ericsmom

Good morning everyone! I had time to check in, so I thought I'd see how everyone is doing... Chris - you look AWESOME!! What a great accomplishment! We are proud of you and you should be, too! Beth - I'm so sorry you had to put your dog down...if you have a lot of pictures of him, put them in a collage frame and hang it in your house...you'll have wonderful memories every time you look at it. I had my appt. with the PA for my band on Friday...I got another cc in my band, so I'm at 8cc's now - I was at 7cc's. I wanted the extreme restriction...I've been on a plateau for two weeks now. He said I was doing very well. I know I need to increase my water. I get enough protein as that is what I always focus on first, but I've been slacking drinking the extra water. I had a conversation with a co-worker on Friday at school. I told her I was going to the doctor. She asked if there was good news to report, and I said yes, I'm down 75 lbs now. But, I said, I have about 70 more to loose. Her mouth dropped as far open as it could when I told her I was still 262 and started at 337 and saw the surgeon prior at 341. I said, careful, you're catching flies! I said I carry my weight so differently that it's decieving that I weigh as much as I do. She was shocked I had so much to loose still, as it doesn't seem that way to look at me. My pants are super baggy on me, and I should be in 24's, but I can't go buy any right now as $$ is a bit short and Christmas is coming and I'm hosting Thanksgiving. So I'll just be baggy drawers for a while...it's kind of nice actually. Well, I'd better get a move on. Heading to church in a bit and then I have a ton of stuff to do today. Have a great day everyone!

Congrats on being banded, Ashley! My advice is this...eat to the point of satisfaction, not to the point of being full. Remember that you have been given a tool and use the tool... you need to CHOOSE to make good choices and CHOOSE to change your habits. You can eat anything you want still, you just have to make the choice to eat good things and not bad things. You'll get a lot of support here and tons of advice and suggestions. Read everything you can.

Unfortunately I am still at 12 lbs to go...but I'm physically changing, so I must be at a plateau...I've still got time

I'm jumping in on your 20lbs by Christmas challenge...I want to be 250 by Christmas and I'm at 270 right now...I see my lap band doctor on Friday and I am not sure if I'll get any more fill or if I'll stay at 7cc's. I can't wait for the day when I can say I weigh 219!!

OMG CHRIS!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!! YOU ROCK THE BAND!! I'm SO proud of you!!:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

YEAH KARI!!!! :clap2: I'm so proud of you!!

You're doing great, Susan! At least you're out there exercising!! I go to my fill doctor next Friday the 17th...I'm 7cc's in a 10cc band. I don't feel the restriction I did a week or so ago...I don't know if we'll add another cc or just leave it alone for another month...we'll see. I'm off to work - just wanted to say hello and have a great day!

Beth - it didn't work - try again, okay??

I get my fills by me pushing my stomach out and him feeling for it...He numbs the area first for me though...I has taken him quite a few pokes to find the entry, but I figure if it's the worst thing I have to go through with this band, then I'm okay with it. As you lose weight it shifts around, even though it is sewn in...and I have also developed thicker than usual scar tissue, so he has a harder time getting the needle in, but as long as I'm numb, I'm fine with it.

Mary - I couldn't imagine having that many teenagers in the house!! I do just fine with one - he had five friends over one night and I said never again! I just don't have the tolerance for that many at one time. You're a saint!

I hope you find the answers you're looking for - my son is going to be 15 in April and could lose 20 lbs...It's hard going through adolescence and dealing with weight issues, too. I hope the doctors help you...This board is a great place to be for support and advice no matter how old you are. Good luck to you!

I, too, craved carbs and now I don't eat them very much at all...I don't eat bread, and I don't miss it. I don't eat crackers, etc. I find if I do, I don't feel very good. I feel better when I have protein. I snack on string cheese a lot. My chocolate fix is satisfied by Slim Fast shakes - I still drink them because I LIKE them. I don't eat candy, and if I do, I'm okay having only one piece. The cravings are pretty much gone. It takes three weeks to develop a new habit...you can do it!!

I'm a 22/24 now, down from busting out of 26/28's...I'm in a 2X top down from 4X pushing to a 5X... My goal right now is a 16...then I'll take it from there...I agree with Elizabeth - when I look in the mirror and like what I see, that will be my ideal size. I remember my size 9 Lee Rider jeans and would love to get into those again!

Yes, my feet have shrunk, too...I think it's the tops of my feet that don't take up so much room now...I'm usually a 10 and I had to give one pair of shoes away already. I used to be an 8 - boy that would be nice to get back into!

Awww shucks :love: That was so sweet of you to notice and to do this...yes, things are going well...I have been busy and sick, so I haven't spent much time on the computer at all. Everyone is doing so well in working toward their goals...keep up the good work!!

