Mamadot

So glad you joined us and posted your amazing success, LaDawn! Welcome. My goal is to lose 100lbs, so you, Ann (SpideyMom) and John are all my inspiration. I just love my band and have a renewed zest for life

WOW - Size 10 - CONGRATULATIONS ANN!!!! That is my dream size that I haven't seen since I started high school. I'm so impressed! My best friend (who had the Lap Band with me and started as a similar size/weight) and I went clothes shopping yesterday. We held up a pair of size 22 jeans (I was actually up to a size 24), and couldn't believe the difference when we both easily slipped on size 14. We were both giddy with excitement and had the best day!!! When we get into a 10, it will be fun to see the difference from a 14. I was at an outlet store this weekend, and saw a cute sweater in a regular size large. It looked too small (no dressing rooms) and there were no XL's. I liked it so much, I bought the large, thinking I would fit into it some day. Well, I was looking for something warm to wear to work this morning, tried it on, and it FIT! A regular size large - I was in a 3X - I have that giddy feeling again :smile2:

I have the same issue. I work in a cubicle with 3 other women, and I get very embarassed when the gurgling starts, as there is just nothing that you can do to stop it or hold it in . I also have the added issue of salivating after eating. I need to spit 6 or 8 times after eating a meal, and sometimes during a meal. I can't swallow it, because it will just sit on top of my food and cause more problems. It's embarassing and inconvenient to have to excuse myself to the bathroom every couple of minutes when I'm eating with others. I recently found if I carry an empty soda can, I can discreetly spit into it, and it looks like I'm just drinking a soda. I may be a little too tight, but my restriction feels right and I'm able to drink and eat adequate amounts. I'm going to try eating teeny-tiny bites a lot more slowly (tip from Hallelujah Girls post) and sip more slowly to see if that helps. Good luck to you!

Wow, Less-of-Me, that is one AMAZING accomplishment!!! You deserve to be so proud of yourself! I do not love (or even like) to run. But my best friend, who had the Lap Band surgery at the same time I did, just inspired me into joining her on a 5K mud run in the fall. So we start training next week. We're going to buy some good running shoes and go from there. Since I have not established a good exercise routine, I'm thinking this will get my rear in gear (literally)! So, you are an awesome role model for me, as you accomplished about 3 times the distance I'm going for. And in an incredible time - WOW!!! Congratulations

Hallelujah Girl - THANK YOU!!!! You're initial post was SO enlightening for me!!! It is almost exactly what I have been experiencing and feeling. However, I have felt adequate restriction for the past two months, and I think I am at my 'sweet spot' for now (6.5cc in a 10cc band). But I was going down a dark path - eating too quickly, too big of bites, not 'listening' to my body and then making myself throw up after almost every meal to relieve the pressure and 'stuck' feeling. And then I would go back and take another bite, 'cause I felt I deserved to eat more than the band was allowing me to. I started to give up on eating healthier choices, and selected the food items that I could tolerate (chips, cookies, ice cream, etc.) I have been unable to tolerate bread, pizza, tortillas, and many meats. I have a very limited list of what goes down easily. After a scare two weeks ago (I thought my band may have slipped due to throwing up), I stopped this self-destructive behavior and have slowed down when eating and 'listened' to my body's queues of when to stop. But I still haven't been able to tolerate a variety of foods. I can't wait to start with the small - teeny, tiny bites. I am very hopeful that will do the trick. Thank you, Ann, Hallelujah Girl, and all who have posted on this thread!!! This is definitely a learning experience that takes a while to perfect

That's so cool, Ann! I was just thinking the other night how badly my heels and ankles would hurt, and how I have had no pain for months. And my shoe size has dropped one full size - from 9.5 to 8.5. On my lunch break today I went shopping and I fit in and bought a pair of Route 66 'Skinny Jeans' in a regular size at a regular store. OMG - I think I will sleep in them tonight. The legs looked so slender, I didn't think there was any way I would fit (I've always had thunder thighs) but I did - and I didn't have to stuff myself into them like a sausage - they are really comfortable and fit well. I think I'm going to sleep in them tonight (LOL)

To Ann and the rest of the Mayo Banditos... A belated 'Merry Christmas' and a very happy, healthy, and blessed New Year! I am so thankful that I started this journey in 2009, and I hope to reach my goal in 2010. Thank you all for your postings and support you have offered to eachother and myself. I wish us all continued success in 2010! :thumbup:

I asked about this at my support group meeting, and our program facilitator brought up the model of the stomach with the lap band. She said the opening (at good restriction) is about the size of a dime, and the pouch above the band starts out about the size of a walnut.

