Crishell

You can do it. I was 318 when I started the process with going to the information seminar, 300.5 on surgery day and today I am 234.8. My goal is to get to get under 200 preferably 180 eventually. I now see that as possible for me.

Congratulations on your re-activated weight loss. I think alot of us bandsters compare what we used to eat and the quantity with what we eat now. I find myself constantly saying that I have sacrificed and give up so much food wise (although sacrifice is not the best word I could use). That bit here and there can add up if it becomes a regular thing and we don't pay attentin to it. I know I wasn't because I figured just a little bit wouldn't hurt. I have been at a plateau for awhile myself. I started really looking at what I was eating & when. Although I have been getting good protein values and my calories were within the range they are suposed to be, my carbs and fats were still higher percentage wise. I did some readjusting (along with really trying to get in more fluid). I weighed this morning and I have lost 2.5 pounds in 8 days. This is after no movement in about a month.

I was just wondering if anyone has experienced this? I tend to stay constipated alot. This past weekend was worse than ever. I usually take a Correctol pill every couple of days if I have not had a BM. This weekend I decided to skip the Correctol because I was going out of town and did not want to have to worry about bathroom stops along the way for that. Bad decision. At any rate, I noticed by Sunday that foods were going down a little slower than usual and by Monday not even yogurt and apple sauce would stay down. It has been almost 6 weeks since my last fill so I figured it was not due to that. I am not having sinus or cold issues (I have noticed that I get increased restriction with that). I took a Correctol Sunday night and Monday. After they worked, my too tight restriction went away. Any one ever noticed this happening to them or am I just a fluke??

If there is a WaWa in your area I believe they carry their brand of diet peach tea.

It has been several months since I have attended one @ St. Mary's hospital. Are they still the second Monday of every month?

I am 13 months out and I cannot eat pizza. Initially I could but after fill #2 that changed. Occasionally I can eat the the thin crust store bought only ones but no to Pizza Hut and all the others. All I can eat now is the toppings. No breadsticks either.

I went on a cruise this past July which was 7 months after I was banded. I didn't have any problems (one episode of PB when I tried to eat a roll). They had buffet type setups for breakfast, lunch and dinner, in addition to the formal dining room option for dinner, with a variety of things that I was able to select from. I was able to pick protein items(chicken, fish options) , salads etc. Most ships have weight rooms and of course there is the opportunity for alot of walking.

I know this is probably on here somewhere but, What exactly is it? how does it work? Where can I get one??

Keep it up. I wanted to try salsa or belly dancing but didn't want to go by myself.

I was short on time getting to work so had carnation instant breakfast mix w/ 8 oz. low fat milk. Drinking tea right now.

I go to Commonwealth Surgeon's in Richmond which is at St. Mary's hospital.Richmond Surgical is another practice associated with St.Mary's. I'm not sure what is available closer to you. I would suggest researching UVA since that is a big hospital I would think that they perform lapband surgery.

I had my last fill of .25cc on 1/7/8. The previous fill was also .25cc on 10/8/07. Prior to this last fill, I thought I had a decent amount of restriction but I know that there were times where i was eating more at a sitting than I should. The nurse practitioner was on/off fence about giving me a fill after I described my eating, hunger and restriction. She said that i was very close to my sweet spot but decided to "tighten" me up a little anyway because I told her that i was at a plateau with the weight loss & I wanted to do better. It has now been almost 3 weeks since that last fill and I actually feel less restriction than i did before having it. I'm not hungry & I am eating less on a more regular basis than before. She told me to stay between 1000-1100 calories and to definitely not go under 800. Some days it is a struggle to get in 900 & other days i I could eat a pony if I didn't stop myself. I do have my moments of weakness where I crave something sweet or some pasta but I am not overeating and I am staying within my calorie range and getting in 70-75g of protein. But I don't "feel" it like I used to-the tight feeling, the PBing has decreased. How is that possible? Or is it that once you are at your sweet spot you stop feeling it and it just happens? What happened to my restriction feeling I had before and will it kick back in?

I enjoy Curves also. I have been going since 3/07. Coming from not doing any exercise, I thought it would be a great non-threatening way to start exercising. Initially, I did only the minimum of 30 minutes 3 times per week. I have since moved up to more; depending on the day. Here lately I have been getting in 50 minutes per visit and going 4-5 times per week. I will usually go around the circuit twice and then on the third "loop" I will switch up and move from machine to machine concentrating on my stomach and back , but not in any order (depending on how crowded it is). From what i have read in the past, there seems to be mixed feelings about Curves. It depends on the person. I like the fact that it is all women, the facilitator's and other women working out are supportive, encouraging and friendly. I miss it on the few occasions when I am not able to make it. I am the only one who has had lap band surgery (to my knowledge) and not all of them know that. I also have access to treadmill & elliptical bikes at work so I will also do that as well as some cardio exercises at home. My goal is to buy a treadmill at home in the very near future. So I guess what I am trying to say is just doing the "minimum" at Curves is not enough. And it is best to add other things in for variety as well.

