tonya66

Shawn - I agree with you, I am always looking at this site a few times a day (i try and limit myself because I do have work to do, lol). It is a great motivator! I think it would be great for us to post on our six month anniversary too! I know before I was banded, I was searching for positive post and wished more people would post about their 6 mos, or 1 year and offer advice. So I feel like I owe it to the pre-bandsters to tell my story, so I'll post on my 6 month anniversary and I'll do it on the 1 year too! Great suggestion! I remember reading this http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f84/new-4-months-post-op-my-story-24615/ and I saved it in my favorites so I could go back and read it from time to time. It was inspiring to me as a pre-bandster and I couldn't wait to get to where this lady was! I was searching for long term bandsters too, and everyone said that they are out enjoying their life, so I promised myself that I would be active on the board as a long-term bandster so others could be inspired. So I plan on sticking around for awhile and trying to help new ones.

cdgmom - I have a goal of 70lbs by my 6 month mark. I'm at 66 pounds now, so I think I might be able to pull it off! But maybe not, my weightloss has now turned to a stall. I know TOM is around the corner, so hopefully after that is gone I can see a drop. I'm also putting on some muscle so I think I'm losing inches. I'm wearing a size 12 skirt today, yippie! I started a local support group in my town, we had our first meeting on Monday. So, I met 3 other women from my hometown that has had the lap band surgery. I belong to bandsters@yahoo.com & Oklahomabandsters@yahoo.com, both of these groups give great advice. One of the ladies in my support group was banded in December, she is also a nurse and really has some great advice. She has lost around 70 lbs now I believe. So the support group should be a great motivator for me. We are going to meet the first Monday of every month, we think as time goes on we'll get some additional members. I'm just trying to keep my motivation - something I usually lose after a few months, but so far, I've kept it going strong with the lap band. I think because I really know this time I will lose the weight and this will work!

Krystal - hopefully the fill will give you some restriction. I'm at 3.0 cc's in a 5 cc band, and still not much restriction. At times it gives me some, but I think I can still eat more than I should. I'm waiting on my insurance approval now so I can get another fill. I really think the key is to stay on top of your fills. And of course making the right food choices (which is the hard part). Keep us posted!

Sue - the good thing about B12 shots is it really boost your energy and matabolism - I take a daily dose of the liquid B-12. I have had no hair loss at all so far, however,I have a really thick head of hair, and I usually have to have it thinned everytime I get a cut. So a little hair loss might not be noticable on me, and I might have not even noticed it. My mom had problems with hairloss and her doc told her to take biotin and it helped her, but she had to take a lot of it for it to help, like 3 or 4 pills a day. The good thing about it is, there are no bald lap bandsters walking around, so the hairloss will grow back and should stop shortly.

For the next 3 weeks, I will be working out 7 days a week to make up for my missed exercise sessions. This way, I can say I haven't missed any again! That is my goal, to make it 12 weeks and not miss any exercises according to the BFL program. Monday - I did my LBWO Tuesday - Did my UBWO Wednesday - do 20 min of HIIT Thursday - LBWO Friday - UBWO Saturday - 20 min of HIIT Sunday 20 min of HIIT Eating has been good, eating healthy! Weightloss is slow, but I know I need another fill. The beuaty of it all, I am not gaining! For the first time in my life, I am not gaining!

For the next 3 weeks, I will be working out 7 days a week to make up for my missed exercise sessions. This way, I can say I haven't missed any again! That is my goal, to make it 12 weeks and not miss any exercises according to the BFL program. Monday - I did my LBWO Tuesday - Did my UBWO Wednesday - do 20 min of HIIT Thursday - LBWO Friday - UBWO Saturday - 20 min of HIIT Sunday 20 min of HIIT Eating has been good, eating healthy! Weightloss is slow, but I know I need another fill. The beuaty of it all, I am not gaining! For the first time in my life, I am not gaining!

