tonya66

I'm at 3.4cc's and still do not have the restriction I'm supposed to have. So, I'm headed for fill #6 today. I do have "some" restriction, but I need to be tighter. I'm hoping fill #6 will jump start my weightloss again. In the past 2 months I haven't lost any weight, however, its my own fault. I haven't tried either. Will update more in my journal later.

Good Morning all. I go for fill #6 today!!! I'm soooo excited, and hopeful this fill will put me where I need to be! I'm at 3.4 cc's and still barely any restriction. I can eat whatever I want - I don't have to take small bites, and it has been nice not to PB, but, I know that I need to be tighter! The band does however keep me from overeating. I can't eat near as much as I used to. I haven't lost any weight in over 2 months now, I know 99% of the blame is mine, not the bands fault. I have been eating like a crazy woman, so I'm back on track and hopefully fill #6 will keep me on track..... Talk to you guys later..........

Okay, I haven't posted since JULY!!! Here is what has been going on - I leave 8/4/07 for a vacation that we saved for for an entire year, we were headed to the Carribean for a 7 day cruise with my husbands entire immediate family. Things started off great, great whether, I looked darned good in my $280 pink beaded gown (got it for $24.00 on clearance - what a steal). My DH & I booked a private room on the cruise and my kids were in the next room - how much more romantic good you get? I decided I would splurge on the trip, eat whatever the heck I wanted, so I order the chocolate melting cake after dinner. Let me tell you it was heavenly! Well, day 2 of the cruise was huge party, all the cruise passengers were divided up into teams, Red, White & Blue were the team colors. We were the White team. That evening, we went to the lounge where all the other fellow white team members were, and everyone was on the dance floor having a great time. Then they said they would tap couple on the shoulders and they wanted them to stay on the dance floor for a "dance off". Wouldn't you know it, my DH & I were chosen. So we are out there dancing and having a great time, and we're down to the final 4 couples, and suddenly, the floor was wet, and my leg slipped. I tried to not fall, but down I went. As I went down I felt things inside my leg rip like never before. I could not get up. My DH & others carried me off the dance floor and I was in so much pain. The nurse came up with a wheel chair and I opted not to go to the doctor on the ship (its about $300 minimum to see the doc). I wanted to put ice on it and see how it felt the next morning. The next morning, it was as big as the ship (my knee). So I went to see the doc, who basically told me there was nothing they could do. They gave me a shot for pain & swelling and wrapped it up and said enjoy the rest of the trip. Yeah, right. So, the remainder of the 5 days I was in a wheel chair and made the best of my trip. I wasn't able to snorkle, or go the beach, or even swim. But I did drink, eat and have some fun. I enjoyed watching everyone else, but I was in a lot of pain. Okay, fast forward.....We arrive home on 9/12/07 only to find our house had completely flooded, I mean every room! It was totally ruined! Or at least unlivable for a few weeks. The smell was horrid. So here I am, totally unable to walk, no house to live in, by this time, I'm really feeling sorry for myself - so I eat...and eat, and eat some more. Bad habits sure do come back fast! Fast forward again.....I had surgery on my knee 8/22. They replaced two of my legiments with donors, and fixed another one (MCL, LCL & ACL were all damaged). They also had to clean out my cartlidge, and do a major menicus repair, drilled wholes in my knee and everything. The doctor broke the bad knews that I would not be able to put any weight on my right knee for at least 6 weeks and I would be totally bed ridden for 2 weeks. So, what do I do, I eat, and I eat and eat. My congregation were so kind to prepare meals for my family, and let me tell you, the ladies cooked wonderful - but fattening meals. But I ate them anyhow. How could I not? Fast forward, during this time, my grandmother grew ill, she & I are extremely close - I am also her power of attorney. Well, she passed away so I had to deal with planning the entire funeral with no help from my family. They were all wanting to do it their way when they knew how she wanted her memorial. They knew she gave me specific instructions, so I fought with them and this caused more emotional eating. Well, my house is almost back in order, I am now able to put a little weight on my right knee, and walking now with 1 crutch. I survived my grandmothers funeral - and I finally stepped on the scales.....I was so shocked and relieved to see the scales went up 5 lbs. Yes, only 5 lbs!!!!! I love the band, I truly love this band. Pre band, I would have gained a minimum of 20 lbs. I have done it over and over and over. I always gain quickly and after 2 months of eating whatever I wanted, I am shocked the scales are only up 5 lbs. The day I left for the cruise I weighed in at 174.6 - I was up about 3 lbs, because I was down to 171. I weighed this morning and I'm down to 175.6 - almost my pre cruise weight. I feel like the past 2 months were just a waste for me, but on the other hand I've learned that I will never be fat again as long as I have my band!!! I can go off of dieting and not gain 20lbs. I am so happy with the band. Now that I am over my self-pitty party, its back to the grind with eating right. I can't exercise yet, but I can't wait to get back into gear with exercise. Well, thats my end of summer story....I'm looking forward to getting my life back on track!

