Stesti

Thanks Everyone. These are great suggestions. I want to loose another 60 pounds. I was planning on being at 100 pounds by my first anniversary July 14th but will be thrilled with breaking through this plateau. OK, I'm off for a walk. Stesti

I was Banded last July and have been doing great until recently. I had my Gallbladder removed in February and my weight loss has slowed significantly since then. I have been stuck at 90 pounds for the last few months and the scale won't budge! I have been excercizing and eating within reason. The only difference that I can think of is that my OB put me on birth control pills a few months ago to help with severe PMS. The Yaz is helping but I'm wondering if anyone else has had this issue. How have you broken through plateaus??? Thanks, Stesti

Mary, I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad and your Nephew. I understand a little. My mother is critically ill and sometime you just want to check out of it for a while. Don't forget to take care of you. We've all been given this amazing Band to help us through. So many of us are half-way there. Don't loose sight of the prize!!! Stefani

Hi everyone: I haven't been here in an age and am glad to see you all doing so well. I've been doing well with my band. Down 75 pounds but have hit a little speedbump. I had 2 major GallBladder attacks and spent a day in the Emergency Room. I had a Cat Scan and a mass was found on my left ovary. 3 Ultra Sounds later, my Ob still couldn't figure out what the thing was and agreed to take it out when my GallBladder was removed. I was scheduled for outpatient surgery last Monday and was told that this thing could be as simple as a fibroid or possibly cancer. My Lap-Band surgeon (who was AMAZING!) removed the GallBladder and then my OB discovered 2 masses. They couldn't get the one out with the Lapriscope (it was the size of a small melon...eeek) so I have an open incision. They safely removed both masses and my left Ovary. LOL So my little outpatient surgery turned into 3 days in the hospital. My friends and my Brother took such great care of me and I went home with a friend and her husband for 5 days. I came back to my house Monday and am doing really well. There is very little pain but I'm on sick leave for at least a month. I know that GallBladder issues are always a concern for people who loose a lot of weight. Actually, having the GallBladder gone is almost a relief. It was an easy surgery and not to be feared. I'm sad that I can't work out for 6 weeks but can walk and do hand weights. I don't want to slow down my weight loss! Sorry I've rambled on. I hope you're all doing well and I'm still loving my Band. Stefani

Hi everyone: It's been a while since I checked in. I'm happy to hear you're all doing well. Congratulations Icain on your happy news. I'm going for my 4th fill on Thursday. I wasn't scheduled until December but find that I'm hungry between meals and wanting to snack. My weight loss has slowed to 1-2 pounds a week so the doctor said to come in this week. I've currently lost 58 pounds and am pushing for 60. LOL I've been in a shopping frenzy and will soon need a 12 step program if I don't stop! It's just so exciting to be able to wear fitted, fashionable clothes. I work for an upscale retailer and can't wait to get into regular sizes. I've always felt cheated that we don't carry plus sizes. So, big women don't want to be hip???? What's with that? Sorry, just a little vent. Good luck to you all and can't wait to read about your dipping scales! Stefani

I was told to wait 2 months after surgery to have a drink. I usually choose white wine and I feel the affects of the wine more easily. I save alcohol for social events and don't drink at home. Too many calories!

For me, I was terrified of growing old and having health problems. I've always been very active and healthy and want to be my entire life. That being said, vanity plays a huge part in this process. I'm a makeup artist and work in an industry where the image that you portray is very important. I know that I've lost opportunities because of my size. I could be the most talented or pretty one in the room but a thin person who looks a company's image will get the job. I've always dated but have seen my confidence and sense of self worth diminish with each increasing dress size. I've lost 55 pounds in 4 months and have started getting much more attention from men. It's exciting but also a little scary. So yes, I guess I'm a vain but look at what the possibilities now are for me!

Struggles: 1. Staying focused on the program. I do well when I don't have a busy week. I need to eat better when dining out and get those workouts in no matter what. 2. Lack of confidence. I've lost over 50 pounds and just starting to gain more confidence. I ended a long term relationship just before surgery and am ready to date again. Don't want to kiss any more toads!!! I need to know that I deserve better than what I settled for. 3. Boredom. I was banded in July. The excitement is wearing off and I'm now in the day to day of this band. It's hard to always eat right, go to the gym, get your protein in. I don't want to fall back into bad habits.

Hi Everyone: It's been a busy October! I've had several weddings, birthdays and friends in from out of town. Had my 3rd fill this week and have lost 54 pounds. I've reached my first mini goal of 50 pounds and am now starting on my second 50. I've slacked off on working out the last 2 weeks but am going to hit it hard at the gym this week. I want to work out 4 times. The holidays are upon us and I don't want to settle into old habits. I bake and sell fancy Cookies and am considering doing it this year. I could use the money for Christmas but don't want it to sabotage my progress. Not sure what to do about it yet. I want to continue to keep loosing steadily. I think I have to step up the working out and continue to make it harder every week. I hope you're all doing well and can't wait to read about your success. Stefani

I was banded on July 14th and have gone from a 40D to a 38DD. What's that all about!!

Diane: What a beautiful post. Thank you for reminding us that this band is a gift from God and we are in His hands. My Band was also a gift from a dear friend. We were banded on July 14th and she paid for both of our surgeries. I am truly blessed. Sometimes it's nice to be reminded. :grouphug: Continued success to you.