Hello all, I've been out of town and back now. I'm so frustrated with my dr. office I could scream! I went on 5/15 to get another fill, the doc said yes you need another fill and they would be calling me to set up an appointment. A few days later I get a call from them and they set me up for 5/25 to get my 3rd fill at the radiology center at a hospital. I go on that date, I set there for over an hour, and then the doc comes out to tell me that they failed to get my preapproval from my insurance company, so they need to get that before he could do my fill. Okay, nough said. The doc office calls me back that same day and appologizes and said they requested it from my insurance and it should be a few days. Here I sit, 11 days later and I hear NOTHING. I've left 4 or 5 different messages and not one of those have been returned! I am scheduled for another doc appointment on the 22nd and let me tell you, if I don't get a return call by then, the doc is going to hear it from me. Matter of fact, there is a support meeting on the 11th and I'mj going to make sure I attend to ask the doc why I can't get a retunr call from his office for a fill - I'm sure there will be lots of newbies there and maybe he can give me an answer! I'm so pissed right now! Okay, enough venting. Besides not getting my fill, I'm doing okay, weight is fluctuating from 182 to 184. This morning it was 183.6. So, I'm holding steady I guess. I'm still exercising religeously.

Well, I went to Nashville, had a great time! The trip down there was HELL - first our rental car was screwed up so we ended up taking our car. We are cruisng along and finally after we hit Little Rock, Arkansas, we come to a 15 mile backed up trafic at a complete stop! We are there for about an hour and haven't moved, we turn around and get off at another exit and "try" and get on another highway, again, 10 miles backed up and a complete stop, after an hour of waiting, we turn around again and trying to find a way past the trafic. We stop at a little store and there was two EMSA drivers there, evidently there was horrible wreck involving two Semi's and a mini van, the wreck left all three in the van dead, so sad. They told us the roads were now closed and would be for about another 6 to 8 hours because the trucks spilled stuff all over the road and they had to haul sand in. But they were nice enough to take us through some back roads and get us past the mess. It took about 3 hours, but we finally made it thru little Rock. Our 9 hour trip took 13 hours! Once we got to Nashville, we had a great time! We attended the benefit concert on Friday and they raised lots of money for Perry Braggs who is in need of a kydney transplant. Then we had another on Saturday night which was so great. As we are coming back to the motel Saturday night, my DH notices the car is hot, turns out, our water pump went out. So now, we are in Nashville on a Saturday night and no way to get home. On Sunday we call every mechanic and none were available (we both are supposed to be back at work on Monday). Well, my DH gets ride (from a very nice employee of the hotel) to the local parts store, he buys the water pump, and lots of tools. He and a good friend worked on the car with a limited amount of tools and finally completed it around 6:30 on Saturday night. We went and had dinner and saw our friend off on his 9:30 flight back to Georgia. We headed back to Tulsa, a 9 hour drive around 10 pm. We made it until 3:40 am and then got a motel in Little Rock. I had to call my boss and let her know there was no way we would make it back to Tulsa by monday morning (it was already 3:40 am). So, we finally made it home around 5 pm on Monday. I started a local support group in Tulsa, and Monday was to be the first meeting, I was worried I wasn't going to make it. But I had just enough time to freshen up and get to the meeting by 6:00 pm. There were 4 people who turned up, but I think it will grow over time. I told them all about this forum and how much it has helped me. Now, as far as exercise goes, I ended up missing 2 workout sessions, so I will have to make them up in the next two weeks by working out on Sundays as well, so the next two weeks - I will be 7 days a week. I refuse to miss a workout! I refuse to do it! I will finish this challenge, I will! I'm excited, I'm now 1/2 way to the finish line! The scale is move so darn slow, It showed 183.6 this morning, I'm sure the wine I drank in Nashville, plus all the eating out didn't help. So I'm not too worried about it. I hope tomorrow the scale will start going downward. Well, thats whats been going on with me....................

