writeonamber

Absolutely! So glad it helped. My doctor explained that one of the possible reasons we go through plateaus when we're losing large amounts of weight has to do with hormones. Fat cells release estrogen and can cause us to hold on to weight (or it will appear to be a plateau when we're doing everything right!). He said sometimes it's just our metabolisms adjusting and again, the way our bodies deal with chemicals/hormones - and called it a "metabolic shift." Just keep going and your body will snap out of it!

Hi Ash - just saw your pictures. You can absolutely tell! Keep up the good work. Don't get discouraged because those plateaus do end. I'm currently in the middle of my 3rd one in 15 months...but I've lost 152 lbs (from 361 to 209). It happens so fast. . . just stick with your 'band rules!' Best of luck on your journey!

Hey smilin_apple,

I saw your response on the before and after thread. Honestly, I just follow the band rules except I work out more than 30 minutes a day. I work out 5-7 hours a week, which helps a lot. I keep my calories around 1500 a day and get my water in. Don't get discouraged! Are you are the right restriction level? You've still lost an incredible amount of weight and you should be proud! Let me know if you ever need to talk or if you're getting discouraged. Best of luck to you!

Amber

Hey - thanks for the message! It feels WONDERFUL!

Hey Becca - Yes, Dr. R was my surgeon. I actually have an appointment tomorrow. Saturday is my one year "bandiversary!" I'm very proud of how far I've come and best of luck to you! Where are you from?

Hey gellyandjd - I saw your post about being self-pay & worrying that you didn't try hard enough before getting surgery. I was self-pay & I'm 100% happy and at 10 months out I'm down 120 from my high and 105 w/the band. Could I have done it on my own? Not likely. In fact, I'd lost 100 lbs before and I gained about 150 back. It's a lifelong battle and some people need extra help. The LAP-BAND? is that extra help.

I'm 24 - and I see that you're young too. Do you know what the most common thing I hear out of women on these boards? "I wish I would have done it sooner." The unfortunate truth is that while most people can lose the weight "naturally" - most will gain in all back within 5 years. It's like a 94% failure rate in long-term, permanent weight-loss. Go for it. You've done all the research. Assuming you're happy with the band as the form of WLS and you're comfortable with your surgeon - you're golden.

Best of luck to you on your journey and contact me if you ever need anything!

Just saw your pictures - you look awesome! Great work!

Oh - and congrats on going off all of your meds! I only had young age on my side - so I wasn't on any, but both my parents have blood pressure & cholesterol issues -- so time was the only thing on my side. My stats looks even better now!

We've lost almost the same amount and unfortunately had pretty close starting weights. I'm doing great. I'm loving life, ya know? I've fallen in love with working out bc I can really kill it in the gym now - I just feel strong. I've lost 104 with the band (banded July 10, 09) and 119 total! What do you do in STL? I work for the State Senate...policy & budget nerd. Haha.

Hey there - I just saw your post and saw that you're from STL. I live in Springfield, IL - about an hour and a half away. How are you doing? If you'd like to chat sometime, let me know. It'd be interesting to hear a man's perspective!

Hi Niki - I saw that you were banded last Friday (on your photo album). Hope you're recovering well and best of luck to you on your journey!

Sorry, I was leaving work and in a hurry earlier! haha. I am definitely tight in the mornings too. Most of my calories are after 6 pm. I think I need to adjust my BC too. My cycles are like every 25 days and last like 10 days the last 2 months. I read on the boards that rapid weight loss can cause that. *sigh* It's so annoying!

The bodybugg band was $200 and the digital display was $89. After taxes etc. it was a little over $300. That also includes 6 months subscription the website to upload the data and use the food log. After that I think it is $40 or $50 every 6 months. It really keeps me accountable and motivates me at the gym. I'm happy with it, but yeah, it's not cheap.

I LOVE the Biggest Loser too! I tried out once and go to callbacks and met with producers, but I didn't make it (obviously ).

Ahh, I just got this! I'll respond to everything soon. You're not far off on the subscription for bodybugg btw. It's 6 months at a time and the first 6 are included in the initial purchase.

I'm seeing "Remember Me" at Rave tonight at 7:45! I'll write back more soon!

So I just wanted to stop by and tell you how amazing your progress is and inspirational! My high weight was 361, consult was 353, surgery day was 337 and I'm now 258. I know another 50 lbs is going to look great! You look amazing!

Do you still live in the EP area? Do you use any sort of calorie counting logs online etc? I have a bodybugg and use their website to track daily. The bodybugg is what they wear on the Biggest Loser - it tracks the calories I burn, btw.

You are so much better at taking your vitamins than me! I haven't taken them in awhile. I usually get enough calcium from my diet, but a good multivitamin is in dire need. I have lost a lot of hair, but my hair is still pretty thick (it was SUPER thick before and I'd have to get it thinned out!) I'll definitely let you know which ones don't suck. lol

I'm going to Clearwater Beach. It's the Allegiant Tampa/St. Pete flight. I'm going with 7 other girls. I cannot wait!! I've been 2 other times, but in a size 26 and 24. I'm going in a size 18 swimsuit this time :)

I do occasionally drink protein shakes if I'm feeling particularly tight. Does your band tighten on your period? I use the Bariatric Advantage Chocolate. I had the Banana ...it was AWFUL. I can still remember the taste in my mind. I just ordered a sample of their vanilla. I want to start drinking more of them with blended fruit or low fat/sugar yogurt.

