Catherine55

It really is amazing! You can see when I started that I could hardly believe I'd be down 40 lbs by April! Fast forward a few months, and I'm down almost 60! It has really changed so much about how I feel about my weight and appearance, and I am feeling really great. Best, Catherine

Dawn, I've visited your blog, too -- looks great, and I love it that you and your DH are doing this together. I tend to make the rounds of as many blogs as I can, but I only post once in a while. You and Gen are so great -- I am so glad that you got something out of reading my blog!

OMG -- shameless! LOL :sad: I actually HAVE visited your blog! I just didn't post a comment. Blog looks great, and I look forward to reading more.

Here is mine: www.chroniclesfrombandland.blogspot.com! I love Amy's (Malukafamy) blog, and several others -- there are a number of links to other blogs on my site. Catherine

I'm losing more slowly now, but put me down to be at 165 for October 31st! Catherine

I'm not sure if it's totally obvious, but I activated the words "Pro/Con List" and "post-op plan for success" so that you can click on them and see mine if you want an example. Catherine

Pretty much everyone feels like that before surgery -- I know that I did! What I did to help me get through it was to make a Pro/Con List, and whenever I was having doubts, I'd read it and the decision would once again be clear to me. I even brought my list to the hospital with me, just in case I got cold feet when I was there. Anyway, you might want to make one. Honestly, the changes I've had to make with the band have been so minor compared with how great this whole process has been, and how happy I am with the results and with my health, fitness and appearance. A few other recommendations -- think about writing out a post-op plan for success, and definitely and write down your measurements and take some "before" photos! You are going to want to be able to measure all of your progress (because it feels so good to do that!) and see the difference as you progress. Hang in there! Catherine

My 11 month Bandiversary is coming up on the 23rd, and I just wanted to share how great of a ride this has been so far! Some of the many good things: This past weekend, for the first time ever, I participated in a 5K race (Race for The Cure) and ran it, instead of walked! This is HUGE for me, since at this time last year, I was physically unable to run due to a co-morbidity called "compartmental syndrome." I recently noticed that my legs no longer touch when I walk! I fit in regular sized clothing and am finally able to shop in normal stores again! As a result, shopping has become fun again, and I actually enjoy shopping with my friends (since now I don't have to pretend to look at accessories while they try on all of the cute clothes that were too small for me)! I actually LIKE how my body is looking these days. That's surprising & interesting to me because when I was gaining, I felt huge at this weight. I am not uncomfortable on airplanes any more (well, not more than the average person anyway) and no longer am terrified of getting stuck in a middle seat! Some funny observations: Sometimes I look at a pair of pants and think "There is NO WAY these are going to fit!" and they do! It's hard for me to really understand what I look like right now. I had some anxiety about getting rid of my "fat" clothes until I realized that -- unlike after any "diet" I've ever done in the past -- I'm not going to need them again. The other day, a woman I know at work (who I don't work with or see all that often) INTRODUCED HERSELF TO ME IN THE ELEVATOR because she didn't recognize me! How crazy is that?! Just wanted to share these things! We all have a lot to look forward to! Catherine

DaMomb, I love your VS NSV!! That is great! :mad2:

Cappy -- I like Sahsue's suggestion about joining WW. That could be a big help! You probably should go in and talk to your doctor about this -- and maybe get a fill as well. There is no reason that you can't get back on track now! I've been relatively consistent, though I do go through bad eating weeks like everyone else. Actually, blogging and being on this board has been a big help to me. It keeps me thinking about being banded and makes me feel like I'm in this process with other bandsters. Maybe you should think about starting a blog about getting back on track. I bet there are a bunch of other people in the same boat who would love to read about that and who would be inspired by your success! Best wishes, Catherine

It works great! I was 37/230/ and 5'6 when I started this process 10 1/2 months ago! I am so, so happy with the results I have had so far. I've been keeping a blog and tracking my progress since the beginning, complete with comparison photos, etc. Link is below -- feel free to check it out! Also, check out Lise the Loser's blog (link on my blog). She started several months before me and also had similar stats. Congratulations on your decision! Definitely be sure to take your measurements (and a few "before" photos) as soon as possible, if you haven't already! It will be pretty incredible to be able to look back and see all of your progress! Best wishes, Catherine

I totally feel the same way!! Congratulations on all of your success! There are so many more good things to come! Catherine

It's good that you have the mindset about being afraid of doing something wrong! I felt the same way, and it helped me to stay on the straight & narrow. At some point, I did figure out that I had no restriction. I think that happened after I was on solid foods. I was hungry (. . and it was around Thanksgiving. . ) and I could pretty much eat anything. BUT, I controlled myself to large extent. Still, I did put on about 5 pounds during "bandster hell." And, then I lost those 5 and many more! On the soup front, I made a few Soups from scratch so that I could tell what I was eating (and had band-friendly food to bring to work for lunch). I put individual portions in those Ziplock containers and froze them. So, I controlled portion size that way, and it worked out well. BTW, if you are interested I have 3 or 4 soup recipes (with photos) posted on my blog that I really liked. If you try any of them out, let me know how it goes! Catherine