Well, I went to Nashville, had a great time! The trip down there was HELL - first our rental car was screwed up so we ended up taking our car. We are cruisng along and finally after we hit Little Rock, Arkansas, we come to a 15 mile backed up trafic at a complete stop! We are there for about an hour and haven't moved, we turn around and get off at another exit and "try" and get on another highway, again, 10 miles backed up and a complete stop, after an hour of waiting, we turn around again and trying to find a way past the trafic. We stop at a little store and there was two EMSA drivers there, evidently there was horrible wreck involving two Semi's and a mini van, the wreck left all three in the van dead, so sad. They told us the roads were now closed and would be for about another 6 to 8 hours because the trucks spilled stuff all over the road and they had to haul sand in. But they were nice enough to take us through some back roads and get us past the mess. It took about 3 hours, but we finally made it thru little Rock. Our 9 hour trip took 13 hours! Once we got to Nashville, we had a great time! We attended the benefit concert on Friday and they raised lots of money for Perry Braggs who is in need of a kydney transplant. Then we had another on Saturday night which was so great. As we are coming back to the motel Saturday night, my DH notices the car is hot, turns out, our water pump went out. So now, we are in Nashville on a Saturday night and no way to get home. On Sunday we call every mechanic and none were available (we both are supposed to be back at work on Monday). Well, my DH gets ride (from a very nice employee of the hotel) to the local parts store, he buys the water pump, and lots of tools. He and a good friend worked on the car with a limited amount of tools and finally completed it around 6:30 on Saturday night. We went and had dinner and saw our friend off on his 9:30 flight back to Georgia. We headed back to Tulsa, a 9 hour drive around 10 pm. We made it until 3:40 am and then got a motel in Little Rock. I had to call my boss and let her know there was no way we would make it back to Tulsa by monday morning (it was already 3:40 am). So, we finally made it home around 5 pm on Monday. I started a local support group in Tulsa, and Monday was to be the first meeting, I was worried I wasn't going to make it. But I had just enough time to freshen up and get to the meeting by 6:00 pm. There were 4 people who turned up, but I think it will grow over time. I told them all about this forum and how much it has helped me. Now, as far as exercise goes, I ended up missing 2 workout sessions, so I will have to make them up in the next two weeks by working out on Sundays as well, so the next two weeks - I will be 7 days a week. I refuse to miss a workout! I refuse to do it! I will finish this challenge, I will! I'm excited, I'm now 1/2 way to the finish line! The scale is move so darn slow, It showed 183.6 this morning, I'm sure the wine I drank in Nashville, plus all the eating out didn't help. So I'm not too worried about it. I hope tomorrow the scale will start going downward. Well, thats whats been going on with me....................

There was a recent show on 60 minutes about pear shaped and exercise. They state that if you do cardio you will just be smaller pear shape. The key is strength training. Well, thats what the study said anyhow. I'm doing my cardio 5 to 6 days a week and doing strenght training. Here are is a wonderful link to some exercies. It gives different exercises for different areas - if you click on the exercise, it even shows a short video clip on how to perform the exercise. I use this website often and they have a great newsletter they mail you with success stories etc. I love it. I hope this helps (I'm pear shaped too, but become more and more less like a pear). I still have my big thighs and hips, but they are shrinking (I've lost 8" off my hips). Weight Training Exercise Guides - Muscle Mass Building Workouts!

Do you get breaks at work? One of the things I read on a recent study is how 3 10 to 15 minuts walks a day boost the matabolism more thru out the day than one 30 min walk. Perhaps you do 10 min at 10 am, 10 to 15 minutes during lunch and another 10 min at 3. I was going to suggest getting up early, but I read where you get up already at 5 am, so that doesn't sound feasable. I get up at 5 am myself to get my exercise in (usually), or I do it in the evening - lately its been in the evening. I also have a job where I can take breaks at my leasure, so I sometimes take a break and we have a company gym and I walk on the treadmill for 15 min or so. Another thing that has helped me out, I use my crockpot to make some easy dishes. you can find many recipes (healthy ones) on the internet, here is one link I sometimes use: Crockpot Slow Cooker Recipes: Thousands of recipes by home cooks like you @ CDKitchen.com This way, when you get home, dinner is already ready, no time needed in the kitchen. Perhaps you can take your child for a walk with you (maybe you could purchase a walker/stroller that the runners use). I used to have one that fit 2 kids in it, and my kids loved our daily walks. They are made with durrable wheels (like on a bicycle) and they go over bumps easily. I know its hard to fit it in, look for ways to fit in any at all. You deserve some time to yourself, I know its hard, but make yourself a priority, you deserve it.

