JulieNYC

Dawn, I'm so impressed how you run in the cold. I can barely stand it on my treadmill in my 70 degree gym. I have no idea how I'm going to run my race on Feb 4th outside. Do you have any tips for me? Your ticker ROCKS! Way to go. I can't wait for 7 more lbs to come off you and see that "One" starting your weight. My ticker is stalled. This is totally normal for me -- lose 5-6 quickly then nothing for 10-12 days, but it's still frustrating with all the working out I'm doing.... Yall have a good weekend.

I got in a good workout today FINALLY after 2 days off. I'm going away for the weekend, so I'll hit the gym in the morning as well. I should be back Sunday before the gym closes too, so the weekend away won't distract me from my exercise goals too much. Yall have a great weekend and stay warm.

Get another fill. It will make the difference between feeling full and feeling sick when you eat too much -- it sounds like that's what you want and expect, so go for it. At MY sweet spot (not as tight as some people's), I feel full first. If I keep eating at all (even one bite), I'll feel sick. I won't actually get sick, but I'll really, really wish I hadn't eated that one extra bite. So much so that now I don't eat that bite. The feeling is worse than the bite is good. Now I stop when I'm full, which is what I wanted all along out of this process. Love my band.

I'm from Mobile too! So cool to meet you!

Boo, If I understand correctly, you're now actually in the borderline "normal" range now, right? WOOHOO!!!!!! A normal BMI!! I can't believe it! How completely awesome. Congratulations. I'm in awe. Miper70, Like you said, the scale is moving in the right direction. Think how many years we all gained 30 lbs and this year you lost it! Plus, there are still 3 months left in your first year. You're going to get your hormone issues resolved and be at goal in no time. Even if you have to take it 30 at a time. I'd take it! Betty, you'll catch him, I promise! Even if he gets to the 160s, you're going to too, so I have no concerns. Go Betty! As for me, I've had a weird couple of days. No exercise. Yesterday, I "accidentally" spent 3 hours at the nail salon. I was with a friend who wanted to get a mani pedi and I went along because she was staying with me and I wanted her to have a good time. Anyway, I've bitten my nails to the quick my whole life. Next thing I knew, I was getting fake nails. That's really not me, but I guess I'm changing a lot right now. They say I have to wear these fake ones for about 6 weeks until I break the biting habit, then they'll have grown enough to "silk wrap" them instead of having fake ones. I'll always keep them short, but looking a little more feminine and well kept would be a good thing. I had the first person not recognize me today because of the weight loss. Someone who had only known me heavy and hadn't seen me since September and flat out didn't know me. Weird, but kind of cool. Back to the gym tomorrow, I promise.

Betty, seeing your ticker move is just the most exciting thing ever! Can you BELIEVE you're within 10 lbs of goal? That's incredible!! Keep up the exercise and I see below 175 in your NEAR future. Woohoo! Kat, my new place is in a small building by NYC standards. There are 45 units in the building. I can't wait to move! Eficka, you look fabulous! So thin....I'm glad you're feeling better about the band. For what it's worth, I find that if I check in with other bandsters when I'm feeling bad about the band, it helps me to rebound much faster. I hope you don't have a "next time" but if you do, tell us during it and we'll try to help you through it quicker. My scale went the wrong direction this morning by just under a pound. That's part of my weight loss cycle though, so nothing to worry about. I had a great run yesterday, so I'm trying to focus on that. Fluctuations are normal (if I say it enough, I'm hoping I'll accept it).

Name....................Current Weight......Valentine's Goal......To Go Juliegeraci................243.5.................. .....10..........................5.5 Lapbandit.................240..................... ..20..........................13 Libra....................... 257.......................20...................... . ...12 Indianlight................ 279.......................20...................... ...20 JulieNYC.................. 221........................215.................... .....6 Elisabethsew............ 289 (-5)................. 282..........................7

Dawn! Your ticker moved again, WOOHOO!!!! Dancing and jumping bananas for you! :confused::bananajump::bananajump: How are you feeling about going into Onederland? Is it just another number for you, or are you a little anxious about it? Your head seems screwed on better than mine (wink), so you're probably fine about it. Kat, any chance you can post a picture of the mural? I know we'd all love to see it. I have days like that too -- where I do only exactly the number of minutes the challenge requires. I guess days like that are why we have a challenge, no? Way to go for meeting it.

You're in the right place, Tina! Where are you in your band journey? Pre-op? Post-op? Give us some info and we'll give you all the support you need....