Yes, I need to visit all my marked threads and update...I just haven't been on here in so long. I will weigh again on Wednesday and then adjust my ticker, too. What does everyone do for a living? I am a secretary for one of four principals at our Middle School (grades 6, 7, &8) Any kids? if so how old? 1 boy. 14 1/2 yrs old :love: <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Hello everyone - I've been MIA for a while - out of town, busy with work, family stuff...life sure gets in the way, doesn't it? I'm proud to say things have been going very well for me. Since my last fill I've had good restriction. I am down 75 lbs now and people at work seem to comment on how I look on a daily basis. It feels so good to get the compliments and to know that the weight will stay off with the help of the band is an even bigger reward. I've hit another plateau - staying the same for about the last week and a half - but I'm sure it will kick back into gear soon. I've been fighting a cold for the past week and even stayed home from work last Wednesday and slept the entire day. I went on a scrapbooking retreat with friends last weekend and sneezed and blew my nose the entire weekend. Then I woke up this morning doing the same thing - UUggghh!! Next weekend I'm going on another retreat. So I'll spend the week planning what I want to work on and packing my supplies. Last weekend we were in a house, so I was able to bring my Magic Bullett and have my shakes when I wanted them. This next weekend we'll be at a resort and everything is buffet-style. I'm going to just focus on eating my protein first and drinking my water during the day and then I should be fine. I just need to stay away from snacks. I had cheddar chex mix last weekend and it was SO good, but it was the first time I'd really just let myself snack and the guilt was terrible! Anyway, I see from your posts since I was on last that you are all doing well. Congrats on all the NSV's and take care of yourselves to the ones who were having issues. I'm going to try and check in more often. I miss chatting with you all!

Sherri - way to go with the NSV!! What a wonderful feeling :girl_hug: Mary - each pound should be celebrated! Way to go! Born2Lose - you look rockin'! Congrats on your great accomplishment! I had a great day yesterday. I wore a sweater from my "someday bin" yesterday - kind of dressed up - and I got so many compliments! It's amazing that when you feel better, you look better, and you walk different, and carry yourself differently. I've had nothing but support from everyone and that means so much. Off to work - Have a great Wednesday everyone!

Hello everyone - just checking in quickly before heading off to work. I feel like I never have enough time to come on here anymore, but I really love it here, so I'm going to try very hard to keep a regular check in schedule. I hit 70 lbs the other day...I was so happy...tomorrow will be my official weigh (I weigh on Wednesdays) and then I'll update my ticker. My rings are very loose - they move around when I type...I have a totally "new" old outfit on today and it's probably been 3 years since I've worn it. I see my dietition today. Last time she said this would be the last monthly appt. Now I'll go every 4-6 months as I've got, as she said, "a good grasp" of what to do. I haven't been on the recumbant bike at all, but walking around the school at work has been my exercise. When I have a new dose of cortisone in my knees I can practically skip down the hallways!!! I hope all is well with everyone. My restriction at 7 seems to be really good...I can really tell if I swallow too soon with too big a piece of food. This seems to be a good spot for me. Gotta run! Have a great day!

Way to go Chris!!! You're rockin' this band!! Leona, take care of yourself! Sounds so painful... Beth - glad to hear you had a better night eating... DonnaMarie - I totally agree with you...I stay away from big carbs like bread, rice, pasta, and cakes, etc. at all costs...My head feels like it's sabatage...Protein, protein, protein!!! I have to work at school conferences at the Middle School until 8pm tonight, and then everyone is going out for pizza and beer...I'll be having ice water and going for the visiting...pizza gives me massive heartburn and I don't want to go there! Maybe they will have a salad I could order...we'll see... Have a great day everyone!

Yeah Dez on the NSV!! Congrats to you I had another 1.5cc's on Friday so now I'm at 7cc's. I am feeling the restriction now. I tried to eat a chicken breast last night and it didn't feel very good...No PBing, but very uncomfortable. I'm also enjoying "shopping" in my closet and in my "some day" bins of clothes. Every day I can wear something new! My pocket book is definitely thanking me! Sherri - please don't hesitate to share your personal life - we're all here for you and care very much about you...if you don't want to post what's going on in the thread, at least PM someone... Beth - I agree with Mary...although you may hate to hear "I told you so", it's better than suffering and maybe causing irreparable damage. Please call them. Long day again for me - went to the orthopedic doc and got my cortisone shots in my knees. I'll be good for about a month or so again and then I'll bite the bullet for another month. He is giving it to me every two months to get me through the school year and then hopefully I can have knee replacement in June after I'm done working for the summer. I have hot flashes the first night after the shots, so I'll be sleeping with the covers half off tonight! I'll feel like dancing in the morning, though!

Mary, sorry to hear about your son! Congrats to everyone on the NSV's. Beth - maybe you should call the doctor - maybe you're too restricted... Sherri - hope all is well... Everyone else - have a great day! I have to get to work!!

How did you know when you didn't need the CPAP anymore? I've used one for 4+ years and am curious when I'll know I don't need it anymore.

Best of luck to you tomorrow as you begin your journey...

When you are banded it takes about 6 weeks for your stomach to adjust to being constricted...then you can start getting "fills"...how much you get in your band differs from doctor to doctor and depends on what size your band is. Using the search feature on the site will help you find FAQ's and everyone here is very helpful...good luck in your decision.