lusingjusme - ouch. I know how you feel, I honestly do. The other night my muscles in my quad area were having spasms. Man they hurt like a dickens. It made me jump out of bed and I tried to walk it out, and massage the area. I think I might have done too much too. I added some squats and lunges into my exercise session - I was so sore it hurt to sit on the toilet. On Monday, I did another round of squats, lunges and its getting better, but still sore. I need to schedule me an hour massage I think, did it help? This last time I did my LBWO (lower body work out), I made sure I streched really good afterwards (I usually don't), and it did seem to help "some". Your doing so good with your exercising! So proud of you for making your 85 mile May goal too!

Yes, once you get into exercise, it become addictive doesn't it! I am the same way, I can't go to bed at night until I've done some sort of exercise. I've replaced my food addiction with exercise!

I wanted to update anyone who is interested. I started the challenge on 4/23/07 (reluctantly). I actually was afraid to start the challenge knowing that I never finished in the past. But I started it. I am now almost 1/2 way finished. I am AMAZED at my results in just the 4 weeks - I am shaping up quite nicely. My curves are coming back. I pumped up the intensity on week 5, added lunges and squats to my lower body work out (LBWO). I couldn't even sit on the toilet without pain after adding them (but this is a good kind of pain). I am now on my 6th week and on Sunday I will have reached my 1/2 way mark. I can honestly say that this is the first time that I have made it this long without missing one exercise session. For anyone interested, I highly recommend doing the challenge. I'm totally hooked on the program! I am hooked on exercise, and I might even say I'm addicted! I go to the gym before I go to sleep at night (even if I've already exercised) to do 30 or 45 min on the treadmill. It is really relaxing to me before going to bed. I so proud of myself for starting the challenge. I will be jumping up with joy when I complete my challenge, it will be the very first time to complete it so that is my main goal, to complete the challenge! I took my before pic in a bikini - really scary. But I'm glad I did. I took my 4 week progress photo and I was shocked at how much progress I made in just 4 weeks. I can't wait to take my 8 week photos to see even more results. I won't be a super model at the end of the 12 weeks, but It will be a start for a new and healthy me. I plan on doing this challenge, and then I will go on my cruise in August, and when I get back, I plan on starting another challenge. (around August 20th which will end November 12th(just in time for Thanksgiving). So anyone interested, give me a holler!

Calling all members of the body for life challenge #1 - who knows how many challenges we may do? So here is to the beginning of getting in shape - here are the rules: 1) Be true to yourself - this is a 12 week challenge, no one will be monitoring your exercises except you. So, your accountable to yourself, just remember, be true to yourself. 2) Take your before picture by Monday 4/23/07 and measurements (measurements are a must because some weeks while you are building muscle you might gain but lose inches) - 3) The program calls for 5 or 6 small meals a day, You may modify this to your needs - I will be modifying mine. 4) If you haven't read the book, you really need to read the book, its called Body for Life by Bill Phillips 5) Lets check in at least once a week, maybe on Mondays or so, but you can check in more often if you like. 6) The challenge begins 4/23/07 and ends on 7/15/97 - it is 12 weeks long (or 84 days, however you want to look at it) 7) If you would like to officially register, you must do that on the body for life website. Here are the challenge members and whoever else wants to join, just jump on and let us know: babygril1234 josiebies linadu Sunshine2

