thatswhatdefinesme

When I read your story I felt like it was my story. You're going to make it through this crazy liver shrinking process. The surgery itself is a relatively easy process, there is little to minimial pain. This tool you're about to give yourself is such a gift, and you should feel hopeful. More than that you should feel flippin excited because your life is getting ready to change for the better! Good luck!

So last Monday (not yesterday) I had my third fill. I didn’t notice much of a difference in the amount that I can eat until this past weekend. On Sunday I actually got sick for the first time since my surgery (I was testing the waters and trying to “taste” something I know that I shouldn’t have and them bam it’s coming right back up). It’s such a relief for it to come back up though; it’s much too painful when it’s just stuck. Warning: take your time, chew slowly, and eat the kind of foods that truly agree with the band. So today in a matter of fifteen minutes I had four compliments. Yep that’s right boys and girls. I had FOUR compliments. The first came from a female co-worker who said, “Erica you’re getting really curvy and looking really nice!” The second came from a really cute guy at work who told me that I looked really good today (on my way to the restroom). I come out of the restroom and another female co-worker tells me that I’m looking good and she can tell I’ve lost quite a bit of weight. Then I head to my desk and the fourth compliment comes from a friend at work who said, “I noticed you today and your ass is getting so skinny!” Talk about good karma. Granted today I was a little more dressed up than usual, but those compliments just made me feel great. It’s great to know that others are seeing the differences that I see. I guess that will just be more motivation to keep up the good work.

Just remember that in the long run this will all pay off. The worst part for me was the pre-op diet, and it all got easier from that point forward. You'll do great and you'll be grateful for all the weight that you'll lose before your surgery.

That's exactly what I was going to say. Fat free refried beans, with cheese on top. Yum. I also love eating a baked potato with cottage cheese and broccoli. Yum. Good luck!

I stepped on the scale this morning and it read 210. Now that is super exciting! My first goal was 199, my second 175, and my third is 150. I can't believe that the weight just keeps coming off. I feel so great and I can't wait to see what happens when even more weight comes. Not only are my clothes fitting me better, but I exercise even more and it has became so much easier.

I stepped on the scale this morning and it read 210. Now that is super exciting! My first goal was 199, my second 175, and my third is 150. I can't believe that the weight just keeps coming off. I feel so great and I can't wait to see what happens when even more weight comes. Not only are my clothes fitting me better, but I exercise even more and it has became so much easier.

Here’s a little update into my Lap Band World. On the day of my surgery I weighed 237 as of this morning I am down to 213. So in two months I’ve lost a total of 24 lbs, which I think is pretty phenomenal. I struggled with weight loss for about 2 and ½ weeks where the scale barely budged. I’m pretty sure I was snacking too much, and eating way too much cheese (which is supper yummy, but way to high in calories). One week ago on Monday I went in for my second fill. My appetite has been greatly reduced and I have really ramped up my exercise in the last couple weeks. I’m realizing more now than ever I truly do have to do my part if I want the weight to come off sooner rather than later. I started trying to lose weight on June 11th which was when I went to my first Lap Band seminar. I consider that to be my true “starting point”. On that day I weighed 250 lbs, and now I’m down to 213. I can’t even begin to tell you how much better I feel in my clothing, and I’m actually excited now to go shopping (something that didn't used to be nearly as much fun). So at this point in my life I’m so thankful for having decided to have this surgery. It has totally changed my life. I feel so much more confident and comfortable in all aspects of my life. I feel so much stronger and leaner. Those are great feelings to have and this journey is so worth it. I have however noticed that other things in my life have been changing too. This has lead to quite a bit of confusion and challenges. I know that these issues and concerns were in my life before, but now I feel like they need to be addressed. I’m not so sure what my future holds, and that’s an exciting prospect but an equally terrifying one too. I can’t wait to see the final outcome.

Good luck! It definitely seems like you are doing this for all the right reasons. Try to fit in some time to go for a walk. It will clear your mind, and better support your body for this upcoming surgery. I just had my surgery two months ago and believe me when I tell you that the pain is minimal. You will be fine and eventually you're going to be so thankful that you took the time to take care of yourself.

