don't account for folks that don't follow the bandster rules, that don't keep up with fills, etc. You said yourself you've slacked off some. Get back the fresh from surgery gusto you had last fall. Journal, exercise, mind your portions, get a fill. You can so do this. I've already lost 75% of my excess weight and have less than 10% to go. Come beat those statistics with me!!! (not meant to sound boastful, just encouraging and to show that it those statistics can be wrong)

Julie, sorry you are going through so much pain. Are you sure, though, that the pain is band related or from being overfilled? I just never heard of that bad of pain and in the upper left like that with being too filled. However, I have no experience with that. And one would think now that the fluid is out that you'd be feeling better. Do you still have your gall bladder? Though that's on the right side but can cause pain in your back etc. I had gall bladder issues 2 mos after banding and ended up having it out. Just got home from my volunteer stint at the hospital. It's so fun to watch all the pre op folks come in for their pre op class. They are so excited and scared all wrapped up in one. When I tell them I had the band they ask all sorts of questions, today several wanted to feel my port. And then when they ask how much I lost, they get real excited. Makes me feel good too!

When is the next challenge and will it be one we can just update our weight on the boards or will we have to go to another website like this one ended up?

Boy, Allie, I sure would love to one day say I love exercise too. I still hate it, hate to sweat, etc. They say find something you love, well it doesn't exist! LOL But there are things that I hate less than others so it's a start. Just got home from my volunteer stint at the hospital. It's so fun to watch all the pre op folks come in for their pre op class. They are so excited and scared all wrapped up in one. When I tell them I had the band they ask all sorts of questions, today several wanted to feel my port. And then when they ask how much I lost, they get real excited. Makes me feel good too!

Whew! Lots of catching up to do for one day off the boards! Ellen, OMG how scary. I'm glad no one was in that room and got hurt. Is it cleaned up now? Are you able to get ahold of that contractor? Janet, awesome photos! I can't wait til my cruise. You look so adventerous now. And what a difference between the before and after! Emma, you still have a pouch since you have a band, but it's not as restricted yet as it's going to be. I was told, for what it's worth 1/2 cup portions, never to exceed 1 cup.