Cinderella

Howdy everyone! I love getting inspired by all your success!!! I'm not weighing in this week, TOM. Keep up the good work! I am so proud of you. Christy: Good to see you back. How's your first fill? I think I'm due for a second one, but I will have to wait. I'm traveling the next 2 weeks. I don't have as much restriction and it scares me a little. Have a good one!

Hi All, It's been a while. I've checked in once in a while but this is actually the first time I could find a minute. Not to mention, I HAD A HUGE NSV AND A SV!!!! For the first time in 8 years, I tried something just for the hell of it....are you ready?....imagine....collar golf shirt (hanging a bit)...black pants (about an inch give in the waist)...hmm, do I dare? Tuck in the shirt in the pants and actually wear a belt!....eyes are still not looking at the mirror (afraid to see the usual belly popping out and hanging from underneath the belt)...slowly look up...AAAGGGHHH! The belly is still there, BUT, not as much and this actually looks OK to wear! I screamed! Ron thought I saw a bug on the floor or something! When he came to the room, I posed! "Wow, you look great" (I love him!). Next... OK. Fluctuated between 216 and 214 for 3 1/2 weeks. Uck! Just for grins today...I mean what the heck?...stepped on the scales...210! About darn time! YaHoo! Hope all is well with you! I think about this forum everyday and I've been inviting some friends who are considering surgery to check it out. I'm so thankful to all of you!

Alright, Let's be honest. I never felt normal size, even when I was real close to it. Something happened though when for some reason "I" always considered myself "Fat". What happened when I continously gained weight? Did I just give up? You're darn right I did! I mean what was the use? I was never going to look like my friends or any of the beautiful people, which was stupid and selfish on my part. After all my sister had a disfiguration all her life and she chose to be strong because of it. Me, I was weak. I envied those who were anorexic or bulimic, because I didn't even have the strength they had. In the past, I've fantisized about throwing myself in front of highway traffic, self mutilation (cutting the fat off my body myself), and wanting to OD myself so bad it physically hurt! Your darn right obesity alone did not cause these truly selfish thoughts. Obesity was my weapon of choice! Thank the Lord Almighty I am finally coming to terms with it!

Hi Maysters, Well, TOM and I'm crying at the drop of a hat! I don't think I'll weigh myself this week. Too depressed. Thought I had NSV's last week but we had family pics this weekend, saw myself, and forgot all about them. I won't give up! Christy668, you are awsome! Keep it up and thanks for the smile you give us!

Hi Southern Charm. Welcome! This is the best place to realize that you're not alone in your journey! Sincerely, The Woodlands, TX Cinderella in the Woods!

Hi Maysters, Yep. Sorry. Did not touch a computer in 5 days! A record for me. Real quick update with lots of ups and downs: :clap2: Business flight to CA. Always had trouble with too tight seat belts. This time, I had 4 INCHES TO SPARE! :rambo Went tubing down the Guadalupe River (actually tubing, paddling, walking, and falling) with friends and about 1000 other drunk college students. :whoo: After 2 years of nagging, my husband finally got a sleep study done. The next day he had a total personality change and more energy than I've seen in years. Fortunately, no heart damage yet, but he has been on his way (5'11", 310 lbs). Its been hard on the whole family and our lifestyle. Working 12 hr shifts, 1 hr for shower and eating, 11 hrs sleeping - what a life? He gets his machine next week, I hope! :girl_hug: Went bowling for the first time since surgery. Yep, even after losing 30 lbs, I still fell down! I'm so over that! :faint: Went grocery shopping for the whole month in one day (talk about exercise - no one at home to help me) :hungry: Planned and cooked portion controled meals for the family (20 meals so far). I've never been organized to do this! Actually gained 2 lbs last week and lots of restriction (slime and PB) :girl_hug: weighed in this a.m., lost the 2 lbs :cheer2: Everyday, I've been getting rid of one of my 'Fat' clothes and fitting into my 'skinny' clothes (real jeans this morning!:girl_hug: ) So, bottom line, very busy past 10 days with a net loss of ZERO. I hope I'm over the slump. Very frustrated. But I'm so over that! Happy day everyone. Keep up the challenge and the courage!

Her inner-self showed up and it ws UUUUgly! That being said, I was ticked off about how the news reported it. "She lost ratings because of the weight she lost"??????? Pleeeaaase! It wasn't the weight, it was her "I'm better than anyone else" attitude. You know, it is hard enough trying to cope with living fat, but to hear it reported that way by the media just gets me fired up. Oh, and yes, I have lied about my surgery. In the profession I'm in, your supposed to lose weight by self control, hard work, etc. If I had a hard time advancing in my career before, just think of the bias judgement I would get now?!!! Granted, I think Star handled it all bad and she deserves what she's getting. Just my two cents.

Hi Maysters! Thank you 3Loves for setting this up and keeping it going. OK. I accept the challenge. 20 lbs by September 13th. Horseback riding on the beach, here I come! Jolyow, Don't be discouraged. You lost a lot of weight at the beginning. I think maybe your body is adjusting to everything. Are you excersising everyday? If your Dr. says you can start real food, I would do it. I too didn'f feel any restriction in the beginning as long as I stayed with the puddings, broth, protien shakes, etc. When I went to real food, I soon found that I had limits I didn't have before (some negative reinforcement from my body as well). What does your Dr. say? All my best for you!

