Paulax

Great response Eddie. That is the most amazing thing to me. That we are allowed to keep this band, barring any complications, and that we can stay at this weight FOREVER! After so many years of failure, that is the most amazing and beautiful thing to me.:clap2:

I think I will do exactly that. hahahaaha! Good one, no one can argue if you agree with them. I am not too concerned about losing much more. I am near 6 ft and am feeling really good at this weight. But I watched Dr Oz on Oprah one day when he was looking at omentums. He held up omentums from both a healthy weight person and an overweight person. The omentum from the overweight person was so much larger. Then he said the large omentum was from a person who was only about 30-40 pounds overweight. In comparison, it LOOKED like it may have been from a person with much more than 40 pounds to lose. So that omentum sticks in my head. If you don't know what I am talking about, look here. An omentum is the fat that pads the stomach. The Biology of Blubber: Omentums of Fat So I figure this band can help me get to a healthy BMI, then I should go for it...... 172 pounds, here I come....

That is so stinkin' exciting Leva 13, congratulations! THANKS GHOST, I feel fantastic. Love your name.

What a fickle band this! I went on a long road trip with my dd this weekend. And although I know elevation shouldn't affect the band, something sure did. I could hardly eat all weekend. So I just wanted to report that it is interesting how much variation I can get with this fickle friend of mine. My surgeon thinks I should be able to get to goal with this fill. I am starting to think he might be right on that one.

I reached my first personal goal to get under 200! YEA ME!:clap2: Now I have 20-30 pounds to reach my final goal.

Right on Don!

:pound: Isn't life grand. Good for you Cascadian! Happy losing.

Interesting the head games we play. When I was almost 280 pounds, I swear I don't know what I looked like, never looked at myself in the mirror below the neckline and NEVER allowed myself to be photographed. I am almost 80 pounds lighter now and I look at myself in the mirror and see me fat. I don't see me 280 pounds, but I am looking and not appreciating where I am. I am focused on what I have left to lose. I think this is sad. Intellectually, I know it is all in my head, I feel fabulous and feel attractive again. I guess it will take a while to adjust and be kind to my image. But I am calling it "the new I'm fat". I guess I need to work on positive affirmations. Because man, does it feel good!:clap2: And that probably didn't make any sense at all did it?

That makes me so angry. I am so glad you rescued Lily. She is absolutely stunning. I have a new soft spot for long hairs since we got our 3 Birmans. I have 3 kids, and they each got their own kitten. They have brought so much joy to our home, I can't explain. eventhoughthereiswhitecatfureverywhere And Kayko, what a good looking dog. I talked to a Japanese Chin breeder (similar breed). She says they are great dogs Yes, Susansilver, with 3 kids, your family is complete.

Albert is adorable, I love Albert.

I know what you mean Edie. I love trying on clothes now. I tried on a pair of white jeans size 14 at the Gap last month. It was a big enough thrill just to see that they fit, and they fit beautifully. I didn't buy them because I am not at goal yet, but it was fun to shop the same section as my daughter. I'd like to report that I just broke the 200 barrier this week. 199.9. It is so awesome to get out of the 200s. Now to work on the next decade. PS, I need back pocket flaps too...lol

<p>Wow Brandi, that is quite the story. I think you should pose the same question you posed here. That you paid 16,000, and he got his money and you need to find the reason you are leaking and/or get it fixed. I wouldn't want to see you have to pay any more out of your pocket. See what your doc says.

Why I am tickled you asked? Yes, I have 3 of the most beautiful cats in the world. My 3 kids and I flew all the way to Edmonton to get them.

Great loss Cindi. Yes, get rid of them. I too am a close hoarder. I have styles from the 80s. lol! I have absolutely gotten rid of my too big clothes and I will never miss them. I am still hoarding some things that are still sylish and too small, but slowly, I am getting down to only what I wear. I have bought some new things on my way down only to regret spending the money on something that I didn't wear for long. I am now within 30 pounds of goal, and I HAD to get some capris for this summer. I have only 2 pair, because I know they will not fit me next year. I will just keep up with my laundry and mix and match tops. My only regret was not keeping one pair of pants at my highest with which to compare my progress. But on the other hand, I sure don't miss them by any means...... Like Eddieparks did, my inspiration and July bandster buddy, I look forward to reaching goal and going out to buy some stylish new clothes...who hoo!

