ericsmom

Hi Jane and all! Hang in there...you're doing absolutely awesome as well! And congrats to your son and his grades...I'm one to toot my son's horn, too Off to work - just wanted to say "Hi"!

Hello all - checking in since it's been a week again... I am down 96.4 lbs and hope to say 100 by next week! I have been fluctuating between 80 & 90 down since Christmas, so it was a welcome sight to see the scale start to drop again. Mary - so sorry about your nephew and your dad...my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I'll post my Valentine weight loss on Wednesday!

Stefani - sorry to hear you've had such a painful tough time of it, but glad to hear you are doing well now...and congratulations on the 75lbs!! Way to go! I haven't checked in lately either...life seems to get in the way and I am feeling bad that I don't make visiting here a priority like I used to. I am vowing to change that. Just went to the doctor tonight and got cortisone shots in my knees again. Every two months I get them as we buy time until June when I can get one replaced. I have 8 weeks off in the summer, so that's the hopeful plan anyway. I've been at a plateau of 90 lb loss for a couple of weeks, fluctuating between 80 and 90 off. I am so wanting to be able to say 100 lbs, but it's just not happened yet. My body is continuing to change, though, so I think it's just trying to adjust itself before it lets more weight go. I hope all is well with everyone. My experience so far has been absolutely text book. Hugs to everyone!

Boy, you sure are having a lot of problems...I was going to suggest that they x-ray you and check things out, but it sounds like you've done that. I really don't know what to say, but I hope you get some answers. Maybe you need to see a different doctor...or hopefully someone here can relate to what you're going through and give you some advice. Congrats on the 85lb wls and good luck to you!

I had my 5th fill last Tuesday...I was at 8cc's and when he pulled out the fluid there was 7cc's that only came out. He said some can evaporate. He put me back to 8cc's. He always aspirates what is in there first and then puts it back in with whatever else he's adding.

Molly - so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I haven't checked in in quite a while. My scale had moved up and down for three weeks now. I'm still at 90lbs lost and hope to get it moving down more in the next week or so as I had another fill last Tuesday. Actually, 1cc had evaporated and I had only 7cc's in there, so they put me back to 8 and that is good restriction for me. I'd still like to lose 10 by Valentine's day - that would put me at 100 lbs lost...we'll see.

I've heard good things about the Crosby Center. Glad to hear you are doing so well! As I am only 6 months out from my surgery, I still go monthly for my visits. Since they didn't start doing lap bands in Duluth until March 17th, I am assuming you chose Crosby because it was the closest center to go besides going to the Twin Cities. Are you in the Brainerd area?

How did your co-workers surgery go? Is he a member on this forum? Would like to hear his opinion on things. I am waiting for my surgery date to be scheduled with Dr. Medlin. I live in Hayward Wi. but having surgery at St Mary's can't wait for this to happen it has been going on since July lot of hoops. Terry Terry - my co-worker's surgery went great and he is down 45 lbs to-date...I've taken to calling him baggy pants LOL! There are 4 of us at Superior Middle School that have the band - 3 had Medlin and I had Lenz. My port is on my left side, as is the first one that had it...the second two have theirs in the middle of their stomach above their belly button. I guess each person is different and they find the best place to put it. Did you get a date set yet?

Hello from Superior!! Looks like we're neighbors jqpublic! I had my surgery July 5th at St. Mary's in Duluth with Dr. Jay Lenz...down 90lbs by 6mo bandiversary!!

Hey - Minnesota Lady - where are you having your surgery? I had mine in Duluth... I had two weeks of pre-op liquid diet and lost 14.5 lbs in that time frame. The first three days were hard, but after that, it was a breeze for me. I had (and still have) Slim Fast shakes with added chocolate Protein powder and I blend it with ice in my Magic Bullet (another must have). I also had a lot of Jell-0, chicken broth, Water, and any other liquid I could get ahold of. The surgery went beautifully, I believe because I followed the doctor's instructions to a T. I just had my 6month bandiversary on January 5th and I'm down 90lbs. Just keep your eye on the results and know that everyone's journey is different. Good luck!

Here I am!! {raising hand and waving} I have been a stranger lately, haven't I? Sorry! Life just seems to get in the way sometimes! I'm flattered that Time2Live took the time to PM me and ask if everything was alright (thanks!) I had a fill on Tuesday...I was at 8cc's and went to the doc three weeks ago and we didn't feel I needed a fill. I was supposed to go the 30th, but was feeling like I really needed some more restriction, so I moved my appt. up. When he aspirated the fluid in the band, only 7cc's came out. He thinks some was still in the tube and some evaporated. He put me back to 8cc's and it feels good and tight again. I just did two days of liquid and had some food today. I have been the same for almost a month now - up 6 since my last weigh in, but down the 6 two days later because of the liquid diet and my TOM ended. So now I'm back where I was at Christmas. I am hoping to hit 100 lost in the next two weeks. As for port pain - I don't have any. I can sleep on that side without any problems, too. Sometimes it's more prominent and I can feel it more than other times. My port is actually sitting on it's side. If you hold out your hand flat with the top facing up and tilt it toward you so the top of your hand is facing you, that's how my port is lying. As I lose the weight, it is shifting while staying sewn in place. The doctor got me in one poke of the needle this last Tuesday :clap2: . That was a first. He'd had a rough day of difficult fills, so it was good he could end the day on a good note with me! Mary - love what you posted above - I see I need to reevaluate, too. I know I need to drink more water and I need to exercise more than just walking around at work. Findingme2 - I've never been someone's hero before, so it's my pleasure to be yours! Glad to hear everyone else is doing okay. Sounds like a lot of us are in a 6-month slump...hopefully we'll be posting that it's melting off again very soon... I promise to check in more often Thanks for thinking of me!