I can't tell you how gratefull I am to see the information you are sharing. I got my first fill on the 12th. That afternoon, I had 3 sips of broth and thought I was dying. slime, PB, and blood! :omg: It seems that the manipulation to get to the port to do the fill caused aggitation. The next day, I stayed on yogurt and protien drinks. The third day, I was able to eat chicken and salad. All was right with the world!:nervous NaturalBeauty, you are right on and completely AWSOME :clap2: . Just like you said, MY BAND IS FICKLE TOO:devious ! Up until a moment ago, I thought there was something wrong with me. One day, I do fine and the next day with the same exact food, here comes the slime and PB. I spoke to a group yesturday about fattism in America and thought to myself, if only others knew what we are going through. The despiration, changes, the complications, the hardships, and the successes. I'm down 30 lbs from my pre-op weight of 246 (little upset that there was no loss this week). I'm with you DrewsLou et al., 18/20 is now baggy but not quite enough to go to 16. Can't wait!!!! I was a size 16 one day 17 years ago! My goals to complete by September; go Horseback riding (can I come with y'all?!) and be enrolled in Ballroom Dancing! Here is another item to think about. Even though we are just beginning this new type of road, since losing some weight, have you noticed more people around you are actually making eye contact with you and saying HI? I think I'm experiencing it. Or maybe it's just in my mind.:paranoid

Hi desotodeb, I think the tolerances are up to the individual. A week after my surgery, I was able to eat small salads and now I think salads are the best! Can't eat crispy green beans though. I lost 16 lbs before the surgery. Mostly because of the protien diet my Dr. had me on 10 days prior to surgery. It was a good transition for me. It helped me to to get in the right mind set before-hand. The food thing is an adjustment. Hang in there!

Hi Martha, Welcome. I'm a relative newbie (banded 5/16/06). Don't worry. Only on my first day did I feel sick. I stuck to the protien drinks, baby food fruit, and sugar free pudding. I was back at work in 5 days and gradually started eating solids. A week later, I felt like I was starving. 6/13/06, I got my first fill and now the true test of my behaviors have kicked in. Always remember to chew, chew, chew and eat slowly! I never realized how I must have gulped down my food before. Hang in there! Lot's of my best wishes!

Hi everyone, I was banded in May and just got my first fill this week. I stopped by to look at the forum on Tuesday because I was having a real bad night after my fill and I was looking for information. I am doing much better today and back on track. Regarding the forum, I am really glad I joined today. I've learned a lot already. A little about me: I am 44, a mother of 2 boys (18 & 9), and married to my prince charming! I've been struggling with my weight since I was 13 and tried everything! I lost what ever control I had over my weight when I gained 100 lbs during my first pregnancy and I've never been able to take it off. I am so excited about my new life. I am already collecting clothes that I am shrinking out of to give to charity. I never again want a closet that contains both 20 year old 'skinny' clothes and cheap 'fat' clothes. Found out today, I cannot and will not eat Velveeta cheese again! Rock on! p.s. Need help with the acronyms! What is PB and lol? Thanks,

jsewell, I'm in the Houston area too. Welcome. I have to say that after 5 weeks, I would do it again. I've know others who have had the by-pass and 3 out 4 have gained it all back! Not to mention the 6-7% mortality rate that by-pass has for younger and older patients. My sister in-law just got it done. I wish I would have known she was going to do it. If so, I would have talked her out of it. Like any surgical procedure, there is the chance of complications and like any weight loss tool, it takes a change in life style. If you are like me and at my last thread of hope, the band was the logical choice and worth the changes that have taken place since then (no sodas, no bread, and weird grumbling in the tummy every once in a while). My prayers are with you as you make your choice.

3Loves ~ During my post-op, I talked to my Dr. about this very thing. The first week of recovery I think I strained the port when I had trouble getting out of the bed. I told my husband, "I think I just hurt myself." Sure enough, my port is now a little lop-sided. Where I continue to feel nuisance discomfort is the muscle tissue (lower left abs) where the tubing to do the surgery entered. Doc said it was still adgitated because of the presence of the band. He said eventually I won't notice it. Now it is a little past 4 weeks and it's only noticable when I'm doing fast walking. I think the port will always hurt when it's strained after the way the Doc explained how its attached to the tissue. Hang in there! It should get better! Talk to your Doc.

DeAnn, Hang in there! I am so proud of you! I still do not have the courage to go into a gym. My husband and I are supposed to start in a couple of weeks after he begins treatment for his sleep apnea (he sleeps avg of 14 hrs a day right now). I had several reasons why I got banded, but I will never forget two nights before I first talked to the doctor about it, I went bowling with my family. I used to be a really good bowler before my weight gain so my 250 lb body within my 120 lb mind was doing real well when all of a sudden, I began to lose my footing on the my right foot and, in slow motion, I felt myself fall straight on my right hip! I was mortified listening to the laughter around me. I'm sure it wasn't as bad as I imagined it, but it was the last straw! I can't wait to be able to have the self-confindence to go to the gym. You are my hero!

Wow! Thanks so much for the welcome! And yes, thanks for the information as well. Yep, Ms. Vicki we must be. I don't get much chance to chat in the forums so don't be surprised when I am not responding quickly, please just know that I really appreciate everyone!

Thanks for the info. This is the first time I've participated in on-line forums so it looks like I need to pick up on the lingo as well. Love the Picks and the info you've been sharing!