Hi everyone: WOW, it sounds like I've missed alot! Just remember that no one can put you down and step on your self-worth without your permission. Hold your heads high and know that you're doing the right thing. This is definately NOT the easy way out and we all came to this decision after careful and thoughtful soul searching. For me, it was the smart thing to do, not the easy thing. My 25th class reunion was this weekend and I was only able to attend the Sunday Brunch portion. LOL I wasn't in the room 10 minutes and an old classmate (who is very nice but I was never close to) came up to me and started talking about my Band. My goodness, I live 3 hours away from these people and word was all over about my surgery. I don't really care but people are so funny. Ohh, and I felt like they watched what I ate! Hope you all have the best week. Stefani

Hi everyone: Wow, Leona....you're doing so well. Keep up the good work. Deckedout...I worked out at the gym 3 times this week and did a Belly Dancing DVD tonight at home. Ran out of time to get to the gym. As for old clothes, I cleaned out my closet last weekend and took several bags of clothes to The Salvation Army. LOL I found a few things with GIANT shoulder pads (my Crystal Carrington look....sexy!) I've been working really hard at the gym and have lost 43 pounds but am feeling so FAT< FAT <FAT. Anyone else feeling stuck? Stefani

Ok, I'm reporting in. I went to the gym and worked out 55 minutes. Did anyone else get to work out? Stefani

I also accept the exercise challenge. I want to exercise 4-5 times in the next week. I've been doing 45 minutes but would like to get closer to an hour. happy sweating everyone. Can't wait to hear about all of your victories! Kari, I'm so glad to hear that you're doing well. Stefani

I was banded July 14th and am experiencing hair loss. I almost cried when I say the huge strands of hair in my shower drain. It's been going on for a few weeks and everyone says it grows back. I have pretty thick hair so I hope it won't become noticable. I know it will at some point grow back so this is totally worth it.

Hi Chris and Girls: Mary...You're looking great! I can see it in your arms and tummy. Way to go. I set a personal goal to work out 4-5 times this week. I just finished my 4th night. I WANT THIS WEIGHT OFF!!!! LOL Ahh, I feel better.

Stephanie: You're looking great. Youre clothes are getting so loose. Yeah, time to shop!!! Jane: I was a good girl and went to the gym tonight. 33 minutes on the treadmill and 15 on the bike. LOL Do I get a gold star???? Stefani

Hi: Thanks for the encouraging words. BGP surprised me with the pictures of us. I feel so lucky to share this experience with her. I can't imagine how scary it would be to go through this alone. I can call her and ask if she's had some weird band thing happen and then I feel so much better when she's had a similar experience. LOL We tend to be on the dramatic side. Surprising, I know. Bobbi Brown is a Makeup Artist brand. Bobbi is a woman and you can see her on the Today Show alot. She specializes in more of a natural look and feels that every woman is beautiful. I'd be happy to do anyone's makeup if your passing through St Louis! As for exersize, I think it's a great challenge to work out at least 3 times this week. I packed my gym bag for tomorrow and am ready to go. Hope you all have great weeks!!! Stefani

Hi everyone: Hope you're all having a great weekend! Michelle...Don't you worry, I have AWFUL eyebrows! It seems that I can shape and groom other peoples brows, but not my own. LOL One of my fellow artists is always fixing them for me. Bobbi is super nice and I'll mention to my Trainer, Rojellio (who looks like a latin rock star! YUMMY!) that it would be nice PR for the company. You never know. I've noticed in our doctors office that some women, even though they've lost enormous amounts of weight, seem to still dress the way they did when they were quite heavy...baggy and moo-moo like. I know that I like to cover up, Hence, the skirts to the ankle. eeek. Some of my friends have encouraged me to dress in more fitted clothing. I've noticed that I get tons of compliments when I do this. Are any of you also struggling with this? It's so odd to have people notice your body. Maybe this could be good! Kari...So sorry to hear that you're not feeling better. I actually love my job and like helping that woman who's always taken care of everyone but herself. It's great to see them feeling beautiful and better about themselves. Stefani

Hellooo: I'm here. I am the Business Manager for Bobbi Brown at Neiman Marcus and we are in our fall Beauty Week. (More like Beauty Hell week!) Needless to say, I've been up to my eyebrows with needy customers. LOL Customers with BAD, ungroomed eyebrows. So that's where I've been...not to sound like Bitter Betty. Michele, our doctor schedules us for fills every month for at least a few months. We have 10 CC bands and it takes a while to get them filled so that you have alot of restriction. He told us that you can't go in and fill the band substantially at first because your body needs to adjust gradually. My fill under x-ray should be under $200. We'll see when that bill arrives. He filled us last month with no problem in the office. I guess I've developed more scar tissue since then. Kari, thanks for noticing I was gone. It's nice to be missed. Stefani

Hi everyone: BigGirlPantiez and I went for our 2nd fill today. She did great and didn't have as much pain as last time. Our doctor couldn't get into my port. (too much scar tissue) It felt like he had that needle in me for hours!!! I had to go to the hospital and have my port filled under x-ray. So I am finally filled and down 36 pounds. Needless to say, I'm not looking foreward to next month's fill. Stefani

Chris: Omg!!!!! You're Amazing!!!! Congratulations....those Hotties Will Be All Over You. :girl_hug:

I had to work today and it's my 6th day in a row. I'm a makeup artist for Neiman Marcus and we're in our fall "Beauty Week" promotion. (more like "Beauty Hell Week"!!) My feet are sooo tired but I made myself go for a 45 minute walk tonight. Must admit I felt better. I hope that counts for the challenge. I'm sorry to hear that some July Bandsters are having a few bad days. You know, we will all be getting more attention as the weight comes off. Maybe some significant others will realize that and pay a little more attention to their manners. Stefani

Very funny Colleen!!!!! I'm trying to resist International Night.....Nothing but Trouble! :couch2: Welcome back Leona. I'm thrilled to hear you so happy and loosing. BaylorMom, BigGirl Pantiez and I have our next fill 1 month after out last. I second that it's nice that everyone's having fun on here again.