Still going strong on my BFL challenge and I haven't missed a exercise session yet! Wt this morning - 183.8 - Scales are moving sooooo slow lately, no weight loss since the 18th. But I can tell I'm smaller. My 14's are getting big, so I will be in a 12 very soon! I'm not too worried about the scales right now, I know eventually it will fall off. I need a fill - badly. I went on Friday to get one, but there was a mix up and I didn't get it. Evidently, they are supposed to have a pre authorization from my insurance company, and the lady who scheduled my fill failed to do that. So, after waiting an hour, the doc came out and told me they are still waiting on insurance to get back with them. So I ended up leaving with no fill. Here it is Wednesday and I still have not got the approval. Nor has the doc office called me back, very irritating, I want my fill damn it! I'm headed to Nashville on Friday, and I was hoping to have my fill before I leave (it will help me keep in control while there). But I don't think it is going to happen. Hopefully I can get it next week. Exercise - on Monday, I did my LBWO again, those lunges really do hurt! I also added 45 min on the treadmill later that night. Tuesday - I did my 20 min of HIIT - I was extremely tired and just managed to do what I was supposed to do, I didn't add anything extra. Wednesday (today). I haven't exercised yet, but I will this afternoon, today is my UBWO. I plan on doing that and addid 30 to 45 min of treadmill in as well. Well, I'm off to a company picnic and a baseball game today, they are having hot dogs and hamburgers - I guess I could eat the meat only? I wish they would have some grilled chicken or something. Oh well, I will make due.

Still going strong on my BFL challenge and I haven't missed a exercise session yet! Wt this morning - 183.8 - Scales are moving sooooo slow lately, no weight loss since the 18th. But I can tell I'm smaller. My 14's are getting big, so I will be in a 12 very soon! I'm not too worried about the scales right now, I know eventually it will fall off. I need a fill - badly. I went on Friday to get one, but there was a mix up and I didn't get it. Evidently, they are supposed to have a pre authorization from my insurance company, and the lady who scheduled my fill failed to do that. So, after waiting an hour, the doc came out and told me they are still waiting on insurance to get back with them. So I ended up leaving with no fill. Here it is Wednesday and I still have not got the approval. Nor has the doc office called me back, very irritating, I want my fill damn it! I'm headed to Nashville on Friday, and I was hoping to have my fill before I leave (it will help me keep in control while there). But I don't think it is going to happen. Hopefully I can get it next week. Exercise - on Monday, I did my LBWO again, those lunges really do hurt! I also added 45 min on the treadmill later that night. Tuesday - I did my 20 min of HIIT - I was extremely tired and just managed to do what I was supposed to do, I didn't add anything extra. Wednesday (today). I haven't exercised yet, but I will this afternoon, today is my UBWO. I plan on doing that and addid 30 to 45 min of treadmill in as well. Well, I'm off to a company picnic and a baseball game today, they are having hot dogs and hamburgers - I guess I could eat the meat only? I wish they would have some grilled chicken or something. Oh well, I will make due.

Hello all, just checking in. I went for my fill #3 on Friday, but it didnt happen. There was some mix up with my insurance company and they failed to get the pre authorization, so I'm waiting on that and will head back to get my fill. I have not lost in the last couple of weeks so feeling really discouraged. However, I can tell I've lost inches. So trying to stay positive. I'm stuck at 184! I bounce from 182 to 186, but usually end up at 184 pretty consistantly. Hopefully fill #3 will get me going and I can finally drop below 180 lbs. I am on my 6th week now of BFL challenge, and I have not missed a workout. So I'm really proud of myself. AFter this week, I will be 1/2 way finished. The changes I'm seeing in my body are truly amazing. I'm getting my curves back! Its so nice to pick up a pair of pants off the clothes rack and they fit! Not squeezing or tucking needed! And, no womens sizes either. Anyhow, I have a busy week, so I won't be checking in much, then on Friday DH & I are headed to Nashville for a long weeked. I hope everyone enjoys their week!

