NimbleBean

Anybody out there? Been years since i posted here. Band has been working fine; in fact I never think about it. My relationship with food is significantly different now than it was in the past. I never reached my goal weight, but close! So, I've been very happy... until I found out that my band has slipped way down over my stomach! Have some acid reflux, but not too bad. And no pain or vomiting. But, surgeon says it has to come out due to its location. I am opting not to have it replaced with a band, sleeve or get a bypass. I know I've got this. All of this comes after a rough 7 months. Diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2015. Had a bilateral mastectomy in November, and have been going through the reconstruction process since them. Four surgeries so far and two more to come. But, we caught it early. Didn't need chemo or radiation. And I've got new boobs for the last half of my life (weight loss had done a number on the girls! LOL) So, all things considered, the removal of the lap band seems so inconsequential in comparison. Hope all are well. NimbleBean (Margaret)

Hello All! Wondering how everyone is doing. It's been nearly 6 1/2 years since we were banded. Can't believe it. Just saw my band doc today for a check-in. No problems, band seems to be working fine still. As some of you know, I had re-gained some of my weight, but thanks to joining Weight Watchers and working with the band instead of eating around it, I'm down again. About 23 lbs from my goal. These last few pounds seem to just want to fight to stay on my hips and thighs. But I'll get there. Would love to hear from some of my May 2007 Bandster pals! NimbleBean (aka Margaret)

Hello All! Wondering how everyone is doing. It's been nearly 6 1/2 years since we were banded. Can't believe it. Just saw my band doc today for a check-in. No problems, band seems to be working fine still. As some of you know, I had re-gained some of my weight, but thanks to joining Weight Watchers and working with the band instead of eating around it, I'm down again. About 23 lbs from my goal. These last few pounds seem to just want to fight to stay on my hips and thighs. But I'll get there. Would love to hear from some of my May 2007 Bandster pals! NimbleBean (aka Margaret)

Hello All. Hope all are enjoying this very hot summer (I admit, I'm not. I'm a winter girl.) Weight loss continues. Had a couple of off weeks, but my band, weight watchers and a real increase in activity has helped overall. At tonight's weigh-in, I was at 197.8! ONEderland! Finally! First time in 25 years (or more) that I'm under 200lbs. I'm much more mobile now, so I've begun using resistance bands to help with toning all this extra and loose skin. It may not all go away, but I want to try my best. When I reach goal, and maintain it for two years, I may consider some surgery to remove the extra skin, but that's a long, long way off. How is everyone else doing on their journey? Miss hearing from folks. NimbleBean (aka Margaret)

JSRICO, Glad to hear you made it through your revision surgery well. My thoughts will be with you as you start this leg of your journey. Please keep us all posted about your progress. No matter what method or methods we use, I think the support we can give each other is tremendously important. Only we who have lived the struggle and made these life-changing decisions can really understand what we go through. All best, Margaret (NimbleBean)

Well our anniversary month is just about over. Can't believe those 5 years went by so quickly. I'm still doing well with my Band/Weight Watchers combo. At weigh-in tonight, I was down 4.8 lbs. for the week, that's 42.8 with WW and adding in my Band and per-Band diet losses, that comes to 98.4 total since early 2007. But, I'm keeping my eye on my goal and have another 46.6 lbs to lose. I'm going to kick up the exercise (I really hate exercise, so this will need to be a big kick in the a** that I give myself!). Hope you are all doing well. Would love to read others' stories, challenges, setbacks, victories, etc.! Cheers, Margaret

Happy Bandiversary Month to us all! MacysGranny, Even with the setbacks you mentioned, you are doing AMAZINGLY well. That butterfly on your Ticker is so close to goal! With the positive attitude you have, you will be there in no time. After my 2.2 lb. gain at WW weigh-in last week, I got back on track. Tonight, my 16th week on the WW program, I was down 4.8 lbs. That's 33.8 lbs total in the 16 weeks. Certainly I have a long way to go (the scale on my TIcker seems to be moving so very slowly), but it took 40 years to put on the weight, I know that it will take a long time - even with the band/WW combo - to lose it. I can do it, I will not blink! Hope all my May 2007 friends are doing well. You inspire me to keep at it. Cheers, NimbleBean (Margaret)