The combination that worked miracles for me is now off the market. Phen Fen was a miracle drug for me. How Fen Phen Worked Fenfluramine was designed to increase the level of neurotransmitter serotonin in the blood. Increased levels of serotonin depress central nervous system activity, which regulates mood and appetite. The end result was a feeling of fullness and loss of appetite. Phentermine also worked on the neurotransmitters in the brain, but instead of being a depressant like fenfluramine, it was a stimulant. It stimulated the "fight or flight" response in the body, which causes the heart rate and blood pressure to increase. This stimulation also reduces or dampens the hunger signal. Phentermine continues to be sold commercially and is similar to other appetite suppressants, such as sibutramine or dextroamphetamine. Fen Phen and PPH, Dietary supplements, Primary Pulmonary Hypertension The miracle for me was the loss of appetite. I had never before experienced eating until satiated and WANTING to stop. Eating became an almost chore. Whatever it did to my brain, I have never again found a drug or combination to replace it. I hope one day they find a replacement, that acts the same without the dangerous side effects that this drug had. I have tried Phentermine alone since with limited results. However, we all matabolize drugs differently, so if you wanted to try one, that would be my recommendation. How are you doing on your weight loss Sunta? I see by your pictures you are very close to goal....congratulations.

Edited to add: If someone asks me how I lost this weight and I feel they would value from this information, I am totally open because again, I am not ashamed or secretive. And as for my 3 pedigree pussy cats, they are the best things I have spent good money on ever. lol!

Well, although I don't doubt that flying may affect some people, I will tell you what my surgeon told me when I approached him the the same question. He said not to worry, that the band itself will not swell. There is no air in the band. I was also worried I would set off the metal detectors in the airport, again he reassured me that I would not. I was fine on my last trip with my family. I am happy to report that I did not set off any alarms at the airport, and I was affected very little if anything with regard to my band and tightness.

RIGHT ON! I have only told a few people, my dh, close family and friends. I am not afraid or ashamed either. And I could care less who says what about me. I am just more of an introvert than others. I just feel as though some things are my own, my body, my dental work, my sex life, my inner thoughts and feelings, how much money I paid for those 3 beautiful pedigree pussy cats I have. Who says I have to tell everybody everything about me? I have a close friend who was banded 2 years before me. She tells everybody and their dog about being banded. I love her for it, I just can't be like that. She is an extrovert, I am an introvert. We all come in different packages. So cheers to everyone, open or not, and proud of our accomplisments. :clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2:

That is great news Denise. When I have a good fill the next 10 pounds just fall off. Go Denise go!!! I am tempted to get another fill, but some days I am lose and others I am tight, so if I really worked at it, I am pretty confident that my final 25-30 pounds will come off with this fill. If not, I have lots of room for one more fill.

GOODBYE 200.............can't say that I will miss you either. :clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2:

I had to shake things up a little, I had to let go of something. I eat too many nuts, and lately I have been enjoying ice cream with my kids. So I had to give those two things up and keep up the regular exercise. Clynnc, it will come, I promise.

I think I finally dipped under 200. I am going to be really, really good the next few days to ensure it is true. But I AM CLAIMING IT YIPEEEEEEEEEEEE, I haven't been under 200 since 1993. I feel fantastic. I am mostly thrilled by the fact that this is permanent weight loss. That just thrills me to no end. 199.9

mdg, please read this, I just did and it is a good reminder for us all. Adjustments

The other thing I have read about that I find interesting is the Omnipaque. Some band patients have that put in their band instead of the saline and it is a thicker substance that provides more friction for the food to pass, so therefore a fill of 1.0 saline is not as restrictive as 1.0 of Omnipaque.... Anyone here have Omnipaque in their band?

Good advice Denise, I agree, don't give up yet my dear. There are stories of people on here whose weight loss kicked in after the first 6 months. I'll try to think of who it was.......I don't consider myself a screaming success either. I read of people on this board who lost 100 pounds in the first year. I am no where near that success. I hear you about the sugar addiction and yes, you can suck back a lot of calories on candy and junk that goes down all too easily. You really need to eat healthful foods. I need to remind myself of this every day when the cashews are too easy to grab and the ice cream goes down too well. Love yourself enough to make a concerted effort to get exercise and eat healthful food. Proteins first, few veggies and bit of fruit. I also will have an Atkin's shake or similar for Breakfast or lunch and small meal in the evening. hugs, let us know how you are doing