Very helpful reminder - thanks!

That is interesting, Ann, thank-you for sharing. I would love to see something like that. Like you said, it would help me better relate to what is happening when food is not passing through, and may help reinforce band basics re: small bites and chew, chew, chew! I'm going to ask my program facilitator if they have anything similar they could share at an upcoming Lap Band support group meeting.

Today is my 6 month 'Bandiversary' and I am absolutely thrilled with this whole process!!! Best decision I've made for my own well-being. I'm down 63 lbs and I'm in 'Onederland' - unbelievable to me, as I've been over 200lbs for most of my adult life! I started in a size 24, and just fit into a size 14. I even received a precious bandiversary 'gift' this morning while I was getting my two young boys ready for school. My 6-year-old came up to me and threw his arms around me and said 'Mommy, you're getting REALLY skinny' with a big smile, and my 7-year-old replied 'You surely are!'. They didn't even know today was a special day to me in my weight loss journey. My Husband has been so complimentary and supportive. He and my boys have a 'Boys Night' on Wednesday nights while I attend support group meetings. I'm taking the time to take care of myself for the first time in my life and I feel SO GOOD!!! My challenge over the next 6 months is to establish a maintainable exercise routine, including resistance training to tighten whatever I can :confused: Congratulations on all of your successes, and a sincere thank-you to this group as you have been inspiration and support for me and a big part of my success!!!!!:scared2:

I've been stalled for a bit, but down 3lbs over the past week, so now I'm officially 'Walkin' in a Winter ONE-derland"!!! I'm BEYOND excited, as I've been well over 200lbs for most of my adult life.

I am SO inspired by all of you!!! What an amazing group of people we have! Reneek - I can relate to everything you wrote. Congratulation on your successes! :woot: Ann - You are such an inspiration to this group and should be so very proud of your amazing accomplishments - massive inches and pounds lost and a new zest for life - you go, Girl! John - our 'Mayo Banditos Biggest Loser' - truly a phenominal accomplishment in such a short time! Lead us into the maintenance phase, my friend! I will post on my 6-month 'Bandiversary' next week (11/19) - but a little sneak-peak - I'm in ONE-derland!!!!!:wink:

This band is an interesting 'tool' and it always surprises me how differently we are all effected by it. My best friend and I were banded on the same day, and we have both been very successful but have had entirely different experiences and food issues. I have found I don't tolerate bread or doughy foods and she can. That is actually a welcome restriction for me, because I was a carb-aholic and lived on breads and donuts/pastries/pizza/breakfast burritos/egg McMuffins/etc. I am AMAZED that I have not missed these foods. I feel SO much better not eating them, and attribute a lot of my success to a low-carb, high protein diet. The only thing I still love the taste of is garlic bread, so when my family has some, I may have a bite or two - chew and savor - and then discreetly spit it into a napkin and throw it out without swallowing. I can tolerate rice, and my favorite is the whole-grain Chicken rice in the microwaveable packet (I think it's Lipton brand?). I'm hit and miss on deli meats, chicken, and ground beef - one day OK, another day stuck. My family has become familiar with my bug-eyed look when something isn't going down good :smile:. But overall I am THRILLED with this tool and how it helps me limit all of the junk I once filled my body with. :tongue_smilie:

Great thread idea! I'll post again on my 6 month 'Bandiversary' on Nov. 19th. I'm fluctuating a few lbs from 'One-derland' (Halloween candy did not help :thumbup: - I'm getting it out of the house TODAY!). My short-term goal is to reach One-derland by the 6 month mark of starting my pre-op diet (May 5th - Nov. 5th). If I'm REALLY good and exercise well over the next two days, I could drop 3 lbs and be there - I'm going to give it my best!!!

I've had my band for 5 1/2 months, and just skipped a fill for the first time. I have 6.5 cc's in a 10 cc band, and feel adequate restriction at this point. With my physician, I'm up for a fill every 6 weeks. I'm thinking I may get a small (.25 or .5) fill next time, but if I'm still feeling like I do now, then I may not. I hope others post who have had the band for more than a year, or who have reached goal. I wonder if you ever need adjustments after reaching goal?

