JulieNYC

4-3: JenRN - 263/257/238/150 - 25 total 4-3: jenn28 - 282/265/229/165 - 53 total 4-3: Picardy3 - 298/300/271/150 - 29 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 - 208/203/178/130 - 30 total 4-5: siestaqh - 180+/177/136/110 - 44 total 4-6: Disneynut - 290/287/260/125 - 27 total 4-7: Guysis - 234/190.5/134 - 43.5 total 4-10: JulieNYC - 358/267/150 - 91 total 4-11: Vickie1177 - 320/297/267/137 - 53 total 4-11: tellymelly - 240/235/184/135 - 55 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 - 217.5/196/145 - 21.5 total 4-17: Amourette - 22.5 total 4-17: Jeepergurrl - 242/207/140 - 35 total 4-17: MelAnne - 245/207/150 - 38 total 4-18: Danaclark2 - 270/260.5/245/150 - 25 total 4-18: LapBandit - 392/369/347/336/324/308/298 - 94 total 4-20: Omamoon - 220/211.5/188/130 - 32 total 4-20: KimInMD - 288/288/253/156 - 35 total 4-21: Yoda - 273/257/225/150 - 48 total 4-21: kristielynn - 310/302/248/150 - 62 total 4-22: alisonb - 286/270/176 - 16 total 4-24: Eficka - 125/117/104/69 - 21 kgs/46.2 lbs. total 4-24: Ceparano - 255/270.5/225/170 - 45 total 4-24: Kat - 289/281/228.5/165 - 60.5 total 4-24: hlj25950 - 262/257/225/160 - 37 total 4-25: momof2boys - 270/266/237/145 - 33 total 4-26: Bostongurl - 264/244/204/145 - 60 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 - 283/267/247.8/140 - 35.2 total 4-28: bluehill - 333/258/140 - 75 total 4-28: Irish Girl - 225/214/170/135 - 55 total 4-28: MomofSixKids - 240/238/205/150 - 35 total

Sherilynn, It doesn't unfill on its own unless there's a problem, i.e. a leak. (For accuracy I should tell you that it can lose a very little bit on its own without being a problem because the membrane is semi-permeable, but it really doesn't lose much on its own without there being at least a slow leak). That said, periodic fills are still required because as you lose weight, the circumference of your stomach often shrinks (organs hold fat). So, to stay at the same level of restriction, you often need a fill from time to time as you shed weight. Also, the longer you're banded, the better you become at knowing what a bandster can and cannot tolerate. Some people need to be tighter later in the journey to get to goal because they get very efficient with their eating. That's the beauty of the lap-band. It's adjustible to our needs.

Well, I just got back from the gym. One down, 16 to go. I had planned to try something new today -- the "wave" cardio machine, which is similar to my beloved elliptical, but is more of a roller skating action (i.e. you push out and work the thighs), but I didn't make it. I've had a sour stomach for about 3 days (I'm tighter with TOM and always had a sour stomach during that time, even pre-band, though it's worse now) and I wasn't up for it. So, I did 36 minutes on the elliptical and called it a day. Again, but for this challenge, I wouldn't have gone at all, so I'm enjoying checking in with you all. I'd been "paused" in my WL for about 10 days but I'm back on the losing side again as of this morning. I'm aiming for a very good exercise and diet month in October. I might join the century club this month (9 lbs to go)!

(1) Research the band, but don't spend 3 years researching it like I did. I'd be at goal now if I had just gone on and pulled the trigger. (2) The WL journey is very rewarding. Even if you have 200+ lbs to lose, it's not very long until you start having NSVs and start feeling a whole lot better about yourself. I thought, at 358, that I'd have to get to 199 before I felt better. That's just not true. Every step of the journey teaches me something.

Thanks again, everyone. I talked to the new job and they don't need me to start immediately. So, I'm going to stay where I am through at least Christmas and transition over in the late winter/early Spring. It's the best of both worlds for me because I can stay focused on my weight loss (exclusively) for a few more months, which is what I really want. And, since they extended the offer to me in writing, valid for 6 months, there's nothing to worry about. I'm happy!

Libra, I was off the boards for a few days, so please forgive me for the delay. CONGRATULATIONS ON REACHING TWOTERVILLE... ...and blowing through the 290s!!! :not_ripe::confused::not_ripe::confused::not_ripe::confused: Unfortunately, the dancing bananas drank all the Margarita Isopure (hence why they're green). Woohoo, Libra!

I met the challenge on Tuesday with exactly 30 min on the elliptical. 30 min and zero seconds. I was really not into it. I've been in trial all week since then, but I hope to get to the gym on Friday. I feel sluggish because of not working out for a couple of days, plus I've not been eating well. Boooooo.

I don't have the same "too hungry" signals post band that I had pre-band. I used to feel light headed and dizzy if I didn't eat. I don't feel that at all now, even if I only eat 300 calories in a day (which happens if I don't plan my meals better). I feel completely fine on almost no food. If I didn't think we needed to eat, I'd just avoid it altogether. You'll be fine. If you do feel bad due to hunger and you can't eat solids (which shouldn't happen on a regular basis), there are always liquid calories that will go down and pull you out of a low blood sugar moment if you truly need them.

Ok, let's make October's challenge 17 workouts, 35 minutes, PLUS making an effort in just ONE of those 17 workouts to try something new (a new class, a new machine -- anything that gets us out of our comfort zone). let's specifically remember to report in on what our "new" workout was and whether we think we'll do it again. Sound good? My "ultimate" goal is to workout about 20 times a month for 45 minutes each time, but if it takes me 6 months to work up to that, that's fine with me. I want something doable, not something that's a chore.

