lifelongband

Hi all. Tomorrow I go in for my one year check up. I can't wait, as of last week I was at 101 lbs lost. This is such a proud moment in my life. I only have about 30-80 pounds left to lose. I wont' know how much until I get down to where I feel comfortable. I hope all is well with the rest of you!!

Thank you so much. I wish people would raise their children with good values. I remember being teased in school and not knowing what to do but cry. I ended up extremely shy and kept to myself. I wasn't even fat, it was the fact that I developed at an early age. Everyone saw that as me being fat, so I saw myself that way.

Good morning everyone. I was just reading back after a month of not checking in. The stories that really caught my eye were the ones about being called "fat" or just plain honesty. I took a long look at myself a long time ago when my daughter started going to preschool and coming home crying because the kids were telling her that her mom was fat and teasing her for it. I was devastated at first. I was angry. I took a stand. I went to the school and talked to the teacher and let the teacher talk to the children in a big group. I felt better. My daughter wasn't teased after that, but when it does happen, she sticks up for me. I have taught my daughters about differences in people and how it isn't nice to point them out. I have taught my daughters that you love people for who they are, not what they look like or the lifestyle they choose to live. Every person out there has feelings and they get hurt. One proud moment in my life as a parent was this.......My daughter was having a birthday party and she wanted to invite friends over for a slumber party. I agreed. She made all of the invitations to the slumber party herself. I allowed her a certain number of friends to invite. She made out invitations for 10 girls. Out of the 10 invitations she only had 3 girls that came to the party. The reason the other 7 girls gave her for not coming was a girl named Sage was invited and she was fat and didn't know why Brittany would invite her. They told her they would come if Brittany would tell Sage she couldn't come. Brittany looked at these girls and told them she wouldn't hurt her friend because they didn't like her. If they wanted to come and if they were her real friends, they would come, if not, oh well. I was so proud of my daughter. She doesn't look at people for their differences, she gives everyone a chance to be her friend. She is a beautiful person. I love her dearly. My girls are the first to stick up for me when someone says something that might her my feelings. I let them know that it isn't a big deal and that it only hurts if you let it. It did take a long time for these things not to hurt me, but I just look at it as...this is the way they were brought up, I have done differently with my children. If you know you have done right by your own children, that is all that matters. Erin

These are the NSV's that are worth it. They make you feel great when you don't have a SV that week. You will start noticing the smallest things. It is great. When other people notice and start pointing it out, it is so worth it. It isn't in the pounds, it is in everything else in your life. I promise, you will learn to take the NSV's over the SV's any day. I have learned from experience.....even though the scale isn't moving, your body is changing. I was looking back at pictures yesterday from June 29th and there was such a big difference in the way I look. It is amazing. You don't realize how much 5 or 10 pounds does for you. Congrats on all of it!!! Erin

I know it has been a while since I posted anything. It has been a very hectic month. I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for being there for me the last 10 months as I go through the life changing experience. I couldn't be happier.

Ok, so I have been catching up on posts..... One thing I have learned about eating is this: You are in control of what you are eating, you are in control of the portion you eat, you are using a tool to make sure you don't over eat. Yes, eating carbs and sugar and all of that is great, in moderation. I have a once a week treat and for the most part, I stick to meat and veggies. I am guilty of liquid calories. I drink SF, FF Mochas daily, sometimes 2. I am at a success of 10 pounds a month. I do not deprive myself of anything, I just do it in moderation. Example: Yesterday I went to dinner with a couple of friends and I had a tempura plate...YUMMY! Now, that one could have been dangerous, but I remembered my portion size and ate the shrimp first, then some veggies and left the rice. It was nice to endulge a little bit. This is what works for me. I am not saying it will work for everyone. I changed my thinking to....it's not a diet, I'm eating for life. I am not living to eat. My opinion on getting fills is this.....Your doctor should be looking at your weight loss and how you feel the food is going through your band. I have been under fluro (sp) and I was dropping weight and found out my band was still pretty open, they did an aggressive fill and I am just now going back in for another. It has been 3-4 months. I think it all depends on who you go with. I am extremely happy with my surgeon and all staff. It is always a wonderful experience each and every time I am in the office. Good luck to all of you in your goals. E

I just had to share this.... Since my surgery, I have lost 15 points on my BMI!! That is a great NSV for me. I only have 3 more to step out of the stage 3 of Morbid Obesity! That is wonderful to know. In 9 months I went from 331 pounds down to 246! This is a very proud moment. I can't wait to get under the 200's!!

