Blessed1

Major NSV moment. Ladies I've been a 22 - 24 for the past 18 years, thanks to GOD and the lapband I made it all the way down to a 14 (or so I thought). Hubby and I were out doing some Christmas shopping and I saw some fierce suede pants on the clearance rack for $9.99 (WOW) size 10, I passed them over, hubby said why don't you try them on, I didn't think I had a chance..... Ladies...they fit, lovely. I was in shock. I went home and actually had to study myself in the mirror. It had been so long since I had actually saw ME. I loved what I saw and I can't wait to see what the future holds.

I can truly say If I can do it anybody can. For those of you who don't know my story..... I was banded 3/04, yep, 4 years ago. I went for 1 fill didn't get restriction, somehow thought, once again something that just didn't work for me. I got caught up in life, went back to school, moved to NC, etc...4 years had gone by and I was heavier and now on HBP & high Cholesterol meds. I decided to find a fill doctor and get my life back. It hasn't been easy(grandma used to say nothing worth having is), but it has definitely been worth it. For me fills have been the key (without restriction, what's the point of having the band?), along with exercise. While I am not the gym rat that I probably should be, I've found that simply including at least 30-45 minutes a day of walking, stationary biking or exercise videos not only make me feel better, but helps the weight come off. food no longer controls my life and THAT feels so good. To any and everybody that reads this, know YOU CAN DO IT!!

Crishell; That was me, in the car when we left the store I got a little teary eyed. Hubby had no clue what was going on and I couldn't really put it into words. I felt like I could hear Marvin Sapp's "Never would have made it" was playing in the background. Me a size 10, couldn't be, can't be. I thought something must be wrong with the pants, or maybe they're cut really big. It took A while for my mind to grasp it.

I can truly say If I can do it anybody can. For those of you who don't know my story..... I was banded 3/04, yep, 4 years ago. I went for 1 fill didn't get restriction, somehow thought, once again something that just didn't work for me. I got caught up in life, went back to school, moved to NC, etc...4 years had gone by and I was heavier and now on HBP & high Cholesterol meds. I decided to find a fill doctor and get my life back. It hasn't been easy(grandma used to say nothing worth having is), but it has definitely been worth it. For me fills have been the key (without restriction, what's the point of having the band?), along with exercise. While I am not the gym rat that I probably should be, I've found that simply including at least 30-45 minutes a day of walking, stationary biking or exercise videos not only make me feel better, but helps the weight come off. Food no longer controls my life and THAT feels so good. To any and everybody that reads this, know YOU CAN DO IT!!

I have been truly blessed this year I gave myself the biggest and best present ever. Health and a renewed spirit. I haven't weighed less than 200 lbs in almost 20 years....and today I am 198. The lap band is more than I can put into words, but it is only a tool and I must give myself some credit for the exercise, letting go of bad, bad eating habits and all of the positive changes I have been able to make. I want to encourage everyone who reads this...You can do it! Even on the darkest days when you don't believe you can, keep pressing on and you will. Here's to our shared successes, may there be many many more. Peace and many Blessings.

Because all I want for my birthday, next week, is to be in onderland

Thank you. There is no need for you to hold onto those "just in case" clothes. Let them go and believe you will never need them again. This is coming from a true "pack rat". It is so hard for me yo give up things I "might" need one day. But my size 24 - 20 have gone on to a better home, because I know I that chapter of my life is over. Never again to be revisited.

Ditto. I went from a 24 to a current size 16 (yay me), but fortunately I had clothes that ranged from a 14 to a 28. Nothing more satisfying than to put on a pair of jeans and have to wear a belt, when 4 months ago I couldn't even get them past my thighs. Even though my DH tells me my drawers are getting a might droopy. I'm trying to hold off on shopping until I am at least 20lbs from goal.

You are definately a success story! Congratulations. You may not be where you want to be YET, but the important part is you are no longer where you were before.

Lisa, you were so very right my dh bought me a scale that measures body fat and it seems that my body fat has dropped to 40% (still has a ways to go). When I was measured 5 months ago it was over 50%. I have read so many conflicting views on whether or not muscle weighs more than fat that I don't know what to believe. I do know that I'm so happy to know that over half of me is no longer fat.:tt2:

Hello All; I have been low carbing for the last two months and doing pretty well averaging a 1-2 pound loss each week. Well TOM came (sorry if TMI) went up 5 lbs, but didn't worry and sure enough 1 week later I was down the same 5 lbs. Now here is the extremely frustrating part...... 1 1/2 weeks later the scale has not budged. I have followed the low carb diet to the T, the ketosis stick can't get any darker, I drink my 8 glasses of Water faithfully and I have upped my aerobic exercise from 30 minutes a day to 60. What is going on. I know me and when disappointment sets in, depression is not far behind. I am trying my best to hold on, but I am truly doing all that I can do at this point to loose and my body is not cooperating. I still have quite a ways to go on my weight loss journey and to be stalled so far in the beginning really, really hurts. HELP!!!!!!!!!