That's EXACTLY how I feel. Twoterville is a nice city compared to three-hundred-something but I'm not taking up residence. It's a long road through Twoterville. I've spent a couple of days being on the depressed side about that, but then an NSV will hit and pull me back to sanity. Twoterville is comparitively great Koala, come on over.

I think it's called a "low profile" port and it's about $700. Some docs do it under local, but I think most do it under general. It's a very quick procedure though and from what I've heard people recover much quicker than from the original surgery. I have a friend who had it done and she took 2 days off (and she's a self-admitted pain weenie). Let us know what your doctor says.

My scale is stuck. GRRR. What do you all think we should do next month? Should we up the number of workouts to 17 (there's an extra day in October compared to September, so it's really just 1 more)? Should we add 5 extra minutes to the 30 minute requirement? Both? Neither?

Yep, I definitely identify with that one. I didn't get a haircut for about a year because I didn't want to sit in the chair/look in the mirror. Now I get them religiously every 6-8 weeks. I'm so glad that fear is behind me, among others. Congratulations on your decision to get banded, Laphappy.

I can't usually do that much, but my mind was particularly occupied yesterday. I do go to a really nice gym though. Each piece of cardio equipment has its own TV with satellite and radio channels built right in. I LOVE it! Plus, it doesn't feel like the same movement the whole time because I set the machine for random levels to keep it interesting. My gym is the best. It's kind of off the beaten track, but I'm so glad I found it. Today, for #14, I walked 3 miles outside. I might go to the gym later as well. Depends how I feel after my nap.

Congratulations. 92 lbs is 6 months is AMAZING! I can't wait to read your 1 year post. Keep up the good work.

Way to go Bluehill!!! I'm so excited for you! I'm rooting for a third day of incredible loss. May the scale god be with you tomorrow too. WOOHOO! Momof2, I'm sure yo'ure gaining muscle if you're not losing. It will pay off in the long run. Definitely keep it up. As for me, I had a big decision to make about work and it's been plaguing me for about 2 weeks, so today I said to myself that I was going to get on the elliptical and not get off until I had a decision. 72 minutes later I had a decision and the elliptical didn't kill me either. I love my elliptical machine....

I went on the last round of interviews today and was formally offered the job. As much as I will miss my current place of employment, I just don't see how I can pass up this opportunity. I don't think it will affect my weight loss. It might affect my level of happiness, then again I might be even happier -- who knows. Alas, I think I'm going for it.

Congratulations!! That is the most exciting news. Be sure to keep up posted on how you're feeling.

Seppi, you're doing GREAT!! The first 3 days are the worst, and those are behind you. With the band, you're not going to have 5 lbs turn into 80 lbs -- no way. I'm certain the 5 lbs isn't real anyway. Maybe you can log your food for a few weeks while you get over the hump? It'll keep your weight stable (or better) and will give you something else to do. Check out sparkpeople.com for a good place to keep your food log. Best of luck. You're doing wonderfully!

Oh Bluehill, don't worry. I bet you're just on a mini-plateau (or a WL "pause" as some people like to call it). It'll break soon and all your hard work will be rewarded. Roberta, I'm with you. I weigh every day and I don't think it's evil to do so if it doesn't upset us. I spent 10 years in scale denial (not going to the dr when I needed to just to avoid it, etc.). I'll never be in scale denial again, even for a single day.

Boo, I'd go for the fill too. I am at my sweet spot (knock on wood that it stays), though for some, they would prefer to be a little tighter than I am. For me, my sweet spot means I'm losing well, but more importantly, I don't think about food except when I'm physically hungry. It's such a feeling of freedom! I'm not haunted by the M&Ms in my boss's office or the pretzels we keep in the kitchen. I eat my planned meals and other than that, I just don't think much about food. As for what the eating is like, I have to slow down a little for the first 2-3 bites, but then things go down smoothly. I get that feeling of "oh gee, I could probably stop now" before I ever finish my planned "bandster portion" meal (i.e. 3-4 oz protein & 1/2 c veggies). And I usually do stop at that point because if I do, I won't be uncomfortably full and I will still be full for 4-5 hours (usually 5). So, in sum, the sweet spot for me is a combination of: (1) elimination of 80% of my head hunger and (2) keeping me full on a bandster portion for 4-5 hours. Roberta, I'm interested in your Trimspa. Do you really think there's something to it? Does it change your energy level? I'll be interested to see if you lose more because of it. Keep us posted, please.

I made it to the 260s this morning. I CANNOT believe it. This is my old weight. I'm feeling great, but need to stay focused to blow through the 260s because they're VERY comfortable to me and I don't want to settle in. Midtown, here I come!!!

Thank you all for your insightful and kind responses. I feel very supported and am so thankful I found this board early in my bandster journey. I haven't actually made a decision yet, but I have decided to continue the "interview" process. Basically, I was tentatively offered the job by the partners at the firm, but I have to meet with the associates as well before i get the definite nod. I'm pretty confident I'm through the hard part, in terms of getting the job at least. I'll keep you posted further, but I should meet with them Wednesday. I expect I'll have a week or so to make a decision. Basically, I've decided that I'm using the band as an excuse to avoid an uncomfortable situation (leaving the comfort and security of my current job). I don't seriously think that it will jeopardize my weight loss -- I just think it's something scary to do, even though it's likely best for me in the long run. So, as I do with weight loss, I'm going to keep going forward one small step at a time. I'll let you know what happens. Thanks again,

I use a sterling cocktail fork and berry knife. Makes me feel special and fancy, as if there's more to eating that the food.

My surgeon said he expects in 1000 years archeologists will be digging us all up and saying "I wonder what all those little plastic circles are for." In other words, we take them to the grave.