Okay, I haven't posted since JULY!!! Here is what has been going on - I leave 8/4/07 for a vacation that we saved for for an entire year, we were headed to the Carribean for a 7 day cruise with my husbands entire immediate family. Things started off great, great whether, I looked darned good in my $280 pink beaded gown (got it for $24.00 on clearance - what a steal). My DH & I booked a private room on the cruise and my kids were in the next room - how much more romantic good you get? I decided I would splurge on the trip, eat whatever the heck I wanted, so I order the chocolate melting cake after dinner. Let me tell you it was heavenly! Well, day 2 of the cruise was huge party, all the cruise passengers were divided up into teams, Red, White & Blue were the team colors. We were the White team. That evening, we went to the lounge where all the other fellow white team members were, and everyone was on the dance floor having a great time. Then they said they would tap couple on the shoulders and they wanted them to stay on the dance floor for a "dance off". Wouldn't you know it, my DH & I were chosen. So we are out there dancing and having a great time, and we're down to the final 4 couples, and suddenly, the floor was wet, and my leg slipped. I tried to not fall, but down I went. As I went down I felt things inside my leg rip like never before. I could not get up. My DH & others carried me off the dance floor and I was in so much pain. The nurse came up with a wheel chair and I opted not to go to the doctor on the ship (its about $300 minimum to see the doc). I wanted to put ice on it and see how it felt the next morning. The next morning, it was as big as the ship (my knee). So I went to see the doc, who basically told me there was nothing they could do. They gave me a shot for pain & swelling and wrapped it up and said enjoy the rest of the trip. Yeah, right. So, the remainder of the 5 days I was in a wheel chair and made the best of my trip. I wasn't able to snorkle, or go the beach, or even swim. But I did drink, eat and have some fun. I enjoyed watching everyone else, but I was in a lot of pain. Okay, fast forward.....We arrive home on 9/12/07 only to find our house had completely flooded, I mean every room! It was totally ruined! Or at least unlivable for a few weeks. The smell was horrid. So here I am, totally unable to walk, no house to live in, by this time, I'm really feeling sorry for myself - so I eat...and eat, and eat some more. Bad habits sure do come back fast! Fast forward again.....I had surgery on my knee 8/22. They replaced two of my legiments with donors, and fixed another one (MCL, LCL & ACL were all damaged). They also had to clean out my cartlidge, and do a major menicus repair, drilled wholes in my knee and everything. The doctor broke the bad knews that I would not be able to put any weight on my right knee for at least 6 weeks and I would be totally bed ridden for 2 weeks. So, what do I do, I eat, and I eat and eat. My congregation were so kind to prepare meals for my family, and let me tell you, the ladies cooked wonderful - but fattening meals. But I ate them anyhow. How could I not? Fast forward, during this time, my grandmother grew ill, she & I are extremely close - I am also her power of attorney. Well, she passed away so I had to deal with planning the entire funeral with no help from my family. They were all wanting to do it their way when they knew how she wanted her memorial. They knew she gave me specific instructions, so I fought with them and this caused more emotional eating. Well, my house is almost back in order, I am now able to put a little weight on my right knee, and walking now with 1 crutch. I survived my grandmothers funeral - and I finally stepped on the scales.....I was so shocked and relieved to see the scales went up 5 lbs. Yes, only 5 lbs!!!!! I love the band, I truly love this band. Pre band, I would have gained a minimum of 20 lbs. I have done it over and over and over. I always gain quickly and after 2 months of eating whatever I wanted, I am shocked the scales are only up 5 lbs. The day I left for the cruise I weighed in at 174.6 - I was up about 3 lbs, because I was down to 171. I weighed this morning and I'm down to 175.6 - almost my pre cruise weight. I feel like the past 2 months were just a waste for me, but on the other hand I've learned that I will never be fat again as long as I have my band!!! I can go off of dieting and not gain 20lbs. I am so happy with the band. Now that I am over my self-pitty party, its back to the grind with eating right. I can't exercise yet, but I can't wait to get back into gear with exercise. Well, thats my end of summer story....I'm looking forward to getting my life back on track!