Thanks, Time2live. I have 10 cc's in my 11 cc Vanguard band. I didn't feel a THING until they took me from 7.8 cc's to 10 cc's by doing this technique where I drank Water WHILE they filled me, I told them when I could feel the water backing up (which happened at 10.5 cc's), they backed out 0.5 cc's and I've been good to go ever since. I think I had an unusually small stomach for a VG band (being only 5'2) but my surgeon really prefers it, particularly for higher BMI patients. Back to luv2bingo's question, I'm with BabyGotBack -- I think Ortiz is comfortable with higher BMI patients because of his vast experience banding, where some surgeons may not be (and will admit this -- my uncle is a bariatric surgeon and he said he wouldn't have banded me -- he would have recommended bypass). There is no empirical data that I know of (and I looked) in support of a higher risk surgery (like DS or bypass) for a high BMI patient. The only reason to recommend a more invasive procedure for a high BMI patient is for quicker weight loss if your life is truly in danger from the weight. It's a very personal decision, but for what it's worth, I started at your BMI and am very, very happy with my band.

The apartment is great. I can't WAIT to move. Now, it's tiny by non-NYC standards, but it's actually not too small by my standards. It's about 750 square feet. It's a one bedroom with a separate dining room and a prive garden. I'm so excited about it! It's my 5th apartment in NYC, but it's the first one I've owed. The buying experience here is a trip. They need so much information from you, it's crazy. I actually have to go meet the co-op board in person next week. I'm assuming that will go fine, and, if so, I close on January 24th and move in on February 10th. I usually paint my walls a very neutral color (Sherwin Williams "Gourmet Mushroom"), but this time I'm going bold. If I hate it, well, it's just paint. I think I'm going to love it though. Most of my furniture is red and those colors really work together in my opinion. New bod. That's coming along too, slowly but surely. I had a long conversation with my Dad last week about my PS. He thinks it's a certainty that I can have a breast lift and a mini tummy tuck on April (March 28th, actually -- we tentatively scheduled it). I'm having my "consult" with him in Feburary while we're in St. Barts and that's when we'll make the final decisions. The only real decision is whether the mini-TT will be enough, or whether I have to wait to goal and have a full-TT. I want the full now, but I don't think he'll go for that. It's a really big surgery and he wants to keep it simple since I'm not at goal and, thus, am subject to a higher risk of complications. We'll see. I secretly hope that if I can lose enough weight before St. Barts, he'll agree to do the full TT along with the breast lift. Then I'll do thighs and arms when I get to goal, but thighs and arms don't get in my way like the tummy does. We'll see. I'm trying to be patient. New guy. No, unfortunately. My history there is that I have this very close friend in NYC whom I've had a crush on forever. I don't see him very often because we both work crazy jobs and he takes primary care of his elderly and ailing parents after work, but I've always wanted it to turn into something. I'm truly not waiting on that though -- I large part of me thinks that it would have happened by now if it was meant to be. So, I'm beginning to put myself out there. I keep telling myself once I get under 200, I'll try a little internet dating to get myself back in practice. One of my problems is I really don't know what I want from a man. I know I want a career. I don't know that I want children, but I don't know that I don't want them. Most 34 year old women have made up their minds about that -- not me. I guess there's an immaturity about that that comes with living through my 20s morbidly obese. Speaking of, 4 more pounds and I leave that moniker behind forever. I can't wait.

Betty, you're so light, I didn't see you there. 170s -- geeze, you're going to blow away on us! I got to the gym for a marathon cardio session -- 2 hours -- because I missed yesterday and I have to get in an hour a day to make my St. Barts exercise goal. I did a very leisurely hour on the elliptical, then an hour on the tread with 20 min of jogging. It was a good workout. Oddly, I don't feel too tired. I'm picking out wall colors for my new apartment that I'm moving into next month. So much fun! I'm painting the whole apartment "Tiffany" box blue. It's bold, but I love it.

How did Southwest determine who needed to buy an extra seat and who didn't? It must be arbitrary! I flew quite frequently at 350+ and I'm only 5'2. I was uncomfortable on several flights with the arm rest digging into my side (even leaving bruises) but no one ever suggested that I needed to buy an extra seat. I think at 6'1, you'll be fine on any large commercial airline. I "borrowed" a seatbelt extender about 5 years ago and took it on every flight with me because asking for it is such a pain and embarassment. The FA's would sometimes forget until right before takeoff, then they'd rush back with it for the world to see. So, I just took one. I flew a few weeks ago and it was the 4th flight in a row where I didn't need an extender. I almost left it on the plane, but held onto it. I'm flying in February and I think I'll take it and leave it on the plane then. Or, I'd be glad to send it to you, if you're worried about your trip....