Hello everyone - it's been a while since I've checked in...I've been feeling a bit down. For the first time since I got my band, I've been gaining a bit. I feel like I could eat a house and I'm making choices that are not good ones. I need to kick myself in the rear and turn this around. I think when my TOM approaches, I feel sluggish and "bigger". So today it's a shake for breakfast, and I'm taking one to work for one to sip on. I moved my fill up a week and go next Tuesday instead of the 30th. I'm hoping that just .5cc's will give me better restriction. Anyway - I'm trying to get out of my funk. I love that you made your list of what you have learned about yourself in the past six months, Jane. I'm going to do that today. Seeing what I can do, vs. what I couldn't will be uplifting, I'm sure. I am going to scrapbook about it in my All About Me book. Thanks for the inspiration! Have a great day everyone!

Glad to hear I'm not the only one that feels that way sometimes!! Chris, you look awesome, and I second the request for a picture of you SMILING!! How did the commercial shoot go? Good luck with your classes and rock that weight room... I have decided I'm not drinking enough Water and I need to get on my bike! Have a great day everyone!

Hi everyone - just checking in... I had what I refer to as a "fat" day...first of all - I HATE that word with a passion...I've never been able to freely use it. I wore clothes that were a little loose and my head made me feel like I still have my big stomach. Now mind you, my stomach is by no means gone yet - far from it - but it is considerably smaller. I had three people come up to me at work today and comment about how good I look, yet inside I was feeling "fat". I'm sure this will go on for quite a while as I shrink. I, of course, thanked them for the compliments, even though I didn't feel like what they were saying I looked like. Does this happen to any of you?

How exciting!! Congratulations!

Drink Your Water!!

finally emptying my "someday bin" of smaller clothes... and all the compliments and support I get from co-workers.

Welcome and good luck to you! You'll find great support and advice here

It feels like forever since I've posted... Jane - going back to work has been great. Everyone kept saying they wished they had just one more day off, but then if we did, we would have wanted another one, right?!! It's good to have a routine, and when you love your job, it's easy to go back. As far as the holidays go, I've been indulging in sweets, and now I'm craving them and can eat more than I should, yet I have good restriction, so I need to start paying attention to when things go down too fast and hurt. I'm at 8cc's and I was told if I wanted more before my next appt to call and he'd give me more, but I think it's good where it is. I just need to get back to using the tool properly and only eating when I'm hungry and to the point of satisfied instead of eating when my head says to eat. I'd LOVE to lose 15 lbs by Valentines Day, but I'm going to set my goal at 10 lbs and that would put me at a loss of 100 lbs...So I want to be at 241 by V Day. Sherri - so glad to hear you finally passed that stone, but oh, it sounds so painful!! Take care of yourself! Tomorrow is my 6 month anniversary from my surgery date - I never would have dreamed I would be down 90 lbs by this time back in July. And even though it's coming off fast right now, I know it's going to slow down as I approach a "normal" size...and plateaus are going to come and go as well. I just need to stay focused. I hope all is well with everyone!

Oh Ruthie! What nice things you said about me I appreciate everyone's support here as well. I regret I haven't been here much lately and have made a promise to myself to keep coming here regularly so as not to loose sight of the fact that there are other great people going through what I am and facing the same struggles. Congrats on the NSV's!! How exciting! I work in a middle school and said this year that next year for Christmas I am going to get me a "teacher sweater" with Christmas stuff all over it to fit in with the teachers the week before Christmas! How fun! Keep up the great work!

Thanks, Jane! I never thought of it that way - a small 6th grader...I work in a middle school with grades 6-8, so next time I see a small child, I'm going to think of what you said. I don't know what to recommend about the protection from the chlorine. Hopefully someone else will be more knowledgeable. Maybe ask at the Y or wherever it is you swim. They might have some suggestions. Congrats on how far you've come, too! All the July Bandsters are doing so AWESOME!

I DID IT!! I hit 250.4 today!! I wanted to see 250 by Christmas day, but it's within the week...I have officially lost 90.6 now! I go back to work on the 2nd as well, Jane. The week is going MUCH too fast! Today is self-proclaimed "Jammie Day". I'm hanging out in my scrapbooking room. I have also put myself on shakes for Breakfast and lunch and then I'm eating a normal dinner with my family. I figure as long as I'm on vacation, if I'm not eating out with friends, I may as well work on dropping some more weight I went to a restaurant with friends last night and ordered a wild rice burger thinking I'd eat really healthy and it was so spicy I couldn't eat more than 4 bites! They took $$ off my bill and I ended up eating a ceasar salad and two mini corn muffin loafs. So that plan backfired on me! Friday I'm going out to lunch with friends and I'll just have a salad, I think. Something safe. Anyway - have a great day everyone!

I'm am sorry to say I made it 5 lbs short of my Christmas goal - I wanted to be at 250 and I was 255 yesterday morning. Congrats to all who made goal and congrats to everyone who lost anything at all...

Checking in to say Merry Christmas! We traveled 2.5 hours away to the Twin Cities yesterday, stayed over night in a hotel, and came home tonight about 6:30. I let myself have a few sweets and ate minimal for dinners. I am putting myself on shakes this week except dinners. I am on vacation all week, so I will do my Slim Fast for Breakfast and Lunch and then have dinner with my family. I wanted to be at 250 by today and I was 255 on Sunday morning. Five away from goal is nothing to sneeze at, I know, but I want to be under 250 when I go back to work. So I am self-imposing the liquid. I hope you all had a wonderful holdiay filled with laughter, friends, family, and many compliments on the new you!!

Sherri, I hope it will pass soon so you can feel better! I'm off to finish shopping today - the crowds will be awful, I'm sure! Have a great day!