Maria, I think moving would be great - I tried to start a thread awhile back, but no takers. lol.

Hello all, I finally was able to weigh, and I was up 5 lbs. I was thinking, for the last 2 months I have been eating whatever and whenever I wanted. I have had nothing but bad stuff for 2 whole months, since August 5th. The beauty of the band is I'm only up 5 lbs!!!! Pre band I would have been up at least 20 lbs by now. I am so happy with the band, I love my band! I still don't even have the propper restriction. I'm at 3.4 cc's and still can eat whatever I want, I don't have to take small bites or eat slow. I go for another fill Monday October 8th, so this should help jump start me. Even though I'm up 5 lbs and have not lost 1 single pound in 2 months, I know that with the band I can maintain and I never have to be 200+ lbs again. Well, I can't wait to start exercising again. I can't wait to be able to walk again and get back on the tredmill or elliptical. Today is 6 weeks since my surgery and I see the physical therapist today, I am hoping they will start helping me walk again....... Well, will check in later.........

Hello all!!!! I just wanted to pop in and say I'm still alive. Things have been really hectic for me, I had surgery on my knee 8/22, my house flooded and then last week my grandmother passed away. This has been a lot for me to endure and I really went into a selp pitty mode and ate whatever I wanted whenever I wanted and how much I wanted. Life has not been that great for me lately. I'm trying to re-focus on my eating healthy and its hard to get back in the mode of eating right. I know I have gained some weight, but not sure how much. My scales got ruined in the flood, so I will have to purchase some more. I think I"m up around 8 lbs. I get another fill next week so that will help. I am hoping to be able to start putting some weight on my knee next week and once that happens, I can start walking on the treadmill again, I will just have to walk slow at it. The therapy for my knee is a killer, its very rough and painful, but I want to have full use of my knee again, so I'm doing exactly as they tell me. I will try and check back more often now that I am back at work 1/2 days.

Shawn good for you! I miss walking on the treadmill, I miss walking period! I am hoping next week I can start driving and maybe get to the gym to do some upper body workouts, the doc keeps telling me stay off my feet period and I cannot drive, but I think I can, I would just have to use my left foot for the brakes (my right knee is what had the surgery). Well, keep up you dedication!

Hi all, still stuck in bed with my knee so I can't get to the computer like I want to, man, I need a laptop! Anyhow, I have 4 more weeks to go before I can walk again! I tell you - I'm going CRAZY. I can't stand it. Everyone is feeding me FAT too. I can't wait to be able to get up and cook for myself. I still am having therapy 2 x a week, and am on a CPM machine 6 hours a day to keep my knee from building so much scar tissue. I miss the gym horribly, I miss work, I miss my life, I miss Lap-band talk.com too! I just want to get back to normal again! Hopefully soon I will. I weighed the other day and the scales show I'm up to 180lbs - i'm so bummed! I will check back when I can.....not sure when it will be, its about 3:20 am in Oklahoma and everyone is asleep, and I'm wide awake, lol. I think I have my days & nights mixed up now.

Its good to be back! The tubing in the back of the refridge (the one for the ice maker and water), it cracked and leaked everywhere. You wouldn't think that little tube could do that much damage, but let me tell you, it sure did! Buy oh well, it could have been worse. My house is still salvagable, its just a complete mess right now. My surgery is tomorrow afternoon, so I'm sure I'll be on drugs for the next few days and be knocked out, but I'll check in as soon as I'm up to it. I miss my exercise! I haven't been able to exercise in 2 weeks now, sucks. I am at a stand still with my weightloss!

sorry for the HUGE picture, I tried to go back and edit the post and make the picture smaller, but it wouldn't let me. I also had a fill last Friday I'm up to 3.4 cc's and finally feeling a little restriction, I'm going to schedule another fill and hopefully I will hit my sweet spot!

Hello all, life is hectic right now so I haven't even been able to get on the computer - here is what is going on. I went on my cruise and on the 2nd day of the cruise, I slipped and fell, I tore my ACL legament and my MCL, and ripped my cartledge (sp?). Anyhow, I'm off work on medical leave and having surgery tomorrow to repair it, or replace it, I'm using a donor ACL. Also, when we returned last Sunday, we found our house had completely flooded, EVERY ROOM. But, besides all this, we had a good time on the cruise. I'm attaching our family portrait. This was taken the night before I got hurt.