Crishell, We are pretty much stuck at the same point(I'm at 224). Like you, Frustration set in, then doubt, then just plain old confusion. Then I decided to take a break from the scale and keep keepin on. I feel healthier, more fit and happier. I will return to the scale in due time, but right now we need a break from each other so I can continue to STAY POSITIVE.

Ditto. Thanks Donna. Very informative link. I really had to nod my head in agreement when I read the part about giving your mind & body a rest from dieting. This may not be for everybody but it's definitely what I needed. I did not go hog wild I just relaxed a little and gave the scale some time off. I feel better mentally and physically. I believe that my weight loss is still an ongoing process, even if the scale doesn't always show it.:biggrin:

Dancing is a big one for me. In my prime (watch out now), I would go to clubs and dance til the sun came up. The bigger I got the more self-concious I became and I no longer wanted to go dancing. My husband is Mr. Dance fever himself and I've hated that because of me he doesn't get to dance like we used to. I am so looking forward to being back out on that dance floor with my hubby and showing my 16 yr old, that mommy can still drop it like it's hot:biggrin: How about you?

I feel you. My 16 year old daughter says I'm just not a people person and unfortunately she's right. I don't feel comfortable in my own skin, so my comfort level around others is really low.

Without the band I would not be able to restrict my caloric intake. It's really not about how quickly I lose, but just that I lose. I am such a results based person it's scary. What I decided to do is this, I had a cheat day where I brought my calories all the way up to 1500 and I didn't exercise. I figured if that didn't break the plateau, it would at least give me a reason to why I could possible gain. Kind of screwed up reasoning, but it worked for me. Next, I put away the scale and know I'm right back on track, eating and exercising and we'll see how it goes from here. I did get the measuring tape out and I have lost a few inches from my waist. That discovery did a lot for my frustration (thanks Trish). I am determined to succeed at being healthy and losing this weight and I am very grateful to have found such a wonderful support system here. Thank you all. Trish I will definately be taking you up on your offer and feel free to do the same.

TP78, Thank you for your response. I read all about plateaus I just didn't expect to hit one so early on. This morning I got on the scale and I'm up 2 lbs. I was totally disgusted. I barely eat 1000 calories a day. I exercise 30 minutes in the morning, 30 minutes in the evening and consistently drink my 8 glasses of Water. While this may not seem extreme to some, for me it is. I used to think exercise was a curse word and Pepsi was my best friend. I also used to super size any and everything I ate, so for me this has been a major life change. When I look at my scale and it says I need to eat 2700 calories to maintain my body weight and at the end of the day my caloric intake is only 970 and I'm still not losing.....What is going on? I apologize for ranting, but I'm so confused.

AI all day long. Allen Iverson is FINE. It's something about that bad boy, thuggaliscious man.

blr, bottom line you NEED to eat, even if you have to make yourself. Your body cannot and will not survive without nourishment. Try some Protein Drinks then go on from there. How about seeing your regular dr. until you can find another bariatric specialist

Definately a tattoo, small and discreet. Always wanted one:wink2:. SPA here I come. I've been so envious hearing friends talk about what a wonderful massage they had. The thought of all this on a table and some stranger touching me :cursing:. An exotic vacation for me & my hubby. I plan to rock his world:wink_smile:. He has loved me through thick, now it's time for thin.

I have gone through that also. When I got my first filll, I didn't want to eat either. I realized I was scared to eat, because of getting stuck and sliming, I think my mind told my body to forget about food for a while.

Aubrie, What is your exercise regiment? I have had to start out really simple, because I was not an active person. I walk in the morning at work for about 20 minutes then I use the staionary bike at home for 30 min. in the evening. I'm trying to build up my stamina & I guess I'm doing alright, when I first started with the stationary bike I could barely do 5 minutes. I'm really interested in toning, But I thought you had to lose a large amount of weight first.

....Because I love ME and I deserve to be healthy and fit!:biggrin:

And I thought it was just me...I'd been told that losing about 20lbs, takes you down a dress size...I've lost 36lbs so far and besides my clothes feeling a tad bit looser, my sizes haven't budged.:biggrin:

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations on your Success