I will have to try it. I'm looking for something different.

I too have been freezing. My feet and hands are like blocks of ice. I have to turn the heat up at home (good thing I live alone). I used to hate wearing coats. Now I have a coat, scarf and gloves. My aunt reminded me that it is because I now have less insulation on my body.

My bandiversary was Saturday 1/19. I was disappointed because I did not meet the goal I had set for myself (100 pounds lost) but I regrouped and I am happy. I am grateful for what I have accomplished. I can not even begin to imagine where I would be today if I had not decided to have lap band surgery. I feel better, I look better, I am exercising regularly. I am down 78 pounds since I started my journey (15 pounds pre-& rest is post surgery). I was a size 26 on surgery day and today I am an 18 moving into some 16's. I have had to buy all new everything including bras and panties. My blood pressure has been great and no blood sugar medicine. I can even see my knee caps and collar bones now. I did make another goal for myself of losing 30 more pounds by my 40th birthday on 8/14/08. I will try my best to meet it but as long as I continue this journey & don't relapse, I will be happy. If there is one thing that i have learned is that everyone is different and has different band experieces.

Hello. Glad things are looking up for you & your family and that you were able to get a fill. What a beautiful baby. I will keep you in my prayer's.

I live in Petersburg. I had my surgery with Commonwealth Surgeons out of St. Mary's. My doc was Amy Martin but she has since left and moved out of state. I am still pleased with the office, nurse practitioner and my service. I went to WLS support meeting on 1/7/08. There was about 45 people with the majority being people who have already had surgery anywhere from one week to three years.I had not been since last May. It was good to hear the doc re-emphaize the "rules" again (exercise, measuring foods, reduce carbs, fluids etc.) and hear success stories. Twinketoe sorry for the late reply. The meetings are for weight loss surgery patients (band and gastric bypass). People who have already had or thinking about it. They usaully have a general information session scheduled right before it at 6:00 and then the support meeting at 7. There apparently was no general info meeting on 1/7 and the majority of folks there had already had their lapband surgery. They start the meetings off with a question/answer period called "Is this Normal" for folks who have already had it. Then the facilitator (who is a bariatric dietician for St. Mary's) when fill us in on any happenings. There is usually a guest speaker and at the end they ask people who have lost x amount of weight to stand, state how much they have lost and when they had surgery. Sometimes with schedule it is hard for me to attend but I have been experiencing a major plateau (lost 7.5 pounds in 3 months although have lost inches) so I decided I needed a little encouragement and review of the rules.

I don't know if it is gout but I have had problems with my feet hurting and swelling SINCE my surgery. It is not an every day thing, but happens often enough & usually overnight. I have always had problems with my arches and plantar fascitis but this is different.

Oh Lord! I never though about the labia getting saggy.I have not noticed that on my own yet. Now i'm scared to look.

They are off white corduroy so they don't have a lot of stretch to them either. I saw them in the store on clearance and I just had to have them. Most of my 18's were a little roomy so I figured i would see about graduating although I know sizes run different in different stores. I did not try them on in the store because I hate trying on stuff. When I got home, I took them out of the bag and held them up. I was like "oh Lord, girl what were you thinking?. There is no way you are getting your butt in those skinny jeans". I was going to just bag them back up and take them back but the voices told me to try them to see if they could at least clear my butt. Not only did they clear my butt, but they zipped and as soon as the weather gets back cold here in VA, I will be wearing my size 16 pants to work. I'm so happy. I never imagined this day.

I have gone from a 48 D to a 44C sometimes 42 depending on the bra. To me, they look even smaller cup wise. I guess because everything else has gone down.

Well I have had it all-depression, anxiety/stress, fear of unknown and failure. My mood swings. One day I am happy,the next i am depressed and on the verge of tears and the next i am mad as hell and then the boredom kicks in. Some of this was going on before the band. I think I am just more aware of it now because don't (or rather trying to not) have food as a comfort.

I have PCOS. I have lost 65 pounds since surgery on 1/19/07 and 15 pounds during pre-op for a total of 80. I have lost way more inches than pounds though. I have taken birth control pills for years to have and regulate periods but they have become lighter and have started coming a day earlier since being banded. My facial hair has decreased & my skin looks clearer. Before the band, I was on Glimiperide for diabetes. I dropped from one pill a day, to a half, to only when my blood sugar level spiked. I have not had to take any blood sugar medicine since September.

Since my band, I am never thirsty even when eating. This is a drastic change. I have seen the time where I could suck up a 32 oz. tea like nothing and still want more. Now, I have to make myself drink and alot of days I do not make my goal. Of course I know that is not good but I just can't do it. I keep water, diet tea, Crystal Light etc. at home and take to work. I take a few sips and then it is left with the ice melting in it. It's even harder when have to juggle the fluids around eating. My desire to drink is totally gone.