Kim, feel free to email me anytime or PM me! My email tonyathescrapperaddict@hotmail.com. Yes, everyone is different with the band, I am learning that. Terri - great link, I missed it before, but I have posted in it now. love it!

ahhhh, Tracey, I got you beat..... I posted a picture of my before picture in a bikini - lol, we are brave souls aren't we. I can't post them here because I'm at work at they are on my hardrive at home. But, I'm brave enough to post my link http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/january-bandsters-25717/index215.html I'm proud of what I've accomplished, and even though it is a little shameful to look back at my "old me" - things have changed dramtically! I can cross my legs I have colar bones I wear a size 12 (and some 10's) I weigh less than my husband I no longer have high cholesteral I am off my diabetes medicine I am comfortable in the bedroom now, with the lights on. :Banane20: I like myself I have more energy I feel good I have better relationship with my kids/DH (because I am happier) I love life I no longer dread walking I love to exercise I love healthy foods I am committed to myself I know that I deserve to be healthy & fit I will no longer be a quitter! I know that I will NEVER go back to 248 lbs again!

For the life of me, I cannot figure out how to post a pic in my journal, anyone know? I want to post my pre-op pic and my 6 mos post op pic.

Kim, I remember when I was first beginning my journey, I wanted to read all the success stories out there. I suggested to the web master that we should have a section just for Success Stories. This way people can share their story, what they ate, how they did it, what exercises they did, etc. I was banded 1/18/07, and I was scared, and worried. I wondered if I was making the right decision. I also worried how I would handle giving up my food? Food has been my friend, who would I turn to? These are common fears and thoughts I later learned, so I was not abnormal after all. I read so many post where people said that it was hardly no pain, they were up and walking that day. So needless to say, I was quite in shock when I awoke in pain. I wasn't expecting to feel pain, after all, I had had 2 babies completely natural and I have a high pain threshold. So, I wasn't expecting to hurt like I did. I ended up spending the night in the hospital and the next evening I was released. The ride home was very unpleasant. I found it difficult to sleep, My DH propped pillows up on the couch to elevate me so I could sleep. The bed was too unbearable. It hurt to breath. It was at this point I began to think "What in the world have I don't to myself?". I started feeling the "buyers remorse", I wanted to go back to pre-band. I found out again, all these feelings were normal, and again I was abnormal at all. Luckily, I had taken off work for 3 weeks vs most people request just a week off. By the end of the week, I was feeling better, and could get up on my own without the help. By the 10th day, I went to the gym. This started my new life! I could only walk 10 min on the treadmill and then I would hurt on my port side so I got off. The next day, I did the same thing, back to the gym and walked just 10 min. I did this everyday until I reached 30 min. By my 3 mos out, I was released by the doc to start strength training, so I began that journey as well. Exercise has played a major part in my weightloss, I've become a lover of exercise. Weird for me to think that, but its true. My eating is clean 90% of the time. I stil have binging episodes, where I want to eat everything in sight. But my little friend the Band won't let me. The only downfall I see with the band is - it doesn't fix your brain. Head hunger is an ongoing problem. Oh, sometimes I eat more than I should of the wrong stuff, and the band gives me the signal that I've over done it. I get a sharp pain that runs all the way up my left shoulder. Very sharp pains sometimes. So, I'm learning my lesson but I still "test" it at times. The band is tricky, some days I'm tighter than most. I've PB'd 1 x I think, I really don't know if I did or not? I did slime, but food never came up. I just remember it was a horrible feeling. That was at about 3 mos post op. I am now 6 mos post op and wonder what it feels like to have really good restriction. I don't have to take small bites of food, I don't have to sip on Water, and I don't have to even eat slow. I eat regular bites of food, I gulp down water (not while eating of course). I try and follow the bandster rules, but sometimes I do get away from them. But the important things is, this is now a way of life. No more diets. How does it feel to be skinny? Well, not there yet, but let me tell you after losing over 70 lbs now (getting close to 80), my life has changed. I have energy, I can do things I haven't done in years. I am starting to feel beautiful again, it takes a lot of work, but it is so well worth it. Getting the band is the best gift I could have given myself. I'm now 6 mos post op and this morning I stepped on the scales it it read 170lbs. I'm getting closer and closer everyday to my goal weight. I get called skinny all the time, I don't feel that way. I still don't see myself as skinny. Or as smaller. I still grab the XL shirts off the clothes rack, because the L or M look way to small for me, but when I try the XL on, its always too big. I can wear a M sometimes, and sometims I have to go to a L. Its hard changing our self image. I still look in the mirror and see all my imperfections. My sagging butt, my cellulite, my wrinkles, etc. I don't see the skinny person people call me. But other times, I walk by and catch my reflection in the glass, and I think Wow, is that me? I look so thin? I also catch things that I have never notice before, for example my colar bones - I stare at myself in the mirror because I have not seen colar bones in years. I look at my hands and see bones in them and I watch myself type because I'm so amazed at how skinny my hands are.