With all the BBQ's and great food, I am down 4 pounds this week. I did good!!!

If you want to see better pics of me, you can go to myspace.com/maeori

I just wanted you guys to know, if you ever look at profiles for pics. I added a new one. I kind of wish it saved the old one too. I also added one as my avatar. BJean: I hope your weigh in on Monday goes well for you. It must have been nice getting away for a while.

Tami: I sometimes get a big one. I am normally about 10 pounds a month. Which if you look at the numbers of 8 months out from surgery and I am down 80 pounds. I am just 4 days away from my 8 month "bandiversary". Thank you very much

For some reason it isn't updating my signature when I do this.

Well everyone, I tried so hard this last week. I lost 7 pounds!!! WOOHOO! I am so excited!! What a great birthday present!!! I am now at 101 pounds until goal!! WOOT! I went to the 2nd hand store and bought jeans over the weekend and I am down from a 30/32 to a 20 or 22 depending on the brand. So, this week I have had a SV and a NSV!

Suzzzie: Congratulations on your approval! It is the best, life changing experience that will ever happen in to you. Besides the birth of my wonderful children, it was the most exciting day of my life. I know how you feel about wanting to shout it from the rooftops. I kept mine a secret at first, but there are so many over weight people out there that I do talk with and share my experience with when they see me and ask how I am doing it. I just can't hold it back. I am proud to have the surgery. I use to be extremely shy and reserved. I am now more outgoing than I ever have been in my life. (I am actually approaching men.) I would have never done that before. (I am divorcing) I know you will find the new found confidence in your life. I know you will learn to eat better. It is all worth it. I do not regret one moment.

I remember in the beginning and I was having anxiety attacks on the liquid stage (a month before and 2 weeks after) I was on Medifast. I didn't know why I was having anxiety attacks. I believe you are right in saying that the food was a way to suppress that. I am better now. I remember my heart racing and feeling like I couldn't breath. I found that some deep breathing was really helpful to me. It took me a long time to be able to eat anything sweet (especially chocolate) after the liquid diet, though. LOL. I guess that's a good thing. In the end I feel that it taught me a little about myself and my obsession with food. I know why and how I became the way I was. I am more aware of it and that helps a lot. I longed for the mushie stage and when the day finally came I was in heaven. I hope this helps you get through it a little better. It is all worth it in the end.

I wasn't on the list. LOL. I was just venting

At the time of surgery I had 181 pounds to lose. I would have had more if I didn't have my pre-op diet and the 40 pounds I lost from not drinking "Diet Coke". (Believe it or not lol) I think putting it down in writing helps. It makes you look at your progress in a whole new light. Congratulations on everything! You are doing great! I couldn't believe it when I only had just over 100 pounds to lose after only 6 months! I am happier with myself and happier all around in my life. I know you will be too. Good luck on your journey. :clap2:

Down 1 pound this week. I really think it is time to start a regular excercise routine. I am not losing as fast as before. I am really in the ups and downs as far as loss right now. I just had a big fill and can't eat much, but the body is just refusing to lose.

MaryumC: Isn't it a wierd time in your life when you realise what you have lived for for so long? I remember my 6 weeks of Medifast before my surgery and my 2 weeks after. I wanted to eat so many things, I would cry. I didn't realise what my addiction was until the pre-op diet. I remember having to go and throw myself into my computer and throw myself into playing with my kids and getting out of the house. I had to make sure that I didn't have anything bad around. I started cooking the healthy meals for my family before hand and had them get use to it. My 6 year old lost 10 pounds, she is much more active now. My 10 year olds stomach flattened out. I am so proud of the transformation we have all made. I know it is hard now, but you will thank yourself for you willpower later. I noticed myself slipping a lot over the last few weeks (I am divorcing) and had to take a look at my eating habits and why I wasn't losing any weight or why I lost 6 pounds and gained it all back the next week and now I am back down the 6 pounds again. I had to tell myself and be aware of what I was putting in my mouth. I had to tell myself that in the end, my next 100 pounds is on my self control and what I decide to do with myself, the band can't tell me what I can and can't eat, but it can show me what it doesn't like. The learning process alone of emotional eating and finding things to do instead is harder than the learning what you can and can't eat. I know that meat and veggies are the ideal, but why do I choose to eat potato chips or a cookie. I try not to deprive myself of everything, I try and make it a special treat once a week. I get to eat something that I have been craving, but I had better make it worth my while if I am going to pick something, so I don't regret it later. I had better pick the food that I miss the most. I only buy the smallest package I can find. I make sure that it stays at around 200 calories. I try not to overeat it. You will find your way, we all do. It is just a long process to go through. I am 6 months out and I am still learning. I know someone that is 5 years out and is at goal weight and is still learning. It is a lifetime battle that we will continue to fight mentally, in my opinion.

