threebeauties

They look good. How big are they???

Hey Kim I lost my mom too. I also gained most of my weight after the loss of my parents. I was banded in Oct and I always think about my mom and how she didn't want weight to be an issue for me like it was for her. When she was alive she always said "don't make the same mistakes I made". Anyway, I know feel like I am taking control of my life again and I just KNOW that my mother is proud of me for doing it! good luck with your journey. Its a long road but one worth traveling!

OK - it is coming up to that time where we think about the new year and vow to do something different or change in some way. For me, this New Years is different because 2 months ago I finally took the steps I needed to follow through with the resolutions I have made every year for the past decade (or more). I got banded and I am working toward my goal. This year I will have to come up with something new. I feel like so many of my resolutions are really tied into my weight: be more active, be a better mom, get more involved at school, spend less time watching t.v., etc. My resolutions for 2007: I resolve to stop getting on the scale every day. I am going to try to wait a month between weighing in (maybe just at the dr's??) I resolve to spend more effort on my appearance and stop waiting until after I lose the weight. I resolve to volunteer more How about you all?

I am interested to hear what motivated you to finally get the band. Was it a "llow moment", maybe someone else inspired you? Also, what motivates you on a regular basis to strive for success with the band. I think the "breaking point" came for me when I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. To me, that was really a big wake up call. For close to a year I was having pain in my feet when I woke up in the a.m. Also, my hips were starting to ache while in bed. but the final straw was the apnea. My daughters keep me motivated every day I have three small girls and really want to set a good example for them and break the cycle of poor eating habits in my family. Also, I want them to be proud of their mom and not embarassed by me. Thats my story, love to hear yours!

I have been having a lot of foods get stuck this past week but oranges are not one of them. I eat them almost every day and have never had a problem. Apples are fine with me too. Give it a try, just remember to chew really well.

Sherilynn Tonite we celebrated the holidays with some family and our annual Chinese food. First let me say I LOVE CHINESE FOOD. Whew! Now let me tell you that I ate most of the same stuff I would have eaten several months ago just a whole lot less of it!! I enjoyed my meal, ate it slow and totally enjoyed it. It is honestly one of the best feelings to be full but not stuffed on food you love. For me, I know that I can't simply eat less of this type of food. Its junk and its not good for me. Tomorrow I will be back to better, healthier choices but I won't feel deprived because I know I can still eat the "junk" I love every now and then. Good luck, its a great gift to give yourself.

I had the exact opposite after surgery. Liquid in, liquid out!!!

I have to say that when I went to the shrink and took the pencil test he too, called me and said he wanted to talk with me. When I met with him he had my test in front of him and was making statements about me based on my answers to the test. Long story short, after about 5 statements and me saying "no, that doesn't sound like me" he said wait a minute, left the room, came back and aplogized and said he scored the test wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Everyone (again) Like I said earlier, I ddin't join the Christmas challenge but I am so proud of all of you. We are all doing great!! I don't think it makes one bit of difference whether any of us met the goal or not. In my opinion, whats important is that we have a goal and we continue to move forward and make progress. That is why I want to join the Valentines Day Challenge. I will do my best to make the challenge but its the comraderie and support that I am really interested in. Good luck, may cupid bring us cheekbones, hip bones, clothes that fit and an overall sense of well-being:)

Donna - that is so interesting, thank you so much for posting that. I have always wondered why I wasn't going down sizes like my smaller friends who were losing. Thanks again!

HI All I hope everyone had a safe and peaceful holiday. I didn't join you guys in the Christmas challenge, not sure why. I have been stagnant for a long time, about a month. I had a 2nd fill last week and have been getting a lot stuck over the weekend. Anyway, I definitely think a V-Day challenge is a great idea. I almost thinnk we should start right away and forget about waiting until the new year (how many times have we started a diet on Jan 1st;) ). Whats the magic # this time?? Its 7 weeks from today. I think 15 sounds reasonable and attainable but we could shoot for 20 if the majority wants????

Denise How long have you been at 26 lbs or are you losing steady. I was banded the same day as you and we started out at almost the same weight. I know I shouldn't complain, I've lost 32 lbs but that was in the first 6 weeks. I have been up and down for the last several weeks. I went for my 2nd fill this week ans STILL don't feel any difference. I have an appt for Jan 5th for a barium swallow. When he took the fluid from my first fill out some was "missing", since I don't feel any different after a 1.5cc fill, he wants to make sure there isn't a leak. Denise, so many of our "stats" are the same except my goal is 150, I am 5' 4" tall. p.s I really wanted to be under 200 for the new year but its not looking good for me. Also, I will be 39 next month!!

