Julie1962

Oh, and ditto what joyful me said about weighing at the doctor's office. The whole time I was losing weight, I only weighed at the doctor's office and did not look at the scale at home. That really helped keep my progress in perspective.

I was banded 5/29/07 and have lost 173 lbs. I am now below my goal weight and am wearing a size 2 which is totally bizarre to me, because at my best weight as a normal-sized teenager, I never saw anything close to that size. I am definitely finding it hard for my brain to adjust to my body. It is just such a huge change and I find it hard to believe that I can shop in regular women's sizes, much less at the small end of the range. I was a size 24/26 before surgery and hadn't been in regular sizes for probably 15 years. I am lucky that my skin doesn't look awful all over. I definitely am saving up for a tummy tuck/breast lift, but my arms aren't bad and I don't mind wearing short-sleeved shirts...something I never thought I would be able to do. I don't find that I feel self-conscious about how I look in clothes; it is more that I just don't recognize that I am as small as I am and when I go shopping, I usually start out a couple sizes too big. The one thing I hadn't really thought about is the reaction from friends/family. I have some people who insist that I look emaciated, anorexic, unhealthy, etc. It is most often from (hate to say it) women who have their own weight struggles. It was like it was okay for me to be the fun, fat friend but once I started to lose weight consistently and keep it off, the cheering for my good health ceased and sadly, some comments that I could consider snarky started. Sigh. For a while that really bothered me and I found myself second-guessing my weight loss goals and progress. Now I just make sure I am healthy, that my doctors (regular GP as well as weight loss) are okay with where I'm at, and I try to tune the rest of it out. Whew, that was a longer answer than you bargained for! Julie banded 5/29/07 at 295.3 lbs (BMI 50.7), goal weight: 140 lbs (BMI 24.0), now at 123.2 lbs (BMI 21.1)

I have found that if I stand up and stretch my arms up over my head, I will get relief from that stuck feeling. Of course, there may be a PB to accompany the movement, but it takes care of the awful discomfort. Julie, banded 5/29/07 weight 295.2, now below goal weight at 123.1

I use Champion Nutrition's pure whey stack chocolate Protein and I love it. I have tried a few different Protein drinks but this is my favorite and I have it at least once/day, often 2 or 3 times. I am not burned out on it yet. My doctor is adamant about having 90 grams protein/day, so I try to make sure I get my protein in no matter what. Another brand I tried and loved is Syntha. It is a little more expensive but is really yummy...my favorite flavor is the chocolate Peanut Butter. It is richer than the Champion one I usually use. I use it for dessert, lol.

It sounds like what you are describing is the band itself. It will be interesting to hear what your doctor says. I have a lump--egg-shaped is a good description--about an inch or two above and to the right of my belly button. Now that I am at goal weight, it is pronounced enough that I can see it when my clothes are off. Weird, huh? Anyway, I know that is the location of my band. It took me a looonggg time before I could feel it...I had a lot of fat to lose first! :grouphug: Julie

Sommer, good luck to you! It is an exciting journey you are starting. I am new to LBT (just heard about it today) but am 16 months post-surgery and have lost 172 pounds. I cannot even begin to describe how much healthier and more energetic I feel. I will not be one of those people who say "it's so easy..." etc., but it is well worth the sacrifices and commitment. Good luck! Julie