Thanks Dev. I feel I'm getting such inspiration from all of you, too! On another topic, I think you mentioned in a post last week or earlier this week, that you had to sign up again. Well, I was reading some of our early posts as we were all dealing with insurance, scheduling, fears, etc. I came across posts from "Devera," and wondered if that was you. Here's the link to the member page - http://www.lapbandtalk.com/user/218511-devera/ If it is, you can try signing in with that UserName and what you think is your password (or click on "I forgot my password" for a reset or to have it mailed to you (I can't remember which way it works on this site). Hope this helps you find your former self! Margaret

Not a good weigh-in tonight at WW. Up 2.2 lbs. Bad week - too much stress that I just couldn't seem to overcome with the psychological tools I usually rely upon, not enough physical activity and I was careless about tracking my WW points/food. This is not a setback, it's a bump. My meal tonight was already a step in the right direction. And I realize now that I let stress control me instead of me controlling it! I will keep moving forward. This weight will not define or control me!!! I'm off to the gym. Cheers all! NimbleBean (aka Margaret)

JSrico - sorry, I had a typing fart and left some words out of my response to you... So sorry to hear you are having issues. My band doc mentioned the gastric sleeve as a possibility should I ever need to have the band removed. Is that not possible in your situation? Get a second opinion just to be sure. Keep us posted!

Dev, Keiko, Almanorgirl and Jsrico, So glad to hear from each of you. Keiko, I can't believe it's going to be 5 years either (May 22 is my bandiversary)! I'm still pleased with my decision, just wished I had been more committed to the band in the past few years. I believe I would have been further along in my weight loss. But, I'm not going to spend time beating myself up. Now I'm moving forward, using whatever tools will help (Weight Watchers really seems to be a good band partner for me) and trying to embrace the positive rather than dwell on the negative. I'm down 31.2 lbs in 14 weeks with WW, and this small success has really given me a mental and emotional lift. I have a long way to go, but I'm going to be 50 later this year and know that it will only get harder to lose the weight the longer I carry it, and I don't want to deal with the diseases and consequences of obesity as I age. JSRico, So sorry to hear you are having issues. My band doc mentioned that as a possibility should I ever need to have the band removed. Is that not possible in your situation? Get a second opinion just to be sure. Keep us posted! Dev, You can lose that 15 again. We're here to support you. You've come this far and this is just another challenge that you have the will and the know-how to overcome! Almanorgir, I had been having fairly severe acid reflux, too. Doc put me on a low dose (40mg daily) of Nexium and I am a new person. No pain, no terrible bilious, acid taste in my mouth. Happiness! If I have a rare day when I eat something that really doesn't sit well, then a couple of Tums help. See your doc. The reflux should be treated because it can cause long term health issues (for everyone, not just band patients). Sorry, I've rattled on so long. Thanks to all of you for your openness, support and friendship. It really helps to keep me going. Hugs to all, NimbleBean (aka Margaret)

I'm doing pretty well at WW. Down 31.2 lbs in 13 weeks. But, tonight, after a tough work week, my will power is waning and I'm just dying to have some real ice cream. I know that is eating around the band, and way too many WW points to waste, so I need to find something to occupy me until the feeling passes. So that's why I'm here, Keeping myself busy so that I won't go out for ice cream. Sad really. LOL. NimbleBean (aka Margaret)

Hello May '07 Banders! Where have you all gone? NimbleBean (aka Margaret)

_________________________________________________________________________________ Soexcited, Don't get down on yourself. The great thing about WW is that the next day is a clean slate. Your daily points don't carry over, nor do you get less points if you have overused the previous day. So, for you each day re-sets to 29 Daily Points Plus values, and you have the 49 Weekly Points Plus vValues to use as you choose (a few each day, all at once on a big blow-out or bad day, or none at all). And, don't forget to track your activity points. These will also help if you go over your 49 Weekly Points. Are you going to a weekly meeting? I've found it to be so helpful. It can depend on your group leader. If you don't click with one or the group members, try a meeting on another night or a different location with another leader. And, if you need help asking how to use your points, speak up. I have found group leaders and other members so willing to help. I also swear by WW eTools for tracking, advice, tips, etc. Keep working! It's hard, but so worth it. YOU ARE WORTH IT! All best, NimbleBean (aka Margaret)