I diet. I actively try to eat 1000 calories a day and 45 grams of Protein. I expect I will eat this quantity of food for the rest of my life, but that I will be less strict about staying under a particular calorie limit for long-term maintenance. I got the band because before, in my dieting attempts, I would inevitably lose a lot of weight only to gain it back far more rapidly than I lost. I am naturally a quantity eater. Before being banded, I could (and did) eat a whole large pizza in one sitting. My brain told me to eat and eat, then eat some more. Now it doesn't. I think there are (at least) two types of bandsters. Those who get the band to slowly change their eating behaviors and quantity and are satisfied losing at a more traditional bandster pace. Fabulous! I wholeheartedly support them! Then there are the bandsters who want the quickest weight loss possible. Those bansters use the band to help them do what they couldn't before -- make healthier choices and follow a particular diet and exercise plan to get to goal as quickly (and, hopefully safely) as possible. Then, gloriously, the band is there to protect and serve in maintenance as well. There's nothing wrong with a bandster "still dieting." We'll all get to goal at our own pace. For me, I'm 34 years old, single and had 200 lbs to lose. If I let the band do it's job without dieting, it would take me years to get to goal. My way, I expect to be at goal this summer. It's a very individual process. As for exercise, I think some focus more on dieting because it's more efficient! It's easier to not eat 500 calories and lose weight than it is to walk for 2 hours on a treadmill to burn those same calories. I don't know many people who get and stay at goal without an exercise program though. It's part of the new lifestyle, I think.

Betty, I'm glad you made up with your friend. I know how bad it feels when things are up in the air like that. Glad you got your NIA in too. Roberta, I hate that you have to struggle to breathe. I have fairly common anexiety attacks where I can't catch my breath and I hate that feeling. I have meds that I take when in the middle of an attack, but they take about 20 minutes to start working and it's no fun. I would imagine (rightly or wrongly) that the feeling can be akin to asthma. Of course, when I'm not in the middle of an attack, I feel totally fine, where I would think yours is more of a continuum. Anyway, I'm glad you manage it and I'm hoping the weather gets more consistent for you. I didn't feel like a run tonight, so I just walked at a leisurely pace for just over an hour. I was feeling a little burned out, so I wanted something easier but still logging some time. Today was a hard day. I wanted to eat the furniture. Probably because I had a handul of M&Ms at about 10 a.m. Somehow if I have something unplanned like that at 4, it's no problem, but if it's early, food haunts me all day. I overshot my calories for the day, but not by too much. I'm pretty happy with the day, given how hard it was.

I'm always cold and I never was pre-band. I think it's the weight loss though and not the band or the surgery itself. I've read that your body's core temp takes a long time to re-set, so it still thinks I'm carrying 130 additional lbs and that I don't need my internal heat on. But I do!!

I'm so happy for you! A thousand congratulations to you. That's just fabulous.

Judy, I'm with Wheetsin. I was 360 on the day of my first appointment and I'm only 5'2. My doc, who at the time had done about 5000 procedures assured me that around 500 of the ones he'd done were on patients with BMIs as high or higher than mine. Also, for what it's worth, they got me to a great fill level early on and I haven't needed another fill for 7 months. You're a candidate for banding. Keep searching for the right doctor. I hear Ortiz is great, if that's who you choose. Take care,

I'm "from" Alabama, but I've been living in NYC for 5 years. Banded at NYU and couldn't be happier!

Name....................Current Weight......Valentine's Goal......To Go Juliegeraci................248.................... ...10..........................10 Lapbandit.................247..................... ..20..........................20 Libra....................... 265................... ....245........................16 Indianlight................ 279.................... ...20.........................20 JulieNYC.................. 222........................215.........................7 Elisabethsew............ 290 (-4).................. 282........................8

Kat, I'm with Boo. You don't need to run -- you just need to make sure a good portion of your exercise time is within your "target heart rate" zone. I wear a heart rate monitor to make sure I don't go over the zone (where you can get hurt), though many people in better shape (or doing less strenuous activity) wear it to make sure they get their heart rate high enough. I find the heart rate monitors to be more reliable than the hand held thing on gym equipment, but then again, it's just another gadget and getting out and moving, with or without it, is the most important thing. I'm totally with you in that I have no desire to exercise more and more for the rest of my life. I'm planning on 45 minutes, most days (say, 5 a week) and making those 45 minutes as efficient as possible in terms of calorie burning and strength training (i.e., for me, running many of them). Walking on an incline and chopping wood sound perfect. Amourette, welcome home and have a great week off before you start flying again.

Congratulations, Chris! You're going to do GREAT. Are there any questions you have or anything before your surgery on Friday? I remember being worried about whether things would fit (surgical gowns, chairs, etc.). I thought even though they dealt with the morbidly obese all the time, since I was "super" that there might be a problem. Nope. The hospitals are used to people of all sizes and the whole thing was a breeze. If you have any questions or things on your mind, be sure to let us know so we can ease your concerns before the big day. And if you don't, be sure to check in with us ASAP afterwards so we know everything went well (as I'm certain it will)! Best of luck and speedy recovery,

My advice is eat the occasional piece of bread if you find it filling and not painful. Bandsters avoid bread because it hurts and because it can be high calorie, but if you're managing both of those aspects, there's nothing about bread that's going to hurt you. I would quit drinking with your food though, at the very least until you know your band better. I know a few people who say drinking while eating doesn't affect their hunger, the vast majority (and Inamed, assuming that's the brand of your band) think it does. If I drink with my meal, sometimes food goes down better, but I can eat more and am hungry quicker. That's no good! Good luck and I'm sure others will give you their points of view too.