I agree with the people who say it is really uncomfortable -- I'm 11 months post-op and haven't had a painful stuck experience. What generally happens is that I feel it, and may "slime" for a bit (you can't swallow your spit when you are stuck, so it bubbles up and you will have to spit it out) before it passes through. Once in a while, I have to PB. I always know minutes ahead of time when that is going to happen and have never had an embarrassing PB situation in public, thank goodness! Catherine

That is the best!! I've done the same thing a few times and have sent packages of clothing to a bunch of other bandsters who need transition sizes. It's such a great feeling to be able to do that. . . And, of course, to make room for new clothes! Catherine

I can't help it. . I love hearing about everyone's NSVs (non-scale victories). They are just plain inspiring. If you have some to share, please post away! :sad: Here are a few recent ones I have had: - Being able to shop in the regular department and finding out that I am finally back in a size 12 (OMG!!!); - I can wear heels all day without my feet killing me; - I can run without my compartmental syndrome (a co-morbidity) cutting off my circulation and pinching my nerves! In fact, I am going to run the Komen Race for The Cure in September! I could go on, but I really want to hear other people's! Catherine

I didn't go out the very next day, but I did the day after. I was banded in Monterrey, Mexico, and arranged a car and driver/tour guide to take my mother and myself around town. I didn't overdo it, but I was able to walk around a bit and enjoy myself. Plus, it is good for gas pain to walk around, and being occupied helped keep my mind off of the pain in my shoulder! (I felt pretty good though -- the surgery wasn't that bad.) Catherine

I was banded October 23, 2008 -- am down 58.6 pounds as of this morning! Only 16.4 pounds to go until I hit my goal! I'm hoping to be at least half way from here to there by my bandiversary! :frown: Catherine

You should check out a post I put up on the Post-Op board. Everyone posted their recent NSVs (non-scale victories). There are so many that are just like the things you are looking forward to happening! So, you have a lot to look forward to! :frown: Best wishes, Catherine

Congratulations!! This is such a major milestone!!! :biggrin: Catherine

Samantha -- I did my surgery in Mexico because my insurance would not cover it. It wound up costing under $10K, including plane tickets for myself and my mother -- the best money I ever spent. My doctor is Dr. Rumbaut, and there is a bunch of information about my surgery, photo of the hospital, etc. at the beginning of my blog. Please feel free to send a link to your friend if she is interested. She can also message me through this site if she has questions. Best wishes, Catherine

I haven't stuck with the no drinking during meals rule at all. That's really the only one I have a hard time with -- otherwise, I'm pretty good. Catherine

I didn't work out for the first several months after I was banded, but for the past 3 months, I have been doing an insanely difficult Boot Camp workout 3x a week. Take a look . . www.purepowerbootcamp.com I love it, and it has made a big difference in how I look! Catherine

Awesome! That is so great. You totally can do it! :biggrin: Catherine

Hi, JLray -- I read through the responses and wanted to suggest a different approach to you. Based on what you said, both food and exercise are problems for you right now. Rather than try to be perfect on all fronts at the same time, why not focus on diet for the moment? My recommendation for you is this: Give yourself a break on the exercise front for the next month. If you work out, great -- if you don't, you'll get to that next month. (Honestly, I was terrible about exercising for the first several months -- then, suddenly, I was really motivated and have come to really enjoy my workouts.) Make the next month about figuring out how to work your band, diet-wise. Take 20 minutes today to plan out what you are going to eat for the next week. Be sure to plan for things that you like to eat. Then, later today, force yourself to go to the grocery store and buy the food you will need to do this. See how those meals work out for you, and over next weekend, plan out the following week's meals. Breakfast Suggestions: Do you like yogurt? If so, buy enough so that you can have one every day for breakfast. Or, if you have time to make an egg, that's great, too. Sometimes I have a SlimFast shake for breakfast -- they are yummy and surprisingly filling (I only like Cappuccino and vanilla right now). lunch: Do you have time to make some Soup and freeze it? If not, how about buying some different Soups (preferably with a decent amount of Protein and not cream-based) to get you through the week? I don't have that many great ideas for lunch -- I generally do soup or get a sandwich and eat the filling, or sometimes I'll order sushi. What do you usually eat, and will those things fit in with the program for the week? dinner: Do you like fish? How about poaching some salmon or frying up some catfish or some scallops? What are the things that you and your family like to eat? Could you do a shrimp boil with corn on the cob, or have a taco night where you eat just the ingredients (not the tortilla)? These are just suggestions, but my point is that the best way to overcome a big goal is often with baby steps. Once you get a handle on the food part and it becomes easy for you, then start working more seriously on the exercise part. I hope this is helpful! Best wishes for your success. Catherine