Here’s a little update into my Lap Band World. On the day of my surgery I weighed 237 as of this morning I am down to 213. So in two months I’ve lost a total of 24 lbs, which I think is pretty phenomenal. I struggled with weight loss for about 2 and ½ weeks where the scale barely budged. I’m pretty sure I was snacking too much, and eating way too much cheese (which is supper yummy, but way to high in calories). One week ago on Monday I went in for my second fill. My appetite has been greatly reduced and I have really ramped up my exercise in the last couple weeks. I’m realizing more now than ever I truly do have to do my part if I want the weight to come off sooner rather than later. I started trying to lose weight on June 11th which was when I went to my first Lap Band seminar. I consider that to be my true “starting point”. On that day I weighed 250 lbs, and now I’m down to 213. I can’t even begin to tell you how much better I feel in my clothing, and I’m actually excited now to go shopping (something that didn't used to be nearly as much fun). So at this point in my life I’m so thankful for having decided to have this surgery. It has totally changed my life. I feel so much more confident and comfortable in all aspects of my life. I feel so much stronger and leaner. Those are great feelings to have and this journey is so worth it. I have however noticed that other things in my life have been changing too. This has lead to quite a bit of confusion and challenges. I know that these issues and concerns were in my life before, but now I feel like they need to be addressed. I’m not so sure what my future holds, and that’s an exciting prospect but an equally terrifying one too. I can’t wait to see the final outcome.

Yesterday was my second fill. I think that I’m now at 3 ccs of saline in a band that holds around 11 cc’s. When they looked at my food journal I was eating roughly 6-8 ounces of food at one time. They are trying to get my adjustment down to where I will only be able to eat roughly 4 ounces of food. I’m still stuck on a liquid diet until tomorrow morning (I can’t wait for some oatmeal yum). My fill was pretty painless. The first injection went really well, but the second injection was a little trickier because my doctor was having a harder time getting the port to take my second injection. I got a little squirmy just because I was thinking too much about the whole process (I don’t know why I’m not even scared of needles). I’ve gotten used to eating the way I’m supposed to with the Band. I’ve adapted nicely and I’m rarely ever mourning the loss of the food that I can no longer eat. What I’m realizing though is that I have to find new ways to relieve the stress in my life. I feel so much better with the weight that I’ve lost so far (18 pounds since my surgery on July 7, and a total of 31 lost since June 11th).I’d prefer to hit a total of 33 pounds lost by September. That would be a total of 20 since my surgery, and 10 lbs lost per month is a great rate. Sure I’d love more, but that’s a completely respectable number too. I would just like to be fewer than 200 by the end of this year. I’m hoping that with more weight loss, I will find activity to be easier and more enticing. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see. I’m also seeking different forms of exercise. Please tell me what you have tried and what you like. I’d like to try a variety of classes until I find something I really enjoy. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Yesterday was my second fill. I think that I’m now at 3 ccs of saline in a band that holds around 11 cc’s. When they looked at my food journal I was eating roughly 6-8 ounces of food at one time. They are trying to get my adjustment down to where I will only be able to eat roughly 4 ounces of food. I’m still stuck on a liquid diet until tomorrow morning (I can’t wait for some oatmeal yum). My fill was pretty painless. The first injection went really well, but the second injection was a little trickier because my doctor was having a harder time getting the port to take my second injection. I got a little squirmy just because I was thinking too much about the whole process (I don’t know why I’m not even scared of needles). I’ve gotten used to eating the way I’m supposed to with the Band. I’ve adapted nicely and I’m rarely ever mourning the loss of the food that I can no longer eat. What I’m realizing though is that I have to find new ways to relieve the stress in my life. I feel so much better with the weight that I’ve lost so far (18 pounds since my surgery on July 7, and a total of 31 lost since June 11th).I’d prefer to hit a total of 33 pounds lost by September. That would be a total of 20 since my surgery, and 10 lbs lost per month is a great rate. Sure I’d love more, but that’s a completely respectable number too. I would just like to be fewer than 200 by the end of this year. I’m hoping that with more weight loss, I will find activity to be easier and more enticing. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see. I’m also seeking different forms of exercise. Please tell me what you have tried and what you like. I’d like to try a variety of classes until I find something I really enjoy. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Congrats your weight loss is amazing. I started exercising last week. My weight loss jumped up to a loss of almost 3 lbs last week. I am feeling so much better about my weight, and I'm sure you feel the same way. How many fills have you had? How much did they fill you each time? Take care and have a lovely night!

What a wonderful post. I couldn't agree with you more. At my work the next health issue that we are going to tackle is obesity. Having been just banded on July 7th I realize now more than ever the psychological issues that came from a food addicition. My weight loss journey is so much more than just a surgery. It's a lifelong learning process, and I feel so thankful to be on this journey.