Well, I got my 2nd fill today. When he took out the fluid from the first fill there was only .5cc in my band. he said my first fill was .75 so he isn't sure what happened to the rest. On one hand I was kind of happy because I was feeling like a failure because I could eat anything and felt no restriction. On the other hand, I got 1.5cc lfill yesterday and don't really feel anything either. I called dr. today and he scheduled me for a barium swallow on Jan 4th just to be sure there is no leak. Boy, I hope its ok. I really hate to go back for another surgery. You guys are all doing so well. Its really nice to "talk" to people who understand and are supportive. I know that we don't all get that from the people we actually know. Good job Jimboss - yes, some people are just jerks. Life is hard enough without constant scrutiny from people who really don't give a rats ass about us anyway. Stay strong, stay the course and maybe you'll get that reward you talked about before. That HAS to be better than anything on a work buffet;)

I went for my 2nd fill yesterday. I had no restriction whatsoever and was starting to gain. Anyway, he unfilled me (I guess he always does that before a new fill) and I only had .5cc in my 4 cc band. He said he put over .75 in at the last fill and is not sure what happened to the rest??????? He put 1.5 in yesterday and honestly I don't feel a bit different. Some people say it takes a few days to feel a fill? I can't imagine why that is.

We are all so different when it comes to sizes. I told this " story " on another thread but I think it is appropriate here. I have a friend who wears a size 8. She looks chubby and her rolls really show through her clothes. Don't get me wrong, she looks good and I am envious. However, I also have a friend that wears a 10/12 and looks fantastic. She looks slim and lean and everything is where it should be. So, I guess it shouldn't matter what the scale says or what the size on the tag says. Believe me, I know thats harder said than done. I just got back from Kohls a little bit ago. I tried on several pair of pants. Some size 18's weren't even close to buttoning and other styles/brands zipped up, no problem. Go figure!

Also, having someone to play "devils advocate" isn't such a bad idea either! My DH did not think it was a good idea either but I soon found out his major concern was that I would think of it as a quick fix and not change my bad eating habits. I am showing him that this is helping me change my wicked ways. I am certainly adopting a healthier lifestyle and he is very proud of me. Good luck, you're lucky to have someone who cares so much about you.

JimBoss - Hey, whatever motivates you;)

I'm going for my 2nd fill tomorrow! I can eat just like pre-band, not fun!

good luck having change in your pockets after Christmas, LOL I have bcbs of MA as well. My bmi was 39 and I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. I was approved without any problems. I can't imagine why you werent approved???? I didn't even prove my unsuccesful attempts at weight loss in the past. Good luck, keep trying.

I would guess that for a lot of us the initial fill simply isn't enough. My dr. said he ALWAYS starts at 1cc and creeps up from there. I notice that a lot of people I read about get way more than that for the first fill. I know by past experiences with dieting, this is right around the time (6-8 weeks) I lose my resolve and slip back to bad habits. That is why I wanted a fill asap before I lose total control and get way off course, LOL. JimBoss - I am sure you are such a nice man. Glad to have you on this thread! I truly believe you are right about sticking together to win the fight. Personally, I believe that if I stop visiting the sites and quit being involved with a support group, that is the time I will fall back. I LOVE to see people who have been banded for a long time on the threads, I bet that is why they are so successful!.

Hi Y'all I called my dr. this a.m. for an "emergency fill" LOL I don't know whats going on but I have gone a little crazy this past week. I ordered Chinese Food and ate like I used to. No problems getting it down (except rice) and no problem eating like I did pre-band. Needless to say, I am up 2-3 lbs. Tomorrow night is our support group meeting at his office so I was able to get in right before the meeting, Thank goodness, my dr. is great!!! Good to hear so many people are doing well, the numbers are really encouraging. Its funny how we get frustrated but I just noticed that tomorrow is my 2 month "bandaversary" and I am down 31 lbs. I am quite sure I've never done that before the band!! Hang in there eveyone, take care

No problems for me with popcorn, enjoy!

I had Chinese for the first time this weekend! It is my biggest downfall. I love it, and not the healthy stuff. The deep fried apps are my favorite. Anyway, so far, rice is the only food I CANNOT tolerate. It gets stuck big time. I can eat pizza, Pasta, and bread no problem. btw - I am also up three lbs since my feast! I REALLY need to stay away from it, its what go me where I am today, LOL

I once complained about my weight and my MIL said the same thing "I don't know why you don't just diet and lose weight" I simply replied "and I don't know why you don't just stop smoking, you know its killing you"

Sherilynn I didn't read all of these posts but I did read yours. It stuck out like sore thumb that your friend said "why don't you just do WW AGAIN!!!!" Hello, isn't that what we are all sick and tired of. I joke that WW just built a new wing on their building funded by ME. Good luck with your journey