Cindy C

I get those comments too. From my mother, my friends, my siblings....virtually everyone but my kids! The one that really got me was my lapband surgeon! Last April (the last time I saw him) he told me I looked great and didn't need to lose any more weight. I was still in the 190's at the time. Normal BMI for me is 125-169 and I'm currently hovering around the top end. I asked him if he was kidding. He's a weight loss doctor and thinks I should stop with a BMI of 28???

Listen to Corrigan. You should also sleep with your head elevated. Using 3 or 4 pillows will help with the nighttime reflux. If it isn't better in a few days you really should be seen by your doctor.

"That's really nice of you. I would offer to save you all of my fat clothes as I shrink out of them but I'm afraid they'll be too small for you?"

Kitty, make sure you stay hydrated during your workout and you should have protein immediately after. Jrowe, you are doing awesome! Good for you! BTW, my birthday is March 12 also!

HURRAY FOR ONEDERLAND! WTG!!

Just do what you can tolerate. Small increments are fine. You will find that in time you can handle more...take it slow. The first time I was on one, I set it at about 1 mph with no incline and was ready to die after 5 minutes. Now I set it at 4 mph with a 6% incline. My gym has a 30 minute limit so that's how long I stay on. Then I go do the other machines and go back to the treadmill and do it again. Good luck.

Why not just wait until the week between Christmas and New Years to shop? Everything should be on sale then too. If you don't want to wait, find the dress you want and buy it in 2 sizes. Leave the tags on and save the receipt and return the one that doesn't fit.

If you don't have a history of clotting, I don't really see the need. After surgery walking will stop clots from forming. I knew of a man who had it done and a clot got through anyway. But he was over 700 pounds with a history of clotting. I'm really surprised that a doctor would leave that decision up to the patient. Do whatever makes you comfortable

Here we go again! Good luck, everyone! Name, real or screen~ Cindy Age~ 51 Weight on December 1st~ 171.8 Goal weight for December 29th~ 167 Dietary goal for December~ Go easy on the "Holiday" Cookies. Exercise goal for December~ More Personal goal for December~ Enjoy the time with my son while he's home from college. Date banded~ 6/10/8 Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 154# One thing that has improved with your health since banding~ Energy.

Do you have a history of clotting? I think that's a decision best made by your surgeon.

Tracie, I bet you feel like a million bucks. You sure look like it! Keep up the good work!

Political Correctness sucks! Some could say the word Holiday is offensive to Jehovah Witnesses! We could just call it the Snow up to my A** Challenge. No wait, that won't work either. We have Aussies here and it summer there!

I saw my goal for the month of 169 but unfortunately it only lasted one day. Thanks alot, Thanksgiving! My final weigh in for the challenge is 171.8. That's 2 pounds this month which is exactly what I've seen every month since about May! Oh well, bring on December!

I also get hiccups and a runny nose.

You could cause your band to slip. If you have the flu, the best thing to do is go get completely unfilled until you are better.

Welcome and congrats! Now put down your cell phone and go for a walk!

My doctor didn't require a pre-op diet but I took itn upon myself to go on one anyway. I lost 15. Did your doctor give you a number? I would think that 11 is plenty. Good luck on your surgery.

How about a Mommy and Me exercise class? That way you save on babysitting, have bonding time and it would be fun for you and good for your daughter as well!

You are definitely too tight. It might just be caused from swelling if you haven't had a fill for a while. Try going on clear liquids for a while and see if that helps. Otherwise you need to get a little taken out.

There have been many times that I have felt the same way. But honestly, if this were simply a place to rejoice, well that would get old after a while too. The purpose is to help and support each other and to have the opportunity to pay our own successes forward. You are right, there are so many negative posts here. I tend to just skip over them and look for the ones that I think I can actually offer some help. Congrats to you on your weight loss so far and good luck on your continued success.

What a great incentive! It is definitely possible. I've lost 155 and still going. You can do it too! (Ya think your grandfather would like to adopt me?)

Michelle and Shakey, I'll be celebrating with both of you. It's a special day for me too. It's my divorciversary!

Just put it behind you and start over. I had absolutely no intention of going to Thanksgiving but found myself there anyway. I really thought I did well but the scale had another idea. I weighed 3 pounds more on Friday morning than I did on Wednesday. But, in the immortal words of Scarlet O'Hara.....Tomorrow is another day!

Every doctor has his/her own ideas. I can tell you what my doctor would say but none of us know what your doctor has in mind. You need to ask him yourself. Elcee's right. If you want to be successful in your journey you need to learn to follow his instructions right now. If you can't do it now, you probably won't be able to do it later.

Once you heal from surgery there's no reason you can't do everything you did before...and more!