I considered RNY, and still would if the band doesn't work for me. I'm all for it! Congrats on your upcoming surgery!

The more weight you lose the better your knee will feel, promise. Force yourself to take 15 min walk everyday, use this time to meditate, clear your head etc instead of food. It really does help. Increase your walks every week by 5 min, before you know it, you will not be able to sleep until you've had your walk. Don't push yourself too hard with a bad knee, but force yourself to walk a little everyday. Also, don't worry about the lose skin, that just comes, and sometimes it doesn't - we never know how we're going to end up, so don't focus on that at this point - just try and make healthy food choices, and your not always going to do it, so don't beat yourself up over it. Just realize you made a mistake and move on, its only natural we will want bad stuff at times, and sometimes we will give in to our desires. But try and limit those times. Hang in there! And 23 lbs loss is GREAT!

I can't walk today! My ass hurts, my thighs hurt, my entire body is aching! Wednesday I decided it was time to pump up my lower body workout, so I did the dreaded squats and lunges. Today is 48 hours later and I had to roll out of bed this morning, I was hurting so bad, then I went to sit down on the toilet, and my ass was in pain. I must have really worked it - this is the first time I have been this sore in forever. Hopefully by tomorrow, it won't be as sore. I'm due to do my LBWO again on Monday. Today is my ubwo. I had to do cardio yesterday and I was sore, but I still did them. I go for fill #3 today at 1:30. I'm excited and nervous at the same time, excited to get more restriction, nervous about being too tight and pbing, so I will need to learn to slow down on eating and take smaller bites, something I have not accomplished yet.

I can't walk today! My ass hurts, my thighs hurt, my entire body is aching! Wednesday I decided it was time to pump up my lower body workout, so I did the dreaded squats and lunges. Today is 48 hours later and I had to roll out of bed this morning, I was hurting so bad, then I went to sit down on the toilet, and my ass was in pain. I must have really worked it - this is the first time I have been this sore in forever. Hopefully by tomorrow, it won't be as sore. I'm due to do my LBWO again on Monday. Today is my ubwo. I had to do cardio yesterday and I was sore, but I still did them. I go for fill #3 today at 1:30. I'm excited and nervous at the same time, excited to get more restriction, nervous about being too tight and pbing, so I will need to learn to slow down on eating and take smaller bites, something I have not accomplished yet.

Hi Audree - we've missed ya! So glad you popped in to tell us how your doing. The pb incident does not sound like fun! I lost very quick in the beginning,but now it has really slowed down, I haven't lost anything this week, and I usually weigh in on Mondays, so we'll see how Monday goes. I really want to lose another 15 lbs before my cruise in August, but not sure if that can happen.

Lisa - OMG - your stomach has disappeared! Keep taking your pictures and watch your progress! Your doing GREAT! Wow, you don't even have the chin either, AMAZING results girlfriend, and you look beautiful! Renee - I totally agree! I'm so sore today (I really pumped up the lower body workout Wednesday - and added some lunges in). I can barely walk, I am moving slow and my butt hurts to sit down, so, no it is NOT easy. lol. I'm going for fill #3 today. I was at a great restriction for 2 weeks, then lost it, then the 4th week had it again, now I've lost it again, so, I'm going for a fill. I'm at 3.0 cc's. I saw a lady on another thread that said it took her to 3.9cc's in her 4 cc band before she finally got good restriction. I hope that doesn't happen to me, Hopefully this fill will do the trick. I hope everyone has a wonderful, and SAFE weekend. Be careful and enjoy yourself. I plan on relaxing, going to the pool with my daughter, and getting caught up on my laundry. I am off work Monday, so it will be a much needed 3 day weekend for me!

Where do you get the Scultique? Who makes it? I'm willing to try anything! Bathing suit weather is here and I'm leaving on my cruise in 71 days 21 hours and 6 minuts (but whose counting - lol).