Sounds like a great workout!!!! I love doing interval training, I think it really gets that matabolism reved up! Your August Challenge is a lot of miles - but you can do it!

Pre band I was able to drink 1 gallon a day, not problem, but now I am down to about 60 oz, I'm working to getting up to at least 100 oz which is almost a gallon. But you are right, we need our water! And our weight does varry all the time, one book I read states you should weigh yourself everyday, and then at the end of the week calculate the average weekly weight, the next week, you do the same thing, and then you subtract the two to give you your weightloss. I just weigh every other day.

The scales sounds like a good one. I paid $50 for mine from Avon Healths, and I do like it, it shows every ounce I lose vs. just 1/2 pounds like most. But I would like to upgrade to a better scale when this one plays out. So, I'll keep yours in mind for sure.

I've been waiting on you to get back!!! I posted a few days ago that I couldn't wait for you to get back so you could tell us about your trip. Tell me all about it! What nights are formal nights? What did you do in Jamaica? My DH & I had our honeymoon there 19 years ago, and this will be the first time my kids are there, but I hear its so much more dangerous now to go off on your own, so just curious what you did? We're doing Stingray Island in Grand Cayman, and in Cozumel we're just hanging out at the beach and shop. Any tips, pointers about the ship? This will be my 10th cruise, my DH's 5th, and my kids' 2nd cruise. But I love all cruises, and it is the only way to vacation in my books. Looking forward to hearing all about your cruise....did you have any problems getting anything stuck? What was the food menu like?

Yep, sounds like your too tight. Man, I wish I could experience that. lol. I can't get tight at all these days. grrrrr. Did you think you were too lose at 1.7 cc's? Maybe just .2 cc's would do the trick, if he just took a little out it might help. Does he do his fills with flouro? I'm hoping I can get some good restriciton when I go for my next fill. I have a little right now, but not enough. Good-luck with your visit today, let us know what happened.

Good afternoon everyone, and welcome bugfather! I am holding steady at my weight from 171 to 174. This morning the scales were 172. But sometimes they bounce up a few pounds then back down. What I've noticed is I will bounce back & forth for a few weeks,then suddenly drop a few pounds, so I'm hoping that will happen soon for me. Its been almost 2 weeks since my last fill and I can tell i'm a little tighter today, not much, but a litter. No problems with eating, but can feel the food going thru the band, and usually I cannot. I got full very quickly on a few stips of smoked chicken - about 2 oz of food. I will be leaving town Saturday morning, but will try and post until then. I won't be able to get online again until I return from my cruise (8/13/07), so you guys don't forget about me. lol. I will be thinking of all of you while I'm watching the sunrise over the ocean, watching the beautiful blue carribean sea, and feeling the cool fresh carribean air brush my face, laying out by the pool, sipping on my umbrella drink, and listening to the band play the carribean music. ahhhh, yes,life will be good the next 8 days. No work, no phone calls, no computer, only fun and play. . But again, I will be thinking about all of you! Well, I'm about to leave work, go home and grill some fish with some cajun seasoning, do a load of laundry and head to the gym, then to wal-mart to pick up some last minute things I need, then pack some more of my bags. Busy evening tonight - talk to everyone later.

Dee - yes, its a good thing you went back, you would have been miserable had you not! Saliva is usually a sign something is stuck I hear. I've only slimed 1 x, actually I might have done a few times. I remember it was not fun and nasty.

Yes, I'm so excited about my cruise, even though its my 10th cruise, each cruise is still so exciting to me. I love them. Thanks for your compliments too. I have not tried the cottage cheese test yet, but will. I probably will do it after my cruise. Hopefully I wont stretch my pouch.

Shawn, your doing so good with your exercising!