Your new picture is so cute! My antibiotics are all done now (thank goodness). Do you take vitamins? I just ordered some of the Bariatric Advantage ones (I ordered the sample pack to see which ones I like). They're "vitamin wafers" and specifically for banded surgical weight loss patients. If you do take vitamins, what do you take? I'll let you know how the ones I ordered are...and which flavor isn't gross!

Oh and I forgot to answer you about Megan - she'd totally do the pictures. She has a website with her package options and they're suuuper reasonable. She has a $25 and a $50 rate. Definitely contact her and let her know you're interested! She's building her portfolio!

Wix.com - Website built by MeganMasonPhoto based on Photo Focus is her website and another site with some of her other work: Megan Mason's Photo Blog

Hey Tammy! I'm doing great. Congrats on the size 16 and your continued success! I bought my first pair of non plus size jeans since freshman year of high school - they're a size 20 Old Navy, but regular women's not plus! I've lost about 90 with the band so far and 103 from my high weight! So excited!

I think colds are going around - I had strep throat last weekend. I had trouble with the huge Amoxicillin pills so I had to switch to liquids (mostly bc I just had an adjustment).

I'm going to Florida in a month and I want to get to 250...I had to buy all new warm weather clothes! Kind of fun (but expensive!).

Glad to hear everything is going well and feel better soon!

Amber

I actually live in Springfield now - for about a year and a half. I work for the IL Senate.

I work out at Gold's Gym in Springfield. On the weekends I use a travel pass for the Peoria or Morton locations if I'm in town. I'll be going tomorrow and/or Sunday this weekend. Text me if you want to join (you can get a free week pass). 309-256-4115

And yes, I have a twin sister. She lost a lot of weight non-surgically and put quite a bit back on. She was about 275, got down to 140 and now she's on her way back down at like 210.

I always forget to check this forum, but I'm in a 22 pant and 18/20 top. If you have any clothes you wanna try and get a little $ out of (or give them away ) let me know. Sounds like we're pretty close in tops, but I'm in a bigger pant for sure.

Megan (Gabor) Mason takes the pics. I'll have to e-mail you some sometime. She's very reasonable...like $25-50 bucks and always spends a couple hours with me, touches up the color and gives them to me all on a disc.

I didn't realize the chances of port flippage was so high. I'm finally ready to get back to the gym since my revision. I had done some treadmill a few times in the last week, but with the healing and holidays - it's time to get back at it. Have you been taking progress pictures? I've had a friend doing "professional" ones - she's building her portfolio. I already look so different from my pictures, especially my face. Isn't it fun?

I thought you went to EP - you were a senior while I was a freshman. I think you actually dated my good friend Jeff, though we never met.

How has clothing shopping been for you? I feel like it's been a part-time job for me! I was a 26/28 shirt and I'm an 18/20 top (unless it's a button up, which I need a 22). I was a 28 jeans I'm between a 22 and 24 now (I feel like I'm only solidly in a size for like a month!).

Take care,

Amber

Hey Tammy,

I'm feeling fine since the port flip. I go back Jan 4th for my follow-up, so I'm hoping everything healed well etc. My incision looks great. He said that all my sutures had came undone and I had almost no scar tissue, which usually helps keep it in place. They added a piece of mesh to it and moved it more center to prevent it from happening again. Did you get any explanation as to why it happened to you? When were you banded?

My surgeon was Dr. Rohrscheib in Clinton, IL. Did you go to EP high school by chance?

Amber

Hi there! How'd the surgery go? How are you feeling about it? Any social problems you were worried about? I'm down 80 total now! You're going to be great! Contact me if you need anything!

Oh WOW! Tomorrow is the day! Everything will be great. You'll be uncomfortable for a few days, but it's such a small amount of time in the scheme of things. Make sure you take a pillow to put across your stomach for the car ride home (and you'll like it as you sit around the house). I posted the message Nov 2nd - so I'm down 70 pounds since pre-op diet (15 was pre-op loss).

At times I don't realize I'm changing so much until I see pictures of myself. I just feel and look better and I love it. And the great thing is, I know this is permanent. Sticking with it will ensure success and my band has helped me IMMENSELY!

Best of LUCK and don't hesistate to contact me if you have any questions (even though you won't feel like a computer for 3 or 4 days . Call your doc when you feel weird about anything at all. This is the start of something wonderful and I'm so happy for you! Take care and hope to hear from you!

Amber

Hey TravelinTurnip,

I saw your post on the 18-25 year old group, but wanted to make sure you saw the post about the social aspects of banding. My friends are very supportive of my choice and the limited intake just isn't talked about. I always have leftovers. In fact, one of my closest friends had the band 4 years go and we can often share. If you aren't willing to just sit there and chat while your friends or family eat, try eating a non-cream based soup (a healthy soup), which will keep you busier and not draw attention.

I'm not sure about plastic surgery. I know I'll probably need my stomach and breasts done when I get to my goal - since I have lost about 70 pounds and still have about 140 to lose. We're young so we'll see more rebound than say - a 40 year old.

Good luck and let me know if you have questions! Look forward to seeing your progress!