Smileelee: You do sound like you are too tight. If you can't get down water or just warm liquids, you need to go in for an unfill before you damage your stomach or esophagus. You do not want stretch either and have to go through surgery all over again. I would hate to see that happen to you. You can lose the band and then have to go through surgery all over again to replace it. I would suggest you call your doctors office ASAP.

MimIN: Before deciding to divorce, my husband expressed interest in the band. We didn't have the money for him to go to Mexico to get it done. We were living pay check to pay check. He found some will power on his own and has currently lost 130 pounds in the 6 months I have lost 72 pounds. The weight is melting off him. I just fed him and my kids what I was eating and the portion amount I was eating. I think if your boyfriend does research on the doctors with the lower cost through this thread and other threads, he will find his way. I know that a lot of people have their different opinions and have read a lot of them. I am an exception as my private pay was paid by another entity. I am very gracious to them for giving me the opportunity to live. I am happy with my over all outcome of my situation. I am no longer diabetic, no high blood pressure, my choleterol is dropping, and I am so much happier with myself. If anybody would like to see my pictures you can go to www.myspace.com/maeori. I update my pics every couple of weeks. I haven't updated in a while, I don't have the internet at home until tomorrow due to the move.

Congratulations MaryumC!!!! You are right, it is just the beginning. I originally only took from my surgery date on a Wednesday to Friday and went back to work on Monday. I pulled something in the port area on my first day back because I over did it. I ended up taking the rest of the week off. I could have gone back sooner, but I had some people that thought if I were back, I could do it all. I just thought it was best that I stayed gone. The only major problem I remember having was the aching in the stomach area. I talked to my doctor and he told me this, "What did I tell you about getting up and walking. You need to get out and walk. There is a reason we tell you this." He laughed and I laughed. I guess there are times they are right. I did this and I was fine. I think it helped with the anesthesia aches and drowsiness also. Good luck on your surgery. I wish you the best.

BJean: I really learned a lot from my own parents divorce on what to do and what not to do. I remember a lot of things that happened, I was 12. I remember how bad certain things hurt and what made a big difference. I just try and tell their dad my stories and remind him what is good for the kids. We are both trying to be grown up about all of it, but it doesn't happen all the time. We dont' do it in front of the kids. We make sure that I am outside on the phone or the kids are out playing before we talk about anything. The kids have asked for honesty and to not try and protect them. I told them that I would try to be as honest as possible as much as possible, but there were going to be instances when I would protect them. I wouldn't lie, but I wouldn't tell them everything or something like that. We really do try to get along, it is hard some days though. My mom is a very wise person in my life when it comes down to it and she suggested that I tell him he had to take responsibility for them on his weekend and not make the kids accomodate to his. He needs to learn to be responsible, not me making him be responsible. He understands that I need the time also and he is willing to "try".

My recovery went pretty well. I had surgery on Wednesday, went back to work on Monday, but I over extended myself and may have torn the port a little from the muscle and took the rest of the next week off. I remember the first day being the worst, but I only took my liquid pain meds 2 times in my process. I went to sleep on the couch and dozed a bit and did sleep on my back with a pillow under my knees to make it more comfortable with the gas pain. They say if you put your legs up it moves the gas up and out. I thought this worked well for me. I do have a high pain tolerance, so this may not be the type of recovery you will have. I made sure I had plenty of soups on hand, not only to blend, but broths and cream of's too. I was able to eat about 1/4 of a can at a time about every 2 hours. I will be thinking of you. Good luck with your experience. It is definately worth it.