Kat, you are a phenominal grandmother. Lindzie (and the rest) is lucky to have you! That is such a thoughtful gift. I bet it gives her an interest in art that she will carry all her life, along with that precious and cherished memory Bluehill noted. That's so cool. And Bluehill, you're so right -- the correct emotion is envy, not jealousy. There's no resentment in the April bandsters' successes. I want all the success in the world for all of us. With the band, I know we'll get it too, no matter the order. I was at a work function tonight -- it was a Texas Hold'em contest between a bunch of lawyers. I've got to tell you, it was a whole different world from other functions I've been to -- even at just 30 or so lbs heavier than I am now. First, remember I'm a 34 year old single woman. Then think about the fact that my profession (particularly my sub-field) is 95% men. Throw in beer (for the men -- I had to hit the treadmill later so no alcohol for me) and poker and somehow all my jokes were funny! There were only about 4 women there out of 40. I was up $3500 (fake) dollars and was one of about 12 left in the game (i.e. who still had chips left) when I announced I had to go to the gym, handed my chips to the cute guy to my left, winked at him and walked out. It was a blast! Usually work functions are such a drag, but they're getting better.... And, I did go to the gym to make it exactly 40 minutes on the treadmill before they kicked me out (closing time at 10 pm)! Hey Kat, maybe I'm the one who dropped a dumbell on my head -- winning at poker and leaving a group of cute boys to go to the gym?? Nite,

4-3: JenRN - 263/257/223/150 - 40 total 4-3: jenn28 - 282/265/229/165 - 53 total 4-3: Picardy3 - 298/300/257.5/150 - 42.5 total 4-3: tipper - 300/290/259/165 - 41 total 4-4: Sugar1 - 311/289/231/150 - 80 total 4-4: Dak – 255/251/205/150 – 50 total 4-4: Angels - 264/255/235/? - 29 total 4-4: Harpseal Al - 327/295/220 - 34 total 4-5: Boo - 208/203/169/132 - 39 total 4-5: siestaqh - 180+/177/128/110 - 52 total 4-6: Disneynut - 290/287/260/125 - 27 total 4-7: Guysis - 234/180.5/134 - 53.5 total 4-10: JulieNYC - 358/227/180 - 131 total 4-10: DeltaDawn - 358/221/180 - 137 total 4-11: Vickie1177 - 320/297/267/137 - 53 total 4-11: tellymelly - 240/235/152/140 - 88 total 4-11: Fel0816 - 307/284/265/to get under 200 - 42 total 4-11: dsrjrr - 231/230/210/130 - 21 total 4:11: truckinmama - 262/234/160 - 28 total 4-13: Nursekathy2u - 358/356/335/175 - 23 total 4-13: NJgirl - 248/230/206/140 - 42 total 4-13: Miper70 - 217.5/187/145 - 30 Total 4-17: Amourette - 22.5 total 4-17: Jeepergurrl - 242/192/140 - 50 total 4-17: MelAnne - 245/207/150 - 38 total 4-18: KAYBEE-284/198/180 -86 total 4-18: Danaclark2 - 270/260.5/245/150 - 25 total 4-20: TrustUfirst - 210/205/177/135 - 32 Total 4-20: Omamoon - 220/211.5/179/130 - 41 total 4-20: KimInMD - 288/288/228/156 - 60 total 4-21: Yoda - 273/257/212/150 - 61 total 4-21: kristielynn - 310/302/237/150 - 73 total 4-22: alisonb - 286/270/176 - 16 total 4-24: Eficka - 125/117/98/69 - 27 kgs/59.4 lbs. total 4-24: Ceparano- 255/270.5/205/170 - 65.5 lbs. total 4-24: Kat - 289/281/210.5/165 - 78.5 total 4-24: hlj25950 - 262/257/216/160 - 46 total 4-25: momof2boys - 270/266/237/145 - 33 total 4-26: Bostongurl - 264/244/191/150 - 73 total 4-27: tinaj - 226/221/210/150 - 15 total 4-27: lookingout - 185/178/165/101 - 20 total 4-27: flowergoddesstn - 214/204/190/130 - 24 total 4-27: Dimples0323 - 284/284/241/145 - 43 total 4-28: Susan4794 - 283/267/237.0/140 - 46 total 4-28: bluehill - 333/243/145 - 90 total 4-28: Irish Girl - 225/214/158/135 - 67 total 4-29: Momofsixkids - 238/188/140 - 50 pounds total