Even 5 months in, I'm still having to constantly remind myself to slow down, take smaller bites, and 'Chew, Chew, Chew'!!! I just went for my checkup, and decided not to get a fill. I'm at 6.5 in a 10cc band, and feel that I'm at my 'sweet spot' for now. I tend to push my limits now and then and pay for it by getting stuck/pb'ing. I feel adequate restriction - especially in the mornings - and I gurgle (loudly) a lot with every meal (embarassing when I eat with or near anyone at work!) It's odd, but at some meals I can eat way more than I think I should be able to, and other meals - just a few small bites and I'm done! I can tolerate something one day (i.e. Chicken Salad or deli meats) and have problems with it the next day. So getting this 'tool' and my head all dialed in is a challenge, but overall I am so excited and grateful that I was able to get the lapband, and I know I'm going to succeed with it over time. I'm thinking at my next appointment in 6 weeks I may get a small fill (.25) - we'll see. My weight loss has slowed, but I can directly relate it to my eating and exercise habits. I have to remind myself this isn't 'Biggest Loser' extreme weight loss - this is my life plan to beat obesity for good, and it won't happen overnight! Slow and steady wins the race :thumbup:

OK - this is such a minor, silly thing, but I LOVE my shadow!!! I have to walk back and forth outside between buildings at my work each day. Before I started this journey, I noticed how HUGE and unshapely my shadow had become. For some reason that got to me even more than looking at myself in the mirror! Well, now that I'm over 1/2 way to goal, I love looking at my much-smaller shadow that actually resembles a woman's shape! Another NSV - we have a 'cuddle' chair (oversized lounger), that my husband and two sons could fit in fine together. When I would sit next to my husband or my two sons, It was a very tight, uncomfortable fit, and when I would get up, the whole chair would lean forward and slam back and I would about launch whoever was still sitting there. Now I easily and comfortably fit with my husband or both sons, and the chair stays in place when I get up and they stay seated.

I'm sure you most likely have not caused any damage, Ann. I have had a really hard time remembering to eat slowly, small bites, and chew thoroughly. And I've had SEVERAL instances of getting stuck and PBing/throwing up :eek: (mostly avoidable). When I'm stressed or can't eat until late I find I have the most problems. I need to learn to avoid eating at those times, or to eat very lightly or liquids. Recently I developed a mini-checklist to help me be more aware of proper Lap Band 'etiquette' so I can take better care of my band and myself. Take care - it's all part of learning to live with the Lap Band!

You are beautiful, 'Less of Me', and should be very proud of how far you have come! Very noticible difference. Thanks for sharing your pics!

SpideyMom, MamaBully is my BFF - we're the same age and have been friends since birth, so I guess she kind of is my 'Alter Ego' LOL!!! We had Lap-Band surgery the same day, spent the night together in the same hospital, and have shared this journey together. It's been awesome going through this with my best friend - I'm very blessed!

:scared2: Size 14 is a HUGE NSV!!!! Congratulations Ann!!! I just love your enthusiasm and dedication to this 'tool', process & lifestyle, and our 'Mayo Banditos' forum. You are truly a motivating & inspirational voice here! Continued success to you! Your Fellow Bander, Jennie

John337 -105 SpideyMom -70 hdmdavid -75 less-of-me -58 Oliviasmommy -25 tulsarealtorGB -38 ruguay -35 Sarahbellzz -34 Jennifer75 -55 Sbush70 -48 bkmom -34 naynayto2 -40 Mamadot -54 Mamabully -41 Total -712

Simone - :scared2: 'Happy Bandiversary'!!! And congratulations on your amazing weight loss! I am so looking forward to seeing my progress at 1 year post-op. Here's my most recent NSV - I'm enjoying shopping clearance sections for my 'in between' sizes. I have found some great seasonal clothes at various stores for under $10 an item (usually around $4 to $7 a piece, including dresses, pants, shorts, skirts, and blouses). This weekend I was at Lane Bryant, and they had a 'gold dot' clearance where all items were $6.99 (orig. prices ranged from $15 to $49+). I bought a great pair of denim capris in a size 16 and they fit great! I was in a 24 bordering on 26 in May, and I haven't been in a size 16 since I was dating my husband over 12 years ago. While I'm not buying a lot of 'in between' size clothes, it is fun to wear something that fits and shows off my progress! I only have one size to drop to be in the smallest size at Lane Bryant (14), and I can actually find clothes at regular-size stores that fit me now.