SpideyMom

You're right, Lana, this is what we should be focusing on -- our health and well being. Thanks for the reminder. I know I need it from time to time when I get too caught up in the numbers game! :smile2:

Bevanfranks and carrie, I am in the same boat as the two of you! I can eat about 1 1/2 cups of food and I get hungry in about 2 hours! I just rescheduled my 4th fill to bump it up to next week (Tues, 9/8). I have had to do that with every fill, and my doctor is fine with that. He says it is best to listen to your body's needs rather than try to wait it out for weeks when your next appointment comes. He says that's when people start slipping up on their good eating habits. He said that being in the green zone should allow me to go 4-5 hours without being hungry. I'm looking forward to that day! :biggrin:

THIS IS SOOOO GREAT!!!!!!

BK, I have been a normal size (9) before, but I had very unhealthy eating habits and did horrible things to my body to try to stay that size. Therefore, I feel that I had a very skewed outlook of what looked appropriate and what did not. While my wasband (ex) was telling me to lose more weight, others were telling me I was fine or too thin. I am 5'7" and my weight was between 120 and 130. My goal this time is to get to 150. I'm going to evaluate once I get there, because in my mind, I would love to get back to 130. I feel I have a much better perspective this time around. I'm much healthier now -- body and mind. PS -- When I look back at pictures from when I was 118-120, and I think, OMG, I can't believe I was SO thin! When I was around 130, I think I looked better. That's what I feel nowadays looking back.

Aw, thanks, Rebecca. I missed you all, too. I didn't have time to get on the computer when I was at the beach. Congrats on all the loose clothes!!! Isn't it awesome?!

It's been a while since we've had some NSVs, so come on, let's hear some! I know you're all doing great, so there has to be something you want to want to share. Let's have an NSV Party! I'll start: I am now considered "ALL" or "MOST" -- lol. I can finally fit into my "One Size Fits All" or "One Size Fits Most" nightshirts and beach cover-ups!!! :w00t: :mad: And!!! I finally did something I've been wanting to do all my life... buy an LBD!!! A little black dress!! :thumbup: I bought it yesterday to wear at my niece's upcoming wedding... and it was a size 14!!!!!! I haven't worn that size since....... well, I actually can't remember, it's been so long!! Probably more than 15 years ago. Now, granted, I'm still going to need some Spanx to smooth the rolls -- LOL -- but HEY! I'm so thrilled!!! C'mon, let's hear from you!!

Hallelujah, Hallelujah! :thumbup: I'm 4 pounds from Onederland, and I cannot wait!!! Glad you are finally feeling some restriction. Keep up the great work! :mad:

BK, waiting is the worst, isn't it? Ugh! I'm glad you got the CT scan, though. Hope they can figure out the cause of your pain.

Thanks, Mac! I hope 4's a charm. I'm already up to 7 cc's in a 10 cc band, which is making me nervous that I'm running out of room! Thanks for the encouragement, John! You're a fabulous inspiration! :frown:

Hey, Happy birthday, John! Too bad you had to go in for an unfill on your birthday, but better that than be miserable! And congrats on your awesome WL! Only 20 more lbs? WOW! Meem, so happy to see you on here! Sorry to hear about your third fill. Glad you got some relief. Hope you are doing well. Keep up the great work! :biggrin: I need to schedule my fourth fill. Although chicken and red meat have a tendency to get stuck unless I eat mini-micro-bites, I am still getting hungry every 2-3 hours, which isn't fun. And, I can eat large amounts at one sitting (1 1/2 cups) before feeling full. I'll probably schedule for later this week.

Yeah, the Mayo Banditos are a wonderful group, if I may say so myself! They have been so helpful in so many ways! :biggrin: Glad you've joined us! :blushing:

LOL! I'm glad I could be of help. :biggrin: I was away on vacation last week so I haven't weighed in until this morning. I actually lost 5 lbs. since my last weigh-in, for a total of 60 lbs. lost. I am so excited! :biggrin: I did a lot more walking and swimming at the beach, so that helped tremendously! Congrats to everyone -- you're all doing soooo well! :blushing:

Untfluter, you look great! Congrats on your fab weight loss! :biggrin:

I have lived in enough states that I have had to learn to call it "pop," "soda," "sodapop," and "coke." LOL Hard to keep straight, depending on who you are visiting. Anyhow, I was a Diet Coke-aholic and I have given it up. I still crave a good fountain drink. If I were to have a Diet Coke, it would be for the carbonation, not for the flavor necessarily. ****However, if you are into flat drinks, here is the tip I heard: Put it in the BLENDER for 20-30 seconds and voila! Flat coke... or pop... or soda.... or ....... HTH

Wow, John, you look amazing! It must be such a terrific feeling! Congratulations!! :w00t:

Good job, everyone! Way to go, naynay on hitting Onederland! :thumbup: Don't worry, Mac, that little bit of Water weight will be gone in the wink of an eye.

Sorry it happened to you today, but it's happened to the best of us! If I haven't chewed well, I will sometimes burp or hiccup, and it always comes as a surprise to me! :thumbup:

That is FAAAANtastic, Linda! Way to go! 73 lbs is amazing! :thumbup::thumbup::biggrin: I've got 8 pounds to go to hit that place that I haven't seen in 8 years. And then I was only there for a nanosecond. lol! Looking forward to Onderland! :thumbup:

Well, the third fill has definitely helped. I lost five pounds this week! I'm really feeling great. John, it's wonderful to see you back here. You did fabulous on vacation! I think it would be a cool idea to start adding up how many pounds the Mayo Banditos have lost. We could start a "Grand Total" thread perhaps. Everyone has done sooo well! :thumbup:

Stress happens at every job, and right now you need to deal with what is at hand. Get up and get a cup of tea, walk around the building a couple of times, or make a paperclip chain of all the pounds you have lost. (Each clip = one pound; you'll be amazed at how long it gets!) Try anything to get your focus back on yourself and how wonderful you are doing! Forget about those other people! They are not worth the time you spend thinking about them! Deep breath.... you can do it!

Nothing! You're human, Nickie. Don't beat yourself up. Pat yourself on the back, girl! You're doing a great thing right now. You have picked yourself up, you're going back for a fill, and you've come to the right place for support.

Oh, I'm glad to hear that you're starting to feel better! Hopefully it is just torn scar tissue and nothing really serious. I know from previous surgeries that scar tissue can really hurt, so I can imagine your pain and worry! Take it easy and get some rest.

Hey, ladies. I found out about the Curves dealio. If you go on Official Site: the LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Banding System for weight loss surgery and type in Curves, it will give you all the info and a link to sign up, but here's the 411 in brief: Get a complimentary 2-week membership at your nearest Curves® and start realizing your lifestyle goals. Plus get 50% off the service fee for membership and discounted monthly fees available only if you have the LAP-BAND® System. HTH!

BK, were you able to get in touch with the doctor this morning? What did s/he say? How are you feeling now? I hope it's not an infection! Please keep us updated.

Jennifer, I've never been nauseated after a fill, but I can imagine that anything that messes with your stomach (such as tightening of the band and subsequent swelling) could make you nauseated. Hope it doesn't happen again!